Tour Overview
Journey through Egypt on this eight-day trip and follow the winding path of the river Nile, soaking up Egypt's history, beauty and colour. Cruise the longest river in the world on a traditional felucca, discover the largest and most impressive Egyptian temples and share stories with interesting locals over home-cooked meals. Live it up in this country of deserts, bazaars, monuments and unmatched experiences – and come away with a deeper understanding of how Egypt’s past has shaped its future. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Cairo
Location: Cairo
Accommodation: Hotel
Ahlan! Welcome to Egypt. Your adventure begins in Cairo with a welcome meeting at 4 pm, where you’ll meet your leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive early, get your bearings by walking around the neighourhood, or escape the hustle and bustle and explore the Christian quarter, known as Coptic Cairo. After the meeting, head out with your fellow travellers and discover Khan al-Khalili Bazaar, located in Cairo's Islamic centre. This traditional souk is a labyrinth of narrow alleys lined with local merchants, making it the perfect place to experience daily Egyptian life.
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Day 2: Cairo/Overnight Train
Location: Cairo/Overnight Train
Accommodation: Overnight sleeper train
Accommodation Name: Overnight sleeper train
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, head to Giza – home to some of the world’s most iconic sights and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Explore the structures that have stood tall for 4500 years and uncover the mysteries surrounding them with your leader. Head to a spot where you'll have a panoramic view of the three pyramids, before checking out the Great Sphinx of Giza. For lunch, follow your leader to a local restaurant to try a Koshary plate (a tasty and filling Egyptian take on pasta). After, make your way to the Egyptian Museum, which houses one of the world's greatest collections of antiquities. Wander through the treasure-filled halls while your leader highlights the true gems of the exhibits. Later, meet your leader and travel to the nearby train station, where you’ll board an overnight sleeper train bound for Aswan.
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Day 3: Aswan
Location: Aswan
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Travel to Aswan – Egypt's southernmost city, where the river Nile flows, white-sailed feluccas glide by and Elephantine Island awaits. Today is a free day, so take the opportunity to see some Aswan sites like the Unfinished Obelisk – an ancient monument that has remained unfinished for 3500 years – or the High Dam. Maybe see The Nubian Bazaar, the Nubian Museum or the beautiful Temple of Isis, dedicated to the goddess Isis on Philae Island. The waterfront promenade, or Aswan's Corniche, runs alongside one of the Nile's most appealing stretches and is the perfect place to pause for a mint tea. This evening you’ll experience modern Nubian culture first-hand by joining a local Nubian family for dinner in a nearby village.
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Day 4: Aswan
Location: Aswan
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is another free day in Aswan. Perhaps head out of the city and visit Abu Simbel this morning. With the four colossal statues of Ramses guarding the Great Temple, carved directly from the mountain on the west bank of the Nile, this is one of Egypt's most memorable sights. Alternatively, you could take a sailboat around the islands in a traditional felucca, stopping off at the botanical gardens on Kitchener's Island. Your leader will be on hand to help you arrange any excursions. Otherwise, simply relax and take in the beauty of the Nile or do some shopping in the local bazaar.
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Day 5: Nile Felucca
Location: Nile Felucca
Accommodation: Felucca
Accommodation Name: Felucca
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
With your free time this morning, perhaps hop on a motorboat out to the Tomb of the Nobles or stock up on snacks for your evening on the Nile. Board the felucca with your group just before lunch and spend the afternoon out on the river, watching Egyptian daily life play out on the banks, before spending a night under the stars. Your Nubian sailing crew provides all the meals, which are hearty and delicious, as well as some local entertainment. Being a traditional wooden boat with broad canvas sails, your felucca offers some shade and protection from the elements, however, there’s no cabin or enclosed section. Tonight, watch the sunset across the Nile for a sight you won't forget.
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Day 6: Luxor
Location: Luxor
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Say goodbye to your Nubian friends this morning and take a private van to the ‘open-air museum’ of Luxor. From the spectacular temple complex of Karnak to the Valley of the Kings, Luxor is full of wonderfully preserved reminders of the Pharaohs. On the way, there's the option to visit either the unique mirror-image design of the Temple of Kom Ombo, or the beautifully preserved Temple of Edfu. In the afternoon, explore the magnificent Karnak Temple, which is perhaps the most impressive of all the ancient Pharaohs' monumental works. One of the world's most celebrated temple complexes, Karnak is a house of the gods built over a period of 200 years. After, visit a local NGO, Animal Care in Egypt (ACE), our Intrepid Foundation partner, to learn about the work they do to care for wounded working animals in the region. The rest of the day will be free to relax, shop in the bazaar or chill out in a local teahouse.
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Day 7: Luxor/Overnight Train
Location: Luxor/Overnight Train
Accommodation: Overnight sleeper train
Accommodation Name: Overnight sleeper train
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today, discover some of the wonders of ancient Thebes via a private minivan. Your first stop is the Colossi of Memnon – two 17-m-high statues on Luxor's West Bank. Carved from granite blocks, they represent the Pharaoh Amenhotep III and were once part of an impressive colonnade. Continue to the royal burial site of the Valley of the Kings – here, buried under the arid hills, are over 60 richly decorated tombs of pharaohs. Your leader will explain the history and legends of these remarkable pharaohs and the significance of the many paintings and hieroglyphics. After, join a local family for lunch and try some traditional home cooking. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore at your pace before boarding an overnight sleeper train from Luxor back to Cairo.
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Day 8: Cairo
Location: Cairo
Meals Included: Breakfast
Arrive in Cairo early this morning and have one last breakfast with your group. Your trip then comes to an end. If you'd like to extend your stay, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time.
What's Included
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Cairo - Khan al-Khalili bazaar visit
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Cairo - Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx
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Cairo - The Egyptian Museum (minimum 2 people)
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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International Travel
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Airport Transfers at Destination
Included Activities
- Cairo - Khan al-Khalili bazaar visit
- Cairo - Pyramids and Sphinx
- Cairo - Camel ride at the Pyramids
- Cairo - The Egyptian Museum Guided Visit
- Cairo - The Egyptian Museum headset
- Aswan - Nubian Village Visit and Dinner
- Nile - Felucca overnight sailing trip
- Luxor - Karnak Temple -Entry Fee
- Luxor - Colossi of Memnon
- Luxor - Valley of the Kings (3 tombs)
Transport
- There are some long travel days and some rough travelling in areas away from main tourist routes. Windy roads, rough surfaces and cramped conditions make for some challenging travel experiences. On some long travel days we depart early in the morning to ensure we optimise our time at our next destination. If you experience travel sickness we recommend you consider medication to help ease the discomfort.
- SECURITY WHILE TRAVELLING
- Occasionally you may experience a Tourist Police Escort in your vehicle and whilst not common convoys between select towns or regions are possible. This practice has been implemented by local authorities to monitor the safety and security of visitors to Egypt.
- OVERNIGHT TRAIN
- On this itinerary, you will be travelling by overnight sleeper train. The sleeper cabins are about 2x1.5 meters and are 2 berths. There are 2 beds on top of each other. Pillows, sheets and blankets are provided. There is also a compartment next to the upper bed for luggage storage and a small sink. Toilets are located at the end of the carriage. Each carriage has 10 cabins which are all lockable from the inside. If you have booked a single supplement you will be assigned to your own berth.
- During your journey dinner and breakfast are provided however the meals are very basic and you may wish to bring along your own fresh fruit, snacks and water to supplement these.
- OVERNIGHT FELUCCA ON THE NILE
- On this trip you will be travelling and sleeping on a felucca. A felucca is a traditional wooden boat with broad canvas sails. The felucca offers some shade and protection from the elements. However, there is no cabin or enclosed section. You will be sharing a sleeping area with your fellow group members for the night and a shared bathroom facility (western style toilet). You'll sleep outside on a simple mattress, there is a wooden ceiling above you but the area is otherwise open. If you feel the cold you should consider bringing a sleeping bag. These can also be rented locally. Please advise your leader during the welcome meeting. You may also wish to bring a sleeping sheet from home. Conditions will be basic during your felucca trip. If you are prepared for this, you’re sure to have a memorable adventure. During the colder months (October to March) temperatures can get as low as 5°C at night.
- Our Nubian sailing crew ( normally 2 for sailing, 1 for cooking ) provides all the meals, which are hearty and delicious.
- We recommend that you pack everything you may need for the night in a small day bag.
- The felucca will stop a few times during your journey and overnight stay.
Accommodation
- The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
- Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
- OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION
- The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.
- ACCOMMODATION STYLE
- Some of the accommodation along the way is basic or simple, three and four-star accommodation in the Middle East (with the exception of Israel) is often not equal to same-star facilities in some western destinations. Rooms are clean and comfortable, however, you may note some small maintenance issues that have been overlooked, please assist us by bringing these to the attention of your group leader or local representative so that we can follow up with our hosts. Many restaurants and hotels do not serve alcohol for religious reasons or due to local laws. Breakfast is included in 95% or our hotels, pleaser refer to our daily itinerary for meal inclusions.
- TWIN SHARE / MULTI SHARE BASIS
- Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multi-share basis.
- CHECK-IN TIME
- Throughout the trip, we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination. Standard check-in time is 1400 hours.
- PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION
- If you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (subject to availability), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.
- SHOWERS
- Showers at some hotels only have hot water at peak times (usually morning and evening). Outside of these times, you may need to speak to reception to obtain hot water.
- HEATING AND AIR-CONDITIONING
- As a desert region, this part of the world has extremes of weather. Winter months (approx December to March) can be very cold. All of our hotel accommodation contains suitable bedding, and simple light bedding is provided during camping activities such as an overnight felucca, desert camps or at the Red Sea Beach camp stay. Most of our travellers find the bedding provided here adequate, but for your own comfort and if you are particularly sensitive to the cold, consider bringing your own sleeping bag, thermals, scarf, gloves and a warm jacket. Some of our guesthouses/hotels don't supply heating. In many cases, this would be a major financial and environmental strain on our hotels and the local towns. Summer (approx June to August) can be very hot everywhere we travel, which means that it can be quite uncomfortable for those not used to the heat. Not all our hotels have air-conditioning, and in those that do, it's not always functioning.
- ROOM ISSUES
- If you have any issues with your room, please speak to the hotel and your group leader or local representative right away so that the problem can be addressed without delay.
Important Information
- 1.This trip starts in Cairo on Day 1 at 4 pm. This allows time after the welcome meeting to Khan al-Khalili bazaar with your Leader after the meeting.
- 2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 5 (Felucca) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
- 3. This trip finishes upon arrival in Cairo on Day 8. Please do not book any flights until after 3.00 pm this evening in case there are delays
Mode of Transport
- There are some long travel days and some rough travelling in areas away from main tourist routes. Windy roads, rough surfaces and cramped conditions make for some challenging travel experiences. On some long travel days we depart early in the morning to ensure we optimise our time at our next destination. If you experience travel sickness we recommend you consider medication to help ease the discomfort.
- SECURITY WHILE TRAVELLING
- Occasionally you may experience a Tourist Police Escort in your vehicle and whilst not common convoys between select towns or regions are possible. This practice has been implemented by local authorities to monitor the safety and security of visitors to Egypt.
- OVERNIGHT TRAIN
- On this itinerary, you will be travelling by overnight sleeper train. The sleeper cabins are about 2x1.5 meters and are 2 berths. There are 2 beds on top of each other. Pillows, sheets and blankets are provided. There is also a compartment next to the upper bed for luggage storage and a small sink. Toilets are located at the end of the carriage. Each carriage has 10 cabins which are all lockable from the inside. If you have booked a single supplement you will be assigned to your own berth.
- During your journey dinner and breakfast are provided however the meals are very basic and you may wish to bring along your own fresh fruit, snacks and water to supplement these.
- OVERNIGHT FELUCCA ON THE NILE
- On this trip you will be travelling and sleeping on a felucca. A felucca is a traditional wooden boat with broad canvas sails. The felucca offers some shade and protection from the elements. However, there is no cabin or enclosed section. You will be sharing a sleeping area with your fellow group members for the night and a shared bathroom facility (western style toilet). You'll sleep outside on a simple mattress, there is a wooden ceiling above you but the area is otherwise open. If you feel the cold you should consider bringing a sleeping bag. These can also be rented locally. Please advise your leader during the welcome meeting. You may also wish to bring a sleeping sheet from home. Conditions will be basic during your felucca trip. If you are prepared for this, you’re sure to have a memorable adventure. During the colder months (October to March) temperatures can get as low as 5°C at night.
- Our Nubian sailing crew ( normally 2 for sailing, 1 for cooking ) provides all the meals, which are hearty and delicious.
- We recommend that you pack everything you may need for the night in a small day bag.
- The felucca will stop a few times during your journey and overnight stay.
Check out our Q&As
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Is this trip right for you
Travelling on a felucca (traditional wooden boat) is awesome, but it's not for everyone. You will be sharing a sleeping area with your fellow group members for the night and a shared bathroom facility. You'll sleep outside under the stars on a simple mattress, with some bedding provided. If you do feel the cold, you should consider bringing a sleeping bag.
The walkways around many Egyptian ruins can be uneven, dusty and rocky, so be sure to bring comfortable walking shoes. At large sites such as Valley of the Kings, you can also expect to be walking in the elements for most of the day, so adequate sun protection is essential.
Some hotels in Egypt may not have lifts. You may need to climb stairs with your luggage to reach your hotel room for the night.
Temperatures in the Egypt can be extreme, ranging from very hot to very cold, depending on the season – it can even snow in some places! Layers will come in handy for sun protection as well as warmth.
Overnight train journeys are a fast way to cross long distances, better for the environment and a great travel experience. You will share two-berth air-conditioned cabins, with all bedding provided and western style toilets on board. ...more ...less -
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit for future tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
Enquire for Extra Savings
Rated 5* on Trust Pilot & ABTA Protected.
Egypt Adventure
8 Days Starting and ending in Cairo
Visiting: Cairo, Cairo/Overnight Train, Aswan, Nile Felucca, Luxor, Luxor/Overnight Train
Tour operator:
Tour code:
XESB
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 14
Age range:
15-99
