Discover Egypt Tour

Upon arrival, a staff meets you at the airport, assists you with your visa and luggage, and transfer you to your hotel to begin your trip. Once you settle in, you are introduced to the local area and explain the plans for the next day. You can enjoy the rest of the day on your own. If you arrive early, you may take an evening dinner cruise on the Nile or enjoy a spectacular sound and light show at the pyramids, talk to your Adventure Life Trip Planner about options. 

This itinerary is based on 5-star hotels which are confirmed closer to the departure date. 

The tour of Egypt begins with a drive to Giza, just outside Cairo, to visit the Sphinx and the three great pyramids. A local Egyptologist guide accompanies you on this and all other sightseeing tours, sharing extensive knowledge and enthusiasm about Egyptian history and the country as a whole. Standing 500 feet high and 750 feet wide at its base, the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) is an astonishing man-made structure built from giant stone blocks, originally covered with a hard limestone casing that has been stripped away over time, revealing the inner block structure. Along with the smaller pyramids of Khafre (Chephren) and Menkaure (Mycerinus), these immense structures rising from the desert create a breathtaking scene. You may choose to climb down inside the pyramids, though guides are not permitted inside (a limited number of tickets are available for the Great Pyramid, for an additional cost).

After visiting the pyramids, the tour continues to the Egyptian Museum, home to the famous Tutankhamun exhibit and a vast collection of other ancient Egyptian artifacts.

In the evening, transfer to the train station for the overnight sleeper train to Aswan (approximately 12 hours). Enjoy dinner on board in your private twin-berth compartment before the steward sets up your beds for the night. 

For the overnight train journey between Cairo and Aswan, this tour uses the overnight sleeper train. You will have a private lockable twin cabin on board which holds two large seats and fold-down beds which the carriage steward will make up for you in the evening. Sheets, blanket & pillows are provided. The cabin also contains a wash basin and storage cupboard. An airline tray-style evening meal and breakfast are provided.

This morning, arrive in Aswan and transfer to a hotel overlooking the Nile, where the river is especially scenic, with lush green islands and feluccas sailing back and forth. Aswan is a blend of African and Middle Eastern cultures, best experienced by exploring the lively markets. It is also part of ancient Nubia, a region that included parts of present-day southern Egypt and northern Sudan along the Nile. Many descendants of the Nubian people still live here, and a visit to a local Nubian village offers a chance to see their colorful houses, and simple lifestyle, and enjoy a traditional lunch.

The tour continues in the afternoon with a visit to the Temple of Philae, a stunning island complex dedicated to Isis, saved from the rising waters of Lake Nasser and reached by a scenic boat ride. In the evening, you are free to explore Aswan’s spice and general markets or stroll along the Corniche by the Nile. An optional camel ride through the sands on the far bank of the Nile to St. Simeon’s Monastery is also available (for additional cost). If you’ve opted for the Abu Simbel excursion (for additional cost), an early night is recommended for tomorrow’s early start. 

This morning, there is an option to visit the incredible UNESCO World Heritage site of Abu Simbel, home to the temples built by Ramses II. Departure is early to catch the sunrise over the temples. Talk to your Adventure Life Trip Planner if you are interested in booking this option. If not visiting Abu Simbel, the morning is free for other activities.

At lunchtime, board a traditional Nile felucca for an afternoon of sailing. Drifting down the Nile on a felucca is one of Egypt's most enjoyable experiences, offering views of rural Egyptian life along the riverbanks. A Nubian crew sails the boat, prepares meals, and provides entertainment during the journey. A separate support boat joins periodically throughout the day and moors with the felucca at night, offering toilet and shower facilities as well as a hygienic kitchen. Tonight, sleep on the deck of the felucca (with mattresses, blankets, and mosquito nets provided). While this is a fun but basic experience, an optional upgrade is available to spend the night in a hotel in Aswan for more comfort, with the opportunity to rejoin the group the next morning. 

After breakfast onboard, say goodbye to the felucca crew and visit the nearby Edfu Temple before heading north to Luxor. Luxor, built around the ancient site of Thebes, is known for having the largest concentration of ancient ruins in the Nile Valley. On the west side of the Nile, explore the City of the Dead with its mortuary temples and tombs, while the east side holds the Temples of Luxor and Karnak.

Check into a 5-star hotel along the Nile and relax by the pool this afternoon. In the evening, enjoy a guided walk through Luxor Temple, beautifully illuminated in the heart of the city. 

Early this morning, cross the Nile to begin exploring Luxor’s West Bank. Home to the Valley of the Kings, this ancient burial site continues to reveal secrets, making it one of the world’s most important archaeological locations. The tour includes visits to several Pharaonic tombs, the temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Deir el-Medina (the Valley of the Craftsmen), and the massive Colossi of Memnon.

A spectacular hot air balloon flight over the West Bank is also available this morning (for an additional cost), offering stunning views at sunrise.

After lunch, explore the vast temple complex at Karnak, once the religious center of Thebes and Upper Egypt. It was connected to Luxor by an avenue lined with sphinxes, and to the Nile by a canal used for the sacred boats of the god Amun. Enter through a smaller sphinx-lined avenue built by Ramesses II, leading to the grand pylon entrance. Inside, the huge courtyard holds three chapels dedicated to the gods Amun, Khonsu, and Mut. The incredible Hypostyle Hall features 134 towering columns, carved with scenes of gods, pharaohs, and hieroglyphic inscriptions. 

After a relaxing morning, depart the Nile Valley and drive to the Red Sea resort of Hurghada. Check into a 5-star resort, where the stay includes a 'soft all-inclusive' package—covering all meals, soft drinks, and snacks, but excluding alcoholic beverages. 

Today is free to relax and enjoy time by the Red Sea. Hurghada is renowned for its scuba diving and snorkeling, attracting divers from around the world due to its rich marine life. Other adventurous activities include windsurfing, kite surfing, glass-bottomed submarines, quad biking, camel rides, and sea fishing trips. A local representative in Hurghada is available to assist with any arrangements. The area also features an interesting marina and old town to explore.

For those interested, extra nights at the Hurghada resort can be booked to extend the stay—please get in touch for details and prices.

Note: Adding extra nights in Hurghada means leaving the group and missing the remaining activities in Cairo. Options include finishing the tour in Hurghada or flying back to Cairo later. For more information and customized pricing, please reach out. 

Drive back to Cairo this morning (approximately 5 hours) and check into a hotel in the city center. An upgrade to an internal flight is available upon request. In the late afternoon, enjoy a guided walk through the back streets and bazaars of Old Cairo.

Enter through the impressive Bab al-Futuh gateway and explore streets dedicated to metalwork, spices, pottery, fabric, jewelry, and more as you gradually reach the bustling Khan el-Khalili bazaar. There will be time to take a break and try some mint tea and a shisha pipe, making it a great final opportunity to pick up souvenirs from the time in Egypt. 

Today is free for last-minute sightseeing or shopping until the transfer to the airport for the departure flight. For those with afternoon or evening flights, a half-day tour of Coptic Cairo and the Citadel is available, or another half-day tour to explore the evolution of pyramid building at Saqqara, Dashour, and Memphis.

At the appropriate time, transfer to the Cairo airport for your departure. Goodbye, Egypt! 

Extra nights in Cairo can also be arranged, providing the opportunity for a day trip to the colonial city of Alexandria on the Mediterranean coast, or a trip into the desert outside Cairo to visit the World Heritage Site of the Valley of the Whales at Wadi Rayan. Contact us for more details. 

If our scheduled departure dates don't fit your plans or you prefer a private experience, we can arrange this tour exclusively for you. Contact us for more details and pricing.