10 Day Cairo & Beyond Tour

Day 1 (Tuesday): Cairo, Egypt

Our representative will meet and assist you when you arrive at Cairo International Airport. He/She will assist you through visa and passport control, and in the luggage area. Following this, you will be driven to your starting hotel in a private air-conditioned vehicle. Overnight in Cairo.

Accommodation: Steigenberger Pyramids Cairo (or similar)

Meals: None

Day 2 (Wednesday): Cairo (Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Grand Egyptian Museum) (B)

After breakfast at your hotel, you will go on a tour of the Giza Plateau which is about 30 minutes from Cairo. Once in Giza, your private Egyptologist guide will provide a fascinating introduction to each of the three pyramids. After visiting the pyramids, you will continue across the plateau for a photo opportunity of the three pyramids rising from the sands with the Cairo skyline in the background. A short drive to the city side of the plateau finds you standing at the feet of the Sphinx, for thousands of years the enigmatic symbol of Egypt. The Great Sphinx, measuring 190 feet in length and 65 feet high, still stands as centurion over these magnificent royal tombs. This monumental landmark was carved out of a single piece of rock in the shape of a lion with a pharaoh’s head. After your tour of the Giza Pyramids, you will visit the GEM museum. Housing thousands of Egyptian artifacts, the Grand Egyptian Museum consider as the largest museum in the world. Your Egyptologist guide will introduce you to the most important pieces before allowing you to have free time to explore the museum at leisure. You will also have the chance to visit a Papyrus Institute to see how the famous artwork is made and purchase your own if you like. After the conclusion of your tour, you will drive back to your hotel for drop-off. Overnight in Cairo.

Accommodation: Steigenberger Pyramids Cairo (or similar)

Meals: None

Day 3 (Thursday): Cairo to Aswan (B)

Transfer to the airport in Cairo. Domestic flight to Aswan. You will be met and assisted by our representative who will take you to check-in your hotel. Later you will go on an exciting tour of the world- famous High Dam, an engineering miracle built in the 1960s. Thereafter, you will to island of Egilka on a motorboat to visit the majestic Philae temple dedicated to the Goddesses Isis. Overnight in Aswan.

Accommodation: Sonesta Aswan hotel (or similar)

Meals: Breakfast included

Day 4 (Friday): Abu Simbel & Nile Cruise (B, D)

This morning, travel by private van to the impressive Temples of Ramses II in Abu Simbel. The complex ispart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the "Nubian Monuments," which run from Abu Simbel downriver to Philae (near Aswan). The twin temples were originally carved out of the mountainside during the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses II in the 13th century BC, as a lasting monument to himself and his queen Nefertari, to commemorate his alleged victory at the Battle of Kadesh, and to intimidate his Nubian neighbours. However, the complex was relocated in its entirety in 1968, on an artificial hill made from a domed structure, high above the Aswan High Dam reservoir. The relocation of the temples was necessary to avoid their being submerged during the creation of Lake Nasser, the massive artificial water reservoir formed after the building of the Aswan High Dam on the Nile River. Abu Simbel remains one of Egypt's top tourist attractions. Travel with a private Egyptologist as your guide and enjoy a personalized visit to the temples of Abu Simbel. With its four rock-hewn pharaohs, your guide will explain the history behind this magnificent site, including how the temples were discovered by accident in 1813. Due to the large number of visitors to Abu Simbel, guides are not permitted inside either of the two temples you will visit. Then return to Aswan to board your Nile Cruise for 3 nights. Afternoon tea is served on the sundeck. Dinner and overnight stay onboard the cruise (group excursions while on the cruise).

Accommodation: M/S DWA Nile cruise (or similar)

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included

Day 5 (Saturday): Kom Ombo & Edfu temples (Nile cruise) (B, L, D)

Sailing to Kom Ombo. You will be escorted by your Egyptologist group tour guide to visit Kom Ombo temple, the crocodile-headed God of fertility and creator of the world, then you will take your lunch aboard your cruise with free time at leisure while sailing to Edfu to explore the Temple of Horus, Continue the cruise down to Luxor. Afternoon tea is served on the sun – deck with dinner.

Accommodation: M/S DWA Nile cruise (or similar)

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Day 6 (Sunday): Luxor (Nile cruise) (B, L, D)

Breakfast onboard the cruise. Visit sites with your group and Egyptologist guide. We will tour the West Bank of the Nile and visit the two colossal statues (Colossi of Memnon). Following this, visit the Valley of the Kings, where the magnificent pharaonic tombs were discovered. Here you will have a chance to visit the tomb of King Tutankhamen (optional, for an additional cost). Continue the tour to visit the Hatshepsut temple at El Deir El Bahary, dedicated to the Queen Hatshepsut. You will head back to your cruise ship for lunch. After having afternoon tea on the ship you will have free time at leisure. Overnight stay on board your cruise.

Accommodation: M/S DWA Nile cruise (or similar)

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Day 7 (Monday): Luxor to Cairo (B)

After breakfast, you will be accompanied by your group and Egyptologist guide to visit the Karnak Temples, the largest place of worship ever built. Its ancient name Ipet-isut means “the most sacred of places.” The temple, or, more correctly, the complex of temples, was built over more than 2,000 years by generation after generation of pharaohs. Within the complex, you will find the great “Hypostyle Hall,” which is an incredible forest of giant pillars. After this, you will be transferred to Luxor temple which was built by Amenhotep III and Ramses II for ritual and festivals dedicated to god Amen. You will then be driven to Airport for flight back to Cairo. Arrival and private transfer included to your hotel. Overnight in Cairo.

Accommodation: Sofitel Cairo Nile El Gezirah (or similar)

Meals: Breakfast included

Day 8 (Tuesday): Cairo (Coptic Cairo & Madrassa of Sultan Hassan & Citadel of Salah el-Din & Khan El Khalili Bazaar) (B)

After breakfast at your hotel. Enjoy touring Cairo today with a private guide and driver. Today you will discover the ancient sites and culture of Coptic Christians where you will learn about Christian life in Egypt, a country where Christianity is a minority. You will first visit the Hanging Church is built into the walls of the water gate of the Roman fortress and is possibly the oldest Christian church in Egypt. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, it is one of Cairo's most beautiful churches. Continue to the Monastery and Church of Saint George. It is one of the few remaining circular churches in the Middle East. Your next stop is the Abu Serga, one of the places where the Holy Travel companion rested after fleeing Israel from King Herod. At the turn of the century this little church, which dates from the 10th-century, was the most important pilgrimage spot in Old Cairo for visiting Christian tourists. There are 24 marble columns lining the central court, and a series of 12th-century icons depicting the 12 apostles. You will then tour Ben Ezra Synagogue which is one of the oldest synagogues in Egypt. Set in a shady garden, the synagogue was severely damaged after the 1967 war with Israel but it has been almost completely renovated. Following this you will visit the Mosque and Madrassa of Sultan Hassan which is considered the pinnacle of Islamic architecture. Thereafter, you will continue to the Alabaster Mosque at the Citadel of Salah el-Din. This famous mosque sits on top a limestone hill overlooking Cairo and is the most important mosque in the city. Your final stop will be the Khan el Khalili bazaar where your guide will give you an introduction to the famous markets which claim to have inspired Christopher Columbus to discover the Americas. Here you will have free-time to stroll through the maze of streets and shops and try your luck bargaining with the shop owners for a souvenir or two of your trip to Egypt or have a cup of Egyptian tea at the famous coffee shop “El Fishawy” to enjoy the atmosphere of the bazaar. Overnight in Cairo.

Accommodation: Sofitel Cairo Nile El Gezirah (or similar)

Meals: Breakfast included

Day 9 (Wednesday): Cairo – Alexandria - Cairo (B)

After breakfast at your hotel, you will travel via air-conditioned modern vehicle to Alexandria (a 3-hour drive) with a private guide. Visit the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, which is a Roman burial site that reveals the merging of Egyptian and Roman art and architecture. Descend below ground to visit the tomb and Caracalla Hall. Continue to Qayetbay citadel, which is situated on the entrance to Alexandria's eastern harbour where the place was exact of the famous Lighthouse. You will then tour the famous Alexandria Library. In contrast to the ancient architecture found throughout Egypt, this Norwegian-designed building is a striking piece of modern design. A copy of every book published in the world is kept in the library, making it one of the great literary sites in the world. The library also houses several exhibitions relating to the history of Egypt and a display of rare antique books. After the conclusion of your tour, you will be driven back to your hotel in Cairo. Overnight in Cairo.

Accommodation: Sofitel Cairo Nile El Gezirah (or similar)

Meals: Breakfast included

Day 10 (Thursday): Cairo (B)

After breakfast at your hotel, you will check out and be driven to Cairo International Airport by private vehicle. 

Tour Price: $3999 USD per person, double occupancy (peak travel dates excluded)

Tour includes:
• Meet-and-assist services upon arrival and departure
• Transportation on private air-conditioned vehicles
• Accommodation in Cairo at 5-star hotel (Sofitel Cairo Nile El Gezirah or similar), including breakfast
• Accommodation in Cairo at 5-star hotel (Steigenberger Pyramids Cairo or similar), including breakfast
• Accommodation in Aswan at 5-star hotel (Sonesta Aswan hotel or similar), including breakfast
• 4 days, 3 nights on board a 5-star Nile cruise (M/S DWA Nile cruise or similar) with meals on board and group excursions.
• All sightseeing tours in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and Alexandria including English-speaking Egyptologist guides, all entrance fees, and transfers
• Domestic Flights (Cairo-Aswan; Luxor-Cairo)
• All service charges and taxes

Tour does not include:
• International Airfare
• Gratuities/Tipping (Recommended). In Egypt, tipping is not an obligation but a sign of appreciation for good service. That being said, tips are expected from people that serve you—e.g., driver, waiter, bellman, cruise ship staff, etc. The average tip is $10-$20 US dollars per day. This amount covers everyone except for your Egyptologist guides whom you may tip at your discretion.
• Meals except were indicated
• Drinks and any personal expenses
• Entry visa to Egypt 25 USD approx
• Optional Entrance fees in Egyptian Pounds (EGP) to: the chambers of the pyramids (Great Pyramid = 1500 EGP; Third Pyramid = 260
EGP), and the Tutankhamen’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings, Luxor (700 EGP)
• Camel ride around the pyramids area ($20.00 US Dollars for 15-20-minute ride)