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Overview
Explore the wonders of Egypt as you travel from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan, visiting ancient temples and experiencing modern Egyptian life. You’ll learn the vast history and mythology of some of ancient Egypt’s key players, visit their temples, and learn their beliefs while experiencing the beauty of the Nile.
Itinerary
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Day 1:
Departure from USA
Board your overnight flight to Cairo today
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Day 2:
Cairo Arrival
Upon arrival in Cairo, claim your bags and proceed towards the arrival hall. Our representative will meet you and assist you with your transfer to the hotel. (Standard check-in time is 3:00 pm). Our local representative will assist you with a smooth check-in and review your itinerary with you to confirm your tour and transfer times. The remainder of the evening is at your leisure.
If you have arrived early, you might like to take a stroll on the streets of Cairo.
Accommodation: Mövenpick Cairo Media CityMövenpick Cairo Media City
https://www.movenpick.com/en/africa/egypt/cairo/hotel-cairo-media-city.htmlMövenpick Hotel Cairo-Media City is located in the cosmopolitan 6th of October City, on the outskirts of Cairo and 45 kilometers from the city centre and just 65 kilometres from Cairo International Airport. Relaxation and recreation are also close at hand. The hotel is only 20 kilometres from the Great Pyramids of Giza and Sphinx, and just a short stroll from Dream Park, one of the Middle East’s most famous amusement parks. Closer still is a 27-hole golf course. A 20-km drive will take you to the new Egyptian Museum so you can wander through the different eras of ancient Egyptian history.
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Day 3:
Cairo – Pyramids, Sphinx, and Egyptian Museum
Followed by breakfast, meet your guide and proceed to explore the Giza Plateau where you will enjoy the panoramic view of the great pyramids Cheops, and Mycenirus, and The Sphinx the statue with a human head which refers to wisdom and body of Lion which refers to Power and the Valley temple.
Enjoy Lunch at a local restaurant. Post lunch visits The Egyptian Museum where treasures of Ancient Egyptian kings and queens are guarded, especially the content of Tut-Ankh Amun tomb. You will be mesmerized by the greatness of Ancient Egyptian civilization. Then heading to the old market Khan El-Khalili, where you can enjoy the handmade Egyptian objects and souvenirs. After finishing your tour around 16:00 you will be transferred back to your hotel in Cairo.
Evening enjoys an early dinner at the restaurant followed by a transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Cairo.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAccommodation: Mövenpick Cairo Media CityMövenpick Cairo Media City
https://www.movenpick.com/en/africa/egypt/cairo/hotel-cairo-media-city.htmlMövenpick Hotel Cairo-Media City is located in the cosmopolitan 6th of October City, on the outskirts of Cairo and 45 kilometers from the city centre and just 65 kilometres from Cairo International Airport. Relaxation and recreation are also close at hand. The hotel is only 20 kilometres from the Great Pyramids of Giza and Sphinx, and just a short stroll from Dream Park, one of the Middle East’s most famous amusement parks. Closer still is a 27-hole golf course. A 20-km drive will take you to the new Egyptian Museum so you can wander through the different eras of ancient Egyptian history.
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Day 4:
Cairo – Aswan – Nile Cruise
After breakfast at your hotel in Cairo, our representative will transfer you to Cairo airport for your flight to Aswan.
Upon arrival, you will be transferred to our Nile cruise ship. After freshening up enjoy lunch and begin your Nile quest by visiting the High Dam of Aswan, and the ancient Granite Quarries, where one of Queen Hatshepsut’s obelisks lies abandoned in the bedrock. Your guide will explain to you how the construction of the dam and subsequent creation of Lake Nasser required the relocation of the Nubian people and several important historical monuments, including Abu Simbel, which you have the opportunity to visit tomorrow. We’ll then take a short boat ride to Agilkia Island to explore the Temple of Isis at Philae. Built during the Ptolemaic Kingdom (305 BC to 30 BC), the temple is dedicated to Isis, one of the oldest goddesses of ancient Egypt and worshipped as the paragon of motherly virtues. It is believed that the last Egyptian hieroglyph was written on the island of Philae in the late fourth century.
Return back to the cruise for dinner and entertainment onboard. Overnight on Board the Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAccommodation: The Mövenpick MS HameesThe Mövenpick MS Hamees
https://www.movenpick.com/en/africa/egypt/nilecruisers/cruise-hamees.htmlThe Mövenpick MS Hamees has a comfortable and contemporary design and is among the largest and best-appointed crafts on the river Nile. Enjoy a truly memorable journey from Luxor to Aswan and experience some of Egypt’s most scenic and historical sights with top facilities and attentive staff. Travel in style and enjoy lounging at the swimming pool, reading or playing games in the reading and play room, or enjoying the sun on the sun deck, offering a recreational area as well as a selection of eating and drinking options.
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Day 5:
Aswan – Kom Ombo - Edfu
This morning is yours to spend as you please in Aswan or take the opportunity to join our most recommended optional excursion to the temples of Abu Simbel
Add-on Excursion to Abu Simbel – US 200 Per person (minimum 2 Pax)
The two massive temples in southern Egypt. Part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the “Nubian Monuments”, these iconic temples were carved out of the mountainside in the 13th century BC, during the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses II. With the four gargantuan statues of Ramses guarding the Great Temple, carved directly out of the mountain on the west bank of the Nile, this is one of Egypt’s most memorable sights.
Please note this optional activity has a very early start (but it’s totally worth it). The journey by land is 3 -4 hours each way, with an early departure from Aswan at 4 am
For those opting to stay on board, enjoy breakfast and spend time onboard. After lunch sail down the Nile in style, relaxing on deck whilst observing rural life on the shores and taking in the changing landscape of the mighty river. We visit the fertile bank of the Nile to visit Kom-Ombo Temples, a unique ‘double’ temple dedicated to both the crocodile god Sobek, and the falcon god Haroeris (Horus). After exploring the temple, we’ll then continue on to Edfu, where we’ll spend the night onboard the cruise ship with an Egyptian Folkloric show. Overnight on Board the Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAccommodation: The Mövenpick MS HameesThe Mövenpick MS Hamees
https://www.movenpick.com/en/africa/egypt/nilecruisers/cruise-hamees.htmlThe Mövenpick MS Hamees has a comfortable and contemporary design and is among the largest and best-appointed crafts on the river Nile. Enjoy a truly memorable journey from Luxor to Aswan and experience some of Egypt’s most scenic and historical sights with top facilities and attentive staff. Travel in style and enjoy lounging at the swimming pool, reading or playing games in the reading and play room, or enjoying the sun on the sun deck, offering a recreational area as well as a selection of eating and drinking options.
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Day 6:
Edfu – Karnak Temple – Luxor
Morning after breakfast, visit the Temple of Horus (also known as the Temple of Edfu), it is considered the best-preserved cult temple in Egypt. This is partly because it was built later than most: in the Ptolemaic era from 237 to 57 BC. Despite its later date, it reflects traditional pharaonic architecture and so provides an excellent idea of how all the temples once looked. Return back to cruise. Enjoy lunch whilst sailing on to Luxor via Esna lock to which you will get the opportunity to see local life and take some memorable pictures.
Evening enjoy the fascinating insight into Ancient Egypt along with the East Bank of the Nile. Explore the magnificent Karnak Temple, which is perhaps the most impressive of all the ancient Pharaohs’ monumental works. One of the world’s most celebrated temple complexes, Karnak is a house of the gods built over a period of some 200 years.
Return back to the cruise for dinner and entertainment on board. Overnight on Board the Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAccommodation: The Mövenpick MS HameesThe Mövenpick MS Hamees
https://www.movenpick.com/en/africa/egypt/nilecruisers/cruise-hamees.htmlThe Mövenpick MS Hamees has a comfortable and contemporary design and is among the largest and best-appointed crafts on the river Nile. Enjoy a truly memorable journey from Luxor to Aswan and experience some of Egypt’s most scenic and historical sights with top facilities and attentive staff. Travel in style and enjoy lounging at the swimming pool, reading or playing games in the reading and play room, or enjoying the sun on the sun deck, offering a recreational area as well as a selection of eating and drinking options.
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Day 7:
Luxor – Cairo
Add-on: Early Morning Luxor West Bank Hot Balloon – US 125
Your stay in Luxor would not quite be the same without a bird’s eye view of the city from one hot air balloon. Departing from your cruise ship just before dawn, cross the River Nile to the West Bank – where your hot air balloon awaits. After a safety briefing and introduction to your ground crew and pilot, you will climb into the balloon’s basket and get ready for lift-off. It is then time for the gentle rise into the dawn sky. Away from the daytime crowds, you will drift peacefully over the West Bank of Luxor and sights such as the monuments of Thebes. The early morning sun rising over the East Bank will illuminate the city and the surrounding mountains.
The Hot Air Balloon fly depends very much on the weather and might not be available daily, from October till next April is the best time for it
Enjoy your breakfast onboard the cruise. We could not leave Luxor before we visit the west bank of the Nile. Today we will take the time to visit several sites. One of the sites we will visit is the Valley of the Kings. After pyramid building began to wane, the kings still needed a final resting place to preserve themselves and store all their treasures. Housing nearly all the tombs for the kings of the 18th, 19th, and 20th dynasties, the Valley of the Kings was designed to help hide the burial places of the kings to prevent looting.
One of the most famous tombs here is the tomb of Tutankhamen. We will have the opportunity to explore some of the tombs. Next, we move to the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut. Hatshepsut was the wife to Thutmose II but became pharaoh after he died. This mortuary temple was modeled after Mentuhotep’s but at a much larger scale. We will explore this beautiful temple which is set into the cliffs at Deir el-Bahari. As we continue our sightseeing, we will move to Deir el-Medina, which is the ancient village of the craftsmen of the Valley of the Kings.
Our last site to visit will be the Colossi of Memnon where you will see two (nearly 60 feet tall) seated statues of Amenhotep III. These statues were once the entrance to Amenhotep’s mortuary temple. As our day concludes, you will be transferred to Luxor airport for your flight to Cairo.
Upon arrival in Cairo, you will be transferred to Hotel. Spend the rest of the day exploring Cairo or shopping for last-minute souvenirs.
Add-on – Sound & Light Show at the Pyramids – CAD 85
The evening sees the Great Pyramids illuminated at night at this spectacular sound and light show with a stunning audio-visual display. Learn about the history of Ancient Egypt and the story of the Sphinx, guardian of the Giza Necropolis for over 5000 years. The show starts with the story of the Sphinx who has been the vigilant guardian of the city of the dead for five thousand years. The show also depicts the story of building the pyramids and relates the history of great figures of ancient Egypt such as Thutmosis IV, Akhnaten, Nefertiti, and Tut Ankh Amon.Overnight in Cairo
Meals: BreakfastAccommodation: Mövenpick Cairo Media CityMövenpick Cairo Media City
https://www.movenpick.com/en/africa/egypt/cairo/hotel-cairo-media-city.htmlMövenpick Hotel Cairo-Media City is located in the cosmopolitan 6th of October City, on the outskirts of Cairo and 45 kilometers from the city centre and just 65 kilometres from Cairo International Airport. Relaxation and recreation are also close at hand. The hotel is only 20 kilometres from the Great Pyramids of Giza and Sphinx, and just a short stroll from Dream Park, one of the Middle East’s most famous amusement parks. Closer still is a 27-hole golf course. A 20-km drive will take you to the new Egyptian Museum so you can wander through the different eras of ancient Egyptian history.
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Day 8:
Cairo Departure
Today marks the end of your Egypt Vacation. you take home a big smile and a lifetime of memories – that much is certain!
You will be transferred back to airport for your return flight back home
Meals: Breakfast
Select a gateway:
Prices include Roundtrip Airfare from -
What’s included
- 06 Nights’ Accommodation in listed hotels or similar based on DBL / TWN sharing basis
- Daily Breakfast
- 4 Lunch, 4 Dinners
- All meals and entertainment while on board the Nile Cruise
- Entrance to the attractions as specified in the itinerary.
- Porterage of one piece of luggage in and out of hotels
- Transportation in Deluxe Tourist Vehicle
- Services of English-speaking driver/ guide for all transfers and sightseeing
- International return airfare from preferred departure city
- Air taxes and fuel surcharges
- All local applicable taxes
What’s excluded
- All other meals
- All other sightseeing or Services
- Gratuities for meals, tourist guides, drivers
- Beverages during the meals
- Visa fee
- Travel Insurance
- Personal expenses such as alcoholic and other beverages, telephone calls, and laundry
- Any other services or Items not mentioned above as included
- Local city taxes if applicable to be paid directly at hotels upon check out
Recent Reviews
Hi Nazir, We really enjoyed our trip to India that you arranged. The site selections were fantastic (as our travel MD commented), the hotels were comfortable, the drivers were highly skilled, and our tour guide Harry was brilliant and so well informed. He adapted to our interests with ad hoc additions that added much to our experience. Rajeev kept in touch with us as well along the way. So thanks again for this memorable experience.
Arnie Funk and Sharie Edwards
Vancouver, Canada
Good afternoon Nazir, We want to let you know that we thoroughly enjoyed our recent trip to Northern India. Everyone who dealt with us on this journey, being yourself with planning and booking, Rajeev the head of operations in Delhi, Yajur our tour guide and mentor during the tours and everyone else involved, deserve rave reviews. All were knowledgeable, professional, passionate in what they did and more than willing to do that little bit extra to make our trip an exceptional experience. I cannot praise these people enough. Along with your staff, the tour program, the places we visited and the local people with whom we interacted have made us appreciate and be amazed of a country, people and culture which apparently we really knew so little about. Our minds and eyes have been opened to a wonderful place which now we hope to see more of. Oh, and going by our tour group the shopping was great also. We want to thank you and everyone involved for creating a wonderful experience for us. Best regards,
Murray and Pat E.
Edmonton, Canada
We want to tell you how much we enjoyed our trip with your tour company. Right from the onset our business class flights to our guides, bus drivers and wonderful food and accommodation we felt really well taken care of. We had a very congenial group of new friends on our bus tour to Delhi, Agra, Rathambore Park, Jaipur and we left them reluctantly to go to Darjeeling. Our trip to Varanasi was likewise a wonderful adventure. Again, our guide and driver treated us like their parents! Our trips down the Ganges will be ever remembered. Your agent in Delhi, Rajeev was always in touch to make sure we were happy and well taken care of. The only negatives were things out of anyone's control- the pollution, the lack of wine stores and the basic need for more jobs for the poor! But that is India! Thank you again for making our trip so memorable. Sincerely,
Ralph and Margaret Franksen
Delta, Canada
Hi, Nazir. Sorry, I haven't written sooner but I have had a bad cold since returning from our amazing India trip. Both Stuart and I had a wonderful experience as it was much more than either of us expected. As our guide Yajure explained to us, India has been "cleaning itself up". What a wonderful surprise. Delhi being a bustling mega city, was a joy to experience in the few days we were there. Our bus rides, while exciting due to the different "vehicles, animals and people on the roads, made our journeys very colorful. Yajure was a wonderful, generous and knowledgeable guide. He is a walking encyclopedia. He was extremely accommodating and adaptable at a moments notice. Seeing the Taj Mahal, Buddha's birthplace, the Red Fort, the Ganges in Varanasi and of course the city of Jaipur brought the trip to life. It was all mesmerizing. Your colleague Rajeev in Delhi was very helpful and kind and protective of us. Although he was mourning the loss of his dear father, he made himself available to us. So that's it Nazir. We certainly will not hesitate to recommend your company to any of our friends and family. Yours truly,
Shelley Rosen and Stuart McPherson
Aurora, Canada
Namaste, and thanks for the email Nazir. My husband and I are still under the powerful influence of India – having thoroughly enjoyed the 2 weeks we had there. It’s really difficult to synthesize our experience but I will try to give some feedback. Both of us felt that we learned so much and really broadened our understanding of cultural and political issues in addition to seeing, tasting, smelling, and tasting some of India’s diversity. I really appreciated the diverse environments: urban, heritage sites, forest reserve, streets/river exposure in Varanasi, the roadside rural life viewed as we traveled between major sites. I’m especially glad that we added on the Varanasi trip which broadened our experience considerably. We were ever so fortunate in the timing (just after the monsoon season) and got to see a relatively ‘green’ India. Several local guides commented that we were a ‘lucky’ group in terms of being in the right places at the right times for certain things – such as seeing tigers, getting to the Taj Mahal just prior to its ‘mudding’. The tour itinerary was well planned and varied – given that any group of 22 people will have different preferences. We found our tour guide to be excellent: knowledgeable, flexible, and always anticipating when/where changes might be needed either for our comfort or safety. Many thanks for that. And he was ever so patient in spite of challenging situations. I’m a cautious traveller (in contrast to my husband) but even I felt very safe. Our guide was extremely good at keeping us together while also allowing plenty of photo ops, cooling down periods, and preparing us for the next point of interest. The tour guide was very good with history and cultural information that made the bus travel time both informative and seem shorter. All contacts were very friendly, courteous, and helpful. One hardly mentioned an issue and it was addressed; To summarize, the trip was amazing! We are so very glad we went and still bask in India’s glow. Fond memories, great photos, and a great appreciation for the country and its peoples! Please convey our thanks to all who made the trip possible. Regards,
Cynthia Toman (on behalf of Earl as well)
Toronto, Canada
Hi Nazir, The India tour was excellent. The accommodations and meals was great , spicy but you get used to it after a couple of days, The hotel staff making every effort to accommodate and attending to any request from the tour participants. The tour bus was quite satisfactory with the driver and assistant quite helpful, keeping the bus clean. The Tour guide was excellent and quite knowledgeable about the history of the Indian civilization. Also handling the tickets to the various sites so the was little delay getting in and experiencing the splendor that is India Pick up and drop off from the airport went without any incidence. Overall, a great experience that will not be forgotten.
Anirud and Hafeeza
Toronto, Canada
Hi Nazir, Greg and I thoroughly enjoyed our trip to India. We were impressed with the excellent service from all Explore India personnel. Your choice of hotels, points of interest and breakfasts were excellent. Our driver and bus helper were especially good. Thank you for a wonderful trip. Ram, ram
Elaine and Greg
Burnaby, Canada
The trip to India was much more than I expected. Often the expression....Go to India and change your Life....that is what I experienced! From weather, hotels, food, transportation to our guides...top grade!!!! Thanks you for putting this wonderful vacation together for us!!! It holds memories for a Lifetime!!! When I get some photos edited I will send you a link! Great Job!
Linda Swanson
Nelson, Canada
Just returned home and trying to get over the jet-lag. Thoroughly enjoyed the trip – would hardly recommend your tour company. (first time with your company). The itinerary was well planned, transportation and accommodations were excellent and so was our tour guide. Had planned on staying in China for an additional 10 days but did not realize it was a Chinese holiday and we were not able to book any additional trips. Had I known this, I probably would have booked an additional tour with your company.
Polly Gretchin
Hope, Canada
Apologies for the delay in regard to this reply. It has been 3 weeks since we got back but the first one was an adjustment to time and travel. There are just not enough good words to describe the trip but it was definitely spectacular and above expectations. Exceptionally well organized and highly professional personnel were involved in the tour. India is just so remarkable as there is so much history. We crammed and read 3 books about the country in advance but there is so very much more to learn. To be able to travel there and have professional tour guides with that depth of knowledge was fortunate indeed. Can’t say enough about the calibre of Sandeep Singh regarding his professionalism, knowledge, organizational skills and overall ability! Hilal Lone did a good job for us during the Kashmir part of it! Besides the 2 guides, there were a lot of people to acknowledge in regard to the success of the trip. Unfortunately we won’t be able to name everyone. However, we will start with yourself Nazir. Being patient, personable, and responsive in terms of direction up front made for easier planning. Those who headed up organization at the other end, such as Rajeev Sharma, went beyond the call of duty to get their part of the operation right. If only for our jetlag the day after we arrived, he would have got us to a cricket game! Rafiq Mohamed did his part as well for the Kashmir leg of the trip. Last but not least, people such as the driver, Dalit Singh Walia, and his assistant Anand Mishra, made the journey what it was. The wondrous architecture we saw was at times almost surreal. They were so advanced in this regard so very long ago! Because some were so spectacular and precise, pictures do not quite do it justice, one has to simply see it! Also so impressed with the people of India. Massive population but they have found a way to make it work. Seemingly caring to each other and respectful and friendly towards tourists. Maybe the “hawkers” not so much. To a certain extent, one even adjusts to the heat. After time spent at the sites the air-conditioned vehicles helped in this regard. Small detail maybe, but cold bottled water always being available was quite important. The tour offered a good mix and variation of experiences. The trip into the forest was definitely special. Viewing the wildlife, especially the Bengal tiger, will always be a memorable lifetime experience. The quality of accommodation was very high. The variety and selection for meals offered up something that I expect everyone could be satisfied with, as we were. Never knew anything about Explore India before the trip. Now that we do and experienced it, we would certainly highly recommend your company and the tour! Cheers,
Marilyn & Emil
Saskatoon, Canada
Check & Compare
You can read hundreds of online reviews of destinations and hotels, but with our up-to-date first-hand knowledge, we will be able to compare and contrast different options and ensure we find something that is just right for you.
You will travel like a member of our own family. We are a family owned and operated luxury travel company.
Planning a trip needs careful care and attention to detail and that is where Explore World Journeys comes in with the passion to make every tour a hassle-free and memorable one for each of our guests.
Be sure to take notice of our standard of accommodation, the specialized sightseeing trips, the seamless flow of the itinerary, the comfort of the coach you will travel in, the customized dining experiences, and much more.
TRAVEL CONFIDENTLY WITH EXPLORE WORLD JOURNEYS
No company is big or small when you have 100% capability of exceeding guest expectations. A rating of 10 out of 10 does not adequately reflect the level of the experience and value of the tour that we provide to India especially for the first time visitors. Explore World Journeys success can be traced all the way back to those early days of learning what it means to be a host and to this day, our motto is to treat the guest like a member of the family. A sure testimonial to the business, given the fact that many have travelled not one, not twice, but three times with Explore World Journeys, the early teachings seem to have paid off, as luxury tours with us is a sought-after experience in United States and beyond.