Karnak 2
FROM: AUD $5,495 pp
Alexandria, Ancient Egypt & Nile Cruising - 13 days map

PRIVATE TOUR:Take a 13 day tour of incredible Egypt, from Mediterranean Alexandria and the Commonwealth War Graves of El Alamein, to the legendary Pyramids of Giza, the sunny southern city of Aswan and Luxor's tomb strewn Valley of Kings. Cruising the Nile, exploring ancient wonders and more.

Inclusions
Itinerary
Prices & Dates
Hotels

Trip Highlights

Alexandria - Take in the highlights of this beautiful Mediterranean port city, including the Roman Catacombs, Pompey's Pillar, the Library of Alexandria and Quaitbay Fort, the site of the great Lighthouse of Alexandria
El Alamein - Tour the WWII battlefields, pay your respects at the Commonwealth War Graves and visit the El Alamein Military Museum
Luxor - Roam around the colossal Temple of Karnak and take an optional tour of the beautifully illuminated Luxor Temple at night
Nile cruising - Spend 3 nights on board a 5 star Nile cruiser and cruise the Nile in style
Cairo - Marvel at the legendary Pyramids of Giza, explore the Necropolis of Saqqara and see King Tut's treasures at the Grand Egyptian Museum
Luxor West Bank - Discover exquisite tombs at the Valley of the Kings, see the towering Colossi of Memnon and explore the beautiful Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
Aswan - Take a leisurely boat trip to Agilika Island to explore romantic Philae Temple and wander around the colourful souqs
Kom Ombo - Visit the Nile side Temple of Kom Ombo

Included

Breakfast daily, 4 lunches and 4 dinners
Escorted by an Egyptian tour guide degree qualified in Egyptology
Touring - Alexandria and the El Alamein Battlefields and museum
Airport arrival and departure transfer on day 1 and day 13
Economy class flights from Luxor to Cairo
7 nights 4-5 star hotels, 3 nights aboard 5 star Nile Cruiser (en suite cabin)
Touring - Cairo, Giza, Saqqara, Aswan and Luxor
Overnight train from Cairo to Aswan (Private 2 berth sleeper cabin)
All relevant transfers and transportation in private modern air-conditioned vehicles

Not Included

International flights and visa
Entrance Fees: USD$130-150pp, paid in local currency
Tipping. We recommend you allow USD$20 per traveller per day of guiding for your guide, and an additional USD$10 per traveller per day for general tipping such as drivers, and bellmen, though ultimately tipping is an entirely personal gesture.
Tipping Kitty: USD$80-100pp, paid in local currency

Itinerary

Day 1

Cairo

Welcome to Egypt. Upon arrival at Cairo Airport you'll be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax or if arriving early, you can opt to pre book our optional private Backstreets of Cairo tour, which introduces you to the highlights of Egypt's bustling capital.
Overnight: Cairo

Day 2

Exploring Alexandria

Bright and early this morning, drive to the port side city of Alexandria on the Mediterranean Coast. Arriving at the windswept city known for its broad beaches and seafront corniche dotted with sun loungers, amusements and cafes you'll embark on a guided tour of the Roman catacombs. Heading underground, view the largest known Roman burial site in Egypt, complete with burial chambers, labyrinth alleyways and entertaining rooms for families coming to visit the dead.

From the catacombs, visit Pompey's Pillar, a modest 25m tower, which is all that remains of an ancient column, from the ruined Temple of Serapis. Next stop is the impressive Library of Alexandria, where free time will be offered for photos of the exterior (sometimes it is open to the public - if you're interested you can go inside!). Lastly today, take a leisurely stroll along the corniche to the Citadel of Quaitbey. Explore this attractive fortress, which was built on the site of the legendary Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, which was destroyed by a powerful earthquake 1323AD.

After hotel check in and time to freshen up your guide will take you for a drive along the corniche followed by dinner (included).
Overnight: Alexandria  |  Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3

Alexandria Free Day

Enjoy a free day in Alexandria, at your leisure. Why not start the morning by taking a walk by Alexandria Harbour - take in the surroundings as the seagulls fly overhead and the boats pull into port. Later, you can check out the Bibliotheca, one of the biggest and most famous libraries in the world. There's also Montazah Palace and Gardens to explore! Depending on how you want to spend your day, the possibilities are endless.
Overnight: Alexandria  |  Breakfast

Day 4

El Alamein

Today, visit the Commonwealth War Graves of El Alamein. It is here where two extended battles were fought during World War II. The first began on the 1st July 1942 and lasted for 27 days, it ended as a stalemate. After 3 months of holding back the enemy, the Allies launched a second attack which lasted for 13 days. This saw the Allied forces (including British, Australian and New Zealand soldiers) push back the Axis powers for ultimate defeat in Tunisia. Some 13,000 Allied soldiers were killed and 70,000 were wounded in the battle.

Later, tour the compact El Alamein military museum that acts as a memorial for the battle and houses lots of original war vehicles, weapons, uniforms and records. Displays in the museum detail the complete history of World War II in North Africa from all sides and stands on the site where the actual battle took place. This afternoon return to Cairo.
Overnight: Cairo  |  Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5

Pyramids of Giza & Saqqara

Visit the famous pyramids and iconic Sphinx at Giza Plateau today. 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, 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! A visit to a government supervised Papyrus Museum will also be made at some point during today.
Overnight: Cairo  |  Breakfast

Day 6

The Egyptian Museum

Cairo - Aswan. Take a guided tour of the vast new Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza this morning. In this incredible 490,000 sq.m complex you'll discover a mind-boggling array of relics and antiquities from almost every period of ancient Egyptian history. Get up close and personal with ancient mummies Thuya and Yuya, King Tutankhamun's great grandparents. Marvel at the most famous exhibit, the spectacular funerary mask of King Tutankhamun. Made of solid gold and weighing 11kg, the mask was found covering the head of the mummy, where it lay inside a series of 3 sarcophagi.

Then there's time to relax back at the hotel before your guide assists you in boarding the night overnight train to Aswan this evening. Your new guide will welcome you on your arrival to Aswan tomorrow morning.

Please Note: the Grand Egyptian Museum is scheduled to open in late 2024, though an official opening date has yet to be released. If travelling prior to the opening of the new facility you'll visit the Egyptian Museum instead.
Overnight: Sleeper Train  |  Breakfast

Day 7

Aswan & the Philae Temple

This morning you'll arrive into Aswan where you'll be welcomed by your new guide. Enjoy a short boat trip to Agilika Island for Philae Temple - dedicated to the goddess Isis. Then a brief stop will be made at a perfume oil emporium before check-in on board the Nile Cruiser which will be home for the next three nights. Later, there is free time to perhaps enjoy some shopping in the colourful souks and markets or simply relax in this attractive town which straddles the River Nile.
Overnight: Aswan - Nile Cruiser  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8

Nile Cruising & optional Abu Simbel

Aswan - Abu Simbel (optional) - Kom Ombo - Nile Cruising. Today there is an optional early morning flight excursion to Abu Simbel offered. Choose to either join a guided journey to Abu Simbel or opt for a self-guided exploration by exploring the temples at your own pace. Abu Simbel is home to the famous the rock-cut temple of King Ramses II. The Nile cruiser departs Aswan this afternoon and you'll cruise the River Nile to Kom Ombo and disembark to visit the temple which is dedicated to the crocodile headed god - Sobek before returning to the cruiser.
Overnight: Nile Cruiser  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9

Nile Cruising

Nile Cruise - Luxor. Relax, enjoy a swim in the pool and chill out in the sun on deck this morning. Let your troubles melt away as you cruise the River Nile to Luxor. Home of the legendary Valley of the Kings and Temple of Karnak, 4000 year-old Luxor is ancient Egypt at its best. Arriving into Luxor this afternoon the rest of the day is free to explore the city before spending your final night aboard the cruiser.
Overnight: Luxor - Nile Cruiser  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10

Luxor

Kom Ombo - Luxor. This morning, disembark and check into your 5 star Luxor hotel. Following check in, you will visit Karnak Temple, a spectacular religious complex built on a gigantic scale, where you get lost wandering around the stone papyrus columns. Later, there is an optional excursion to the Luxor Temple, which is long rumoured to be the location of Pharaoh crownings. Built by Amenophis III, Luxor Temple looks stunning at night when it's illuminated by hundreds of lights (book and pay locally).
Overnight: Luxor  |  Breakfast

Day 11

Valley of the Kings

Luxor. Today you'll tour the West Bank of the Nile. An early start allows you to avoid some of the fierce midday heat as you venture to the tomb strewn Valley of the Kings. Highlights of the visit include the Colossi of Memnon, a massive pair of statues that stand silent against a historic backdrop, the Valleys of the Kings with its beautifully decorated tombs, constructed to once house the regal sarcophagi enclosed mummies of the mighty pharaohs awaiting passage into the after-life and the awesome colonnaded Temple of Queen Hatshepsut.

The rest of the afternoon is at leisure.
Overnight: Luxor  |  Breakfast

Day 12

Free time in Cairo

Luxor - Cairo. You will be transferred to Luxor Airport where you will fly on to Cairo. Arrive back in Cairo where today is free for you to relax or explore Egypt’s capital at leisure. You can opt to visit Khan el Khalili bazaar, the ideal place for some last minute souvenir shopping.
Overnight: Cairo  |  Breakfast

Day 13

Cairo

Hotel check out and included onward departure transfer to airport.
Breakfast

Prices & Dates

'Twin/Double' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to solo travellers and anyone wanting the privacy of their own room, based on a travelling party of at least 2 adults.

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Extra Prices

Twin Share
Single Room

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.

Holiday Inn Cairo Maadi, Cairo

Our Category: Deluxe   |   Regional Category: 5 Star Hotel

Overlooking the Nile and offering distant views of the Great Pyramids of Giza, this Holiday Inn provides the perfect location for your stay in Cairo. Each guestroom features a balcony (not Nile View as standard) and is well-equipped with modern amenities including free WiFi. Evenings can be spent enjoying international or Egyptian cuisine and unwinding with a cocktail at one of the hotel’s bars. Thanks to the friendly hotel staff, you’ll soon feel at home. And with panoramic views of the city from the rooftop lounge and pool, there’s no better place to base yourself for exploring Egypt’s ancient wonders.

Sleeper Train, Cairo

Our Category: Simple   |   Regional Category: Train

When travelling on an overnight train in Egypt, sleeper carriages offer the highest level of comfort. Cabins are equipped with two beds (one above the other), a basin, electric points and air conditioning. Freshly laundered bedding is provided and in the early evening an attendant will come round and make up your bed for you. The carriages have toilets at each end and there is a club car which serves snacks and beverages. In the morning a very basic breakfast is provided.

Steigenberger Hotel el Tahrir, Cairo

Our Category: Superior   |   Regional Category: 4 Star Hotel

Ideally located in the heart of downtown Cairo, the Steigenberger Hotel El Tahrir is right by the lively Tahrir Square. Guestrooms offer peace and quiet away from the high-energy of the city, with contemporary decor and sound-proofed windows overlooking views of Cairo. The wellness facilities are state-of-the-art, including a fitness centre, outdoor pool and sauna and massage rooms. Be sure to take advantage of the poolside bar and delicious hotel restaurant, or enjoy the option of 24-hour in-room dining.

Radisson Blu Hotel, Cairo

Our Category: Deluxe   |   Regional Category: 5 Star Hotel

Radisson Blu is in the Heliopolis area of Cairo, just 3 kms from Cairo International Airport. Providing spacious, well appointed guest rooms with amenities such as a daily newspaper and turndown service, the hotel is the perfect oasis for guests visiting the city. Its two restaurants, lobby lounge, and gourmet bakery offer a range of culinary choices. To top it all off, the hotel boasts a rooftop spa and pool with panoramic Cairo views.

Sonesta Hotel, Towers & Casino Cairo, Cairo

Our Category: Superior   |   Regional Category: 5 Star Hotel

The Sonesta Hotel & Casino is a sophisticated and luxurious hotel offering spacious, en-suit rooms with opulent furnishings. Enjoy a cocktail at the poolside bar or indulge in a relaxing massage or Turkish steam bath at the full-service spa. With 5 restaurants located within the hotel you'll be spoilt for choice over dining options.

Paradise Inn Le Metropole, Alexandria

Our Category: Superior   |   Regional Category: 4 Star Hotel

Le Metropole is one of the oldest in Alexandria and is a superb example of 18th century architecture. The rooms are are cozy and well appointed.

M/S Medea, Nile Cruising

Our Category: Deluxe   |   Regional Category: 5 star cruise boat

The M/S Medea is elegantly furnished with rich fabrics, wood panelling and classic style furniture, offering a refined setting for your Nile cruise. The restaurant offers 120 covers with a combination of waiter service and buffet meals which allows to sample both Egyptian and international cuisine. The spacious lounge bar is tastefully furnished with Chesterfield sofas and offers panoramic views of the Nile River.

M/S La Traviata, Nile Cruising

Our Category: Deluxe   |   Regional Category: 5 star cruise boat

M/S La Traviata has proved be a long term favourite with many regular Nile cruise guests. The cosy restaurant on the lower deck serves 88 guests and serves both - international and Egyptian cuisine. Lounge bar with dance floor and music system for evening entertainment. The sundeck offers a pool as well as sun loungers and a shaded area. The reception offers full services including an international phone. The gift shop on board has a wide range of gifts and souvenirs from Egypt.

Sonesta St. George Hotel, Luxor

Our Category: Deluxe   |   Regional Category: 5 Star Deluxe Hotel

An elegant and luxurious classical hotel, the Sonesta's sophistication will ensure 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. All its rooms offer views of the city or the river, complemented by a wide range of restaurants and cafes. Just minutes away you will find the temples at Luxor and Karnak, home to two of ancient Egypt's most famed sanctuaries.

Steigenberger Nile Palace, Luxor

Our Category: Deluxe   |   Regional Category: 5 Star Deluxe Hotel

The Steigenburger Nile Palace is a grand hotel and stylishly furnished, with many rooms overlooking the Nile River. The hotel has a health club with massage rooms, sauna, steam room and fitness room, and a tennis court on the roof, not to mention a riverside pool. Its four restaurants offer a choice between Nubian, Lebanese, Italian, and Thai cuisine.

At a Glance

Range
Trip Type
Starts
Cairo
Ends
Cairo
Departs
Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
Group Size
Min 2 / Max Private Tour
Hotel Rating
4 - 5 star
Tour Guide
Yes, for all included sightseeing
Meals
Breakfast: 12, Lunch: 4, Dinner: 4
Countries
Minimum Age
10 yrs, accompanied by an adult
Arr. Transfer
Yes
Dep. Transfer
Yes
Click to play videoThe city of Cairo at the end of a dusty path in front of the setting sun
The white fortress of Qaitbay in Alexandria
The white fortress of Qaitbay in Alexandria
Ancient ruins standing majestically against the sky in Aswan
Ancient ruins standing majestically against the sky in Aswan
Cruise ship on the River Nile
Click to play videoThe entrance to the ancient city of Luxor

Tour Add-ons

Enhance your trip with these amazing added extras and add-ons

OTG002520Alexandria, Ancient Egypt & Nile Cruising - 13 daysMiddle East & North AfricaPrivateMiddle East & North Africafalse0Egypthttps://www.onthegotours.com/au/Egypt/Alexandria-Ancient-Egypt-and-Nile-Cruising-13-dayshttps://www.onthegotours.com/repository/Karnak-2-800681685493353_crop_flip_300_300_f2f2f2_center-center.jpgPrivate_Tours