Nile Cruise

Name: Nile Cruise
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 4.7 (51 reviews)

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9 Days from

USD 2,099

4.7/5 from

Culture

Ways to Travel :

Guided Group, Private Group Adventures, Small Ship Cruises

Activity :

Culture

Activity Levels :

1 out of 7 - Leisurely

Group Size :

4 - 20

Ages :

16+

Trip Code :

AENA

Discover ancient temples and tombs and travel by Nile cruise boat

Egypt has an enthralling history and a wealth of well-preserved monuments and treasures. This trip allows you to visit all the major sites and attractions along the Nile in a comfortable fashion. Boarding our cruise boat at Luxor we travel upstream, watching local life pass, while also visiting the spectacular Edfu and Kom Ombo temples along the way. The lush banks and beautiful sunsets over the Nile, together with the excellent onboard facilities, make this an unforgettable way to travel.

Highlights

Ancient temples and tombs
Cruise boat and luxury hotels
The Great Pyramids
Treasures of King Tut
Valley of the Kings

Key Information

Four nights on cruise boat and four nights in four- and five-star hotels
Travel by minibus, cruise boat and one internal flight
Group normally six to 20, plus local leader. Minimum age 16 years old

What's Included

All breakfasts, four lunches and four dinners
All accommodation (see accommodation section)
All transport and listed activities

What's Not Included

Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request)
Visas or vaccinations

People, Places & Planet

We work hard to create trips that have a positive impact on the people and places we visit and look after the planet we explore. Learn more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.

Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:

People

How this trip helps improve life for local communities.

Local guides keep you well informed about local traditions and cultural-social sensitivities.
This trip brings income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally owned hotels, restaurants, and other enterprises, and by championing locally produced food wherever possible.
There are options to have a Nubian dinner in an Aswan village or a home cooked meal in Cairo, where clients can have an authentic meal, interact socially and directly see who their money is going to.
Read more about our other initiatives here.

Places

How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.

By travelling in a small group we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.
We work with our partners on the ground to proactively reduce waste; this includes eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles by providing refills for re-usable bottles.
The payment of entrance fees to natural reserves and archaeological sites generates income which is used for upkeep and development of these important sites. In this trip we enter numerous ancient sites.
Our trips adhere to ABTA’s industry-leading animal welfare guidelines to ensure the best possible practices regarding working animals and wildlife viewing. Our animal welfare policy can be found here.
We support A.C.E (Animal Care in Egypt) by giving our guests the opportunity to visit their centre. 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 to their owners.
We rewild 100 square metres per passenger to compensate for all trip and flight emissions.
Read about our commitment to nature protection and restoration here, including our rewilding commitment for every customer who travels with us.

Planet

How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.

Accommodation and restaurants in the itinerary use locally sourced food which has not been transported long distances.
Read about our climate action here, including our carbon reduction and compensation commitments.

Tips for sustainable travel on this trip

Leave no trace: we do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, consider bringing recyclable materials home with you.
Plastic waste reduction: please bring a re-usable water bottle on this trip, also consider avoiding single-use hotel toiletries, which generate a large amount of plastic waste.

Itinerary

Welcome to Cairo, the capital of Egypt, where the ancient and modern worlds connect seamlessly. There’s plenty packed into this holiday, but today is all about settling in. We’ll gather at the hotel for our welcome briefing, where we get to know each other a little better and meet our tour leader.

Accommodation: Steigenberger Pyramids Hotel or similar

We begin our day with a visit to Giza, home to the Great Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus and the mysterious Great Sphinx. Only the throng of sightseers milling around their huge foundations keep you in the 21st century.

We next pay a visit to the incredible Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, which contains relics dating back to 4,000 BCE, 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 adventure. For the remainder of our tour we experience modern Cairo with visits to Al Azhar mosque (the oldest mosque and university in Cairo and still very much in use) and the small alleyways and streets that make up the 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: Steigenberger Pyramids Hotel or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

We typically transfer to Cairo airport before sunrise for our flight to Luxor (flight times can vary). On arrival, we visit Luxor Temple and the huge Karnak Temple complex on the east bank of the Nile. Built more than 1,500 years, Karnak is a mixture of pylons, courtyards, halls and sanctuaries. The Hypostyle Hall has 134 columns, some of which are more than 75ft (23m) high. We arrive at our cruise boat in time for lunch on board before free time in the afternoon to relax or explore Luxor.

Accommodation: M/S Nile Style or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We begin with a visit to the Valley of the Kings on the west bank of the Nile, which contains the once-hidden tombs of more than 62 pharaohs, including Tutankhamun, Seti I, Ramses III and IV. A discreet entrance in the hillside takes visitors 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. Entry to Tutankhamun's tomb costs approximately US$12, payable locally. In terms of size and decoration, it is not as impressive as many of the other tombs, but is of course historically very interesting.

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, famed for its roofed inner temples and huge Pylon, and Kom Ombo. The cruise boat has good facilities: a sundeck with 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 verdant landscape, makes this journey special.

Accommodation: M/S Nile Style or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today there's the option of a visit to Abu Simbel 186mi (300km) to the south through the Nubian Desert. The optional bus tour starts at 3.30am/4am in the morning when we get picked up from the boat. A breakfast box is provided. We arrive at the destination around 8am, where we are given approximately three 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 3pm.

Accommodation: M/S Nile Style or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast on board, we disembark and have a full day in Aswan. This is a laid-back 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 visiting the packed bazaar today, where merchants display 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

Today’s our last day in Aswan. Our morning is free to relax or book an optional excursion to St Simone Monastery or a nearby Nubian museum. 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 timings of the felucca sailing 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

You’ve marvelled at the Great Pyramids, gazed at King Tut’s treasures and journeyed down the Nile. Now, however, it’s time to start your return journey home. Of course, if you’re not quite ready for the adventure to end, talk to your sales representative about extending your stay at the hotel – Egypt has a lifetime of wonders to discover.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Essential Info

Visa

Egypt

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally need a visa to enter Egypt. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/africa/egypt
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/egypt
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt/entry-requirements
• USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Egypt.html

If you are obtaining your visa online, 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
Telephone: +20 22418 7310
www.southsinai.com
salwa.ibrahim@southsinai.com

Please note, Egyptian officials have requested tourists carry a copy of their passport with them while in the country. Please also note, some prescribed medicines are controlled substances in Egypt.

Vaccination

There are no mandatory vaccination requirements; however, tetanus, typhoid, hepatitis A vaccines are recommended. Although not usually advised, other vaccinations to consider include rabies and hepatitis B.

Eating and Drinking

All breakfasts, four lunches and four dinners included.

In the itinerary, we state which meals are included on which day. For meals not included, we suggest you allow approximately 235 Egyptian pounds (US$12) for lunch and 350 pounds (US$18) for dinner. Food in Egypt involves such things as kebabs, chicken, stews, pitta-bread, falafel, beans, vegetables, pickles and salads. Dishes tend to be simple and wholesome and vegetarians can be catered for, though the options may be somewhat limited.

Weather

Rain is very rare in all parts of Egypt and most days are sunny and clear. Summer temperatures often near 40C (104F) 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 20C (68F), night time minimum is 8C (46F). In the summer, these temperatures are 35C (95F) and 22C (72F) respectively. Daytime temperatures are slightly higher on average in Aswan.

Is this trip for you?

This trip has been graded Activity Level 1 (Leisurely), suitable for all clients with average health and fitness. No experience of any activity involved is necessary. Most days involve early starts (especially Day 3 when we catch an early flight to Luxor) but this allows us to get the most from our time in Egypt and avoid the worst of the heat. Egypt can get hot, which can cause discomfort while travelling. The hottest months tend to be June to September when temperatures can hit 40C (104F) in the south of the country. Care should be taken to keep hydrated. The hotels and cruise boat we use on this trip are of a high standard, providing excellent levels of comfort.

Please note, the new Egyptian Museum is scheduled to open in November 2022 but that this is subject to change. We will change to the new museum when it is open.

Please note, Ramadan is expected to run from 22 March-21 April 2023 and 10 March-10 April 2024. Ramadan, one of the most important events in the Muslim calendar, is a special time to visit Egypt. Each evening, the streets empty as people head home to break the fast, before refilling with an air of festivity upon their return.

Our leaders and drivers choose to work at this time, so we continue to run trips. Please be aware, however, that their energy levels may be slightly lower than normal.

Tourist sites are still open, but may close earlier than usual. Restaurants may close during the day, but this is accounted for in meal arrangements for your group. Shops are typically open, though their hours may vary and they will definitely be closed during the breaking of the fast.

Your leader will know how timings need to be adapted to allow all the trip inclusions to run during Ramadan. To fully enjoy your holiday experience at this unique time of year, we suggest patience and flexibility.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as not suitable for full wheelchair users, but it may be suitable for other persons of reduced mobility. Please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.

Derekv Attridge

Reviewed March 2023

Wonderful Trip

This was an excellent trip, full of extraordinary sights. We were able to see many of the most impressive sites in Cairo and the Upper Nile. Hotel accommodation was of a high standard and the cruise ship was good. We had an outstanding guide and a friendly and interesting group of people. When I had an accident in the temple at Edfu the response from our guide, from Exodus, and from the personnel on the cruise ship was incredibly supportive. The guide’s knowledge of first aid was much appreciated. We have a few reservations: we found the early starts made sight-seeing rather tiring after very little sleep. The 7am briefing on the first morning seemed unnecessary, for example, after a late arrival the night before and the two hour time difference. We didn’t think the trip should be described as ‘leisurely’: there was a lot of standing in queues at both airports and sites and this was especially exhausting in conjunction with the early starts. Also, while we realise that Exodus doesn’t control the entertainment on the cruise ship, we would have preferred informational talks and preparation for the following day’s events to the party games and belly dancer. We would also have liked to have had more Egyptian food.

Most Inspirational Moment

The excursion to Abu Simbel was optional but was the highlight of our trip. We were incredibly lucky to be there without crowds and were overwhelmed by the magnificence of the temples and deeply impressed by the feats of engineering (both ancient and modern).

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was outstanding. She was knowledgeable, clear, patient and good humoured. We were particularly impressed that she handled all of the tipping so expeditiously. When I had my accident she was calm and extremely efficient at getting me the help that I needed (in quite difficult circumstances). She was also very supportive of my wife and responsive to the needs of the whole group. She was unflappable and gracious: we felt in very good hands.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This was not a leisurely trip, but it was brilliant. Be prepared for queues, very crowded temples and quite a lot of standing around. Take a good medical kit with you.

Jane Watson

Reviewed March 2023

What a trip!

I loved this trip overall. It was pretty full on from the start in Cairo and I wondered whether I would last the pace. It was more relaxed although still busy once on the cruise, and was great having some downtime on the deck between trips. The trips were really interesting and we learned a lot about ancient up to modern Egypt ….. still getting my head around all the Gods! It surprised me just how many tourists were around when we visited. Our group plus Rania our group leader got on really well which was lovely, although we had 19 which is higher than my previous Exodus trips.

Most Inspirational Moment

Difficult to pinpoint. It was just jaw dropping to see and experience how ancient Egyptians created such amazing buildings, structures, art and stories. I was also impressed by the High Dam and implications of that for the success of modern Egypt.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rania was a ball of energy, always helpful, knowledgeable and well organised. Even more impressive given she is a woman in a man’s world.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It’s a fantastic experience so go for it. Be ready for early starts, a busy schedule and high temperatures in Aswan but all worth it for an amazing adventure. Personally I found the optional trip to Abu Simbel was not good value for money as travel took up most of the time, over 8 hours, and we only got 1.5 hours at the temple. Take English pounds/ US dollars where you can as works best in terms of getting best prices. We were told Dec/ January is a good time to do the trip as temperatures and crowds are more manageable.

Suggestions

The Aswan optional trip should definitely be part of the main itinerary not an optional extra. Not only is it a key part of the Egyptian story but also it was between finishing the cruise and before we got into the Aswan hotel. Not sure what people opting out would do. Hopefully the Egyptian authorities will organise more planned slots for the main sites as seemed to be no control on numbers visiting at any one time so a bit overwhelming plus a bit worrying for their preservation. Also it would be great if there was more information at the sites as was generally left to our group leader to explain everything.

Alison Scott

Reviewed March 2023

Nile Cruise

I very much enjoyed the trip but the word “leisurely” is completely misleading. Fortunately I’d read the reviews first. A couple of things that could have been improved: (1) the Abu Simbel trip. We left the boat at 4am, drove 4.5 hrs (not 3.5), spent 2 hrs at the temples and then drove 4.5 hrs back for “lunch” at 3pm. We had no free time at the temples. It would have been much nicer to have time for a coffee, a walk by the lake or a look at the souvenir stalls, then got back for dinnertime. The breakfast boxes were enormous and would have lasted all day. (2) Day 7: we left the hotel at 7am, visited Philae Temple, Aswan Dam, the stone quarry and a perfume shop, again returning to the hotel for a very late lunch. It would have been much better to have lunch after the dam visit, either at the hotel or from boxes. We felt in a permanent state of hunger and exhaustion!

Most Inspirational Moment

I don't know that there was one. There were many enjoyable and "wow" moments.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Abdul was very knowledgeable, always organised and did his best for us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't imagine you'll have either the Nile or the historic sites to yourselves. You will always be part of a cavalcade of coaches, a flotilla of boats or a throng of tourists. The interiors of some of the temples are so crowded that many of us didn't go into the sanctuaries because of people pushing and shoving. Once you accept this however, just stand back and enjoy the magnificent sites and river views. On the last day we asked our guide if a visit to the botanical garden on Kitchener's Island could be included in the felucca trip. Everyone enjoyed this.

Suggestions

The Abu Simbel trip is worth it. Even the desert journey is quite interesting.

David Bennett

Reviewed March 2023

Nile cruise

Fantastic holiday with an outstanding guide, although the booking process left a lot to be desired.

Most Inspirational Moment

Going inside one of the pyramids.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fantastic. Encyclopaedic amount of knowledge. Imparted to us in an enthusiastic way that was easy to understand. He got us to the front of the queues and managed to keep us all together.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Can be cold at night.

Suggestions

I am afraid the booking process left a lot to be desired. They forgot to book us on the group flight which was only advised 3 weeks before we were due to leave. Call handlers, or ‘Executives’ as they like to call themselves, did not reply to emails, and when I subsequently spoke to my handler on the telephone they did not respond to my concerns by email as they promised to do, which included assurances that we were actually booked on an alternative flight. I had to prompt them to send our final joining instructions, and when they did the flight details contained a completely erroneous flight reference. Not exactly a stress free start to our holiday experience. They did however get their act together in the end. Once in Egypt, their staff on the ground made sure we had an amazing holiday experience.

Jo Moore

Reviewed January 2023

Amazing!

This was a fantastic introduction to Egypt – in just 8 days we saw a huge amount and learnt a lot about the country, particularly the history. It was amazing to visit places I’d read about for year. There were a lot of early starts but the payoff was some amazing sites, and then more relaxed afternoons. I loved the four nights we spent on the Nile cruise – the boat was fantastic with great food and loads of space on the sundeck to relax after busy mornings. The other two hotels were fine: we didn’t spend much time in the Cairo hotel due to late arrival and early departures, and the Aswan hotel had a great pool area and lots of places to sit and relax, although the rooms felt quite basic.

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting the pyramids on Christmas Day was a pretty amazing way to start the trip! Karnak temple was wonderful, huge and impressive, and although busy I found a quiet spot to sit and take it all in. The Valley of the Kings was great - being able to go inside tombs which almost look freshly painted was just awe-inspiring. And after all that, sitting on the sundeck of the boat cruising along the Nile and watching the world go by was a pretty good way to spend a couple of restful afternoons.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ahmed was amazing and made us feel so welcome in Egypt! He gave us lots of information in a really engaging way, using the group as characters to tell us the complicated history of the pharaohs. He managed a good balance of guiding and free time for us in the places we visited, and always made sure we had coffee time at the end of a visit. He gave us good advice on how to deal with vendors and was clear about where was (and wasn't) good to shop. Ahmed was always smiling and cheerful, even at 3am! And he was great at dealing with any problems (when I had an issue with a hotel room, he fixed it straight away). A brilliant guide!

Advice for Potential Travellers

The one thing I would change is when I arrived - the group flight arrives late in Cairo (and later for us as we had a two hour delay at Heathrow) so we didn't reach the hotel til gone midnight and left at 7.30 the next morning for the pyramids (and then the following day is a very early start for the flight to Luxor). I'd highly recommend coming in a day early to avoid that first morning exhaustion, but also to see more of Cairo, as there is a lot to see that I didn't get to (the Coptic cathedral, the Citadel). I'd also say do as many of the optional excursions as you can - Philae Temple in Aswan was wonderful and Abu Simbel, while an early start (and a pricey trip) was well worth it.

Suggestions

On days 6, 7 and 8 there is only one included activity (the one-hour felucca ride) and everything else is optional. Given that our whole group chose to visit Philae Temple, it would be great to include this in the itinerary for everyone, otherwise it's possible to have 3 full days with very little planned if you don't want to pay for optional trips, or don't feel confident going off by yourself. The visit to the mosque in Cairo was a little uncomfortable - I would lose this and the bazaar from the itinerary and perhaps visit some of the other historical sites in Cairo instead.

Tracey Lawrence

Reviewed January 2023

Just WOW

This trip is a full on adventure through Egyptian history. Expect many early starts to visit some inspiring and amazing places. From pyramids, temples, Pharaohs, God’s, obelisks, sphinx, nile cruise, tombs, stories, food and fun, this trip is definitely a highlight of my travels to date.

Most Inspirational Moment

The story telling by are guide using the group to take on roles in history truly brought the ancient Egyptian timeliness to life. Every day was inspirational.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ahmed was one of the best leaders I have ever had on a trip. He was well organised, knew his history, told stories in such away the history came to life and he was respectful of the group, other tourists and the monuments we visited. Could not of asked for anything more.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do take USD to pay for the option trips as by card they add 3%. Do arrive a day earlier to Cairo. The local guide arranged for 7 early arrivals a day out to Memphis, Citidel and Sakkara. We also stayed extra nights in Aswan. This meant we dropped out of optional trip to Abu Simbel and spent a day chilling on the cruise boat docked at Aswan. We then made our own arrangements after the cruises left and arriving at 10.30am had the place near to ourselves whereas the group left at 4am and were queuing. Note we were disappointed with cruise room view as assumed we would have a nile view. Unfortunately as the boats dock adjacent to each other we spent the entire trip docked against another boat looking straight into another room. No natural light or air. Not what we expected but all boats the same.

Suggestions

We think the Dam and Philae temple should be included in the trip at Aswan as only the 1 hr felucca was included. Everything else was extra. Overall highly recommend

Paul Aceto

Reviewed December 2022

Nile Cruise

Our guide was excellent. He was extremely knowledgeable, professional, kind and accommodating. The sites and organization of the trip was excellent. Accommodations were Very Good. Food was Very Good. The only objection or criticism is to build in an opportunity for lunch after 4 to 5 hours of site seeing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was incredibly professional, knowledgeable and accommodating to all guests. 5 Stars.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring Snacks. The itinerary provided prior to the trip is very limited/general. You will be advised of each start time, the afternoon prior. Most meeting times will be from 430 AM (Flight to Luxor) to 6 AM when visiting sites. You should pack food for every day of site seeing because lunch will not be available on most days until approx. 1 PM or 2 PM.

John Coppock

Reviewed December 2022

We had a Pharoah time!

A superb holiday that packs in the highlights of Egypt in a week, with four nights on a Nile riverboat. It starts with the Pyramids and takes in the Cairo Museum and other sights before a short flight to the riverboat at Luxor. For those who haven’t sailes down the Nile, this is an adventure in itself. There are stops to visit the valley of the Kings to see the amazing hyieroglyphics in the pharaonic tombs and Tutankhamun’s resting place, plus the famous temples at Karnak, Edfu and Kom Ombo, and an optional trip to Abu Simbel. It ends at the amazing Aswan Dam and includes a fun felucca ride. The food and company were great and Andrew the guide was amazing. Highly recommended!

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the Pyramids and going inside the main one up to the burial chamber. A long-time bucket list must-do.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Andrew was brilliant - an encyclopaedic knowledge of the Egyptian gods, pharoahs, temples and history and extremely good at advising us of what to do (and not do) at the various sights. Friendly, helpful and efficient - a real star.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The persistent hawkers can become a bit wearisome after a while - just keep your cool. You're better off shopping at the organised stands where you can browse and they don't hassle you.

Suggestions

I would add the Nubian museum, which we all visitied voluntarily on the last day in Aswan, to the itinerary as it is well worth it.

Stephen Williams

Reviewed November 2022

So much to see.

The trip has so much to see that it is a full on week but very worthwhile. The extent of Egyptian history can only really be understood by going on a trip like this but it only scratches the surface.

Most Inspirational Moment

Having seen the Valley of the Kings before I knew what to expect but it was still awe inspiring.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The tour leader was excellent. He took good care of all of us and had a bag like Mary Poppins - everything needed was in it. The history of Egypt is too much to take in in one go but he did an excellent job in explaining the key elements.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for early starts to avoid the worst of the heat and the crowds.

Suggestions

I would have preferred some of the excursions to have been included in the price of the holiday.

Silpa Shah

Reviewed October 2022

Full on!

The trip was certainly full on, and you might want to arrive a day early to settle in. We had two early starts at 3.30am and the rest were around 8am. Accommodation was good and the cabin on the cruise ship was really nice. Breakfast was best and the rest of the meals were good and generous with lots of choice for vegetarians. The itinerary was as the trip notes. We were a group of 15 and gelled well which made the trip even nicer.

Most Inspirational Moment

Abu Simbel, Karnak, Luxor, Valley of the Kings, Aswan. All the visits were great both optional and included but I was truly blown away by Abu Simbel. We took the coach to Abu Simbel, it wasn't cheap but definitely worth it.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tefa was great and extremely patient. He was always concerned about our wellbeing. If there was an issue with accommodation or food, he made sure it was sorted. He also spoke very good English so his explanation about the various excursions were very interesting. Top bloke.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just be prepared for the early starts and long hot days. You'll need sunscreen, hat and water. Fortunately, water was provided free throughout the trip. We didn't have much time to shop so if you find something you like at any of the site bazaars then go for it and haggle hard. Avoid buying anything at the Cairo souk/market as you'll come across nicer things during your trip. Accepted currencies: Egyptian pound, Sterling, Dollar and the Euro. The Egyptians live on tips so be prepared to be asked for tips for the smallest of things like taking a photo, going to the public loo etc. It's a good idea to take your own loo roll when on excursions as it's not always available and more often than not, the loos are pretty dirty.

Suggestions

Just go with the flow and enjoy.

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Covid-19 refund commitment

You will get a refund if you have to cancel your trip due to COVID-19.

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This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and is now fully booked, although we may have people holding spaces without payment. Please contact our Sales team for further information.

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Availability

This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and is now fully booked, although we may have people holding spaces without payment. Please contact our Sales team for further information.

Availability

Availability

Availability

Availability

This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and is now fully booked, although we may have people holding spaces without payment. Please contact our Sales team for further information.

View Trip Notes

Availability

View Trip Notes

Availability

This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and is now fully booked, although we may have people holding spaces without payment. Please contact our Sales team for further information.

Availability

Availability

Availability

Availability

Availability

Availability

Availability

Availability

Availability

Availability

Availability

Availability

Availability

Availability

Availability

Availability

Availability

This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.

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