Essential Egypt - 8 days

Essential Egypt - 8 days

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8 Days From

$1155

$982

Essential Egypt - 8 days

8 Days Starting and ending in Cairo, Egypt

Visiting: Cairo, Giza, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Luxor

Tour operator:

On The Go Tours

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

2 - 32

Physical rating:

Medium

Age range:

15-

From: $1155 $982 Operator discount: -$173 -15%

NB: Prices correct on 22-Dec-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

Embark on an unforgettable 8-day journey through the heart of Egypt with the "Essential Egypt" 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 traveling to Aswan for a scenic boat ride to the Philae Temple. Discover the vibrant souks of Aswan and the unique double Temple of Kom Ombo. In Luxor, wander through the colossal Temple of Karnak and the Valley of the Kings, home to the tombs of ancient pharaohs. With comfortable accommodations, including nights on a sleeper train, and guided tours led by an Egyptology expert, this small group tour offers an immersive experience of Egypt's rich history and culture.

Highlights

  • Gaze in awe at the legendary Pyramids of Giza and see the iconic Sphinx on the Giza Plateau.

  • See King Tutankhamun's treasures in the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

  • Take a scenic boat ride to Agilika Island to explore the beautiful Philae Temple in Aswan.

  • Roam around the colossal Temple of Karnak in Luxor.

  • Discover beautifully preserved pharaohs' tombs in the Valley of the Kings on Luxor's West Bank.

  • Visit the unique double Temple of Kom Ombo on the bank of the River Nile.

  • Explore Aswan's colourful souks and enjoy a sunset over the Nile.

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Cairo

Location: Cairo

Accommodation Name: hotel

Saturday. You will be met upon arrival at Cairo Airport and transferred to our start hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax or those arriving early can 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 [[Day Trip to Alexandria. |122837]] pre tour on Thursday and Saturdays or post tour on Sundays.

Day 2: Pyramids Of Giza

Location: Giza

Accommodation Name: Overnight: Sleeper Train

Meals Included: Breakfast

Cairo - Aswan. Our tour begins with a visit to one of the world's most famous sights this morning - the legendary Pyramids of Giza and the iconic Sphinx. Built over 4500 years ago, the three great pyramids are sole survivors of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World. This afternoon we take a guided tour of Egyptian Museum, which contains an incredible array of relics and antiquities including the well-preserved mummies, such as those of Yuya and Thuyu - the great-grandparents of King Tutankhamun. These mummies offer a rare glimpse into the past, with some so remarkably preserved that they still have hair on their heads, allowing us to see the incredible skill and techniques used by the ancient Egyptians in their embalming process. We will also visit a government supervised Papyrus Museum. This evening, we board the overnight train to Aswan.

Day 3: Aswan

Location: Aswan

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Our train pulls into Aswan early this morning and we check into our hotel. Then we take a scenic boat ride out to Agilika Island for a guided tour of the beautiful Philae Temple, which is dedicated to the goddess Isis. Travelling back to Aswan we visit a perfume oil emporium before spending the rest of the day at leisure. Relax by the hotel pool, explore Aswan's colourful souks and watch a beautiful sunset over the Nile.

Day 4: Optional Abu Simbel

Location: Abu Simbel

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today these in an early morning optional excursion to the magnificent Temple of Abu Simbel. The gargantuan rock-cut temple at Abu Simbel was created to revere the mighty pharaonic ruler King Ramses II. Guarding the entrance to the temple, the four colossal statues of Ramses II sit majestically, staring out across the desert.





The rest of the day is free to relax, enjoy the hotel facilities and independently explore this attractive riverside city. Time can easily be spent strolling along the broad Corniche watching felucca sailboats tack, ambling around the city's souk - renowned as the best outside of Cairo, sitting in floating restaurants listening to Nubian music.

Day 5: Luxor

Location: Luxor

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Aswan - Kom Ombo - Luxor. This morning we bid farewell to Aswan and drive to the ancient temple of Kom Ombo, which is dedicated to the crocodile headed god - Sobek. After a guided tour of the temple we travel on to Luxor. Home of the legendary Valley of the Kings and Temple of Karnak, 4000 year-old Luxor is ancient Egypt at its best! Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 6: Luxor

Location: Luxor

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

This morning is free to relax by the pool or independently explore the ancient city of Luxor, which is often referred to as the world's greatest open-air museum. This afternoon we enjoy a guided tour of the Temple of Karnak, a magnificent religious complex, dedicated to the Theban gods and built on a gigantic scale. In evening there's an optional tour of the beautiful Temple of Luxor (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: Valley Of The Kings

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

Saturday. This morning, we arrive back into Egypt's bustling capital. We return to our start hotel which marks the end of our tour. Make your own way to the airport for your onward flight.





Day use rooms can be purchased at an additional cost or you may wish to purchase extra nights and extend your stay. You could also do some last minute souvenir shopping as we offer an optional visit to Cairo's bustling Khan el Khalili bazaar.





Please note flights should not be booked to depart before 2pm. Airport departure transfer or Cairo post tour accommodation can be arranged on request.

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    3 - 4 star

  • Breakfast daily

    Enjoy a daily breakfast included in your tour package.

  • 5 nights 3 - 4 star hotels, 2 nights on a sleeper train

    Stay in comfortable 3 to 4-star hotels for 5 nights and experience 2 nights on a sleeper train.

  • 2 overnight trains from Cairo to Aswan and Luxor to Cairo (private 2 berth sleeper cabin)

    Travel in comfort with private 2 berth sleeper cabins on overnight trains from Cairo to Aswan and Luxor to Cairo.

  • Airport arrival transfer on day 1

    Receive a convenient airport arrival transfer on the first day of your tour.

  • Touring - Cairo, Giza, Aswan, Kom Ombo and Luxor

    Explore the historic sites of Cairo, Giza, Aswan, Kom Ombo, and Luxor with guided tours.

  • Escorted by an Egyptian tour guide degree qualified in Egyptology

    Benefit from the expertise of an Egyptian tour guide who is degree qualified in Egyptology.

  • All relevant transfers and transportation in private modern air-conditioned vehicles

    Travel in comfort with all relevant transfers and transportation provided in private modern air-conditioned vehicles.

What's Not Included

  • International flights and visa

    International flights and visa are not included in the tour package.

  • Departure transfer

    Departure transfer is not included and must be arranged separately.

  • Tip for your tour guide

    Tipping your tour guide is not included.

    It is recommended to allow USD$8 per day, per traveller.

  • Entrance Fees

    Entrance fees amounting to USD$100-120 per person, paid in local currency, are not included.

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 private modern air-conditioned vehicles, with two overnight trains from Cairo to Aswan and Luxor to Cairo, ensuring a seamless and comfortable journey across Egypt.

Accommodation

Enjoy 5 nights in 3 to 4-star hotels and 2 nights on a sleeper train with private 2-berth sleeper cabins, providing comfort and convenience throughout your Egyptian adventure.

Check out our Q&As

  • What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?

    The tour includes 5 nights in 3 to 4-star hotels and 2 nights on a sleeper train with a private 2 berth sleeper cabin.

  • Is there an airport transfer included in the tour?

    Yes, an airport arrival transfer is included on day 1 of the tour.

  • Will there be a tour guide during the trip?

    Yes, the tour is escorted by an Egyptian tour guide who is degree qualified in Egyptology.

  • What kind of transportation is used during the tour?

    All relevant transfers and transportation are provided in private modern air-conditioned vehicles.

  • 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.

  • Is tipping the tour guide mandatory?

    Tipping the tour guide is not mandatory but recommended. It is suggested to allow USD$8 per day, per traveller as a personal gesture.

  • What meals are included in the tour?

    Breakfast is included daily during the tour.

  • Is there an option to extend the stay in Egypt?

    Yes, you can extend your stay in Egypt with a pre-tour or post-tour day trip to Alexandria, and additional nights in Cairo can be arranged.

  • 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.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 1998

  • 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+

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

Reviews of this operator

Nicola Hodgkinson (Google Reviewer)  

Recently returned from Greece, a...

07-May-2024

Recently returned from Greece, a 5 day tour with OTG. Unfortunately, I had a negative experience on day 2 where I needed local support to get me out of a tricky situation. Thank you to Alexandra Z from Hetco Tours in Athens for helping me continue on with the trip, to the Hotel Zafolia staffing team and to Danielle and team here in the UK for supporting me with the aftermath. Your kindness will not be forgotten and I will pay it forward. I've now booked 3 trips with yourselves and will continue to go back. Thank you all. Honestly, I am SO grateful. Blessings to you all. Nicola

Calvin  

Wonderful experience

05-Jan-2023

Jamal is our tour guide. Right from the start, he created a group chat in whatsapp and if any issues to make sure we contact him. He was on the ball with every issue thrown at him. Luggage being left behind, stragglers wondered off in a different path, hotel room etc. He explains the various site along our route to give us a better understanding of the local cultures. We had a great time, thanks to Jamal.

Trustpilot
Norma Sullivan  

Land of the Northern Lights 5 day tour of Iceland

10-Sep-2021

The Land of Northern Lights tour was a triumph! My tour of Southern Iceland was absolutely wonderful. The venues chosen, the timing allotted at each venue and the variety of things to experience was nearly perfect. Our guide, "Thor", was smart, amusing, full of history and anecdotal stories as well as being incredibly hospitable and helpful. This small group experience was my first, but not my last thanks to On the Go.

Trawls (Google Reviewer)  

On The Go Tours Sri...

05-Feb-2024

On The Go Tours Sri Lanka was an incredible experience that was made even better by our tour guide Akthar. He was incredibly knowledgeable about his country and he loved sharing it with us. The tour covers a wide range of activities so you can truly experience what Sri Lanka is all about. The beautiful 4-5 star hotels at the end of every day was an absolute bonus. Thanks for a great trip OTGT I’m sure this won’t be my last

Xtreme Floor Care (Google Reviewer)  

Traveled through Egypt with On...

30-Nov-2023

Traveled through Egypt with On the Go Tours, professional service, very informative and helpful tour guides. The choice of hotels was excellent... Definitely recommend this company

Gavin Harrigan  

King Tutankhamun 10 day tour of Egypt

16-Sep-2021

I have just returned from my tour with On The Go and it was an amazing trip! From arriving at the airport and meeting the OTG representative, everything was well organised and hassle free.  Our tour guide was Amir. He is awesome!! From the beginning he was so friendly and enthusiastic about showing us around Egypt, giving us loads of information at each place and time to explore ourselves. Learnt so much from him about this fascinating place, and he was always happy to answer more questions.   The trip itself was amazing. There's lots of travelling on this trip, but it's really not too bad, and the sights you see when you get to where you are going are worth it. I'm not a big fan of boats, but the Felluca ride across the Nile was pretty fun too.  On the first day I also did the optional tour of Cairo with Ahmed Helal - another excellent guide from OTG. It's worth doing this add on as you don't spend much time in Cairo, and you go to three very different places.  I'm so glad that I decided to do this trip. It was just ace.  If you're thinking about it too, you should probably just book it. And hopefully you get Amir as your guide.

Joyce Heitler (Google Reviewer)  

I would give this tour...

09-May-2024

I would give this tour group no stars if possible. The tour was not guaranteed but they did not inform me when I booked and they did not have enough people. Way after I booked they said I needed a doctors letter because I was over 70. Also way after booking I was informed I needed travel insurance. They knew my age when I booked. They would not refund my tour even though it was 4 months away.

Simla Patel (Google Reviewer)  

This company doesn’t deserve even...

26-Nov-2024

This company doesn’t deserve even 1 star. I would not recommend this company. There are hidden fees which means the cost of the holiday ends up being very expensive. We recently came back from our trip to China where it is not customary to tip in restaurants & hotel staff. Yet we had to make a payment upfront in cash to to the guide for more than £100. The hotel service was appalling. Just think £100 from each person. The trip was suppose to be a Tour yet we had to pay for all entrance fees. We complained about the poor condition of the hotels but no one responded to our emails to date. The after sales service is non existent. Do not use this company. Far far too expensive for what you get. Not competitive at all. They messed up our booking; repeatedly asked for the same information. We spent so much time correcting their errors. Very difficult to get hold of anyone because they all work in S Africa or New Zealand. Absolute nightmare

Sarah Paterson (Google Reviewer)  

Terrible tour of India. For...

27-Dec-2023

Terrible tour of India. For some reason On the Go hadn't realised that my room mate had booked her own room for the first night of tour. So the hotel in Delhi had tried to put me in her room after midnight, by wheeling in an extra bed. She went Crazy!! I then had to sit in hotel reception for hours. While the tour guide said he couldn't find me a room. Throughout the tour the guide consistently ask me and my room mate for money for my room, causing more friction between us. Don't book with this company had the worst experience ever. Go with Intrepid or G Adventure

brandy hoffman (Google Reviewer)  

I had used them once...

09-Aug-2023

I had used them once before and loved them. I decided to try them again for a Baltic tour not knowing that they put me on another Tour group- Baltic vision. Loved that tour but was not impressed they marked up the cost for me over 100%. I understand taking some for yourself because of paperwork, but over double the cost everyone else paid on the tour. Just double check before you book with them that you’re not over paying.

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Operator discount: -$221

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Operator discount: -$221

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Prices last published on 21-Dec-2024

Book with Confidence

  • 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.

  • 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.

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