Experiencing the Nile on a river cruise is a highlight when visiting Egypt | Richard I'Anson
Experiencing the Nile on a river cruise is a highlight when visiting Egypt  | Richard I'Anson
Breathtaking views up close to Abu Simbel  | Liz Rogan
Egyptian weaver working on his loom  | Richard I'Anson
Egyptian papyrus

Egypt Explorer

Explore the wonders of Pharaonic Egypt

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 8 reviews

9 Days from

$2960 USD

Trip Code: EYE
View dates to BookEssential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Single Supplement
$670 USD
Solo Traveller Supplement
$1360 USD

Duration

  • 9 Days

Activities

  • 3 day boat cruise
  • Day Walking

Accommodation

  • 4 nights hotel
  • 4 nights boat

Meals

  • 4 Dinners
  • 6 Lunches
  • 8 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading  

2 / 10

Adventure touring

Carbon Footprint  

119kg of CO2-e PP per day

(950kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)

Trip highlights

  • Stand before the Great Pyramids of Giza, Egypt’s most iconic archaeological site and the Sphinx that guards the desert
  • Cruise the palm-lined Nile, with visits to the temples of Karnak, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan along the way
  • Experience Cairo’s vibrant souks, the echo of the call to prayer, and the warmth of mint tea shared with new friends
  • Descend into the tombs of the Valley of the Kings, where intricate wall paintings tell the stories of Egypt’s great pharaohs journey to the afterlife
  • Visit the colossal rock-cut temples of Abu Simbel, relocated stone by stone to escape the rising waters of Lake Nasser

Overview

journey through Egypt’s ancient wonders where temples and tombs have stood for more than 4,000 years. This nine day adventure combines archaeology, culture and daily life.

Begin in Cairo, exploring the ancient necropolis of Saqqara and the former capital of Memphis, before standing before the legendary Great Pyramids and Sphinx. Delve into the city’s vibrant heart, its citadel, bazaars and the Egyptian Museum, where Tutankhamun’s treasures capture the brilliance and mystery of Egypt’s ancient rulers. Between sites, enjoy fresh Egyptian bread, falafel and mint tea in local cafes.

Fly south to Luxor and walk among the monumental columns of Karnak and Luxor Temples. Cross the Nile to the Valley of the Kings, where elaborate tombs tell stories of pharaohs’ journeys to the afterlife, and visit the elegant Temple of Hatshepsut, the first woman to reign as Pharaoh.

Board your comfortable river boat and cruise the Nile, gliding past date palms, fishing boats and villages where farmers tend their crops and children wave from the shore. Stop to explore the Temple of Horus at Edfu, and Kom Ombo, dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, before arriving in Aswan, Egypt’s southern gateway. And finally to Abu Simbel, where Ramses II’s colossal statues were relocated stone by stone to save them from the rising waters of Lake Nasser.

Led by experienced local guides who bring Egypt’s past vividly to life, this journey offers a deeply insightful and unforgettable way to experience the world’s world’s oldest civilisation.

Itinerary

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Today is an arrival day. You will be met at the airport (if arriving on Day 1 only) and transferred to the group hotel for overnight accommodation. A group briefing will be held in the afternoon. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Overnight hotel in Cairo.

Meals: Nil

Before appreciating the best preserved pyramids at Giza, this morning we visit the Step Pyramid at Saqqara which shows the style of construction used to build them. The Step Pyramid was built by the Pharaoh’s chief architect, Imhotep, in 27BC and was at that time the largest stone construction ever built. Following our visit to Saqqara, we travel to the nearby old capital of Memphis. Little remains of the once grand and thriving metropolis, except a small museum and garden. The Great Pyramids of Egypt set on a plateau in the Arabian Desert, are one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the reason for which becomes evident as we first set our eyes on these awesome monuments. We spend the morning exploring the main sites. Time is spent appreciating the majestic Sphinx and wondering at the mystery that surrounds this enormous structure. Overnight hotel in Cairo.

Meals: B,L

Cairo is a city of more than 18 million people – a bustling, dusty and boisterous metropolis with an abundance of character and history. Our time here is limited although we have included the highlights and focused our itinerary on the archaeological importance of the city and its surrounds. This morning we have a city tour including visits to the Citadel, the Khan el-Khalili Bazaar and Al-Muizz Street. A full afternoon is spent at the Egyptian Museum, providing you with an excellent insight into Egyptian history from the Old Kingdom right through to the Roman Empire. The highlight of the museum is the Tutankhamen exhibit, which houses the treasure from the tomb discovered in 1922 by Howard Carter. Although he was an insignificant Pharaoh, Tutankhamen’s tomb contained a stunning array of gold, including pure gold sandals. It is astounding to imagine what treasures a significant Pharaoh may have taken into their next life, had their tombs not been ransacked. We return to the hotel in the late afternoon for a rest before dinner (NB - dinner is not included in the tour cost; at your own additional expense).

Meals: B,L

This morning we transfer to the airport for our internal flight to Luxor, one of the most magnificent cities in all of Egypt (note the flight can be between 05:00 - 10.00am, subject to availability). The city is located on the banks of the Nile, and is built on the site of the former capital of Egypt, Thebes which dates back 4000 years. In the centre of the town is the Luxor Temple and to the north, Karnak and the Temple of Amun. We visit these impressive temples which are well preserved and contain numerous columns, obelisks and in the temple of Karnak, an avenue of ram-headed sphinxes. The imprint of the various Pharaohs, including Tuthmosis III, Hatshepsut, Tutankhamun and Ramses II is evident. During our visit we will be in the company of a local site guide with specific knowledge of these temples. Then we board our comfortable 4/5 star (Standard Class) Nile River cruise boat for overnight. (Please note: we will be accommodated in first class cabins. The boat is not exclusive for our group and is a public cruise vessel. This tour is confirmed on 4/5 stars (Standard Class) cruise. Boat upgrades to higher category (eg. Deluxe or Luxury Class) are possible subject to cost & availability).

Meals: B,L,D

Today we cross over to the west bank of the Nile visiting the Valley of the Kings, the necropolis for the ancient city of Thebes. The rock-hewn tombs are found in an arid valley and from the exterior it is hard to imagine the riches which once lay within. Ironically the most recent discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamen in 1922 by Howard Carter, the contents of which are now in the Cairo Museum, is the least decorated. The tombs of Ramses I, III, IV, IX, Seti II and Tuthmosis III and IV are all richly decorated with paintings of goddesses and the stories from the Book of Day and Night. We will have the opportunity to visit a few of these tombs depending which ones are open to the public. The tombs are reached through a series of ornately painted underground corridors and ante chambers until these open out to the burial chamber where the sarcophagus is found. There will also be time to visit the Temple of Hatshepsut, the first woman to reign as a king. In paintings and reliefs she was depicted as a man. Return to our Nile River boat for overnight and commence our cruise towards Edfu.

Meals: B,L,D

The days spent sailing on the Nile allow us to relax and take in the view, experiencing first hand rural life on this life-giving river. Our relaxation time is interspersed with visits to the various fascinating temples on the riverside. Early this morning we will visit the temple of Horus at Edfu, which is one of the largest and best preserved in Egypt. Then return to our boat to cruise to Kom Ombo Temple. Afterwards we re-board our boat for overnight and cruise towards Aswan.

Meals: B,L,D

We arrive today in the bustling town of Aswan. Set primarily on the East Bank of the Nile, it is the most southern city in Egypt and is said to be the gateway to Africa. Ancient trade routes once crossed over in this town and the Sharia as-Souq today retains all of the activity and colour of the great trading days. We visit the High Dam, which at the time it was completed (1902) was the largest of its kind in the world. This afternoon we will visit the unfinished Obelisk and the Temple of Philae. We return to our boat in the evening for dinner and our last night on board.

Meals: B,L,D

The Great Temple of Ramses II was carved from a mountain between 1290 and 1224 BC and was dedicated to the gods Ra-Harakhty, Amun and Ptah. Threatened by the rising waters of Lake Nasser, UNESCO organised a rescue of the temple in the 1960’s. The rescue involved carving the temple into more than 2000 blocks weighing up to 40 tonnes each and transferring them 210 metres away to a man made mountain, and reconstructing the temple façade which stands 30 metres high and 35 metres wide. From the outside it is hard to imagine that the temple is not original, and only by entering the mountain constructed in steel and concrete, is it possible to appreciate the enormous feat achieved by the archaeological teams. A very early morning wake-up call as we start our overland trip at 4.00am to visit this magnificent temple. Following a tour around the temple, we return to Aswan. Transfer to the airport for our internal flight to Cairo (note the flight can be between 14:00 - 23:00pm, subject to availability). You will be met at the airport and transferred to the group hotel for overnight accommodation.

Meals: B

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your onward travel. If you would like additional nights in Cairo or an airport transfer on any other day, please ask your Reservations Consultant for details. Additional costs apply.

Meals: B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.

Ready to start your adventure?

View dates to Book

What’s included?

Included

  • 8 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 4 dinners
  • 4 nights in 4 star hotels on a twin share basis
  • 4 nights on a Nile River 4/5 star (Standard Class) boat on a twin share basis
  • Airport transfers (day 1 and 9 only) and internal transfers as listed in itinerary
  • Private transport
  • English speaking local guide
  • Entrance fees and sightseeing as listed in itinerary

Not included

  • International airfares
  • Internal flights Cairo/Luxor and Aswan/Cairo are NOT included in the trip price. Please ask us for best available airfare prices on booking.
  • Travel Insurance
  • Airport transfers if not arriving/ departing on Days 1 & 9
  • Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Bottled water, aerated and alcoholic drinks
  • Items of a personal nature such as laundry, drinks, spending money, etc
  • Tips
  • Visa
  • Optional activities and sightseeing during free time
  • High season surcharge for Easter (two weeks) & between 20 Dec to 7 Jan inclusive

Reviews (8)

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