Pyramids & Pharaohs in Egypt
Pyramids & Pharaohs in Egypt
9 Days Starting in Cairo and ending in Luxor
Visiting: Cairo, Giza, Nile, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Luxor, Valley of the Kings
Tour operator:
Tour code:
AEZ
Group size:
6 - 16
Physical rating:
Leisurely / Moderate
Age range:
16-99
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
From:
$2850
$2772 (USD)
The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$78
Tour Overview
Visit the history-soaked Land of the Pharaohs and discover the wonders of Egypt through thrilling experiences. We quad bike by the Pyramids of Giza, kayak down the Nile and sandboard down dunes. There’s also time to explore the islands around Aswan by felucca, sleep in a Nubian guesthouse, and take a sleeper train cross-country. It’s an adventure-packed trip for those who want to combine can’t-miss attractions, cultural experiences and lesser-known spots.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive In Egypt
Location: Cairo
Accommodation Name: Hyatt Regency Cairo West (or similar)
Welcome to Cairo, the capital of Egypt. Here, raucous modern life meets ancient history. Upon arrival, check into the Hyatt Regency Cairo West, just outside the city, which has views over to the pyramids.
Accommodation: Hyatt Regency Cairo West (or similar)
Day 2 : Visit The Pyramids Of Giza, Egyptian Museum And Al-Azhar Mosque
Location: Giza
Accommodation Name: Hyatt Regency Cairo West (or similar)
Meals Included: breakfast
After breakfast, we head to the Pyramids of Giza, spending an hour on a quad bike with the pyramids as our backdrop. Then there’s a tour to reveal the secrets of these intriguing structures.
Later, in downtown Cairo, we visit the Egyptian Museum to see the riches of Tutankhamun’s tomb and other Egyptian treasures. The day continues at the architecturally beautiful Al-Azhar Mosque, one of the oldest examples in the city.
Accommodation: Hyatt Regency Cairo West (or similar)
Day 3 : Kayak Down The Nile Then Explore The Souks; Board Sleeper Train
Location: Nile
Accommodation Name: Sleeper train
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
We board kayaks this morning and paddle on the Nile for around two hours. Then it’s back to downtown Cairo for a food tour and the chance to sample traditional Egyptian dishes. We also have an afternoon tour of Old Cairo to wander the narrow lanes of the Khan El-Khalili bazaar.
Tonight, we board a sleeper train to Aswan, the southern frontier of ancient Egypt.
Accommodation: Sleeper train
Day 4 : Wake Up In Aswan; Explore The Nile By Felucca
Location: Aswan
Accommodation Name: Anakato Hotel (or similar)
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
There’s a full day on the Nile today. We board a felucca (a traditional wooden sailing boat) and get to know this famous waterway a little better. There’s time to relax and enjoy the scenery as we pass rocky islets and glimpse the golden dunes beyond the west bank. Later, we check into Anakato Hotel, a traditional Nubian-style accommodation.
Accommodation: Anakato Hotel (or similar)
Day 5 : Marvel At The Temples Of Abu Simbel
Location: Abu Simbel
Accommodation Name: Anakato Hotel (or similar)
Meals Included: breakfast, dinner
We rise before the sun this morning to travel through the desert to Abu Simbel. It’s renowned for its colossal temples – spectacular examples of ancient Egyptian art and engineering overlooking Lake Nasser. After, there’s downtime back at Anakato Hotel before the adventure continues in the late afternoon when we take a desert walk with a Nubian guide. We feast on a home-cooked Nubian meal and learn about the culture and history of this region.
Accommodation: Anakato Hotel (or similar)
Day 6 : Board The Dunes
Location: Abu Simbel
Accommodation Name: Anakato Hotel (or similar)
Meals Included: breakfast
This morning, we sandboard across the dunes. It’s an extreme sport that’s sure to get your heart pumping. The rest of the day is yours to swim and kayak in the Nile, explore Aswan bazaar or take an optional tour of Philae Temple, the High Dam or a nearby Nubian village.
Accommodation: Anakato Hotel (or similar)
Day 7 : Explore Luxor
Location: Luxor
Accommodation Name: Steigenberger Nile Palace (or similar)
Meals Included: breakfast
It’s to Luxor today, taking an approximately six-hour transfer. We tour the ancient Karnak Temple and marvel at the grandeur of the surviving monuments. After sunset, we visit Luxor Temple, built between 1390 BCE and 1352 BCE. Tonight, we stay at the Steigenberger Nile Palace Luxor on the east bank of the Nile.
Accommodation: Steigenberger Nile Palace (or similar)
Day 8 : Visit The Valley Of The Kings
Location: Valley of the Kings
Accommodation Name: Steigenberger Nile Palace (or similar)
Meals Included: breakfast
We have an early transfer this morning, which takes us to the Valley of the Kings, the site of 63 royal tombs. It was part of the ancient city of Thebes and the burial site of almost all the pharaohs of the 18th, 19th and 20th dynasties. Then it’s onto the Colossi of Memnon, two giant, faceless stone statues guarding the entrance to the temple of Amenophis III. Entry to Tutankhamun’s tomb costs approximately US$12, payable locally. In terms of size and decoration, it is not as impressive as many of the other tombs, but is, of course, historically very interesting.
There’s lunch at El Marsam restaurant and then a visit to ACE Luxor animal hospital, a charity dedicated to treating animals in the most impoverished communities of Luxor.
Tonight, there’s a farewell dinner at El Sofra restaurant, dining on traditional Egyptian dishes.
Accommodation: Steigenberger Nile Palace (or similar)
Day 9 : Depart Egypt
Location: Luxor
Meals Included: breakfast
The adventure ends this morning after breakfast and we begin our return journeys home. However, if you’d like a little more time to explore, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.
What's Included
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All breakfasts, two lunches and three dinners
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All transport and listed activities
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Tour leader throughout
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
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Visa and vaccinations
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Tips for leaders and staff
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Flights
Food
All breakfasts, two lunches and three dinners are included
Vegetarians and gluten-free diets can be catered for, although options may be limited
Accommodation
Enjoy a range of accommodation styles on this Egyptian adventure, where we have downtime in four- and five-star (local rating) hotels, while also spending a night on a sleeper train and staying in a Nubian guesthouse. Below are the hotels we typically use.
Cairo: Hyatt Regency Cairo West (nights 1 and 2)
Our time in Egypt begins in style with a stay at this contemporary five-star resort with views of the Pyramids of Giza. There are plenty of facilities to enjoy, including a year-round pool with a sunken bar, a 24-hour gym, and a spa. There are plenty of dining options too, including a European food hall, a Japanese-Peruvian fusion restaurant, and an industrial-style lounge bar serving cocktails.
Cairo to Aswan: Sleeper train (night 3)
We travel from Cairo to Aswan on the overnight sleeper train. We stay in first-class cabins, which are compact and have bunk beds. Bedding is provided. The train tends to shake due to the condition of the track and is quite noisy. Earplugs are a good idea. A basic dinner and breakfast are provided, you may wish to take snacks with you. There is a shared toilet in each carriage.
Aswan: Anakato Hotel (nights 4-6)
Spend three nights immersing yourself in Nubian culture, language, songs and food at Anakato Hotel, where we stay in traditionally styled accommodation. The meals are homemade (typically Nubian tajines) with ingredients freshly picked from their farm.
Luxor: Steigenberger Nile Palace (nights 7 and 8)
Our adventure ends at this rather grand hotel beside the Nile. There’s a pool overlooking the river plus a spa and fitness area. The selection of dining options is vast and includes: Nubia, a Nubian-themed eatery; the Nile Bar and Lounge, which serves light bites and is well worth visiting during sunset; and The View, where you can enjoy ‘creative culinary art’ with vistas over the Nile and Theban mountains.
Worth knowing
The sleeper trains in Egypt are fairly dated so although classified as first class you should be prepared for a lower standard than Western countries.
Check out our Q&As
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
Reviews from Travellers on this Tour
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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