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Essential Egypt

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Essential Egypt

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Description

Ancient history, golden sands and crowded souqs – Egypt is the ultimate destination for any adventurous traveller. This nine-day trip is the perfect mix of blockbuster wonders and intimate moments, with loads of planned activities and plenty of time to wander at your own pace. Your local leader will take you to bucket list icons like the Pyramids of Giza (one of the Seven Wonders of the World) in Cairo and the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, then guide you off the beaten path to eat koshari in a local downtown joint, or into a bazaar to meet a perfume merchant. Kayak along the Nile, spend a night on a traditional felucca under starry skies and drink your body weight in mint tea. The best part? You’ll do it all with like-minded travellers your own age.

Trip Name
Essential Egypt
Last Updated
2024-08-07
Days
9
Capacity
16
Highlights
  • Spend a night cruising the Nile in a traditional felucca boat (a bit like a floating living room) stopping at colourful villages and temples by day and stargazing by night.
  • Witness some epic sights in Cairo, like the mysterious Sphinx and one of the Seven Wonders of the World – the Great Pyramids of Giza. Maybe even learn how to spell your name in hieroglyphics!
  • Kayak along the Nile, paddling through ancient landscapes and getting a glimpse into local life along the shores.
  • Discover the Valley of the Kings with a tour through three burial sites of ancient Pharaohs and the option to check out the fascinating lost tomb of Tutankhamun.
  • Squeeze between stalls at an Aswan bazaar and discover the open-air museum of Luxor with loads of free time to see the sights at your own pace and a local leader with all the hot tips.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - Cairo
Ahlan wa sahlan! Welcome to Egypt. If you arrive in Cairo with time to spare, maybe immerse yourself in the madness of the bazaars, embrace the kitsch world of Dr Ragab's Pharaonic Village or wash down the dust with a sahlab (sweet, hot custard drink with nuts). Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. After, put your tastebuds into overdrive as you head out with your new travel buddies for some koshari (vegetarian Egyptian chilli often with fresh lemon juice). Later tonight, maybe explore Cairo’s nightlife – your trip leader will know all the best spots!
Day 2 - Cairo/Pyramids/Sphinx
After breakfast this morning, it’s time to tick something huge off your bucket list. Drive out to the edge of the desert and explore the Great Pyramids of Giza – one of the famed ancient Wonders of the World – and the nearby Sphinx (nobody's quite sure how it lost its nose). A guy called Khufu was responsible for building the Great Pyramid – it’s 4500 years old, 146 m tall, and made from 2.3 million blocks weighing around 2.5 tonnes each. He even got a 9 cm statue to commemorate him – lucky him! You can marvel at their size up close or take an epic pic from a distance, with Cairo in the background. Later, you’ll have free time to continue exploring how you’d like – maybe visit the Egyptian Museum, home to one of the world's greatest collections of ancient artefacts, or head to the Valley Temple of King Khafre (Chephren). In the evening, it's time for your sleeper train to Aswan where you’ll spend the night.
Day 3 - Aswan
Hit the bazaar this morning on a tour with your leader. Among the friendly shouts of ‘welcome’ and ‘where are you from’ coming from the vendors, maybe visit an oil and perfume merchant to learn how aromatic botanicals have been used in Egypt throughout the ages. Later, choose whether to join an optional tour to the Philae Temple Complex, where you can see the Temple of Isis (the goddess of health, marriage and wisdom) that was rescued from the rising waters of the Nile and relocated in the 1960s. In the afternoon, grab a paddle for a kayaking adventure as you navigate the Nile. Float along the historic waters as you see the sights from a new perspective. For dinner, you can head to a Nubian village for an optional dinner with a local family.
Day 4 - Aswan
This morning is yours to spend as you please in Aswan. If you can manage a (very) early start, the optional drive to the epic Abu Simbel is well worth the sleepy eyes – cut out of a solid rock cliff, this temple is a historic site built as a place of worship to Pharaoh Ramses II after his death. Renting a minivan with your fellow travellers is the cheapest option and it takes about 3 hours to drive there. You’ll want at least 2 hours to explore, before heading back to Aswan for a free evening to hit the best dinner and drink spots. Maybe try some ful wa ta’ameya (Egyptian falafel) with a warm pita and salad, followed by another cup of mint tea.
Day 5 - Nile Felucca
This morning is yours to relax and recharge. Then you’ll board an overnight felucca – a bit like a floating tent, this traditional Egyptian vessel is the perfect way to explore the Nile. Spend the late afternoon amid tranquil scenery, either tucking into a good book or playing cards with your group. Depending on your group’s vibe tonight, you might like to have a little beach party under the starry night sky. Tonight, fall asleep to the gentle rocking of the boat, the warm breeze on your cheeks and the blanket of constellations above (there are no walls on a felucca, so your view will be totally undisturbed!).
Day 6 - Luxor
Disembark your felucca this morning and head for the sweet release of a hotel shower. If you like, you can check out the Temple of Edfu along the way, where inscriptions give insight into life during the Hellenistic period when the temple was built. Continue to Luxor, where you’re free to explore this open-air museum at your own pace. Karnak Temple is a good first stop – wandering through this ancient village is a cool way to get a sense of what life was like here more than 3000 years ago. Legend has it that if you walk around the granite scarab west of the Sacred Lake seven times, you’ll meet your soulmate. Tonight, maybe kick back with some fiteer baladi (Egyptian pizza) or shawarma.
Day 7 - Luxor / Valley of the Kings
This morning, travel the short distance to the West Bank. Check out three burial tombs in the Valley of the Kings, with the option to explore the formerly lost tomb of Tutankhamun. Continue to the Colossi of Memnon, where two huge statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III will have you pondering whether posting selfies twice a day is really the height of narcissism. You’ll also head over to our Intrepid Foundation partner, Animal Care in Egypt (ACE), a local NGO dedicated to providing free veterinary care for wounded working animals in the region. If your fellow travellers are up for it, you can choose to finish your West Bank adventure with an optional visit to the tomb of Hatshepsut – she became pharaoh when she married her half-brother (not all that uncommon at the time). If you’ve got any energy left, there will also be time to squeeze in a visit to Luxor Temple before your overnight train to Cairo.
Day 8 - Cairo
When you arrive in Cairo, you’ll head to your hotel to freshen up and drop your bags. Then, jump on the Metro with your leader to Bab al-Futuh – one of three remaining gates from the Old City. Walking past the old Islamic monuments that stand watch over the bazaars, you can join in on some good-natured haggling at the Kahan-el Khalili bazaar, then head to El Fishawy. This ramshackle 240-year-old cafe is perfect for a cup of tea or a glass of cold water with lemon and mint. Tonight, you’re free to find the perfect spot for a farewell dinner with your group or to hit the nightlife and celebrate a trip well-travelled.
Day 9 - Cairo
After breakfast this morning, your trip comes to an end. If you’d like to explore Egypt further, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
11-12-202419-12-2024AUD $ 986-
01-01-202509-01-2025AUD $ 1,115-
15-01-202523-01-2025AUD $ 994-
12-02-202520-02-2025AUD $ 986-
05-03-202513-03-2025AUD $ 1,026-
19-03-202527-03-2025AUD $ 1,026-
26-03-202503-04-2025AUD $ 1,026-
02-04-202510-04-2025AUD $ 1,026-
09-04-202517-04-2025AUD $ 1,026-
16-04-202524-04-2025AUD $ 1,026-
30-04-202508-05-2025AUD $ 1,026-
07-05-202515-05-2025AUD $ 1,026-
21-05-202529-05-2025AUD $ 1,035-
28-05-202505-06-2025AUD $ 1,026-
04-06-202512-06-2025AUD $ 986-
18-06-202526-06-2025AUD $ 986-
02-07-202510-07-2025AUD $ 986-
23-07-202531-07-2025AUD $ 986-
30-07-202507-08-2025AUD $ 986-
13-08-202521-08-2025AUD $ 986-
20-08-202528-08-2025AUD $ 1,026-
27-08-202504-09-2025AUD $ 1,026-
03-09-202511-09-2025AUD $ 1,062-
07-09-202515-09-2025AUD $ 1,062-
10-09-202518-09-2025AUD $ 1,062-
17-09-202525-09-2025AUD $ 1,062-
24-09-202502-10-2025AUD $ 1,062-
01-10-202509-10-2025AUD $ 1,062-
08-10-202516-10-2025AUD $ 1,062-
15-10-202523-10-2025AUD $ 1,062-
22-10-202530-10-2025AUD $ 1,062-
29-10-202506-11-2025AUD $ 1,062-
05-11-202513-11-2025AUD $ 1,062-
12-11-202520-11-2025AUD $ 1,062-
19-11-202527-11-2025AUD $ 1,026-
26-11-202504-12-2025AUD $ 1,026-
03-12-202511-12-2025AUD $ 1,026-
17-12-202525-12-2025AUD $ 1,095-
31-12-202508-01-2026AUD $ 1,095-
14-01-202622-01-2026AUD $ 1,150-
28-01-202605-02-2026AUD $ 1,150-
11-02-202619-02-2026AUD $ 1,150-
25-02-202605-03-2026AUD $ 1,150-
11-03-202619-03-2026AUD $ 1,150-
18-03-202626-03-2026AUD $ 1,150-
25-03-202602-04-2026AUD $ 1,150-
01-04-202609-04-2026AUD $ 1,150-
08-04-202616-04-2026AUD $ 1,150-
15-04-202623-04-2026AUD $ 1,150-
29-04-202607-05-2026AUD $ 1,150-
06-05-202614-05-2026AUD $ 1,150-
20-05-202628-05-2026AUD $ 1,150-
27-05-202604-06-2026AUD $ 1,150-
03-06-202611-06-2026AUD $ 1,150-
17-06-202625-06-2026AUD $ 1,150-
01-07-202609-07-2026AUD $ 1,150-
15-07-202623-07-2026AUD $ 1,150-
29-07-202606-08-2026AUD $ 1,150-
12-08-202620-08-2026AUD $ 1,150-
19-08-202627-08-2026AUD $ 1,150-
26-08-202603-09-2026AUD $ 1,150-
02-09-202610-09-2026AUD $ 1,150-
09-09-202617-09-2026AUD $ 1,150-
16-09-202624-09-2026AUD $ 1,150-
23-09-202601-10-2026AUD $ 1,150-
30-09-202608-10-2026AUD $ 1,150-
04-10-202612-10-2026AUD $ 1,150-
07-10-202615-10-2026AUD $ 1,150-
14-10-202622-10-2026AUD $ 1,150-
21-10-202629-10-2026AUD $ 1,150-
28-10-202605-11-2026AUD $ 1,150-
01-11-202609-11-2026AUD $ 1,150-
04-11-202612-11-2026AUD $ 1,150-
11-11-202619-11-2026AUD $ 1,150-
18-11-202626-11-2026AUD $ 1,150-
25-11-202603-12-2026AUD $ 1,150-
09-12-202617-12-2026AUD $ 1,150-
16-12-202624-12-2026AUD $ 1,150-
23-12-202631-12-2026AUD $ 1,150-

Accommodation

Hotel (5 nights),Overnight train (2 nights),Felucca (1 night)

Transport

Private vehicle,Felucca,Overnight sleeper train

Map

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