Cruising the Nile | Egypt
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FROM: R49,049 pp
Treasures of the Nile - 10 days map

PREMIUM TOUR: Discover the very best of ancient Egypt, from the Pyramids of Giza to the Valley of the Kings on this 10 day premium tour. Enjoy the comfort of five star hotels and domestic flights - and take in the Nile in style aboard a luxury cruise boat.

Inclusions
Itinerary
Prices & Dates
Hotels
Reviews

Trip Highlights

5 star Nile River Cruise - Spend four nights onboard a luxury cruise boat
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 - Visit the High Dam, 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
Cairo - Marvel at the mighty Pyramids of Giza, explore the Necropolis of Saqqara and see King Tut's treasures at the Grand Egyptian Museum
Luxor - Roam around the colossal Temple of Karnak and see the beautifully illuminated Luxor Temple at night
Elephantine Island and Kitchener island - Visit the islands on a traditonal felucca (sailing boa)

Included

Breakfast daily, 4 lunches and 4 dinners
2 economy class flights - Cairo to Luxor and Aswan to Cairo
Touring and sightseeing in Cairo, Giza, Saqqara, Luxor and Aswan
Escorted by an Egyptian tour guide degree qualified in Egyptology (for groups of 4 or more). Note you guide will not accompany you aboard internal flights
5 nights 5 star hotels, 4 nights aboard a 5 star Nile Cruiser (en suite cabin)
Airport arrival and departure transfer on day 1 and day 10
Felucca sailing around the islands of Aswan
All relevant transfers and transportation in private modern air-conditioned vehicles

Not Included

International flights and visa
Entrance Fees: USD$100-120pp, paid in local currency
Tip for your tour guide - we recommend you allow USD$8 per day, per traveller for your guide, though tipping is an entirely personal gesture
Tipping Kitty: USD$70-90pp, paid in local currency

Itinerary

Jewel of the Nile....
If considering this holiday and you'd prefer the experience of travelling by overnight sleeper train from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan to Cairo in lieu of flying, you may wish to consider our Jewel of the Nile holiday.

Day 1

Cairo

Friday. Upon arrival into Cairo airport you are met and transferred to your 5 star hotel located in downtown Cairo. The rest of the day is free to relax or those arriving early can opt to pre book our optional Backstreets of Cairo tour which departs the hotel at 10am today. This evening a Welcome Meeting will be held at around 7pm.

If you would like to extend your stay and see more of Egypt, we also offer a pre or post tour Alexandria Day Trip.
Overnight: Cairo

Day 2

Pyramids of Giza

Today we visit Egypt's most loved and iconic sight: The Great Pyramids of Giza. We explore the Giza plateau, pyramids and massive Sphinx. We continue on to explore Saqqara - an ancient necropolis with many half-buried tombs and the famous Zhoser’s step pyramid. Then we return to our hotel where the rest of the day is free to relax by the pool and enjoy the hotel facilities.
Overnight: Luxor  |  Breakfast

Day 3

The Grand Egyptian Museum

Cairo - Luxor. We start the day with a guided tour of the Grand Egyptian Museum which contains a dazzling array of antiquities gathered from across Egypt and the world. Among the many exhibits in this vast new 490,000 sq.m complex are the magnificent treasures of King Tutankhamun and his solid gold funerary mask. After we've explored Egypt's flagship museum we head over to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization where we can see the incredibly well-preserved mummies of ancient Egyptian pharaohs on display in the Royal Mummies' Hall.

Later we transfer to the airport for our flight to Luxor. Please note that your tour guide will not accompany you onboard your flight.

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 we'll visit the Egyptian Museum instead.
Overnight: Cairo  |  Breakfast

Day 4

Valley of the Kings

The massive pair of statues known as the Colossi of Memnon are the first monuments we see during our morning visit to the West Bank - home to the legendary Valley of the Kings. We also see the colonnaded Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Return to Luxor for check-in on board our Nile 5 star cruiser. Lunch is at leisure and we have 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.

Note: Dependent upon Nile Cruiser scheduling, we may take an excursion to Karnak Temple this afternoon. Should this occur, day 5 is spent at leisure.
Overnight: Nile Cruising  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5

Luxor & Nile Cruising

Luxor - Nile Cruising. This morning we tour the ancient city of Thebes (the East Bank) and gaze at the magnificent Temple of Karnak. More than a temple, Karnak is a gigantic and stunning complex of sanctuaries and pylons dedicated to the Theban gods. Anchors away this afternoon as we set sail downstream.
Overnight: Nile Cruising  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6

Cruising & Kom Ombo

Nile Cruising. Relax as we sail the Nile. Later today, we visit the Temple of Kom Ombo. A unique riverside temple, it is unusual in that everything architecturally is doubled and perfectly symmetrical along the main axis of the temple including twin halls, courts, colonnades, sanctuaries and entrances. Arrive in Aswan: a prosperous town at the crossroads of the ancient caravan routes late evening.
Overnight: Nile Cruising  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7

The Philae Temple

Nile cruiser - Aswan. Today, we enjoy a short boat trip to Agilika Island for a look at the 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, we visit the High Dam and take a felucca sailing trip to Elephantine and Kitchener Island followed by a visit to a perfume oil emporium. As the sun sets, we enjoy 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 Cruising  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8

Optional excursion to Abu Simbel

Consider our optional early morning excursion to see the magnificent Temples of King Ramses II at Abu Simbel. In a multimillion dollar operation lead by UNESCO in 1972, the famous temples were re-located to a higher position on the shoreline of Lake Nasser which had threatened to erode the foundations of this monolithic temple complex. Please see our Abu Simbel by Road Add-on for more info. Alternatively you can spend the morning at leisure.

This afternoon offers free time. Consider a visit to the Old Cataract Hotel, where Agatha Christie wrote the novel Death on the Nile. High Tea is also offered on the terrace which affords panoramic views of the Nile set to a backdrop of rolling sand dunes. Or opt for a visit to the well-curated Nubian Museum.
Overnight: Aswan  |  Breakfast

Day 9

Cairo

Aswan - Cairo. Today we fly back to Cairo. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel, check in and rendezvous with your guide. The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy the hotel facilities or or you can join our optional excursion visiting Old Cairo, Coptic Cairo and the Citadel of Saladin (book locally).
Overnight: Cairo  |  Breakfast

Day 10

Cairo

Sunday. Tour ends after breakfast. Included onward transfer to airport.
Breakfast

Prices & Dates

All dates are guaranteed to operate when there are 2 persons booked on the tour. '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.

Guaranteed Departure

Extra Prices

Twin Share
Single Room
Alexandria & El Alamein - 4 days (Adult)
R11,065
R16,935
Alexandria & El Alamein - 4 days (Child)
R11,065
R16,935

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.

Steigenberger Cairo Pyramids Hotel, Cairo

Our Category: Deluxe   |   Regional Category: 5 Star Hotel

Just footsteps away from the Great Pyramids of Giza is the Cairo Pyramids Hotel. Combining ancient history with world-class hospitality, the hotel is the perfect base for sightseeing. Guestrooms are spacious and comfortable, with friendly staff offering 24-hour room service. You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to food, with four restaurants offering international and local specialities. Enjoy stunning views of the pyramids from the lush gardens and end your day with a refreshing dip in the pool.

Sheraton Cairo Hotel, Cairo

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

The recently renovated Sheraton Cairo Hotel, Towers and Casino is a stylish, contemporary hotel with fantastic views over the Nile. The rooms are particularly spacious with large bright windows, complimentary WiFi and all of the modern amenities required to ensure a comfortable stay. If you're feeling lucky head to the casino, or relax in the spa tub and soak up the sun by the large outdoor pool. The hotel has a choice of three restaurants and bars, where you can enjoy a tasty meal and refreshing drinks after taking in the ancient wonders of Egypt's capital city.

Hyatt Regency Cairo West, Cairo

Our Category: Deluxe   |   Regional Category: 5 Star Hotel

The Hyatt Regency Cairo West Hotel is located less than 15km from Giza, boasting views of the Pyramids in the distance. These views are best soaked up from the hotel's garden and terrace, or from The Plaza bar which directly overlooks the Giza Pyramids. There's also an outdoor pool, fitness centre, spa, and free Wi-Fi throughout the property. There are dining opportunities aplenty, with five separate onsite restaurants serving a variety of cuisine, including Spanish, Italian, Japanese and Peruvian. The Hyatt's 250 guest rooms are modern and bright, with large floor-to-ceiling windows offering great views of Giza for guests staying on the right side of the hotel! Rooms also boast marble bathrooms, TV, blackout curtains, coffee machines, a minibar, and security safe.

InterContinental Semiramis, Cairo

Our Category: Deluxe   |   Regional Category: 5 Star Hotel

Situated on the banks of the River Nile in the heart of the capital, the luxury InterContinental Semiramis is conveniently located next to the Egyptian Museum and the bustling bazaars of Old Cairo. The tastefully appointed guest rooms have been designed with comfort in mind, with all modern amenities and balconies offering Nile or city views. The hotel's large rooftop pool is perfect for a refreshing dip and with 12 restaurants offering cuisine from across the world there's certainly no shortage of dining options. At the end of the day, head to the Nile Terrace to watch a spectacular sunset over the Nile, with a cool drink in hand.

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.

M/S Royal Lotus, Nile Cruising

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

Movenpick MS Royal Lotus is a 5-star deluxe Nile cruise that will enable you to discover the ruins of Ancient Egypt with style and comfort. This cruiser is appointed with elegant accommodations of 60 cabins and 2 magnificent Royal Suites. The cruiser features a range of leisure activities with a plunge pool and jacuzzi surrounded by a spacious sun deck, along with a spa and gymnasium with amazing views of the Nile. The restaurant offers both international and local cuisine in both buffet and a la Carte styles, with a selection of bars for enjoying a sunset cocktail whilst taking in the breathtaking views.

M/S Royal Lily, Nile Cruising

Our Category: Luxury   |   Regional Category: 5 Star Deluxe Cruise

Mövenpick M/S Royal Lily offers a great chance to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Nile banks and enables you to experience a fascinating way to travel and relax at the same time. The 56 cabins and 4 Royal Suites are located on the upper decks to ensure beautiful views of Nile scenery. There are an excellent range of facilities on board including a rectangular shape pool located on the spacious sundeck along with a fully equipped gymnasium and massage room, Bedouin style seating with Bridge tables, a lounge bar and a gift shop. The expansive restaurant located under the Main Deck offers guests three gourmet meals each day offering an extensive mix of different cuisines; with authentic Egyptian cuisine and a tempting selection of international and vegetarian dishes accompanied by a selection of local and imported drinks. The Salon Deck with panoramic windows offers a relaxing lounge serving afternoon tea.

M/S Hamees, Nile Cruising

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

The M/S Hamees is a luxury cruise boat with outside cabins facing the Nile.

M/S Nile Premium, Nile Cruising

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

The modern and luxurious M/S Nile Premium cruise boat boasts stylish cabins equipped with all modern amenities and large panoramic windows. Facilities on board include a fitness centre, spacious deck with swimming pool, large restaurant and cocktail bar. Grab a good book and a refreshing beverage and relax on the Sund Deck - the perfect way to spend the day. The M/S Nile Premium sets sail on Mondays on a 4 and 7 night cruise from Luxor and on Fridays on a 3 and 7 night cruise from Aswan.

M/S Moon Dance, Nile Cruising

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

MS Moon Dance Nile Cruise is a floating hotel, designed for luxury 5 star cruising on the Nile between Luxor and Aswan. It offers exquisite comfort for up to 132 passengers with its 60 cabins and 8 suites, which provide an ideal refuge for relaxation, along with a variety of enterainment and recreation on board. All rooms have a range a facilities you would expect from a luxury hotel, and enjoy panoramic view windows to take in the wonders of the Nile. On board the cruise, features include a luxurious lounge bar; plunge pool, sun deck with bar; beauty salon; spa and fitness equipment and gift shop. Breakfast and lunch are served as an open buffet, with a delicious variety of French, Italian and local specialties, whilst dinner is served on a la carte and buffet basis, with a fine list of international and local cuisine.

Movenpick Hotel, Aswan, Aswan

Our Category: Deluxe   |   Regional Category: 5 Star Hotel

Situated on Elephantine Island, the Movenpick is a luxurious hotel with stunning views of the Nile River. There is a range of spacious and luxurious rooms with stylish furnishings, private balconies or terraces and a great selection of amenities including WiFi, satellite TV and tea/coffee making facilities. The Movenpick offers three restaurants as well as the Lounge Bar and Panorama Bar. Guests can also make use of the outdoor swimming pool and tennis courts.

Reviews

Travellers have rated this tour as 4.47 out of 5 based on 19 recent reviews

1  |  2

You pay for airport transfers but they only honor this for travelers arriving on the start and end date of the tour. The day 1 welcome meeting was held on day 3 so we had little idea of what to expect when they didn't show on the evening of day 1. Then we were the tour of two people only which was never conveyed to us even when we booked 6 months earlier. Nor were the start and end hotels advised only the start hotel would be in downtown Cairo; not so, we were given a 5-star hotel in New Giza, in the middle of the desert but closer to the pyramids with no local amenities; these were 30 minutes away by cab!

Finally, the 10-day tour included a 4-day Nile cruise; that's 4 nights on the ship that cruised for only 36 hours, disappointing. However, the tour guides were very good.

• Submitted 07 Oct 2024
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My recent Egyptian tour and Nile cruise aboard the MS Nile Style was an unforgettable experience. From the ancient wonders to the luxurious accommodations, every aspect of the journey exceeded my expectations. The itinerary was perfectly curated, offering a fascinating glimpse into Egypt's rich history and culture. The MS Nile Style provided a comfortable and elegant home base, with exceptional service and delicious cuisine. A special thanks to Helal, our knowledgeable and friendly tour guide, who brought the history to life with his engaging storytelling. I highly recommend this tour and cruise for an unforgettable Egyptian adventure.

• Submitted 03 Oct 2024
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I had 3 guides all were amazing,but Helal was incredible great knowledge and a very patient man, as I had an injured ankle and I very much appreciated it,

• Submitted 21 Sep 2024
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The representative greeted me, changing the date and time for meeting. The meeting went ahead at its original time and I missed out. Hence I missed the light and sound show at Pyramids despite my request to attend. The representative claimed he had called me at my room. I received no call. I requested high tea at the Agatha Christie hotel not Abu Symbal. I was encouraged to attend Abu Symbal with the promise of high tea the following day. High tea was said to be too expensive we were only given opportunity for a drink, another request I missed. When paying for Abu Symbal, a man I’d never met requested my credit card to swipe on a machine that showed no amount and then stated we need to charge you an extra 2 per cent. There was no receipt given when making cash payments. The baggage and hotel people I tipped and the guide made no reference of tipping despite the group tipping money. The Hyatt hotel had a room with no view. The Nile cruise very limited internet and the two docked nights on the cruise I would have preferred a hotel cos it was very noisy trying to sleep. The boat was old and in need of repair.

• Submitted 19 Sep 2024
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Loved our tour and our guide.

• Submitted 14 May 2024
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Nasr was fantastic. He was more than knowledgeable, he was passionate about Egypt. He looked after every detail so well and was particularly kind to me, as I ended up needing a wheelchair.

The tour was everything I had hoped for and more. The accommodations were so luxurious, even on the Nile cruise.

• Submitted 08 May 2024
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What an amazing trip of a life time. Thanks to our great guide Aamer. He made me feel like a friend. It was definitely a great adventure I will never forget.

• Submitted 09 Jun 2023
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Everything was amazing! I could not highly recommend On the Go Tours enough. What a superb, tour. Everything was just so well organised. We were treated to 5-star accommodation and the internal flights were excellent. We had a small group of 8 in all plus our archeologist! We all just got along so so well which made the trip even more memorable. The knowledge from our tour guide Yasser was brilliant and he looked after us so well. There was absolutely nothing that I could honestly say was negative. We were treated so respectfully and at every stage of the trip, someone was there to either walk us through security at the airport, sort our visas, organise our transport to hotels and to various sites we visited. It really was a dream come true to visit Egypt and On the Go Tours made the experience seamless. I never thought I was a tour person, however, after this experience, I would definitely use them again for those countries that can be tricky to do on your own. I also thought it was great value for money. The Nile River cruise was excellent. The food was brilliant and varied every night. One thing I would say was I am so thrilled we requested to fly to Luxor and fly from Aswan to Cairo. The others did the sleeper train and I believe it was not a great experience. Luckily we made that request! I hope this feedback is helpful.

• Submitted 25 Feb 2020
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First time in Egypt and a little nervous being a solo traveller, but having On The Go tours eased the concern. Very good Guide, and made friends with many of the 16 people on the tour, the attractions were on the bucket list, Gisa, Luxor, Valley of the Kings, 3 nights on Nile Cruiser and Temples of Abu Simbel, trip of a lifetime and ticket off my bucket list.

• Submitted 04 Sep 2019
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The tour was great had a wonderful time in Egypt many thanks to Medo his knowledge and love for Egypt was excellent throughout the tour.On The Go Tours should be thankful to have such a person as a tour guide. Iwould not hesitate in returning to Egypt knowing if Medo was the leader to explore more historic sites of Egypt.

• Submitted 25 Aug 2019
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1  |  2

At a Glance

Range
Trip Type
Starts
Cairo
Ends
Cairo
Departs
Fridays
Group Size
Min 2 / Max 24
Hotel Rating
5 Star
Tour Guide
Yes, escorted by a tour guide
Meals
Breakfast: 9, Lunch: 4, Dinner: 4
Countries
Minimum Age
18 yrs
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
Click to play videoThe entrance to the ancient city of Luxor
Cruise ship on the River Nile
Cruise ship on the River Nile
Ancient ruins standing majestically against the sky in Aswan
Ancient ruins standing majestically against the sky in Aswan

Tour Add-ons

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

You pay for airport transfers but they only honor this for travelers arriving on the start and end date of the tour. The day 1 welcome meeting was held on day 3 so we had little idea of what to expect when they didn't show on the evening of day 1. Then we were the tour of two people only which was never conveyed to us even when we booked 6 months earlier. Nor were the start and end hotels advised only the start hotel would be in downtown Cairo; not so, we were given a 5-star hotel in New Giza, in the middle of the desert but closer to the pyramids with no local amenities; these were 30 minutes away by cab!

Finally, the 10-day tour included a 4-day Nile cruise; that's 4 nights on the ship that cruised for only 36 hours, disappointing. However, the tour guides were very good.

Steven Taylor
OTG002005Treasures of the Nile - 10 daysMiddle East & North AfricaSignatureMiddle East & North Africafalse15Egypthttps://www.onthegotours.com/za/Egypt/Treasures-of-the-Nile-10-dayshttps://www.onthegotours.com/repository/Cruising-the-Nile-790561660305484_crop_flip_300_300_f2f2f2_center-center.jpgGroup_Tours