Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the "Wonders of Ancient Egypt," where history and luxury intertwine. This tour offers an immersive exploration of Egypt's most iconic sites, guided by a professional Egyptologist. Discover the grandeur of the Great Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza, and delve into the mysteries of the Valley of the Kings. Sail the Nile on a seven-night luxury cruise, visiting the temples of Karnak and Luxor, and the Temple of Isis on Philae Island. Experience the vibrant culture of Cairo, with visits to the Egyptian Museum and the Hanging Church. Enjoy exclusive encounters, including a Be My Guest experience with the El Boerey family in Luxor. Travel in style with luxury transportation and cherry-picked accommodations, ensuring a seamless and enriching adventure through Egypt's ancient wonders. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Cairo
Location: Cairo, Khan El-Khalili
Accommodation: Ramses Hilton
Accommodation Name: Ramses Hilton
Delve into the antiquities of Egypt on this epic journey which begins in the effervescent Egyptian capital. As you transfer to your hotel for a day at leisure, you’ll feel the intoxicating buzz of this lively city – the perfect introduction to an unforgettable opportunity to learn about Egypt’s ancient past and exciting present.
Day 2: Admire the Wonders of Giza
Location: Memphis, Saqqara, Giza
Accommodation: Ramses Hilton
Accommodation Name: Ramses Hilton
Meals Included: Breakfast
Meet your Travel Director early this morning and immerse yourself during a full-day excursion to the old kingdom of Egypt. See the Colossus of Ramses II and the Alabaster Sphinx at Memphis. Visit the Step Pyramid at Saqqara, then marvel at the Great Pyramid of Giza and the mighty Sphinx.
Day 3: Fly to Luxor and Embark on Your Nile Cruise
Location: Luxor, Karnak Temple Complex, Luxor Temple, Luxor Museum
Accommodation: Nile Cruise
Accommodation Name: Nile Cruise
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Fly to Luxor this morning and embark on a guided tour of the Karnak Temple Complex, before boarding your cruise in time for lunch. Later, marvel at Luxor's Temple and visit the Luxor Museum to see an astounding collection of archaeological treasures, including items from Tutankhamun’s tomb. Your Stays with Stories experience takes you on a cruise along the Nile, which continues to play a crucial role in Egyptian economy and biodiversity.
Day 4: Explore Ancient Dendera
Location: Dendera, Edfu
Accommodation: Nile Cruise
Accommodation Name: Nile Cruise
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Pay tribute to the Goddess Hathor at Dendera Temple, a soaring structure built around 330 BC. Beautifully preserved and elaborate in its design, every inch of this impressive sand-colored structure is mesmerizing and you’ll see many of its halls, shrines and unique features such as the sun dial and replica Dendera zodiac, tracing the images of Taurus and Libra. You’ll learn about Dendera’s role as one of the major capitals of ancient Upper Egypt before sailing to Edfu for the night.
Day 5: Journey to Aswan
Location: Aswan, Aswan High Dam, Philae Temple
Accommodation: Nile Cruise
Accommodation Name: Nile Cruise
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today, we travel to Aswan, which for centuries held the important strategic role of being Egypt’s southern frontier and gateway to the rest of Africa. Today it is a tranquil, modern city, most known for its High Dam, Nubian villages and Philae Temple, built to honor Egyptian goddess Isis. We arrive in time for dinner, watching the buzz of the city from the comfort of our boat.
Day 6: The High Dam and More in Aswan
Location: Aswan, Temple of Isis on Philae Island, High Dam
Accommodation: Nile Cruise
Accommodation Name: Nile Cruise
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
During your sightseeing in Aswan, you’ll see how the ancient Egyptians chose a stunning place to honor the goddess of love and you’ll learn about the Temple of Isis on Philae Island. Our final stop today is a visit to the High Dam, the world’s largest embankment dam which ended the cycle of flood and drought along the Nile River.
Day 7: Onwards to Philae and Kitchener’s Island
Location: Abu Simbel, Kitchener's Island
Accommodation: Nile Cruise
Accommodation Name: Nile Cruise
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today, you could join a once-in-a-lifetime Optional Experience to Abu Simbel, carved into a solid rock cliff in Egypt’s Nubian Valley. As you approach the Great Temple, you’ll marvel at the four seated colossi on either side of the entrance and the elaborate engravings depicting great victories and paying homage to the gods. Meet the members of a local women-owned cooperative on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Later, you’ll set sail in a traditional felucca around the Botanical Gardens on Kitchener's Island.
Day 8: Off to Ancient Kom-Ombo
Location: Kom Ombo
Accommodation: Nile Cruise
Accommodation Name: Nile Cruise
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We visit the roofless Temple of Kom-Ombo, a highlight along the Nile, where we’ll learn how the temple was built to honor two gods, Horus the Elder and Sobek. The Temple has a perfectly symmetrical design, the two sides mirroring each other with one side dedicated to the crocodile god, the other to the falcon god. You’ll learn all about the mythical link and why the Nile crocodile was of such importance to the ancient Egyptian priests.
Day 9: Sail to Stunning Luxor
Location: Esna Lock, Luxor
Accommodation: Nile Cruise
Accommodation Name: Nile Cruise
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Watch how the river gives life to an arid landscape and the people who live within it as you sail down the Nile towards Luxor, once an ancient Egyptian capital. Head to the Sundeck for the best views and thrilling experience of passing through Esna Lock before continuing your journey.
Day 10: Disembark and Fly to Cairo Connect with Locals
Location: Luxor, Queen Hatshepsut's Temple, Colossi of Memnon, Valley of the Kings, Cairo
Accommodation: Ramses Hilton
Accommodation Name: Ramses Hilton
Meals Included: Breakfast
Disembark at Luxor to explore the fascinating complex of mortuary temples and tombs, including Queen Hatshepsut's Temple, the Colossi of Memnon and the Valley of the Kings. Connect With Locals as you enjoy a traditional Be My Guest experience. Fly to Cairo and enjoy an evening at leisure to soak up the buzzing atmosphere for which the city is famous.
Day 11: Discover Colorful Cairo Dive Into Culture
Location: Cairo, Hanging Church of St. Mary, Cairo, Citadel of Cairo, Alabaster Mosque, Cairo, Grand Egyptian Museum, Cairo
Accommodation: Ramses Hilton
Accommodation Name: Ramses Hilton
Meals Included: Breakfast
The buzz of Cairo is undeniable, and you’ll get to feel it first-hand as you embark on a sightseeing tour through the Egyptian capital. Visit the Hanging Church of St. Mary in Old Cairo, a landmark of Egypt’s Christian heritage. You’ll also take in views of the Citadel, a medieval Islamic-era fortification that served as the seat of the Egyptian government for almost seven centuries, and visit the Alabaster Mosque. Later, head to the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)*, home to an unparalleled collection of ancient artefacts, from mummies and sarcophagi to jewelery and treasures linked to King Tutankhamun. As the day winds down, join an optional Nile River dinner cruise, drifting past Cairo’s illuminated skyline. Enjoy a delicious meal on board, paired with live entertainment, including a traditional belly dancing performance, for a memorable evening on the water. *Subject to departure date and the museum’s full opening.
Day 12: Farewell Cairo
Location: Cairo
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our expedition at its end, say a fond farewell to your newfound friends.
What's Included
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Professional Egyptologist/Travel Director
The services of a professional English speaking Egyptologist/Travel Director are included throughout your journey.
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Cherry-picked hotels
Stay in cherry-picked hotels that are tried and trusted.
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Porterage and gratuities
All porterage and restaurant gratuities are included.
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Hotel tips and taxes
All hotel tips, charges, and local taxes are included.
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Must-see sightseeing
Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras are included.
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Audio headsets
Audio headsets are provided for flexible sightseeing.
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Luxury transportation
Travel in style with luxury air-conditioned coaches with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation such as rail journeys.
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Return flight from Cairo to Luxor
A return flight from Cairo to Luxor is included.
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Seven-night luxury Nile Cruise
Enjoy a seven-night luxury Nile Cruise.
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Flight from Luxor to Cairo
A flight from Luxor to Cairo is included.
What's Not Included
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Personal expenses
Personal expenses are not included in the tour package.
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Travel insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended for all travelers.
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Visa fees
Visa fees are not included and must be arranged separately.
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Optional excursions
Optional excursions not listed in the itinerary are not included.
Dining Summary
- 11 Breakfast (B)
- 7 Lunch (L)
- 7 Dinner (D)
Dive Into Culture
- Cairo: Enjoy a visit to Cairo’s Egyptian Museum, home to a remarkable collection of Egyptian antiquities including the world-famous ‘Mask of Tutankhamun’.
Mode of Transport
Travel in style with luxury air-conditioned coaches, enjoy a return flight from Cairo to Luxor, and embark on a seven-night luxury Nile Cruise. Experience the convenience of flights between Luxor and Cairo, ensuring a seamless journey through Egypt.
Accommodation
Experience the comfort of cherry-picked hotels like the Ramses Hilton in Cairo and enjoy a luxurious seven-night Nile Cruise, offering a unique blend of cultural immersion and relaxation as you explore Egypt's ancient wonders.
Iconic Experience
- Giza: Enjoy a day gazing at the Great Pyramids of Giza and its treasures - the Step Pyramid of Saqqara and the Colossus of Rames II.
- Karnak: Stand amid a vast forest of columns in the largest temple complex known to man as your Egyptologist explains the significance behind it. Walk the avenue of ram-headed sphinxes, see the of Rameses II and the Hypostyle Hall.
- Luxor: Spend the day discovering the wonders of the Luxor Museum.
- Dendera: At the Temple of Hathor, see a rare depiction of Cleopatra and Caesarian.
- Aswan: Admire the picturesque setting of Aswan and its iconic sites as you embark on a sightseeing tour of the city. Learn about the beautiful Temple of Isis and the contentious construction of the Aswan Dam.
- Kitchener's Island: Sail around Kitchener's Island and its Botanical Gardens in a traditional felucca.
- : Take a short boat ride to Philae Island, located between the old and new Aswan Dams, where you’ll have a short tour. You'll then be seated in a Roman-style theater for a retelling of the perennial Nile flood, and of the goddesses Isis and Hathor, to whose worship the temple was originally dedicated.
- Kom Ombo: Discover the temple of Kom-Ombo and discover the wonders of the duo gods Horus the Elder and Sobek.
- Valley of the Kings: Discover the ancient history behind the final resting place of Egypt's Pharaohs and Queen Hatshepsut's Temple at the Valley of the Kings.
- Cairo: Explore the vast collection of ancient artefacts, from royal treasures to everyday objects that reveal life in Egypt thousands of years ago. Discover statues, jewelery and mummies, with some of the most famous pieces linked to the legendary Tutankhamun.
- Cairo: Spend your day enjoying the sights of the Hanging Church of St. Mary or embark on a journey to see the ancient Citadel and the Alabaster Mosque.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of transportation is included in the tour?
The tour includes luxury air-conditioned coaches, a return flight from Cairo to Luxor, and a seven-night luxury Nile Cruise. There are also flights between Luxor and Cairo to ensure a seamless journey.
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What type of accommodation can I expect during the tour?
You will stay in cherry-picked hotels like the Ramses Hilton in Cairo and enjoy a luxurious seven-night Nile Cruise, which offers a unique blend of cultural immersion and relaxation.
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Is there a professional guide included in the tour?
Yes, the services of a professional English-speaking Egyptologist/Travel Director are included throughout your journey.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
The tour includes 11 breakfasts, 7 lunches, and 7 dinners.
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What are some of the key activities included in the tour?
The tour includes exploring Luxor and Cairo with an Egyptologist, visiting the temples of Karnak, Luxor Museum, and the Valley of the Kings, marveling at the Great Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza, sailing in a felucca across the Nile, experiencing the Sound and Light show in Giza, and discovering the Temple of Isis on Philae Island. ...more ...less
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Are there any optional experiences available during the tour?
Yes, there are optional experiences and free time available during the tour, such as a once-in-a-lifetime optional experience to Abu Simbel.
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What is the Be My Guest experience mentioned in the tour?
The Be My Guest experience involves connecting with locals and enjoying a traditional meal with the El Boerey family in Luxor.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
The beauty of taking a guided holiday with us is that you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Vaccination against Covid-19 is not mandatory to travel with Trafalgar. However, we strongly recommend that guests are vaccinated before travelling. Please note that airlines and/or other authorities may have different requirements. It is the guest's responsibility to comply with these requirements at all times.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1947
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Trafalgar is a founding partner of the TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2008. So far, the charity has donated more than US$2 million to help underprivileged communities and support sustainable tourism around the world.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Low Deposit
Trafalgar requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of trafalgar charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
Wonders of Ancient Egypt
12 Days Starting and ending in Cairo, Egypt
Visiting: Cairo, Khan El-Khalili, Memphis, Saqqara, Giza, Luxor, Karnak Temple Complex, Luxor Temple, Luxor Museum, Dendera, Edfu, Aswan, Aswan High Dam, Philae Temple, Temple of Isis on Philae Island, High Dam, Abu Simbel, Kitchener's Island, Kom Ombo, Esna Lock, Queen Hatshepsut's Temple, Colossi of Memnon, Valley of the Kings, Hanging Church of St. Mary, Cairo, Citadel of Cairo, Alabaster Mosque, Cairo, Grand Egyptian Museum Cairo ...more ...less
Tour operator:
Tour code:
EGWEZN20
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
