In 2025, join the legendary photographer Art Wolfe for an exclusive journey through Egypt, where the ancient world unfolds in spectacular visual splendor. This immersive photography tour promises a unique opportunity to explore and capture the timeless beauty of Egypt’s most iconic landmarks under the guidance of one of the foremost experts in visual storytelling.
Your adventure begins with the awe-inspiring Sphinx and the Giza pyramids, where Art Wolfe will guide you in capturing the grandeur of these monumental structures against the vast desert backdrop. As the journey progresses, you’ll board a traditional felucca to sail the Nile River, capturing the serene waters and lush landscapes that have nurtured civilizations for millennia.
A visit to the Pyramid of King Zoser introduces you to the architectural marvels of ancient Egypt, where the step pyramid’s intricate design offers a unique photographic challenge. The journey continues to Abu Simbel, where the colossal temples carved into the mountainside provide a dramatic setting for capturing the legacy of Ramses II.
As you explore Lake Nasser, a striking contrast between the man-made reservoir and the desert landscape offers fresh perspectives for your lens. In Aswan, you’ll photograph the vibrant scenes of local life, the tranquil waters, and the Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis.
Luxor awaits with its rich tapestry of history and grandeur. The Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Karnak offer breathtaking opportunities to capture the essence of ancient Egypt, while the visit to the tomb of King Ramses II provides a deeply evocative experience, with its intricate hieroglyphs and vivid tomb paintings.
Throughout this unforgettable tour, Art Wolfe will share his expert techniques and personal insights, helping you to refine your skills and capture extraordinary images of Egypt’s legendary landscapes and monuments. This is more than a photography tour—it’s a journey through time, guided by a master who will inspire and challenge you to see and photograph Egypt like never before.
Transportation and Accommodation
All meals, lodging, and transportation specified on the itinerary are included. You will be responsible for your flight to and from Cairo. You are encouraged to arrive one day prior to the workshop so that there is no worry of flight delays causing any problems. Our arrangers can assist with additional hotel nights if needed.
Itinerary
Shooting schedules have the ability to be altered to effectively cater to the photographic desires of the group, as well as to adapt to changeable weather conditions.
Day 1 Nov 5 Arrival in Cairo
Arrive Cairo International Airport.
Group Transfer to hotel (for those arriving at appx same times). Those arriving at varying times, private transfer arranged (for extra fee) and transferred to a hotel. The Clients should plan for their flights to arrive (Cairo), before or no later than 6pm, Nov 5. The following day the activities begin, and clients need to be rested.
If the majority of the group arrives at a reasonable hour there will be a welcome dinner with Art Wolfe and his assistant instructor Gavriel Jecan.
Day 2 Nov 6 Cairo
Group to wake up before sunrise to get themselves ready for sunrise pictures from the balcony of their rooms. Breakfast at the hotel then meet in reception lobby with the tour guide Egyptologist and start the visits to the Citadel of Salah Eldeen and, mosque of Mohammed Ali, mosque of Sultan Hassan and mosque of Al Rafai (in this mosque, the king Farouk and the Shah of Iran are buried).
Drive to the New Grand Egyptian Museum to visit followed by dinner in one of the local hotels located in front of the Sphinx and the Giza pyramids to enjoy dinner and take photos at sunset. After enjoying that dinner, we will drive back to the hotel and overnight in Cairo. (B, D)
Day 3 Nov 7 Cairo
Schedule your breakfast to finish by 8 am. 8:30 am we’ll depart to Birqash Camel Market which is Egypt’s largest camel market, NW of Cairo, on the edge of the Western Desert. Souq al-Gamaal, has camels that have been driven across the shifting sands from Sudan, Somalia and Aswan. People from every social standard and traders go there to make their purchases.
Apprx. 12:30 pm departure, with lunch on return to hotel. After a brief afternoon break we meet again to visit the old Egyptian museum (optional: only for those who are interested). Following the visit to the museum we will have a walk through El-Moez. Highlights to photograph during our walk include Bab Al-Futuh, Bab Zuweila, the spice market on Al-Azhar Street, and Ghoriya a famous bazaar.
Following our evening stroll we will return to the hotel and overnight in Cairo. (B, D)
Day 4 Nov 8 Cairo
Early AM Wake up and the group will meet in reception area to leave at 4 am for our sunrise session at the Sphinx in Giza (this is a private and exclusive visit before official opening hours of the area). After this private visit, we will stay in the area to take more photos of the Sphinx and the pyramids then we will have our camels ready in front of the pyramids to photograph them together or separately. At about 9:30 am, we will board our private AC van/ bus and drive back to the hotel to enjoy a late breakfast.
This afternoon we will meet our guide in reception area and drive to Sakkara necropolis where the first manmade stone building ever is built dating back to 2720 BC, the pyramid of King Zoser. We will go inside the first pyramid ever with hieroglyphics written on the walls then we will visit an ancient tomb dating back to 2340 BC. Afternoon tea and snacks, followed by short visit near ancient Memphis, to photograph and visit a weaving school for the children of the village of Memphis. Return to hotel and rest. Overnight in Cairo. (B & L)
Day 5 Nov 9 Abu Simbel
Breakfast at the hotel, check out and drive to Cairo airport to catch our flight to Aswan. Arrive in Aswan and catch another flight to Abu Simbel or board an AC bus and drive to Abu Simbel.
Arrive in Abu Simbel, collect luggage and drive for 10 minutes to our hotel (hotels in the small town of Abu Simbel are basic but clean and nice). Tonight, we will attend the Sound and Light show under the stars. Return to hotel, enjoy dinner and overnight in Abu Simbel. (B, D)
Day 6 Nov 10 Abu Simbel
Early AM wake up for our sunrise session at the temples of King Ramses and Queen Nefertari. Following the sunrise session, we will have a guided tour of the temples and return to the hotel for a late breakfast.
After breakfast there will be a short break for everyone to rest followed by an afternoon field session walking around the small town and an optional boat ride in lake Nasser.
Dinner at the hotel and overnight in Abu Simbel. (B, D)
Day 7 Nov 11 Aswan
Breakfast at the hotel, check out and drive to Abu Simbel airport to catch a flight to Aswan. Upon arrival the group will be transported to our hotel, the legendary Old Cataract Sofitel hotel.
Before sunset, we’ll enjoy a felucca ride on the Nile (sailboat) around the Nubian islands then move to a motorboat for a half hour ride to a Nubian island close to the first Cataract. Visit this Nubian village then return to the motorboat and drive to where we will have dinner in a local Nubian restaurant then return to hotel. Overnight in Aswan (B, D)
Day 8 Nov 12 Aswan
Early AM wake up for our sunrise session at the Philae temple (another private and exclusive visit before tourist official visiting hours).
Following our private sunrise photo session, we will have a guided tour around the Philae temple and return to the hotel for breakfast. The group will have some free time to rest after breakfast. At approximately 2 pm, we will meet in the hotel lobby for an afternoon/early evening photo session. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant then return to the hotel and overnight in Aswan. (B, D)
Day 9 Nov 13 Luxor
Breakfast at the hotel, check out and board our private AC van/ bus to drive to. Arrive in Luxor, check in to our hotel, Sonesta Saint George (Rooms with a full Nile view). Sunset photos from the balcony of your room then we will visit the Luxor temple under the stars (we can visit the Luxor temple at sunset tonight if you wish). Dinner in a local restaurant then back to the hotel and overnight in Luxor. (B, D)
Day 10 Nov 14 Luxor
Early AM Optional Hot air balloon ride. Return to the hotel to enjoy breakfast. At 9 am, we meet with the guide to start our morning tour around the temple of Queen Hatshepsut then to the Valley of the Kings which includes the tomb of King Seti 1 father of King Ramses 2 and the Colossi of Memnon.
After our tours the group will get lunch in a local restaurant and drive back to the hotel. Overnight in Luxor. (B, L)
Day 11 Nov 15 Luxor
Early AM Wake up and the group will meet our Egyptologist guide in reception at 5:45 am. Drive to the temple of Karnak for sunrise pictures from inside the temple followed by a guided tour. Return to the hotel to enjoy breakfast. Afternoon a brief break for rest there will be an optional afternoon field session. Overnight Luxor. (B, D)
Day 12 Nov 16 Cairo-Departure Day
Check out and drive to Luxor airport to catch a flight back to Cairo (1 hour flying time). Arrive in Cairo, collect luggage and drive for 10 minutes to your hotel near the airport. After checking in, we will meet this evening to enjoy our farewell dinner. Overnight in Cairo, or ready yourselves for a flight home in the early am. Rooms will be held for the evening, so you can relax and depart as needed. (B, D)
(Note: Clients to schedule early am departures, most airlines depart in the early am hours, usually after 1 am, i.e. Day 13 Mon Nov. 17)
Services Included
- Accommodations (twin sharing basis) as indicated above in the itinerary.
- All meals noted on the itinerary.
- Services of Air Conditioned Van
- Services of English speaking guide
- Entrance fee to visit monuments.
- Private access to monuments before they are open to the public
- Tipping for our guides is included in the price
*Note: We will make every effort to connect you with a roommate should you like to share a room. However, if we’re unable to make a match, the single supplement will apply.
Services Not Included
- Any international Airfare, travel insurance or medical insurance. (health insurance is mandatory and travel insurance is highly recommended)
- Anything not mentioned in inclusion above.
- Tipping to accompanying escort is not included in our pricing.
- Any expenditure of personal nature like alcoholic drinks, Fruit shakes, sodas, laundry, telephone calls, or internet
- Anything ordered from room service at any hotel including mineral water (other than what being offered by the hotels on their compliment).
- Any sudden increase in price due to steep hike in fuel cost, change in government tax policy or for any reason beyond our control like acts of god, natural calamity, law and order situation, riots etc and any forced change in itinerary for any unforeseen situation or reason beyond our control.