9 Days in Cairo and sailing in Luxor and Aswan

We start today’s tour with a bang, with a visit to the immense Giza Pyramids, and Sphinx at Giza. We also include a camel ride at the pyramids, fun for all the family, and a great photo opportunity as well. We then head into the center of town and visit the Egyptian Museum with its collection of great treasures, and of course, the familiar and famous Tutankhamun exhibit with the original golden mask on display. This evening we take an overnight sleeper train from Cairo to Aswan (approx. 12 hours, private twin cabins).

Overnight Onboard train

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

The River Nile is at its most picturesque here in Aswan day tours and we take advantage of this with a tour to the beautiful island temple of Philae by boat. During term times, we will also visit a local school where we arrange fun and informal joint English/Arabic language classes with children of a similar age to your group. A Nubian meal is also included today.

Overnight: Aswan Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

There is the option very early this morning for a tour of the temples of Ramses II at Abu Simbel Temple, which have a fascinating story as they were completely dismantled and rebuilt piece by piece to escape the rising waters of Lake Nasser. If you do not do Abu Simbel, the morning is free to explore Aswan’s busy and exotic bazaar or relax in the hotel before we board our felucca sailboat for a few hours sailing on the Nile. We have a fun night’s sleep on the deck of the boat and are looked after well by our Nubian crew (toilets and showers are available on a support boat that will join up with us from time to time, and an option to upgrade to a luxury Nile cruise boat is also available).

Overnight: On board felucca

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, we enjoyed some more sailing on the Nile today before driving to Luxor where we checked into our hotel by the Nile. The rest of the afternoon is free.

Overnight: Luxor hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

There is the option today of a sunrise hot air balloon flight over the west bank of the Nile. Today’s tour takes in the West bank of the Nile, visiting the Pharaonic tombs in the Valley of the Kings, and the unique temple to Queen Hatshepsut where we learn about her fascinating story. The afternoon is free to relax in the hotel, explore Luxor town, take another felucca trip on the Nile to Banana Island, or perhaps visit the Mummification Museum.

Overnight: Luxor hotel

Meals: Breakfast

We tour one of Egypt’s biggest and most impressive sites today, Karnak temple, with its huge temples, obelisks, statues, and columned halls. The afternoon is free in Luxor before we head to the station to catch the sleeper train back to Cairo (approx. 9 hours). You can upgrade one or both train journeys to internal flights if you prefer.

Overnight: On board the train

Meals: Breakfast

After arriving back in Cairo and checking into our hotel, we have a short tour to explore the mosque and museum at Saladin Citadel overlooking the city, and to wander around and possibly do some haggling and souvenir shopping in the Khan-el-Khalili bazaar tour. We will visit a traditional local Koshari shop for a snack lunch and in the evening, we include a farewell dinner to say goodbye to your Egyptologist guide and fellow travelers.

Overnight: Cairo hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The tour ends today and your time is free until we transfer you to the airport for your flight home.

Overnight: N/A

Meals: Breakfast.