Snapshot
Aswan - Nubian Village (Lunch)
Cairo - Egyptian Museum
Cairo - Giza Pyramids - UNESCO Heritage site
Cairo - Khan el-Khalili Bazaar
Cairo - The Sphinx
Felucca Sailing
Luxor - Colossi of Memnon
Luxor - Medinat Habu
Luxor - Valley of the Kings
Luxor Temple
Aswan - Temple of Philae
Cairo - Egyptian Museum - Royal Mummy Room (Optional)
Cairo - Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops)
Cairo - Old City Historial Areas - UNESCO Heritage site
Edfu Temple of Horus
Hurghada - Red Sea
Luxor - Karnak Temple
Luxor - Queen Hatshepsut Temple
Luxor - Valley of the Kings - Tutankhamen's Tomb (Optional)
Inclusions
Inbound Transfer - Cairo
Cairo International Airport (CAI)
Outbound Transfer - Cairo
Cairo International Airport (CAI)
Professional English-speaking tour guide/ Egyptologist for all sightseeing tours
Transportation in a fully air-conditioned, non-smoking vehicle
Domestic flight between Hurghada and Cairo and transfers
Overnight Felucca cruise with support boat
Overnight sleeper train - Cairo to Aswan
8 nights - accommodation.
- 1 night5 starCairoLe Meridien Pyramids
- 1 nightSleeper Train CabinBetween Cairo
- AswanSleeper Train
- 1 night5 starAswanHelnan Hotel
- 1 nightFeluccaOn the NileFelucca
- 1 night5 starLuxorSteigenberger Nile Palace Hotel
- 2 nights5 starHurghadaJaz Oasis Makadi Bay
- 1 night5 starCairoLe Meridien Pyramids
8 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 4 Dinners
Exclusions
Visas, border or port taxes
Suggested optional activities
Hotel gala dinners (if charged by the hotels on 24 & 31 Dec, see 'Notes' section)
Egypt Tipping kitty (allow US$45)
Tips - driver, guide and felucca crew
Entrance fees
Compulsory Travel Insurance
Itinerary
Welcome to Egypt! Upon arrival our staff will meet you at the airport, assist you with obtaining your visa and luggage, and then transfer you to your hotel close to the Pyramids for the start of your trip. They will help you settle in, introduce you to the local area, and explain tomorrow's arrangements. The rest of the day is free. If you arrive early you may like to take an evening dinner cruise on the Nile, or enjoy a spectacular sound and light show at the pyramids (both available to book locally on arrival).
Overnight Cairo
Day 2
Pyramids, Sphinx & Museum
Our tour of Egypt begins with a drive to Giza on the outskirts of Cairo to visit the three great pyramids of Egypt and the Sphinx. You'll find your local Egyptologist guide a wealth of knowledge and full of enthusiasm about Egyptian history, and their country in general.
The Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops), an awesome man-made structure constructed of giant stone blocks, together with the smaller pyramids of Khafre (Chephern) and Menkaure (Mycerinus), the majestic sight of these enormous structures rising out of the desert is a breathtaking spectacle.
You will have the opportunity to climb down right inside the pyramids if you wish, though your guide cannot accompany you (a limited number of tickets are available for the Great Pyramid).
Following on from the Pyramids we then head to the Egyptian Museum in central Cairo. Home to the fantastic Tutankhamun exhibit and many of the New Kingdom royal mummies, the museum hosts a huge number of other ancient Egyptian artefacts.
This evening we transfer to the station for the overnight sleeper train to Aswan (approx. 12 hours).
Overnight Between Cairo - Aswan
Day 3
Aswan, Nubian Village & Philae Temple
This morning we arrive in Aswan and transfer to our hotel overlooking the Nile which is at its most picturesque here, with cascading rapids, lush green islands, and feluccas sailing to and fro. Aswan itself is a melting pot of African and Middle Eastern cultures, most easily experienced by wandering through the busy markets. Many descendants of the Nubian people still live here and we'll visit a local Nubian village to see their colourful houses, simple way of life and to enjoy a traditional lunch.
Our tour in Aswan continues this afternoon with a visit the Temple of Philae, a beautiful island complex dedicated to Isis and reclaimed from the rising waters of Lake Nasser, which we reach by a scenic boat ride. The rest of the day is free.
Overnight Aswan
Day 4
Abu Simbel option. Nile Felucca Cruise
An option is available this morning to visit the temples built by Ramses II at the amazing UNESCO world heritage site of Abu Simbel. We depart very early with the aim of seeing the rising sun over the temples. Transfers, guiding, and entrance fees are included. If you don't visit Abu Simbel, then this morning is free.
We board our traditional Nile felucca at lunchtime to enjoy an afternoon sailing down the Nile. Floating down the Nile on a felucca is one of Egypt's most enjoyable activities and you'll be able to watch local rural Egyptian life pass you by on the banks of the river as you drift past. Our Nubian crew will sail the boat and entertain you on the way, as well as preparing meals for you. Our separate facilities boat will join with us from time to time during the day and moor up with us at night. This boat has a welcome toilet and showers on board as well as a hygienic kitchen where the crew will prepare a delicious evening meal. You sleep on the deck of the boat tonight (mattresses, blankets and mosquito nets provided).
This is a fun, but basic experience, and we offer an optional upgrade to spend this night back in the Aswan hotel instead of sleeping on the felucca for those wishing some more comfort. You then rejoin the rest of the group the next morning.
Overnight On the Nile
Day 5
Edfu temple and Luxor Temple at night
After breakfast on-board we bid farewell to our felucca crew and visit the nearby temple of Edfu before continuing on north to Luxor. The town of Luxor is built on and around the ancient site of Thebes, and boasts the largest concentration of ancient ruins in the Nile Valley, if not the world. To the west of the Nile lies the City of the Dead, with its mortuary temples and rock-hewn tombs, whilst to the east lie the Temples of Luxor and Karnak.
This afternoon is free time to relax and enjoy time by the pool or explore the local area.
Later this evening we'll take a walking tour of the smaller Luxor Temple which is right in the middle of town and beautifully lit up at night.
Overnight Luxor
Day 6
Luxor, West bank tour, to Hurghada
A spectacular hot air balloon flight over the west bank of the Nile is available this morning (expect an early start to catch sunrise as the balloon rises).
We cross the Nile early this morning to begin our tour of Luxor's West Bank. Home to the Valley of the Kings, the dusty tombs in this ancient burial site are still revealing their secrets today and so it remains one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. Our tour includes several of these Pharaonic tombs, as well as the Temple of Queen Hatchepsut, Valley of the Artisans (Deir El-Medina), and the huge Colossi of Memnon.
In the afternoon we'll tour the huge temple complex at Karnak, once the religious centre of Thebes and Upper Egypt. It was linked to Luxor by an extensive avenue, lined with sphinxes, and the whole complex was in turn linked to the Nile via a canal through which moved the sacred boats of the god Amun. Entering through a smaller sphinx-lined avenue, built by Ramesses II, you come to the immense pylon entrance. Inside the huge Courtyard are three chapels dedicated to the gods Amun, Khous and Mut. The remarkable Hypostyle Hall has 134 towering columns, each carved with scenes of gods and pharaohs, and hieroglyphic inscriptions adorn the walls.
Overnight Luxor
Day 7
Luxor to the Red Sea at Hurghada
After a lazy morning we leave the Nile Valley and drive to the Red Sea resort of Hurghada where we check into a 5-star resort. Your stay here is on a 'soft all inclusive' basis, with all meals, soft drinks and snacks included but not alcoholic beverages.
Overnight Hurghada
Day 8
Red Sea at Hurghada, free day
Your day is free today to relax and enjoy your time by the Red Sea. Hurghada is world famous for its scuba diving and snorkelling and the rich Red Sea marine life here attracts divers from all over the world. Other adventurous activities available include wind surfing and kite surfing, glass bottomed submarines, quad biking, camel rides and sea fishing trips. Our local rep based in Hurghada will be on hand to help make any arrangements. Hurghada itself has an interesting marina and old town to explore.
If you wish, we can book extra nights in the resort in Hurghada for you to extend your time here - please contact us for details and prices.
Overnight Hurghada
Day 9
Cairo, Old Cairo, Khan-el-Khalili bazzar tour
We drive back to Cairo this morning and check into our city centre hotel.
In the late afternoon we take a guided walk through the back streets and bazaars in Old Cairo. We'll walk through the huge Bab al-Futuh gateway and explore streets dedicated to metalwork, spices, pottery, fabric, jewelery and anything else you can imagine as we gradually enter the more touristy Khan-el-Khalili bazaar. We'll have time for a break to try some mint tea and a shisha pipe and this is a great final opportunity to pick up some souvenirs of your time in Egypt.
An upgrade to an internal flight from Hurghada to Cairo is also available on request.
Overnight Cairo
Your time is free today for some last minute sightseeing or shopping until we transfer you to the airport for your departure flight. If you have an evening flight departure, then a half-day tour of Coptic Cairo and the Citadel is available today, or you could take another half-day tour to learn more about the evolution of pyramid building at Saqqara, Dashour & Memphis. tours are also available today.
Alternatively you can add extra nights to your time in Cairo which would allow you to take a day trip to the colonial city of Alexandria on the Mediterranean coast, or a trip into the desert outside Cairo to see the World Heritage Site of the Valley of the Whales at Wadi Rayan.
Accomodations
1 STAR
Cairo: Any 3*/4*/5* Hotel or Accommodation (Optional), Felucca, Hotel to be Advised, Jaz Oasis Makadi Bay, Le Meridien Pyramids, Sleeper Train Cabin between Cairo and Aswan, Steigenberger Nile Palace Hotel or similar
Policies
Please Note:
1. Group Size : Minimum Group Size of 2.
2. Age : Minimum Age of 8. Whilst there is no Maximum Age set it is assumed the customer is fit enough to take part in the activity or tour. Health documents may be requested.
3. Single travellers are obliged to pay Single Supplement and will have the hotel room to themselves.
4. Hotel Gala Dinners - Many of Egypt's hotels and Nile cruise boats arrange a very special gala dinner with entertainment in the evening on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Payment for these is often optional on Christmas Eve (24 Dec) but may be compulsory on New Year's Eve (31 Dec), whether you attend or not. Prices can range from around US$50 to over US$150 per person. Final decisions on prices and whether dinners are compulsory are made relatively close to the time. We aim to always select hotels that make their Gala Dinners optional, though this is is not always possible. Gala dinner prices are therefore not included in our tour prices, but will be added to your booking if they become required. More information is available on request.
5. Child Discount : Age 8 - 11 sharing room with 2 full paying adults pays 25% and child will have a fold up bed.
6. You will need to have your passport handy at check-in for any domestic flights
7. For a bit more comfort see our Egyptian Explorer Tour which replaces the train to Aswan with a flight, and instead of the felucca it has a Nile cruise!
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