Wonders of Egypt - Small Group, Winter
Tour Type: Regional
Brochure Type Europe Winter 2024-2025
Embrace the very best of Egypt on this 9-day tour. In Luxor, walk through an avenue of ram-like sphinxes at Karnak, a complex of ancient temples, churches and pylons, and enjoy the Luxor museum, where you can see two royal mummies. Travel by luxury coach to the Valley of the Kings, where the infamous pharaoh Tutankhamun is buried. Along the Nile, board a felucca - a wooden boat with billowing sails - with a local sailor, who will teach you about traditional sailing practices. In Cairo, meet an Egyptologist at the Egyptian Museum to see treasures recovered from pharaohs' tombs, and ascend to the Citadel for sweeping views of the city below. And behold the incredible Pyramids of Giza from inside, as an Egyptologist takes you past the Sphinx to the center of a pyramid so that you can see its cavernous wonders.
Additional Included Highlights
Brochure Type Europe Winter 2024-2025
Embrace the very best of Egypt on this 9-day tour. In Luxor, walk through an avenue of ram-like sphinxes at Karnak, a complex of ancient temples, churches and pylons, and enjoy the Luxor museum, where you can see two royal mummies. Travel by luxury coach to the Valley of the Kings, where the infamous pharaoh Tutankhamun is buried. Along the Nile, board a felucca - a wooden boat with billowing sails - with a local sailor, who will teach you about traditional sailing practices. In Cairo, meet an Egyptologist at the Egyptian Museum to see treasures recovered from pharaohs' tombs, and ascend to the Citadel for sweeping views of the city below. And behold the incredible Pyramids of Giza from inside, as an Egyptologist takes you past the Sphinx to the center of a pyramid so that you can see its cavernous wonders.
Additional Included Highlights
- 4 night Nile cruise aboard your mid-size cruise ship featuring air-conditioned cabins with private facilities, on either MS Medea, MS Miriam, MS Giselle, MS La Boheme or similar. Please note that gratuities are not included for the Travel Director, Nile
- Included economy class flights between Cairo/Luxor and Aswan/Cairo with transfers between airports and hotels.
- From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
- Complimentary transfers from/to Cairo Airport are available on arrival and departure days, or with additional accommodation booked through Insight Vacations.
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- Cairo Join the fun at an Egyptian dinner and galabeya party, dressed in traditional Egyptian attire.
- Aswan Follow in the footsteps of Winston Churchill and Agatha Christie as you enjoy high tea at Aswan's famous Old Cataract Hotel, as the sun begins to set.
- Luxor Get to know your fellow travelers over a delightful Welcome Drink followed by dinner.
- 1 Afternoon Tea (AT)
- 4 Lunch (L)
- 4 Dinner (D)
- 8 Breakfast (B)
- Luxor Enjoy listening to stories of village life from local residents, when you visit a family home for a tasting of authentic Egyptian sun bread.
- Cairo Be mesmerized by the intricate art of Egyptian carpet weaving as you meet the skilled artisans of a local weaving school. This ancient and traditional Egypt art is one of the oldest in the country, and only few schools have been safeguarding the tr
- Aswan Visit Aswan's High Dam and Granite Quarries to ponder why the Unfinished Obelisk has been left in mid-creation for thousands of years.
- Philae Island Travel by motorboat to Philae Island and witness the majestic Temple of Isis rising from the waters.
- Aswan Enjoy your short flight back to Cairo for your final night.
- Aswan On a traditional Nile felucca, meet a sailor and learn the art of sailing this ancient Nile craft. Visit the High Dam and Granite Quarries.
- Cairo Take a short scenic flight to Luxor where you will begin your Nile Cruise.
- Kom Ombo Visit the unique temple as it is the only double temple in Egypt.
- Saqqara Necropolis View the oldest pyramid in the world, the Step Pyramid of Zoser I, existing for over 4,500 years.
- Valley of the Kings Explore with an Egyptologist the Valley of the Kings which is home to the magnificent tombs of Egypt's Pharaohs.
- Valley of the Kings Embark on an experience with an Egyptologist to visit the mortuary Temple Hatshepsut.
- Colossi of Memnon See the massive stone statues of the Colossi of Memnon.
- Luxor Visit Luxor Temple, constructed approximately 1400 BC. Look to the top of the remaining Pylon of Ramses II and step into the ancient monument.
- Luxor Visit the Luxor Museum and discover ancient artefacts.
- Memphis Visit this famous capital of the ancient world to see the statue of Ramses II and the Great Alabaster Sphinx.
- Giza Be mesmerised by the Sound & Light Show at the Great Pyramids.
- Karnak Stand amid a vast forest of columns in the largest temple complex known to man, as your Egyptologist explains the significance behind it. Walk the avenue of ram-headed sphinxes, see the of Rameses II and the Hypostyle Hall.
- Cairo With your Egyptologist, gaze upon Tutankhamun's treasures at the Egyptian Musuem, gaze upon the most recognisable symbols of ancient Egypt the full-faced funeral mask, gold coffin, gilded throne and precious jewelery - all treasures of Tutankhamun
- Giza With your Egyptologist, meet the enigmatic Sphinx and venture deep inside one of the pyramids, to the chambers where the pharaohs went to meet their Gods in the afterlife.
- Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxury, air-conditioned coach with onboard washroom. Alternate vehicles without onboard washroom may be used on occasion. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very
- Experience enhanced hygiene protocols to align with the latest guidance following COVID-19.All Travel Directors, Well-Being Directors and Drivers have completed training in enhanced well-being and hygiene protocols.
- Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
- Our highly-skilled Travel Director and certified Egyptologist will ensure your journey is seamless, serving as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas.
- We only work with establishments we are confident will consistently adhere to our high well-being standards, which include hotels, restaurants and sight-seeing venues.
Details
- Tour Operator
- Insight Vacations
- Offer
- Offer valid through 12/30/2024
- Duration
- 9 Days
- Escorted
- Escorted - Yes
| Day | Destination | Description |
| Day 1 | Cairo | Arrive in Cairo: Welcome to the timeless land of the pharaohs. On arrival at Cairo Airport, you'll be transferred to your hotel and have time to relax and sample the hotels amenities after your journey. Refreshed and ready to embrace the intoxicating energy of this ancient and modern city Accommodations: Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino. |
| Day 2 | Luxor | Fly to Luxor, Cruise the Nile: In the morning, fly to Luxor and visit the huge temple complex of Karnak. Walk through the avenue of ram-headed sphinxes to stand among the columns of the Hypostyle Hall. Later, transfer to your cruise ship, your home for the next four nights. After lunch on board, take a walk through the Luxor Museum, witness ancient artefacts and see two royal mummies. This evening, get to know your Travel Director, a professionally trained Egyptologist, as well as fellow guests over a welcome drink followed by dinner. The rest of the evening is yours at leisure, enjoy dinner on the ship before relaxing in its lounge or in the comfort of your room. Accommodations: MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar). |
| Day 3 | Edfu | Valley of the Kings to Edfu: This morning travel by coach to the west bank of the Nile. See the Colossi of Memnon and visit both the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Valley of the Kings, where many pharaohs were buried, including Hatshepsut, Amenhotep I and Tutankhamun. Experience the renowned local hospitality of Egyptians during a visit to the village of Geziret Bahirat. Connect with the community and share bread with the Bahirat family, whilst they regale guests with their fascinating stories of daily life. Visit Luxor Temple which was unearthed by Mariette in the 1860s, before returning to your cruise ship and sail via the Esna Lock to Edfu, for your overnight stay. Accommodations: MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar). |
| Day 4 | Aswan | Kom Ombo to Aswan Relaxed Start: In the early morning sail to Kom Ombo to visit the only double temple of Egypt dedicated to two gods. Discover the Temple, learning all about its ?double' and perfectly symmetrical design for the duo of gods - one side dedicated to Sobek the crocodile god, the other to Horus the Elder the falcon god. This evening, enjoy a fun-filled traditional Egyptian themed dinner and galabeya party on board your ship. Accommodations: MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar). |
| Day 5 | Aswan | Aswan's High Dam and Nile Felucca: In the morning, visit the Aswan High Dam and granite quarries, to see the enormous unfinished obelisk. Travel by motorboat to the Temple of Isis. Rising from the waters of the Nile on the Island of Philae, it was the last temple built in the classical Egyptian style. Later, on a traditional Nile Felucca, meet a sailor and about traditional sailing practices. As the sun starts to fade, enjoy high tea at the historic Old Cataract Hotel. The likes of Winston Churchill and Agatha Christie stayed at this pretty venue, and Christie supposedly wrote ?Death on the Nile? from the hotel itself. Accommodations: MS Medea or MS Miriam (or similar). |
| Day 6 | Cairo | Aswan and Back to Cairo Relaxed Start: In the morning, disembark your cruise ship and enjoy time at leisure in Aswan. Why not join an Optional Experience and travel by air to the magnificent Temples of Ramesses II at Abu Simbel? These temples overlook Lake Nasser and are made up of the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Temple of Hathor. Otherwise, spend the morning as you wish. Perhaps soak up the African atmosphere in the Nubian bazaar or visit one of the many points of interest nearby, such as the Botanical Gardens, Elephantine Island and the Aga Khan Mausoleum. Later, transfer to the airport for your return flight to Cairo for the night. Accommodations: Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino. |
| Day 7 | Cairo | The Egyptian Museum and Citadel: Begin your city sightseeing with your Egyptologist exploring the Cairo Citadel a medieval Islamic-era fortification which served as the seat of the Egyptian government for almost seven centuries and see the Great Alabaster Mosque. Later, visit the world-famous Egyptian Museum. Starring among its attractions is the amazing treasure recovered from Tutankhamun's tomb. Accommodations: Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino. |
| Day 8 | Cairo | The Great Pyramids of Giza: Gain a deeper understanding of the last remaining Wonder of the Ancient World, during a visit to Giza with your Egyptologist. Meet the enigmatic Sphinx, crouching at the foot of the Chephrenis Causeway and venture inside one of the magnificent Pyramids. Nearby lies Memphis, capital of the Old Kingdom, where you can see the colossal statue of Ramesses II and the great Alabaster Sphinx. Continue to Sakkara to view the Step Pyramid of Zoser, which dates back 2686 B.C., making it the oldest pyramid in the world. Meet the skilled artisans at a local weaving school, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience. Enjoy free time in the afternoon. Accommodations: Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino. |
| Day 9 | Cairo | Depart Cairo: Your wonderful journey ends with transfers to Cairo International airport. Accommodations: |
- Dates/Pricing
- Disclaimer
- Twin prices are per person.
- These prices are correct at the time of the website going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking.
- All tour information is correct at time of tours going live, however is subject to change, please confirm all details at time of booking.
- For full terms and conditions, please refer to our Conditions page.
- Hotel Class Key: D: Deluxe SF: Superior First Class F: First Class
