Highlights of Egypt

Dig deep and discover the riches of Egypt's geography, culture, and, of course, archaeology, on this epic adventure. Step into a...

Egypt
DAY 1 Cairo

Arrive at any time. There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting.

Administrative

Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group

Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

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Optional Activities - Day 1Show

Accommodation

Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.

Cosmopolitan Cairo Hotel

Hotel
DAY 2 Cairo/Aswān

Enjoy a visit to the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Sphinx before a guided tour of the 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.

Land Tour

Great Pyramid of Giza and Sphinx Tour

Cairo

Enjoy a tour of the magnificent great pyramid of Giza and the Sphinx. No matter how many photos or documentaries you have seen, the first glimpse of these marvels of the ancient world will take your breath away. As a qualified Egyptologist, your CEO has all the facts about these massive structures.

Exhibit

The Grand Egyptian Museum Guided Tour

Cairo

The Grand Egyptian Museum is the world’s largest archaeological museum dedicated to the single civilization of ancient Egypt. Here you will find vast collections of over 100,000 artifacts, many of which have never been displayed before. Wander the grand halls and take a journey through Egypt’s ancient heritage and modern design.

Rail

Overnight Train (beds)

Cairo- Aswān12h

Stretch out and get some well-earned rest en route to the next stop.

DAY 3 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 to browse the souk, walk along the Nile or opt to book the 'Philae Temple Excursion'. 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.

Free Time

AswānMORNING

Head out and explore this sleepy town.

People

Your Local Living Moment: Boat ride to Nubian Village with Traditional Meal

Aswān1h-3h

Board a local boat, to take a trip along the magnificent Nile, with views of the Aga Khan Mausoleum and Kitchener Island. Stop on one of the inhabited Nile islands in this area, to tour a local Nubian village. Walk through the village and fields and learn more about the life of the Nubian people before enjoying a delicious traditional dinner at a local home.

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Optional Activities - Day 3Show

Accommodation

Citymax Hotel Aswan

Hotel
DAY 4 Aswān

Spend the day exploring Aswan. Opt to check out one of the most fascinating sights in the area: 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.

Free Time

AswānFULL_DAY

Explore Aswan or go further afield.

2

Optional Activities - Day 4Show

Accommodation

Citymax Hotel Aswan

Hotel
DAY 5 Aswān/Luxor

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel this morning. 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, opt to grab dinner at the local market where you can try some local specialties.

Water Tour

Felucca Ride to Aswan Bridge

Aswān4h

Board a felucca (local boat), to take a trip along the magnificent Nile, with views of the city. Journey 4 hours on the water to Aswan Bridge. Lunch will be served on board.

Bus

Private Vehicle

Aswān- Kom Ombo0.75h-1h37km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Landmark

Kom Ombo Temple Visit

Kom Ombo1h-2h

Enjoy a visit to this temple located in a scenic spot, right on the banks of the Nile. It was dedicated to the crocodile god, and you can still see the remains of an ancient mummified crocodile that was worshipped here thousands of years ago.

Bus

Private Vehicle

Kom Ombo- Luxor3h205km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Accommodation

Emilio Hotel Luxor

Hotel
DAY 6 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.

Landmark

Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple and Colossi of Memnon Visit

Luxor6h-7h

Rise early to cross the Nile to the west bank, passing through farmers fields on your way to the Valley of the Kings. Descend the narrow, rock-hewn corridors and take in the magnificent decoration and designs of the tombs of the pharaohs. While the treasure has now all gone, the tombs contain the incredible paintings of the life of their incumbent and stories from the Book of the Dead. Continue on to visit to the impressive Funerary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, which seems to rise out of the surrounding limestone outcrops - a reminder of the power women held in the Ancient Kingdom. End the day with a stop at the two mammoth statues of Amenophis II at the Colossi of Memnon. Please note, there is an additional 300 EGP fee to take photos in the Valley Of Kings.

Your Local Living Moment: Lunch with a Local Family

Luxor

Sit down to a traditional lunch with a local family on the West bank of the Nile.

Free Time

LuxorAFTERNOON

Start exploring Luxor.

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Optional Activities - Day 6Show

Accommodation

Emilio Hotel Luxor

Hotel
DAY 7 Luxor

After breakfast 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.

Landmark

Karnak Temple Visit

Luxor3h-4h

Enjoy a visit to the Karnak Temple, which was once the centre of all religious life in ancient Egypt. Built and extended by successive generations of rulers, admire the amazing architecture, massive columns, and painted hieroglyphs.

People

Your G for Good Moment: Funtasia Project Visit

Luxor1h-1.5h

The group will 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. Funtasia is a local nonprofit that works with young people in the West Bank of Luxor to develop life skills and social consciousness. They work with youth in after school programs that teach art, communication, and social skills.

Free Time

LuxorAFTERNOON

Enjoy time in Luxor exploring ruins or relaxing.

Landmark

Bazaar Visit in Luxor

Luxor1h-2h

Explore the bustling local bazaar at your leisure, checking out the sights, sounds and wares for sale. Pick up a few if you like! Please note that this visit is self-guided.

Accommodation

Emilio Hotel Luxor

Hotel
DAY 8 Luxor

Take a final free day in Luxor to explore any last minute sights in this storied city. Opt to check out the local bazaar to pick up a last minute keepsake, choose to embark on the optional Luxor Temple and Museum Tour, or head back over to the West Bank for an in-depth look at some of the sites there on an optional tour.

Free Time

LuxorFULL_DAY

Enjoy time in Luxor exploring ruins or relaxing.

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Optional Activities - Day 8Show

Accommodation

Emilio Hotel Luxor

Hotel
DAY 9 Luxor/Hurghada

Drive from Luxor to Hurghada on the stunning Red Sea. The rest of the day is free at leisure, opt to relax and enjoy the beach. After arriving in Hurghada, prepare to spend the next few days soaking in the tranquility of it's white sand beaches, and the rich marine environment of the Red Sea.

Bus

Private Vehicle

Luxor- Hurghada4h-5h320km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Accommodation

Ali Baba Palace Hurghada

Hotel
DAY 10 Hurghada

Enjoy a day on a boat trip to the local islands and snorkel amid the crystal clear waters and stunning coral gardens of the Red Sea. The Red Sea is a global hotspot for snorkelling, thanks to it's crystal clear waters and incredible aquatic ecosystems. Explore the rich coral reefs and be overwhelmed with the amount of colourful coral and fish you encounter.

Watersport

Giftun Island Snorkelling Excursion

Hurghada7h-8h

Travel by boat to one of the Red Sea's best snorkelling destinations, Giftun Island. Dive in and explore these vibrant coral reefs as you lose count of the different species of fish and crustaceans.

Accommodation

Ali Baba Palace Hurghada

Hotel
DAY 11 Hurghada/Alexandria

Catch an early flight from Hurghada to Cairo. Continue by private vehicle to Alexandria. Stop en route to visit the monasteries of Wadi Al Natrun Travel by plane and private car to Alexandria, one of the ancient world's most important trade and cultural hubs. Explore it's many Greek, Roman and Egyptian ruins as you walk in the footsteps of some of histories greatest heroes.

Landmark

Monasteries of Wadi Natrun Visit

Cairo

Take a tour with a local monk at the the monasteries of Wadi Natrun. The history of the Wadi and its importance to Coptic Christians dates back to the 4th century AD and they constitute some of the earliest Christian monasteries in the world.

Bus

Private Vehicle

Cairo- Alexandria2.5h-2.5h220km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Air

Plane

Hurghada Airport- Cairo International Airport1h

Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.

Accommodation

Windsor Palace Hotel Alexandria

Hotel
DAY 12 Alexandria

Take a guided tour of Pompeys Pillar, Catacombs, the Alexandria Library, and Qaitbay Fort. Later, opt to explore the cities's cafés, or dine on fantastic seafood Prepare for a full day of exploring the many historical wonders of Alexandria. Delve into the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, marvel at the resolute Citadel of Qaitbay, and explore the grounds of Pompey's Pillar, one of Egypt's most impressive Roman architectural works.

Exhibit

Alexandria Library Visit

Alexandria1h

The Ancient Library of Alexandria was probably the largest and certainly the most famous of the libraries of the ancient world. It flourished during Greek rule and functioned as a major centre of scholarship, at least until the time of the Roman conquest of Egypt, and probably for many centuries thereafter. The old library was destroyed in a fire around the 1st century BC. The magnificent new library was opened in 2002 very close to the site of the ancient one.

Landmark

Fort Qaitbay Visit

Alexandria

Enjoy a visit to Fort Qaitbay, once considered one of the most important defensive strongholds along the Mediterranean Sea coast. It was an important part of the fortification system of Alexandria in the 15th century AD. Located at the entrance of the eastern harbour on the eastern point of Pharos Island, it was erected on the exact site of the famous Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. In the 14th century there was a destructive earthquake and the whole building was completely destroyed; the fortification you see today was built in its place.

Landmark

Pompey's Pillar Visit

Alexandria

The name "Pompey's Pillar" is actually a misnomer, as it has nothing to do with Pompey, having been erected in 293 for Emperor Diocletian, possibly in memory of the rebellion of Domitius Domitianus.

Landmark

Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa Visit

Alexandria

These tombs were tunneled into the bedrock in the age of the Antonine Emperors (2nd century AD) for a single wealthy family still practicing the ancient religion of Egypt. They represent the last existing major construction of the old Egyptian religion.

Accommodation

Windsor Palace Hotel Alexandria

Hotel
DAY 13 Alexandria/Cairo

Drive to El Alamein to visit the World War cemeteries and memorial. Continue to Cairo for the final evening. As we travel from Alexandria to Cairo, take a stop at the El Alamein World War memorials, and learn more about the pivotal battles that changed the course of the war in Africa. Afterwards, continue on to the bustling metropolis of Cairo.

Landmark

El Alamein Memorial Visit

Alexandria

The El Alamein Cemetery and Memorial is the burial place of 7,240 Commonwealth soldiers who died in Egypt and Libya during World War II.

Bus

Private Vehicle

Tell el-‘Alamein- Cairo4h-5h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Bus

Private Vehicle

Alexandria- Tell el-‘Alamein2h-3h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Accommodation

Cosmopolitan Cairo Hotel

Hotel
DAY 14 Cairo

Depart at any time.

Administrative

Departure Day

Cairo

Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.

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Optional Activities - Day 14Show

Day
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