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Days
9
Price from
2355EUR
Map of Nile Valley Highlights including Egypt

Unlock the secrets of Egypt’s ancient past

The cruising route along the Nile is home to ancient wonders, desert landscapes and snapshots of everyday Egyptian life. Take to the Nile Valley on a nine-day Peregrine adventure by river, road and air, visiting the mighty pyramids of Giza, ancient temples of Abu Simbel, Aswan’s vibrant waterfront corniche and Cairo’s bustling Khan al-Khalili Bazaar. Spend an evening with a Nubian community and another with a local Egyptian family for a meal and have plenty of time dedicated to your own independent discoveries in each destination. An ancient past that has led to a colourful present – Egypt is a traveller’s dream.

Start
Cairo, Egypt
Finish
Cairo, Egypt
Destination
Egypt
Style
Peregrine
Code
PGNV
Physical rating
Trip rating
37 reviews
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • A day spent among the incredible Pyramids of Giza is only the beginning. Discover the mighty Valley of the Kings, spend a spectacular morning in Abu Simbel and see both sides of Kom Ombo Temple.

  • A four-night river cruise is an ideal way to experience the Nile. Rest and relax on the sun deck and in the pool while local riverside life streams by.

  • Discover the traditions and cuisines of Egypt with an included meal at a local family home, plus a memorable evening with a Nubian community, full of food and dancing.

  • Cairo's Khan al-Khalili Bazaar is an essential Egyptian experience, and you'll have plenty of time to lose yourself in the colours and aromas of this fascinating marketplace.

  • Do like the locals and settle in with a coffee or mint tea amid the chatter and hookah smoke in what's said to be Cairo's oldest coffee shop.

Is this trip right for you?

  • There are a lot of early morning starts on this itinerary so that we beat the heat and avoid the crowds by visiting sites early. These are often balanced out with free afternoons and evenings.

  • Egypt can get incredibly hot in the summer months of July and August. Regardless of the month, it does heat up quickly during the day.

  • Some of the sites you visit involve walking on rocky and/or steep hillsides with 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. An evening program is also available.

  • Accommodation aboard the overnight train is in two-berth cabins which convert to bunk beds. All bedding is provided on board and western-style toilets are located in each carriage. Keep in mind general train cleanliness may not be to the same standards you are accustomed to.

  • In 2021, Ramadan will take place from 12 April to 11 May. Travelling during this holy month can be a rewarding cultural experience. However, some regular services may not be available during the daytime, such as restaurants or coffee bars, and occasionally travel can be disrupted by events. Your leader will adjust the itinerary accordingly, but please consider your travel arrangements carefully before booking travel for this period.

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Local man steers boat in Aswan
Locals ride camels in the Cairo Desert
Men sit out the front of Horus temple in Egypt
Local man stands in front of hieroglyphics wall

Itinerary
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Welcome to Cairo! On arrival at the airport, take an included transfer to your hotel. You are free to arrive at any time today before an important welcome meeting, held at 6 pm. If you do arrive early, perhaps get out and explore the busy streets, finding a hole-in-the-wall eatery for a snack like ta’ameya – Egypt’s take on falafel. After your welcome meeting, where you will meet your local leader and fellow travellers, perhaps enjoy an optional dinner with the group. While your hotel may not serve alcohol, there are a number of great options for food and drink in the surrounding Zamalek area.
Accommodation
  • Novotel El Borg or Similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
Optional Activities
  • Cairo- Saqqara and Memphis Afternoon Tour (Min 2 customers) - Transfers/Entry/Guiding-p/p - EGP1100
  • Cairo - Sufi Dance Khan al-Khalili (entrance fee) - EGP85
  • Cairo - Islamic Art Museum (entrance fee) - EGP140
  • Cairo - The Citadel (entrance fee) - EGP180
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
An airport arrival transfer is included. This transfer is only valid if arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-trip accommodation through Peregrine. Please provide your flight details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 15 days prior to travel.

It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Optional Activities listed are suggestions for time spent in Cairo if arriving early or spending extra time in Cairo at the end of your tour.

This morning, tour the mighty Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx with your small group. Seeing these structures up close is captivating, and for an additional charge, you may be able to go inside the Great Pyramid of Khufu (or Cheops). After stopping to purchase some lunch, continue to the Egyptian Museum – home to an incredible array of artefacts and antiquities. Your expert leader, who is a trained Egyptologist, will take you through some of Egypt’s dynastic history, and will have plenty of time to explore on your own – perhaps purchasing a pass into the Royal Mummy Room. Afterwards, return to your hotel to freshen up before transferring to the railway station for a comfortable overnight sleeper train to Luxor.
Accommodation
  • Sleeper Train (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Cairo - The Egyptian Museum headset
  • Cairo - Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx
  • Cairo - Egyptian Museum
Optional Activities
  • Cairo - The 2nd Pyramid of Khafre - Entry Fee - EGP100
  • Cairo - The Great Pyramid of Cheops (entrance fee) - EGP400
  • Cairo -The Royal Mummy Room (entrance fee) - EGP180
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
The Great Pyramid of Khufu is occasionally closed to visitors without notice. There is an additional EGP 50 fee to take photos in the Egyptian Museum.

You will be required to walk around the pyramids complex. It can be very hot in the summer months, so be prepared for little shade and pack appropriate clothing, sun protection, and lots of water. Inside the pyramids is very small and warm. For those suffering from claustrophobia, it is not recommended.

Accommodation on board the overnight train is in two-berth cabins which convert to bunk beds. All bedding is provided and western-style toilets are located in each carriage. Your bags will be stored in your cabin. A simple dinner and breakfast will be served. It may be worth bringing some additional snacks, especially if you are vegetarian or have dietary requirements. Despite being a tourist class train, facilities are basic. Keep in mind general train cleanliness may not be to the same standard you are used to.

After an early breakfast on board, arrive into Luxor. It's a vibrant place with an excellent bazaar, situated close to some of ancient Egypt's most important sites. Travel to Karnak – one of the world's most celebrated temple complexes built over a period of some 200 years, and some of it dating back to 2055 BC. Your guided tour of the temple reveals its finest sections. Later today, transfer to your Nile cruise boat, which will be your home for the next four nights. You can relax by the pool on the boat or explore the town. For the rest of the afternoon and evening, you are free to relax, shop in the bazaar or perhaps experience the atmosphere of a local tea house.
Accommodation
  • Riverboat (Feature Stay) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Luxor - Karnak Temple
Optional Activities
  • Luxor - Luxor Museum (entrance fee) - EGP140
  • Luxor - Luxor Temple (entrance fee) - EGP160
  • Luxor - Karnak Temple Sound and Light Show (entrance fee) - EGP300
  • Luxor - Sound and Light Show at Karnak Tour - Transfers/Entry/Guiding -p/p - EGP800
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Rise early this morning and head into the Valley of the Kings. Buried under the arid hills here are over 60 tombs of pharaohs, many richly decorated with reliefs and paintings. Tutankhamun's final resting place is also located here, and you'll have free time to visit it. Your guide will explain the funerary rites of the ancient Egyptians and significance of the many paintings and hieroglyphics. You will visit three royal tombs and then continue to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, set in a spectacular natural amphitheatre. Your final stop is the Colossi of Memnon – giant statues that were once part of an impressive colonnade. Enjoy lunch on return to the boat and relax on deck as you set sail from Luxor to Edfu, taking most of the afternoon and evening (approximately 1 pm to 11 pm), and passing through Esna Lock on the way.
Accommodation
  • Riverboat (Feature Stay) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Luxor - Valley of the Kings (entrance to 3 tombs)
  • Luxor - Tomb of Tut Ankh Amun
  • Luxor - Hatshepsut Temple
Optional Activities
  • Luxor - Valley of the Queens (entrance fee) - EGP100
  • Luxor - Tomb of Queen Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens (entrance fee) - EGP1200
  • Luxor - Deir el Madina -Entry Fee - EGP80
  • Luxor - Medinat Habu Temple (entrance fee) - EGP100
  • Luxor - Hot Air Balloon over the Valley of the Kings - USD120
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Optional Activities mentioned today are for entry only or an organised tour facilitated by your leader. If you prefer to do your own thing, transport to sites are available and your leader can assist with organising this.

You can purchase a photo ticket that will entitle you to take photos in any of the three tombs that you visit as part of your tour. The cost of the camera ticket is around EGP 300.

It is possible to do a Valley of the Kings hot air balloon tour which your leader can reserve for you. Peregrine only uses providers that have been risk assessed. You will be picked up between 4.30 and 5 am from your hotel. Balloon capacity is maximum of 25 people and cameras are prohibited in the basket (mobile phones are acceptable). This activity runs subject to weather conditions. Speak to a Peregrine booking agent for more details.

Please note that passing through Esna Lock may be a slow process depending on the number of vessels waiting.

This morning, you will be moored near Edfu and may have the option to venture independently into town to see the nearby temple. Continue along the river, relaxing in the sun on deck and taking in the desert hills forming a backdrop over the lush riverbanks. This afternoon, arrive at Kom Ombo Temple, sitting spectacularly on the river’s edge. The temple was built in approximately 181 BC and is dedicated to two gods – Horus (god of protection) and Sobek (god of fertility, linked to the Nile’s water). Each god has a dedicated section – north or south – and there have been recent discoveries of mummified crocodiles in the Sobek section. Afterwards, board your boat around 6 pm and continue to Aswan, arriving at around 9.30 pm.
Accommodation
  • Riverboat (Feature Stay) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Izbat Al Bayyarah - Kom Ombo Temple
Optional Activities
  • Edfu - Edfu Temple (entrance fee) - EGP180
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
The only mode of transport to Edfu Temple is by locally managed horse and carriages. As a company committed to responsible travel, animal welfare is extremely important to us. Operators of this service have been found to be in breach of our animal welfare guidelines and, for this reason, we do not include this visit. In addition to animal welfare concerns, we have had a large amount of feedback suggesting that the visit itself is uncomfortable due to pushy vendors and suppliers at the site.

Previously, some travellers have decided to walk to the temple. This takes approximately 30 minutes each way. Be aware the road is busy and there have been instances of travellers getting hassled by the carriage drivers. If you choose to walk, inform your leader before you depart and ensure you are carrying water, hat and sunscreen and have comfortable shoes.

While we recommend that you do not visit Edfu Temple, the decision is ultimately up to you. Edfu is an included port stop on your cruise.

Explore Aswan today – Egypt's southernmost city. Its relaxed charm is due in no small part to its large Nubian population. Depending on time, you might visit the beautiful Temple of Isis – the goddess of health, marriage and wisdom – rescued from the rising waters of the Nile and relocated on Philae Island. It's a marvel of decorative pylons featuring some of Egypt's finest carvings – definitely one of the real gems of Upper Egypt. The rest of your day will be free to wander, and Aswan is a great place for it. The Nubian Bazaar and the Nubian Museum are both recommended. The waterfront promenade, or Aswan's 'corniche', runs alongside one of Nile's most appealing stretches and is the perfect place to stop for a mint tea. Watch the waterfront come alive at dusk, with people strolling and socialising all evening.
Accommodation
  • Riverboat (Feature Stay) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Aswan - Sunset drinks on a felucca
  • Aswan - Philae Temple
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
If there is no time today, you may visit the Temple of Isis tomorrow. Access to the temple is by small motorboats.

Depart early this morning and visit the iconic Abu Simbel by plane. With four gargantuan statues of Ramses guarding the Great Temple, this is one of Egypt's most memorable sights. After your return, the rest of the day is free for you to make your own discoveries. A popular option in Aswan is a sailboat ride around the islands in a traditional felucca, stopping off at the botanical gardens on Kitchener's Island. Alternatively, travel to the Monastery of St Simeon – an abandoned seventh-century fortress monastery located in the desert on the Nile's west bank. You might even prefer to simply relax by the hotel pool or do some shopping in the local bazaar. Your group leader will be on hand to help you arrange any excursions. In the evening, visit a Nubian village with your group and enjoy the warm hospitality and cuisine of this local community. After dinner, watch some traditional Nubian dancing, perhaps attempting some moves yourself!
Accommodation
  • Hotel Basma or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Abu Simbel - Abu Simbel temples
  • Abu Simbel - Flights to and from Abu Simbel
Optional Activities
  • Aswan - Unfinished Obelisk -Entry Fee - EGP80
  • Aswan - Nubian Museum (entrance fee) - EGP140
  • Aswan - Sound & Light Show at Philae Temple -Entry Fee - EGP300
  • Aswan -Sound & Light Show Philae Temple Tour (Min 2 customers) -Transfers/Entry/Guiding-p/p - EGP800
  • Aswan - High Dam and Unfinished Obelisk Tour (Min 2 customers) Transfers/Entry/Guiding-p/p - EGP700
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Your included flight to Abu Simbel will leave at around 7 am from Aswan. You will have two hours on site which includes transport to and from the temple. The expected arrival time back to Aswan is 12 pm (midday). Due to flight scheduling and availability, these times may change.

On rare occasions the group may be split over several flights, or that this activity may take place yesterday. If this occurs, an additional local guide will join you to ensure that all travellers enjoy a full guided tour.

After breakfast, transfer to Aswan Airport for a short flight back to Cairo (approximately 1.5 hours) where you will be met and taken to your hotel. Drop your luggage and head with your group to the Al-Azhar neighbourhood to visit Khan al-Khalili Bazaar – a sprawling maze of alleyways with myriad products on sale, including the gold market, cloth market, 'perfume street' and the spice market. Continue to the ninth-century Ibn Tulun Mosque – one of the oldest and largest in Egypt. Its perfectly proportioned courtyard and distinctive minaret make it a masterpiece of Islamic architecture. Nearby stands the Gayer-Anderson Museum, housed in two fine old villas with a fascinating collection of Arabic artefacts, furniture and memorabilia. Stop off for an Arabic coffee or mint tea, and in the evening, share a meal with a family, gaining an insight into local Egyptian life.
Accommodation
  • Novotel El Borg or Similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Cairo - Gayer-Anderson Museum (entrance fee)
  • Cairo - Home-Cooked Dinner
  • Cairo - Khan al-Khalili Bazaar
  • Cairo - Ibn Tulun Mosque
Optional Activities
  • Cairo - Sound & Light Show at the Pyramids Tour (Min 2 customers)-Transfers/Entry-p/p - EGP700
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
For the flight from Aswan to Cairo, the baggage allowance is up to 23 kilograms for checked-in luggage and 7 kilograms for carry-on baggage. These allowances are subject to the airline's discretion.

Your trip will come to an end today after breakfast. Check-out time is usually around 12 pm (midday) and you are free to leave at any time. If you have arranged a private airport transfer you will be advised of the pick-up time. If you would like to spend more time in Cairo, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

8 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 7 dinners

Transport

Plane, Private aircon bus, Riverboat, Sleeper train

Accommodation

Comfortable hotel (3 nights), Cruise ship (4 nights Feature Stay), Overnight sleeper train (1 night)

Included Activities

  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
  • Cairo - The Egyptian Museum headset
  • Cairo - Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx
  • Cairo - Egyptian Museum
  • Luxor - Karnak Temple
  • Luxor - Valley of the Kings (entrance to 3 tombs)
  • Luxor - Tomb of Tut Ankh Amun
  • Luxor - Hatshepsut Temple
  • Izbat Al Bayyarah - Kom Ombo Temple
  • Aswan - Sunset drinks on a felucca
  • Aswan - Philae Temple
  • Abu Simbel - Abu Simbel temples
  • Abu Simbel - Flights to and from Abu Simbel
  • Cairo - Gayer-Anderson Museum (entrance fee)
  • Cairo - Home-Cooked Dinner
  • Cairo - Khan al-Khalili Bazaar
  • Cairo - Ibn Tulun Mosque

Dates & availability - 2021 season

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Nile Valley Highlights trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information. 
3. This trip includes domestic flights. The luggage allowance is 23kg for check in luggage and 7kg for carry on. You can store excess luggage at the start point hotel.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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