A value-packed adventure through ancient Egypt. Travelling from Cairo, home of the legendary Pyramids of Giza, to Aswan with its colorful souqs and Luxor, famed for its awe-inspiring temples and incredible Valley of the Kings. Combined with two days felucca sailing along the River Nile, this is the best of Egypt in 10 days!
Trip Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Choose to travel by felucca or Nile river cruiser
On this tour you have the option of a 2 night stay onboard a traditional felucca sail boat or 3 nights onboard a 5 star Nile Cruiser. The details of both are noted in our itinerary.
Cairo
You will be met upon arrival at Cairo Airport and transferred to our start hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure or, if you arrive early, opt to join our optional Backstreets of Cairo tour which departs the hotel at 10am.
If you'd like to extend your stay in Egypt we also offer a pre or post tour Day Trip to Alexandria.
Overnight: Cairo
Pyramids of Giza
Our tour begins with a visit to one of the world's most famous sights this morning - the legendary Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Built over 4500 years ago, the three great pyramids are sole survivors of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World. After our tour of the Giza Plateau we travel to the ancient necropolis of Saqqara to see Zhoser’s step pyramid. A visit to a government supervised Papyrus Museum will also be made at some point during today.
Overnight: sleeper train | Breakfast
The Grand Egyptian Museum
Cairo - Aswan. This morning we have a guided tour of the new Grand Egyptian Museum, which contains an incredible array of relics and antiquities including the treasures of King Tutankhamun and his spectacular gold funerary mask. Then we travel on to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization to see the mummies of ancient Egyptian pharaohs on display in the Royal Mummies' Hall. Some of the mummies you will see are so well preserved, they still have thick locks of hair, visible finger nails! After the museums there's time to relax back at the hotel before we board the night train to Aswan this evening.
Please Note: the Grand Egyptian Museum is scheduled to open in late 2024, though an official opening date has yet to be released. If travelling prior to the opening of the new facility we'll visit the Egyptian Museum instead.
Overnight: Sleeper Train | Breakfast
Aswan & the Philae Temple
Our train pulls into Aswan early this morning and we check into our hotel. Then we take a scenic boat ride out to Agilika Island for a guided tour of the beautiful Philae Temple, which is dedicated to the goddess Isis. Travelling back to Aswan we visit a perfume oil emporium before spending the rest of the day at leisure. Relax by the hotel pool, explore Aswan's colorful souks and watch a beautiful sunset over the Nile.
Overnight: Aswan | Breakfast
Optional Abu Simbel
Aswan - Nile felucca cruise. Consider booking our optional early morning excursion by road to visit the spectacular Temples of Ramses II at Abu Simbel this morning. Alternatively enjoy a free morning in Aswan. This afternoon we board a felucca for a relaxing 2-night sailing trip on the River Nile.
If sailing by felucca is not your style, consider upgrading to a 5 star luxury Nile Cruise, please see the tab above for prices. For more information about Nile Cruising please click here.
Overnight: Felucca Cruise | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Felucca sailing & Kom Ombo
Enjoy a relax day sailing the River Nile. Soak up the sunshine on deck, enjoy the views perhaps enjoy a refreshing swim in the river. In the afternoon we reach Kom Ombo and take a motorboat to visit this ancient temple, which is dedicated to the crocodile headed god - Sobek. Then we return to the felucca for our second night onboard.
Overnight: Felucca Cruise | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Luxor
Kom Ombo - Luxor. Leaving the felucca we drive to the ancient city Luxor this morning, which is often referred to as the world's greatest open-air museum. The afternoon is free to relax by the hotel pool or independently explore. This evening there is an optional visit to the spectacular Temple of Luxor, which is beautifully illuminated at night (book and pay locally).
Overnight: Luxor | Breakfast
Valley of the Kings
Luxor - Cairo. We travel to Luxor's West Bank this morning for a guided tour of the legendary Valley of the Kings, which is home to an array of beautifully decorated pharaoh's tombs, some of which you can enter. Arriving at the West Bank we will be greeted by the towering 18m-high Colossi of Memnon and after the Valley of the Kings we enjoy a tour of the beautiful Temple of Queen Hatshepsut.
Returning to the hotel there's time to relax by the pool and have lunch before we visit the Temple of Karnak this afternoon. Karnak is a spectacular religious complex dedicated to the gods, and built on a gigantic scale. This evening, we board the night train to return to Cairo.
Overnight: Sleeper Train | Breakfast
Cairo - your way
This morning we arrive back into Egypt's bustling capital. After hotel check-in the rest of the day is free to relax or explore Egypt’s capital at leisure. If you'd like to do some last minute souvenir shopping we offer an optional visit to Cairo's bustling Khan el Khalili bazaar.
Overnight: Cairo | Breakfast
Cairo
Cairo. After breakfast, hotel check-out and onward transfer to the airport.
Breakfast
Prices & Dates
Departure dates marked with a 'G' are operating. All other departures are guaranteed to operate when there are 4 persons booked on the tour. 'Twin Share' prices are per person when there are 2 people sharing a room. 'Single Room' prices are applicable to solo travellers or anyone wanting the privacy of a single room.
Hotels
The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.
Pyramids Resort by Jaz, Cairo
Just a stone's throw from the Pyramids, the Pyramids Resort (formerly the Oasis Hotel) is a classic Egyptian hotel with beautiful expansive gardens. Rooms are very spacious with comfortable beds and fantastic en suite facilities. Wi-Fi is available and the buffet breakfast offers a good spread. In the evening the outdoor pool and fountains are lit up making the restaurant and bar the perfect place to spend an evening sipping on a cold glass of beer.
Citymax Hotel Aswan, Aswan
Located right on the banks of the river Nile, the Citymax Aswan offers an outdoor pool with fantastic views across the water. Connected to a nearby shopping centre, you're also just a short walk from the beautiful Feryal Gardens. All rooms are spacious with private bathrooms and modern amenities including a television and air conditioning. Free WiFi is available in the public areas and a restaurant serves meals throughout the day.
Aracan Eatabe Luxor Hotel, Luxor
Offering a prime location in the centre of Luxor, this 4-star hotel is close to top attractions including the Luxor Museum and Luxor Temple. Surrounded by manicured gardens, the contemporary-style guestrooms are well-equipped with air conditioning, a minibar and a balcony overlooking the garden or River Nile. Guests can enjoy a rich breakfast, lunch and dinner in the sun-lit restaurant or outdoors by the resort style pool. There you’ll also find a poolside bar and sun deck, so you can enjoy a cocktail or two as you soak up the rays.
Prices & Dates
Departure dates marked with a 'G' are operating. All other departures are guaranteed to operate when there are 4 persons booked on the tour. 'Twin Share' prices are per person when there are 2 people sharing a room. 'Single Room' prices are applicable to solo travellers or anyone wanting the privacy of a single room.
At a Glance
Tour Add-ons
Enhance your trip with these amazing added extras and add-ons