Pyramids & Pharaohs in Egypt
9 Days Starting in Cairo and ending in Luxor
Visiting: Cairo, The Great Pyramid of Giza, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Luxor, Valley of the Kings
Tour operator:
Tour code:
EZE
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
6 - 16
Physical rating:
Leisurely / Moderate
Age range:
28 to 52
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Vegans, Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
From:
$2850 (USD)Tour Overview
Spend nine days on an Egyptian odyssey. You’ll check off all the can’t-miss landmarks (Pyramids of Giza, Valley of the Kings, Abu Simbel - you get the idea), but there’s much more to this trip besides. You’ll kayak on the Nile. Sandboard across the dunes. Take a sleeper train cross-country. Spend a day exploring the islands around Aswan by felucca. Sleep in Nubian-style accommodation and feast on their home-cooked dishes. It’s an adrenaline-charged adventure for history-hunters who don’t want to scrimp on the thrills.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Welcome To Egypt
Location: Cairo
Meals Included: No Meals
Welcome to Cairo, the magnificent capital of Egypt. It’s a loud and proud place where raucous modern life meets an entrenched ancient history. You’ll check into the beautiful Hyatt Regency Cairo West, just outside the city, with views over to the pyramids.
Day 2 : Check Off The Headline Attractions
Location: The Great Pyramid of Giza, Cairo
Meals Included: Breakfast
You’ve got nine days in Egypt, and there’s a lot to cram in. Your first full day has blockbuster attractions in store. After breakfast, you’ll head straight out to the Pyramids of Giza, spending an hour on a quad bike with the pyramids as your movie-like backdrop. Then there’s a tour to understand the secrets of these intriguing structures better.
Later, in downtown Cairo, you’ll visit the Egyptian Museum to see the riches of Tutankhamun’s tomb and other Egyptian treasures. The day continues at the architecturally beautiful Al Azhar Mosque, one of the oldest examples in the city.
Day 3 : Kayak The Nile Then Get Lost In The Souks
Location: Cairo
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
You’ll board a kayak this morning and paddle the Nile for around two hours. Then it’s back to downtown Cairo for a food tour and the chance to sample traditional Egyptian dishes: koshary, molokhia, ful and falafel. There’s an afternoon tour of Old Cairo to wander the narrow lanes of the Khan El-Khalili bazaar.
Tonight, you’ll be rocked to sleep aboard a sleeper train bound for Aswan, the southern frontier of ancient Egypt.
Day 4 : Wake Up In Aswan
Location: Aswan
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
There’s a full day on the Nile today. You’ll board a traditional felucca and get to know this famous waterway a little better. As the boat’s lateen sails unfurl, there’s time to relax and enjoy the scenery as you pass rocky islets and glimpse the golden dunes beyond the west bank. Later, you’ll check into Anakato Hotel, a traditional Nubian-style accommodation.
Day 5 : Marvel At The Enigmatic Temples Of Abu Simbel
Location: Abu Simbel, Aswan
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
You’ll rise before the sun this morning to travel through the desert to Abu Simbel. It’s renowned for its colossal temples – spectacular examples of ancient Egyptian art and engineering overlooking Lake Nasser. After, there’s downtime back at Anakato Hotel before your adventure continues in the late afternoon when you’ll take a desert walk with a Nubian guide. You’ll feast on a home-cooked Nubian meal and learn about the culture and history of this region.
Day 6 : Board The Dunes
Location: Aswan
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, you’ll be sandboarding across the dunes. It’s an extreme sport that’s sure to get your heart pumping. Buzzing with adrenaline, the rest of the day is yours to swim and kayak in the Nile, explore Aswan bazaar or take an optional tour of Philae Temple, the High Dam or a nearby Nubian village.
Day 7 : Explore Luxor
Location: Luxor
Meals Included: Breakfast
It’s on to Luxor today, taking the four-hour transfer to this one-of-a-kind destination. You’ll tour the ancient Karnak Temple and marvel at the sheer grandeur of the monuments that have survived. After sunset, you’ll visit Luxor Temple, built between 1390 BCE and 1352 BCE. Tonight, you’ll stay at the excellent Steigenberger Nile Palace Luxor on the east bank of the Nile.
Day 8 : Visit The Valley Of The Kings
Location: Valley of the Kings
Meals Included: Breakfast
An early transfer this morning takes you to the Valley of the Kings, the site of 63 royal tombs. It was part of the ancient city of Thebes and the burial site of almost all the pharaohs of the 18th, 19th and 20th dynasties. Then it’s onto the Colossi of Memnon, two giant, faceless stone statues guarding the entrance to the temple of Amenophis III. Entry to Tutankhamun's tomb costs approximately US$12, payable locally. In terms of size and decoration, it is not as impressive as many of the other tombs, but is, of course, historically very interesting.
There’s lunch at the El Marsam restaurant and then a visit to ACE Luxor animal hospital, a charity dedicated to treating animals in the most impoverished communities of Luxor.
Tonight, there’s a farewell dinner at El Sofra restaurant, dining on traditional Egyptian dishes.
Day 9 : Adventure Complete
Location: Luxor
Meals Included: Breakfast
And, just like that, a whirlwind exploration is complete. Today, you’ll head to Luxor Airport for your return flight home.
What's Included
-
All transport and listed activities
-
All breakfasts, two lunches and three dinners
-
Meals
8 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners.
-
Tour leader throughout
What's Not Included
-
Visa and vaccinations
-
Flights
-
Travel insurance
-
Tips for leaders and staff
Accommodation
Enjoy a range of accommodation styles on this Egyptian adventure, where we have downtime in four- and five-star (local rating) hotels, while also spending a night on a sleeper train and staying in a Nubian guesthouse. Below are the hotels we typically use.
Cairo: Hyatt Regency Cairo West (nights 1 and 2)
Our time in Egypt begins in style with a stay at this contemporary five-star resort with views of the Pyramids of Giza. There are plenty of facilities to enjoy, including a year-round pool with a sunken bar, a 24-hour gym, and a spa. There are plenty of dining options too, including a European food hall, a Japanese-Peruvian fusion restaurant, and an industrial-style lounge bar serving cocktails.
Cairo to Aswan: Sleeper train (night 3)
We travel from Cairo to Aswan on the overnight sleeper train. We stay in first-class cabins, which are compact and have bunk beds. Bedding is provided. The train tends to shake due to the condition of the track and is quite noisy. Earplugs are a good idea. A basic dinner and breakfast are provided, you may wish to take snacks with you. There is a shared toilet in each carriage.
Aswan: Anakato Hotel (nights 4-6)
Spend three nights immersing yourself in Nubian culture, language, songs and food at Anakato Hotel, where we stay in traditionally styled accommodation. The meals are homemade (typically Nubian tajines) with ingredients freshly picked from their farm.
Luxor: Steigenberger Nile Palace (nights 7 and 8)
Our adventure ends at this rather grand hotel beside the Nile. There’s a pool overlooking the river plus a spa and fitness area. The selection of dining options is vast and includes: Nubia, a Nubian-themed eatery; the Nile Bar and Lounge, which serves light bites and is well worth visiting during sunset; and The View, where you can enjoy ‘creative culinary art’ with vistas over the Nile and Theban mountains.
Worth knowing
The sleeper trains in Egypt are fairly dated so although classified as first class you should be prepared for a lower standard than Western countries.
Food
* All breakfasts, two lunches and three dinners are included * Vegetarians and gluten-free diets can be catered for, although options may be limited
Check out our Q&As
-
Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
The minimum age for this tour is 16 years old.
-
Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.
-
Are flights included in this tour?
International flights are not included with this tour.
-
Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.
-
Who is Exodus Travels?
At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide.
-
Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes, our local guides are English speaking.
-
What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
-
What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
-
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
-
Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
Reviews from Travellers on this Tour
Dates & Availability
Friday - Saturday
Oct 18, 2024 - Oct 26, 2024Saturday - Sunday
Nov 16, 2024 - Nov 24, 2024Saturday - Sunday
Feb 22, 2025 - Mar 02, 2025Saturday - Sunday
Mar 08, 2025 - Mar 16, 2025Saturday - Sunday
Apr 19, 2025 - Apr 27, 2025Saturday - Sunday
Sep 20, 2025 - Sep 28, 2025Saturday - Sunday
Oct 18, 2025 - Oct 26, 2025Saturday - Sunday
Nov 15, 2025 - Nov 23, 2025Book with Confidence
-
Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.
-
Low Deposit
Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.