Classical Egypt & Nile Cruise - 11 days
Classical Egypt & Nile Cruise - 11 days
Classical Egypt & Nile Cruise - 11 days
11 Days Starting and ending in Cairo, Egypt
Visiting: Cairo, Giza, Luxor, Nile River, Aswan
Tour operator:
Tour code:
2210/CENC
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 24
Age range:
15-
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 an unforgettable 11-day journey through the heart of Egypt with the "Classical Egypt & Nile Cruise" tour. Begin your adventure in Cairo, where you'll marvel at the iconic Pyramids of Giza and explore the treasures of the Grand Egyptian Museum. Travel to Luxor to discover the Valley of the Kings and the majestic Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Experience the grandeur of the Temple of Karnak and the beautifully preserved Temple of Hathor in Dendera. Cruise the legendary Nile River aboard a luxurious 5-star river cruiser, visiting the unique Temple of Kom Ombo and the romantic Philae Temple in Aswan. With expert guidance from a degree-qualified Egyptologist, this small group tour offers a perfect blend of cultural exploration and relaxation, complete with comfortable accommodations and delicious meals.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Cairo
Location: Cairo
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Sunday. Welcome to Egypt and the start of your holiday! Upon arrival at Cairo Airport you will be met by a representative from On The Go Tours.
The rest of the day is free to relax or those arriving early can opt to join a Backstreets Tour of Cairo which departs the hotel at 10am. At 7pm this evening meet your guide and the rest of the group at a Welcome Meeting.
Note: If you would like to extend your stay we offer an [[Alexandria Day Trip|122837]] on the Saturday before your tour starts or on the final day and can arrange pre/post tour accommodation upon request.
Day 2: Pyramids Of Giza
Location: Giza
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today see the incredible pyramids and the iconic Sphinx at The Giza Plateau. Perhaps opt to ride a camel. Later we travel to Saqqara, to explore the myriad of tombs and temples at the site and see Zhoser's step pyramid - constructed by Imhotep, the pharaoh's chief architect in 2700 BC.
Day 3: Grand Egyptian Museum
Location: Cairo
Accommodation: Sleeper Train
Accommodation Name: Overnight: Sleeper Train
Meals Included: Breakfast
Cairo - Luxor. Today we embark on a guided tour of the Grand Egyptian Museum, an extraordinary 490,000 sq.m complex that houses over 100,000 artefacts and will eventually showcase a giant exhibition featuring the treasures of King Tutankhamun. Many of the items on display are being exhibited for the first time, with artefacts gathered from across Egypt and the world.
Next, we visit the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, home to an extensive 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 showcase incredible preservation, with thick locks of hair, visible fingernails, and smooth, blackened skin offering a fascinating glimpse into Egypt's ancient past.
Returning to the hotel there's time to relax by the pool before we board the overnight sleeper train to Luxor this evening.
Day 4: Luxor
Location: Luxor
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
We arrive into Luxor this morning and drive to Dendera which is one of Egypt's best preserved temple complexes, located 60km north of Luxor. This vast complex covers 40,000 square meters and its temples, chapels and shrines were gradually built over thousands of years. Dendera's crowning glory is the 2000 year old Temple of Hathor with its exquisitely decorated ceiling. After our guided tour of this incredible site we return to Luxor where the afternoon if free to spend at leisure. Take a stroll around town or enjoy a refreshing swim in the pool and soak up the sunshine.
This evening there is an optional visit to view the beautiful Temple of Luxor at night. Book and pay locally.
Day 5: Luxor
Location: Luxor
Accommodation Name: Overnight: Nile cruiser
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
4000 year-old Luxor is ancient Egypt at its very best and this morning we visit Luxor’s famous West Bank. Our first stop is the famous Valley of the Kings, which is studded with beautifully decorated pharaoh's tombs, some of which you can enter. After exploring this incredible site we travel on to visit the striking limestone, colonnaded Temple of Hatshepsut, who was one of only three Egyptian ruling queens. On the West Bank we'll also see the imposing 18m-high Colossi of Memnon, which are all that remains of the temple of the hedonistic Amenophis III.
Returning to the East Bank we check-in on board a 5 star Nile cruiser which will be our home for the next four nights. Enjoy lunch and some rest and relaxation on board before we visit the colossal Temple of Karnak later this afternoon. More than a temple, Karnak is a spectacular complex of sanctuaries, pylons, chapels, halls and obelisks, all dedicated to the Theban gods and to the greater glory of Egypt’s Middle and New Kingdom rulers.
Day 6: Nile Cruising
Location: Nile River
Accommodation Name: Overnight: Nile cruiser
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Nile cruising. Today we set sail downstream. Relax on deck and go for a swim, soak up the sunshine and enjoy the views as we cruise the River Nile.
Day 7: Nile Cruising
Location: Aswan
Accommodation Name: Overnight: Nile cruiser
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Nile cruising. Enjoy another day relaxing on board the cruiser as we sail the Nile to the Temple of Kom Ombo today, which is dedicated to Sobek the crocodile god, and Horus the falcon-headed god. This temple is unusual because everything is architecturally is doubled and perfectly symmetrical along the main axis of the temple including twin halls, courts, colonnades, sanctuaries and entrances. After a guided tour of the temple we continue our journey, arriving into Aswan this evening.
Day 8: Aswan
Location: Aswan
Accommodation Name: Overnight: Nile Cruiser
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Consider the optional early morning excursion to the Temples of Ramses II at Abu Simbel today. Please see our Abu Simbel by Road add-on for more info. Alternatively you can spend the morning at leisure.
This afternoon we take a short motorboat trip to Philae Temple - dedicated to the goddess Isis. The temple dates from 4th century BC but the Ptolomies and the Romans up to 3rd century AD built most of the existing structures. In danger of being completely submerged by the rising water of Lake Nasser, in 1972 UNESCO stepped in and an 8-year rescue effort was undertaken to relocate the entire temple 20m higher on nearby Agilika Island.
Day 9: Aswan At Leisure
Location: Aswan
Accommodation Name: Overnight: Sleeper Train
Meals Included: Breakfast
Aswan - Cairo. Today offers free time for you to discover Aswan - your way. Consider a visit to the Old Cataract Hotel, where Agatha Christie wrote the novel Death on the Nile or opt for a visit to the well-curated Nubian Museum.
Late this afternoon, we board the overnight train (twin berth sleeper cabins provided) for our journey back to Cairo.
Day 10: Cairo
Location: Cairo
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Arriving into Cairo this morning, transfer to the hotel and check in. The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy the hotel facilities or you can opt to or join us for an optional tour visiting Old Cairo, Coptic Cairo and the Citadel of Saladin (book locally).
Day 11: Cairo
Location: Cairo
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Wednesday. Our tour comes to an end today with a transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
What's Included
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Accommodation
4 - 5 star -
Breakfast daily, 4 lunches and 4 dinners
The tour includes breakfast daily, along with 4 lunches and 4 dinners.
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4 nights 4-5 star hotels, 4 nights aboard a 5 star Nile Cruiser (en suite cabin)
Accommodation includes 4 nights in 4-5 star hotels and 4 nights aboard a 5 star Nile Cruiser with en suite cabins.
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2 overnight trains from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan to Cairo (private 2 berth sleeper cabin)
Travel includes 2 overnight trains from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan to Cairo in private 2 berth sleeper cabins.
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An airport arrival transfer on day 1 and a departure transfer on day 11
The tour provides an airport arrival transfer on day 1 and a departure transfer on day 11.
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Touring - Cairo, Giza, Saqqara, Luxor, Dendera and Aswan
The tour includes visits to Cairo, Giza, Saqqara, Luxor, Dendera, and Aswan.
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Escorted by an Egyptian tour guide degree qualified in Egyptology
The tour is escorted by 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
All relevant transfers and transportation are 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.
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Tip for your tour guide
Tips for your tour guide are not included; it is recommended to allow USD$8 per day, per traveller.
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Entrance Fees
Entrance fees of USD$110-120 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 style with private modern air-conditioned vehicles for all relevant transfers and transportation. Experience the scenic beauty of the Nile on a 5-star river cruiser and enjoy the convenience of overnight sleeper trains for long-distance travel.
Accommodation
Enjoy 4 nights in 4-5 star hotels and 4 nights aboard a luxurious 5-star Nile Cruiser with en suite cabins. Experience the comfort of private 2-berth sleeper cabins on two overnight trains from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan to Cairo.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the Nile cruise?
During the Nile cruise, you will stay aboard a 5-star Nile cruiser in an en suite cabin.
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Is there a tour guide provided throughout the trip?
Yes, the tour is escorted by an Egyptian tour guide who is degree qualified in Egyptology.
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Are airport transfers included in the tour package?
Yes, an airport arrival transfer on day 1 and a departure transfer on day 11 are included.
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What meals are included in the tour package?
The tour includes breakfast daily, 4 lunches, and 4 dinners.
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What is the recommended tipping amount for the tour guide?
It is recommended to allow USD$8 per day, per traveller for your guide, though tipping is ultimately a personal gesture.
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Are entrance fees included in the tour price?
No, entrance fees are not included and are estimated to be USD$110-120 per person, paid in local currency.
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What optional activities are available during the tour?
Optional activities include a Backstreets Tour of Cairo, a visit to the Temple of Luxor at night, and an early morning excursion to the Temples of Ramses II at Abu Simbel.
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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.
Enquire for huge savings
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