Discover Egypt on this 9-day tour: explore Luxor’s Karnak temples and the Valley of the Kings, sail the Nile on a traditional felucca, and uncover treasures at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. Marvel at the Pyramids of Giza and enjoy panoramic views from the Citadel.
Includes
9 Day Insight Vacations Guided Holiday
8 Nights in stylish, hand picked hotel accommodation
Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxury, air-conditioned coach
An expert Insight Travel Director
From time to time, your Travel Director will enchant you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination
Baggage handling everywhere, we include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels
Hotel and restaurant tips are included
Personal radio headsets, gives you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights without missing any of your local expert's fascinating insights and commentaries
Additional experiences during your free time that can be purchased at an additional cost
Top Rated Highlights
Luxor Temple Visit
Nile Felucca Cruise with a Sailor
Kom Ombo Temple Visit
Visit the Temple of Hatshepsut with an Egyptologist
See the Colossi of Memnon
See the Temple of Isis at Philae Island and much more!
Unique Insight Experiences
Luxor Sun Bread Tasting with a Local Family: Enjoy listening to stories of village life from local residents, when you visit a family home for a tasting of authentic Egyptian sun bread.
Make Travel Matter Experiences
Carpet Weaving Workshop: Be mesmerized by the intricate art of Egyptian carpet weaving as you meet the skilled artisans of a local weaving school. This ancient and traditional Egypt art is one of the oldest in the country, and only few schools have been safeguarding the traditional weaving methods on wooden looms, using silk and cotton, and natural dyes. More than carpets, they come to life as unique works of art. This experience advances UN Global Goal 11: Resilient Cities and Communities.
Excludes
Flights
Tranfsers not mentioned
Visas
Travel Insurance
Items of a personal nature
Extras
On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised.
Additional experiences that have been curated by your Travel Director from their own in-depth local knowledge can be signed up for on tour at an additional cost.
Airport Transfers: If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
Advertised price is based on 5 February 2025 departure. Ask us for alternative departures.
Highlights
8 Nights in stylish hotel accommodation
17 Meals
Unique Insight Experiences
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Cairo
Welcome to the timeless land of the pharaohs. On arrival at Cairo Airport, you’ll be transferred to your hotel and have time to relax and sample the hotels amenities after your journey. Refreshed and ready to embrace the intoxicating energy of this ancient and modern city
Accommodation: Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino
Day 2: Fly to Luxor, Cruise the Nile
In the morning, fly to Luxor and visit the huge temple complex of Karnak. Walk through the avenue of ram-headed sphinxes to stand among the columns of the Hypostyle Hall. Later, transfer to your cruise ship, your home for the next four nights. After lunch on board, take a walk through the Luxor Museum, witness ancient artefacts and see two royal mummies. This evening, get to know your Travel Director, a professionally trained Egyptologist, as well as fellow guests over a welcome drink followed by dinner. The rest of the evening is yours at leisure, enjoy dinner on the ship before relaxing in its lounge or in the comfort of your room.
Accommodation: MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Valley of the Kings to Edfu
This morning travel by coach to the west bank of the Nile. See the Colossi of Memnon and visit both the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Valley of the Kings, where many pharaohs were buried, including Hatshepsut, Amenhotep I and Tutankhamun. Experience the renowned local hospitality of Egyptians during a visit to the village of Geziret Bahirat. Connect with the community and share bread with the Bahirat family, whilst they regale guests with their fascinating stories of daily life. Visit Luxor Temple which was unearthed by Mariette in the 1860s, before returning to your cruise ship and sail via the Esna Lock to Edfu, for your overnight stay.
Accommodation: MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Kom Ombo to Aswan
In the early morning sail to Kom Ombo to visit the only double temple of Egypt dedicated to two gods. Discover the Temple, learning all about its ‘double’ and perfectly symmetrical design for the duo of gods – one side dedicated to Sobek the crocodile god, the other to Horus the Elder the falcon god. This evening, enjoy a fun-filled traditional Egyptian themed dinner and galabeya party on board your ship.
Accommodation: MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Aswan’s High Dam and Nile Felucca
In the morning, visit the Aswan High Dam and granite quarries, to see the enormous unfinished obelisk. Travel by motorboat to the Temple of Isis. Rising from the waters of the Nile on the Island of Philae, it was the last temple built in the classical Egyptian style. Later, on a traditional Nile Felucca, meet a sailor and learn about traditional sailing practices. As the sun starts to fade, enjoy high tea at the historic Old Cataract Hotel. The likes of Winston Churchill and Agatha Christie stayed at this pretty venue, and Christie supposedly wrote “Death on the Nile” from the hotel itself.
Accommodation: MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Dinner
Day 6: Aswan and Back to Cairo
In the morning, disembark your cruise ship and enjoy time at leisure in Aswan. Why not join an optional experience and travel by air to the magnificent Temples of Ramesses II at Abu Simbel? These temples overlook Lake Nasser and are made up of the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Temple of Hathor. Otherwise, spend the morning as you wish. Perhaps soak up the African atmosphere in the Nubian bazaar or visit one of the many points of interest nearby, such as the Botanical Gardens, Elephantine Island and the Aga Khan Mausoleum. Later, transfer to the airport for your return flight to Cairo for the night.
Accommodation: Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 7: The Egyptian Museum and Citadel
Begin your city sightseeing with your Egyptologist by exploring the Cairo Citadel, a medieval Islamic-era fortification that served as the seat of the Egyptian government for almost seven centuries, and see the Great Alabaster Mosque. Later, visit the world-famous Egyptian Museum. Starring among its attractions is the amazing treasure recovered from Tutankhamun's tomb.
Accommodation: Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 8: The Great Pyramids of Giza
Gain a deeper understanding of the last remaining Wonder of the Ancient World during a visit to Giza with your Egyptologist. Meet the enigmatic Sphinx, crouching at the foot of the Chephrenís Causeway and venture inside one of the magnificent Pyramids. Nearby lies Memphis, capital of the Old Kingdom, where you can see the colossal statue of Ramesses II and the great Alabaster Sphinx. Continue to Sakkara to view the Step Pyramid of Zoser, which dates back to 2686 B.C., making it the oldest pyramid in the world. Meet the skilled artisans at a local weaving school for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Enjoy free time in the afternoon.
Accommodation: Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Depart Cairo
Your wonderful journey ends with transfers to Cairo International airport.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Terms & conditions
Prices are per person twin share, include discounts, and are subject to availability and rate of exchange changes. Offers above are a guide only and will vary depending on departure date. Our guide price is based on the cheapest departure within the stipulated season, availability is correct at time of loading and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Visas may be necessary and insurance is essential. Pentravel and Tour Operator terms and conditions apply, and may be found on our website.
Package excludes extra nights’ accommodation, optional extensions, airfares, taxes and fees, flight supplements, surcharges and airport transfers. You can do optional free-time add-on experiences in your free time and pay for them as you travel (additional costs apply).
Balance due 90 days prior to departure and is not applicable to all bookings. R3000 per person deposit required at time of booking to hold space; some trips require payment in full at time of booking. High season supplements and block out dates may apply. Supplier and tour operator is not responsible for technical or system errors that may interfere with or otherwise prohibit the use of promotion or sale. Other conditions may apply.
Tour operator reserves the right to withdraw promotional offers and adjust savings anytime without notice. At time of loading this may not be a definite departure, please contact a travel consultant for more info. Other conditions may apply. These packages are based on CASH price. E&OE;.