Classic Egypt Tour 10 nights from £3,250 per person
ABOUT THIS ITINERARY
If you have never felt the eerie atmosphere in the Burial Chamber of the Great Pyramid, or tried to decipher the intricate hieroglyphics at the entrance of a Pharaoh’s tomb, you must visit Egypt.
Few places reveal an ancient civilisation so vividly as the Temple at Karnak, or portray it smiling down as enigmatically as the Sphinx. This itinerary includes Classical Egypt staying in some of iconic hotels: The Mena House - Cairo; Sofitel Old Winter Palace - Luxor; a classic cruise along the Nile from Luxor to Aswan, on board the Oberoi Philae; and finally the Sofitel Old Cataract in Aswan. Along the way, you will visit all the great Egyptian must-sees: the Valley of the Kings; Colossi Memnon; Abu Simbel; Ramesis II’s temples….
Price Includes
International flights
Private transfers
Domestic flights
Activities and tours as mentioned
All accommodation or similar
24/7 support while you're away
UK airport transfers (conditions apply)
DAY 1-3
CAIRO
Welcome to Egypt!
On arrival in Cairo, you will be met by your Tailored Journeys representative who will accompany you, by private vehicle, to your hotel, the iconic Mena House Hotel.
You will be able to see the Great Pyramid as soon as you wake up – your hotel room gives you grand views of one of the ancient world’s most iconic buildings. A full day guided tour will give you a close-up view of the Great Pyramid of Cheops, as you wander through passageways leading to the impressive burial chamber. You will visit the enigmatic Sphinx at Giza and the smaller Pyramids of Pharaohs Chepren and Mycerinus, plus the tombs of their queens and princesses. Your walk through an ancient civilisation continues with the Mortuary Temples and the amazing Valley Temple of Chephren. Then come trips to see the Solar Boat, the Step Pyramid at Saqqara and the atmospheric capital of Memphis.
You will explore the culture and history of Egypt even further with visits to the Egyptian Museum and the treasures of Tutankhamun, plus the Citadel of Saladin, the Mosque of Mohamed Ali and the dizzying bazaars of Khan el Khalili.
Accommodation: Marriott Mena House Cairo
DAY 4-5
LUXOR
Fly from Cairo to the Nile-side city of Luxor. Your hotel is set amongst tropical gardens on the banks of the Nile, and you will have time to explore this historic city and prepare for your Nile cruise.
Resting on the east bank of the infamous Nile River in southern Egypt, the city of Luxor is renowned for its many well-preserved monuments, so much so that it has been described as the world’s greatest open-air museum. Luxor is often divided into three different areas; the city of Luxor on the east side of the Nile, the town of Karnak further north and Thebes on the west side of the Nile, across from Luxor.
Accommodation: Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor
DAY 6-9
RIVER NILE
Your stay on the classic Oberoi Philae River cruiser will take you across the river to give you the opportunity to stroll through the forest of decorative columns that is the Temple of Karnak and Luxor.
The next day, you will find yourself on the West Bank of the Nile where you can visit the astonishing Valley of the Kings, with its underground tombs lined with hieroglyphics. Over a soaring ridge is the Valley of the Queens, and you’ll be able to discover the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at El-Deir, El-Bahari and the mighty Colossi Memnon. Then it’s time to sail to Esna, where you will be moored overnight, and enjoy on-board feasting and entertainment.
From Esna you will cruise along the Nile to Edfu, home to the renowned Horus Temple, and onwards to Kom Ombo where you will visit a temple dedicated to two gods: Sobek and Haeroris.
On your final day aboard the Oberoi Philae, you will arrive at Aswan, where you will be guided around the High Dam and have the opportunity to visit the Philae Temple and the Unfinished Obelisk. In the afternoon, you will cruise to Kitchener’s Island and its wonderful botanical gardens in a different style of rivercraft: a traditional sailing felucca.
Accommodation: The Oberoi Philae
DAY 10-12
ASWAN
Disembarking from the Oberoi Philae, you will be taken to your luxury hotel overlooking Elephant Island and the Nile. This is a great base for exploring the Coptic Cathedral and the Nubian Museum, both of which are within walking distance of your hotel.
You will also have the opportunity to take a scenic flight to Abu Simbel to visit the relocated temples of Ramses II and marvel at the engineering excellence of 12,000 BC.
Accommodation: Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan Hotel
Start Planning Today
If you would you like to see a more detailed day-by-day itinerary or want to amend this schedule to suit you better? Then, please complete this easy form and we will get to work straightaway!