King Tutankhamun
Explore the legendary Pyramids of Giza, see King Tutankhamun's famous gold mask and uncover the secrets of the mighty pharaohs at tomb-strewn, Valley of the Kings. Immerse yourself in the Nubian culture of Aswan and enjoy downtime sailing the Nile by traditional felucca our most popular tour of Egypt.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more download our Trip Notes
Tour overview
Itinerary
Day 1 Cairo
Day 1 Cairo
Friday. Welcome to Egypt! On arrival at the airport you’ll be transferred to our hotel. Enjoy the rest of today at leisure, or those arriving early may wish to book our Backstreets of Cairo tour which visits lesser known highlights of the capital including Tahrir Square, the hub of the 2011 Egyptian Revolution.
You may also extend your stay in Cairo with our pre or post tour Alexandria Day Trip.
Day 2 Pyramids of Giza
Day 2 Pyramids of Giza
Discover Egypt’s main attraction today as we visit the incredible Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. The largest of the pyramids, Cheops, was the tallest man-made building on Earth for 3,800 years. Experts still can’t agree how the ancient Egyptians constructed the pyramids with their limited technology - it remains a mystery. A stop will be made at a government supervised papyrus emporium, then we will continue to the necropolis of Saqqara, home to the famous Pyramid of Zhoser. This ancient monument dates back to around 2700BC and is surrounded by countless tombs and burial sites. After our tour, we return to Cairo for the evening.
Day 3 The Grand Egyptian Museum
Day 3 The Grand Egyptian Museum
Cairo - Aswan. Today we visit the new Grand Egyptian Museum, which houses a giant exhibition containing the treasures of King Tutankhamun. In this incredible 490,000 sq.m complex many of the exhibits are being displayed for the first time and artefacts have been brought together from across Egypt and the world. The museum also makes use of new technology including virtual reality.
After our guided tour of the Grand Egyptian Museum we head over to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization to visit the fascinating Royal Mummies' Hall where the mummies of ancient Egyptian kings and queens are on display. Then 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.
Day 4 Aswan & the Philae Temple
Day 4 Aswan & the Philae Temple
We arrive in Aswan and visit the beautiful Philae Temple this afternoon. Take a leisurely boat trip to Agilkia Island in the Nile and explore the site, which is dedicated to the goddess Isis. Our last stop today is the perfume oil emporium, where the use of essential and perfumed oils in Egypt dates back to 2700BC. Enjoy free time this evening to explore Aswan’s vibrant market and shop in the bustling souqs.
Day 5 Felucca sailing & Abu Simbel
Day 5 Felucca sailing & Abu Simbel
Aswan - Nile felucca cruise. This morning there’s an optional excursion to Abu Simbel. This famous temple of King Ramses II is guarded by 4 colossal statues of the great pharaoh himself. Later, we board our traditional felucca for a 2 night cruise down the mighty 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.
Day 6 Felucca Sailing & Kom Ombo
Day 6 Felucca Sailing & Kom Ombo
Nile felucca cruise - Kom Ombo. Relax and sunbathe on deck or go for a swim as our felucca sails to Kom Ombo. We’ll explore the famous symmetrical temple, dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Horus before we return to the felucca and continue our journey downriver.
Day 7 Luxor & optional visit to Luxor Temple
Day 7 Luxor & optional visit to Luxor Temple
Kom Ombo - Luxor. This morning we disembark our felucca and drive to ancient Luxor, where the rest of today is at leisure. There's an optional excursion to Luxor Temple tonight, when the site is beautifully illuminated by hundreds of lights.
Day 8 Valley of the Kings
Day 8 Valley of the Kings
Luxor - Cairo. Today we visit the famous Valley of the Kings to explore some of the lavishly decorated tombs of important pharaohs. Our tour will also take us to the temple of Queen Hatshepsut and the giant Colossi of Memnon. Admire these two towering statues of King Amenhotep III before we continue to Karnak Temple this afternoon. Stroll down the Avenue of Sphinxes and marvel at the towering pillars of Hypostyle Hall as we explore this gigantic complex. The site took more than 1,500 years to complete and around 30 different pharaohs contributed to it in some way. This evening, we board the night train and return to Cairo.
Day 9 Free time in Cairo
Day 9 Free time in Cairo
Arrive in Cairo this morning for a free day to explore Egypt’s bustling capital. Visit the famous Khan el Khalili bazaar or admire the imposing Citadel of Saladin.
Day 10 Cairo
Day 10 Cairo
Sunday. Our Egyptian adventure comes to an end today with an included departure transfer to the airport.
Add a beach break! If you like this holiday though would prefer a few lazy days at the Red Sea by the beach at the end, consider our 13 day King Ramses tour.
Tour Highlights
Included
Not Included
Prices & Dates
Hotels
Overlooking the Nile and offering distant views of the Great Pyramids of Giza, this Holiday Inn provides the perfect location for your stay in Cairo. Each guestroom features a balcony (not Nile View as standard) and is well-equipped with modern amenities including free WiFi. Evenings can be spent enjoying international or Egyptian cuisine and unwinding with a cocktail at one of the hotel’s bars. Thanks to the friendly hotel staff, you’ll soon feel at home. And with panoramic views of the city from the rooftop lounge and pool, there’s no better place to base yourself for exploring Egypt’s ancient wonders.
Radisson Blu is in the Heliopolis area of Cairo, just 3 kms from Cairo International Airport. Providing spacious, well appointed guest rooms with amenities such as a daily newspaper and turndown service, the hotel is the perfect oasis for guests visiting the city. Its two restaurants, lobby lounge, and gourmet bakery offer a range of culinary choices. To top it all off, the hotel boasts a rooftop spa and pool with panoramic Cairo views.
When travelling on an overnight train in Egypt, sleeper carriages offer the highest level of comfort. Cabins are equipped with two beds (one above the other), a basin, electric points and air conditioning. Freshly laundered bedding is provided and in the early evening an attendant will come round and make up your bed for you. The carriages have toilets at each end and there is a club car which serves snacks and beverages. In the morning a very basic breakfast is provided.
Ideally located in the heart of downtown Cairo, the Steigenberger Hotel El Tahrir is right by the lively Tahrir Square. Guestrooms offer peace and quiet away from the high-energy of the city, with contemporary decor and sound-proofed windows overlooking views of Cairo. The wellness facilities are state-of-the-art, including a fitness centre, outdoor pool and sauna and massage rooms. Be sure to take advantage of the poolside bar and delicious hotel restaurant, or enjoy the option of 24-hour in-room dining.
The Holiday Inn Cairo City Stars Hotel is an ideal base for exploring the modern and historic attractions of Egypt's capital. Rooms are spacious, offering a flatscreen TV and private bathroom. There are restaurants on site, including the rooftop garden that offers panoramic views of the city.
The Sonesta Hotel & Casino is a sophisticated and luxurious hotel offering spacious, en-suit rooms with opulent furnishings. Enjoy a cocktail at the poolside bar or indulge in a relaxing massage or Turkish steam bath at the full-service spa. With 5 restaurants located within the hotel you'll be spoilt for choice over dining options.
Set in manicured gardens, the Helnan Aswan is an elegant hotel with impressive views of the Nile. Guest rooms are spacious with modern interiors and located next to the beautiful pool. Wi-fi is available in the lobby and by the pool. There are also two restaurants and bars, a bowling alley, a swimming pool and a cinema. Why not relax by the pool before exploring the rest of Aswan.
Feluccas are simple, traditional Egyptian sailboats that have plied the Nile since ancient times. Feluccas carry between 10 - 12 passengers comfortably. The boat’s deck is draped with soft colourful cushions that serve as your lounging area during the day and as your sleeping area at night. A support boat travels alongside your felucca and is on hand if you need to use the toilet. The support boat is also where your meals are prepared and eaten. You'll need to bring a sleeping bag/sheet (or hire for a nominal cost) and a towel with you. The crew, as well as being experienced sailors, are responsible for the preparation of the included meals.
An elegant and luxurious classical hotel, the Sonesta's sophistication will ensure you a comfortable stay. The hotel has a sweeping terrace with fantastic views of the Nile, a grand entrance of polished marble and handsomely appointed furnishings with exquisite detail and a beautiful health spa. All its rooms offer views of the city or the river, complemented by a wide range of restaurants and cafes. Just minutes away you will find the temples at Luxor and Karnak, home to two of ancient Egypt's most famed sanctuaries.
The Steigenburger Nile Palace is a grand hotel and stylishly furnished, with many rooms overlooking the Nile River. The hotel has a health club with massage rooms, sauna, steam room and fitness room, and a tennis court on the roof, not to mention a riverside pool. Its four restaurants offer a choice between Nubian, Lebanese, Italian, and Thai cuisine.
Tour Reviews
Excellent. Sharif was outstanding tour gide
Tour was well organized and I didn’t need to worry about anything. Hotels and restaurants were wonderful. The best part was our guide who organized other places after the tour.
The trip was perfect, culture, history and enough free time to enjoy. Our tourguide Helal was very knowlegeable about all the egyptian history and realy made every visit better, and on top of that he was a great guy! The only thing that should be charges is the sailing on the nile, 1 day/night is enough. I have traveled with dozens of tourcompanies last 20 years, On-The-Go is in my top3!
KI want to thank you very much for a fantastic and well organised tour which I did last April in Egypt. A tour of this sort needs lot of planning. And Congratulations you did well!! The staff of all 3 Hotels , the Cruise ship and those with transportation did a great job of making sure that we are safe And comfortable. The food was fantastic and I’m sure we all enjoyed it. The train ride was alright but most of us were not happy about the toilet facilities on the train. Coming to the best part of my letter of appreciation, is about our tour guide, Mr. Aamer Ibrahim. “He is The Best”!! Our whole tour was made better by this experienced and friendly guy who provided us with all the information about the places and enlightened us on the history and culture of the region. His thorough knowledge, his enthusiasm and his pleasant manner is truly admirable. His patience in listening to all our problems is incredible. Especially when my luggage got delayed he was trying every possible way to get it for me.Thank you so much Aamer! You are a true brother. Lastly I like to mention that I have already started promoting this Tour to my friends in this part of the world.
Sherif is an amazing guide who was really knowledgeable and keen to answer our many questions. His sunny personality brought our group together as a family from day one and we had the most wonderful time exploring the wonders of ancient Egypt with a super group of people.
Extras and add-ons
Alexandria Day Trip
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.
Abu Simbel by Road
Possibly 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.
Backstreets of Cairo
Discover 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.
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