Ancient Egypt & Nile Cruise

Name: Ancient Egypt & Nile Cruise
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 4.5 (2 reviews)

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9 Days Excluding Flights

9 Days from

£ 1649

4.5/5 from

Culture

Activity Level

Easy & Moderate

Comfort Level

Superior

Ways to Travel :

Guided Group, Small Ship Cruises

Activity :

Culture

Group Size :

4 - 16

Ages :

16+

Trip Code :

AENA

Carbon Footprint :

118kg CO2e per person per day

Discover ancient pyramids, temples and tombs as you travel through Cairo and cruise from Luxor to Aswan

Unlock the wonders of Ancient Egypt and cruise down the Nile on this adventure led by an expert Egyptologist. Starting in Cairo, we marvel at the Giza Pyramids and Great Sphinx, while also taking time to discover the modern side of the capital. Then cruise from Luxor to Aswan along the Nile, watching local life pass, while also visiting the spectacular Edfu and Kom Ombo temples. The lush banks and beautiful sunsets, together with the excellent on-board facilities, make this an unforgettable way to travel.

Highlights

Join an expert Egyptologist to discover ancient wonders and cruise the Nile
Marvel at the magnificent Giza pyramids and mysterious Sphinx
Uncover thousands of years of history, visiting crumbling temples and pharaoh tombs
Journey down the Nile on a stylish boat with a pool and a felucca
Discover Nubian culture in the laid-back town of Aswan

Key Information

Accommodation: 6 Superior nights (4 Nile cruise boat, 2 hotels), 2 Classic nights (hotels)
Travel by minibus, cruise boat and one internal flight
Group normally 4 to 16, plus local leader. Minimum age: 16

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

Sustainability and Impact

At Exodus, we thrive on travel, and we firmly believe our adventures should help destinations thrive too.

As a certified B Corp, we aim to take a ‘nature positive’ approach across our adventures, including carbon and waste reduction, animal welfare and support for rewilding and conservation. We also seek to contribute to local communities, providing economic opportunity and empowerment.

Learn more about our Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan, including our commitment to rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller
Read about the work of the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation.
Find out how you can travel more sustainably here.

TRIP

AENA - Ancient Egypt & Nile Cruise

Departure Date

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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.

View Trip Notes

Itinerary

Cairo Aswan

Welcome to Cairo, the capital of Egypt, where the ancient and modern worlds connect seamlessly.

Cairo flights can arrive late, and the visa process can take some time. Therefore, we recommend flying into Cairo a day earlier and adding an extra night at your start hotel. There are some excellent sightseeing options available in Cairo if you wish to see more. Speak to your sales representative to book.

Accommodation: Steigenberger Pyramids Hotel (or similar)

We begin our day with a welcome briefing with your leader (usually at 7am or 7.30 am) and a chance to meet the other members of your group.

Please have your breakfast before the briefing and be sure that you bring your insurance details as the leader needs to gather this information.

First on our sightseeing is 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) (could be closed without prior notice according to authorities) 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, long skirt for women) and women will also need to cover their hair with a scarf.

Please note: When the Grand Egyptian Museum is fully open, we will go there instead of the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities.

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 but we need to be at the airport three hours before the flight so expect a wake up around 2am). A breakfast box will be provided. 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

This morning, we leave our boat very early morning (this timing is to ensure we are back at the boat for the commencement of the cruise time) for a bus ride to the the Valley of the Kings on the west bank of the Nile. The valley 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 antechambers 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 (extra ticket), entry to Tutankhamun’s tomb (extra ticket), payable locally are 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 crowded days, make sure to have a quick visit to each of the included tombs if you want to add extra tombs as your leader will give a fixed meeting time in order to return to the cruise boat before it sails.

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, in the morning of Day 5. In the late afternoon on Day 5, we visit Kom Ombo temple, before setting sail for Aswan where we will overnight.

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 the magnificent temples of Abu Simbel 186mi (300km) to the south through the Nubian Desert. 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.

You have the option to add this excursion by bus or plane, in both instances you are picked up from the boat early in the morning with a breakfast box, and arrive back to Aswan in the afternoon. We arrive at the destination around 8am, where we are given approximately two hours in the area to visit the temples. For those flying to Abu Simbel, please note that timing will be different.

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 (please ask your tour director if you are interested and when it can be arranged).

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 is our last 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).

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 – Egypt has a lifetime of wonders to discover.

Meals included: Breakfast

Extend Your Trip

Alexandria Extension

Ancient Egypt & Nile Cruise

Extend your adventure with a pre-trip exploration of Alexandria, a magnificent port city on the Mediterranean coast founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BCE.

Day 1: Arrive Cairo

Arrive in Cairo today with a chance to settle in and enjoy the hotel facilities before travelling to Alexandria tomorrow.

Accommodation: Steigenberger Pyramids (or similar)

Day 2: Alexandria Library

Transfer (three hours) from Cairo to Alexandria. En route, visit the Monastery of Saint Bishoy, an ancient Coptic Orthodox monastery in the Wadi El Natrun.

After arrival, explore the Alexandria Library (Bibliotheca Alexandrina), a modern homage to the Great Library of Alexandria, which was one of the largest in the ancient world. The contemporary construction is a magnificent feat of design, housing numerous galleries, cultural venues and more.

Accommodation: Metropole Paradise (or similar)

Day 3: Visit the Alexandria National Museum and Catacombs

Delve further into the cultural importance of the city at the Alexandria National Museum and Catacombs. The museum showcases the history of Alexandria and Egypt with more than 1,800 artefacts, while the catacombs are the largest-known Roman burial site in the country.

Accommodation: Metropole Paradise (or similar)

Day 4: Return to Cairo via El-Alamein with visit to Military Museum

Catch a return transfer to Cairo today for Day 1 of the main trip. On the way, visit El-Alamein, the site of two defining battles in the Second World War. We also have time to visit El-Alamein Military Museum to increase your understanding of these decisive conflicts.

Code: XTNALEX

Essential Info

Is this trip for you?

This trip is graded Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.

It is 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 over 40C (104F). Care should be taken to keep hydrated. The hotels and cruise boat we use on this trip are of a good standard, providing excellent levels of comfort.

Ramadan is expected to run from approximately 28 February-29 March 2025. One of the most important periods in the Islamic calendar, it is a special time to visit a Muslim country. Each evening, the streets empty as people head home to break the fast, followed by an air of festivity upon their return. Our leaders and drivers choose to work at this time so we continue to run trips; however, their energy levels may be slightly lower than normal. Many tourist sites, restaurants and shops will have an amended schedule, but your tour leader will know how to adapt the itinerary to still experience all the inclusions on this trip and maximise your experience during this special time.

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.

Joining Instructions

Start hotel: Cairo Pyramids Steigenberger Hotel, Cairo – Alexandria Desert Rd, Kafr Nassar, Pyramids, Giza Governorate 3515011
Phone: +20 2 33772555
Recommended arrival time: Hotel check-in is from 2pm
Airport: Cairo International Airport (CAI)

Getting to the start hotel

The start hotel is approximately a one-hour drive from Cairo International Airport. Exodus provides one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times. (For the group transfer you need to know that you will be waiting for other travellers arrival and luggage, otherwise you can prebook a private transfer)

Catching your return flight

There’s a group departure transfer to Aswan International Airport (ASW) that is scheduled to align with a flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join or to arrange an alternative transfer.

Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.

Location start: Cairo
Location end: Aswan

Vaccinations and Health

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.

There is evidence that Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS) is spread by contact with camels. This trip includes the option of a camel ride, which is undertaken at your own risk; we suggest that you visit the Travel Health Pro website which includes information about the virus.

Passport

Remember to check the expiration date of your passport if travelling internationally. Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after the date of your scheduled return.

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.

Food & Drink

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 US$15 for lunch and US$20 for dinner (this differs according to the type of restaurant you are looking for). Food in Egypt involves kebabs, chicken, stews, pita 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 can exceed 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.

TRIP

AENA - Ancient Egypt & Nile Cruise

Departure Date

Number Of Passengers*

Message*

To enquire about an existing booking click here

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Phone *

Keep me up to date with news and offers from Exodus by email.

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Find out more about how we use your data

Request a Brochure

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.

View Trip Notes

Cruise boat and hotels

We stay in four-star hotels (local rating) and spend four nights navigating the Nile on a cruise boat. Below are the places we typically stay during our time in Egypt.

Cairo: Steigenberger Pyramids Hotel (nights 1-2)

Ancient Egypt & Nile Cruise

With views over the Pyramids of Giza from the outdoor swimming pool, this elegant property is the ideal place to begin your Egyptian adventure. The pool also has a swim-up bar. Rooms are spacious, a perfect spot to rest after your day’s adventure. Why not ask your sales representative about upgrading to a Pyramids view room?

Nile: M/S Nile Style cruise boat (nights 3-6)

Ancient Egypt & Nile Cruise

Climb aboard this stylish cruise boat for an unforgettable journey on the longest river in the world. It has 77 air-conditioned cabins, each with a view over the waters while sailing, allowing you to relax in peace and watch the world drift past.

Much of your free time may well be spent on the spacious sundeck, which has a dipping pool and plenty of cushy loungers (shaded and unshaded). Elsewhere, there’s a gym, sophisticated lounge bar and elegant restaurant.

Aswan: Basma Hotel (nights 7-8)

Ancient Egypt & Nile Cruise

On the highest hill in Aswan, directly opposite the Nubian Museum, the Basma occupies a privileged spot. Rooms come in a mixture of styles, many with views over the city or the Nile, and you can spend your free time cooling off in the expansive pool.

The property is also home to The Lotus restaurant, which serves an eclectic mix of international and local cuisines, plus the Vienna Cafe, where you can enjoy light bites, hot drinks and a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

Worth knowing

In common with all Nile cruises, the M/S Nile Style moors next to other boats at night, meaning you may only have a view of the river from your cabin while sailing.
The accommodation shown has been booked and agreed in advance, however we may need to make changes to a property of similar or higher standard after you have booked. We will endeavour to inform you of any changes in advance which could, on rare occasions, be at late notice.

TRIP

AENA - Ancient Egypt & Nile Cruise

Departure Date

Number Of Passengers*

Message*

To enquire about an existing booking click here

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Phone *

Keep me up to date with news and offers from Exodus by email.

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Find out more about how we use your data

Request a Brochure

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.

View Trip Notes

Philippa Murray

Reviewed November 2024

Wonderul

Great trip. Thank you. Rania was excellent. Would have loved wifi in the rooms on the boat rather than having to sit in the reception area to work/send messages. Overall a great experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rania

Megan Carey

Reviewed November 2024

Spectacular Egypt

I highly recommend booking this trip if you want a fascinating exploration through ancient and modern Egypt. We got to see so many places that felt straight out of a National Geographic documentary! We had a small group of seven plus our exceptional tour guide named Rania who helped make this truly the trip of a lifetime. I have been a lot of cool places in the world but I believe this may be this coolest thing I have ever done. 10/10

Most Inspirational Moment

Entering the tomb of Ramses VI in the Valley of the Kings has to be my greatest highlight from the tour.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I am convinced we had the best tour leader on the planet- she is extremely knowledgeable, friendly, energetic, and a true pleasure to be around. Her name is Rania and I hope you get her on your tour!

Advice for Potential Travellers

The riverboat element of this trip was a huge highlight. It was a very unique way to travel and we all had an absolute blast on that boat.

Read All Reviews

For flights call us on 0203 733 5948 or enquire when booking online

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ATOL protected

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Ancient Egypt & Nile Cruise

4.5/5 from

9 Days Excluding Flights

9 Days from

£ 1649

Ancient Egypt & Nile Cruise

Discover ancient pyramids, temples and tombs as you travel through Cairo and cruise from Luxor to Aswan

Sustainability and Impact

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Itinerary

Cairo Aswan

Extend Your Trip

Alexandria Extension

Essential Info

Is this trip for you?

Joining Instructions

Getting to the start hotel

Catching your return flight

Vaccinations and Health

Passport

Visa

Egypt

Food & Drink

Weather

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Cruise boat and hotels

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Reviews

Wonderul

Thoughts on Group Leader

Spectacular Egypt

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Looking to set your own pace on your next adventure?

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Ancient Egypt & Nile Cruise

Ancient Egypt & Nile Cruise

Discover ancient pyramids, temples and tombs as you travel through Cairo and cruise from Luxor to Aswan

Sustainability and Impact

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Itinerary

Cairo Aswan

Extend Your Trip

Alexandria Extension

Essential Info

Is this trip for you?

Joining Instructions

Getting to the start hotel

Catching your return flight

Vaccinations and Health

Passport

Visa

Egypt

Food & Drink

Weather

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Cruise boat and hotels

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Reviews

Wonderul

Thoughts on Group Leader

Spectacular Egypt

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Would you like to include flights with your booking?

Looking to set your own pace on your next adventure?

You may also like

Egypt: Alexandria to Aswan

Ancient Egypt & Nile Cruise – Premium Adventure

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Ancient Egypt & Nile Cruise