Compare Egypt: Alexandria to Aswan by Exodus Travels vs Cairo & Alexandria Escape with 3- night Nile cruise by Globus
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 13 days | 11 days |
| Price From | $ 3,300 | $ 2,512 |
| Price Per Day | $ 254 | $ 228 |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | No |
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| Meals Included | All breakfasts, six lunches and five dinners included. In the itinerary, we state which meals are included on which day. For meals not included, we suggest you allow approximatelyUS$15 for lunch and US$20 for dinner (depends on the type of restaurant you choose). Food in Egypt involves such things as kebabs, chicken, stews, pitta bread, falafel, beans, vegetables, pickles and salads. Dishes tend to be simple and wholesome and vegetarians can be catered for, though the options may be somewhat limited. Meals on the cruise are open buffets, which include Western and Egyptian dishes. Drinks and water are not included at hotels & on the cruise. The Cairo food tour gives us the chance to try several Egyptian dishes, such as ful medames (a mixture of beans and tahini) and kushari (a dish made of rice, macaroni and lentils mixed with garlic, tomato, chickpeas and crispy fried onions). | N/A |
| Description |
Few countries can rival Egypt’s wealth of magnificent archeological sites, with the pyramids and Great Sphinx of Giza ranking as two of the most recognisable in the world. It is a place like no other and on this two-week itinerary we explore its treasures across the length of the country. In the north there is the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria and El Alamein, the site of the famous Second World War battle. Cairo’s attractions are world famous but we also experience the bazaars and culinary delights on a food tour. Journeying south by sleeper train we reach the Nubian city of Aswan where we board our Nile cruise boat and discover the monuments and temples all the way to Luxor.Travel the length of Egypt and explore history, food and landscapes |
The mysteries of the Sphinx await on this off-season vacation in Egypt! Enjoy an escorted vacation in Cairo and Alexandria. Visit the incredible Egyptian Museum and marvel at the Sphinx and the Great Pyramid of Giza—the oldest of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Visit Alexandria’s 4th-century Mediterranean harbor city founded by Alexander the Great. Guided sightseeing includes the Catacombs of Kom El Shogafa, Pompey’s Pillar and the lush Montazah Gardens. Travel through the El Beheira desert en route to Wadi el Natrun to visit the Coptic Monastery. Return to Cairo and fly to Aswan to begin your 3-night cruise on the Nile—considered the longest river in the world. See the Aswan High Dam and take a boat excursion to the Temple of Philae—dedicated to the Goddess Isis. Along your Nile River cruise, visit fascinating temples and shrines dating back to the 2nd century. Your Nile River cruise concludes in Luxor with free time to explore with an overnight stay before returning to Cairo. This 11-day guided vacation in Egypt with Nile River cruise is even better with fewer crowds and more savings during off-season travel. A wondrous escape fit for a king! |
Day 1 Start Cairo
Welcome to Cairo, the capital of Egypt and our starting point for this culture-rich exploration. A welcome briefing will take place tomorrow morning on Day 2. Accommodation: Pyramids by Jaz (or similar)
Day 2 Cairo tour
Morning welcome briefing after breakfast. Your leader will advise you of the time for this meeting. Please bring your insurance details with you to the briefing. Following the briefing we enjoy a full-day tour of Cairo. We begin with a visit to the Egyptian Museum – home to the largest collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts in the world, including the golden riches discovered in Tutankhamun’s tomb. We also explore Al Azhar mosque, which dates to 970 CE and is the oldest mosque in Cairo. It’s still frequently visited by local worshippers and we need to cover up (long sleeves and trousers) to enter – as when entering all mosques. Women will also need to cover their hair with a scarf. (Sometimes, the Mosque will be closed without prior notice but still you will be able to pass by and view it) Accommodation: Pyramids by Jaz (or similar)
Day 3 Pyramids and Great Sphinx of Giza
We begin our day with a visit to Giza, home to the Great Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus and the mysterious Great Sphinx. Only the throng of sightseers milling around their huge foundations keep you in the 21st century. The afternoon is free to relax at our hotel, explore Cairo or join an optional excursion to Saqqara and Memphis. Accommodation: Pyramids by Jaz (or similar)
Day 4 Food tour of Cairo
Today we embark on a tour of the best food spots in Cairo and discover some of the fantastic local cuisine available across the city – – you will pass by restaurants / shops where you will be able to taste some of the best oriental items: highlights are mulukhiyah (green soup), ful medames (beans) and kushari (rice and macaroni). The tour also includes the bazaars of Khan el-Khalili in the historic centre of Islamic Cairo. We’ll experience modern Cairo with a visit to Al Azhar park and a walk along the bustling El Moaz Street. We also aim to visit the House of Arts and Culture – a music school ((it is not opened all year and opening hours are quite limited so kindly check with your guide). Donations of musical instruments such as violins, saxophones, drums or spare parts such as violin bows are welcomed. Accommodation: Pyramids by Jaz (or similar)
Day 5 Visit El Anba Bishoy Monastery and El Alamein; continue to Alexandria
Today we start with a 90-minute drive to Wadi El Natrun, a depression that lies below sea level. The ancient Egyptians extracted salt here to use for mummification. The area was important for early Christians, too, and we will visit Ek Anba Bishoy Monastery. We continue to El Alamein (a two-hour drive away), the site of the allied victory during World War II. There are two areas we can visit - the War Cemetery and Military Museum. More than 80,000 soldiers were killed or wounded in the two battles. It was a decisive win for the Allies with Winston Churchill saying, "Before Alamein we never had a victory. After Alamein we never had a defeat". After visiting El Alamein, we’ll continue to Alexandria, a two-hour drive away where we'll enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Accommodation: Metropole Paradise Inn (or similar)
Day 6 Alexandria tour; transfer to sleeper train.
Today we have a tour of Alexandria. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BCE, the city was home to the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and it’s Great Library was the largest library of its time. Unfortunately, they no longer survive, but there is still much to see in this Mediterranean port city. Our tour begins with a visit to the city catacombs followed by the impressive Qaitbay Fortress and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina – Alexandria’s revival of the Great Library. In the afternoon, we return to Cairo (three to four hours) to board our sleeper train to Aswan (which takes approximately 12 hours). Accommodation: Sleeper train
Day 7 Arrive Aswan; Nubian tour and Felucca ride
Arriving in Aswan during the morning, we spend the rest of the day exploring the Nubian way of life. We begin with a visit to the Nubian Museum, which chronologically charts the history and culture of the people, before enjoying a Nubian lunch on board a felucca while we explore the Nile. In the afternoon we have a tour to the Monastery of St Simeon by camel* and at a Nubian House on Elephantine Island you will meet a local family (please see the People, Places & Planet section). We finish our day with a barbeque on the shores of an island in the Nile. *To reach the monastery, we ride camels for about 15 minutes. If you prefer not to ride a camel it is possible to walk the 2.5mi (4km) over sandy and stony ground. This part of the trip takes place in the middle of the day when the sun is at its highest. Accommodation: Basma Hotel (or similar)
Day 8 Visit Philae Temple and Aswan High Dam and board Nile cruise
We begin today with a visit to the Philae Temple and Aswan High Dam. In the 1970s, the temple was relocated by Unesco to Aglika Island after it became evident the original site of Philae would submerge on completion of the dam. This morning represents a magnificent and enduring testament to both ancient and modern engineering. Then will be transferred to our cruise boat and relax before enjoying lunch on board. For the rest of the day there is the option to explore the Aswan market or attend the Sound and Light Show at Philae Temple. Accommodation: M/S Nile Style (or similar)
Day 9 Optional visit to Abu Simbel; sail to Kom Ombo, Sail to Edfu.
For those who want to do the optional visit to Abu Simbel, the tour starts at approximately 3.30am when we get picked up from the cruise boat. A breakfast box is provided. Around 8am we will arrive at the destination, where we are given around two hours to visit the temples. Built by Ramses II, the temples of Abu Simbel rank among the most impressive in the country, and are well worth the journey south across the Nubian Desert. We will be back in Aswan around 13:30pm. After lunch we sail to Kom Ombo, from 18:00 – 20:00 visit the temple there before continuing our journey to Edfu, which is where we will spend the night. Accommodation: M/S Nile Style (or similar)
Day 10 Tour Edfu; sail to Luxor
06:00 – 08:00 Walking in Edfu, we start our day exploring the city and its temples before sailing further north along the Nile. After crossing the Esna lock we reach our destination, 16:30 arrive Luxor, where we will have our final dinner on board and hopefully witness a stunning sunset over the river. Accommodation: M/S Nile Style (or similar)
Day 11 Disembark in Luxor; explore the Valley of the Kings
After breakfast on board we disembark in Luxor and explore the Valley of the Kings. For nearly 500 years this was the site of royal burials and it contains the tombs of more than 62 pharaohs, including Tutankhamun, Seti I, Ramses III and IV. One ticket allows us to see three tombs. Your ticket allows you to see three tombs. The ticket usually allows entry into what are regarded as the most impressive tombs, but (if you have time) a visit to extra tombs is also recommended for example Tutankhamun (extra ticket ), Seti I (extra ticket), Ramses III and IV(extra ticket). Visits to tombs are now strictly controlled to halt further deterioration of wall paintings – each tomb is periodically closed for a number of weeks. In terms of size and decoration, it is not as impressive as many of the other tombs, but is of course historically very interesting. After, we visit the massive stone statues of the Colossi of Memnon before transferring to our hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax or wander around the streets of Luxor. Accommodation: Iberotel Luxor (or similar)
Day 12 Luxor tour including Karnak and Luxor temples
For our penultimate day we have a half-day tour of Luxor’s east bank. Luxor is commonly called the greatest open-air museum in the world and this morning we visit the extraordinary Karnak and Luxor temples, which stand within the modern city. There should also be an opportunity to visit the A.C.E animal hospital to learn about the efforts taken to improve animal welfare in Egypt. After a leisurely afternoon, we enjoy our final dinner together at one of this historic city’s restaurants. Accommodation: Iberotel Luxor (or similar)
Day 13 End Luxor
You’ve seen many marvels in Egypt, but now it’s time for one last breakfast before beginning your journey home. If you’ve still a little adventure in you, speak to your sales representative about joining our post-trip excursion to the Red Sea.
Day 1: ARRIVE IN CAIRO, EGYPT
Welcome to Cairo. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (Dinner)
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Day 2: CAIRO. EXCURSION TO GIZA
Secrets of the Sphinx CAIRO Guided sightseeing includes the Egyptian Museum.GIZA Take pictures of the Sphinx and of the Great Pyramids. (Breakfast)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT HISTORY & MYSTERY Get up close and personal with The Pyramids of Giza - one of the World’s Seven Wonders. Ponder the enigmatic secrets of the Sphinx and the Great Pyramid of Giza. Marvel at the massive monument of Cheops, the most colossal pyramid ever built with an original height of 496 feet.
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Day 3: CAIRO–WADI EL NATRUN–ALEXANDRIA
The Mediterranean Pearl WADI EL NATRUN [LF] Visit a Coptic Monastery before returning to Cairo.ALEXANDRIA Free time to explore the city at your own pace. (Breakfast) 137 mi / 220 km
LOCAL FAVORITE CULTURE & TRADITIONS In Arabic, Wadi El Natrum means “Valley of Nitrates,” due to the presence of eight different lakes containing nitrates in the surrounding area. In Coptic, the region is also known as Shi-Hyt, which can be translated as “balance of the heart” or “measure of hearts.” The monasteries of Wadi el-Natrun are the source of indispensable data for the study of the Coptic heritage, and especially for Coptic literature, art, and architecture.
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Day 4: ALEXANDRIA
Feel like royality in the Montazah gardens ALEXANDRIA Guided sightseeing includes the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, Pompey’s Pillar, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, that commemorates the ancient Library of Alexandria, and the 15th-century Qaitbay Citadel. Visit the Montazah Garden. (Breakfast)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT HISTORY & CULTURE Originally founded by Alexander the Great, Alexandria was once one of the wealthiest cities in the world and the Montazah Palace gardens are a true testimony of this wealth. Designed to be a place of relaxation and recreation for the Khedive and his guests are filled with flowers, trees and shrubs.
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Day 5: ALEXANDRIA–WADI EL NATRUN–CAIRO
A Drive Through the Red Land Drive through the El Beheira desert.CAIRO Dinner at your hotel. (Breakfast,Dinner) 155 mi / 250 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT LEGENDARY LANDSCAPES In ancient times, the Egyptians called the desert the "red land," distinguishing it from the flood plain around the Nile River, called the "black land". These reflect the fact that the desert sands have a reddish hue and the land around the Nile turned black when the annual flood waters receded. Over thousands of years, the Nile River evolved into its present shape, surrounded by the Eastern and Western deserts.
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Day 6: CAIRO–ASWAN (EMBARKATION)
The Inspiration of Isis CAIRO Fly to AswanASWAN Embarkation and lunch on board. (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT ANCIENT WONDERS The temple at Philae honors the deity Isis—goddess of the moon, health, and fertility, as well as the gods of Horus and Osiris. Learn how in the early 1970s, after the inauguration of the Aswan High Dam, raging floods risked the submersion of Philae. The rescue of these Nubian monuments is thanks to the joint effort between the Egyptian government and UNESCO, who then moved the sanctuary to higher ground. How did they do it? They dismantled the structures into 40,000 blocks and transferred them brick by brick to their new home, Agilkia Island.
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Day 7: CRUISING: ASWAN–KOM OMBO–EDFU
Egyptian Gods & Gowns Free time this morningKOM OMBO Guided walking tour includes the Temple dedicated to the crocodile and falcon gods. (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
TOUR HIGHLIGHTLEGENDS & LORE Explore captivating Kom Ombo with a walking tour of its bluff-top twin temples. Gaze at the spellbinding temples dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek-Ra and the falcon god Horus.
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Day 8: CRUISING: EDFU–ESNA–LUXOR
Legendary Luxor EDFU Visit the Temple of HorusLUXOR Visit the Temple. (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
TOUR HIGHLIGHTOF GODS AND PILGRIMAGES Step back in time and wander through the magnificent temple dedicated to Horus, one of the most important gods in Ancient Egypt. Learn how this became the setting for many important festivals which resulted in huge pilgrimages. With time the temple suffered the elements and got buried underneath the sand where it remained until 1860!
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Day 9: LUXOR (DISEMBARKATION)
Palace of Life LUXOR Disembarkation. Visit the Temple of Karnak. Free time this afternoon (Breakfast)
TOUR HIGHLIGHTPHARAONIC LIVES Known as Ipet-Isu by the ancient Egyptians which means “The Most Select of Places” and built over 2000 years, for some uneducated ancient Egyptians the temple of Karnak was the place of gods. Dozens of pharaohs added their own constructions to this site making this one of the most impressive open- air museums in the world.
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Day 10: LUXOR–CAIRO
Cairo Bound LUXOR Morning at leisure. Fly to Cairo. CAIRO Free time this afternoon. (Breakfast)
FREE TIME TIPSEXPLORE MORE Join an optional excursion to the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens on the West Bank of the Nile where generations of pharaohs and nobles were entombed in cliffside crypts. See where 62 royal tombs have thus far been discovered, of which one was virtually intact—the splendid tomb of Tutankhamun discovered in 1922.
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Day 11: CAIRO
Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
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