Egypt Highlights & Hidden Gems - 11 days
Egypt Highlights & Hidden Gems - 11 days
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Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable 11-day journey through Egypt's most iconic landmarks and hidden treasures with the "Egypt Highlights & Hidden Gems" tour. Begin your adventure in Cairo, where you'll marvel at the Pyramids of Giza and explore the ancient Necropolis of Saqqara. Travel in comfort with private air-conditioned vehicles and an overnight sleeper train to Luxor, where you'll discover the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Cruise the majestic Nile River on a luxurious 5-star cruiser, visiting the Temple of Kom Ombo and the romantic Philae Temple in Aswan. Enjoy guided tours led by an Egyptology expert, and relax in 4-5 star accommodations. This cultural and historical tour offers a perfect blend of sightseeing and leisure, with optional excursions to enhance your experience. Conclude your Egyptian odyssey back in Cairo, enriched by the wonders of this ancient civilization. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Cairo
Location: Cairo
Accommodation Name: hotel
Welcome to Egypt. Upon arrival at Cairo Airport you'll be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax or if arriving early, you can opt to pre book our optional private Backstreets of Cairo tour, which introduces you to the highlights of Egypt's bustling capital.
Day 2: Pyramids Of Giza
Location: Giza
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today see the incredible pyramids and the iconic Sphinx at The Giza Plateau. Perhaps opt to ride a camel. Later, travel to Saqqara, to explore the myriad of tombs and temples at the site and see Zhoser's step pyramid - constructed by Imhotep, the pharaoh's chief architect in 2700 BC.
Day 3: Egyptian Museum
Location: Cairo
Accommodation Name: Overnight: Sleeper Train
Meals Included: Breakfast
Cairo - Luxor. Take a guided tour of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo this morning, which houses a vast collection of statues, jewellery, and sarcophagi. Among its treasures are several well-preserved mummies, including those of Yuya and Thuyu, high-ranking nobles and the great-grandparents of King Tutankhamun. Remarkably, some mummies are so well-preserved that they still have hair on their heads!
Then there's time to relax back at the hotel before your guide assists you in boarding the overnight sleeper train to Luxor this evening. Your new guide will welcome you on your arrival to Luxor tomorrow morning.
Day 4: Luxor
Location: Luxor
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
You'll arrive nto Luxor this morning, where your new guide will welcome you. From there, drive to Dendera which is one of Egypt's best preserved temple complexes, located 60km north of Luxor. This vast complex covers 40,000 square meters and its temples, chapels and shrines were gradually built over thousands of years. Dendera's crowning glory is the 2000 year old Temple of Hathor with its exquisitely decorated ceiling. After your guided tour of this incredible site, you'll return to Luxor where the afternoon is free to spend at leisure. Take a stroll around town or enjoy a refreshing swim in the pool and soak up the sunshine.
This evening there is an optional visit to view the beautiful Temple of Luxor at night. Book and pay locally.
Day 5: Luxor
Location: Luxor
Accommodation Name: Overnight: Nile cruiser
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
4000 year-old Luxor is ancient Egypt at its very best and this morning you'll visit Luxor’s famous West Bank. The first stop is the famous Valley of the Kings, which is studded with beautifully decorated pharaoh's tombs, some of which you can enter. After exploring this incredible site you will travel on to visit the striking limestone, colonnaded Temple of Hatshepsut, who was one of only three Egyptian ruling queens. On the West Bank you'll also see the imposing 18m-high Colossi of Memnon, which are all that remains of the temple of the hedonistic Amenophis III.
Returning to the East Bank, you will check-in on board a 5 star Nile cruiser which will be your home for the next four nights. Enjoy lunch and some rest and relaxation on board before visiting the colossal Temple of Karnak later this afternoon. More than a temple, Karnak is a spectacular complex of sanctuaries, pylons, chapels, halls and obelisks, all dedicated to the Theban gods and to the greater glory of Egypt’s Middle and New Kingdom rulers.
Day 6: Nile Cruising
Location: Nile River
Accommodation Name: Overnight: Nile cruiser
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Nile cruising. Today you'll set sail downstream. Relax on deck and go for a swim, soak up the sunshine and enjoy the views as you cruise the River Nile.
Day 7: Nile Cruising
Location: Aswan
Accommodation Name: Overnight: Nile cruiser
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Nile cruising. Enjoy another day relaxing on board the cruiser as you sail the Nile to the Temple of Kom Ombo today, which is dedicated to Sobek the crocodile god, and Horus the falcon-headed god. This temple is unusual because everything is architecturally is doubled and perfectly symmetrical along the main axis of the temple including twin halls, courts, colonnades, sanctuaries and entrances. After a guided tour of the temple, continue your journey, arriving into Aswan this evening.
Day 8: Aswan
Location: Aswan
Accommodation Name: Overnight: Nile Cruising - Aswan
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Nile Cruising - Abu Simbel (optional) - Aswan. Today there is an optional early morning flight excursion to Abu Simbel offered. Choose to either join a guided journey to Abu Simbel or opt for a [[self-guided exploration|131928]] by exploring the temples at your own pace. Abu Simbel is home to the famous the rock-cut temple of King Ramses II. Alternatively, you can spend the morning at leisure.
This afternoon you will take a short motorboat trip to Philae Temple - dedicated to the goddess Isis. The temple dates from 4th century BC but the Ptolomies and the Romans up to 3rd century AD built most of the existing structures. In danger of being completely submerged by the rising water of Lake Nasser, in 1972 UNESCO stepped in and an 8-year rescue effort was undertaken to relocate the entire temple 20m higher on nearby Agilika Island.
Day 9: Aswan At Leisure
Location: Aswan
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Aswan. Today offers free time for you to discover Aswan - your way. Consider a visit to the Old Cataract Hotel, where Agatha Christie wrote the novel Death on the Nile or opt for a visit to the well-curated Nubian Museum.
Day 10: Cairo
Location: Cairo
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Aswan - Cairo. Today you will be transferred to Aswan Airport, where you catch a fkight onwards to Cairo. Arriving into Cairo, transfer to the hotel and check in. The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy the hotel facilities or you can join an optional tour visiting Old Cairo, Coptic Cairo and the Citadel of Saladin (book locally).
Day 11: Cairo
Location: Cairo
Meals Included: Breakfast
The tour comes to an end today with a transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
What's Included
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Accommodation
4 - 5 star -
Guided Tours
Experience guided tours in Cairo, Giza, Saqqara, Luxor, Dendera, and Aswan.
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Egyptologist Guide
Be accompanied by an Egyptian tour guide who is degree qualified in Egyptology.
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Private Transfers
Travel in comfort with all relevant transfers and transportation in private modern air-conditioned vehicles.
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Nile Cruise
Cruise the River Nile from Luxor to Aswan on a 5-star river cruiser.
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Domestic Flight
Fly from Aswan to Cairo in economy class.
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Airport Transfers
Receive an airport arrival transfer on the first day and a departure transfer on the last day of the tour.
What's Not Included
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International Flights and Visa
International flights and visa are not included in the tour package.
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Tipping
Tipping is not included. It is recommended to allow USD$20 per traveller per day for the guide and an additional USD$10 per traveller per day for general tipping.
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Entrance Fees
Entrance fees amounting to USD$110-120 per person, paid in local currency, are not included.
Age Policy
Not recommended for < 10yrs. Can allow from 5 yrs on short itineraries and if not mid-summer due to the heat.
Mode of Transport
Travel in comfort with private modern air-conditioned vehicles, an overnight sleeper train from Cairo to Luxor, and a 5-star Nile cruiser. Includes an economy class flight from Aswan to Cairo and airport transfers.
Accommodation
Enjoy 4-5 star hotel stays and a luxurious 5-star Nile cruiser with en suite cabins, complemented by an overnight train journey in a private 2-berth sleeper cabin.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes stays in 4-5 star hotels and a luxurious 5-star Nile cruiser with en suite cabins. There is also an overnight train journey in a private 2-berth sleeper cabin.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, the tour includes breakfast daily, along with 4 lunches and 4 dinners.
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What kind of transportation is used during the tour?
Transportation includes private modern air-conditioned vehicles, an overnight sleeper train from Cairo to Luxor, a 5-star Nile cruiser, and an economy class flight from Aswan to Cairo. Airport transfers are also included.
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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 entrance fees included in the tour price?
No, entrance fees are not included. They amount to USD$110-120 per person and must be paid in local currency.
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Is tipping included in the tour package?
Tipping is not included. It is recommended to allow USD$20 per traveller per day for the guide and an additional USD$10 per traveller per day for general tipping.
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What optional activities are available during the tour?
Optional activities include a private Backstreets of Cairo tour, a visit to Luxor Temple at night, and an early morning flight excursion to Abu Simbel.
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What is the age policy for this tour?
The tour is not recommended for children under 10 years old. However, children as young as 5 years may be allowed on short itineraries and if not traveling during mid-summer due to the heat.
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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
Reviews of this operator
Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
On The Go Tours allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform on the go tours, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 500 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
Egypt Highlights & Hidden Gems - 11 days
11 Days Starting and ending in Cairo, Egypt
Visiting: Cairo, Giza, Luxor, Nile River, Aswan
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
5-