Alexandria & Ancient Egypt - 13 days
Alexandria & Ancient Egypt - 13 days
Alexandria & Ancient Egypt - 13 days
13 Days Starting and ending in Cairo, Egypt
Visiting: Cairo, Alexandria, Giza, Aswan, Kom Ombo, Luxor
Tour operator:
Tour code:
2178/AAE
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 24
Age range:
18-
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Please contact On The Go Tours with specific dietary requests
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on a captivating 13-day journey through the heart of ancient Egypt, starting in the bustling city of Cairo. Marvel at the iconic Pyramids of Giza and explore the treasures of the Grand Egyptian Museum. Discover Alexandria's rich history with visits to the Roman Catacombs and the Citadel of Qaitbay. Pay homage at the El Alamein battlefields before heading to the serene landscapes of Aswan. Sail the Nile on a traditional felucca, or opt for a luxurious cruise, visiting the Temple of Kom Ombo along the way. In Luxor, delve into the Valley of the Kings and the majestic Karnak Temple. With expert guidance and comfortable accommodations, this tour offers an unforgettable exploration of Egypt's timeless wonders.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Cairo
Location: Cairo
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Holiday Inn Cairo Maadi
Tuesday. Welcome to Egypt! On arrival at the airport you’ll be transferred to our hotel to spend the rest of today exploring Cairo at leisure.
Day 2: Alexandria
Location: Alexandria
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Paradise Inn Le Metropole
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Cairo - Alexandria. Discover the port city of Alexandria today as we drive to the Mediterranean coast. We’ll explore the ancient Roman catacombs, the largest of its kind in Egypt. The catacombs were only rediscovered in 1900, when a donkey accidentally fell into the access shaft. Our tour will also visit Pompey’s Pillar and the impressive Library of Alexandria (exterior) before we arrive at the Citadel of Qaitbay. This fortress was built on the site of the legendary Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The lighthouse was destroyed by a powerful earthquake in 1323AD and some of the same stones recovered from the ruins were used in the construction of this famous citadel.
Day 3: Alexandria
Location: Alexandria
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Alexandria - Cairo. Today we visit the sobering Commonwealth War Graves of El Alamein. Two bloody battles were fought here during the Second World War, which eventually saw the Allied forces defeat the Axis powers. This victory eliminated the threat to Egypt and the strategically important Suez Canal. Around 13,000 Allied soldiers were killed in battle. We’ll pay our respects to the fallen soldiers and explore the El Alamein Military Museum to learn more about the battles fought here. The museum also houses original war vehicles, weapons and uniforms. After the visit, we return to Cairo.
Day 4: Cairo
Location: Cairo
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is free to explore Egypt’s capital as you please. You may wish to join our morning Backstreets of Cairo tour, which will take you to some of the lesser known sights in the city. Visit the hub of the 2011 Egyptian Revolution in Tahrir Square, wander down El Moez Street and explore the famous cave church of St Simon.
Day 5: Pyramids Of Giza
Location: Giza
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we explore Egypt’s most famous attraction, with a visit to the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. The only surviving of the Ancient Wonders of the World, the pyramids are also the oldest. Gaze in awe at the colossal structures - the largest of the pyramids, Cheops, was the tallest man-made building on Earth for 3,800 years. After our tour we continue to the necropolis of Saqqara to see the famous stepped Pyramid of Zhoser, which dates back to 2700BC. A visit to a government supervised Papyrus Museum will also be made at some point during today.
Day 6: Cairo
Location: Cairo
Accommodation Name: Overnight: Sleeper Train
Meals Included: Breakfast
Cairo - Aswan. On today’s excursion, we visit the Grand Egyptian Museum. This extraordinary 490,000 sq.m complex is just 2km from the pyramids and houses over 100,000 artefacts from ancient Egypt’s diverse history. Many of the exhibits have never been on public display before, and artefacts have been brought together from across Egypt and the rest of the world. The museum will eventually showcase a giant exhibition dedicated to the treasures of King Tutankhamun.
After our guided tour of the Grand Egyptian Museum, we head over to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, which continues to house a vast collection of statues, jewellery, and sarcophagi. Among its treasures are several remarkably well-preserved mummies, including those of Yuya and Thuyu, high-ranking nobles and the great-grandparents of King Tutankhamun. These mummies are so well-preserved that they still have thick locks of hair, visible fingernails, and smooth, blackened skin. Then there's time to relax back at the hotel before we board the night train to Aswan this evening.
Day 7: Aswan
Location: Aswan
Meals Included: Breakfast
We arrive in Aswan this morning and visit the beautiful Philae Temple. We’ll take a boat out into the Nile and sail to Agilkia Island to explore the site. The temple was carefully relocated from its original location to Agilkia in the 1960s, as part of a UNESCO project to save it from rising water levels after the flooding of Lake Nasser. Our final stop today is a perfume oil emporium and this evening is free to explore Aswan at leisure - perhaps check out the vibrant market.
Day 8: Aswan
Location: Aswan
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Aswan - Nile felucca cruise. This morning there’s an optional trip to Abu Simbel, the famous temple built by Ramses II and guarded by 4 colossal statues of the pharaoh himself. Later, we board our traditional felucca for a 2 night cruise down the mighty Nile. If sailing by felucca is not your style, consider upgrading to a 5 star luxury Nile Cruise, please see the tab above for prices. For more information about Nile Cruising please click [[here|130530]].
Day 9: Felucca Sailing & Kom Ombo
Location: Kom Ombo
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Nile felucca cruise - Kom Ombo. Relax onboard the felucca as it makes its way downriver. This afternoon we’ll dock near Kom Ombo and visit the famous symmetrical temple, dedicated to the falcon god Horus and the crocodile god Sobek. We then return to the felucca for our final night onboard.
Day 10: Luxor
Location: Luxor
Meals Included: Breakfast
Kom Ombo - Luxor. Disembark the felucca today as we drive to Luxor, where the rest of the day can be spent at leisure. This evening, there’s an optional excursion to Luxor Temple, which is beautifully illuminated by hundreds of lights at night.
Day 11: Luxor
Location: Luxor
Accommodation Name: Overnight: Sleeper Train
Meals Included: Breakfast
Luxor - Cairo. Enter the lavishly decorated tombs of famous pharaohs today as we visit the Valley of the Kings. Gaze at the towering Colossi of Memnon and explore the mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut - Egypt’s second female pharaoh.
Later, discover the majestic Karnak Temple, one of the largest religious buildings in the world. The temple took 1,500 years to complete and features contributions from around 30 different pharaohs. Marvel at the giant columns of Hypostyle Hall before we return to Cairo on the night train this evening.
Day 12: Cairo
Location: Cairo
Meals Included: Breakfast
We arrive back in Cairo where today is free for you to relax or explore Egypt’s capital at leisure. You can opt to visit Khan el Khalili bazaar, the ideal place for some last minute souvenir shopping.
Day 13: Cairo
Location: Cairo
Meals Included: Breakfast
Sunday. Our tour ends today with an included departure transfer to the airport.
What's Included
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Accommodation
4 - 5 star -
Breakfast daily, 3 lunches and 3 dinners
Enjoy daily breakfast, along with 3 lunches and 3 dinners during the tour.
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8 nights 4-5 star hotels, 2 nights aboard felucca (open deck)
Stay in 4-5 star hotels for 8 nights and spend 2 nights aboard a traditional felucca on an open deck.
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Escorted by an Egyptian tour guide degree qualified in Egyptology
The tour is escorted by a knowledgeable Egyptian tour guide with a degree in Egyptology.
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Touring - Cairo, Giza, Saqqara, Aswan and Luxor
Experience guided tours in Cairo, Giza, Saqqara, Aswan, and Luxor.
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Touring - Alexandria and the El Alamein Battlefields and museum
Explore Alexandria and the historic El Alamein Battlefields and museum.
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2 overnight trains from Cairo to Aswan and Luxor to Cairo
Travel in comfort with 2 overnight trains featuring private 2 berth sleeper cabins.
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Airport arrival and departure transfer on day 1 and day 13
Enjoy convenient airport transfers upon arrival and departure on day 1 and day 13.
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All relevant transfers and transportation in private modern air-conditioned vehicles
Benefit from all relevant transfers and transportation 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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Tip for your tour guide
Tipping your tour guide is not included; it is recommended to allow USD$8 per day, per traveller.
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Entrance Fees
Entrance fees amounting to USD$110-130 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'.
Accommodation
Experience a blend of luxury and tradition with stays at the Holiday Inn Cairo Maadi, Steigenberger Hotel El Tahrir, and Radisson Blu Hotel, among others. Enjoy modern amenities, panoramic views, and a mix of international and Egyptian cuisine. Overnight on a traditional felucca sailboat for a unique Nile experience.
Mode of Transport
Travel in comfort with private modern air-conditioned vehicles for all transfers and transportation. Enjoy two overnight sleeper trains from Cairo to Aswan and Luxor to Cairo, offering private 2-berth sleeper cabins. Sail the Nile on a traditional felucca or upgrade to a 5-star Nile Cruise.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes 8 nights in 4-5 star hotels, 2 nights aboard a felucca on an open deck, and 2 nights on an overnight sleeper train. There is also an option to upgrade to a 5-star Nile Cruise, which would include 7 nights in 4-5 star hotels and 3 nights on the Nile Cruiser with an en suite cabin.
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What is the mode of transportation during the tour?
The tour includes private modern air-conditioned vehicles for all relevant transfers and transportation. Additionally, there are two overnight trains from Cairo to Aswan and Luxor to Cairo, and a traditional felucca for a 2-night cruise on the Nile.
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Is there a tour guide provided during the trip?
Yes, the tour is escorted by an Egyptian tour guide who is degree qualified in Egyptology.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
The tour includes breakfast daily, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners.
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What are some of the key historical sites visited on this tour?
The tour visits several key historical sites including the Pyramids of Giza, the Necropolis of Saqqara, the Grand Egyptian Museum, the Roman Catacombs in Alexandria, the El Alamein Battlefields, the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, and the Temple of Karnak.
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What is the age policy for this tour?
The minimum age is 15 if accompanied by an adult, and 15 for all tours that include a Nile Cruiser. For tours that include an overnight felucca, the minimum age is 18 years, except for 'with teens' tours where life jackets are worn.
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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
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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.
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