Sightseeing Holidays & Tours to Egypt

Itinerary

Day 1- Arrival Cairo
Welcome to Egypt and the start of your holiday! At Cairo Airport, you will be met by a representative and transferred to our start hotel. Here, your Egyptian adventure begins! This is simply an arrival day so there are no touring arrangements and you can spend the remains of the day at leisure.

For those arriving a day or two earlier than Day One of the tour, one of our team members will be on hand to advise on where best to enjoy your extra time in Cairo in advance of the tour commencing.
Overnight in Cairo

Day 2- Pyramids of Giza & Saqqara Step Pyramid
After breakfast we have a short brief before travelling to the Giza Plateau to visit the legendary Pyramids of Giza, the sole survivors of the ancient Seven Wonders of the World. Known as Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus the great pyramids were built over 4500 years ago to protect the mummies of the pharaohs and the treasures they took with them to the afterlife. Constructed from over 2.5 million limestone blocks, Cheops is the largest of the great pyramids and it is thought to have taken 100,000 workers more than 20 years to construct. For a real Arabian experience, you can opt to hire a camel for a ride across the sands of Giza.
After exploring the pyramids and the iconic Sphinx we travel on to the necropolis of Saqqara to see Zhoser’s step pyramid - which was constructed by Imhotep, the pharaoh’s chief architect, in 2700 BC and became the template for all future pyramid construction. We complete our day souvenir shopping at the bustling Khan el-Khalili bazaar.
Included activities: Guided tour of Pyramids and Saqqara Step Pyramid
Overnight in Cairo (Breakfast included)

Day 3- Egyptian Museum
This morning we visit the famous Egyptian Museum, which is home to a mind boggling array of Egyptian relics and antiquities including the treasures of King Tutankhamun and his famous solid gold funerary mask. In the afternoon we board our coach and travel south to Luxor. It's a long journey today so we recommend stocking up on some snacks beforehand and stops will also be made en route. Upon arrival this evening we check into our hotel by the River of Nile.
Distance covered Cairo to Luxor: 735 kms (9 hrs journey)
Included activities: Guided tour of Egyptian Museum & Khan el-Khalili
Overnight in Luxor (Breakfast included)

Day 4- Valley of the Kings
This morning we cross to the West Bank of the Nile for the day's touring. An early start allows us to avoid some of the fierce heat as we venture to the awesome Valley of the Kings. The first monument you’ll see on the West Bank is the imposing 18mhigh Colossi of Memnon, which represent the remains of the temple of the hedonistic Amenophis III. The Valley of the Kings is studded with often highly decorated pharaoh's tombs, some of which you can enter. Some of the tombs are so well preserved; the colours of the incredible pharaonic friezes are still as vibrant as when they were first painted. The best known tombs are those of Ramses II, Seti I, Amenhotep II and of course, the tomb of King Tutankhamen. Beyond the Valley of the Kings is Deir al- Bahri, otherwise known as the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Rising out of the desert plain, in a series of terraces, it is one of Egypt’s finest and most photographed monuments. A short stop will be made at an Alabaster workshop. Stone carving is a trade that has existed on the West Bank since pharaonic times. Carving the stone is a trade passed on generation after generation, for most residents of the west bank and is their sole trade and income.
Later this afternoon we continue our journey south to Egypt's southernmost city, Aswan.
Distance covered Luxor to Aswan: 247 kms (4 hrs)
Included activities: Guided tour of the Valley of the Kings, Temple of Queen Hatshepsut & Colossi of Memnon.
Overnight in Aswan (Breakfast included)

Day 5- Optional Abu Simbel Tour & Philae Temple of Aswan
Optional early morning excursion to Abu Simbel. Travelling due south through the vast sandy desert we arrive at the site. Abu Simbel - the gargantuan rock-cut temple of King Ramses II, the Great Builder is possibly the most awe-inspiring temple of all ancient Egypt, with its mammoth rock-cut façade. Abu Simbel was created to revere the mighty pharaonic ruler King Ramses II. Guarding the entrance to the temple, the four famous colossal statues of Ramses II sit majestically, staring out across the desert, seemingly since time began. In a multi-million dollar operation in 1972, the temple was famously re-located further up from the shoreline of Lake Nasser, which had threatened to erode the foundations of this monolithic temple complex.
After the optional excursion we take a short boat ride out to Agilika Island for a guided tour of the beautiful Philae Temple which is dedicated to the goddess Isis and dates back to 4th century BC. The rest of the day is free to relax by the hotel pool, go shopping in the colourful souks and watch a beautiful sunset over the Nile.
Included activities: Guided tour of Philae Temple
Optional activities: Abu Simbel excursion - book and pay in advance.
Overnight in Aswan (Breakfast included)

Day 6- Elephantine Island
Today we enjoy a relaxing sailing trip on the River Nile on board a traditional Egyptian felucca sailing boat. Sit back, relax and watch life along the riverbank as we sail to Elephantine Island. The rocks on Elephantine form the shape of an elephant's back and on the island you can opt to see an ancient Nilometer which measures the depth of the Nile and wander around the colourful Nubian Village. Returning to Aswan the remainder of the day offers free time. Note: Escorted by a dedicated member from our Aswan Office, not an Egyptologist tour guide. We believe in offering opportunities for local staff to share and improve their knowledge about the sites in their city. It's also an opportunity for them to improve their language skills. Please be mindful of this and should you require detailed information on Elephantine, please hold those questions till you meet up with your Egyptologist tour guide. Should you wish to visit the museum on Elephantine Island, this will need to be done independently and our representative will wait outside.
Included activities: Felucca sailing to Elephantine Island (Opt to visit Elephantine Museum entrance fee payable on the day budget USD$5)
Overnight in Aswan (Breakfast included)

Day 7- Kom Ombo & Luxor Temple
Kom Ombo - Luxor. We bid farewell to Aswan this morning and travel back to Luxor, stopping en route to visit the striking riverside temple of Kom Ombo, which is dedicated to the crocodile headed god Sobek. Arriving into Luxor opt to join our optional evening excursion to the spectacular Luxor Temple, which is best seen after dark when its incredible relief carvings, columns and statues are illuminated by hundreds of lights. To enter the temple we walk along the atmospheric Avenue of Sphinxes which was once 3kms long, connecting Luxor Temple and Karnak.
Distance covered Aswan - Luxor: 244kms, (4.5 hrs)
Included activities: Guided tour of Kom Ombo Temple
Optional activities: Guided tour of Luxor Temple by night, entrance fees & buffet dinner, budget $25.
Overnight in Luxor (Breakfast included)

Day 8- Karnak Temple & pool time
This morning we visit the colossal Temple of Karnak which was at the heart of religious life in ancient Egypt. Karnak is an incredible 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. After there is free to relax, enjoy a swim and soak up the sun at the hotel
pool. Tonight, we travel on-board an overnight sleeper train back to Cairo.
Included activities: Guided tour of Karnak Temple
Overnight on Sleeper Train (Breakfast included)

Day 9- Cairo
We arrive back into Cairo this morning and transfer to our start hotel, where our Egyptian adventure ends. Today offers free time for you to further explore Cairo before included departure transfer to the airport.
(Breakfast included)

NOTE: Flights departing Cairo should not be booked before 2pm. Should you wish to stay a few more days, post tour accommodation is available