All archaeology-obsessed eyes turned hopefully toward Egypt earlier this year when the highly anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum outside Cairo finally began welcoming visitors after construction delays, funding roadblocks and political upheaval in the region (among other factors) conspired to keep things delayed for many long years. The museum’s cherry on the top is slated to open this summer, with the July opening of the museum’s 20-plus-years-in-the-making Tutankhamen galleries and accompanying cache of some 5,000 artifacts and treasures from the boy king’s tomb.

Geoffrey Kent, founder and chairman emeritus, Abercrombie & Kent, said Egypt remains one of his favorite holidays and called the pyramids a place every traveler should see before they die.

“Egypt is the cradle of civilization and a place where you will gain a greater understanding of the world we all share,” he said.

The luxury tour operator offers land and cruise options aboard Sun Boat III or Sun Boat IV (with 36 or 80 passengers, respectively, and lavish marble interiors and swimming pools among the amenities) down the Nile, affording a rare glimpse into the ways in which life here has remained unchanged for centuries, according to Kent.

With A&K’s Egyptologists by your side during four- and seven-night cruises (with additional days together for land-based excursions), you’ll discover archaeological treasures and the fascinating stories behind them in places like Valley of the Kings; find yourself among the first visitors to Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza; and fly to Abu Simbel, too, to ogle the twin temples of Ramses II and his wife, Queen Nefertari.

© ROAD SCHOLAR

When you travel to Egypt on small-group tours with Road Scholar, an Egyptologist such as Amani Nabil — who has worked with World Bank and Cairo American College and was selected by Egypt’s Minister of Antiquity to guide high-profile visitors and foreign dignitaries through the region — might be your guide for archaeology-focused tours like the 14-day itinerary Beyond the Pharaohs: Egypt Past and Present. It includes expeditions to such places as Saqqara, Dahshur, the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Sphinx, as well as the obligatory guided visit to Grand Egyptian Museum.

Elizabeth Gerecitano, who works for Road Scholar and recently returned from this particular tour with a group of Road Scholar members, said many participants chose this option because it allowed them to visit locations from Alexandria all the way down to Aswan. (Few commercial tours include all those locations, among them Cairo, Giza, Luxor and more.) She said the expedition’s logistics include three internal flights to cover the most ground.

“We were pretty much on the border of Sudan, so we went from the top to the bottom of Egypt along the Nile, plus we got to see Lake Nasser and the High Dam,” Gerecitano said. A flight to Abu Simbel for a half day to see the ancient salvaged temple that was almost lost to flooding when the dam was built remains among the many highlights.

She added, “Since Road Scholar provides an Egyptologist and a lecture specifically on some of the archaeology digs taking place, we really dive deep into that aspect and get a much better education on each of the ancient temples, pyramids, etc. that we’re visiting.”

PHOTO: © EXTRAORDINARY JOURNEYS

Extraordinary Journeys, another top operator to bookmark for deep-dive archaeology-centric tours to Egypt, offers a cruise on a traditional, twin-masted dahabiya down the Nile. Egyptologists accompany guests on 11-night Pyramids & Pharaohs itineraries as you visit such storied sites as Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and float in a hot-air balloon over Valley of the Kings. After, spend four nights aboard the seven-cabin Sonesta Dahabiya to cruise through pastoral Nile settings and visit places such as Kom Ombo Temple and Temple of Horus at Edfu.

For travelers who’ve always had a trip to Egypt on the life list, bucket list or any other superlative docket, there’s quite simply no more glorious moment to go in style and substance than now.

INFO TO GO
Most archaeological and historical tours of Egypt launch from Cairo. International travelers will likely fly into Cairo International Airport, the largest and busiest airport in Egypt, and explore the city and nearby Giza for a day or longer before flying to Luxor (LXR) or Aswan (ASW) and boarding a ship to cruise along the Nile River. Tours may include flights to Abu Simbel (ABS) before returning to Cairo for international connections onward. For the mildest weather, the best time of year to visit Egypt’s archaeological sites and to cruise the Nile River is October–April.