Best of Egypt
8 days from Cairo to Cairo
From $ 999
Duration8 days

This journey through Egypt packs in awe-inspiring culture and adventure in eight energetic days. Explore the ancient sites along the Nile and discover the most famous of them all, the Great Pyramid of Giza. Embrace the culture and meet remarkable people as you sample some traditional fare with a Nubian family in a local village. Feel the buzz of vibrant bazaars in Aswan and Luxor, but still manage to relax and watch life unfold as you sail the Nile in a traditional felucca.

This tour is operated by

  • Duration: 8 days
    Service level: Standard
  • Starts in: Cairo
    Physical Grading: Light
  • Ends in: Cairo
    Ages: 12+
Best of Egypt - Tour Map

Itinerary

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Day 1: Cairo

Start place: Cairo

There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting.
Arrive at any time. If this is your first visit to Cairo, we highly recommend that you book an airport transfer.

End place: Cairo

Day 2: Cairo/Aswān

Start place: Cairo

Head straight to the pyramids and soak in the history of these majestic structures. Later, visit the Egyptian Museum to see more ancient artifacts.

In the evening, board an overnight train to Aswan. The overnight train is a modern air-conditioned sleeper, with twin-berth beds. There is no shower in the cabin, but each cabin does have a sink. The shared toilet is at the end of each carriage. A basic airline-style tray meal for dinner and breakfast is included. Attendants can serve drinks in your compartment at extra cost or there is a bar car for socializing.
Tour the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx before a guided tour of the Egyptian Museum. Catch an overnight train to Aswan. Enjoy a simple dinner on the train.
Meals: B, D
Day 3: Aswān
Our train is due to arrive in Aswan early in the morning, but, trains can often be delayed. Enjoy some free time in the morning to browse the souk or walk along the Nile.

Later, board a boat to reach one of the many Nile islands and visit a Nubian village. Walk around the small community, then enjoy a traditional dinner at a local home.
Explore Aswan before visiting a Nubian village and enjoy a home-cooked dinner with a local family. A simple continental style breakfast on the train. Enjoy a traditional dinner at a local home.
Meals: B, D
Day 4: Aswān
One of the most fascinating sights in the area is the Temple of Abu Simbel. Later, opt for a half-day tour of the Unfinished Obelisk, High Dam, and Philae Temple. Visit the modern Nubian Museum to learn more about Aswan's local people.
Spend the day exploring Aswan. Opt to visit the magnificent temples of Abu Simbel.
Meals: B
Day 5: Aswān/Kom Ombo
Board the felucca and spend the rest of the day out on the river and a night under the stars.

Feluccas are a basic, traditional Nile sailboat and make for an extremely relaxing and enjoyable way to travel down the river. You sleep, open-air on the deck of the boat (mattresses and blankets are provided, but if you prefer something between you and the blankets, you will need to bring a sleep sheet/sleeping bag liner of your own). The Felucca itself does not have toilets or showers, however we will have access to a private support boat, travelling in close proximity to our Felucca. This support boat is equipped with toilets and a shower (please bring a towel) and and an area to eat your meals, leaving you stress free to enjoy this tranquil and traditional experience on the Nile.
Sail the Nile on a traditional felucca. Sleep onboard under the stars. Enjoy meals on board the felucca.

End place: Kawm Umbu

Meals: B, L, D
Day 6: Kom Ombo/Luxor

Start place: Kawm Umbu

Enjoy a guided visit Kom Ombo Temple before driving to Luxor. En route, visit the Temple of Karnak.

End place: Luxor

Meals: B
Day 7: Luxor

Start place: Luxor

Cross to the West Bank. Visit the massive 18m (59ft)-high Colossi of Memnon, which is all that remains of an ancient temple. Descend down the narrow corridors and check out the tombs of the pharaohs at the Valley of the Kings. The Funerary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut literally seems to rise out of the surrounding limestone outcrops.

Enjoy lunch with a local family on the West bank of the Nile and then explore Luxor at your own pace.
Visit the Colossi of Memnon, Valley of the Kings, and the Temple of Hatshepsut. Enjoy lunch with a local family on the West Bank of the Nile. Lunch with local family. 

End place: Luxor

Meals: B, L
Day 8: Luxor/Cairo

Start place: Luxor

We highly recommend booking pre- or post-accommodation to fully explore this vibrant city.
Fly back to Cairo where the tour ends on arrival in the morning. Our tour finishes on arrival in Cairo. Please be aware that flight delays do quite often occur, so please do not book any onward flights before 2pm today.

We are able to organize extra post-trip accommodation if you wish to extend your stay for a few more days. Please ask at the time of booking.

End place: Cairo

Meals: B

Inclusions

Included

  • Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Local Living Moment: Boat ride to Nubian Village with Traditional Meal, Aswān Your Discover Moment: Aswān Your Local Living Moment: Lunch with a Local Family, Luxor
  • Pyramids of Giza and Sphinx guided tour
  • Egyptian Museum guided tour
  • Felucca overnight sailing excursion with support boat
  • Karnak and Kom Ombo temples guided tour
  • Temple of Hatshepsut and Valley of the Kings guided visit
  • Colossi of Memnon visit
  • All entrance fees to included monuments
  • Internal flights
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
  • Transport

    Private air-conditioned van, Train, Felucca, Plane, Walking
  • Accommodation

    Simple hotels (5 nts), Sleeper train (1 nt), Felucca with support boat for toilet/showers (1 nt)

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