RCGS: Egypt: Alexandria to Aswan with George Kourounis

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

At Exodus we believe in the power of Responsible Travel.

Every time we travel, we are part of a global movement that creates jobs, builds more sustainable societies, encourages cultural understanding and safeguards common natural and cultural heritage. To learn more about what Responsible Travel means to Exodus click here…

Nubian Village

When the Aswan High Dam was built in the 1960s the rise in water and the creation of Lake Nasser resulted in the displacement of some 120,000 Nubian people. Today they live in towns and villages along the Nile, below the dam. Nubian culture is different that of many Egyptians but, due to the relatively small number of Nubians (across southern Egypt and northern Sudan) it is at risk of disappearing. Visiting a Nubian village can be a fascinating and enriching experience and benefits Nubian people both financially and through encouraging the protection of their culture.
There is one aspect of Nubian culture today which Exodus Travels does not support however, and that is keeping crocodiles as pets in small pits or cages. Nubians have a long tradition of keeping crocodiles in their homes, though today there are only a few which still keep the animals. These crocodiles are eventually released back into the Nile, above the High Dam, but until then, their living conditions are poor.
Whilst we believe that visiting the Nubian Village is, overall, a worthwhile experience both for our clients and for the local Nubian community, Exodus Travels does not support the practice of picking up the animals to have a photo taken, as whilst living within the home they are not domestic and are wild creatures so this can be stressful for the animals.

A.C.E (Animal Care in Egypt)
A.C.E. is a charity dedicated to stopping the suffering of animals in the most deprived communities in Luxor by providing free veterinary care and education. There is now a walk-in clinic, a hospital for crucial surgery and 25 stables which allow animals to recover from injury and pressure of working life. This is not just an amazing cause for the animals, but by teaching over 150 children a week, plus owners and veterinary students, communities gain a lot of valuable training. There should be an opportunity to visit the facility on Day 12.

Itinerary

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Cairo

Luxor

Day 1
Start Cairo.
Welcome to Cairo! This evening there will be a welcome briefing with your leader and rest of the group.
Steigenberger Pyramids Hotel or similar
Day 2
Pyramids and Great Sphinx of Giza.
We begin our day with a visit to the Pyramids at Giza. Home to the Great Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus and the enduring and mysterious Great 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. The afternoon is free to relax at our hotel, explore Cairo or join an optional excursion to Saqqara, Memphis, and Dahshur.
Steigenberger Pyramids Hotel or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 3
Cairo tour.
After breakfast we enjoy a full day tour of Cairo. We begin with a visit to the Egyptian Museum – home to the world’s largest collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts including the incredible golden riches of Tutankhamun’s tomb. Following this piece of history, we experience modern Cairo with a tour of the El Darb El Ahmar School for Arts and a walk along the bustling El Moaz Street. We also explore Al Azhar mosque which dates back to AD970 and is Cairo’s oldest. The mosque is still frequently visited by locals to this day and we will need to cover up (long sleeves and trousers) to enter - as when entering all mosques. Women will also need to cover their hair with a scarf.
Steigenberger Pyramids Hotel or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 4
Transfer to Alexandria, city tour.
Today we have a journey of 3-4hrs to Alexandria. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331BC, the city was home to the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and it’s Great Library was the largest of its time. Unfortunately, these parts of Egypt’s glorious history did not survive up to modern times but there is still much to see in this Mediterranean port city. Our tour begins with a visit of the city’s catacombs followed by the impressive Qaidbay Fortress and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina – Alexandria’s revival of the Great Library.
Hilton Corniche Hotel or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 5
Visit El Alamein and El Anba Bishoy Monastery; return to Cairo.
We have an early morning drive to El Alamein, the site of the famed allied victory during World War Two, where we will visit the War Cemetery and Military Museum. More than 80,000 soldiers were killed or wounded in the two battles. It was a decisive win for the Allies with Winston Churchill saying, "Before Alamein we never had a victory. After Alamein we never had a defeat". After lunch we stop by El Anba Bishoy Monastery on our return to Cairo.
Steigenberger Pyramids Hotel or similar
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch
Day 6
Food tour of Cairo; transfer to sleeper train.
Today we embark on a tour of Cairo’s best food spots and discover some of the fantastic local cuisine available across the city – highlights are Mulukhiyah (soup), Ful Medames (beans) and Kushari (rice and macaroni). The tour also includes the bazaars of Khan el-Khalili located in the historic centre of Islamic Cairo. This evening we transfer to the railway station and board our sleeper train to Aswan (which takes approximately 12 hours).
Sleeper train.
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 7
Arrive Aswan; Nubian tour and Felucca ride.
Arriving in Aswan during the morning, we spend the rest of the day exploring the Nubian way of life. We begin with a visit to the Nubian Museum, which chronologically charts the history and culture of the people, before enjoying Nubian lunch onboard a felucca while we explore the Nile. In the afternoon we have a tour of the Monastery of St. Simeon by camel and visit the nearby village of Gharb Sohil (please see Responsible Travel section). We finish our day with a barbeque on the shores of an island in the Nile.
Movenpick Resort Aswan or similar
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 8
Optional visit to Abu Simbel; board cruise boat.
This morning we transfer to our cruise boat and have some time to relax before enjoying lunch on board. For the rest of the day there is the option to explore the Aswan market or attend the Sound and Light Show at Philae Temple.
For those who want to do the optional visit to Abu Simbel, the tour starts at approximately 3.30am when we get picked up from the hotel. A breakfast box is provided. Around 8am we will arrive at the destination, where we are given around three hours to visit the temples. Built by Ramses II, the temples of Abu Simbel rank amongst the most impressive in the country and well worth the journey south across the Nubian Desert. We will be back in Aswan around 3pm.
M/S Esmeralda or similar
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 9
Visit Philae Temple and Aswan High Dam; sail to Edfu.
We begin today with a visit to the Philae Temple and Aswan High Dam. In the 1970s the temple was relocated by UNESCO to Aglika Island after it became evident that the original site of Philae would submerge on completion of the dam. This morning represents a magnificent and enduring testament to both ancient and modern engineering. After lunch we sail to Kom Ombo and visit the temple there before continuing our journey to Edfu which is where we will spend the night.
M/S Esmeralda or similar
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 10
Tour Edfu; sail to Luxor.
Waking in Edfu, we start our day exploring the city and its temples before sailing further north along the Nile. After crossing the Esna lock we reach our destination, Luxor, where we will have our final dinner on board and hopefully witness a stunning sunset over the river.
M/S Esmeralda or similar
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 11
Disembark in Luxor; explore the Valley of the Kings.
After breakfast on board we disembark in Luxor and explore the Valley of the Kings. For nearly 500 years this was the site of royal burials and it contains the tombs of over 62 pharaohs, including Tutankhamun, Seti I, Ramses III and IV. 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. Afterwards we visit the massive stone statues of the Colossi of Memnon before transferring to our hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax or wander around the streets of Luxor.
Steigenberger Resort Achti or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 12
Luxor tour including Karnak and Luxor temples.
For our penultimate day we have a half day tour of Luxor’s east bank. Luxor is commonly called the world's greatest open-air museum and this morning we visit the extraordinary Karnak and Luxor temples which both stand within the modern city. There should also be an opportunity to visit the A.C.E animal hospital to learn about the efforts taken to improve animal welfare in Egypt. After a leisurely afternoon we enjoy our final dinner together at one of this historic city’s restaurants.
Steigenberger Resort Achti or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 13
End Luxor.
Our trip ends today after breakfast.
Meals included: Breakfast

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

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Activity level:

Leisurely / Moderate

Ages: 16+

9 Days from $1,949 USD

Guided (Incl. Taxes)

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Essential Info

Visas

Egypt

Visas 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 Travel
79 Merghany Street
Cairo
Egypt
Tel: +20 22418 7310
www.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.

Vaccinations

Egypt

There 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.

Eating and Drinking

All breakfasts ,6 lunches and 5 dinners included.

In the itinerary we state which meals are included on which day. We suggest you allow 100- 155 CAD/75- 115 USD/60-90 GBP for meals not included. Food in Egypt involves such items as kebabs, chicken, stews, pitta-bread, falafel, beans, aubergine and other vegetables, pickles, salads. Dishes tend to be simple and wholesome and vegetarians can be catered for if they accept that the options may be somewhat limited.

Meals on the cruise are open buffets that include Western and Egyptian dishes.

The Cairo food tour gives us the chance to try a number of Egyptian dishes such Ful Medames (which is a mixture of beans and tehini) and Kushari (a dish made of rice, macaroni and lentils mixed with garlic, tomato, chickpeas and crispy fried onions).

Weather

Rain is very rare in all parts of Egypt and most days are sunny and clear. Summer temperatures often reach the high 30'sºC/high 80s plusºF but this is particularly true for the period between June and September. The winter months can be surprisingly cold, especially on the Nile or at night. The average daytime maximum in Cairo in January is 20ºC/68ºF, night time minimum is 8ºC/46ºF. In the summer these temperatures are 35ºC/95ºF and 22ºC/71ºF respectively.

Is this trip for you?

This trip has been graded as Activity Level 1- Leisurely.

Leisurely graded trips are suitable for all clients with average health and fitness. No experience of any activity involved is necessary.

Some days involve early starts but this allows us to get the most from our time in Egypt and avoid the worst of the heat.

Egypt can be hot, especially during our summer, which can cause discomfort whilst travelling. Care should be taken to keep hydrated. The hottest months tend to be June to September when temperatures can reach as high as 38 to 40ºC/100 to 104ºF in the south of the country.

The hotels and cruise boat that we use on this trip are of a high standard, providing excellent levels of comfort. The night on the sleeper train is in first-class cabins with shared bathroom facilities.

Please note that the new Egyptian Museum is scheduled to open from October 2020 but that this is subject to change. We will change to the new museum when it is open.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.

Call for general departures:

1 844 227 9087

Call for private group trips:

1 844 227 9087

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

Accommodation

Cruise Boat, Sleeper Train & Hotels

We use comfortable 5 star hotels/resorts on a twin-share basis.

In Cairo we use the Steigenberger Pyramids Hotel which is located close to the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. The hotel has lush gardens, two swimming pools and and selection of restaurants and bars.

The Movenpick Resort in Aswan is located on Elephantine Island in the middle of the River Nile. All the rooms offer private balconies or terrace, many 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.

Cruise boat
We 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.

Sleeper Train
We use first-class cabins with shared bathroom facilities.

Single rooms are available on request.

Call for general departures:

1 844 227 9087

Call for private group trips:

1 844 227 9087

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

See all experts

Call for general departures:

1 844 227 9087

Call for private group trips:

1 844 227 9087

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.