Excellent
Classical Egypt & Nile Cruise
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Discover the ancient wonders of Egypt and cruise the River Nile in style on this 11 day group tour taking in the best of Cairo, Luxor and Aswan. Marvel at the Pyramids, explore ancient tombs at the Valley of the Kings and uncover the secrets of Dendera. See Kom Ombo, admire pretty Philae Temple, and spend 4-nights cruising the River Nile in style. Then enjoy some free time in Aswan and Cairo to explore at your own pace.
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
11 daysStarts
CairoEnds
CairoRange
SignatureTour Guide
Yes, escorted by a tour guideGroup Size
Min 2 / Max 24Minimum age
18 yrsDeparts
SundaysHotel Rating
4 - 5 starCountries
EgyptArrival Transfer
YesDeparture Transfer
YesMeals included
Breakfast: 11, Lunch: 4, Dinner: 4This tour is selling fast, book now before it sells out!
Excellent
4.4 out of 5 based on
275 reviews
Tour Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Day 1 - Free Time in Cairo
Day 1 - Free Time in Cairo
Sunday. Welcome to Egypt and the start of your holiday! Upon arrival at Cairo Airport you will be met by a representative from On The Go Tours.The rest of the day is free to relax or those arriving early can opt to join a Backstreets Tour of Cairo which departs the hotel at 10am. At 7pm this evening meet your guide and the rest of the group at a Welcome Meeting.
Note: If you would like to extend your stay we offer an Alexandria Day Trip on the Saturday before your tour starts or on the final day and can arrange pre/post tour accommodation upon request.
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 we 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 - Grand Egyptian Museum
Day 3 - Grand Egyptian Museum
Cairo - Luxor. Today we embark on a guided tour of the Grand Egyptian Museum, an extraordinary 490,000 sq.m complex that houses over 100,000 artefacts and will eventually showcase a giant exhibition featuring the treasures of King Tutankhamun. Many of the items on display are being exhibited for the first time, with artefacts gathered from across Egypt and the world.
Next, we visit the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, home to an extensive collection of statues, jewellery, and sarcophagi. Among its treasures are several remarkably well-preserved mummies, including those of Yuya and Thuyu, high-ranking nobles and the great-grandparents of King Tutankhamun. These mummies showcase incredible preservation, with thick locks of hair, visible fingernails, and smooth, blackened skin offering a fascinating glimpse into Egypt's ancient past.
Returning to the hotel there's time to relax by the pool before we board the overnight sleeper train to Luxor this evening.
Day 4 - Luxor & Dendera
Day 4 - Luxor & Dendera
We arrive into Luxor this morning and 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 our guided tour of this incredible site we return to Luxor where the afternoon if 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 we visit Luxor’s famous West Bank. Our 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 we travel on to visit the striking limestone, colonnaded Temple of Hatshepsut, who was one of only three Egyptian ruling queens. On the West Bank we'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 we check-in on board a 5 star Nile cruiser which will be our home for the next four nights. Enjoy lunch and some rest and relaxation on board before we visit 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 we set sail downstream. Relax on deck and go for a swim, soak up the sunshine and enjoy the views as we 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 we 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 we continue our journey, arriving into Aswan this evening.
Day 8 - Aswan, Abu Simbel & the Philae Temple
Day 8 - Aswan, Abu Simbel & the Philae Temple
Consider the optional early morning excursion to the Temples of Ramses II at Abu Simbel today. Please see our Abu Simbel by Road add-on for more info. Alternatively you can spend the morning at leisure.
This afternoon we 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 - Cairo. 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.
Late this afternoon, we board the overnight train (twin berth sleeper cabins provided) for our journey back to Cairo.
Day 10 - Cairo - Old City tour or relax
Day 10 - Cairo - Old City tour or relax
Arriving into Cairo this morning, transfer to the hotel and check in. The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy the hotel facilities or you can opt to or join us for an optional tour visiting Old Cairo, Coptic Cairo and the Citadel of Saladin (book locally).
Day 11 - Cairo
Day 11 - Cairo
Wednesday. Our 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.
Pre and Post Tour Accommodation
Extend your tour with us by booking pre and post-accommodation, available at a per-person, per-night rate.
Post Tour Accommodation - Cairo
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Twin
Single
Pre Tour Accommodation - Cairo (from price)
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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.
R 2,925
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.
R 3,375
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.
R 2,315
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.
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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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4.4 out of 5 based on 275 reviews