Essential Egypt by Nile Cruise & Red Sea - 11 days
Essential Egypt by Nile Cruise & Red Sea - 11 days
Essential Egypt by Nile Cruise & Red Sea - 11 days
11 Days Starting and ending in Cairo, Egypt
Visiting: Cairo, Aswan, Luxor, Hurghada
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 32
Age range:
15-
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable 11-day journey through Egypt with the "Essential Egypt by Nile Cruise & Red Sea" tour. Begin your adventure in Cairo, exploring the iconic Pyramids of Giza and the treasures of King Tut at the Grand Egyptian Museum. Travel by overnight train to Aswan, where you'll visit the stunning Philae Temple and enjoy vibrant souks. Cruise the majestic Nile River aboard a 5-star cruiser, stopping at the unique Kom Ombo Temple. In Luxor, marvel at the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Karnak. Relax on the Red Sea's shores in Hurghada, with opportunities for snorkeling and scuba diving. Conclude your journey back in Cairo, enriched by Egypt's ancient wonders and vibrant culture. This small group tour includes guided excursions, comfortable accommodations, and expert insights from an Egyptologist guide.
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 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 enjoy 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. We will also stop to visit a government supervised Papyrus Museum during the day. This evening we board the overnight 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: Aswan
Location: Aswan
Accommodation Name: Aswan - Nile Cruiser
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Arriving into Aswan early this morning, we take a boat trip out to Agilika Island for a guided tour of the beautiful Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis. Returning to Aswan we stop to visit a perfume oil emporium before check-in on board your Nile Cruiser which will be home for the next three nights. As the sun sets, free time to shop in the colourful souqs and markets or simply relax and watch an amazing sunset in Egypt's southern most town straddling the River Nile.
Day 4: Aswan
Location: Aswan
Accommodation Name: Aswan - Nile Cruiser
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Aswan – Nile cruise - Kom Ombo. Consider booking our optional early morning excursion by road to visit the spectacular Temples of Ramses II at Abu Simbel this morning. Alternatively enjoy a free morning in Aswan. Our Nile Cruiser departs Aswan this afternoon and we cruise the River Nile to Kom Ombo where we disembark to visit the temple which is dedicated to the crocodile headed god - Sobek before returning to the cruiser.
Day 5: Nile Cruising
Location: Luxor
Accommodation Name: Kom Ombo - Nile Cruiser
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Nile Cruise - Luxor. Relax, enjoy a swim in the pool and chill out in the sun on deck this morning. Let your troubles melt away as we cruise the River Nile to Luxor. Home of the legendary Valley of the Kings and Temple of Karnak, 4000 year-old Luxor is ancient Egypt at its best. Arriving into Luxor this afternoon the rest of the day is free to explore the city before we spend our final night aboard the cruiser.
Day 6: Luxor
Location: Luxor
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning we disembark and check into our Luxor hotel. Spend the morning at leisure enjoying the hotel facilities or independently exploring. 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.
This evening there's an optional visit to Luxor Temple with dinner included (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. 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.
We bid farewell to Luxor this afternoon and drive east to Hurghada, for three nights at Egypt's beautiful Red Sea Riviera.
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.
Day 11: Cairo
Location: Cairo
Accommodation Name: hotel
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, 3 lunches and 3 dinners
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6 nights 3 - 4 star hotels and 3 nights aboard a Nile Cruiser (en suite cabin)
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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 private modern air-conditioned vehicles for all transfers, including an overnight train from Cairo to Aswan in a private 2-berth sleeper cabin, and a scenic 3-night cruise on the River Nile.
Accommodation
Enjoy 6 nights in 3 to 4-star hotels and 3 nights aboard a luxurious 5-star Nile Cruiser with en suite cabins, offering comfort and relaxation throughout your journey in Egypt.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes 6 nights in 3 to 4-star hotels and 3 nights aboard a Nile Cruiser in an en suite cabin. Additionally, there is 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 meals are included in the tour package?
The tour package includes breakfast daily, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners.
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What is the age policy for this tour?
The age policy is 15 and above if accompanied by an adult. For all tours that include a Nile Cruiser, the minimum age is 15. If the tour includes an overnight felucca, the minimum age is 18, except for 'with teens' tours where life jackets are worn.
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What optional activities are available during the tour?
Optional activities include a Backstreets of Cairo tour, an early morning excursion to Abu Simbel, a visit to Luxor Temple at night, and a day trip to Giftun Island for swimming and snorkeling.
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What are some of the key highlights of the tour?
Key highlights include visiting the Pyramids of Giza, the Grand Egyptian Museum, the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Karnak, a Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor, and a beach break in Hurghada by the Red Sea.
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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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