Excellent
Treasures of the Nile
PREMIUM TOUR: Discover the very best of ancient Egypt, from the Pyramids of Giza to the Valley of the Kings on this 10 day premium tour. Enjoy the comfort of five star hotels and domestic flights - and take in the Nile in style aboard a luxury cruise boat.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more download our Trip Notes
Travelling with children or prefer being on your own, see our private version of this tour.
Tour Overview
Duration
10 daysStarts
CairoEnds
CairoRange
SignatureTour Guide
Yes, escorted by a tour guideGroup Size
Min 2 / Max 24Minimum age
18 yrsDeparts
FridaysHotel Rating
5 StarCountries
EgyptArrival Transfer
YesDeparture Transfer
YesMeals included
Breakfast: 9, 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
Friday. Upon arrival into Cairo airport you are met and transferred to your 5 star hotel located in downtown Cairo. The rest of the day is free to relax or those arriving early can opt to pre book our optional Backstreets of Cairo tour which departs the hotel at 10am today. This evening a Welcome Meeting will be held at around 7pm.
If you would like to extend your stay and see more of Egypt, we also offer a pre or post tour Alexandria Day Trip.
Day 2 - Pyramids of Giza
Day 2 - Pyramids of Giza
Today we visit Egypt's most loved and iconic sight: The Great Pyramids of Giza. We explore the Giza plateau, pyramids and massive Sphinx. We continue on to explore Saqqara - an ancient necropolis with many half-buried tombs and the famous Zhoser’s step pyramid. Then we return to our hotel where the rest of the day is free to relax by the pool and enjoy the hotel facilities.
Day 3 - The Grand Egyptian Museum
Day 3 - The Grand Egyptian Museum
Cairo - Luxor. This morning we join our guided tour of the incredible new Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza. This vast 490,000 sq.m complex showcases an astonishing collection of artefacts from nearly every period of ancient Egyptian history. Among the highlights are treasures of King Tutankhamun, with plans for his famous solid gold funerary mask to eventually be showcased here, alongside many items being exhibited for the first time.
Later, we make our way to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, which remains home to a vast collection of statues, jewellery, and sarcophagi. Here, we’ll see the well-preserved mummies of Yuya and Thuyu, high-ranking nobles and the great-grandparents of King Tutankhamun. Some mummies are so well preserved they still have thick locks of hair and visible fingernails.
Later we transfer to the airport for our flight to Luxor. Please note that your tour guide will not accompany you onboard your flight.
Day 4 - Valley of the Kings
Day 4 - Valley of the Kings
The massive pair of statues known as the Colossi of Memnon are the first monuments we see during our morning visit to the West Bank - home to the legendary Valley of the Kings. We also see the colonnaded Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Return to Luxor for check-in on board our Nile 5 star cruiser. Lunch is at leisure and we have time to relax until our early evening visit to the Temple of Luxor. Luxor Temple looks stunning at dusk and is beautifully illuminated at night.
Note: Dependent upon Nile Cruiser scheduling, we may take an excursion to Karnak Temple this afternoon. Should this occur, day 5 is spent at leisure.
Day 5 - Luxor & Nile Cruising
Day 5 - Luxor & Nile Cruising
Luxor - Nile Cruising. This morning we tour the ancient city of Thebes (the East Bank) and gaze at the magnificent Temple of Karnak. More than a temple, Karnak is a gigantic and stunning complex of sanctuaries and pylons dedicated to the Theban gods. Anchors away this afternoon as we set sail downstream.
Day 6 - Cruising & Kom Ombo
Day 6 - Cruising & Kom Ombo
Nile Cruising. Relax as we sail the Nile. Later today, we visit the Temple of Kom Ombo. A unique riverside temple, it is unusual in that everything architecturally is doubled and perfectly symmetrical along the main axis of the temple including twin halls, courts, colonnades, sanctuaries and entrances. Arrive in Aswan: a prosperous town at the crossroads of the ancient caravan routes late evening.
Day 7 - The Philae Temple
Day 7 - The Philae Temple
Nile cruiser - Aswan. Today, we enjoy a short boat trip to Agilika Island for a look at the 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.
After lunch, we visit the High Dam and take a felucca sailing trip to Elephantine and Kitchener Island followed by a visit to a perfume oil emporium. As the sun sets, we enjoy free time to shop in the colourful souqs and markets or simply relax and watch an amazing sunset in Egypt’s southern most town straddling the River Nile.
Day 8 - Optional excursion to Abu Simbel
Day 8 - Optional excursion to Abu Simbel
Consider our optional early morning excursion to see the magnificent Temples of King Ramses II at Abu Simbel. In a multimillion dollar operation lead by UNESCO in 1972, the famous temples were re-located to a higher position on the shoreline of Lake Nasser which had threatened to erode the foundations of this monolithic temple complex. Please see our Abu Simbel by Road Add-on for more info. Alternatively you can spend the morning at leisure.
This afternoon offers free time. Consider a visit to the Old Cataract Hotel, where Agatha Christie wrote the novel Death on the Nile. High Tea is also offered on the terrace which affords panoramic views of the Nile set to a backdrop of rolling sand dunes. Or opt for a visit to the well-curated Nubian Museum.
Day 9 - Cairo
Day 9 - Cairo
Aswan - Cairo. Today we fly back to Cairo. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel, check in and rendezvous with your guide. The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy the hotel facilities or or you can join our optional excursion visiting Old Cairo, Coptic Cairo and the Citadel of Saladin (book locally).
Day 10 - Cairo
Day 10 - Cairo
Sunday. Tour ends after breakfast. Included onward transfer to airport.
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.
Pre and Post Tour Accommodation
Extend your tour with us by booking pre and post-accommodation, available at a per-person, per-night rate.
Pre Tour Accommodation (from price)
Double
Twin
Single
Post Tour Accommodation (from price)
Double
Twin
Single
Additional Excursions
Enhance your tour with these optional extras, helping you to get the most from your adventure.
Carry on your Egyptian affair before or after your tour, with a day trip (including lunch) to amazing Alexandria on the Mediterranean Coast. Founded by Alexander the Great, Alexandria boasts wonderful beaches and an impressive seafront corniche, along which are dotted cafes and restaurants, as well as catacombs, a fortress, souks and relics from a bygone age.
£135
per passengerPossibly the most awe-inspiring temple of all ancient Egypt, with its gargantuan rock-cut facade is the magnificent Abu Simbel. Guarding the entrance to the temple are 4 colossal seated statues of the pharaoh himself, staring out across Lake Nasser.
£155
per passengerDiscover some of Cairo’s most fascinating neighbourhoods and get off the beaten track on this Backstreets of Cairo tour. Stroll through the bustling Downtown and explore the beautiful mosques and monuments of Islamic Cairo’s spectacular El Moez Street, before bartering for goods at Khan el Khalili Bazaar. Then learn about the life of the Zabbaleen waste pickers before visiting the famous Cave Church of St Simon.
£105
per passengerTour Extensions
Extend your trip with our multi-day tour extensions, including accommodation, sightseeing and free time.
This 4-day Alexandria & El Alamein add-on can be booked in conjunction with any of our Egypt group tours, city breaks or private tours.
Double
Twin
Single
Hotels
If you are interested in booking pre or post-tour accommodation, here are some of the hotels we typically use.
Prices & Dates
All dates are guaranteed to operate when there are 2 persons booked on the tour. '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.
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Our customers say
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4.4 out of 5 based on 275 reviews