Private Egypt trips timed for the best moments of the year: Christmas week in Cairo and Luxor, Coptic Christmas on 7 January, New Year’s Eve on a Nile cruise, quieter summer trips and the 2 August 2027 total solar eclipse over Luxor. Peak dates fill up months ahead, so we show you when to book.
| Season | Dates | Why go | Book by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christmas and New Year | 20 Dec – 2 Jan | Warm, sunny days, festive hotels and New Year’s Eve on the Nile | 3–6 months ahead |
| Coptic Christmas | 6–7 Jan | Christmas Eve mass in Coptic Cairo | 2–3 months ahead |
| Winter high season | Jan – Mar | The most comfortable weather for Luxor and Aswan temples | 2–4 months ahead |
| Abu Simbel Sun Festival | 22 Feb and 22 Oct | Sunrise lights the inner sanctuary of Abu Simbel | 3+ months ahead |
| Easter and spring | Mar – Apr | Warm days before the summer heat | 2–3 months ahead |
| Summer | Jun – Aug | Quieter sites, lower hotel and cruise rates, Red Sea beaches | A few weeks ahead |
| Total solar eclipse | 2 Aug 2027 | Over 6 minutes of totality near Luxor | Now |
Send your travel dates and group size online or on WhatsApp.
We check hotels, cruises and flights for those dates and send a written price.
Confirm early for Christmas, New Year and the eclipse, as the best boats and hotels go first.
5.0 on TripAdvisor · 1,050+ reviews
Everything was planned and executed from arrival to departure.
An amazing experience, only made better by our fantastic guide Manal. She really helped us understand the true history of Egypt.
I sent an outline of my plans. Soon I received a ready-made plan that fully met our expectations.
June to August is usually the cheapest, with lower hotel and Nile cruise rates and quieter sites. It is very hot in Luxor and Aswan, so we plan early-morning visits and air-conditioned transport.
Book 3 to 6 months ahead. The week from 20 December to 2 January is the busiest of the year, and the best Nile cruises and hotels fill first.
Egypt’s Coptic Christians celebrate Christmas on 7 January, with services on the night of 6 January. Our Coptic Christmas tour includes a visit to Coptic Cairo.
Yes. Our New Year’s Eve Nile cruise sails between Luxor and Aswan, with a private guide for the temple visits. Ask early, as cabins sell out.
On 2 August 2027. Luxor is close to the centre of the path, with over 6 minutes of totality. Hotels and cruises in Luxor are already filling up.
Yes. Sites and tours run as normal, though some opening hours are shorter and restaurants may open later. It is a lovely time to see evening life in Cairo.
