Ancient Egypt & Nile Cruise – Premium Adventure

Name: Ancient Egypt & Nile Cruise – Premium Adventure
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 4.9 (21 reviews)

Expert Local Guides

Premium Accommodation

Responsible Tour Operator

Award-winning Adventures

Premium

9 Days Excluding Flights

9 Days from

£ 2699

4.9/5 from

Culture

Activity Level

Easy

Ways to Travel :

Guided Group, Premium Adventures, Small Ship Cruises

Activity :

Culture

Group Size :

4 - 16

Ages :

16+

Trip Code :

AEP

Carbon Footprint :

74kg CO2e per person per day

Discover the pyramids and temples of Egypt, before cruising the Nile from Luxor to Aswan

Unearth a wealth of ancient monuments and treasures in Egypt with the added insight of an expert Egyptologist and the comfort of five-star accommodation throughout. Stand at the awe-inspiring Pyramids of Giza and marvel at the colossal columns of the Temple of Karnak before boarding the MS Movenpick Royal Lily or Royal Lotus for a four-night premium cruise along the Nile. Visit the Valley of the Kings where some 62 pharaohs including Tutankhamun are entombed, before setting sail upstream to Aswan, also visiting the spectacular Edfu and Kom Ombo Temples en route. Sip sundowners from the pool bar or relax on the sun deck as you watch local life pass. In Aswan, the centre of Nubian culture, we stay on Elephantine Island with panoramic views of the Nile.

Highlights

Join an Egyptologist to discover the ancient land’s highlights, while staying in premium accommodation
Delve into lively Cairo, where the ancient and modern worlds unite
Tour the legendary Pyramids of Giza and Great Sphinx
Cruise the Nile on a five-star vessel, enjoying daily sunsets and service fit for a pharaoh
Explore the Valley of the Kings, home to tombs of more than 60 ancient rulers
End the adventure on Elephantine Island with 360-degree views of the Nile

Key Information

Premium accommodation throughout: Four nights five-star Nile cruise boat and four nights in five-star hotels
Travel by minibus, premium cruise boat and one internal flight
Group normally 4 to 16, plus local leader. Minimum age: 16

What's Included

All breakfasts, four lunches, four dinners
All accommodation
Tips for local staff
Named tour leader, chosen for their experience and great customer feedback
All transport and listed activities
Free group arrival and departure transfers available

What's Not Included

Tip for the leader
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

AEP - Ancient Egypt & Nile Cruise – Premium Adventure

Departure Date

Number Of Passengers*

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To enquire about an existing booking click here

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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

This premium adventure begins in Cairo, the capital of Egypt, where the modern world meets the old. There’s plenty packed into this holiday, but today is all about settling in. We’ll gather at the hotel for our welcome briefing this evening if flights arrive early enough. If not then your leader will brief you on day 2.

Premium accommodation: Cairo Marriott Zamalek (five-star)

Today, on our second day in Cairo, we pay a visit to the incredible Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, which contains relics dating to 4000 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 tour.

For the remainder of the day, we experience modern Cairo with visits to Al Azhar Mosque (the oldest mosque and university in Cairo but still very much in use) and the small alleyways and streets that make up Cairo bazaar. Please note, 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.

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

Premium accommodation: Cairo Marriott Zamalek (five-star)

Meals included: Breakfast

After breakfast, we depart our hotel for a half-day 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.

In the afternoon, there will be free time if you wish to relax by the hotel pool or take an optional excursion to Sakkara.

Premium accommodation: Cairo Marriott Zamalek (five-star)

Meals included: Breakfast

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 1,500 years, Karnak is a confusion of pylons, courtyards, halls and sanctuaries. The Hypostyle Hall here has 134 columns, some of which are more than 75ft (23m) high. 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.

Premium accommodation: MS Movenpick Royal Lily or Royal Lotus (five-star)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We begin Day 5 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 60 pharaohs, including Tutankhamun, Seti I, Ramses III and IV. A discreet hillside entrance takes us underground; a series of corridors and ante-chambers leading 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 several weeks. 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.

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 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 enjoyed when the cruise boat is docked or sailing. The sunsets over the Nile are stunning and travelling from Luxor to Aswan, enjoying the beauty of the verdant landscape, make this journey special.

Premium accommodation: MS Movenpick Royal Lily or Royal Lotus (five-star)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, there is the choice to have a full day in Aswan or an optional visit to Abu Simbel.

Aswan 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 a visit to the packed bazaar today where merchants display a wealth of exotic spices, carpets, leather goods and countless other wares.

Today there’s also 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.

We spend our last evening on board the MS Movenpick Royal Lily or Royal Lotus.

Premium accommodation: MS Movenpick Royal Lily or Royal Lotus (five-star)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast on board, we disembark our boat and have an optional visit to Philae Temple. In the 1970s, it was relocated by Unesco to Aglika Island after it became evident the original Philae site 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.

Later in the day, we enjoy a sunset sail on a felucca, a traditional wooden sailing boat. Feluccas have been a fixture on the Nile for centuries and are used in the protected waters of the Red Sea and eastern Mediterranean. The deck is strewn with soft colourful cushions and rugs and equipped with a canopy offering shade. You will have the option to visit Animalia Nubian Village before returning to the hotel.

The Aswan hotel has a perfect location. Enjoy views of the Nile from your room or head to the Panorama Restaurant & Bar, the highest point in Aswan, for 360-degree views of the river. For lunch, there’s a great choice of bars and restaurants if you don’t want to venture into the town. Otherwise, the historical town is a short walk away.

Premium accommodation: Movenpick Resort, Aswan (five-star)

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

This unforgettable trip through Egypt ends after breakfast. Either make your way home or, if you’d like a post-adventure relax, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay at the marvellous Movenpick Resort.

Meals included: Breakfast

Extend Your Trip

Alexandria Premium Extension

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: Marriott Cairo (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: Steigenberger Cecil (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: Steigenberger Cecil (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: XTNALEXP

Essential Info

Is this trip for you?

This trip is graded Activity Level 1 (Easy). 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.

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

Most days involve early starts (especially Day 4 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, especially from June to September when temperatures can reach as high as 38C-40C (100F-104F) in the south of the country.

The hotels and cruise boat we use on this trip are of a high 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

Key information

Start hotel: Cairo Marriott Zamalek, Saray El, Gezira St, Omar Al Khayam, Zamalek, Cairo Governorate 11211
Phone: +20 2 27283000
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing on the morning of Day 2.
Airport: Cairo Airport (CAI)

Getting to the start hotel

The start hotel is approximately 50 minutes’ drive from the airport. Exodus provides free arrival transfers to the start hotel for any flight landing on arrival day. Speak to your sales representative before departure to book. If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.

Catching your return flight

There’s a group departure transfer to Aswan Airport (ASW) for customers who Exodus booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative 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 required vaccinations. However, recommended vaccinations include tetanus, polio, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies and typhoid.

You will also need a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you’re arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission or transiting for more than 12 hours through a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Some travellers may also need proof of a polio vaccination. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

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. We suggest you allow 2,460-3,445 Egyptian dollars (approximately US$100-US$140) for meals not included. Food in Egypt involves such things as kebabs, chicken, stews, pitta bread, falafel, beans, aubergine (eggplant) and other vegetables, pickles and salads. Dishes tend to be simple and wholesome and vegetarians can be catered for if they accept the options may be somewhat limited. On board the cruise ship there is one complimentary bottle of water in your cabin and after this drinks are not included.

Weather

Rain is very rare in all parts of Egypt and most days are sunny and clear. Summer temperatures often reach the upper 30s (around 100F) but this is particularly true for the period between June and September. Winter can be surprisingly cold, especially on the Nile or at night. The average daytime maximum in Cairo in January is 20C (68F), nights are minimum 8C (46F). In summer, these temperatures are 35C (95F) and 22C (72F) respectively. Daytime temperatures are a little higher on average in Aswan.

TRIP

AEP - Ancient Egypt & Nile Cruise – Premium Adventure

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

Premium five-star hotels and Nile cruise

Enjoy the best of Egyptian hospitality and relax in a handpicked trio of five-star accommodations. The properties for this Premium trip were chosen for their excellent location, comfort, style and unique characteristics.

Cairo: Cairo Marriott Zamalek (nights 1-3)

Ancient Egypt & Nile Cruise – Premium Adventure

Start the adventure in style with a stay at this five-star royal retreat, a converted palace in downtown Cairo with views of the Nile. There’s opulence all around, no more so than in the feast of dining options available, many of which are set in the fine gardens. Elsewhere, there’s a spa, outdoor lap pool, 24-hour gym and a casino.

Nile cruise: Movenpick MS Royal Lily or MS Royal Lotus (nights 4-7)

Ancient Egypt & Nile Cruise – Premium Adventure

A highlight of the trip for many, our Nile cruise is taken on one of two Movenpick motor ships. Both the Royal Lily(above) and Royal Lotus have a sundeck with a swimming or plunge pool, heated hot tub or jacuzzi, plus a pool bar and canopied space. Find further relaxation on the salon deck, which has a lounge and bar with panoramic windows

Aswan: Movenpick Aswan (night 8)

Enjoy a privileged spot on the Nile with a stay at the Movenpick Aswan on Elephantine Island. This five-star resort has two swimming pools, a fitness centre and an organic farm. But the highlight may be the Panorama Restaurant, the highest point in Aswan, where you can enjoy 360-degree views of the longest river in the world accompanied by a fine selection of international dishes.

Worth knowing

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 endeavour to inform you of any changes, which could (in rare circumstances) be at late notice.

TRIP

AEP - Ancient Egypt & Nile Cruise – Premium Adventure

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

He was a very good leader with exceptional social skills,

Eric M

Reviewed November 2023

Nile Cruise & Aswan - Premium Adventure

The trip was excellent, the accommodation was up to expectations and our guide, Sayed, was superb.

Most Inspirational Moment

The great pyramid, the museum in Cairo and the tombs of the kings.

Chris H

Reviewed November 2023

Nile Cruise & Aswan - Premium Adventure

We had a fabulous holiday with a great informative guide who organised everything very efficiently and the group all gelled together.

Most Inspirational Moment

The AbelSimbel trip plus fallucca sail.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The trip was excellent. Our guide Sayeed changed the day of the Abel Simbel trip which worked much better. He was just excellent.

Read All Reviews

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

Regional flights available

Competitive flight prices

Specialist Flight Support

ATOL protected

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Ancient Egypt & Nile Cruise – Premium Adventure

4.9/5 from

9 Days Excluding Flights

9 Days from

£ 2699

Ancient Egypt & Nile Cruise – Premium Adventure

Discover the pyramids and temples of Egypt, before cruising the Nile from Luxor to Aswan

Sustainability and Impact

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Itinerary

Cairo Aswan

Extend Your Trip

Alexandria Premium Extension

Essential Info

Is this trip for you?

Joining Instructions

Key information

Getting to the start hotel

Catching your return flight

Vaccinations and Health

Passport

Visa

Egypt

Food & Drink

Weather

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Premium five-star hotels and Nile cruise

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Trip Experts

Andrew Shenouda

Ahmed El Meligy

Attia Ekladyous

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Reviews

Brilliant Trip - So much history!

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nile Cruise & Aswan - Premium Adventure

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nile Cruise & Aswan - Premium Adventure

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nile Cruise & Aswan - Premium Adventure

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nile Cruise & Aswan - Premium Adventure

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nile Cruise & Aswan - Premium Adventure

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nile Cruise & Aswan - Premium Adventure

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nile Cruise & Aswan - Premium Adventure

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nile Cruise & Aswan - Premium Adventure

Most Inspirational Moment

Nile Cruise & Aswan - Premium Adventure

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

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