Country(ies): Egypt
Tour type: Small Group
Group size: Min: 2 | Max: 18
Accommodation: No Accommodation
Meals: Breakfasts - 8, Lunches - 2, Dinners - 4
Transport: A/C minibus/coach & sleeper train
Highlights: The great Pyramids & Sphinx, King tut's mask in the Egyptian museum, dramatic Karnak temple, ancient Valley of the Kings, Queen Hatchepsut temple, Colossi of Memnon, Red Sea Riviera
This 9-day Egypt escorted tour covers an extensive range of Egypt’s highlights, including iconic historical landmarks in Cairo and Luxor, before concluding with a restful beach retreat along the Red Sea in Hurghada.
Our Egypt escorted tour begins in the vibrant heart of Cairo, where we explore the Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza, and the Egyptian Museum, home to the renowned Tutankhamun exhibit. From there, we travel south to Luxor, often referred to as the world's largest open-air museum.
Here, we immerse ourselves in the country’s captivating history with guided visits to the grand Karnak Temple complex and Luxor Temple on the east bank of the Nile, as well as the Valley of the Kings, Queen Hatshepsut’s temple, Medinet Habu, and the Colossi of Memnon on the west bank.
Following some leisure time to explore Luxor’s lively markets and perhaps enjoy a felucca boat ride on the Nile, we continue to the Red Sea resort of Hurghada for a few days of relaxation by the coast.
Hurghada is renowned for its scuba diving, snorkelling, and superb seafood, offering an array of exciting activities such as quad biking, kiteboarding, windsurfing, fishing, and camel rides.
Alternatively, you may choose to unwind on the beach, basking in the year-round sunshine. The tour concludes with a return to Cairo, where you can enjoy a stroll through the charming narrow streets of the Khan-el-Khalili bazaar and the historic area of Islamic Cairo.
You also have the option to end the tour in Hurghada and fly directly home from there if preferred.
Private Tour Option
If our scheduled departure dates don't suit your plans, or if you prefer not to travel with a group, we are happy to arrange a private version of this Egypt escorted tour. Please contact us for more details and pricing.
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Upon your arrival, our team will greet you at the airport, assist with securing your visa and luggage, and transport you to your hotel to begin your journey. They will help you get settled, familiarise you with the surrounding area, and provide details about tomorrow's plans. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. Should you arrive early, you might consider an evening dinner cruise along the Nile or enjoy a breathtaking sound and light show at the pyramids (both available to book locally upon arrival).
OVERNIGHT:
Cairo 5-star hotel
MEALS:
Breakfasts - 0, Lunches - 0, Dinners - 0
EXTRAS:
None
Our guided tour of Egypt begins with a visit to the renowned Egyptian Museum, home to an extensive collection of ancient Pharaonic artefacts.
The museum is famous for its exceptional Tutankhamun exhibition and boasts a vast array of other ancient Egyptian treasures. A local Egyptologist will accompany you throughout this tour and all your other sightseeing activities, offering a wealth of knowledge and boundless enthusiasm for both Egyptian history and the country itself.
After the museum, we will travel to Giza, located on the outskirts of Cairo, to explore the Sphinx and the three iconic pyramids of Egypt. The Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops), standing at 500 feet tall and 750 feet wide at its base, is a remarkable man-made structure composed of massive stone blocks with a hard limestone exterior. Over time, the casing has been removed, revealing the inner block structure. Alongside the smaller pyramids of Khafre (Chephren) and Menkaure (Mycerinus), the imposing sight of these vast monuments rising from the desert is truly awe-inspiring.
If you wish, you can descend inside the pyramids, although your guide will not be able to accompany you (a limited number of tickets are available for the Great Pyramid).
In the evening, we will transfer to the station for the overnight sleeper train to Luxor (approximately 9 hours). Onboard, you'll enjoy a delicious dinner in your private twin-berth compartment before the steward prepares your beds for a restful night.
OVERNIGHT:
On board sleeper train
MEALS:
Breakfasts - 1, Lunches - 0, Dinners - 1
EXTRAS:
None
We arrive in Luxor early this morning and cross the Nile to start our exploration of Luxor’s West Bank. Home to the Valley of the Kings, the ancient tombs in this historic burial ground continue to unveil their secrets, making it one of the world’s most significant archaeological sites. Our tour covers several of these royal tombs, as well as the temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Deir el-Medina (the Valley of the Craftsmen), and the impressive Colossi of Memnon.
In the afternoon, you are free to unwind and make the most of your 5-star hotel’s facilities, situated on the banks of the Nile. Later, we visit Luxor temple, which is located in the heart of the town and is beautifully illuminated in the evening.
OVERNIGHT:
Luxor 5-star hotel
MEALS:
Breakfasts - 1, Lunches - 0, Dinners - 0
EXTRAS:
None
Your morning is free today, allowing you to enjoy a well-deserved lie-in after the early start yesterday.
After lunch, we will explore the vast temple complex at Karnak, which once served as the religious heart of Thebes and Upper Egypt. This remarkable site was connected to Luxor by a long avenue lined with sphinxes, and the entire complex was in turn connected to the Nile by a canal, through which the sacred boats of the god Amun passed.
Entering through a smaller sphinx-lined avenue, built by Ramesses II, you arrive at the massive pylon entrance. Inside the grand Courtyard, there are three chapels dedicated to the gods Amun, Khons, and Mut. The stunning Hypostyle Hall features 134 towering columns, each intricately carved with depictions of gods, pharaohs, and hieroglyphic inscriptions that adorn the walls.
A key highlight of this Egypt guided tour is the chance to experience a thrilling hot air balloon flight over the west bank of the Nile this morning (prepare for an early start to catch the sunrise as the balloon ascends).
OVERNIGHT:
Luxor 5-star hotel
MEALS:
Breakfasts - 1, Lunches - 0, Dinners - 0
EXTRAS:
None
We depart from Luxor this morning and travel through the hills and desert to reach the Red Sea coastal resort of Hurghada (approximately 5 hours). Hurghada is renowned globally for its exceptional scuba diving and snorkelling opportunities, with its abundant Red Sea marine life drawing divers from across the globe. Other exciting activities available include windsurfing and kite surfing, glass-bottomed submarine excursions, quad biking, camel rides, and sea fishing trips. Alternatively, you may choose to spend your time here unwinding on the beach while enjoying the year-round sunshine.
Your accommodation here is on a 'soft all-inclusive' basis, including all meals, soft drinks, and snacks, though alcoholic beverages are not included.
OVERNIGHT:
Hurghada 5-star resort
MEALS:
Breakfasts - 1, Lunches - 0, Dinners - 1
EXTRAS:
None
Your day is free to unwind and savour your time by the Red Sea. Hurghada is renowned worldwide for its scuba diving and snorkelling, with the abundant marine life of the Red Sea drawing divers from across the globe. Other exciting activities available include windsurfing, kite surfing, glass-bottom submarines, quad biking, camel rides, and sea fishing excursions. Our local representative based in Hurghada will be available to assist with any arrangements. Hurghada itself boasts a charming marina and an intriguing old town to discover.
OVERNIGHT:
Hurghada - 5 star resort
MEALS:
Breakfasts - 1, Lunches - 1, Dinners - 1
EXTRAS:
None
You have another day off in Hurghada today to unwind or make the most of the exciting activities available. Our local representative will be glad to help with any bookings or arrangements.
OVERNIGHT:
Hurghada - 5 star resort
MEALS:
Breakfasts - 1, Lunches - 1, Dinners - 1
EXTRAS:
None
We depart Hurghada this morning for the return journey to Cairo by private minibus (approximately 5 hours). Upon arrival, we check in at our hotel in central Cairo. Later in the afternoon, we enjoy a guided walk through the backstreets and markets of Old Cairo. We’ll pass through the impressive Bab al-Futuh gateway and explore areas filled with shops offering metalwork, spices, pottery, textiles, jewellery, and much more, gradually making our way into the bustling Khan-el-Khalili bazaar. There will be time to relax with some mint tea and a shisha pipe, providing a perfect opportunity to purchase souvenirs from your time in Egypt.
You may opt for a final evening dinner cruise along the Nile, or perhaps return to the pyramids for an unforgettable sound and light show. Alternatively, you can upgrade to an internal flight for this leg of the journey (prices available upon request) or choose to fly directly from Hurghada back home instead of returning to Cairo (discounts may apply).
OVERNIGHT:
Cairo 5-star hotel
MEALS:
Breakfasts - 1, Lunches - 0, Dinners - 0
EXTRAS:
None
Our Egypt tour concludes today; however, you are free to spend the day enjoying some final sightseeing or shopping until we transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.
If your flight is in the afternoon or evening, you can opt for a half-day Cairo City Tour or choose from the Saqqara, Dashour & Memphis excursions available today. Alternatively, you may wish to extend your stay in Cairo and add extra nights, which would give you the opportunity to take a day trip to the historic city of Alexandria on the Mediterranean coast, or visit the desert to explore the World Heritage Site of the Valley of the Whales at Wadi Rayan.
OVERNIGHT:
N/A
MEALS:
Breakfasts - 1, Lunches - 0, Dinners - 0
EXTRAS:
None
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We offer frequent small-group departures for this tour, commencing every Tuesday throughout the year. All departures are confirmed to operate with a minimum of 2 travellers and a maximum of 18. You can find departure dates and prices on our website, as well as on a separate sheet for dates & prices, available upon request.
The hotels and accommodations listed below are the ones we most often use on this tour. From time to time we may exchange these for similar properties at the same level. In general, specific hotels cannot be guaranteed on our group tours, but you may select your preferred options if you are booking a tailor-made trip.
Our tours are designed to include all that you need to enjoy a really special time in the destination you're visiting. However, we do also offer some extra options to complement the tour and add some additional sightseeing or activities, or some extra time at either end of the tour.
The detailed Tour Notes below have been written to give you some more detailed information about how the tour runs, what to expect, and how to prepare for your holiday. We recommend downloading an up to date copy of these shortly before you travel in case of any changes.
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