Tour Details
  • Starts in: Cairo / Ends in: Cairo
  • Departs: 18, 21, 23, 27 Dec 2010
  • No local payment required
  • Breakfast:9, Lunch: 2, Dinner: 2
  • Hotel Rating: 4-5 star
  • Tour Guide: Yes
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Classic King Tut - 9 days

Classic Egypt at its best - ancient temples, tombs, Nile river cruising, topped off with plenty of festive cheer! With 4 tour dates to choose from, the hardest decision you'll need to make is where you want to spend Xmas & New Years - sailing the Nile, relaxing in Aswan or discovering Cairo!

Day 1: Cairo
Welcome to Egypt and the start of a great festive Egyptian adventure. Arrive Cairo airport and included transfer to our hotel. Overnight - Cairo (B)
Day 2: Pyramids & Saqqara
Cairo - Aswan. A big day out with a visit to the famous pyramids of Giza, sole survivors from the ancient Greek-listed Seven Wonders of the World. Later we continue to Saqqara to tour King Zhoser's step pyramid - the first known pyramid ever built. We enjoy a chance to freshen up and have dinner before catching the overnight seater train to Aswan. Overnight - seater Train (B)
Classic King Tut - 9 days Go Guide : :Check out the go guide for details of the tour, info on visas, climate, money, what to bring and more!
Girls riding a camel at the pyramids on the Giza Plateau
Day 3: Philae Temple
Arrival and check into our hotel. Our first stop is the mighty High Dam and later a leisurely boat trip to the romantic Temple of Philae, dedicated to the goddess Isis and rescued under an enormous UNESCO effort in the 1970's to save the temple from the rising waters of the High Dam. As night falls, free time to shop in the colourful souqs or simply relax and watch an amazing sunset. Overnight - Aswan (B)
Days 4 - 5: Felucca Cruising
Aswan - Nile Felucca cruise. Optional early morning air excursion to famous 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. Relax, top up your tan and chat with new friends as the felucca gently plies its route. Stops are made en route for swimming and visiting local villages.

If sailing by felucca is not your thing, navigate the River Nile on board a 5 star luxury Nile Cruiser with private cabin and ensuite bathroom. Add to this a sleeper train upgrade. Sleeper train cabins are fully enclosed, fitted with bunk beds, linen and washbasins. Both are offered through purchasing our Pharaoh's Pass. Overnight - onboard Felucca (B:2, L:2, D:2)
Girls climbing aboard a felucca on the River Nile
Day 6: Kom Ombo Temple & Luxor
Kom Ombo - Edfu - Luxor. Disembarking, we enjoy a guided tour of Kom Ombo Temple and the Temple of Horus at Edfu, before driving north to Luxor. Hotel check into our 5 star, and free afternoon swim or chill by the pool. Home of the legendary Valley of the Kings and Queens and the gigantic Temple of Karnak, 4000 year old Luxor is ancient Egypt at it's best. Tonight, we have the opportunity to view Luxor Temple - built by Amenophis III, at night with dinner afterward. The temple looks stunning at nightfall illuminated by hundreds of coloured lights. Book/pay locally. Remainder of the evening at leisure Overnight - Luxor (B)
Day 7: Valley of the Kings
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 at sunrise! 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, the Valley of the Queens 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. Lose yourself in the stone-columned Hypostle Hall and go crazy with your camera. This is ancient Egypt. Tonight, we return by overnight train to Cairo, 1st class recliner seats. Overnight - Train (B)
Statues of King Ramses II illuminated at night in the Luxor Temple
Day 8: Egyptian Museum
Arrival and hotel check-in. Later we enjoy a guided tour of the famous Egyptian Museum. See the priceless funerary treasures of King Tutankhamen, including his legendary solide gold death mask. Enjoy the remains of the day shopping and exploring Cairo. Overnight - Cairo (B)
Day 9: Cairo
Our tour concluded after breakfast and onward departure transfer to the airport. (B)

Upgrade with a Xmas King Tut Pharaoh's Pass
Try our Pharoahs Pass for a festive lift, travel in comfort and cruise the Nile in style!
Includes 2 x sleeper train cabin upgrade - Cairo - Aswan and Luxor - Cairo. 3 nights aboard a 5 star Nile Cruiser (in place of felucca sailing). All meals aboard Nile Cruiser

Note: All cruise boats on New Years Eve charge a compulsary New Years Dinner supplement. If departing on 27 Dec 2009 or 2010 you will be onboard and required to pay a supplement at time of booking. Contact us for details.

Where would you like to spend XMAS and New Years eve?

  • 18 Dec tour departure: Xmas Day in Cairo
  • 21 Dec tour departure: Xmas Day felucca sailing
  • 23 Dec tour departure: Xmas in Aswan, ends Cairo 31st Dec
  • 27 Dec tour departure: New Year's Eve felucca sailing