Highlights of Egypt
Highlights of Egypt
Highlights of Egypt
9 Days Starting in Cairo, Egypt and ending in Luxor, Egypt
Visiting: Cairo, Giza, Aswan, Luxor
Tour operator:
Tour code:
AER
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 16
Age range:
16-99
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the "Highlights of Egypt" tour, where ancient wonders and vibrant culture await. Begin your adventure in the bustling city of Cairo, exploring the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities and the iconic pyramids of Giza and Saqqara. Sail the serene Nile on a traditional felucca, and delve into the rich history of the Valley of Kings. Experience the warmth of Nubian culture in Aswan, and marvel at the majestic temples of Kom Ombo and Edfu en route to Luxor. With all breakfasts and select dinners included, this cultural bestseller promises an immersive experience into Egypt's timeless allure.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Cairo
Location: Cairo
Accommodation Name: Pyramids Park Resort
Welcome to Cairo, where the ancient and modern worlds connect seamlessly. Flights can arrive late into Cairo today, but if you arrive earlier, head to the hotel pool for a refreshing post-flight dip. Alternatively, speak to your sales representative about booking pre-tour nights, allowing you free time to explore the city and relax into the adventure.
Accommodation: Pyramids Park Resort (or similar)
Day 2 : Tour The Ancient Wonders Of Cairo
Location: Cairo
Accommodation Name: Pyramids Park Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast
Begin with a welcome briefing at 7am, in which we discuss the adventures ahead and meet as a group for the first time – remember to bring your insurance details with you.
Then we head into the city to explore. First on the tour is the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, which contains relics dating to 4,000 BCE, including the fantastic riches of Tutankhamun's tomb. Survey the many fabulous treasures of Egypt in one place and set the scene for the rest of the adventure.
Continue our learning at the National Museum for Egyptian Civilization, which covers Egypt from prehistoric times to now. In this vast museum is the Royal Mummies Hall, which displays the mummified remains of 20 pharaohs, including Hatshepsut, Seti I and II, plus multiple Ramses.
Finally, we visit the ancient Khan El Khalili bazaar, navigating the narrow alleys lined with vendors selling everything from spices to gold.
Please note: When the Grand Egyptian Museum is fully open, we will go there instead of the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities.
Accommodation: Pyramids Park Resort (or similar)
Day 3 : Marvel At The Pyramids Of Giza And Saqqara
Location: Giza
Accommodation Name: Pyramids Park Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast
First on our sightseeing today is Giza, home to the Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus and the mysterious Great Sphinx. Only the throng of sightseers milling around their huge foundations keep you in the 21st century. If you’d like to go inside these grand structures, it is possible to buy an entrance ticket locally.
We then visit Saqqara, a necropolis that pre-dates Giza and is now the largest archaeological site in Egypt. It’s home to the oldest pyramid in the world, the Step Pyramid (or the Pyramid of Djoser), plus the tombs of ancient rulers. If you’d like to explore inside the stepped pyramid, it is possible to buy a ticket locally.
Accommodation: Pyramids Park Resort (or similar)
Day 4 : Free Time In Cairo, Fly To Aswan
Location: Cairo
Accommodation Name: Basma Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
We have free time this morning to relax. You may wish to unwind at the hotel, enjoying the sun and taking a swim in the pool before our flight to Aswan. Alternatively, you could use the time to head back to the Pyramids of Giza for one last exploration.
In the afternoon, we transfer to Cairo Airport to catch our flight to Aswan. Settle into the hotel upon arrival or head out and explore the markets.
Accommodation: Basma Hotel (or similar)
Day 5 : Tour Of Aswan
Location: Aswan
Accommodation Name: Basma Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we visit the highlights of Aswan, first taking a motorboat to the Philae temple complex on Agilkia Island. The standout structure here is the Temple of Isis, an impressive classical monument built around 690 BCE for the ancient goddess. We also visit the vast Aswan High Dam, which was built in the 1960s to manage flooding, increase hydroelectric power and provide a reliable source of water for agriculture.
In the afternoon, we visit the Nubian village of Animalia, where we can immerse ourselves in the indigenous Nubian culture with a visit to a traditional house and small museum. We then explore the Nile by felucca (a traditional Egyptian sailing boat). On this one-hour ride, we can truly enjoy the peace of the Nile and the beauty of the surrounding landscape, where the vast desert almost reaches the water’s edge. (The timings of the felucca sailing might be changed according to weather conditions).
Capping an activity-packed day, we enjoy an Egyptian dinner on the island of Gharb Sohil.
Accommodation: Basma Hotel (or similar)
Day 6 : Free Day In Aswan, Optional Visit To Abu Simbel
Location: Aswan
Accommodation Name: Basma Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
We have a day at leisure. There’s the option to visit the magnificent temples of Abu Simbel, where four great seated statues of Ramses II stare east towards the rising sun. Built by the pharaoh, the two temples were originally on the banks of the Nile; however, they were raised to a higher site in the late 1960s when waters from the new Lake Nasser rose behind the Aswan High Dam.
Accommodation: Basma Hotel (or similar)
Day 7 : Visit The Kom Ombo And Edfu Temples, En Route To Luxor
Location: Luxor
Accommodation Name: Iberotel Luxor
Meals Included: Breakfast
Explore the Kom Ombo and Edfu temples today as we transfer to Luxor. The temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to the gods Sobek and Horus, sits on scenic spot by the Nile, while Edfu is home to the remarkably well-preserved Temple of Horus, a grand structure that served as the centre of the cult.
Accommodation: Iberotel Luxor (or similar)
Day 8 : Luxor Tour And Farewell Dinner
Location: Luxor
Accommodation Name: Iberotel Luxor
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Start at the Valley of the Kings on the west bank of the Nile, which contains the once-hidden tombs of more than 62 pharaohs, including Tutankhamun, Seti I, Ramses III and IV. A discreet entrance in the hillside takes us underground, where a series of corridors and antechambers leads to the burial chamber and sarcophagus. The walls are covered in brightly painted images and hieroglyphs – a map of the afterlife to ensure the king’s safe passage.
One ticket allows us to see three tombs, usually those regarded as the most impressive; however, a visit to the tombs of Ramses VI and Tutankhamun (extra tickets, payable locally) are recommended. Visits to tombs are now strictly controlled to halt further deterioration of wall paintings – each is periodically closed. On crowded days, make sure to have a quick visit to each of the included tombs if you want to add extra tombs as your tour leader will give a fixed meeting time.
We then visit the Memorial Temple of Hatshepsut, a three-tiered monument that looks particularly impressive at the bottom of a limestone cliff.
In the afternoon, we visit Luxor Temple and the huge Karnak Temple complex on the east bank of the Nile. Built over more than 1,500 years, Karnak is a mixture of pylons, courtyards, halls and sanctuaries. The Hypostyle Hall has 134 columns, some of which are more than 75ft (23m) high.
In the evening, we have a farewell dinner together at a local restaurant, a chance to relive our adventures and perhaps start planning the next!
Accommodation: Iberotel Luxor (or similar)
Day 9 : End Luxor
Location: Luxor
Meals Included: Breakfast
The adventure ends in Luxor today. If you’d like to explore a little more, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay in Luxor.
What's Included
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All breakfasts, and two dinners at local restaurants
The tour includes all breakfasts and two dinners at local restaurants.
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All accommodation
All accommodation is included in the tour.
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All transport and listed activities
All transport and activities listed in the itinerary are included.
What's Not Included
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Internal flights
Internal flights are not included and should be arranged separately.
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Single accommodation
Single accommodation is not included but is available on request.
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Travel insurance
Travel insurance is not included and should be purchased separately.
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Visas or vaccinations
Visas or vaccinations are not included and should be arranged separately.
Food
All breakfasts and two dinners included. For meals not included, we suggest you allow approximately US$15 for lunch and US$20 for dinner. Food in Egypt involves kebabs, chicken, stews, pita bread, falafel, beans, vegetables, pickles and salads. Dishes tend to be simple and wholesome, and vegetarians can be catered for, though the options may be somewhat limited.
Mode of Transport
Travel through Egypt with ease, including internal flights from Cairo to Aswan, and enjoy a traditional felucca boat ride along the Nile, ensuring a seamless and memorable journey across this historic land.
Accommodation
Stay in comfort at the Pyramids Park Resort in Cairo, Basma Hotel in Aswan, and Iberotel Luxor in Luxor, or similar accommodations, offering a blend of modern amenities and traditional charm throughout your Egyptian adventure.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of boat will we use to sail along the Nile?
You will sail along the Nile on a traditional felucca boat, which is a traditional Egyptian sailing boat.
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Can I visit the inside of the pyramids during the tour?
Yes, it is possible to buy an entrance ticket locally to go inside the pyramids at Giza and the Step Pyramid at Saqqara.
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What museums will we visit in Cairo?
In Cairo, you will visit the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities and the National Museum for Egyptian Civilization. The tour may also include the Grand Egyptian Museum once it is fully open.
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Is there an opportunity to experience local culture in Aswan?
Yes, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in Nubian culture with a visit to a traditional house and small museum in the Nubian village of Animalia.
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Are there any optional activities available during the tour?
Yes, there is an optional visit to the magnificent temples of Abu Simbel during your free day in Aswan.
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What is included in the meals during the tour?
All breakfasts and two dinners at local restaurants are included in the tour.
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What are some of the key sites we will visit in Luxor?
In Luxor, you will visit the Valley of the Kings, the Memorial Temple of Hatshepsut, Luxor Temple, and the Karnak Temple complex.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% 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 exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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