This journey through Egypt packs in awe-inspiring culture and adventure in eight energetic days. Explore the ancient sites along the Nile and discover the most famous of them all, the Great Pyramid of Giza. Embrace the culture and meet remarkable people as you sample some traditional fare with a Nubian family in a local village. Feel the buzz of vibrant bazaars in Aswan and Luxor, but still manage to relax and watch life unfold as you sail the Nile in a traditional felucca.
Travel Style
Classic
Service Level
Standard
Physical Grading
2 - Light
What's Included
Your G for Good Moment: Funtasia Project Visit, Luxor
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your Local Living Moment: Boat ride to Nubian Village with Traditional Meal, Aswān
Your Discover Moment: Aswān
Your Local Living Moment: Lunch with a Local Family, Luxor. Pyramids of Giza and Sphinx guided tour. Grand Egyptian Museum guided tour. Felucca sailing excursion. Karnak and Kom Ombo temples guided tour. Temple of Hatshepsut and Valley of the Kings guided visit. Cycle and Funtasia Project visit. Colossi of Memnon visit. All entrance fees to included monuments. Internal flights. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
What are the main highlights of this trip?
Enjoy dinner with a local family, Journey down the Nile on a felucca, Explore ancient temples and monuments, Hunt for deals in the bazaars, Gaze at the pyramids and mysterious Sphinx
How large will the group be?
Max 16, avg 12
What meals are included in this trip?
7 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners
What are the modes of transportation on my trip?
Private air-conditioned minibus, train, felucca, plane, walking.
Is there an extra cost for travelling solo?
We believe solo travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and solo travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
Where will we stay during the trip?
Simple hotels (6 nts), sleeper train (1 nt).
Itinerary
Cairo
Arrive at any time. There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting.
Cairo/Aswān
Enjoy a visit to the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Sphinx before a guided tour of The Grand Egyptian Museum. Catch an overnight train to Aswan. Visit the pyramids and soak in the history of these majestic structures before a visit to The Grand Egyptian Museum.
In the evening, board an overnight train to Aswan. The overnight train is a modern air-conditioned sleeper, with twin-berth beds. There is no shower in the cabin, but each cabin does have a sink. The shared toilet is at the end of each carriage. A basic airline-style tray meal for dinner and breakfast is included. Attendants can serve drinks in your compartment at extra cost or there is a bar car for socializing.
Aswān
Opt to explore the busy Aswan market or visit the beautiful Philae Temple, before visiting a Nubian village and enjoying a home-cooked dinner with a local family. Our train is due to arrive in Aswan early in the morning, but, trains can often be delayed. Enjoy some free time in the morning to browse the souk or walk along the Nile.
Later, board a boat to reach one of the many Nile islands and visit a Nubian village. Walk around the small community, then enjoy a traditional dinner at a local home.
Aswān
Spend the day exploring Aswan. One of the most fascinating sights in the area is the Temple of Abu Simbel. Later, opt for a half-day tour of the Unfinished Obelisk, High Dam, and Philae Temple. Visit the modern Nubian Museum to learn more about Aswan's local people.
Aswān/Luxor
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. Ride on a Felucca to Aswan Bridge, where we will disembark and transfer to Kom Umbo. Later visit Kom Umbo temple before transferring to Luxor. Tonight, enjoy dinner at the local market where you can try some local specialties. Board the felucca and sail to Aswan Bridge.
Feluccas are a basic, traditional Nile sailboat and make for an extremely relaxing and enjoyable way to travel down the river.
Luxor
After breakfast the group will set off on a guided visit to the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. Have lunch with a local family on the West Bank of the Nile, then visit an Alabaster Factory en route back to Luxor. The remainder of the afternoon will be at your leisure. Cross to the West Bank. Descend down the narrow corridors and check out the tombs of the pharaohs at the Valley of the Kings. The Funerary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut literally seems to rise out of the surrounding limestone outcrops. Then visit the massive 18m (59ft)-high Colossi of Memnon, which is all that remains of an ancient temple.
Enjoy lunch with a local family on the West bank of the Nile and then explore Luxor at your own pace.
Luxor
In the morning the group will enjoy a visit to the Karnak Temple, which was once the centre of all religious life in ancient Egypt. From here, sail by ferry to the West Bank to meet our student-guide. Together we will bike through the village and visit the Funtasia Project Center where the group will learn about the Planeterra project at this location over tea with our guide. Later take advantage of free time in Luxor to explore the bustling local bazaar at your leisure.
Luxor/Cairo
Fly back to Cairo where the tour ends upon on arrival to the Cairo International Airport in the morning. We highly recommend booking post-accommodation to fully explore this vibrant city.
Is travel insurance required for my trip?
Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency evacuation and repatriation. A minimum coverage of USD200,000 is required. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Some tours include adventure activities that require extra coverage (e.g. crampon use); please review your itinerary and make sure that you are covered for all included activities. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.
