Itinerary Expand allCairo to Aswan Fly to Cairo.Fly to Cairo.Accommodation: Cairo Pyramids Hotel or similar Day 1 Start Cairo.Start Cairo.Accommodation: Cairo Pyramids Hotel or similar Day 2 Visit the Pyramids at Giza, the Egyptian Museum, El Azhar Mosque and Cairo's lively bazaar.We start the morning with a tour of the Pyramids at Giza. Home to the Great Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus and the timeless and enigmatic Sphinx; these great monuments to the afterlife defy the imagination. Only the throng of sightseers, Egyptian and foreign, milling around their huge foundations, keep the viewer in the 21st century. We next pay a visit to the incredible Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, which contains relics dating back to 4000 BC, including the fantastic riches of Tutankhamun's tomb. Here is a unique opportunity to survey the many fabulous treasures of Egypt in one place and to set the scene for the rest of the tour. For the remainder of our tour we experience modern Cairo with visits to Al Azhar mosque, which despite being Cairo’s oldest mosque and university is still very much in use today, and the small alleyways and streets that make up Cairo's popular bazaar. Please note that we will need to cover up at the mosque (long sleeves and trousers) and women will also need to cover their hair with a scarf.Accommodation: Cairo Pyramids Hotel or similar Meals included: Breakfast Day 3 Fly to Luxor; visit to Karnak and Luxor temples. Board cruise boat; free afternoon to explore.We typically transfer to Cairo airport before sunrise for our flight to Luxor (flight times can vary). On arrival in Luxor we visit Luxor Temple and the huge Karnak Temple complex on the east bank of the Nile. Built over 1500 years, Karnak is a confusion of pylons, courtyards, halls and sanctuaries. Its Hypostyle hall has 134 columns 23 metres high and 15 metres in diameter! Both temples are incredibly impressive. We arrive at our cruise boat in time for lunch on board before having free time in the afternoon to relax or explore Luxor.Accommodation: M/S Esmeralda or similar Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Days 4-5 Valley of the Kings; two days on the Nile with visits to Edfu and Kom Ombo en route.We begin Day 4 with a visit to the Valley of the Kings on the west bank of the Nile, which contains the once hidden tombs of over 62 Pharaohs, including Tutankhamun, Seti I, Ramses III and IV. A discreet entrance in the hillside takes the visitor underground; a series of corridors and ante-chambers leads us down to the burial chamber and sarcophagus. The walls are covered in brightly painted images and hieroglyphs - a map of the afterlife to ensure the king's safe passage. One ticket allows us to see three tombs. The ticket usually allows entry into what are regarded as the most impressive tombs, but if you have time a visit to the tomb of Ramses VI is also highly recommended. Visits to tombs are now strictly controlled to halt further deterioration of wall paintings - each tomb is periodically closed for a number of weeks. On return to our cruise boat we begin our voyage along the Nile, travelling upstream from Luxor to Aswan. Exact sailing and excursion times cannot be guaranteed for each individual trip but we will visit the temples of Edfu, famous for its roofed inner temples and huge Pylon, and Kom Ombo. The cruise boat has good facilities: a sundeck with sun loungers, bar and small pool, restaurant, gift shop and library - these can all be taken advantage of when the cruise boat is docked or during sailing. The sunsets over the Nile are truly stunning and travelling from Luxor to Aswan, enjoying the beauty of the lush verdant landscape make this journey special.Accommodation: M/S Esmeralda or similar Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 6 Continue Nile cruise; optional visit to Abu Simbel.Today there's the option of a visit to Abu Simbel, 300 km. to the south through the Nubian Desert. The optional bus tour starts at 3.30/4 in the morning when we get picked up from the boat. A breakfast box is provided. Around 8 am we will arrive at the destination, where we are given approx 3 hours to visit the temples. Built by Ramses II the two temples are certainly some of the most spectacular in Egypt. Originally on the banks of the Nile, the temples were raised to a new site above the lake in the late 1960s, as the waters from the new Lake Nasser rose behind the Aswan High Dam. The four great seated statues of Ramses II stare east towards the rising sun. We will be back in Aswan around 3 pm.Accommodation: M/S Esmeralda or similar Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 7 Disembark cruise; tour of bazaar or optional excursion to Philae Temple, Aswan High Dam and Cleopatra's Unfinished Obelisk.After breakfast on board we disembark our boat and have a full day in Aswan. This is a laid-back, sleepy town that reflects the character of its largely Nubian inhabitants, known for being friendly and hospitable. By virtue of its position on the old caravan route, it has always been a trading centre and we thoroughly recommend a visit to the packed bazaar today where merchants display a wealth of exotic spices, carpets, leather goods and countless other wares. There is also the option to visit the Nubian Museum, situated opposite our usual hotel in Aswan. Opened in April 1998, the museum chronologically charts the history and culture of the Nubian people. Alternatively, we can arrange an optional visit to Philae Temple. In the 1970s it was relocated by UNESCO to Aglika Island after it became evident that the original site of Philae would submerge on completion of the Aswan High Dam. It represents a magnificent and enduring testament to both ancient and modern engineering. During this excursion we will also visit Aswan High Dam and Cleopatra's Unfinished Obelisk.Accommodation: Basma Hotel or similar Meals included: Breakfast Day 8 Optional visit to Nubian village; afternoon felucca ride.Today it's our last day in Aswan. Our morning is free to relax or book on optional excursion to St. Simone Monastery or a nearby Nubian Village. In the afternoon we explore the Nile by felucca, the traditional Egyptian sailing boat. Using the felucca, we can truly savour the tranquillity of the Nile and the beauty of the surrounding landscape, where the vast desert almost reaches the water's edge. (The sailing by felucca timing might be changed according to weather conditions). We end the day with our final dinner together, at one of this historic city’s restaurants.Accommodation: Basma Hotel or similar Meals included: Breakfast Fly to London via Cairo.Fly to London. Meals included: Breakfast Day 9 End Aswan.End Aswan Meals included: Breakfast
EgyptVisas are required by all non-Arab nationalities and currently cost approximately GBP20. It is recommended that you obtain your visa before you travel (although it’s still possible to get a tourist visa on arrival). You can get a visa online at Visa2Egypt or alternatively, the address of the Egyptian Embassy in London is 2 Lowndes Street, SW1. Tel: 020 7235 9777. Visas are now generally available for same day collection, although this should NOT be relied upon. Opening hours are 09.30 to 12.30 for applications, 14.15 to 16.00 for collection of passports after the visa has been issued. Postal applications direct to the embassy for visas are not recommended as the service takes 15 to 20 days.If you are obtaining your visa online then please ensure you have a scan of your passport ready. The file size should be small and ideally saved as a JPEG or PDF otherwise you might not be able to load it on the visa application.You will need to provide your host’s information on the application – please use the following details:South Sinai Travel79 Merghany StreetCairoEgyptTel: +20 22418 7310www.southsinai.com[email protected]Please note that recently Egyptian officials have requested tourists carry a copy of their passport with them whilst in the country.
EgyptThere are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Tetanus, Typhoid, Hepatitis A. Although not usually advised, other vaccinations to consider include rabies and Hepatitis B.
Cruise Boat & Hotels We use premium 4/5 star hotels (Egyptian Classification) on a twin-share basis. We typically stay at the Basma Hotel in Aswan. It is located on the East Bank on Aswan's highest hill, directly opposite the famous Nubian museum. All the rooms have balconies with views of the Nile or the surrounding desert. The facilities in the rooms and in the hotel itself are excellent, including a choice of bars and restaurants, a huge swimming pool and all set amid well-maintained gardens.In Cairo we generally use the Cairo Pyramids Hotel. Set in a landscaped garden it offers stunning views over the Pyramids.Cruise boatWe sail the Nile on the M/S Esmeralda or on a similar cruise boat. It offers impressive service and great facilities including a swimming pool, sun deck, gift shop, restaurant and bar. It stretches 72m in length and 12.6m in width, each of the 60 en suite cabins is fully air-conditioned and has a TV and mini bar. Wi-Fi is also available. Single rooms available, please enquire for prices.Additional AccommodationCan be arranged in Cairo pre or post tour. Please speak to a consultant at the time of booking if you would like additional accommodation.
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Reviewed March 2022 Hilary DroyThe way to see Egypt in a week Finally, after originally booking when the pandemic wasn't even a thing, we made it to Egypt in February 2022! This is a fabulous, slightly whirlwind, trip covering all the iconic sights in Egypt.....we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We were lucky to have a lovely group who gelled well from the start and an excellent leader who kept us all organised and informed of what we were seeing. This is a leisurely trip when you get to where you are going, ie no hills to climb/no long slogs to places/plenty of time to wander around at your own pace/time "off" while sailing along the Nile BUT there are a lot of very early starts which cannot be helped as flights need to be caught and sights need to be seen before the sun gets up/places get too busy, and the cruise boat needs to keep to a sailing schedule. The hotels were clean and of a good standard and the cruise boat Esmerelda was clean and comfortable with friendly staff, a good selection of buffet food, and a lovely sun-deck which, surprisingly, didn't get too busy. We were in Egypt during their half-term so that made things a little busier as Egyptian families were taking advantage of their holiday time, there didn't seem to be many tourists from other countries.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Seeing the pyramids poking up on the horizon from the hotel balcony actually made me quite emotional....I think a mix of finally, finally being able to travel again and it being a long-held dream to go to Egypt (and maybe a touch of not much sleep!). We'd gone to bed at about midnight (the group flight arrives in the evening and it takes a while to exit the airport) and just by chance I checked the view as the sun rose the next morning. And Abu Simbel is just awe-inspiring but then so are all of the other temples and things you get to see and do on this trip.What did you think of your group leader? Andrew was an excellent leader. He was very organised and very knowledgeable on all things Egyptian. He also had a great sense of humour......the Egyptians invented EVERYTHING.....and made sure everyone was aware of how to deal with the aspects of the trip that we weren't accustomed to such as the hawkers and needing small change for the toilets. He guided us around the temples giving us details of the where/why/when, building up a picture of the history of Egypt as we went south. He gave us ample time to wander around once he'd given us our bearings. We will remember his "Habibis, this way" for a long time.Do you have any advice for potential travellers? We went in early February which we found ideal weather-wise. Fleeces were needed in the early mornings until the sun came into its own at about 10am and then the temperatures were in the low to mid 20's. Although sunny in Aswan, the constant wind took the temperature down quite considerably. We took mainly UK£ with us and changed some up at the airport (the exchange rate is fixed in Egypt so you don't get ripped off), we also took some US$ left over from a previous holiday. We paid for excursions in ££/US$/credit card. When working out expenses for the trip, factor-in paying for the optional excursions as otherwise you'll miss out on seeing things such as Abu Simbel.....well worth doing, don't be put off by the time it takes to get there. We did every excursion apart from the monastery and the light shows but others in the group said the light show at Philae was very good. The Nubian village trip was cancelled due to the water level being too low for the boats to negotiate the river so we had a morning off while in Aswan so we went for lunch at the Old Cataract Hotel. I would recommend to do this if possible as it's just a 5 minute walk down the road from the Basma Hotel..... obviously a slightly pricey lunch as you're paying for the view/history but a good way to finish of the holiday (and there's no dress code at lunch so don't worry if you've only got jeans to wear). The Nubian museum opposite the Basma Hotel is also worth a visit, you can spend anywhere from 30mins to 1.5 hrs there and can pop in on the way back from your fancy lunch. The new Egyptian museum isn't open yet (expected Nov 2022 but factor in Egyptian time!) but King Tut's mask is still in the old museum. The new museum looks spectacular from the outside (it's opposite the hotel in Cairo) so it would have been great to have gone there.....c'est la vie!Is there anything else you would like to add? Great trip, if you're considering a weeks holiday in Egypt then this is the way to do it. We felt safe while in Egypt and had an armed security guard with us at all times in Cairo. Security is tight in hotels and museums. We wore masks in indoor settings as covid rules were still in force and also we felt it was better to wear a mask anywhere crowded such as in the tombs in the Valley of the Kings. We had to show our covid passes on numerous occasions in the airports so make sure you have them on your phone or printed out. Don't worry about the early starts, you can sleep when you get home!
Reviewed February 2022 Ian JesseNile Cruise - Premium December 2021 A fantastic journey for anyone wishing to immerse themselves into the ancient Egyptian culture.What did you think of your group leader? We were really fortunate to have a tour guide who explained very clearly the itinerary for tour on the first morning. The tour & excursions are full-on with lots of sites to visit and information to absorb. Sayed is an excellent tour guide and should be voted as the best tour leader for Exodus for his professionalism. Many thank Q’s to Sayed who made our journey a wonderfully interesting experience, full of knowledge & fun times from dawn to dusk.Is there anything else you would like to add? The accommodation, food and service on the tour was excellent, really pleased about that, as you need to replace calories and rest your head after long days exploring & absorbing.
Reviewed December 2021 J McFaullGreat Trip Overall a great experience and we packed a lot into the holiday. Our leader, Andrew, was excellent and we were fortunate to have a great group of people on our trip. Points to note for future travellers are that day one (Saturday) is all travel. The 2.00pm flight from the UK means that you arrive at the hotel about midnight (local time) then pack a full day in Cairo on the Sunday, leaving at 4.00am (2.00am UK time) on the Monday to fly to Luxor. So at that point everyone was pretty tired. The boat trip (on the Esmerelda) was excellent all round. Really relaxing. The Basma hotel in Aswan for the last two days was a bit disappointing. I would rate it a three star. Not what was billed, but it didn't spoil the holiday. Again for future travellers, it's easy to get your visa at the airport and there are frequent stops at ATM's to get Egyptian pounds if required. In summary, a great trip with particular thanks to Andrew our leader, and to the great group of people we were with. Suggested areas for improvement for Exodus would be the Cairo logistics and flights, and the hotel in Aswan. Otherwise it was a great itinerary and a great experience
Reviewed February 2020 Caroline BainAmazing experience From start to finish, I cannot fault this trip. The temples and Ancient Egyptian remains speak for themselves and are stunning. I had no idea that they were so well preserved. But the trip was made especially enjoyable by our super efficient and friendly guide, Sayed. His commentary covered both ancient and modern Egypt, and I have been reading books about Egypt ever since!What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The sun going down, while sailing down the Nile is quite magical. In the valley of the kings, being able to explore with very few other tourists, brought home the splendour of the tombs.What did you think of your group leader? Sayed managed all the logistics to perfection, and at the same time shared his passion for Egyptology. He struck exactly the right balance between serious, informative guide and being friendly and approachable.Do you have any advice for potential travellers? The cost of the optional trips does mount up - but most are really great experiences - so I would advise factoring them into the overall cost of the holiday before you go.
Reviewed January 2020 Linda PearceUnforgettable The week exceeded my expectations. I had thought a week would give me just a glimpse of Egypt but there was so much more.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Standing alone in the tomb of Rameses V and VI (kv9) surrounded by huge walls and pillars covered with pristine hieroglyphics of such vibrant colors it took your breath away. It is well worth the extra EP 100 to go inside.What did you think of your group leader? I cannot praise Tefa highly enough. His organization, empathy, knowledge of Egyptology and attention to every detail of our experience was exceptional. Extra unscheduled mini trips were arranged in free time for anyone who mentioned something they would like to do. Health issues were dealt with including pushing a wheelchair round a temple! Tefa really made sure we all had a wonderful experience.Do you have any advice for potential travellers? When I read the trip notes I was concerned about how the extra trips fitted in with the basic plan. My concerns were unfounded. It is all very well arranged. I would say.... do as much as possible.Is there anything else you would like to add? The four nights on the boat make a good base for the visits to temples and tombs. Without the continuity of the boat it could have felt very hectic.
Reviewed December 2019 Andrew DaviesOutstanding Experience Too many superlatives. Exceeded expectations in so many ways. The archaeology the food and comfort and Sayed our fantastic guide with a lovely group of fellow travellers. Bucket list well and truly ticked for Egypt.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Arriving early at the market in Aswan with a real local insight into life. Stumbling in on a coptic Christian festival at the monastery. Hanging on to a camel for dear life! The felucca trip. Aswan was the best bit for me. Watching river life on the Nile and the friendly people waving.What did you think of your group leader? Sayed was outstanding. He was incredibly well organised and genuinely kind and so enthusiastic about the sites and his country. We loved hearing him bring both ancient and modern Egypt to life. He was inspiring.Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Do the excursions. They are undersold in the trip notes and at the monestary at Aswan and the tombs of the workers we were privileged to be the only tourists in sight. Leave any shopping for Aswan where the people are more relaxed and give less hassle. Take binoculars for the amazing bird life. Very early starts but a price worth paying to see the sites with fewer people around.
Reviewed December 2019 Joe DoucetOutstanding trip This was a full packed trip , informative trip led by Mohammed Tefa whose in depth knowledge, and leadership style made the trip a wonderful experience.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Abu Simbel
Reviewed June 2019 Kate StevensonUnforgettable An unforgettable trip, I read as much as could on Egypt, its history, this tour - and was still blown away by so much about the place and this Exodus trip. A very busy nine days, but still plenty of time in the afternoons to recharge. Can't believe what we packed in to such a small amount of time. Very well organised, and absolutely adored our guide Tefa; and particularly pleased with the dynamics of the group I travelled with. Thoroughly enjoyable experience.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Seeing the Valley of the Kings. Having an idea of what it would be like, and still not really being ready for the scale of the landscape, the tombs, the timeline and history. Seeing Tutankhamum's mummy just centimetres away was truly humbling.What did you think of your group leader? Tefa was an absolute legend. Organised, generous, thoughtful, cheeky, funny, and very knowledgable. The guy was built for this job.Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Read read read the trip notes and other reviews. They are honest and helpful. Found trip notes on money and costs helpful for working out what you'd need for extra excursions and in particular photography passes if you want to take photos or video at some of these amazing locations. Was helpful to work out tips too. As many have said, there will be early mornings, and the place is seriously hot (hence the need to get out and about early), but your afternoons are largely free, and by the time you're waiting for sunset by the pool, you're remembering the mindblowing sites you saw more than the alarm, the sweaty seats, or the late-night call to prayer keeping you awake (we were there during Ramadan). This is a travel experience, more than a holiday, but it's one I'll never forget.
Reviewed June 2019 Margaret MadgwickA glimpse of Ancient Egypt. Visits to the Pyramids & Sphinx , Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo Temples, Valley of the Kings and Abu Simbel. Cruise down the Nile river.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The whole tour was special. Visiting the sites of Ancient Egypt. None to be missed.What did you think of your group leader? Our group leader 'Tefa' was brilliant. His knowledge as a guide was superb. He was reliable, patient and helpful.Do you have any advice for potential travellers? It was very hot in may/june 46c. plus so my advise would be to go at a cooler time if possible. Keep well covered up. Have upset tummy medication with you just in case. Take at least suncream 50. Its easy to change your money when you are there rather than before you go. Have a great time.Is there anything else you would like to add? Understand that tourists are targeted to buy from the locals so you will be hassled, please don't mind or be offended as they need to make a living. Say 'no thank you' if you don't want to buy.
Reviewed June 2019 Margaret MadgwickA glimpse of Ancient Egypt. Visits to the Pyramids & Sphinx , Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo Temples, Valley of the Kings and Abu Simbel. Cruise down the Nile river.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The whole tour was special. Visiting the sites of Ancient Egypt. None to be missed.What did you think of your group leader? Our group leader 'Tefa' was brilliant. His knowledge as a guide was superb. He was reliable, patient and helpful.Do you have any advice for potential travellers? It was very hot in may/june 46c. plus so my advise would be to go at a cooler time if possible. Keep well covered up. Have upset tummy medication with you just in case. Take at least suncream 50. Its easy to change your money when you are there rather than before you go. Have a great time.Is there anything else you would like to add? Understand that tourists are targeted to buy from the locals so you will be hassled, please don't mind or be offended as they need to make a living. Say 'no thank you' if you don't want to buy.
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