Essential Egypt - 8 days
Essential Egypt - 8 days
Essential Egypt - 8 days
8 Days Starting and ending in Cairo, Egypt
Visiting: Cairo, Giza, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Luxor
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 32
Age range:
15-
Interests:
Activities:
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
Itinerary
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
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Accommodation
3 - 4 star -
Breakfast daily
Enjoy a daily breakfast included in your tour package.
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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.
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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.
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Airport arrival transfer on day 1
Receive a convenient airport arrival transfer on the first day of your tour.
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Touring - Cairo, Giza, Aswan, Kom Ombo and Luxor
Explore the historic sites of Cairo, Giza, Aswan, Kom Ombo, and Luxor with guided tours.
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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.
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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
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International flights and visa
International flights and visa are not included in the tour package.
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Departure transfer
Departure transfer is not included and must be arranged separately.
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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
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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.
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Is there an airport transfer included in the tour?
Yes, an airport arrival transfer is included on day 1 of the tour.
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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.
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What kind of transportation is used during the tour?
All relevant transfers and transportation are provided in private modern air-conditioned vehicles.
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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.
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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.
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What meals are included in the tour?
Breakfast is included daily during the tour.
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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.
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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.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1998
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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+
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
Reviews from travellers on this tour
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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.
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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.