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Drift awhile along the Nile on our 10-Day Nile & Red Sea Tour. There is really no better way to explore the antiquities and landscape of Egypt than by cruising the mighty Nile River, with most attractions accessible directly from its banks. But the smaller details are just as charming; the fisherman casting their rods, the locals taking morning tea on the riverbank, the swaying wheat fields, the farmers tending their crops and the smiling children waving as you pass serenely by.
For a truly comprehensive tour, we have designed the 10-Day Nile & Red Sea Tour to include the major sights while concluding your journey with a relaxing stay on the beaches of the Red Sea.
Egypt's monuments are legendary. Giza's Great Pyramid, otherwise known as the Pyramid of Khufu, is the largest and oldest at over 4,500 years, and the only surviving Wonder of the Ancient World. Whilst it's possible to climb inside and view its Great Gallery, for ancient Pharaonic artefacts we include a visit to Cairo's Egyptian Museum where most famously displayed is the gold death mask of Tutankhamen, retrieved from the Valley of the Kings.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Pyramids and Sphinx, of course!
- Egyptian Museum, Khan El Khalili bazaars in Cairo
- Philae Temple visit by motor boat in Aswan
- Kom Ombo Temple & High Dam visit in Aswan
- Edfu Temple visit by horse carriage during cruise
- Hatshepsut Temple, Colossi of Memnon in Luxor
- Cruise down the Nile River in a standard cruise
- Relaxing on the beaches of the Red Sea in Hurghada
*Abu Simbel & Hot Air Balloon excursions available as an optional extra
This tour includes all flights, accommodation, most meals, local guides, transport by private minibus and 24-hour assistance while on tour.
Our standard package includes flights from Johannesburg, however, it can be tailored with flights from Cape Town, Durban or other major airports in South Africa.
The itinerary shown is only used as a template as the exact order of the activities depends on your dates and cruise line schedules.
Alternatively, by flying to and from the Nile Cruise ports, you can also experience the Egyptian sleeper train. The sleeper train adds an extra night per journey (Cairo to Aswan & Luxor to Cairo). Should you like to consider this option, it will extend the Best of Egypt Tour by 2 days.
For a luxury Egypt tour, see our 9 Day Luxury Egypt Tour
The itinerary is based on cruises onboard the M/S Radamis Standard Cruise
Summary
Most Meals included
10 Days / 9 Nights
Egypt
Day 01: Arrival Cairo
Meet at Cairo Airport upon arrival by a travel representative who will assist you through airport customs & formalities. You will be escorted immediately to your hotel by A/C modern fleet. Check-in the hotel upon arrival & overnight in Cairo.
Day 02: Pyramids, Sphinx, Museum, Khan El Khalili (B)
Early breakfast at the hotel in Cairo then start a guided tour to visit one of the Seven Wonders the great Pyramids of Giza; (Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus) were reckoned by the Greeks to be one of the Seven Wonders of the World. A single pyramid is built with 2.300.000 blocks, each weighing an average of two and a half tons. In the face of such immensity, one cannot help but feel the wonder and awe that so many writers and artists have sought to convey over the centuries. The Cheops Pyramid is more interesting because its interior burial chambers are open for inspection by the public. Not far from the Pyramids is the Great Sphinx of Giza, which dates from the time of Chephren (2620 BC). Hewn from natural yellowish limestone and standing 65 feet high and 187 feet long, this unforgettable statue combines the head of a Pharaoh with a lion's body. A quick visit to Papyrus Institute or a perfume shop can be arranged after the visit.
Afternoon visit to the Egyptian Museum for another tour. Egyptian Museum; was established by the Egyptian government in 1835. The present museum building was built in 1900, in the new classical style by the French architect Marcel Dourgnon. The museum's exhibited collections now exceed 120,000 objects ranging from the pre-historic era to the Greco-Roman period. It has 107 halls, and the ground floor houses huge statues. The upper floor houses small statues, jewels, Tutankhamen treasures and the mummies. The museum also comprises a photography section and a large library. A hall for the Royal Mummies was opened at the museum, housing eleven kings and queens.
After the visit to the museum, a short drive through the downtown will take you to Khan El Khalili bazaars; which is one of the most famous worldwide with its amazing narrow alleyways.
Drive back to the hotel & overnight at the hotel in Cairo.
Day 03: Cairo - Aswan- Cruise (B, L, D)
Breakfast in the hotel, check out and transfer to the airport for your flight to Aswan Meet & assist upon arrival at Aswan Airport & transfer to the Nile Cruise
11:00 Check-In
12:30 Lunch on board
13:30 Visit the High Dam, the Temple of Philae
19:30 Dinner on board.
Overnight in Aswan
Day 04: Aswan – Kom Embo – Edfu (B, L, D)
07:00 Breakfast on board (Optional tour to Abu Simble)
12:30 Lunch on board
13:00 Sailing to Kom Ombo
17:00 Visit the Temple shared by two gods Sobek & Haeroris in Kom Ombo
18:30 Sailing to Edfu.
19:30 Dinner on board.
Overnight in Edfu.
Day 05: Edfu – Luxor (B, L, D)
06:00 Tea and Coffee Before the visit to Edfu temple
06:30 Visit of Horus Temple in Edfu.
08:00 Breakfast on board.
08:30 sailing to Luxor via Esna
3:00 Lunch on board.
Afternoon free at leisure or enjoy an optional tour to visit the East Bank
20:00 Dinner on board.
Overnight in Luxor.
Day 06: West bank – Proceed to Hurghada by bus (B, L, D)
07:00 Breakfast on board
08:00 Check-out after breakfast
08:00 Visit West Bank - Valley of the Kings, and Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
After the visit, disembark from the cruise and drive from Luxor to Hurghada. Check-in at the hotel upon arrival in Hurghada. The rest of your day is at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel in Hurghada.
Day 06 - 08 Free at leisure - Hurghada
The Hurghada city is divided into three partitions: El Dahar area is the historic area in Hurghada and it has the old market and Bazaars in Hurghada, the biggest Masjed in Hurghada and church. The second area is called El Sakala and this one consists of many Bazaars, Cafes, discus, Hurghada Marina, and Hurghada Port where ferry boats leave for Sharm El Sheikh and Saudi Arabia. The newest area is the Touristic Road in front of the hotels; there are many Bazaars, cafes and discus along the road.
Hurghada has many islands far from its beach but there are two big islands that are famous and you can take trips to them. Giftun and Mahmya Islands are the main diving and snorkelling sites to which boats take diving parties daily. The island has a beautiful sand reef and a garden of corals and exotic marine life.
Hurghada offers a variety of activities that you can do in the sea or in the desert. The fantastic coral reefs in the sea make snorkelling and diving one of the main activities in Hurghada - there are daily trips by boat to do snorkelling and diving operated by diving centres in the hotels. You can also do the glass boat, which is ideal to see the coral reefs without swimming or diving. Other water sports that you can do in Hurghada are windsurfing, kitesurfing and waterskiing. Another fascinating trip in Hurghada is the Sindbad Submarine. The submarine sails two or three times daily to dive with 44 passengers for 20 meters underwater to see the underwater views and marine life of the Red Sea.
The Majestic desert of Hurghada is also amazing like its beaches and coral reefs. For those who love adventure and who prefer to do trips to the desert and the mountains, the safari tour operators have a nice tour through the desert. You can also do the Jeep 4x4 safari trip or Quad Bike desert tours. During the desert trips, you will have the opportunity to ride the Camels and learn about the Bedouin people and their lives. After you make your trip through the desert and mountain, you will head to the most interesting dinner where you can enjoy a Bedouin Barbecue Dinner with Bedouin music and a party. There is also star gazing with a powerful telescope for those who want to see the stars, as well morning Quad Bike for people who are interested in driving longer and exploring the desert. Overnight at the hotel in Hurghada.
Day 09: Hurghada – Cairo
Breakfast in the hotel, check out and transfer to Hurghada Airport for your flight back to Cairo. Drive back to the hotel & overnight in Cairo.
Day 10: Final departure (B)
Breakfast in the hotel, check out and transfer to Cairo Airport for your final departure.
10-Day Nile & Red Sea Tour |
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| Rates in SA Rand | Size of Your Private Group |
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| 2 Adults | 4 Adults | 6 Adults | ||
| May'25 | R 44,345 pp sharing |
R 34,390 pp sharing |
R 32,975 pp sharing |
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| Jun - Jul'25 | R 45,125 pp sharing |
R 35,615 pp sharing |
R 34,200 pp sharing |
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| Aug'25 | R 41,320 pp sharing |
R 36,835 pp sharing |
R 35,415 pp sharing |
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| 01 - 26 Sep'25 | R 39,440 pp sharing |
R 34,955 pp sharing |
R 33,535 pp sharing |
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| Oct - Nov'25 | R 41,940 pp sharing |
R 36,885 pp sharing |
R 35,190 pp sharing |
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| 01 - 20 Dec'25 | R 49,145 pp sharing |
R 44,090 pp sharing |
R 42,395 pp sharing |
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| Christmas/NY | R 58,705 pp sharing |
R 53,650 pp sharing |
R 51,980 pp sharing |
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| Jan - Mar'26 | R 46,465 pp sharing |
R 41,410 pp sharing |
R 39,720 pp sharing |
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| 01 - 10 Apr'26 | R 55,055 pp sharing |
R 50,000 pp sharing |
R 48,330 pp sharing |
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| 11 - 30 Apr'26 | R 51,830 pp sharing |
R 46,770 pp sharing |
R 45,080 pp sharing |
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| Child (4-12yrs) | Approx. 70% of Adult Rate (subject to flight fares) | |||
Book Now*Rates are based on the size of the group and can vary |
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Package rates include:
Package rates exclude:
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Prices are subject to change due to airfare increases, currency exchange, fluctuations and any unforeseen circumstances, without prior notice. |
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*Rates vary as per the size of the group and are subject to ROE
Cairo Extra Tours
- Coptic region, Coptic Museum & Bazaars - R2,135 pp
- Cairo Tower - R 2,015 pp
- Pharonic Village - R 2,115 pp
- Memphis & Sakkara - R 3,215 pp
- Dahshure Pyramid - R 2,870 pp
- Sound & light Show at the Pyramids - R 1,770 pp
- Dinner Cruise (5* like Pharos or Maxim) - R2,520 pp
Aswan Extra Tours
- Botanical Island & Agh Khan by felucca - R 1,055 pp
- Elephantine Island & Aswan Museum - R 1,080 pp
- Nubian Museum - R 1,630 pp
- High Dam, Philae, & Unfinished Obelisk - R 2,790 pp
- Abu Simble by bus - R 6,595 pp
- Abu Simble by flight - R 12,190 pp
Luxor Extra Tours
- Denderah & Abydous - R 4,190 pp
- Luxor Hot Air Balloon Ride - On request
Tipping in Egypt
Please take note that tipping is a custom in Egypt. Many of the locals may expect a tip for their services from carrying your luggage, taking a photo or transport by horse carriage or motorboat. Generally, a 10 to 20 Egyptian Pound tip is sufficient for most services. We recommend you keep some small notes on you while travelling for this (preferably Egyptian Pounds).
Post-Covid-19
Any traveller arriving in Cairo will need to present the following. Please contact us for more information on new regulations in Egypt.
- Declaration form.
- We want you super fit for an enjoyable stay in Egypt. Please make sure you have a negative PCR test done within 72 hours before arrival.
- Travel Medical Insurance covering COVID-19.
Download Document - Covid Regulations for Travel to Egypt
