Egypt: Boats & Bazaars
8 days
from Cairo to Cairo
From
$ 749
Duration8 days
This compact adventure offers maximum Egypt at minimum cost. Stare in amazement at the pyramids and float down the Nile on a felucca. Embrace the culture and meet remarkable people as you dine on traditional fare with a local family in a Nubian village. You'll enjoy basic accommodation and transport to the best sights. Walk through the Valley of the Kings or explore Karnak — it's your call. Don't just dream of Egypt, wake up in the Land of the Pharaohs and open your eyes to adventure.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 8 daysService level: Basic
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Starts in: CairoPhysical Grading: Average
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Ends in: CairoAges: 18+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Cairo
Start place: Cairo
Arrive at any time.
If this is your first visit to Cairo, we highly recommend that you book an airport transfer through your sales agent.
We do not visit the Egyptian Museum on this tour, so if you arrive early, you may want to consider checking it out. With over 10,000 pieces from every period of Egyptian history, including the treasures from the tomb of Tutankhamun, it is worth a visit if you're interested in archaeology.
Your tipping kitty will be collected at the welcome meeting (please refer to the "tipping" section of the trip notes for more information).
We do not visit the Egyptian Museum on this tour, so if you arrive early, you may want to consider checking it out. With over 10,000 pieces from every period of Egyptian history, including the treasures from the tomb of Tutankhamun, it is worth a visit if you're interested in archaeology.
Your tipping kitty will be collected at the welcome meeting (please refer to the "tipping" section of the trip notes for more information).
End place: Cairo
Day 2: Cairo/Aswān
Start place: Cairo
For lunch, why not go local with a couple of falafel sandwiches, or take the chance to find out what kushari tastes like?
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.
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.
Enjoy a guided tour of the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Take an orientation tour through the narrow alleys of the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, with free time for shopping or people watching from a shisha café. Overnight train to Aswan.
After breakfast, we will check out of our hotel and store our luggage in our vehicle, ready to head to the station to catch tonight's overnight train later in the evening.
Meals: B, D
Day 3: Aswān
Our train is due to arrive in Aswan early in the morning, but, trains can often be delayed.
Free morning to explore Aswan. Opt to wander through the souk at your own pace, take a guided tour of the city, or visit the famous Philae Temple, it's your choice.
In the afternoon, board a boat and cruise down the Nile. Visit a Nubian village and enjoy a home-cooked dinner with locals. A simple continental-style breakfast on the train approximately 2 hrs before arrival. Enjoy a home cooked dinner with locals.
In the afternoon, board a boat and cruise down the Nile. Visit a Nubian village and enjoy a home-cooked dinner with locals. A simple continental-style breakfast on the train approximately 2 hrs before arrival. Enjoy a home cooked dinner with locals.
Meals: B, D
Day 4: Aswān
Spend another day exploring Aswan. Opt to visit one of the most fascinating sights in the area, the Temple of Abu Simbel. Or continue exploring the city, including the modern Nubian Museum to learn more about Aswan's local people.
Spend the day exploring Aswan. Take an optional trip to the magnificent temples of Abu Simbel.
If you have purchased the Temple of Abu Simbel Overland Theme Pack, you will visit the temple today. Leaving Aswan at around 4am, you travel deep into the desert to the site of these enormous temples, on the shores of Lake Nasser. You can spend around 2 hours at the temples and then return to Aswan by about 12pm. The round trip drive is around 5-6 hrs.
Meals: B
Day 5: Aswān/Kom Ombo
Feluccas are very basic traditional Nile sailboats and make for an extremely relaxing and enjoyable way to travel down the river. You sleep on the deck of the boat (mattresses and blankets are provided, but if you prefer something between you and the blankets, you will need a sleep sheet/sleeping bag liner of your own). Please note that 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 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 felucca with a support boat. Sleep on board under the stars.
End place: Kawm Umbu
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6: Kom Ombo/Luxor
Start place: Kawm Umbu
Visit Kom Ombo Temple on the way to Luxor. Opt to visit Karnak Temple or discover Luxor at your own pace. Check out the local bazaar, or visit the Mummification Museum. The choice is yours!
End place: Luxor
Meals: B
Day 7: Luxor/Cairo
Start place: Luxor
In the evening, board an overnight train back to Cairo. 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.
Enjoy free time to explore Luxor before an overnight train back to Cairo.
End place: Cairo
Meals: B, D
Day 8: Cairo
Start place: Cairo
Tour ends upon arrival.
Our tour finishes on arrival at Giza train station. Please be aware that delays on overnight trains do quite often occur, so please do not book any onward flights before mid-afternoon today.
We are able to organise extra post-trip accommodation if you wish to extend your stay for a few more days. Please ask at the time of booking. A simple continental-style breakfast is served approximately 2 hrs before arrival.
We are able to organise extra post-trip accommodation if you wish to extend your stay for a few more days. Please ask at the time of booking. A simple continental-style breakfast is served approximately 2 hrs before arrival.
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
- Guided tour of the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx
- Orientation walk through Cairo's Khan el-Khalili bazaar
- Free time in Aswan
- Felucca Overnight Sailing Excursion including support boat
- Kom Ombo Temple visit
- Free time in Luxor
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
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Transport
Private air-conditioned van, Train, Felucca, Walking -
Accommodation
Simple hotels (4 nts), Overnight sleeper-train (2 nts), Felucca with support boat for toilet/showers (1 nt)