Sail Through Time
8 Days Starting in Cairo, Egypt and ending in Aswan, Egypt
Visiting: Cairo, Luxor, Kom Ombo, Aswan
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 22
Tour operated in:
EnglishActivities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Egypt with the "Sail Through Time" tour. Begin your adventure in Cairo, exploring its ancient charm and iconic landmarks like the Great Pyramid of Khufu and the Great Sphinx of Giza. Travel to Luxor, known as the world's largest open-air museum, and visit the magnificent Luxor and Karnak Temples. Enjoy a luxurious 4-night cruise on the Nile River, visiting the Valley of the Kings, the Edfu Temple, and the twin Temples of Sobek and Horus at Kom Ombo. Conclude your trip in Aswan with a visit to the Philae Temple and a scenic felucca ride around Kitcheners Island. This tour offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and luxury.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Cairo Arrival
Location: Cairo
Accommodation Name: hotel
Welcome to Egypt! Cairo, dubbed Al-Qahirah in Arabic, is not only one of Africas largest cities (with a population of 17 million people), but this fascinating city is a bustling political and cultural center of the Arab world. The Egyptian capitals old quarters still retain their ancient charm, with many streets that continue to be relevant to the descriptions given to them by their medieval chroniclers. Modern Cairos architecture is distinguished by the Ottoman and later European influences – particularly in commercial architecture as the citys population boomed throughout the 19th century. Upon arrival at the Cairo International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel to check-in and get settled in!
Overnight in Cairo
Day 2: Cairo (B/L/-)
Location: Cairo
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Spend the day at the Giza Plateau home of 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 from 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 which so many writers and artists have sought to convey over the centuries. This morning, see the Great Pyramid of Khufu and the timeless Great Sphinx of Giza, dating from the time of Chephren (2620 BC). Sculpted from natural yellowish limestone and standing 65 feet high and 187 feet long, this unforgettable statue combines the head of a Pharaoh with a lions body. Â
Spend the remainder of the day at leisure on your own in Cairo or perhaps enjoy an optional tour.
Overnight in Cairo
Day 3: Cairo – Luxor (By Flight) – Cruise Embarkation (B/L/D)
Location: Luxor
Accommodation Name: cruise ship
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
In the morning you will be transferred back to the Cairo International Airport for your flight to Luxor. Upon arrival in Luxor, you will be escorted to the cruise ship for boarding. This will be your home for the next four nights. Enjoy lunch on board. In the afternoon you will visit the Luxor and Karnak Temples. The Luxor Temple was the center of the most important festival; the Opet Festival. Built primarily by Amenhotep III and Ramses II, the temple served as a setting for the rituals of the festival, held to reconcile the human aspect of the ruler with his divine office. The procession of images of the royal family began at Karnak and ended at the Luxor Temple. The Karnak Temple was erected in 1928 BC as a small shrine dedicated to Amun, the god of Thebes. The Temple of Karnak 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 in the center. Karnak is now one of the largest and oldest temple compounds in the world.
Dinner and
Overnight Onboard in Luxor
Day 4: Luxor – Esna (B/L/D)
Location: Luxor
Accommodation Name: cruise ship
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, you will cross the newly constructed Luxor Bridge to visit the Valley of the Kings and Queens, including Hatshepsut (El-Deir El-Bahari). The Valley of the Kings is home to many pharaonic tombs of the New Kingdom, including those of King Tutankhamun and Ramses the Great. Each king's formal name and title are inscribed in his tomb, which is also adorned with his images and statues. Most of the tombs were cut into limestone following a similar pattern: three corridors, an antechamber, and a sunken sarcophagus chamber. From there you will visit the Valley of the Queens which includes 75 to 80 tombs. These tombs belong to Queens of the 18th, 19th, and 20th Dynasties. Among these lies the famous tomb of Nefertiti, one of the five wives of Ramses II. From there you will explore 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 the sacred. Take a break and watch the sunset with snacks. End your day with a luxurious dinner. Relax and spend the night onboard your cruise ship in Esna.
Overnight Onboard in Esna
Day 5: Esna – Edfu – Kom Ombo (B/L/D)
Location: Kom Ombo
Accommodation Name: cruise ship
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy a savory breakfast while sailing to Edfu. Visit the hidden gem of the Edfu Temple. Break the day with lunch on the Historia while sailing to Kom Ombo and 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, and the site offers incredible views of the Nile River. Unwind in this beautiful area with stunning sunset views and tea-time.
Overnight Onboard the Cruise in Kom Ombo
Day 6: Kom Ombo – Aswan (B/L/D)
Location: Aswan
Accommodation Name: cruise ship
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy a delicious breakfast onboard the cruise in Aswan, Egypts southernmost city. South of here lies the flooded lands of Nubia, Sudan, and Ethiopia. From there, you will continue to see the granite quarries, which supplied the ancient Egyptians with most of the hard stones used in their pyramids and temples. Invoke the healing powers of the goddess Isis with a visit to the Temple of Philae. Head on a short yet spectacular trip on a motorboat to the Philae Temple, where you will see a magnificent vista of the island of Agilika before landing at what would have been the ancient quay on the south side. Break your day with a lunch on the Historia. In the afternoon, head on a tour of the Nile by Felucca around Kitcheners Island and Agha Khan. Enjoy relaxing tea-time. Savour your last Historia dinner and enjoy your final night on the cruise with evening entertainment in Aswan.
Overnight Onboard the Cruise in Aswan
Day 7: Aswan (Cruise Disembarkation) – Cairo (By Flight) (B/-/-)
Location: Cairo
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Disembark the cruise after breakfast. From there you will be transferred to the Aswan Airport for your flight to Cairo. There, you will be met and escorted back to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure or perhaps book an optional tour below.
Overnight in Cairo
Day 8: Cairo - (B/-/-)
Location: Cairo
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today you will be transferred back to the Cairo International Airport to board your onward flight home.
What's Included
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03 nights accommodation on a twin sharing basis at the listed Luxury hotels or similar
Enjoy 3 nights of accommodation in luxury hotels, sharing a twin room.
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04 nights accommodation on a twin sharing basis on the listed Luxury cruise ship or similar
Experience 4 nights of accommodation on a luxury cruise ship, sharing a twin room.
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Daily breakfast
Start each day with a delicious breakfast included in your stay.
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Full board meal plan onboard the cruise
Enjoy a full board meal plan while onboard the cruise.
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Arrival and departure transfers to and from the regional airport
Convenient transfers to and from the regional airport are included.
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Transportation services with a vehicle equipped with air conditioning
Travel comfortably with air-conditioned transportation services.
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Services of knowledgeable English-speaking tour directors in every country
Benefit from the expertise of English-speaking tour directors throughout your journey.
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Sightseeing excursions as mentioned in the detailed itinerary
Participate in various sightseeing excursions as outlined in the itinerary.
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Entrance fees as mentioned in the detailed itinerary
All entrance fees for attractions mentioned in the itinerary are included.
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The Karnak Temple and Luxor Temples
Visit the historic Karnak Temple and Luxor Temples.
What's Not Included
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Items of a personal nature, tips, and gratuities
Personal expenses, tips, and gratuities are not included.
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Visa application and fees
Visa application and associated fees are not included.
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Travel insurance
Travel insurance is not included and should be arranged separately.
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Arrival and departure transfers for land only
Transfers for land-only arrangements are not included.
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Items not mentioned as being included
Any items not specifically mentioned as included are excluded.
Mode of Transport
Transportation includes arrival and departure transfers to and from the regional airport, domestic flights from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan to Cairo, and air-conditioned vehicle services for sightseeing excursions.
Accommodation
Enjoy 3 nights in luxury hotels on a twin-sharing basis and 4 nights on a luxurious cruise ship, also on a twin-sharing basis, with daily breakfast and full board meal plan onboard the cruise.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes 3 nights in luxury hotels on a twin-sharing basis and 4 nights on a luxurious cruise ship, also on a twin-sharing basis. Daily breakfast is included at the hotels, and a full board meal plan is provided onboard the cruise.
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What kind of transportation is included in the tour?
Transportation includes arrival and departure transfers to and from the regional airport, domestic flights from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan to Cairo, and air-conditioned vehicle services for sightseeing excursions.
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Are there any meals included in the tour package?
Yes, daily breakfast is included during your stay at the hotels, and a full board meal plan is provided while onboard the cruise.
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What are some of the key historical sites visited during the tour?
The tour includes visits to the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Great Sphinx of Giza, the Luxor and Karnak Temples, the Valley of the Kings, the Hatshepsut Temple, the Edfu Temple, the Kom Ombo Temple, and the Philae Temple in Aswan.
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Is there a tour guide provided during the trip?
Yes, the services of knowledgeable English-speaking tour directors are provided throughout the journey.
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Are entrance fees to attractions included in the tour package?
Yes, all entrance fees for attractions mentioned in the detailed itinerary are included.
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What is the itinerary for the first day of the tour?
On the first day, you will arrive in Cairo, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel to check-in and get settled in. You will spend the night in Cairo.
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What activities are planned for the second day in Cairo?
On the second day, you will visit the Giza Plateau to see the Great Pyramid of Khufu and the Great Sphinx of Giza. The remainder of the day is at leisure for you to explore Cairo on your own or enjoy an optional tour.
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What can I expect during the Nile cruise portion of the tour?
During the 4-night Nile cruise, you will visit several historical sites including the Luxor and Karnak Temples, the Valley of the Kings and Queens, the Edfu Temple, the Kom Ombo Temple, and the Philae Temple in Aswan. The cruise includes full board meals and various sightseeing excursions.
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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.