Egypt: Boats & Bazaars
8 days, Cairo to Cairo
Itinerary
Day 1Cairo
Arrive at any time.
There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting.
What better way to kick off your travels than by getting to know your CEO and group over a few drinks? Take a short taxi ride to a favourite local restaurant and bar in a trendy part of Cairo. Kick back, relax, and bask in the excitement of your journey’s beginning.
If this is your first visit to Cairo, we highly recommend that you book an airport transfer.
If you opt to prebook the Islamic and Coptic Cairo Tour a night of pre-tour accommodation is required as this tour departs at 10am.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends
Connect with new friends on your first night out in a new destination. Only available on 18-to-Thirtysomethings tours.
Optional Activities - Day 1 HideShow
Islamic and Coptic Cairo Tour
Explore Cairo’s fascinating architectural, cultural, and historical contrasts on a tour of Coptic and Islamic Cairo. Visit of the iconic Citadel of Saladin, the Mohamed Ali Mosque, the Hanging Church, St. Sergius Church and Ben Ezra Synagogue.
Accommodation
Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.
Santana Hotel Cairo (or similar)
Day 2Cairo/Aswān
Enjoy a guided tour of the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Take an orientation tour through the narrow alleys of the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, with free time for shopping or people watching from a shisha café. Overnight train to Aswan.
For lunch, why not go local with a couple of falafel sandwiches, or take the chance to find out what kushari tastes like?
In the evening, board an overnight train to Aswan. The overnight train is a modern air-conditioned sleeper, with twin-berth beds. There is no shower in the cabin, but each cabin does have a sink. The shared toilet is at the end of each carriage. A basic airline-style tray meal for dinner and breakfast is included. Attendants can serve drinks in your compartment at extra cost or there is a bar car for socializing.
After breakfast, we will check out of our hotel and store our luggage in our vehicle, ready to head to the station to catch tonight's overnight train later in the evening.
Khan el-Khalili Bazaar Orientation Walk
Head to the Khan el-Khalili bazaar in downtown Cairo for an orientation walk with the CEO. Learn the best places to buy various things, and opt to enjoy a hookah and a cup of tea in a cafe. Enjoy free time to stroll and shop the narrow pathways.
Great Pyramid of Giza and Sphinx Tour
Enjoy a tour of the magnificent great pyramid of Giza and the Sphinx. No matter how many photos or documentaries you have seen, the first glimpse of these marvels of the ancient world will take your breath away. As a qualified Egyptologist, your CEO has all the facts about these massive structures.
Overnight Train (beds)
Stretch out and get some well-earned rest en route to the next stop.
Optional Activities - Day 2 HideShow
Egyptian Museum
200EGP per personWith over 10,000 pieces from every period of Egyptian history, including the treasures from the tomb of Tutankhamun, this massive museum is a fantastic place to learn about the country. There is plenty of free time for you to explore on your own. Please note, there is an additional 50 EGP fee to take photos in the museum.
Explore a Pyramid
100-400EGP per personEver wonder what's inside the pyramids? Here's your chance to find out. Spend your free time further exploring one of the many pyramids in the area, such as Cheops, or the 2nd or 3rd pyramid - the choice is yours!
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 3Aswān
Free morning to explore Aswan. Opt to wander through the souk at your own pace or visit the famous Philae Temple, it's your choice.
In the afternoon, board a boat and cruise down the Nile. Visit a Nubian village and enjoy a home-cooked dinner with locals.
Our train is due to arrive in Aswan early in the morning, but, trains can often be delayed.
Free Time
Head out and explore this sleepy town.
Your Local Living Moment: Boat ride to Nubian Village with Traditional Meal
Board a local boat, to take a trip along the magnificent Nile, with views of the Aga Khan Mausoleum and Kitchener Island. Stop on one of the inhabited Nile islands in this area, to tour a local Nubian village. Walk through the village and fields and learn more about the life of the Nubian people before enjoying a delicious traditional dinner at a local home.
Optional Activities - Day 3 HideShow
Philae Temple Visit
Sail across the Nile to the beautiful island of Agilkia and explore the Greco Roman history of the Temple of Philae, built as a dedication to the Goddess Isis. This temple complex was moved from its original location on the Island of Philae after the flooding of Lake Nasser, the word "philae" meaning "the end" in reference to this island's placement on what was once the southernmost border of Egypt.
Visit the Souk
FreeExplore the Souk at your leisure, soaking in the scent and colour of spices and perfumes, and rummaging through beautiful scarves and baskets.
Accommodation
Cleopatra Hotel Aswan (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 4Aswān
Spend the day exploring Aswan.
Spend another day exploring Aswan. Opt to visit one of the most fascinating sights in the area, the Temple of Abu Simbel. Or continue exploring the city to learn more about Aswan's local people. In the evening choose to book the Philae Temple Sound and Light Show.
If you have purchased the Temple of Abu Simbel Excursion, you will visit the temple today. Leaving Aswan at around 4am, you travel deep into the desert to the site of these enormous temples, on the shores of Lake Nasser. You can spend around 2 hours at the temples and then return to Aswan by about 12pm. The round trip drive is around 5-6 hrs.
Your Discover Moment
There's plenty to see and do in Aswan, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like bartering with a merchant at a local souk, riding a camel at the West Bank, or sitting back to enjoy a sound and light Show at the Philae Temple. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!
Optional Activities - Day 4 HideShow
Philae Temple Sound and Light Show
70USD per personAs the sun sets, sail across the Nile to Philae island. Watch the Philae Temple turn into a time machine through a magnificent sound and light display.
Temple of Abu Simbel Visit
Part historic monument and part modern marvel, Abu Simbel is one of Egypt’s grandest temples. Built during the rule of Ramses the II this structure was almost swallowed by the Nile, but now stands safe and sound thanks to some crafty archaeologists and UNESCO. Travel through Egypt’s rugged landscapes and the towering figures of Ramses himself, Ra-Horakhty, Amun, and Ptah will all be waiting to welcome you.
Accommodation
Cleopatra Hotel Aswan (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 5Aswān/Kom Ombo
Sail the Nile on a felucca with a support boat. Sleep on board under the stars.
Feluccas are very basic traditional Nile sailboats and make for an extremely relaxing and enjoyable way to travel down the river. You sleep on the deck of the boat (mattresses and blankets are provided, but if you prefer something between you and the blankets, you will need a sleep sheet/sleeping bag liner of your own). Please note that the Felucca itself does not have toilets or showers, however we will have access to a private support boat, travelling in close proximity to our Felucca. This support boat is equipped with toilets and a shower (please bring a towel) and an area to eat your meals, leaving you stress free to enjoy this tranquil and traditional experience on the Nile.
Felucca Sailing Excursion
Enjoy a relaxing ride on a felucca (traditional Nile sailboat) and travel down the river, watching the scenery glide by. At night, sleep on the deck under the stars (mattresses and blankets are provided). Enjoy delicious meals on board. The felucca itself does not have toilets or showers, but a private support boat travelling in close proximity has both (please bring a towel).
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 6Kom Ombo/Luxor
Visit Kom Ombo Temple on the way to Luxor. In the afternoon opt to visit the temples of Karnak and Luxor on a guided tour of the east bank, or discover Luxor at your own pace. The choice is yours!
Kom Ombo Temple Visit
Enjoy a visit to this temple located in a scenic spot, right on the banks of the Nile. It was dedicated to the crocodile god, and you can still see the remains of an ancient mummified crocodile that was worshipped here thousands of years ago.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time
Start exploring Luxor.
Optional Activities - Day 6 HideShow
Bazaar Visit in Luxor
FreeExplore the bustling local bazaar at your leisure, checking out the sights, sounds and wares for sale. Pick up a few if you like! Please note that this visit is self-guided.
Tour of the East Bank - Karnak and Luxor Temples
65USD per personStep into the second largest religious building in the world - the Temple of Karnak - and enjoy a guided tour through its many hieroglyph inscribed chapels and pylons. Next, explore the towering walls and pillars of the Luxor Temple, and take in the beautiful view of the Nile River.
Mummification Museum Visit
100EGP per personLearn all there is to know about the ancient art of embalming with a self-guided exploration of the world's only Mummification Museum.
Accommodation
Emilio Hotel Luxor (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 7Luxor/Cairo
Enjoy free time to explore Luxor before an overnight train back to Cairo.
In the evening, board an overnight train back to Cairo. The overnight train is a modern air-conditioned sleeper, with twin-berth beds. There is no shower in the cabin, but each cabin does have a sink. The shared toilet is at the end of each carriage. A basic airline-style tray meal for dinner and breakfast is included. Attendants can serve drinks in your compartment at extra cost or there is a bar car for socializing.
Free Time
Enjoy a free day to explore Luxor and beyond.
Overnight Train (beds)
Stretch out and get some well-earned rest en route to the next stop.
Accommodation on the sleeper train is in comfortable twin-share bunk-bed compartments with lockable doors. The beds convert into seats when not in use and luggage is stored under the bottom bunk. Bedding is provided and there is a small wash basin with soap and a towel provided. Shared toilet facilities are at the end of each carriage. A simple “airline style” dinner is provided, but most guests prefer to eat before boarding the train. Non-alcoholic drinks are available to purchase and there is a bar car for socialising.
Optional Activities - Day 7 HideShow
Tomb of Tutankhamun Visit
300EGP per personDescend down into the Tomb of Tutankhamun, the Valley of the Kings' most famous pharaoh. While the treasure has been moved to the Cairo Museum, it is fascinating to enter the tomb that held one of the most intact collection of treasures found in all of Egypt.
Tour the West Bank of Luxor
75USD per personRise early to catch the sunrise as you cross the Nile to the west bank, passing through farmers fields on your way to the Valley of the Kings.
Descend the narrow, rock-hewn corridors and take in the magnificent decoration and designs of the tombs of the pharaohs. While the treasure has now all gone, the tombs contain the incredible paintings of the life of their incumbent and stories from the Book of the Dead; visit three tombs in total, and opt to visit the famous tomb of King (‘Tut’) Tutankhamun. Continue on to visit to the impressive Funerary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, which seems to rise out of the surrounding limestone outcrops - a reminder of the power women held in the Ancient Kingdom. End the day with a stop at the two mammoth statues of Amenophis II at the Colossi of Memnon.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 8Cairo
Tour ends upon arrival.
Our tour finishes on arrival at Giza train station. Please be aware that delays on overnight trains do quite often occur, so please do not book any onward flights before 2pm today.
If you opt to book the Memphis and Sakkara Excursion, please ensure you allow enough time to return from the activity when planning your onward journey.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with any onward travel arrangements you require.
Optional Activities - Day 8 HideShow
Explore Memphis and Sakkara
Travel through desert and farm lands to Sakkara the site of Egypt's first pyramids. Delve into the history of one of Egypt’s most important archeological sites before continuing on to explore the streets of Memphis, the ancient capital of Aneb-Hetch.