Highlights of Egypt

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9 Days Excluding Flights

9 Days from

£ 1449

Culture

Activity Level

Easy & Moderate

Comfort Level

Superior

Ways to Travel :

Guided Group

Activity :

Culture

Group Size :

4 - 16

Ages :

16+

Trip Code :

AER

Discover the iconic pyramids and temples of the pharaohs without the crowds, guided by an expert Egyptologist

Explore the wonders of ancient Egypt with an expert Egyptologist unravelling the myths and legends that envelope this storied kingdom. The highlights are numerous: the great pyramids and sphinx of Giza, the stepped pyramid of Saqqara, the Kom Ombo and Edfu temples, and the Valley of the Kings. There’s also time to immerse ourselves in the indigenous Nubian culture and explore the great city of Cairo. Additionally, this trip was designed to visit the sites at their quietest without the normal crowds from the Nile cruises – a welcome bonus in such a popular destination.

Highlights

Explore the ancient wonders of Egypt at their quietest
Start the adventure in the enthralling city of Cairo
Marvel at the magnificent pyramids of Giza and Saqqara
Sail along the Nile on a traditional felucca boat
Head into pharaoh tombs in the Valley of Kings
Immerse yourself in Nubian culture in the laid-back town of Aswan

Key Information

Accommodation: 8 Superior nights (hotels)
Travel by minibus and one internal flight
Group normally 4 to 16, plus local leader. Minimum age: 16

What's Included

All breakfasts, and two dinners at local restaurants
All accommodation (see accommodation section)
All transport and listed activities

What's Not Included

Internal flights (enquire with your sales representative)
Single accommodation (available on request)
Travel insurance
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

AER - Highlights of Egypt

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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 Luxor

Welcome to Cairo, where the ancient and modern worlds connect seamlessly. Flights can arrive late into Cairo today, but if you arrive earlier, head to the hotel pool for a refreshing post-flight dip. Alternatively, speak to your sales representative about booking pre-tour nights, allowing you free time to explore the city and relax into the adventure.

Accommodation: Pyramids Park Resort (or similar)

Begin with a welcome briefing at 7am, in which we discuss the adventures ahead and meet as a group for the first time – remember to bring your insurance details with you.

Then we head into the city to explore. First on the tour is the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, which contains relics dating to 4,000 BCE, including the fantastic riches of Tutankhamun’s tomb. Survey the many fabulous treasures of Egypt in one place and set the scene for the rest of the adventure.

Continue our learning at the National Museum for Egyptian Civilization, which covers Egypt from prehistoric times to now. In this vast museum is the Royal Mummies Hall, which displays the mummified remains of 20 pharaohs, including Hatshepsut, Seti I and II, plus multiple Ramses.

Finally, we visit the ancient Khan El Khalili bazaar, navigating the narrow alleys lined with vendors selling everything from spices to gold.

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

Accommodation: Pyramids Park Resort (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

First on our sightseeing today is Giza, home to the 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. If you’d like to go inside these grand structures, it is possible to buy an entrance ticket locally.

We then visit Saqqara, a necropolis that pre-dates Giza and is now the largest archaeological site in Egypt. It’s home to the oldest pyramid in the world, the Step Pyramid (or the Pyramid of Djoser), plus the tombs of ancient rulers. If you’d like to explore inside the stepped pyramid, it is possible to buy a ticket locally.

Accommodation: Pyramids Park Resort (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

We have free time this morning to relax. You may wish to unwind at the hotel, enjoying the sun and taking a swim in the pool before our flight to Aswan. Alternatively, you could use the time to head back to the Pyramids of Giza for one last exploration.

In the afternoon, we transfer to Cairo Airport to catch our flight to Aswan. Settle into the hotel upon arrival or head out and explore the markets.

Accommodation: Basma Hotel (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Today we visit the highlights of Aswan, first taking a motorboat to the Philae temple complex on Agilkia Island. The standout structure here is the Temple of Isis, an impressive classical monument built around 690 BCE for the ancient goddess. We also visit the vast Aswan High Dam, which was built in the 1960s to manage flooding, increase hydroelectric power and provide a reliable source of water for agriculture.

In the afternoon, we visit the Nubian village of Animalia, where we can immerse ourselves in the indigenous Nubian culture with a visit to a traditional house and small museum. We then explore the Nile by felucca (a traditional Egyptian sailing boat). On this one-hour ride, we can truly enjoy the peace 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).

Capping an activity-packed day, we enjoy an Egyptian dinner on the island of Gharb Sohil.

Accommodation: Basma Hotel (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

We have a day at leisure. There’s the option to visit the magnificent temples of Abu Simbel, where four great seated statues of Ramses II stare east towards the rising sun. Built by the pharaoh, the two temples were originally on the banks of the Nile; however, they were raised to a higher site in the late 1960s when waters from the new Lake Nasser rose behind the Aswan High Dam.

Accommodation: Basma Hotel (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Explore the Kom Ombo and Edfu temples today as we transfer to Luxor. The temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to the gods Sobek and Horus, sits on scenic spot by the Nile, while Edfu is home to the remarkably well-preserved Temple of Horus, a grand structure that served as the centre of the cult.

Accommodation: Iberotel Luxor (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Start at 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 us underground, where a series of corridors and antechambers leads 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, usually those regarded as the most impressive; however, a visit to the tombs of Ramses VI and Tutankhamun (extra tickets, payable locally) are recommended. Visits to tombs are now strictly controlled to halt further deterioration of wall paintings – each is periodically closed. 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 tour leader will give a fixed meeting time.

We then visit the Memorial Temple of Hatshepsut, a three-tiered monument that looks particularly impressive at the bottom of a limestone cliff.

In the afternoon, we visit Luxor Temple and the huge Karnak Temple complex on the east bank of the Nile. Built over 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.

In the evening, we have a farewell dinner together at a local restaurant, a chance to relive our adventures and perhaps start planning the next!

Accommodation: Iberotel Luxor (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

The adventure ends in Luxor today. If you’d like to explore a little more, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay in Luxor.

Meals included: Breakfast

Extend Your Trip

Alexandria Extension

Highlights of Egypt

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

Post-trip Extensions

Red Sea Extension

Highlights of Egypt

Extend your Egypt stay and end the adventure on a relaxed note with time at the Red Sea.

Day 1: Transfer to Hurghada
Leave the green Nile valley and drive (approximately four hours) through the barren Eastern Desert to the Red Sea. Our destination is Hurghada, a vibrant beach resort ideally located for activities out at sea and in the nearby desert.

Accommodation: Hurghada Marriott Beach Resort

Meals included: Breakfast

Days 2-3: Free days at the Red Sea
These days are free to relax or enjoy the many optional activities in the area. Optional activities include:

Grand safari (desert tour/multi-activity): US$55
Family safari (desert tour/multi-activity): US$35
Hurghada Grand Aquarium: US$56
Hurghada tour: US$25

Prices are subject to change.

Accommodation: Hurghada Marriott Beach Resort

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 4: End Hurghada
Our time at the Red Sea ends. You are taken to the airport for your flight home.

Please ask your sales representative for more details. Prices listed are starting prices.

Code: EXTAED

Price per person: £ 479

Mandatory Single Supplement: £ 195

Essential Info

Is this trip for you?

This trip is graded Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings, visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.

Itinerary: Most days involve early starts, allowing us to maximise our time in Egypt and avoid the worst of the heat.

Weather: Egypt can be hot, take care to keep hydrated. The hottest months tend to be June to September when temperatures can reach 40C (104F) in the south.

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: Pyramids Park Resort Cairo, Alexandria Desert Rd, Kerdasa, Giza Governorate, Cairo, 12411, Egypt
Phone: +20 2383 88300
Recommended arrival time: Hotel check-in is from 2pm
Airport: Cairo (CAI)

Getting to the start hotel

The start hotel is approximately a one-hour drive from Cairo International Airport. We provide 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 Luxor International Airport (LXR/HELX) 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: Luxor

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 and two dinners included. For meals not included, we suggest you allow approximately US$15 for lunch and US$20 for dinner. 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 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. Winter can be surprisingly cold, especially on the Nile or at night. The average daytime maximum in Cairo in January is 20C (68F), nighttime minimum is 8C (46F). In summer, these temperatures are 35C (95F) and 22C (72F) respectively. Daytime temperatures are slightly higher on average in Aswan.

TRIP

AER - Highlights of Egypt

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

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

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Highlights of Egypt

9 Days Excluding Flights

9 Days from

£ 1449