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 05-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

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 the new Grand Egyptian Museum, which contains an incredible array of relics and antiquities including the treasures of King Tutankhamun and his spectacular gold funerary mask. Our sightseeing today also includes a visit to a government supervised Papyrus Museum. This evening we board the night train to Aswan.







Please Note: the Grand Egyptian Museum is scheduled to open in late 2024, though an official opening date has yet to be released. If travelling prior to the opening of the new facility we'll visit the Egyptian Museum instead.

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 from travellers on this tour

Hafiza Bibi  

Essential Egypt - 8 days

25-Sep-2019

I have used On The Go Tours last year for a trip to India. The reps meetings us at the airport and hotel were lovely and helpful. We had a great time and really enjoyed the sights. Our tour guide Momo was brilliant, I was impressed by his knowledge of ancient Egypt and of the country as a whole. He was funny, enthusiastic and very passionate about his job. He made sure the whole group was happy, asking us at each location how much time we wanted to look around, told us funny stories about the ancient Egyptians, he offered us options for meals and was able to answer all my questions and help whenever we needed it. He even brought the whole group mango juice, which was the least I expected. It’s a shame he isn’t able to do tours in other countries as I would definitely love to have him guide us on other On The Go Tours in different countries. My only issue with the whole trip was the lack of wifi in the hotel rooms. I have made some fantastic lifelong friends and really do miss the ‘Family’ Momo created. Cant wait for the next trip with On The Go.

Justin Worth  

Essential Egypt - 8 days

11-Oct-2022

A well conducted tour for all ages from the young to the old. Dino our guide catered for all our individual needs 24/7. I will be recommending On The Go and this particular tour to all my friends

Zipporah Williams  

Essential Egypt - 8 days

20-Jul-2019

I loved this tour. It was absolutely amazing. Overall everything that you read online or on the brochure is pretty much accurate. We went to the pyramids, valley of the kings, Luxor, Aswan. Everyone in the group was fun. I also went to Alexandria for the day and it was worth it to go from the north of Egypt to the south. My guide in Alexandria,Nash was also very kind, gave tons of knowledge about the area and history and very accommodating as well. I feel for the price paid, i got more than what I was expecting. I do want to come back to Egypt in the future now. But thank you Amir for making the trip a memorable one.

Andrea Bernal  

Essential Egypt - 8 days

27-Sep-2023

You must visit Egypt at least once in your lifetime. The website is straight forward. Every time I made a payment for additional tours or to pay off my balance I immediately got an email confirmation. They are easy and fast to communicate.This trip was a dream come true. Going to see history that still stands thousands of years later, it’s unbelievable. Even thought, we had to do some alteration, we did get to see everything that was on the itinerary. Our guide, Sherif, was very knowledgeable and tried to accommodate to everyone in our tour group. Just beware of the 9 hour drive from Cairo to Luxor...ours turn to 12 and it was brutal. The hotels were great too, Aswan hotel was very beautiful and by far my favorite. I’m glad I took a guided tour instead of going independent. You get to learn in depth about the history, people, customs and so much more

Darryl Worth  

Essential Egypt - 8 days

09-Oct-2022

I really enjoyed the whole trip. It was well organised and informative. The tour guide had sound knowledge of all the sites visited and locations we passed through. The fact that we all were about to ask questions, and so many of them was great. All the On The Go crew were friendly, polite and willing to go the extra mile. Thank you for a wonderful holiday.

Grace Wilkinson  

Essential Egypt - 8 days

10-Dec-2019

My friend and I (22 & 27) had the most amazing time on our 9-day Essential Egypt trip with our tour guide Amir. The best thing about Egypt is understandably the sight-seeing, but the second best thing truely was our tour guide Amir. From day one he went above and beyond to make sure we had the best and safest time. There wasn't one point on the trip we didn't feel 100% safe or comfortable. There is literally nothing else Amir could have done to make our trip better, he treated us like family and we can't thank him enough for making our Egypt trip the unforgettable experience that it was. The sight-seeing in Egypt is unbelievable and there really isn't anything like it anywhere else in the world. You know it's a monument when it makes you say 'oh shit' when you stand in front of it. The hotels we stayed in on tour were great, all of our transfers were comfortable and the tour itself was jam packed with everything you could think of doing to experience Egypt from Cairo to Aswan (including out to Abu Simbel). The optional add ons are so worth it (Backstreets of Cairo, Abu Simbel and Pyramid/Sphinx Sound & Light Night Show) so bring extra money for those or arrange ahead of time. We went in winter and the weather was warm. Definitely consider travelling in winter if you don't like the heat because it's even hotter in summer with minimal shade at some of the sites. Overall could not recommend this tour more and can only hope you have a tour guide as amazing as Amir.

Peter & Alan Dave  

Essential Egypt - 8 days

22-Oct-2022

We have just ended the Essential Egypt Trip run by On The Go Tours in Egypt. I can highly recommend this trip. It was well organised from the moment we landed in Cairo. An On The Go Tours rep fetched us from the airport and guided us every step of the way. The hotels were great – especially since this was sold as a budget trip – far from it, the accommodation was excellent. Momo our guide got the balance right between too much ancient history information and having lots of fun. All the stops were worthwhile and super interesting. The coaches used were air-conditioned and comfortable. The group we toured with were all great company. Special thanks to Momo who helped my Dad – who is 84 years and enjoyed the trip as much as everyone else, thanks to Momo’s patience and caring way. The overnight train on the last night was comfortable and although not upmarket and super modern- we enjoyed the adventure all the way. On The Go paid attention to small details like getting our baggage sorted at all hotels and even had a separate rep to help those that were on a different carriage, onto the train where needed. Thanks On The Go for giving me and my dad some lifelong memories to savour.

Zohra Ahmad  

Essential Egypt - 8 days

07-Oct-2023

As a solo Traveller, I was reluctant on choosing Egypt as my destination. But I was blessed to have Amir as my tour guide. He ensured the safety and well-being of each group member. at the same time he ensured, we had fun and bonded well. I had a great time and I would definitely recommend anyone who's taking a trip to Egypt. Go out, book and forget all your worries.

Jallal Goradi  

Essential Egypt - 8 days

09-Dec-2022

Over all it was fantastic experience. Our amazing guide explained the history very well and showed a great deal of passion in his profession. It was our guide that made a huge difference to our holiday.

Tassia Locke  

Essential Egypt - 8 days

20-Jul-2023

Tour was amazing, it was everything I wanted to see. Our tour guide Amir was incredible, I cannot find the words to describe what a unique, patient, kind, considerate and understanding man he is. He made the trip worth while and his knowledge on all the outings we took was impeccable.

Read all 16 reviews

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Operator discount: -$221

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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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