9-Day Discover Egypt tour

Adventure tour of Cairo, Aswan & Luxor with time in Hurghada by the Red Sea

This is our most popular Egypt small-group tour and features all the main Pharaonic highlights in Cairo and the Nile Valley as well as including a relaxing overnight felucca sailboat cruise on the River Nile and some time by the Red Sea at Hurghada. We start in Cairo with tours of the Pyramids and Sphinx at Gisa, and the world famous Egyptian Museum which has a huge collection of ancient artefacts including of course, the King Tutankhamun display. Next, we take the overnight sleeper train south to Aswan, where the Nile is at its most picturesque. We'll explore a local Nubian village, take a boat trip to the beautiful island temple of Philae. You also have the option to visit the amazing temples to Abu Simbel which were dismantled and rebuilt when Lake Nasser was flooded. We leave Aswan on a traditional Nile felucca. These sailing boats have plied the waters of the Nile for centuries and make for a really relaxing and enjoyable way to spend time seeing more of the Nile and rural Egyptian life as you sail upriver. We sleep on the deck of the boat, with mattresses and blankets provided, and the Nubian crew will entertain us and prepare a hearty meal in the evening. A support facilities boat will join up with us from time to time during the day and moor with us at night to provide a clean toilet & shower and hygienic kitchen. If you prefer you can opt to upgrade to the Aswan hotel instead of stay on the felucca. We leave the felucca reluctantly and head via the temples at Edfu. There are a huge number of ancient sites to see here, and we'll tour both the east and west banks of the Nile. Sites visited include underground Pharaonic tombs in the Valley of the Kings, Queen Hatchepsut and Medinat Habu temples, and the immense Collosi of Memnon. We also tour the huge temple complex at Karnak and see Luxor temple beautifully lit up at night. We leave the Nile Valley now and head to the Red Sea coast at Hurghada for some welcome rest and relaxation in a 5-star beach resort. The snorkelling and scuba diving in Hurghada is excellent and there are many other watersports available too, or you can just relax by the beach. If you wish you can extend your time here, or return on the flight back to Cairo with the rest of the group. The tour ends with a free afternoon in Cairo when you can take another optional city tour before we take a walking tour through the back streets of the Khan-el-Khalili bazaar. Accommodation is in 5-star hotels, plus a night on the overnight sleeper train and one night on a traditional Nile felucca sailboat. Both the sleeper train and felucca nights can be upgraded to hotels if you would like some extra comfort.

Day 1 - Arrive into Cairo and transfer to hotel Upon arrival our staff will meet you at the airport, assist you with obtaining your visa and luggage, and then transfer you to your hotel close to the Pyramids for the start of your trip. They will help you settle in, introduce you to the local area, and explain tomorrow's arrangements. The rest of the day is free. If you arrive early you may like to take an evening dinner cruise on the Nile, or enjoy a spectacular sound and light show at the pyramids (both available to book locally on arrival). | OVERNIGHT: Cairo 5-star hotel | MEALS: None | EXTRAS: Single room supplement (EGSGDE) Extra day in Cairo (5-star) - pre-tour Day 2 - Cairo, Pyramids, Sphinx & Museum tour Our tour of Egypt begins with a drive to Giza on the outskirts of Cairo to visit the Sphinx and the three great pyramids of Egypt. One of our local Egyptologist guides will be accompanying you on this and all of your other sightseeing tours, and you'll find them a wealth of knowledge and full of enthusiasm about Egyptian history, and their country in general. At 500 feet high and 750 feet wide at its base the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) is an awesome man-made structure constructed of giant stone blocks with a hard limestone casing. The casing has, over the years, been stripped away to leave exposed the inner block structure. Together with the smaller pyramids of Khafre (Chephern) and Menkaure (Mycerinus), the majestic sight of these enormous structures rising out of the desert is a breathtaking spectacle. You will have the opportunity to climb down right inside the pyramids if you wish, though your guide cannot accompany you (a limited number of tickets are available for the Great Pyramid). Following on from the Pyramids we then head to the Egyptian Museum. Home to the fantastic Tutankhamun exhibit the museum hosts a huge number of other ancient Egyptian artefacts. This evening we transfer to the station for the overnight sleeper train to Aswan (approx. 12 hours). You’ll enjoy dinner on board in your private twin-berth compartments before the steward sets your beds up for the night. | OVERNIGHT: Sleeper train | MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner | EXTRAS: Cairo to Aswan flight upgrade Day 3 - Aswan, Nubian Village and Philae Temple This morning we arrive in Aswan and transfer to our hotel overlooking the Nile which is at its most picturesque here, with lush green islands, and feluccas sailing to and fro. Aswan itself is a melting pot of African and Middle Eastern cultures, most easily experienced by wandering through the busy markets. It's also part of the ancient region of Nubia, which comprised parts of present day southern Egypt and northern Sudan around the Nile rivers. Many descendants of the Nubian people still live here and we'll visit a local Nubian village to see their colourful houses, simple way of life and to enjoy a traditional lunch. We continue our tour this afternoon with a visit the Temple of Philae, a beautiful island complex dedicated to Isis and reclaimed from the rising waters of Lake Nasser, which we reach by a scenic boat ride. The evening is then free to look around Aswan's spice and general markets, and to walk up and down the popular Corniche, on the banks of the Nile. An option is also available to take a camel ride through the sands on the far bank of the Nile to St. Simeon's monastery. If you've chosen the Abu Simbel option then head to bed early this evening to be ready for a very early start tomorrow morning. | OVERNIGHT: Aswan 5 star hotel | MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch | EXTRAS: None Day 4 - Abu Simbel option. Nile Felucca Cruise An option is available this morning to visit the temples built by Ramses II at the amazing UNESCO world heritage site of Abu Simbel. We depart very early with the aim of seeing the rising sun over the temples. If you don't visit Abu Simbel, then this morning is free. We board our traditional Nile felucca at lunchtime to enjoy an afternoon sailing down the Nile. Floating down the Nile on a felucca is one of Egypt's most enjoyable activities and you'll be able to watch local rural Egyptian life pass you by on the banks of the river as you drift past. Our Nubian crew will sail the boat and entertain you on the way, as well as preparing meals for you. Our separate facilities boat will join with us from time to time during the day and moor up with us at night. This boat has a welcome toilet and showers on board as well as a hygienic kitchen. You sleep on the deck of the boat tonight (mattresses, blankets and mosquito nets provided). This is a fun, but basic experience, and we offer an optional upgrade to spend this night back in the Aswan hotel instead of sleeping on the felucca for those wishing some more comfort. You then rejoin the rest of the group the next morning. | OVERNIGHT: On board felucca | MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | EXTRAS: Abu Simbel overland Upgrade from felucca to hotel in Aswan Day 5 - Edfu temple, Luxor temple at night After breakfast on-board we bid farewell to our felucca crew and visit the nearby temple at Edfu before continuing on north to Luxor. The town of Luxor is built on and around the ancient site of Thebes, and boasts the largest concentration of ancient ruins in the Nile Valley, if not the world. To the west of the Nile lies the City of the Dead, with its mortuary temples and rock-hewn tombs, whilst to the east lie the Temples of Luxor and Karnak. We check into a luxury 5-star hotel on the banks of the Nile and have time to relax and enjoy time by the pool this afternoon. Later this evening we'll take a walking tour of the smaller Luxor Temple which is right in the middle of town and beautifully lit up at night. | OVERNIGHT: Luxor 5-star hotel | MEALS: Breakfast | EXTRAS: None Day 6 - Luxor, West bank tour, Karnak temple We cross the Nile early this morning to begin our tour of Luxor’s West Bank. Home to the Valley of the Kings, the dusty tombs in this ancient burial site are still revealing their secrets today and so it remains one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. Our tour includes several of these Pharaonic tombs, as well as the temple of Queen Hatchepsut, Deir-el-Medina (the Valley of the Craftsmen), and the huge Colossi of Memnon. A spectacular hot air balloon flight over the west bank of the Nile is available this morning (expect an early start to catch sunrise as the balloon rises). After lunch we'll tour the huge temple complex at Karnak , once the religious centre of Thebes and Upper Egypt. It was linked to Luxor by an extensive avenue, lined with sphinxes, and the whole complex was in turn linked to the Nile via a canal through which moved the sacred boats of the god Amun. Entering through a smaller sphinx-lined avenue, built by Ramesses II, you come to the immense pylon entrance. Inside the huge Courtyard are three chapels dedicated to the gods Amun, Khous and Mut. The remarkable Hypostyle Hall has 134 towering columns, each carved with scenes of gods and pharaohs, and hieroglyphic inscriptions adorn the walls. | OVERNIGHT: Luxor 5-star hotel | MEALS: Breakfast | EXTRAS: Hot air balloon in Luxor Day 7 - Luxor to the Red Sea at Hurghada After a lazy morning we leave the Nile Valley and drive to the Red Sea resort of Hurghada where we check into a 5-star resort. Your stay here is on a 'soft all inclusive' basis, with all meals, soft drinks and snacks included but not alcoholic beverages. | OVERNIGHT: Hurghada - 5-star resort | MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner | EXTRAS: None Day 8 - Red Sea at Hurghada, free day Your day is free today to relax and enjoy your time by the Red Sea. Hurghada is world famous for its scuba diving and snorkelling and the rich Red Sea marine life here attracts divers from all over the world. Other adventurous activities available include wind surfing and kite surfing, glass bottomed submarines, quad biking, camel rides and sea fishing trips. Our local rep based in Hurghada will be on hand to help make any arrangements. Hurghada itself has an interesting marina and old town to explore. If you wish, we can book extra nights in the resort in Hurghada for you to extend your time here - please contact us for details and prices. Note: Please note that when adding extra nights in Hurghada you will leave the group here and miss the remaining activities in Cairo. You can either finish the tour in Hurghada or return later to Cairo. Please contact us for more information and customised pricing. | OVERNIGHT: Hurghada 5-star resort | MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | EXTRAS: None Day 9 - Drive to Cairo, Old Cairo & Khan-el-Khalili bazzar tour We drive back to Cairo this morning (approx.. 5hrs) and check into a city centre hotel. An upgrade to an internal flight is also available on request. In the late afternoon we take a guided walk through the back streets and bazaars in Old Cairo. We'll walk through the huge Bab al-Futuh gateway and explore streets dedicated to metalwork, spices, pottery, fabric, jewelery and anything else you can imagine as we gradually enter the more touristy Khan-el-Khalili bazaar. We'll have time for a break to try some mint tea and a shisha pipe and this is a great final opportunity to pick up some souvenirs of your time in Egypt. | OVERNIGHT: Cairo 5-star hotel | MEALS: Breakfast | EXTRAS: Hurghada to Cairo flight upgrade Day 10 - Cairo, free time, departure airport transfer Your time is free today for some last minute sightseeing or shopping until we transfer you to the airport for your departure flight. If you have an afternoon or evening flight departure, then a half-day tour of Coptic Cairo and the Citadel is available today, or you could take another half-day tour to learn more about the evolution of pyramid building at Saqqara, Dashour & Memphis. tours are also available today. Alternatively you can add extra nights to your time in Cairo which would allow you to take a day trip to the colonial city of Alexandria on the Mediterranean coast, or a trip into the desert outside Cairo to see the World Heritage Site of the Valley of the Whales at Wadi Rayan. | OVERNIGHT: N/A | MEALS: Breakfast | EXTRAS: Alexandria day trip Cairo city tour Saqqara, Dashour & Memphis Extra day in Cairo (5-star) - post-tour