Splendors of Egypt, a Women-Only Tour
Splendors of Egypt, a Women-Only Tour
$5195
Splendors of Egypt, a Women-Only Tour
12 Days Starting and ending in Cairo
Visiting: Cairo, Luxor, Dendera Temple Complex, Edfu, Aswan, Kom Ombo, Giza
Tour operator:
Tour code:
XB945N20
Specialist Group:
Women Only
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Tour Overview
Cruise the Nile, gain insights into the art of belly dancing, and explore the splendors of Egypt on this 12-day women-only tour. Enjoy a sundowner at the Old Cataract Hotel, where Sir Winston Churchill and Agatha Christie once dined. Continue down the Nile to Luxor to see the Valley of the Queens and the Valley of the Kings, where pharaohs — including the famous Tutankhamun — are buried. In Cairo, see the oldest pyramid in the world, the Step Pyramid of King Zoser, before traveling to see one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: The Pyramids of Giza. Here, stand face-to-face with the towering sphinx and later, see a sound and light show dance across the stones. Enhance your experience discovering culture by meeting local women and learning about the history of papyrus.
Top Rated Highlights
- Dendera: At the Temple of Hathor, see a rare depiction of Cleopatra and Caesarian.
- Aswan: Visit Aswan's High Dam and Granite Quarries to ponder why the Unfinished Obelisk has been left in mid-creation for thousands of years.
- Philae Island: Travel by motorboat to Philae Island and witness the majestic Temple of Isis rising from the waters.
- Kom Ombo: Visit the unique temple as it is the only double temple in Egypt.
- Luxor: Visit Luxor Temple, constructed approximately 1400 BC. Look to the top of the remaining Pylon of Ramses II and step into the ancient monument.
- Memphis: Visit this famous capital of the ancient world to see the statue of Ramses II and the Great Alabaster Sphinx.
- Saqqara Necropolis: View the oldest pyramid in the world, the Step Pyramid of Zoser I, existing for over 4,500 years.
- Giza: With your Egyptologist, meet the enigmatic Sphinx and venture deep inside one of the pyramids, to the chambers where the pharaohs went to meet their Gods in the afterlife.
- Giza: Admire the remaining Wonders of the Ancient World as you explore through the Pyramids of Giza and the mighty Sphinx. Hear about Egyptian history as you walk through the National Archaeological Museum and learn the art of making papyrus paper out of reeds when you visit a Papyrus Institute.
- Cairo: Take a short scenic flight to Luxor where you will begin your Nile Cruise.
- 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: Visit the Luxor Museum and discover ancient artefacts.
- Cairo: Guided by your Local Expert, gaze upon the most recognisable symbols of ancient Egypt: the full-faced funeral mask, gold coffin, gilded throne and precious jewelery - Tutankhamun's treasures. Sightseeing includes sweeping vies over the city from the Citadel and a visit to the Great Alabaster Mosque.
- Cairo: With your Egyptologist, gaze upon Tutankhamun's treasures at the Egyptian Museum, gaze upon the most recognisable symbols of ancient Egypt: the full-faced funeral mask, gold coffin, gilded throne and precious jewelery - all treasures of Tutankhamun.
- Giza: Be mesmerised by the Sound & Light Show at the Great Pyramids.
- Luxor: Enjoy your short flight returning to Cairo.
Make Travel Matter
Aswan: In Aswan, meet the women of a local women-owned co-operative whose mission is to support vulnerable women from the local villages to learn new skills and become financially independent. The organization provides a hub of support and comfort for over 300 women who may live in poverty or suffer from loneliness and want to become financially independent. Thanks to their newly learnt skills, the women are now able to provide the main source of income for their family. The co-op also strives to reduce waste with a secondary mission to ensure a garbage-free world by using waste and natural material like bamboo or palm trees to create fine handicrafts. This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience advances United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality.
Authentic Dining
Kom Ombo: Learn about traditional Egyptian attire and immerse yourself in local culture at an Egyptian dinner and galabeya party.
Luxor: Get to know your fellow travelers over a delightful drink followed by dinner.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive In Cairo
Location: Cairo
Accommodation: Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino.
Accommodation Name: Cairo Marriott & Omar Khayyam Casino
Welcome to the timeless land of the pharaohs. On arrival at Cairo Airport, you’ll be transferred to your hotel and have time to relax and sample the hotel’s amenities after your journey.
Day 2: Fly To Luxor, Cruise The Nile
Location: Cairo, Luxor
Accommodation: MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar).
Accommodation Name: MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
In the morning, fly to Luxor and visit the huge temple complex of Karnak. Walk through the avenue of ram-headed sphinxes to stand among the columns of the Hypostyle Hall. Later, transfer to your cruise ship, your home for the next seven nights. After lunch on board, take a walk through the Luxor Museum, witness ancient artefacts. In the evening, get to know your Travel Director, a professionally trained Egyptologist, as well as fellow guests over a drink followed by dinner. The rest of the evening is at leisure.
Day 3: Exploring Dendera And On To Edfu
Location: Luxor, Dendera Temple Complex, Edfu
Accommodation: MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar).
Accommodation Name: MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A day of legend and history awaits you today as you begin with a morning visit to the Temple of Hathor in Dendera. One of the best-preserved temples in Egypt, it contains a rare depiction of Cleopatra and her son Caesarian, whose father was Julius Caesar. At lunchtime return to your ship and enjoy a scenic journey via the Esna Lock to Edfu.
Day 4: Edfu To Aswan
Location: Edfu, Aswan
Accommodation: MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar).
Accommodation Name: MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Start the day with breakfast as you cruise along the Nile to Kom Ombo before continuing to the city of Aswan. Famous for its archaeological sites, such as the Philae Temple Complex and the Temple of Isis, Aswan is a vibrant destination that portray an agreeable mix of ancient and contemporary Egypt. In the evening, enjoy a fun-filled Egyptian dinner and galabeya party.
Day 5: Aswan’S High Dam & Temple Of Isis
Location: Aswan
Accommodation: MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar).
Accommodation Name: MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today’s sightseeing includes a visit to Aswan's High Dam and granite quarries, to see the enormous unfinished obelisk. Travel by motorboat to the Temple of Isis, rising from the waters of the Nile on the Island of Philae. The rest of the day is free to relax and enjoy the facilities on your cruise ship. Ask your Travel Director for recommendations on things to do onboard or perhaps ask for more insights into Egypt’s fascinating history?
Day 6: Feluccas And Sundowner
Location: Aswan
Accommodation: MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar).
Accommodation Name: MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Throughout your journey you’ll have seen many feluccas sailing along the Nile. Now it’s your time to explore one for yourself. On this traditional vessel, you’ll meet a local sailor who will teach you about the ancient art of sailing. Meet the ladies behind the local women’s co-op on your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience and see scrap materials come to life as they are being turned into fine handicrafts. The organization provides an important source of income for the vulnerable women of the co-op. As the sun starts to fade, enjoy high tea at the historic Old Cataract Hotel, just like Sir Winston Churchill and Agatha Christie once did before you. The hotel is rumoured to be where Christie wrote her bestselling novel, “Death on the Nile."
Day 7: Free Time And On To Kom Ombo Relaxed Start
Location: Aswan, Kom Ombo
Accommodation: MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar).
Accommodation Name: MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
With the morning free, perhaps join an Optional Experience to Abu Simbel? These temples overlook Lake Nasser and are made up of the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Temple of Hathor. Later, sail to Kom Ombo to visit the only double temple of Egypt, dedicated to two gods: the crocodile-headed Sobek and the falcon-headed Horus the Elder.
Day 8: Cruising The Nile To Luxor
Location: Kom Ombo, Luxor
Accommodation: MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar).
Accommodation Name: MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cruise along the majestic waters of the Nile. Immerse yourself in the premium service on board and have your cameras at-the-ready for the sights as you leisurely make your way to Luxor. Indulge your culinary side during an Egyptian Cooking Class making traditional moussaka. In the evening, Conclude the day visiting Luxor Temple, where you dock for the night.
Day 9: Explore Luxor And Fly To Cairo
Location: Luxor, Cairo
Accommodation: Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino.
Accommodation Name: Cairo Marriott & Omar Khayyam Casino
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, disembark from your cruise and travel to the west bank of the Nile. Delve into history seeing both the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Valley of the Kings where many pharaohs were buried, including Hatshepsut, Amenhotep I and Tutankhamun. Enhance your discovery visiting the Valley of the Queens. This site houses over 75 tombs belonging to queens of the 19th and 20th dynasties and to other members of the royal families, including the tomb of Nefertari and the Ramesside princes. Later, transfer to the airport for your return flight to Cairo.
Day 10: Cairo Sightseeing
Location: Cairo
Accommodation: Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino.
Accommodation Name: Cairo Marriott & Omar Khayyam Casino
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, ascend to the Citadel for breath-taking views over the city. While here visit the Alabaster Mosque, otherwise known as the Great Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha, regarded as the founder of modern Egypt. Continue to Tahrir Square, the focal point of the 2011 Egyptian Revolution, and the Egyptian Museum. Among the many exhibits found here are the fabulous artefacts recovered from the tomb of King Tutankhamun.
Day 11: Cairo And The Pyramids Of Giza
Location: Cairo, Giza, Cairo
Accommodation: Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino.
Accommodation Name: Cairo Marriott & Omar Khayyam Casino
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel to Memphis, the famous capital of the ancient world. See the colossal statue of Ramses II and the Great Alabaster Sphinx. Continue to Sakkara to see the Step Pyramid of King Zoser, the oldest pyramid in the world, dating back to 2700 B.C. In the afternoon, arrive at Giza to explore the magnificent pyramids. Here you’ll come face-to-face with the enigmatic Sphinx. During your visit, venture inside one of these ancient wonders to see the chambers where the pharaohs were sent to meet their gods in the afterlife.
Day 12: Depart Cairo
Location: Cairo
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your wonderful journey ends with transfers to Cairo International airport.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Stay in the luxurious Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino, and enjoy a seven-night cruise aboard the elegant MS Medea or MS Miriam, offering premium service and comfort.
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Transport
Travel in style with a scenic flight to Luxor, a luxurious Nile cruise, and the comfort of Insight's air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom.
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Dining
Enjoy 11 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners, and 1 afternoon tea during the tour.
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Guided Tours
Guided by a professionally trained Egyptologist, explore various historical sites including the Temple of Hathor, Aswan's High Dam, Philae Island, Kom Ombo, Luxor Temple, Memphis, Saqqara Necropolis, and the Pyramids of Giza.
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Cultural Experiences
Participate in an Egyptian dinner and galabeya party, and enjoy a Sound & Light Show at the Great Pyramids.
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Make Travel Matter Experience
Meet the women of a local women-owned co-operative in Aswan, supporting vulnerable women to learn new skills and become financially independent.
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Authentic Dining
Learn about traditional Egyptian attire and immerse yourself in local culture at an Egyptian dinner and galabeya party in Kom Ombo.
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Additional Included Highlights
Personal radio headsets, hotel and restaurant tips, taxes and porterage charges, and complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi are included.
What's Not Included
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Optional Experiences
Optional experiences such as a visit to Abu Simbel are not included in the tour package.
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Flights
International flights to and from Cairo are not included in the tour package.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended to be purchased separately.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
Mode of Transport
Travel in style with a scenic flight to Luxor, a luxurious Nile cruise, and the comfort of Insight's air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom.
Dining Summary
- 11 Breakfast (B)
- 7 Lunch (L)
- 7 Dinner (D)
- 1 Afternoon Tea (AT)
Additional Included Highlights
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
- If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
Travel Director
- "Koshari is our national dish, and it never disappoints. Believed to have originated in the 19th century, this vegetarian street food staple is made of rice, pasta, lentils, and chickpeas, topped with delicious fried onions and a spicy tomato-based garlic sauce."
- "I love to share our Ancient Egyptian civilization and history with our guests and to explain all the details and stories related to Egyptian mythology so our guests can enjoy a very special guided vacation."
- "The Abu Simbel Temples are utterly unique in scale, architecture, art and history. From one of the most prominent eras of Ancient Egyptian history, these magnificent structures emphasise how persistent and clever ancient Egyptian architects were to carve a mountain to make such incredible tributes for Egyptian deities."
Well-being
- Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
- Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
Women-Only
- Aswan: Delve into the fascinating history of papyrus. Experience a fascinating demonstration on how the ancient Egyptians used papyrus leaves for writing. Learn how paper was made from the papyrus water-plant which grew abundantly in the marshy delta of the Nile. Be amazed at the history of when excavators of a tomb at Saqqara discovered the earliest known roll of papyrus, dating to around 2900 B.C. You’ll also receive a small gift to commemorate your visit.
- Aswan: Discover the ancient art of belly dancing, reported as far back as the 4th century as an identifying element of Egyptian culture.
- Aswan: Savor cocktails and canapés at the historic Old Cataract Hotel while watching the sunset over the Nile. Enjoy this blend of natural beauty and timeless elegance for an unforgettable experience.
- Aswan: On a traditional Nile felucca, meet a sailor and learn the art of sailing this ancient Nile craft. Visit the High Dam and Granite Quarries.
- Luxor: Satisfy your curiosity and your taste buds over an Egyptian cooking class with your talented onboard chef. Learn the time-honored secrets behind how to make Egyptian vegetable Moussaka, a beloved Egyptian dish made of eggplant, tomatoes and peppers.
- Luxor: Get up close and personal with ancient history at the Valley of the Queens. Located amid the hills along the western bank of the Nile River in Upper Egypt, this site was a burial ground first for officials and later for royal wives, daughters and sons from 1550 to 1080 BC. You can visit from a selection of tombs open to the public.
Check out our Q&As
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What unique experience does the tour offer in Aswan?
In Aswan, the tour offers a visit to a local women-owned co-operative where you can meet women who have learned new skills to become financially independent. This experience supports gender equality and sustainability by using waste and natural materials to create handicrafts.
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What can I expect during the Nile cruise?
During the Nile cruise, you will travel on a luxurious ship, the MS Medea or MS Miriam, and enjoy premium service. The cruise includes visits to significant archaeological sites such as the Temple of Isis on Philae Island, the unique double temple at Kom Ombo, and the Luxor Temple. You will also have the opportunity to participate in an Egyptian cooking class and enjoy an Egyptian dinner and galabeya party.
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What historical sites will be visited in Cairo?
In Cairo, the tour includes visits to the Citadel for views over the city, the Alabaster Mosque, Tahrir Square, and the Egyptian Museum where you can see the artefacts from King Tutankhamun's tomb. Additionally, you will explore the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, and visit Memphis to see the statue of Ramses II and the Great Alabaster Sphinx.
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What is the significance of the visit to the Temple of Hathor in Dendera?
The visit to the Temple of Hathor in Dendera is significant because it is one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt and contains a rare depiction of Cleopatra and her son Caesarian, whose father was Julius Caesar.
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What cultural activities are included in the tour?
The tour includes cultural activities such as learning about traditional Egyptian attire at a galabeya party, participating in an Egyptian cooking class, and experiencing a Sound & Light Show at the Great Pyramids. You will also have the opportunity to learn about the ancient art of sailing on a traditional Nile felucca.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a tour, including experiences such as missed meals or sightseeing.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1978.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Insight Vacations is a founding member of the TreadRight Foundation, a joint initiative created by the brands within The Travel Corporation (TTC) almost 15 years ago to ensure our impact through tourism is positive. Our ethos to #MakeTravelMatter guides our decision-making at every level of our business.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
You have two options as a solo traveller. Either choose to be matched with a same sex partner for a room share - at no extra cost. Or choose a room of your own with a reduced or even free private room upgrade on select tours.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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Low Deposit
Insight Vacations 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 insight vacations 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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