Backroads’ First-Ever Egypt Tour Adds Nile Kayaking to a Luxury Adventure
September 3, 2026 Team Contributor
What if seeing Egypt’s ancient wonders didn’t mean spending the whole trip on a tour bus?
Backroads is introducing a new way to experience Egypt, pairing its signature active travel style with some of the country’s most iconic destinations. The company’s first Egypt journey takes travellers from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan, combining scenic cycling and hiking with kayaking on the Nile and four nights aboard an all-suite luxury river ship.
Launching in 2027, the 8-day long Egypt multi-adventure tour brings together the country’s ancient wonders, active adventures, enriching cultural encounters and refined stays at some of the country’s finest hotels. Travellers heading to Egypt can also check our guide to Egypt’s digital visa and visa-on-arrival options before planning their trip.
Egypt Has More to Offer Beyond the Pyramids
The Pyramids of Giza are part of the itinerary, but they are only the beginning.
Guests will experience Egypt at a more intimate pace, exploring its temples, ancient tombs and historic avenues on foot. In Luxor, the journey continues by bicycle, winding past royal tombs and across the stunning desert landscapes of the West Bank.
Rather than simply viewing the Nile from its banks, travellers can experience it up close by kayak, passing swaying palms, ancient temples, and villages along the water. A ride aboard a traditional felucca and time on a motorboat offer an esoteric perspective on the river and the communities that continue to live alongside it.
From the Nile, the journey ventures south to Abu Simbel. A short flight brings guests to the majestic temples of Ramses II, where towering façades and ancient stonework offer a striking glimpse into the scale and ambition of Egypt’s past.
An Egyptologist will join travellers for guided visits, bringing the ancient sites to life with stories and historical context that go beyond what visitors see at first glance.
Four Nights Aboard an All-Suite Nile Vessel
After exploring Egypt on land, travellers will spend four nights aboard the Sanctuary Serai, a riverboat that debuted in 2026.
Backroads describes it as the only all-suite vessel on the Nile. The cruise gives guests time to travel between destinations while also taking a break from the more active parts of the trip.
The other three nights are at luxury hotels, including Al Moudira Hotel in Luxor and the Old Cataract Hotel in Aswan. The Old Cataract has a famous literary connection. Agatha Christie stayed at the hotel and was said to have drawn inspiration for Death on the Nile.
Local experiences are part of the itinerary
Beyond the ancient monuments, the itinerary opens the door to a more intimate side of Egypt. Guests can sit down for tea with Nubian families, learn the flavours of Egyptian cuisine during a hands-on cooking class and join a Galabeya celebration filled with traditional music and local hospitality.
These experiences add more personality to the journey, offering a glimpse into everyday life and cultural traditions that travellers may not encounter on a conventional sightseeing itinerary.
“There’s no place quite like Egypt,” said Tom Hale, founder, president and CEO of Backroads, in the company’s announcement.
One of Backroads’ Trip Leaders, a Cairo native with deep connections to Egypt, came up with the idea, according to the company.
The Egypt Multi-Adventure Tour will run from October through December 2027, followed by departures from January through March 2028.
For travellers looking to add a refined Canadian escape before or after an overseas adventure, a stay at The Clayfield boutique hotel in Niagara-on-the-Lake offers a more intimate way to experience the region.
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