Premium Tour. Enjoy a five star Egyptian adventure, Stay in one of Cairo's smartest hotels and cruise the River Nile in style aboard a 5 star Nile cruiser. Relax and unwind, enjoy the serenity of the Nile Valley, whilst discovering the very best of ancient Egypt!
Friday. Welcome to Egypt and the start of a wonderful holiday! Arrive Cairo airport, meet and greet service and included transfer to 5 star hotel, located at the foot of the Great Pyramids of Giza. Overnight - Cairo
We start with the dazzling antiquities at the Egyptian Museum. Amongst the many exhibits are the treasures of King Tutankhamen. This afternoon offers free time to relax and enjoy the hotel facilities or join us for an optional city tour visiting old Cairo and the Islamic citadel. Overnight - Cairo (B)
Jewel of the Nile - 10 days Go Guide : :Check out the go guide for details of the tour, info on visas, climate, money, what to bring and more!
Cairo - Luxor. Today we visit Egypt's most loved sight - The Great Pyramids of Giza. We explore the Giza plateau, pyramids and massive lion-headed Sphinx. Later, we tour Saqqara - an ancient necropolis with many half-buried tombs and the famous Zhoser’s step pyramid. Tonight we take an overnight sleeper cabin train south to Luxor.
If your don't fancy travelling by overnight sleeper train, opt to undertake the journey by flight with our Jewel of the Nile Flight Upgrade. The option includes air travel between Cairo - Luxor and Aswan - Cairo with two nights accommodation in the comfort of 5 star hotels. Overnight - Sleeper Train (B, D)
Luxor. The massive pair of statues known as
the Colossi of Memnon are the first monuments you’ll
see during our morning visit to the West Bank - home
to the legendary Valley of the Kings. You’ll also see
the colonnaded Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Return to
Luxor for check-in on board our Nile 5 star cruiser. Lunch
at leisure and time to relax until our early evening visit
to the Temple of Luxor. Luxor Temple looks stunning
at dusk and is beautifully illuminated at night. Lunch,
dinner and overnight - Nile cruiser.
Note: Dependant upon Nile Cruiser scheduling it maybe required
that we also undertake our excursion to Karnak Temple this
afternoon. Should this occur, day 5 will be spent at leisure. Overnight - Nile Cruiser (B, L, D)
Luxor - Nile cruising. At over 4,000 years old, Luxor is a living museum! Look down upon the ancient city by opting to join us on an early morning hot air ballooning excursion.
Later we tour the ancient city of Thebes (the East Bank),
taking in the Temple of Luxor - built by Pharaoh Amenophis
III and the magnificent Temple of Karnak. More than a
temple, it’s a gigantic and stunning complex of sanctuaries
and pylons dedicated to the Theban gods. Anchors away this
afternoon as we sail downstream to Esna and the Temple of
Horus at Edfu. Overnight - Nile Cruiser (B, L, D)
Nile cruiser - Aswan. Today, we enjoy a short boat trip
to Agilika Island for Philae Temple - dedicated to the
goddess Isis. The temple dates from 4th century BC but
the Ptolomies and the Romans up to 3rd century AD
built most of the existing structures. In danger of being
completely submerged by the rising water of Lake Nasser,
in 1972 UNESCO stepped in and an 8-year rescue effort
was undertaken to relocate the entire temple
20m higher on nearby Agilika Island.
After lunch, a visit to the High Dam and take a felucca
cruise to Elephantine and Kitchener Island. As the
sun sets, free time to shop in the colourful souqs and
markets or simply relax and watch an amazing sunset in
Egypt’s southern most town straddling the River Nile. Overnight - Nile Cruiser (B, L, D)
Aswan - Cairo. Consider the optional early morning
air excursion to the Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel
or time to relax. Late this afternoon, we board the
overnight sleeper train for our journey back to Cairo. A light dinner is served on board. Overnight - Sleeper Train (B, D)
Breakfast in your cabin, upon arriving to Cairo, transfer
and check in. Today is free for you to enjoy the hotel
facilities or further explore Cairo your own way. Overnight - Cairo (B)
Sunday. Tour ends after breakfast. Included onward transfer to airport. (B)
Jewel of the Nile Sun Festival - 14 October 2013
If planning on travelling with us in October 2013, consider our Jewel of the Nile Sun Festival tour. Our Jewel of the Nile tour includes arrangments similar ot those of our Jewel of the Nile with the added highlight of witnessing the Sun Festival of King Ramses II at Abu Simbel on 22 October 2013.
Ramses II had his grand temple carefully angled and oriented in order that the sun's rays would align twice a year on the date of his ascension to the throne (21 February) and on his birthday (21 October) and illuminate the inner sanctum of the temple. This incredible natural phenomenon provides for a most spectacular sight as the sun illuminates the 3 statues of the living world, whilst the statute of Ptah - the god of darkness - remains in the shadows. The temple was re-located in a multi-million dollar operation in 1972, further up from the shoreline of Lake Nasser. In the temples new position the sun now strikes a day later than Ramses had originally planned.
Includes: Coach from Aswan to Abu Simbel early morning on 22nd October 2013. Guided visit to Abu Simbel, the sunrise event, entrance fees and visitor ticket for this excursion. Return coach journey to Aswan after the event.
FROM USD $1,949
Prices & Departure Dates
Prices shown are per person travelling. 'Twin/Double' prices per person apply when there are 2 people travelling, sharing a room. The 'Single supplement' applies for single travellers who require their own room and needs to be added to the 'Twin/Double' price.
If you are happy to be paired up with another single traveller of the same sex on your tour, this can be arranged, (if another solo traveller of the same sex is already booked upon the tour), thus avoiding the single person supplement.
All our scheduled tour departures are guaranteed subject to a minimum of 2 travellers.
Jewel of the Nile - 10 days Go Guide : :Check out the go guide for details of the tour, info on visas, climate, money, what to bring and more!
Bolt-ons
Make the most of your time away! Listed below are the optional activities that are available on this trip. Please note that you will need to book these prior to travel as we cannot always guarantee availability of these activities once you are on holiday.
Abu Simbel by flight. The massive rock-cut temple of Abu Simbel never fails to impress. It's possibly the most awe-inspiring temple of all ancient Egypt, with its gargantuan intricately carved facade, created to revere the mighty pharaonic ruler King Ramses II. Guarding the entrance to the temple, the 4 colossal statues of Ramses II sit majestically staring out across the desert, seemingly since time began.
The World War II cemeteries of El Alamein. In 1942 the Allies under Britain’s field Marshal Montgomery halted the German- Italian advance towards the River Nile. Marked as a major victory for the Allies, though not without loss of life, with some 11,000 killed and 60,000 wounded. We visit the Commonwealth cemetery and recently erected memorials funded by the Australian and New Zealand governments. Through the arches and beyond the gardens, 7,000 white headstones commemorate the Australian, New Zealand and British soldiers who fought and died here.
If your don't fancy travelling by overnight sleeper train on the Jewel of the Nile, Jewel of the Nile Sun Festival or Ramses Sunrise tours, then upgrade to our flight option, and fly from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan to Cairo. Enjoying two extra nights of comfort in 5* hotel accommodation.
Highlights & Inclusions
Below is a list of key highlights and what is included on this tour. Further, where appropriate, we have listed the items that are not included in the tour price.
Trip Highlights
Cairo - Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza Plateau, the Necropolis of Saqqara and the Egyptian Museum
5 * Nile cruising - islands en route
Edfu - Temple of Horus
Valley of the Kings and Queens, Colossi of Memnon, Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
Aswan - High Dam, Philae Temple, local market & souq
Kom Ombo - Temple of Kom Ombo
Luxor - Temple of Karnak
Elephantine Island and Kitchener island - felucca sailing
4 nights aboard luxury 5 star Nile cruiser (twin/dbl cabin with en suite bathroom)
Airport arrival and departure transfer day 1 and day 10
Felucca Sailing around the islands of Aswan
All relevant transfer and transportation in private modern air-conditioned vehicles
3 nights 5 star hotels
2 nights train: Cairo - Aswan and Luxor - Cairo (1st Class sleeper accommodation) including meals
Touring and sightseeing in Cairo, Giza, Saqqara, Luxor, Edfu and Aswan
Escorted by a degree qualified Egyptologist tour guide. (for groups of 4 or more).
Tip Kitty (excl. gratuities for your tour guide and Nile Cruise staff)
What's Not Included
International flights and visa
Entrance Fees: $95-105 USD
Tip for your tour guide - this is an entirely personal gesture
Hotels
The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard when necessary.
Le Meridien Pyramids - Cairo
Le Meridien Pyramids is set in manicured gardens with many of its spacious rooms boasting views of the pyramids. The swimming has waterfalls and four hydro-jets.
Our Rating : Deluxe —
Local Rating: 5 Star Hotel
Royal Ruby - Nile Cruising
The Royal Ruby is a luxurious and elegant cruise boat, with a rich decor throughout.
Our Rating : Deluxe —
Local Rating: 5 Star Deluxe Cruise
Sofitel El Gezirah - Cairo
The Sofitel El Gezirah is a luxury hotel, located on the Nile River with French contemporary and Oriental inspirations. All rooms and restaurants are overlooking the Nile.
Our Rating : Deluxe —
Local Rating: 5 Star Hotel
Postcards
Here's what some of our past travellers have written in to us and said about their experiences on this trip.
Jewel of the Nile - 10 days
Hi Rina,
Thank you for arranging our Egypt/UK/Cyprus trip. It all went off without a single hitch.
I said I’d let you know about On the Go Tours. As far as we are concerned they get ten out of ten. We would certainly travel with them again.
Egypt is experiencing a massive downturn in tourist numbers at present which is desperate for them but great for us. Our river cruiser catered for 70 plus people but there were less than 20 on board. We were in a group of seven (all Australians).
The On the Go “Jewel of the Nile” was highly professional, well considered, friendly and well executed. We wanted for nothing. The train trip from Cairo to Luxor and return from Aswan to Cairo was pretty ordinary but we expected that and enjoyed it. The train food was awful so next time I would take my own. This was certainly outside the control of On the Go and was all part of the Egypt experience.
All the arrangements fell in to place magnificently, from meeting and greeting on pre-Day 1, all the touring and right up to final departure at the gates at Cairo airport. Our guide was a four year university graduate in Egyptology, with immense knowledge and the ability to keep it interesting … all in excellent English. The quality of the chosen hotels was excellent and, in fact, the hotel in Cairo (Fairmont Nile City) on the last night with its view of the sun setting over the Nile was the best hotel in which Pauline and I have ever stayed.
Overall, the quality of the whole experience was excellent value for money and Pauline and I would thoroughly recommend On to Go to any potential Egypt tourers.
Pauline Lysaught,
Jewel of the Nile - 10 days
Sam,
Could you please post below for us. Thanks
It’s been a lovely, enjoyable occasion visiting Egypt with On The Go Tours. Although our flight was not as enjoyable/entertaining, the holiday package was one of the best so far. Transfers, sites/all transportations, tour guides, hotels, cruise all perfectly arranged.
We were met at the airport by the On The Go Tours representative Sherif, who took us through all the airport arrival facilities. We enjoyed a comfortable drive to our destination hotel Le Meridian Giza. The next day we were met by Egyptologist Mr Osama whose hospitality, kind gesture and knowledge no words could describe or reminisce. All we could say is, thank you for the beautiful, enjoyable time we spent with you in the museum, Cairo, Giza and the pyramids. Thanks so much at the pyramids.
The tour continued to Luxor and further to cruising on the river Nile. We were on the MS Farah the cruise boat for four days which felt like with a big family. What can we say is, well done MS Farah crew. Our sincere thanks to you and appreciation for the prefect work done. Our tour exposed us to horse drawn carriage, felucca sail, and not to mention the temples of which we enjoyed every part. Abu Simbelbolt-on is a must go or do item.
Finally we enjoyed our final day of the tour in a hotel with a very good panoramic view of River Nile, although the hotel is elegant, we would have preferred the initial Le Meridian in Giza owing to the one-to-one personal touch their staff offered. As all things do come to an end, the tour came to an end and we were seen off at the airport by Sherif.
In a nutshell, we would recommend the tour (Jewell of the Nile) offered by On The Go Tours to anybody.
1) Well done On The Go Tours
2) Well done Egyptian people for allowing us to savour such a magnificent history
3) Well done Sherif, Mr Osama, Aaamar and all others
4) Well done MS Farah Crew and Le Meridian team.
Regards
Edwin
Edwin,
Jewel of the Nile - 10 days
Hi Mark
Just to say that Kate and I are having the most amazing time here in Egypt.
Words cannot express how grateful we are to everyone here, and in your company for the care and attention with which we have been welcomed.
It feels like a total privilege to be here. Every day gets better than the last.
Please pass on our thanks to everyone.
Michael Willis,
Jewel of the Nile - 10 days
This has been such a complete tour of Egypt. Our host Yasser has been fantastic.
Susanna Venter ,
Jewel of the Nile - 10 days
Hi Katie
Just got home today. We had a great trip. Everything went well and the On the Go tour was fabulous. I highly recommend this tour. The hotels we stayed in were luxurious and the cruiser we travelled on the Nile was also very comfortable. We were very happy with our guide and we were well cared for with airport transfers etc.
Thanks for your help in planning for our trip. We really appreciate it!
Mary and Rob Dow,
Jewel of the Nile - 10 days
I was impressed with how all the team worked so well together.We never had to wait for anyone.Aall the staff were fabulous especially Yasser. Thank you to all.
Johanna Rodolico ,
Jewel of the Nile - 10 days
We enjoyed the tour so much! Our guides - Ahmed , Yassr + Hassan were so pfofessional & became our friends. We have noting but praise for thes guys!
Mark Bell ,
Jewel of the Nile - 10 days
Very informative & funny tour guide-he made every day very enjoyable :)