Excellent
Egypt Highlights & Hidden Gems
PRIVATE TOUR: Discover the ancient wonders of Egypt and cruise the River Nile in style on this 11 day tour which takes in the highlights of Cairo, Luxor and Aswan. Marvel at the Pyramids of Giza, explore pharaoh's tombs at the Valley of the Kings, the mighty temple of Karnak and more.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more download our Trip Notes
Tour Overview
Duration
11 daysStarts
CairoEnds
CairoRange
PrivateTour Guide
Yes, for all included sightseeingGroup Size
Min 2 / Max Private TourMinimum age
10 yrs, accompanied by an adultDeparts
Thursday and SundayHotel Rating
4 - 5 starCountries
EgyptArrival Transfer
YesDeparture Transfer
YesMeals included
Breakfast: 10, Lunch: 4, Dinner: 4Excellent
4.4 out of 5 based on
275 reviews
Tour Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Day 1 - Cairo
Day 1 - Cairo
Welcome to Egypt. Upon arrival at Cairo Airport you'll be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax or if arriving early, you can opt to pre book our optional private Backstreets of Cairo tour, which introduces you to the highlights of Egypt's bustling capital.
Day 2 - Pyramids of Giza
Day 2 - Pyramids of Giza
Today see the incredible pyramids and the iconic Sphinx at The Giza Plateau. Perhaps opt to ride a camel. Later, travel to Saqqara, to explore the myriad of tombs and temples at the site and see Zhoser's step pyramid - constructed by Imhotep, the pharaoh's chief architect in 2700 BC.
Day 3 - Egyptian Museum
Day 3 - Egyptian Museum
Cairo - Luxor. Take a guided tour of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo this morning, which houses a vast collection of statues, jewellery, and sarcophagi. Among its treasures are several well-preserved mummies, including those of Yuya and Thuyu, high-ranking nobles and the great-grandparents of King Tutankhamun. Remarkably, some mummies are so well-preserved that they still have hair on their heads!
Then there's time to relax back at the hotel before your guide assists you in boarding the overnight sleeper train to Luxor this evening. Your new guide will welcome you on your arrival to Luxor tomorrow morning.
Day 4 - Luxor & Dendera
Day 4 - Luxor & Dendera
You'll arrive nto Luxor this morning, where your new guide will welcome you. From there, drive to Dendera which is one of Egypt's best preserved temple complexes, located 60km north of Luxor. This vast complex covers 40,000 square meters and its temples, chapels and shrines were gradually built over thousands of years. Dendera's crowning glory is the 2000 year old Temple of Hathor with its exquisitely decorated ceiling. After your guided tour of this incredible site, you'll return to Luxor where the afternoon is free to spend at leisure. Take a stroll around town or enjoy a refreshing swim in the pool and soak up the sunshine.
This evening there is an optional visit to view the beautiful Temple of Luxor at night. Book and pay locally.
Day 5 - Valley of the Kings & Karnak Temples
Day 5 - Valley of the Kings & Karnak Temples
4000 year-old Luxor is ancient Egypt at its very best and this morning you'll visit Luxor’s famous West Bank. The first stop is the famous Valley of the Kings, which is studded with beautifully decorated pharaoh's tombs, some of which you can enter. After exploring this incredible site you will travel on to visit the striking limestone, colonnaded Temple of Hatshepsut, who was one of only three Egyptian ruling queens. On the West Bank you'll also see the imposing 18m-high Colossi of Memnon, which are all that remains of the temple of the hedonistic Amenophis III.
Returning to the East Bank, you will check-in on board a 5 star Nile cruiser which will be your home for the next four nights. Enjoy lunch and some rest and relaxation on board before visiting the colossal Temple of Karnak later this afternoon. More than a temple, Karnak is a spectacular complex of sanctuaries, pylons, chapels, halls and obelisks, all dedicated to the Theban gods and to the greater glory of Egypt’s Middle and New Kingdom rulers.
Day 6 - Nile Cruising
Day 6 - Nile Cruising
Nile cruising. Today you'll set sail downstream. Relax on deck and go for a swim, soak up the sunshine and enjoy the views as you cruise the River Nile.
Day 7 - Kom Ombo Temple
Day 7 - Kom Ombo Temple
Nile cruising. Enjoy another day relaxing on board the cruiser as you sail the Nile to the Temple of Kom Ombo today, which is dedicated to Sobek the crocodile god, and Horus the falcon-headed god. This temple is unusual because everything is architecturally is doubled and perfectly symmetrical along the main axis of the temple including twin halls, courts, colonnades, sanctuaries and entrances. After a guided tour of the temple, continue your journey, arriving into Aswan this evening.
Day 8 - Aswan, Abu Simbel & the Philae Temple
Day 8 - Aswan, Abu Simbel & the Philae Temple
Nile Cruising - Abu Simbel (optional) - Aswan. Today there is an optional early morning flight excursion to Abu Simbel offered. Choose to either join a guided journey to Abu Simbel or opt for a self-guided exploration by exploring the temples at your own pace. Abu Simbel is home to the famous the rock-cut temple of King Ramses II. Alternatively, you can spend the morning at leisure.
This afternoon you will take a short motorboat trip to Philae Temple - dedicated to the goddess Isis. The temple dates from 4th century BC but the Ptolomies and the Romans up to 3rd century AD built most of the existing structures. In danger of being completely submerged by the rising water of Lake Nasser, in 1972 UNESCO stepped in and an 8-year rescue effort was undertaken to relocate the entire temple 20m higher on nearby Agilika Island.
Day 9 - Aswan at leisure
Day 9 - Aswan at leisure
Aswan. Today offers free time for you to discover Aswan - your way. Consider a visit to the Old Cataract Hotel, where Agatha Christie wrote the novel Death on the Nile or opt for a visit to the well-curated Nubian Museum.
Day 10 - Cairo - Old City tour or relax
Day 10 - Cairo - Old City tour or relax
Aswan - Cairo. Today you will be transferred to Aswan Airport, where you catch a fkight onwards to Cairo. Arriving into Cairo, transfer to the hotel and check in. The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy the hotel facilities or you can join an optional tour visiting Old Cairo, Coptic Cairo and the Citadel of Saladin (book locally).
Day 11 - Cairo
Day 11 - Cairo
The tour comes to an end today with a transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Tour Reviews
Extras and add-ons
If you'd like to add extras or add-ons to your booking, you can do this easily during checkout. Just review the available options and select any additional services or upgrades you'd like before completing your purchase.
Additional Excursions
Enhance your tour with these optional extras, helping you to get the most from your adventure.
Embark on a journey to the magnificent Temples of Abu Simbel with our add-on flight package from Aswan.
$345
per passengerEmbark on a journey to the magnificent Temples of Abu Simbel with our add-on flight package from Aswan.
$475
per passengerHotels
Prices & Dates
'Twin/Double' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to solo travellers and anyone wanting the privacy of their own room, based on a travelling party of at least 2 adults.
Price reductions are available when there are 4 or more persons travelling in your tour party, since fixed costs like transportation and guiding are shared across the group.
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4.4 out of 5 based on 275 reviews