Essential Egypt by Nile Cruise - 8 days
Essential Egypt by Nile Cruise - 8 days
Essential Egypt by Nile Cruise - 8 days
8 Days Starting and ending in Cairo, Egypt
Visiting: Cairo, Giza, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Luxor
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 32
Age range:
15-
Trip Styles:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable 8-day journey through Egypt with the "Essential Egypt by Nile Cruise" tour. Begin your adventure in Cairo, where you'll marvel at the legendary Pyramids of Giza and the iconic Sphinx. Explore the treasures of King Tutankhamun at the Grand Egyptian Museum before boarding an overnight train to Aswan. Enjoy a scenic boat ride to the Philae Temple and shop in Aswan's vibrant souks. Cruise the majestic Nile River on a luxurious 5-star cruiser, visiting the unique Temple of Kom Ombo and the colossal Temple of Karnak in Luxor. Discover the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut on Luxor's West Bank. With expert guidance from an Egyptologist, this small group tour offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and relaxation, complete with comfortable accommodations and delicious meals.
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. Spend the rest of the day at leisure or, if you arrive early, 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 pre tour (Wednesday) or post tour Sunday [[Day Trip to Alexandria. |122837]]
Day 2: Pyramids Of Giza
Location: Giza
Accommodation Name: Overnight: Sleeper Train
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our tour begins with a visit to one of the world's most famous sights this morning - the legendary Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Built over 4500 years ago, the three great pyramids are sole survivors of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World. A visit to a government supervised Papyrus Museum will also be made at some point during today.
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. This evening we board the overnight train to Aswan this evening.
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: Overnight: 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. Our final stop today is 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: Abu Simbel
Location: Abu Simbel
Accommodation Name: Overnight: Kom Ombo - 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: Overnight: Luxor - 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. There's time to relax by the hotel pool before we enjoy a guided tour of the colossal Temple of Karnak 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 the greater glory of Egypt’s Middle and New Kingdom rulers.
In the 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: Luxor
Location: Luxor
Accommodation Name: Overnight: Sleeper Train
Meals Included: Breakfast
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: Cairo
Location: Cairo
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning we arrive back into Egypt's bustling capital and 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. If you wish to do some last minute souvenir shopping we offer an optional visit to Cairo's bustling Khan el Khalili bazaar. Included departure transfer to Cairo airport.
Please note: Flights should not be booked to depart before 2pm. We can arrange post tour accommodation upon request.
What's Included
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Accommodation
3 - 4 star -
Breakfast daily, 3 lunches and 3 dinners
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2 nights 3 - 4 star hotels and 3 nights aboard a Nile Cruiser (en suite cabin)
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2 overnight trains from Cairo to Aswan and Luxor to Cairo (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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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, two overnight trains with private 2-berth sleeper cabins, and a scenic Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor.
Accommodation
Enjoy 2 nights in 3-4 star hotels and 3 nights aboard a luxurious 5-star Nile Cruiser with en suite cabins, ensuring comfort and relaxation throughout your journey.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes 2 nights in 3 to 4-star hotels and 3 nights aboard a Nile Cruiser with an en suite cabin. Additionally, there are 2 overnight train journeys 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 8 of the tour.
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What meals are included in the tour?
The tour includes breakfast daily, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners.
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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 tipping is an entirely personal gesture.
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Are entrance fees included in the tour price?
No, entrance fees are not included. They are estimated to be USD$100-120 per person, paid in local currency.
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What is the age policy for this tour?
The minimum age is 15 if accompanied by an adult. For tours that include a Nile Cruiser, the minimum age is also 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 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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Low Deposit
On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 600 USD 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.