King Tutankhamen - 9 days
Egypt at its very best! Pyramids, Pharaohs and mighty temples, Nile felucca cruising, ancient Thebes and the tomb strewn Valley of the Kings. Sun, fun and time to explore. This very popular itinerary provides a fantastic overview of legendary Egypt in nine intoxicating days.
Saturday. Welcome to Egypt and the start of your holiday! Arrive Cairo, included transfer to hotel and overnight.
Overnight - Cairo
Cairo - Aswan. Visit to the famous pyramids and lion-headed Sphinx at Giza Plateau. Sole survivors from the ancient Greek-listed Seven Wonders of the World, the pyramids are the planet’s oldest tourist attraction! Gaze in awe at Cheops (Khufu) - the largest of the three great pyramids. Constructed from over 2.5 million limestone blocks it is thought to have taken more than 20 years to construct. Continuing to Saqqara, we can explore the myriad tombs and temples at this site and see Zhoser’s step pyramid - constructed by Imhotep, the pharaoh’s chief architect in 2700 BC! Later there is a chance to have dinner before the overnight train to Aswan, 1st class recliner seats.
Sleeper cabin upgrade available.
Overnight - Train (B)
King Tutankhamen - 9 days Go Guide : :Check out the go guide for details of the tour, info on visas, climate, money, what to bring and more!
Arrive and check into our hotel. A visit out of town takes us to the mighty High Dam – a modern feat of engineering - creating the world’s largest artificial lake, Lake Nasser! This afternoon's highlight is a leisurely boat trip to Agilika Island for Philae Temple for a guided tour of the romantic Philae Temple - dedicated to the goddess Isis. 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 - Aswan (B)
Aswan - Nile felucca cruise. Optional early morning
air excursion to the famed Temples of Abu Simbel, the rock-cut temple of King Ramses II, the Great Builder. This afternoon, we board our Nile felucca for a 2 night voyage downstream on the River Nile. If sailing by felucca is not your style, consider upgrading to a 5 star luxury Nile Cruise with our
Nile Cruise Upgrade. Overnight - Felucca Cruise (B, L, D)
Relax, go for a swim or just chill out in the sun on deck. Let your troubles melt away, as the felucca plies its route. Overnight - onboard Felucca (B, L, D)
Kom Ombo - Edfu - Luxor. Disembarking in Kom Ombo, we enjoy a guided tour of the Temple of Kom Ombo - dedicated to the crocodile headed god - Sobek and the Temple of Horus at Edfu, before driving north to Luxor. Home of the legendary Valley of the Kings and Temple of Karnak, 4000 year-old Luxor is ancient Egypt at it’s best. Enjoy some rest and relaxation. Tonight, an optional visit is available to the Temple of Luxor, alternatively enjoy the facilities of your hotel.
Overnight - Luxor (B)
Luxor - Cairo. An early start allows us to avoid some of the fierce midday heat as we venture to the tomb strewn Valley of the Kings. Consider opting to join our
hot air ballooning excursion over ancient Thebes - fabulous early in the morning! Highlights of the visit include the Colossi of Memnon, a massive pair of statues that stand silent against the backdrop of history, the Valleys of the Kings and the awesome ramped and colonnaded Temple of Queen Hatshepsut.
The Valley of the Kings is studded with often highly decorated tombs, constructed to once house the regal sarcophagi enclosed mummies of the mighty pharaohs awaiting passage into the after-life. This afternoon after lunch and time to relax we visit the colossal Temple of Karnak, with its stone-columned Hypostle Hall. Tonight, we return by overnight train to Cairo.
Sleeper cabin upgrade available.
Overnight - Train (B)
Arrival and hotel check-in. Later, we visit the famous Egyptian Museum, famed for the treasures of King Tutankhamen and his famous solid gold funerary mask. This afternoon is free - perhaps spend the remainder of the day exploring Cairo your way
Overnight - Cairo (B)
Sunday. Hotel check out and included onward departure transfer to airport. (B)
GO BEYOND THE PYRAMIDS!
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Consider extending your holiday to discover the centuries old customs and traditions of the Siwan people. An isolated community of mainly Libyan decent, who live within a date palm oasis surrounded by the Great Sand Sea. Combine our King Tutankhamen tour with a trip to Siwa and Alexandria, on our 15 day Nile Valley to Siwa Oasis tour. A great combination visiting all of Egypt's best loved sights along the Nile Valley, coupled with the reclusive and fascinating community of the Siwa Oasis. 15 day Nile Valley to Siwa Oasis |
KING RAMSES II - ABU SIMBEL SUN FESTIVAL
Join us to watch the Sun Festival of King Ramses II at Abu Simbel on our Glory of Light tour, departing Tuesday 18 October 2011 and our Chase the Sun tour departing Saturday 18 February 2012.
King 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.
on the go offers an opportunity to witness the phenomenon on our special Glory of Light and Chase the Sun tours. Includes: Coach from Aswan to Abu Simbel in the wee hours of the morn prior to the festival commencement. Guided visit to Abu Simbel, the sunrise event, entrance fees and visitor ticket for this excursion. Return coach journey to Aswan after the event.
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.
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| Pre Tour Accommodation - Cairo |
USD $89 |
USD $30 |
| Post Tour Accommodation - Cairo |
USD $89 |
USD $30 |
King Tutankhamen - 9 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. This excursion is offered on all tours visiting Aswan.
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| An aerial adventure awaits in Luxor! Imagine drifting silently over temples, ancient sites, ruins and villages in the early morning sun. See ancient Thebes from a different angle as you float above the River Nile and wave down at the locals as you drift a few metres from their open rooftops! |
| Upgrade from the included Nile felucca cruise from Aswan to Luxor and cruise in style aboard a luxury Nile cruiser. Our 5 star cruiser has a bar and restaurant, whilst your well–appointed, air-conditioned cabin offers a private bathroom. The boat deck offers plenty of space for relaxation and a swimming pool. Sightseeing stops are made en-route. All meals included, buffet style during your onboard stay.
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| On our Jewel of the Nile, Family tours and many tailor-made itineraries we include the Sleeper Cabin Train as part of your journey. On all other tours (taking the Nefertiti Seater Train) we offer the option to upgrade to a sleeper cabin on the Sleeper train. Cabins are lockable, equipped with 2 bunk beds, linen, washbasin and towel, allowing passengers to relax and stretch out.
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| Start - any day of the year. Ex. Cairo.
Chart Egypt’s Western Oases! Journeying to Bahariyya Oasis, we continue by 4 x 4's to the amazing expanse of the White Desert, where we’ll camp out under a blanket of stars and watch an amazing sunrise over the desert sands before returning to Cairo. |
Experiences
If you are interesting in trips with similar experiences to this one, then check out some of the ones we've listed below.
| Shop til you drop and experience a myriad of different sights, sounds and souvenirs in bustling bazaars around the world. Soak up the atmosphere in the souks of Marrakech, barter for bargains at the ginormous Grand Bazaar in Istanbul or lose yourself in Beijing's Silk Alley Markets. Visit the old covered market in Damascus or get some great souvenirs in Otavalo the handicraft market in Ecuador. |
| One of the highlights of our Egypt group tours, is felucca sailing on the mighty River Nile. Feluccas are simple, traditional sailboats, with broad sails, that have plied the mighty Nile since ancient times. Sail during the day, taking in the colourful sights of the Nile village life en-route, soak up the sun, relax, jump in for a swim and let the peaceful routine of life aboard allow, you to escape the stress of everyday life! At night sleep ondeck under a blanket of stars! What better way to experience the great outdoors! |
| Sole survivors from the ancient Greek-listed Seven Wonders of the World, the amazing pyramids at Giza are the planet’s oldest tourist attraction! Known as Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus, the pyramids were already more than 2,000 years old when Herodotus the Greek historian visited them (5th century BC). |
What You See and What You Get
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, Necropolis of Saqqara, Egyptian Museum
- Nile felucca cruising - islands en route
- Edfu - Temple of Horus
- Valley of the Kings, Colossi of Memnon, Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
| - Aswan - High Dam, Philae Temple, River Nile
- Kom Ombo - Temple of Kom Ombo
- Luxor - Temple of Karnak
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What's Included
- Breakfast daily
- 4 nights 4 - 5 star hotels
- 2 nights train: Cairo - Aswan and Luxor - Cairo (seater train). Sleeper cabin upgrade possible!
- Touring of Cairo, Giza, Saqqara, Aswan, Edfu & Luxor
- All relevant transfer and transportation in private modern air-conditioned vehicles
| - All meals aboard felucca cruise
- 2 nights aboard felucca (open deck)
- Airport arrival and departure transfer, day 1 and day 9
- Escorted by an Egyptian tour guide degree qualified in Egyptology
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What's Not Included
- International flights and visa
- Entrance Fees: $90-110 USD
| - Tip for your tour guide. We recommend you allow $3 - 5 USD per day, per traveller. Tip for your Felucca Crew/ Nile Cruise staff, we recommend you allow $10 USD. Tipping your guide and crew is an entirely personal gesture
- Tipping Kitty: $30-50 USD
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Hotels
We have listed below the accommodation most likely to be used on this tour. Please note that while we cannot guarantee that these will be the exact properties that you will stay at, any alternatives we use will be of a similar standard with similar facilities. 'Our Rating' indicates how we feel each property rates according to normal Western hotel standards. 'Local Rating' indicates how the property is categorised/rated locally.
The Oasis Hotel is surrounded by a palm forest and tropical gardens and boasts a swimming pool and an array of recreational facilities. The rooms are comfortable and spacious, with views over the gardens.
| Our Rating: Superior —
Local Rating: 4 Star Hotel
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Pyramisa Isis Corniche - Aswan
The Isis Corniche has panoramic views of the Nile. There is a range of rooms, which have views over the garden or Nile. The hotel has a wellness centre, with sauna, jacuzzi and steam bath.
| Our Rating: Standard —
Local Rating: 4 Star Hotel
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A grand and classical hotel, the Sonesta is luxurious, ensuring you a comfortable stay. The hotel has a sweeping terrace with fantastic views of the Nile, a grand entrance of polished marble and handsomely appointed furnishings with exquisite detail and a beautiful health spa.
| Our Rating: Deluxe —
Local Rating: 5 Star Deluxe Hotel
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Postcards
Here's what some of our past travellers have written in to us and said about their experiences on this trip.
Good morning! I just wanted to say thank you for all of your help with our trip. It was fantastic!!!
[Customer name], Jan 2012
I did a lot of research into the different tours available for Egypt. I'm glad I chose On The Go! I had an amazing time that I'll never forget. I've travelled to a lot of countries around the world and this tour has been a highlight. Cheers!!
Joron Snook , Dec 2011
Well run tour, good advice, guide (best ever to date) who was passionate, paced, loved Egypt and had a good sense of humour. Our guide really made the trip extremely memorable & enjoyable.
Shane Edwards , Dec 2011
I was one of the runner-ups in the Grom contest that On The Go Tours (OTGT) ran last year. Our prize: The King Tutankhamen tour. We were all supposed to go in February earlier this year, but as you all probably know, Egypt was at a time of revolt. Unfortunately the trip was cancelled, but OTGT handled it all very well given the situation and gave us the chance to re-book at a later date. I just returned from the tour at the end of August. I can say that it exceeded my expectations. OTGT took care of everything (from my flights to the entrance fees and tip kitty). When the overnight seater train from Cairo to Aswan got cancelled, they booked us a flight and an extra night at the hotel in Aswan to make sure we'd get there in time to continue the tour with the others who took the sleeper train. There is no doubt that OTGT give their customers first class treatment.
A few reasons why OTGT rocks:
Knowledgeable tour guides (Bassam was an excellent tour guide who knew his stuff and apparently possesses over an endless amounts of patience with our group that kept forgetting the names of the Gods and Kings of Egypt - Shukran gazilan Bassam for sharing your knowledge and culture!)
Friendly representatives (who patienlty waited for me at the airport after hours of delay and who get you checked in efficiently, skipping the queues at the check-in desk)
Problem solvers (during our tour we experienced a few instances such as cancellations of trains and planes that were completely out of OTGT control, yet they managed to arrange alternative transportation in a prompt manner)
Small groups (mine was 11: a nice mix of Australians, Canadians and English)
I had a terrific time in Egypt - thank you OTGT for giving me the chance to experience this wonderful country!
Ms Chiadjo Jiang GROM, Sep 2011
Thank you for an amazing holiday. We were very impressed with the polite & carteous service during the whole tour. Haytham truly made a first overseas trip to remember forever.
Amy Stobart , Aug 2011
Momo made an amzing experience even better! Always felt safe and looked after! Momo's depth of knowledge is unbelievable!
Julie Forsyth , Aug 2011
The experience was amazing. I was surprised by the knowledge of tour guide. He made the trip so much more enjoyable+really bonded the entire group! Also very organised!!!
Stacey Williams, Aug 2011
I throughly enjoyed my time with on the go& would recommend thm to anyone. My time in Egypt would not have been complete without our tour guide Alam,who kept a positive attitude throughout.
Chet Willcock , Aug 2011
