Essential Egypt & Red Sea - 11 days
Essential Egypt & Red Sea - 11 days
Essential Egypt & Red Sea - 11 days
11 Days Starting and ending in Cairo, Egypt
Visiting: Cairo, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Luxor, Hurghada
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 32
Age range:
15-
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable 11-day journey through Egypt with the "Essential Egypt & Red Sea" tour. Begin your adventure in Cairo, exploring the iconic Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, and marvel at King Tut's treasures at the Grand Egyptian Museum. Travel to Aswan for a scenic boat ride to the Philae Temple and stroll through vibrant souks. Discover the unique double Temple of Kom Ombo and the ancient wonders of Luxor, including the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Karnak. Relax by the Red Sea in Hurghada, where you can soak up the sun or dive into crystal-clear waters. With expert guidance from an Egyptologist, comfortable accommodations, and seamless transfers, this tour offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and relaxation.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Cairo
Location: Cairo
Accommodation Name: hotel
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 also offer a pre or post tour [[Day Trip to Alexandria. |122837]]
Day 2: Pyramids Of Giza
Location: Cairo
Accommodation Name: Overnight: Sleeper Train
Meals Included: Breakfast
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 Egyptian Museum, which contains an incredible array of relics and antiquities including the well-preserved mummies, such as those of Yuya and Thuyu - the great-grandparents of King Tutankhamun. These mummies offer a rare glimpse into the past, with some so remarkably preserved that they still have hair on their heads, allowing us to see the incredible skill and techniques used by the ancient Egyptians in their embalming process. We will also visit a government supervised Papyrus Museum. This evening, we board the overnight train to Aswan.
Day 3: Cairo
Location: Aswan
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
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: Abu Simbel
Location: Abu Simbel
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Consider booking our optional early morning excursion by road to visit the spectacular Temples of Ramses II at Abu Simbel. Alternatively enjoy a leisurely morning in Aswan. This afternoon offers free time for you to explore Egypt’s most southern city.
Day 5: Luxor
Location: Luxor
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Aswan - Kom Ombo - Luxor. This morning we drive to Kom Ombo, to explore this ancient temple which is dedicated to the crocodile headed god - Sobek. After our visit 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: Luxor
Location: Luxor
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
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: Hurghada
Location: Hurghada
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Luxor - Hurghada. Early this morning we travel to Luxor's West Bank 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.
This afternoon we bid farewell to Luxor and travel east to Hurghada for three nights of R&R by the Red Sea.
drive east to Hurghada, on Egypt's beautiful Red Sea Riviera. We spend three nights in Hurghada, where there's free time to relax by the beach.
Day 8-9: Hurghada
Location: Hurghada
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Spend the next two days at leisure. Soak up the sunshine on the beach and swim in the sea, enjoy the hotel facilities and stroll around Hurghada. There's also an optional day trip to Giftun Island for swimming and snorkelling, which can be booked locally.
Hurghada is one of the Red Sea's most popular resorts and it offers a wonderful range of aquatic activities, from sail boarding and deep-sea fishing to SCUBA diving and snorkelling around the incredible offshore reefs, which are some of the finest in the world.
Day 10: Cairo
Location: Cairo
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Hurghada - Cairo. This morning we drive back to Cairo. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore Egypt’s capital at leisure. If you'd like to do some last minute souvenir shopping we offer an optional visit to Cairo's bustling Khan el Khalili bazaar (book and pay locally)
Day 11: Cairo
Location: Cairo
Meals Included: Breakfast
Cairo. After breakfast, hotel check-out and onward transfer to the airport.
What's Included
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Accommodation
3 - 4 star -
Breakfast daily
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9 nights 3 - 4 star hotels
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1 overnight train from Cairo to Aswan (private 2 berth sleeper cabin)
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Airport arrival transfer on day 1
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Touring - Cairo, Giza, Aswan, Kom Ombo and Luxor
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Red Sea beach break in Hurghada
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Escorted by an Egyptian tour guide degree qualified in Egyptology
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All relevant transfers and transportation in private modern air-conditioned vehicles
What's Not Included
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International flights and visa
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Departure transfer
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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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Entrance Fees: USD$100-120pp, paid in local currency
Age Policy
15+ if accompanied by an adult. 15+ for all tours that include a Nile Cruiser. Where a tour includes an overnight felucca the Min age is 18 yrs, except 'with teens' tours as life jackets are worn'.
Mode of Transport
Travel in style with all relevant transfers and transportation in private modern air-conditioned vehicles. Enjoy an overnight train journey from Cairo to Aswan in a private 2-berth sleeper cabin, and benefit from airport arrival and departure transfers on day 1 and day 11.
Accommodation
Enjoy 9 nights in 3 to 4-star hotels, offering comfort and convenience throughout your journey. Experience an overnight train from Cairo to Aswan in a private 2-berth sleeper cabin, ensuring a restful night's sleep as you travel.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes 9 nights in 3 to 4-star hotels and 1 overnight train from Cairo to Aswan in a private 2 berth sleeper cabin.
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Is there a tour guide provided during the trip?
Yes, the tour is escorted by an Egyptian tour guide who is degree qualified in Egyptology.
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Are airport transfers included in the tour package?
Yes, airport arrival and departure transfers are included on day 1 and day 11 of the tour.
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What are some optional activities available during the tour?
Optional activities include a Backstreets of Cairo tour, a visit to the Temples of Ramses II at Abu Simbel, a tour of the Luxor Temple at night, and a day trip to Giftun Island for swimming and snorkeling.
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What meals are included in the tour?
Breakfast is provided daily during the tour.
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What is the recommended tipping amount for the tour guide?
It is recommended to allow USD$8 per day, per traveller for tipping the tour guide, although it is an entirely personal gesture.
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Are entrance fees included in the tour price?
No, entrance fees are not included and are estimated to be USD$100-120 per person, paid in local currency.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1998
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Free Date Changes
CTS demo white label allows you to make 20 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
CTS demo white label requires a minimum deposit of 55% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
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Terms and Conditions