Best of Egypt

Day 1 : Cairo

Arrive at any time.

There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting.

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.

Optional Activities - Day 1

Acommodation

Cosmopolitan Cairo Hotel

Day 2 : Cairo/Aswān

Enjoy a visit to the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Sphinx before a guided tour of the Egyptian Museum. Catch an overnight train to Aswan.

Visit the pyramids and soak in the history of these majestic structures before a visit to the Egyptian Museum.

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.

Please note that during Ramadan, the museum, and Egyptian pyramids will close at 3PM this year, and so we will follow the below order, and schedule on Day 2.

Visit the Pyramids from 9 - 11
Visit the museums from 11:30 - 14:30
Lunch from 15:00 - 16:00 before heading to the train station

Day 3 : Aswān

Opt to explore the busy Aswan market or visit the beautiful Philae Temple, before visiting a Nubian village and enjoying a home-cooked dinner with a local family.

Our train is due to arrive in Aswan early in the morning, but, trains can often be delayed. Enjoy some free time in the morning to browse the souk or walk along the Nile.

Later, board a boat to reach one of the many Nile islands and visit a Nubian village. Walk around the small community, then enjoy a traditional dinner at a local home.

Optional Activities - Day 3

Acommodation

Obelisk Hotel Aswan

Day 4 : Aswān

Spend the day exploring Aswan.

One of the most fascinating sights in the area is the Temple of Abu Simbel. Later, opt for a half-day tour of the Unfinished Obelisk, High Dam, and Philae Temple. Visit the modern Nubian Museum to learn more about Aswan's local people.

Opt to pre-book the "Temple of Abu Simbel" activity on the checkout page ahead of time to include this optional on your tour.

Optional Activities - Day 4

Acommodation

Obelisk Hotel Aswan

Day 5 : Aswān/Luxor

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. Ride on a Felucca to Aswan Bridge, where we will disembark and transfer to Kom Umbo. Later visit Kom Umbo temple before transferring to Luxor. Tonight, enjoy dinner at the local market where you can try some local specialties.

Board the felucca and sail to Aswan Bridge.

Feluccas are a basic, traditional Nile sailboat and make for an extremely relaxing and enjoyable way to travel down the river.

Acommodation

Emilio Hotel Luxor

Day 6 : Luxor

After breakfast the group will set off on a guided visit to the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. Have lunch with a local family on the West Bank of the Nile, then visit an Alabaster Factory en route back to Luxor. The remainder of the afternoon will be at your leisure.

Cross to the West Bank. Descend down the narrow corridors and check out the tombs of the pharaohs at the Valley of the Kings. The Funerary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut literally seems to rise out of the surrounding limestone outcrops. Then visit the massive 18m (59ft)-high Colossi of Memnon, which is all that remains of an ancient temple.

Enjoy lunch with a local family on the West bank of the Nile and then explore Luxor at your own pace.

Optional Activities - Day 6

Acommodation

Emilio Hotel Luxor

Day 7 : Luxor

After breakfast the group will sail by ferry to the West Bank to meet our student-guide. Together we will bike through the village and visit the Funtasia Project Center where the group will learn about the Planeterra project at this location over tea with our guide. From here, enjoy a visit to the Karnak Temple, which was once the centre of all religious life in ancient Egypt. Later, take advantage of free time in Luxor to explore the bustling local bazaar at your leisure.

Acommodation

Emilio Hotel Luxor

Day 8 : Luxor/Cairo

Fly back to Cairo where the tour ends upon on arrival to the Cairo International Airport in the morning.

We highly recommend booking post-accommodation to fully explore this vibrant city.

Our tour finishes on arrival in Cairo at the Cairo International Airport. Please be aware that flight delays 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. The excursion starts at the Cairo International Airport around 10:30am and ends at the joining hotel in the afternoon (the activity is about 4-5 hours). If you are arranging an international flight home on the same day please only book flights departing in the evening, no earlier than 6pm.

Optional Activities - Day 8