Accommodation

5 nights 3 - 4 star hotels, 2 nights on a sleeper train

Meals

Breakfast daily

Others

2 overnight trains from Cairo to Aswan and Luxor to Cairo (private 2 berth sleeper cabin) Touring - Cairo, Giza, Aswan, Kom Ombo and Luxor

Guide

Escorted by an Egyptian tour guide degree qualified in Egyptology

Transport

Airport arrival and departure transfer on day 1 and day 8 All relevant transfers and transportation in private modern air-conditioned vehicles

Not included:

Optional

ABU SIMBEL BY ROAD FROM R 3,505 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. Over the centuries the temple was all but lost to humanity due to shifting desert sands, however it was rediscovered by chance in 1813 by a Swiss explorer and eventually in the early 60’s an excavation team restored it and once again the full glory of the temple of Abu Simbel was revealed to the modern world. This excursion is not to be missed! This add-on can be added to any group tour that travels through Aswan. ALEXANDRIA DAY TRIP FROM R 2,965 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. Whilst in Alexandria, head underground to take a guided tour of the Roman catacombs - the largest known Roman burial site in Egypt, which consists of three tiers of tombs and chambers. These remarkable 35m deep catacombs, contain over 300 mummies and were discovered accidentally in 1900 when a donkey drawn cart fell into a pit. After the catacombs visit Pompey’s Pillar before stopping to see the exterior of the impressive Library of Alexandria (and if we are fortunate and it is open to the public during our stop here, those who are interested can go inside), and taking a leisurely stroll along the corniche, with views of the beautiful Mediterranean Sea. At the end of Alexandria’s corniche is the striking Citadel of Qaitbey, a defensive fortress built in the 14th century by Sultan Qaitbey. Our day trip includes a guided tour of the fortress, which was built on the site of the legendary Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, destroyed by a powerful earthquake 1323AD. BACKSTREETS OF CAIRO FROM R 2,325 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. Departing our hotel at 10am we drive to Tahrir Square in the heart of the capital, which became the hub of Egypt’s revolution in January 2011. We’ll gain a fascinating insight into the revolution from our guide before stopping nearby to set out on foot for a stroll through Downtown Cairo, taking in local sites of interest such as Talaat Harb Square with its famous statue and the historic Groppi Cafe. Meeting our vehicle again we travel to Islamic Cairo for a walking tour of El Moez Street and the bustling Khan El Khalili area. El Moez street is one of Cairo’s oldest streets and it has one of the greatest concentrations of medieval architectural treasures in the Islamic world. There are many exquisite mosques and monuments on El Moez Street and on our tour we visit El Hakim, one of Cairo’s largest mosques and the sprawling Sultan Qalawun complex, which includes a madrasa, a hospital and a mausoleum. We’ll also visit Bayt Al-Suhaymi, a 17th century Egyptian mansion and the famous gate of Bab al-Futuh. After a refreshing glass of sugar cane juice we’ll continue our adventure, navigating the bustling streets of the famous Khan el Khalili bazaar, where you can barter for souvenirs. Here we take a break for you to have lunch, shop and soak up the atmosphere of this vibrant souk. This afternoon we drive to one of the poorest neighbourhoods in the capital, inhabited by the Zabbaleen community who make their living from recycling 80% of the city’s rubbish. Here our guide will explain about the work and lives of the Zabbaleen, who are thought to be some of the world’s most efficient recyclers. The Zabbaleen are Coptic Christians and the most remarkable sight in this area is the beautiful rock cut Monastery of St. Simon the Tanner and its famous Cave Church. Carved out of the mountainside, the Cave Church of St Simon is thought to be the largest church in the Middle East, seating over 17,000 worshippers in a large amphitheatre. After a guided tour of this incredible site and taking in the wonderful views of the capital we’ll return to our hotel, arriving at approximately 5pm.

Flights

Flights are not included.

Insurance

Insurance is not included.

Others

International flights and visa Tip for your tour guide. We recommend you allow USD$8 per day, per traveller. Tipping your guide is an entirely personal gesture

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Day 1 Day 1: Cairo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Cairo

Saturday. You will be met upon arrival at Cairo Airport and transferred to our start hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax or those arriving early can 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 offer a Day Trip to Alexandria. pre tour on Thursday and Saturdays or post tour on Sundays.
Day 2 Day 2: Pyramids Of Giza
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Pyramids Of Giza

Cairo - Aswan. Our tour begins with a visit to one of the world’s most famous sights this morning - the legendary Pyramids of Giza and the iconic Sphinx. Built over 4500 years ago, the three great pyramids are sole survivors of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World. This afternoon we take 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. Our sightseeing today also includes a visit to a government supervised Papyrus Museum. This evening we board the night train to Aswan. 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 3 Day 3: Aswan & The Philae Temple
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: 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 colourful souks and watch a beautiful sunset over the Nile.
Day 4 Day 4: Optional Abu Simbel
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Optional Abu Simbel

Today these in an early morning optional excursion to the magnificent Temple of Abu Simbel. The gargantuan rock-cut temple at Abu Simbel was created to revere the mighty pharaonic ruler King Ramses II. Guarding the entrance to the temple, the four colossal statues of Ramses II sit majestically, staring out across the desert. The rest of the day is free to relax, enjoy the hotel facilities and independently explore this attractive riverside city. Time can easily be spent strolling along the broad Corniche watching felucca sailboats tack, ambling around the city’s souk - renowned as the best outside of Cairo, sitting in floating restaurants listening to Nubian music.
Day 5 Day 5: Kom Ombo Temple & Luxor
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Kom Ombo Temple & Luxor

Aswan - Kom Ombo - Luxor. This morning we bid farewell to Aswan and drive to the ancient temple of Kom Ombo, which is dedicated to the crocodile headed god - Sobek. After a guided tour of the temple we travel on to Luxor. Home of the legendary Valley of the Kings and Temple of Karnak, 4000 year-old Luxor is ancient Egypt at its best! Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 6 Day 6: Karnak Temple
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Karnak Temple

This morning is free to relax by the pool or independently explore the ancient city of Luxor, which is often referred to as the world’s greatest open-air museum. This afternoon we enjoy a guided tour of the Temple of Karnak, a magnificent religious complex, dedicated to the Theban gods and built on a gigantic scale. In evening there’s an optional tour of the beautiful Temple of Luxor (book and pay locally). This remarkable temple and the Avenue of Sphinxes which leads to it, are most spectacular at night when they’re illuminated by hundreds of atmospheric lights.
Day 7 Day 7: Valley Of The Kings
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: 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 pharaohs’ tombs, three 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 the afternoon is free to relax by the pool. This evening we board the overnight train to Cairo.
Day 8 Day 8: Cairo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Cairo

Saturday. This morning we arrive back into Egypt’s bustling capital. We return to our start hotel which marks the end of our tour. Day use rooms can be purchased at an additional cost or you may wish to purchase extra nights and extend your stay. You could also do some last minute souvenir shopping we offer an optional visit to Cairo’s bustling Khan el Khalili bazaar. There is an included departure transfer to Cairo airport.

8 days tour

Essential Egypt - 8 Days

This tour includes:

Not included:

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Itinerary of your trip Essential Egypt - 8 Days

Day 1: Cairo

Day 2: Pyramids Of Giza

Day 3: Aswan & The Philae Temple

Day 4: Optional Abu Simbel

Day 5: Kom Ombo Temple & Luxor

Day 6: Karnak Temple

Day 7: Valley Of The Kings

Day 8: Cairo

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