Best of Egypt
Best of Egypt
Best of Egypt
11 Days Starting and ending in Cairo, Egypt
Visiting: Cairo, Luxor, Edfu, Aswan, Sharm El Sheikh
Tour operator:
Tour code:
IndTur27
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 6
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the "Best of Egypt" tour and immerse yourself in the wonders of ancient and modern Egypt. Begin your journey in Cairo, exploring the iconic Great Pyramids, Sphinx, and the historic sites of Memphis and Sakkara. Fly to Luxor to board a luxurious Nile cruise, visiting the majestic Karnak and Luxor Temples, the Valley of the Kings, and the Temple of Hatshepsut. Sail to Edfu and Kom Ombo, marveling at the well-preserved temples dedicated to Horus and Sobek. In Aswan, discover the impressive High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk, and the enchanting Philae Temple. Conclude your adventure in the serene coastal paradise of Sharm El Sheikh, enjoying water sports, desert safaris, and vibrant marine life. Return to Cairo for a final exploration of the Egyptian Museum and the bustling Khan El Khalili bazaar. This tour offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and relaxation.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Cairo (Arrival)
Location: Cairo
Accommodation Name: hotel
Welcome to Cairo! Upon arrival at Cairo international airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for check-in. Cairo, called Al-Qahirah in Arabic, with a population of 17 million, is not only one of Africas largest cities but the political and cultural center of the Arab World. Cairos old quarters retain their ancient charm with many streets still known by descriptions given to them by medieval chroniclers. Modern Cairos architecture is distinguished with Ottoman and later European influences, particularly in commercial architecture as the citys population boomed during the 19th century.
Overnight in Cairo
Day 2: Cairo (B/-/-)
Location: Cairo
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Spend your day on the Giza Plateau home to Egypts signature attractions: The Great Pyramids, proclaimed by the Greeks to be one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. A single pyramid is built with 2,300,000 blocks, each weighing an average of two and one–half tons. In the face of such immensity, one cannot help but feel the wonder and awe that so many writers and artists have sought to convey over the centuries. This morning, visit the Great Pyramid of Khufu and the timeless Great Sphinx of Giza, dating from the time of Chephren (2620BC). Hewn from natural yellowish limestone, standing 65 feet high & 187 feet long, this unforgettable statue combines the head of a Pharaoh with a lions body. From there, pay a visit to Memphis which served as the capital of Upper and Lower Egypt roughly 5,000 years ago during the 1st Dynasty. Menes, the first pharaoh of this dynasty, built a great, white-walled palace and the Temple of Ptah. Sakkara is one of the most exciting historical and archaeological areas in all of Egypt, situated roughly 12 miles southwest of Cairo. This site is dominated by the famous step pyramid of King Zoser. It was the first pyramid that was built in Egypt, preceding those at Giza by many centuries. It is also the work of Imhotep, the famous pharaonic architect.
Overnight in Cairo
Day 3: Cairo (By Flight) – Luxor (Embarkation) (B/L/D)
Location: Luxor
Accommodation Name: cruise ship
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today you will be transferred back to Cairo Airport for a flight to Luxor. Upon arrival in Luxor, you will be met and transferred to your cruise ship on the Nile, your floating hotel for the next five days. Enjoy lunch on board before visiting Karnak Temple erected in 1928 BC as a small shrine dedicated to Amun, the god of Thebes. The complex consists of three main temples, smaller enclosed temples, and several outer temples — all constructed over 1300 years. The three main temples of Mut, Monthu, and Amun are enclosed by enormous brick walls, with the temple of Amun at the center. Karnak is now one of the largest and oldest temple compounds on Earth. Many festivals were celebrated in Thebes. The Temple of Luxor was the center of the most important one, the Festival of Opet. Built largely by Amenhotep III and Ramses II, it served as a setting for the rituals of the festival, which was held to reconcile the human aspect of the ruler with his divine office. The procession of images of the current royal family began at Karnak and ended at the Temple of Luxor.
Overnight Onboard Cruise
Day 4: Luxor – Esna (B/L/D)
Location: Luxor
Accommodation Name: cruise ship
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today you will cross the newly constructed Luxor Bridge to visit the Valley of the Kings, with a visit to the three-royal tomb based on the availability of the day. The Valley of the Kings in Upper Egypt is home to many pharaonic tombs of the New Kingdom. Each king's formal name and title are inscribed on his tomb, which is also adorned with images and statues. Most of the tombs were cut into the limestone following a similar pattern: three corridors, an antechamber, and a sunken sarcophagus chamber. From there, tour the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, the only woman Pharaoh to rule ancient Egypt. The mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut of the 18th dynasty was built just north of the Middle Kingdom temple of Mentuhotep Nebhepetre, amid the bay of cliffs known as Deir El-Bahri. In ancient times the temple was called Djeser-djeseru, meaning the sacred of sacreds. The female pharaoh chose to build her temple in a valley sacred to the Theban Goddess of the west, on a direct axis with the Karnak Temple of Amun on the East Bank. After the visit, you will return to your cruise for dinner.
Overnight Onboard Cruise
Day 5: Edfu – Kom Ombo (B/L/D)
Location: Edfu
Accommodation Name: cruise ship
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, you will disembark the ship at Edfu. A \"caleche\" ride will take you through the town to the Temple of Horus, the Falcon God. The Temple of Horus is the best-preserved ancient temple in Egypt and the second largest after Karnak. Built from sandstone blocks, the huge Ptolemaic temple boasts a massive entrance pylon covered with traditional scenes of the king smiting his enemies before Horus. Continue sailing for most of the day before you arrive at Kom Ombo, where you may enjoy a short walk to the twin Temples of Sobek and Horus. One is dedicated to the crocodile-God, Sobek, and the other to the falcon-God, Horus the Elder. There are clear depictions of ancient medical instruments on one wall. Kom Ombo's Greco-Roman-style Temple of Sobek built for the Crocodile God stands serenely on a hilltop. The site offers magnificent views of the Nile. In ancient times, sacred crocodiles basked in the sun on the riverbank near here, and hundreds of mummified crocodiles were found within the vicinity.
Overnight Onboard Cruise
Day 6: Kom Ombo – Aswan (B/L/D)
Location: Aswan
Accommodation Name: cruise ship
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy breakfast on board the cruise in Aswan, the southernmost city in Egypt. South of here lies the flooded lands of Nubia, Sudan, and Ethiopia. Just north of the border between Egypt and Sudan, you will find the Aswan High Dam, a huge rock-filled dam that captures the world's longest river, the Nile, in the world's largest artificial reservoir, Lake Nasser. The dam, known as “Sadd El-Aali” in Arabic, was completed in 1970 after 10 years of work. From there, continue to the granite quarries, which supplied the ancient Egyptians with most of the hard stone used in their pyramids and temples. See the famed Unfinished Obelisk, located in the Northern Quarry, where a crack was discovered as it was hewn from the rock. This obelisk would have been the largest ever built if it had not cracked before it was fully quarried. Tools left by builders have given archaeologists insight into how the work was performed. Invoke the healing powers of the goddess Isis with a visit to the Temple of Philae and the Temple of Isis. Enjoy a short trip on a motorboat to the Philae Temple, which will bring you to a magnificent vista of the island of Agilika before landing at what would have been the ancient quay on the southern side. The temple was dedicated to the goddess Isis and boasts many legends connected to it. The best-known legend tells the story of how Isis found the heart of Osiris here after he was murdered by his brother Seth. Ancient Nubia was known as the “Land of Gold” to the pharaohs, and its wealth and lands were eventually incorporated into Egypt around 1500 BC.
Overnight Onboard Cruise
Day 7: Aswan (Disembarkation) – (By Flight) Sharm El Sheikh (B/-/-)
Location: Sharm El Sheikh
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy breakfast onboard the cruise before disembarkation. From there, transfer to the airport to catch your flight to Sharm El Sheikh. Upon arrival in Sharm, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Overnight in Sharm El Sheikh
Day 8: Sharm El Sheikh (Sinai-Red Sea) (B/-/-)
Location: Sharm El Sheikh
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Admire the crystal-clear waters of Sharm El Sheikh, a breathtaking destination in Egypt. Enjoy deep-sea diving, snorkeling, fishing, golfing, and search for colored fish along the sandy beaches in the area. Partake in water sports, book a camel ride, explore the desert safari, or relax in a Bedouin tent.
Overnight in Sharm El Sheikh
Day 9: Sharm El Sheikh (Sinai-Red Sea) (B/-/-)
Location: Sharm El Sheikh
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy deep-sea diving, snorkeling, fishing, golfing, and search for colored fish along the sandy beaches of Sharm El Sheikh. Partake in water sports, book a camel ride, explore the desert safari, or relax in a Bedouin tent.
Overnight in Sharm El Sheikh
Day 10: Sharm El Sheikh - Cairo (By Flight) (B/-/-)
Location: Cairo
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast at your hotel, you'll be driven to Sharm El Sheikh airport for a flight to Cairo. Upon arrival, explore the Egyptian Museum with 107 halls housing 160,000 artifacts spanning 5,000 years. Highlights include Pharaonic and Graeco-Roman pieces, including King Tutankhamun's treasures and ancient mummies. Visit the Citadel, a historical nerve center on Mokattam Hills, and Khan El Khalili, a vibrant bazaar built in 1382 featuring antiquities, handcrafted items, and local eateries—a hub for both tourists and Egyptians.
Overnight in Cairo
Day 11: Cairo (B/-/-)
Location: Cairo
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today you will be transferred back to Cairo International Airport for your onward flight.
What's Included
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06 nights accommodation on a twin sharing basis at listed hotels or similar
Enjoy 6 nights of accommodation on a twin sharing basis at the listed hotels or similar.
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04 nights accommodation on a twin sharing basis at the listed cruise ship or similar
Stay for 4 nights on a twin sharing basis at the listed cruise ship or similar.
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Daily breakfast
Daily breakfast is included throughout the tour.
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Full board meal plan onboard cruise
Enjoy a full board meal plan while onboard the cruise.
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Arrival & departure airport transfers
Airport transfers for arrival and departure are included.
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Service of English-speaking guide
An English-speaking guide will be available throughout the tour.
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Sightseeing as per the itinerary
Sightseeing activities as per the itinerary are included.
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Entrances fees as per the itinerary
Entrance fees for all sites mentioned in the itinerary are included.
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Full day tour of Pyramids, Memphis & Sakkara
A full day tour of the Pyramids, Memphis, and Sakkara is included.
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The Karnak Temple and Luxor Temples
Visits to the Karnak Temple and Luxor Temples are included.
What's Not Included
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Items of a personal nature, tips, and gratuities
Personal items, tips, and gratuities are not included.
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Optional tours
Optional tours are not included in the package.
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Visa fees if applicable
Visa fees, if applicable, are not included.
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Travel insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended to be purchased separately.
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International airfare for land only passengers
International airfare for land-only passengers is not included.
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Arrival and departure airport transfers for land-only option
Airport transfers for arrival and departure are not included for land-only passengers.
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Items not mentioned as being included
Any items not specifically mentioned as included are excluded.
Mode of Transport
Includes domestic flights from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan to Sharm El-Sheikh, along with arrival and departure airport transfers.
Accommodation
Enjoy 6 nights in twin-sharing rooms at listed hotels or similar, and 4 nights aboard a cruise ship with full board meal plan.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes 6 nights of accommodation on a twin-sharing basis at listed hotels or similar, and 4 nights of accommodation on a twin-sharing basis on a listed cruise ship or similar.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, daily breakfast is included, and a full board meal plan is provided onboard the cruise.
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Is there a guide provided during the tour?
Yes, the service of an English-speaking guide is included in the tour.
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What are some of the key historical sites visited during the tour?
The tour includes visits to the Great Pyramids, the Great Sphinx of Giza, Memphis, Sakkara, Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple, and the Temple of Philae.
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Are airport transfers included in the tour package?
Yes, arrival and departure airport transfers are included.
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What kind of activities can I expect in Sharm El Sheikh?
In Sharm El Sheikh, you can enjoy deep-sea diving, snorkeling, fishing, golfing, water sports, camel rides, desert safaris, and relaxing in a Bedouin tent.
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Are entrance fees to attractions included in the tour package?
Yes, entrance fees as per the itinerary are included.
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Is domestic airfare included in the tour package?
Yes, domestic airfare for flights from Cairo to Luxor and from Aswan to Sharm El Sheikh is included.
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What is not included in the tour package?
Items of a personal nature, tips, gratuities, optional tours, visa fees if applicable, travel insurance, international airfare for land-only passengers, and arrival and departure airport transfers for the land-only option are not included.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
Yes, but only in case it was previously agreed by both sides and arranged by us.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Our e-document package includes all local contact details, daily itinerary, airline e-ticket information, service vouchers, and travel tips which should be everything you require to go on your trip.
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If I need one, who is responsible to obtain my visa?
You are responsible for obtaining the proper travel documents for the destinations on your itinerary, including having a passport that is valid for at least 6 months before the date of departure and a visa if required. Please check the Visa section in the Know Before You Go document for the countries you will be visiting.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
No, not as standard. Solo travellers can book and occupy their own room for a supplement.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
We have been organizing unforgettable trips since 2001.
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Can I arrange flights via Indus Travels, too?
In some cases, yes. Indus Travels can provide flights from/to selected departure points in the USA. If you would like a quote inclusive of flights, please let us know and we'll be happy to check the details for you!
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
Changes to an existing reservation up to the Final Payment Date, whatever the cause, will incur a $100 per person amendment fee, potential loss of any supplier fees (such as non-refundable event tickets, park permits, and sea cruise reservations) plus any costs for replacement services. On/ after the Final Payment Date, the $100 change fee is no longer valid, instead cancellations terms apply.
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Low Deposit
Indus Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 45 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of indus travels charges.
Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.