Egypt Group Discovery 8D/7N

Our staff will welcome you at the airport, assist with visa processing and luggage collection, and then transport you to your hotel in central Cairo to kick-start your trip. They'll ensure you're comfortably settled, familiar with your surroundings, and brief you on the next day's plans. The remainder of the day is open for you to enjoy at your leisure. Should you have an early arrival, you might consider a dinner cruise on the Nile or attending a sound and light show at the pyramids, both of which can be arranged when you arrive.

The day starts with an exploration of the iconic Great Pyramids of Giza, located just outside of Cairo. These ancient structures, built by Pharaohs Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure around 2500 BC, are a highlight of Egyptian history. A knowledgeable Egyptologist guide provides a captivating introduction to their significance and role in ancient Pharaonic culture. Adventurers can descend into one of the pyramids, if not claustrophobic. The journey continues to the nearby impressive Sphinx, which was fully excavated only in the 1920s. Afternoon leisure time includes a visit to the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, home to a vast collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts. The evening concludes with boarding the overnight VIP seater train from Cairo to Aswan, with an option for a sleeper train upgrade that includes a private cabin and meals akin to airline service.

The overnight train journey culminates in arrival at Aswan, followed by an overnight stay in a local guesthouse within a Nubian village. This region encompasses areas around the Nile, spanning parts of modern-day southern Egypt and northern Sudan. Descendants of the Nubian people are prominent in the area, showcasing their vibrant and colorful houses. The morning includes a boat trip to the Temple of Philae, an exquisite site dedicated to Isis and reclaimed from Lake Nasser's rising waters. Post temple visit, the itinerary includes traveling further south to another Nubian Village for an immersive experience of local life, with a night in a local guesthouse providing firsthand insight into the vibrant culture.

This morning, an opportunity arises to visit the temples built by Ramses II at the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage site of Abu Simbel, with an early departure intended to catch the sunrise over the temples. For those not opting for this visit, the morning remains open. At lunchtime, a traditional Nile felucca is boarded for a delightful afternoon sail down the river. Drifting along the Nile on a felucca is one of Egypt's most favored experiences, offering views of rural Egyptian life along the riverbanks. A Nubian crew handles the sailing, entertainment, and meal preparation. Throughout the day, a separate facilities boat intermittently joins, providing access to toilets, showers, and a hygienic kitchen. Tonight involves sleeping on the felucca's deck with provided mattresses, blankets, and mosquito nets. This presents a fun, albeit basic, experience, with an optional upgrade available for those desiring more comfort to stay overnight in an Aswan hotel, with rejoining the group the following morning. 

Time spent onboard the Felucca in the morning, enjoying breakfast with the crew. A drive north to Luxor follows, with a stop to visit Edfu Temple. Luxor, regarded as Egypt’s crown jewel, boasts a remarkable concentration of ancient ruins in the Nile Valley. The ruins are divided between the West Bank, home to the City of the Dead and its mortuary temples and rock-cut tombs, and the East Bank featuring the Temples of Luxor and Karnak with the Avenue of Sphinxes. In the evening, an optional tour of Luxor Temple, beautifully illuminated at night, is offered. Exploring Luxor's lively outdoor cafes, enjoying backgammon, or sampling a shisha pipe is also possible. Night spent at a comfortable 4-star hotel with a pool on the Nile's banks.

The day begins with a tour of the West Bank of the Nile, visiting the Temple of Queen Hatchepsut, exploring several tombs in the Valley of the Kings, learning about the workers at Deir El-Medina (the Valley of the Artisans), and stopping to see the Colossi of Memnon. The afternoon offers free time for relaxation at the hotel or an optional tour to the temple complex at Karnak. A hot air balloon flight over the West Bank of the Nile, capturing the sunrise as the balloon ascends, is also available. In the evening, rejoining the overnight VIP seater train back to Cairo is an option, with an upgrade to the sleeper train for added comfort.

Arrival back in Cairo takes place in the morning, followed by a hotel transfer. The rest of the day allows for leisure explorations of Cairo or joining optional tours, noting that these excursions are not part of the trip cost. Tour options include a city tour visiting Coptic Cairo, the Citadel, and Mohamed Ali Mosque, or a half-day excursion to Saqqara, Dashour, and Memphis to delve into pyramid history. An all-day excursion option features a trek into the desert to visit the World Heritage Site of the Valley of the Whales at Wadi Rayan. For those not participating in full-day tours, the afternoon includes a guided walk through Cairo's back streets and bazaars, starting from Bab al-Futuh and exploring streets filled with metalwork, spices, pottery, fabric, and jewelry, eventually leading to the Khan-el-Khalili bazaar. During the walk, there is a break for tea, a shisha pipe, and possibly an early dinner featuring Kushari before returning to the hotel.

Today offers an opportunity for last minute sightseeing or shopping before being transferred to the airport for the departure flight. An afternoon or evening flight is recommended to allow for a tour of the incredible Egyptian Museum and additional exploration of the city in the morning. Options are available to extend the stay with extra nights in Cairo.