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Days
15
Price from
4965CAD
Map of Premium Egypt Adventure including Egypt

Take an ancient adventure with modern comforts through Cairo, Luxor and Aswan.

Discover the contrasts of modern and ancient Egypt on this premium adventure. Beginning and ending in Cairo, Egypt’s capital, you’ll witness the magnificent pyramids, take a 4-day cruise down the legendary Nile River and learn about the mystery and beauty of these ancient lands in person. Visit the tombs of ancient pharaohs; share meals with local families and stand in awe of gigantic, rock-cut statues, all while staying in premium accommodation.

Start
Cairo, Egypt
Finish
Cairo, Egypt
Destination
Egypt
Style
Peregrine
Code
PGNW
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Take a relaxed yet in-depth look at a land that has long fascinated the traveller. Enjoy Egypt in Peregrine comfort over 15 days and peel back the layers of history and culture.

  • Overnight in Abu Simbel and discover this magnificent monument carved out of the mountainside, dedicated to Pharaoh Ramses II and his queen, Nefertari.

  • Relax for four nights on a Nile cruise. Our premium boat includes two restaurants and terrace bars so you can sit and enjoy river life as it unfolds.

  • Spend two nights at Giza, a stone’s throw from the great pyramids, as well as two nights in Downtown Cairo.

  • Pay your respects at the Commonwealth War Cemetery associated with the Battle of El Alamein.

  • Visit the ancient Library of Alexandria, reincarnated as the disc-shaped, ultramodern Bibliotheca Alexandrina.

  • Discover ancient Nubia and enjoy a traditional meal in a local home.

  • Take a walking tour of Downtown Cairo, enjoying local foods and sipping mint tea at a café that’s been serving locals for over two centuries.

Is this trip right for you?

  • Depending on the time you choose to visit there could be some early starts as we beat the crowds and the heat and visit sites early. This is a 15-day adventure, so there is also time to relax with free afternoons and evenings.

  • Egypt can get incredibly hot in the summer months of July and August. Regardless of the month, it does heats up quickly during the day and there will be some site visits with little or no shade.

  • Some of the sites you will visit involve walking on rocky and/or steep hillsides, and there is often little or no shade. Comfortable, sturdy walking shoes and a hat are essential.

  • Accommodation aboard the Nile riverboat is full board – breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. Drinks are offered from the bar area for an additional cost.

  • This trip includes two internal flights .

Relax at the Le Meridien Pyramid Hotel in Egypt
Relax at the Le Meridien Pyramid Hotel in Egypt
Relax at the Le Meridien Pyramid hotel in Egypt
Relax at the Le Meridien Pyramid Hotel in Egypt
Relax at the Le Meridien Pyramid Hotel in Egypt

Itinerary
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This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 Jan 2020 to 31 Dec 2020.
 View the 2019 itinerary

Welcome to Egypt! You’ll be met at Cairo International Airport by a Peregrine representative and transferred to your hotel. You’re welcome to arrive at any time, but please note that there’s an important meeting at 6 pm with your local leader and fellow travellers, which the hotel reception will have details about. If you do happen to arrive early, there’s plenty to hold your attention in this chaotic city of contrasts. Perhaps take a stroll around the markets or, if there’s time, jump in a felucca for a sail down the Nile.
Accommodation
  • Le Meridian Pyramids Hotel and Spa (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Urban Adventures - Islamic Cairo in Depth Tour - USD45
  • Urban Adventures - Saqqara and Memphis - USD73
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Be sure to charge your camera because after breakfast we’ll travel to arguably the most recognisable structures in the world: the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Instantly familiar yet so utterly mysterious, these incredible feats of engineering are simply breathtaking when seen up close. For an additional charge you may be able to step inside the Great Pyramid of Khufu (or Cheops), though these are occasionally closed to visitors for various reasons.

After spending some time exploring these ancient wonders and eating lunch, we’ll continue to the Egyptian Museum where an expert guide will talk you through Egypt’s rich history. This is one of the world’s great museums and home to an unimaginable collection of antiquities, making it the perfect introduction to your Egyptian experience. You’ll have some free time to explore on your own, perhaps choosing to visit the Royal Mummy Room for an additional cost.

The rest of the day is free for you to do as you wish. The facilities at your hotel, the Meridian Pyramids, are phenomenal making it the perfect place to recuperate from the day’s activities. In the evening you may want to consider the sound and light show at the pyramids, which your leader can help with, or maybe grab a taxi and explore Cairo on your own. For something a little bit special, you could also take a dinner cruise down the Nile.
Accommodation
  • Le Meridian Pyramids Hotel and Spa (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Cairo - Pyramids and Sphinx
  • Cairo - The Egyptian Museum
  • Cairo - The Egyptian Museum headset
Optional Activities
  • Cairo - The 2nd Pyramid of Khafre (entry fee) - EGP60
  • Cairo - The Great Pyramid of Cheops (entry fee) - EGP300
  • Cairo - The Egyptian Museum Mummy Room (entry fee) - EGP150
  • Cairo - Camel ride at the Pyramids - EGP100
  • Cairo - Sound & Light Show at the Pyramids Tour (minimum 2 persons) (entry;guiding;transport) - EGP550
  • Cairo - Sound & Light Show at the Pyramids (entry fee) - EGP1100
  • Cairo - Dinner Cruise (deluxe cruise Nile Maxim or similar) - EGP1200
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

The journey continues along the Cairo–Alexandria road after breakfast, stopping in Wadi El Natrun after approximately 100 kilometres. This area became a sanctuary for Christians after Saint Macarius the Great retreated here in AD360, and there were once some 60-odd monasteries in the Wadi though now only four remain. One of these is Anba Bishoy Monastery, named for Saint Bishoi who came to the site to live in solitude. Take a wander around the gardens and observe the resident monks as they go about their daily lives, then visit the church itself for expansive views over the desert. Continue this afternoon to the city of Alexandria, which was founded by Alexander the Great and is often referred to as the Pearl of the Mediterranean.
Accommodation
  • Sheraton Al-Montazah Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Alexandria - Wadi El Natron
  • Alexandria - Anba Bishoy Monastery
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
On occasions, it may be not be possible to confirm our preferred hotel in Alexandria . For this reason we have selected an alternative hotel called the Mediterranean Azur Hotel.   If you would like to confirm in advance which hotel your depature will stay at please contact  your booking agent 30 days prior to departure

Enjoy a full day exploring Alexandria, Egypt’s second-largest city. Visit Pompey’s Pillar and the Catacombs of Kom El Shuqafa, a Roman burial site dating back to the 2nd century that wasn’t discovered until 1900, allegedly when a donkey fell through a hole in the ground. The fascinating tombs were created during a transitional period in Alexandria’s history and interestingly feature Greek, Egyptian and Roman elements. Continue to the Great Library of Alexandra (now the Bibliotheca Alexandrina), which is found where the Library of Ptolemies once stood some 1700 years ago, or so archaeologists believe. Finish up with a stop at the Montazah Palace and Royal Gardens, a complex featuring beautifully maintained gardens and two royal palaces built during the 19th and 20th centuries. Spend the evening by the water wandering along The Corniche or relax back at your hotel.
Accommodation
  • Sheraton Al-Montazah Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Alexandria - Al Montazah Palace & Gardens
  • Alexandria - Catacombs of Kom Ash-Suqqafa
  • Alexandria - Bibliotheca Alexandria
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Today the group will travel 100 kilometres south of Alexandria for a more sombre experience at the historic battle site of El Alamein. It was here that British and Commonwealth soldiers fought a decisive Allied victory against the German Afrika Korps that defined the North African campaign. Both sides suffered heavy losses and the memorial commemorates nearly 12,000 Commonwealth servicemen who died in the Western Desert campaigns during the Second World War. Return to Cairo in the afternoon and spend the evening visiting Tahrir Square in Downtown Cairo, the site of the political demonstrations that led to the 2011 Egyptian Revolution.
Accommodation
  • Steigenberger El Tahrir (1 night)
Included Activities
  • El Alamein - War cemeteries and museum
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Transfer to Cairo Airport after breakfast and board a one-hour flight to Luxor. Often referred to as Thebes, its ancient name, Luxor was the pharaoh’s capital during their height of their power and is now perhaps the world’s greatest open-air museum. Upon arriving in Luxor, transfer to your premium Nile cruise ship where you’ll unpack, settle in and become acquainted with your floating home for the next four nights. This afternoon you’ll visit Karnak, one of the world’s most celebrated temple complexes, which was built over a period of approximately 200 years. Some parts of it date back to 2055 BC and your guided tour will take you to its finest sections. The rest of the afternoon and evening is free for you to relax, take a shopping trip through the bazaar or perhaps relax in the atmosphere of a local teahouse.
Accommodation
  • Nile Premium River Boat (Feature Stay 4 nights) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Luxor - Karnak Temple
Optional Activities
  • Luxor - Sound and Light Show at Karnak (Entry) - EGP250
  • Luxor - Luxor Museum (Entry) - EGP120
  • Luxor - Luxor Temple (entry fee) - EGP100
  • Luxor - Sound and Light Show at Karnak Tour(entry;guiding;transport) - EGP800
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Your Peregrine feature stay premium Nile cruise is an elegant and modern 5 star cruise boat, offering comfortable accommodations with first class facilities like restaurants, pool, gym, health services and a panorama bar to enjoy views of the Nile.

We have carefully selected two Luxury /Premium Class Boats.  "Nile Premium" and "Moon Dance".  Please contact your booking agent 30 days prior to departure if you would like to confirm which boat is allocated to your departure.  

Your  Nile Cruise accommodation is a full board of breakfast, lunch and dinner, drinks are at your own expense.

Rise early this morning to journey into the Valley of the Kings. There are over 60 pharaoh tombs buried under the hills here, many of which are richly decorated, and your guide will take you through this sprawling, spectacular place where discoveries are still being made. Learn about the funerary rites of the ancient Egyptians and the significance of the paintings and hieroglyphics, and visit the final resting place of Tutankhamun, the boy-king whose tomb was once thought to be cursed. You’ll visit another three royal tombs and continue to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, which is set in a spectacular natural amphitheatre. Your final stop is the Colossi of Memnon – giant statues that once formed part of an impressive colonnade – before returning to the boat for a leisurely lunch. Enjoy some time relaxing either on deck or in your cabin before setting sail upstream to Edfu, where you’ll arrive late in the evening.
Accommodation
  • Nile Premium River Boat (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Luxor - Hatshepsut Temple
  • Luxor - Valley of the Kings (3 tombs)
  • Luxor - Tut Ank Amon Tomb
Optional Activities
  • Luxor - Valley of the Queens (entry fee) - EGP80
  • Luxor - Medinat Habu Temple (entry fee) - EGP60
  • Luxor - Additional Tomb Valley of the Kings (entry and guiding) - EGP300
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Wake up by the city of Edfu, home to a beautifully preserved temple dedicated to Horus (please see the ‘special information’ section below today’s itinerary regarding visiting the temple). Continue travelling upriver and soak up life on the river as farmers and fishermen work on the Nile’s bank. This afternoon’s destination is the Temple of Kom Ombo, about 45 kilometres north of Aswan, which sits ruined on the river’s edge. The temple, which sits by the river’s edge, is dedicated to Horus and Sobek, the god’s of protection and fertility respectively, and was built during the Ptolemaic dynasty around 180 BC. The temple itself is split into two identical sections with each dedicated to either god, and there have been recent discoveries of mummified crocodiles in the Sobek section that are now displayed in the attached museum. After visiting the temple, board your boat around 6 pm and sail on to Aswan, arriving at approximately 9.30 pm.
Accommodation
  • Nile Premium River Boat (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kom Ombo - Kom Ombo Temple
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Whilst a visit to the Edfu Temple is included in your Nile Cruise; the only mode of transport available to visit the temple is by locally managed horse and carriages. As a responsible travel focused business, animal welfare is extremely important to us and we want to ensure that we are not promoting any activities where the working animals are not properly cared for. Unfortunately, some operators of the Horse and Carriages have been found to be in breach of our animal welfare guidelines and it is, for this reason, we will no longer including the visit the Edfu Temple.

In addition to the animal welfare concerns, we have had a substantial amount of feedback suggesting that the experience itself is quite uncomfortable due to the pushy nature of the vendors and local suppliers outside the site. While we recommend that you do not use the horse and carriage to visit the Temple, the decision is ultimately up to you. Edfu is an included port stop on the Nile River cruise schedule.

Spend the morning visiting the temple complex of Philae including the stunning Temple of Isis, located on Agilkia Island. The temple was reassembled in this location after being saved from rising waters and is a true architectural gem featuring some of Egypt’s finest carvings. Some Egyptologists believe that Philae was the last active site of the ancient Egyptian religion and where the last Egyptian hieroglyph was written. The dramatic approach to the temple is undertaken by motorboat.

After exploring the site, return to your sailboat for lunch before boarding a simple Nile felucca and visiting either El Nabatat Island or Kitchener’s Island, home to the Aswan Botanical Gardens. These lush gardens are filled with palms and plants from all over the world. After soaking up the serenity of the gardens, return to the boat for a final evening being rocked to sleep by the Nile’s waters.
Accommodation
  • Nile Premium River Boat (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Aswan - Philae Temple
  • Aswan - Sharia el Souk Walking Tour
Optional Activities
  • Aswan - Sound & Light Show at Philae Temple (entry fee) - EGP200
  • Aswan - Sound & Light Show at Philae Temple Tour (entry;guiding;transport) - EGP800
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Travel by road this morning to Abu Simbel, a journey of approximately 3.5 hours. Your memorable hotel is located right by Lake Nasser and features lush grounds, two swimming pools and fantastic views over the lake. Spending the night here allows the group a chance to visit the Abu Simbel temples at a more leisurely pace as opposed to a rushed, half-day trip. Built during the reign of Ramesses II, these mammoth temples took 20 years to complete and feature rock-cut statues of the pharaoh and the queen, some of which are 20 metres in height. This evening will see the group heading back to these temples for a sound and light show.
Accommodation
  • Seti I Resort (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Abu Simbel - Abu Simbel temples
  • Abu Simbel - Abu Simbel Sound and Light Show
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Due to limited accommodation options in Abu Simbel your tour may be accommodated at either Seti I Resort or Nefertari Hotel both our preferred hotels. Please check with your booking agent 30 days prior to departure if your would like to confirm which hotel your tour will be accommodated in.

Travel back to Aswan, arriving in time for lunch and to check into the hotel. Enjoy some free time before meeting up with the group later in the afternoon to discover whether Agatha Christie really did write Death on the Nile in Aswan. No trip down the Nile would be complete without a visit to the Old Cataract Hotel, a 19th-century luxury hotel built by Thomas Cook that has hosted guests including Princess Diana, Winston Churchill, Tsar Nicholas II and, of course, Agatha Christie. Enjoy high tea in the luxurious surrounds then make the most of a free evening to find a local gem for dinner – your leader can help with recommendations.
Accommodation
  • Basma Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Aswan - High Tea Old Cataract Hotel
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

This morning you’ll visit a more modern example of Egyptian engineering. President Nasser ordered the construction of the Aswan High Dam, located 13 kilometres south of Aswan, after the 1952 Egyptian Revolution and while it may have been a controversial project that required the relocation of many ancient temples and statues, it’s had a huge, mostly positive impact on the region. Afterwards the group will swing past the Unfinished Obelisk, an abandoned obelisk that, had it been completed, would’ve been the largest obelisk ever erected in ancient Egypt.

Return to Aswan for some time to relax and refresh, then meet your loeader in the late afternoon to board a felucca and sail to the settlement of Elephantine Island. This island was once thought to be the home of Khnum, the god who guarded and controlled the Nile’s waters. Enjoy a sunset drink on the river before disembarking at a village to join a local family for a traditional Nubian feast.
Accommodation
  • Basma Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Aswan - Elephantine Island
  • Aswan - Felucca Ride incl sundowner (Peregrine moment)
  • Aswan - High Dam
  • Unfinished Obelisk Entrance
Optional Activities
  • Aswan - Nubian Museum (entry fee) - EGP100
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

This morning you’ll transfer to the airport for a 1.5-hour flight back to Cairo. Settle into your hotel in Downtown Cairo then meet up with the group in the early afternoon for a walking tour of the area. Bring your appetite, as you’ll discover the Downtown food scene and taste some local favourites such as koshari, which is made of rice, macaroni and lentils mixed together, topped with a spicy tomato sauce with garlic vinegar and garnished with chickpeas and crispy fried onions – it’s unbeatable.
Accommodation
  • Steigenberger El Tahrir (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Cairo - Downtown Cairo Walking and Tasting Tour (Peregrine moment)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Spend the day discovering yet another layer of Egyptian history: medieval Cairo. Visit Khan al-Khalili Bazaar, the Mosque of Ibn Tulun and the Gayer-Anderson Museum, a building associated with several fascinating legends. Explore the ‘Khan’, a labyrinthine area filled with sprawling alleyways packed with shops, cafes and more. This is a quintessential Cairo experience, home to the gold market, perfume street and the spice market. If you need a quick break, don’t miss a chance to relax and drink Arabic coffee or mint tea from El Fishawy – Cairo’s oldest café. To celebrate your final evening, you’ll get to share an authentic Egyptian meal with a local family. Be welcomed into their home, chat with the family about life in Egypt and learn how to make some of your favourite traditional dishes while enjoying the delicious food. It’s the perfect way to end this adventure.
Accommodation
  • Steigenberger El Tahrir (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Cairo - Khan al-Khalili Bazaar
  • Cairo - Ibn Tulun Mosque
  • Cairo - Gayer Anderson
  • Cairo - Home Cooked Meal
  • Cairo - Home Cooked Meal (feature meal)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Your trip comes to an end today after breakfast. Check out is generally around 12 noon, though you’re free to depart at any stage beforehand. If you have arranged a private airport transfer you will be advised of the pick-up time, and additional accommodation can be pre-booked if you wish to spend more time exploring Cairo.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Meals

14 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 8 dinners

Transport

Plane, Private air-conditioned bus, Riverboat

Accommodation

Comfortable Hotel (10 nights), Cruise ship (4 nights Feature Stay)

Included Activities

  • Cairo - Pyramids and Sphinx
  • Cairo - The Egyptian Museum
  • Cairo - The Egyptian Museum headset
  • Alexandria - Wadi El Natron
  • Alexandria - Anba Bishoy Monastery
  • Alexandria - Al Montazah Palace & Gardens
  • Alexandria - Catacombs of Kom Ash-Suqqafa
  • Alexandria - Bibliotheca Alexandria
  • El Alamein - War cemeteries and museum
  • Luxor - Karnak Temple
  • Luxor - Hatshepsut Temple
  • Luxor - Valley of the Kings (3 tombs)
  • Luxor - Tut Ank Amon Tomb
  • Kom Ombo - Kom Ombo Temple
  • Aswan - Philae Temple
  • Aswan - Sharia el Souk Walking Tour
  • Abu Simbel - Abu Simbel temples
  • Abu Simbel - Abu Simbel Sound and Light Show
  • Aswan - High Tea Old Cataract Hotel
  • Aswan - Elephantine Island
  • Aswan - Felucca Ride incl sundowner (Peregrine moment)
  • Aswan - High Dam
  • Unfinished Obelisk Entrance
  • Cairo - Downtown Cairo Walking and Tasting Tour (Peregrine moment)
  • Cairo - Khan al-Khalili Bazaar
  • Cairo - Ibn Tulun Mosque
  • Cairo - Gayer Anderson
  • Cairo - Home Cooked Meal
  • Cairo - Home Cooked Meal (feature meal)

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Important notes

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT:
An optional single supplement is available on this trip. Please refer to your booking agent for further information.

INTERNAL FLIGHTS
There are two internal flights on this trip.  Egypt air is the carrier and have a 23kg allowance for checked luggage and 8kg for hand luggage.

ACCOMMODATION ABU SIMBEL
Due to limited accommodation options in Abu Simbel your tour may be accommodated at either Seti I Resort or Nefertari Hotel both our preferred hotels. Please check with your booking agent 30 days prior to departure if your would like to confirm which hotel your tour will be accommodated in.

SAFETY
Following recent safety incidents we recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest information on travelling in Egypt before your departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all areas of your itinerary. We have links to prominent government travel advisories and regular updates on issues affecting this trip on our Travel Alerts page - http://www.peregrineadventures.com/en-au/travel-alerts

Essential trip information

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