Compare Highlights of Egypt by G Adventures 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 | 14 days | 11 days |
| Price From | $ 1,462 | $ 2,512 |
| Price Per Day | $ 104 | $ 228 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
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| Countries Visited | ||
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | No |
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| Meals Included | 13 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners | N/A |
| Description |
Dig deep and discover the riches of Egypt's geography, culture, and, of course, archaeology, on this epic adventure. Step into a world filled with giant statues, temples, and legendary pyramids. Take it easy as you float along the Nile on a traditional felucca, explore the white sands of Hurghada on the Red Sea, or enjoy a home-cooked meal with a local family. Our Chief Experience Officers (CEOs) and local experts will share an intriguing combination of the region’s attractions and hidden secrets. Meet the gaze of the Sphinx and get into the spirit of bygone times when travelling to the Valley of the Kings. |
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 Cairo
Arrive at any time.
There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting.
If this is your first visit to Cairo, we highly recommend that you book an airport transfer. If you opt to prebook the 'Islamic and Coptic Cairo Tour' a night of pre-tour accommodation is required as this tour departs at 10am.
Day 2 Cairo/Aswān
Enjoy a visit to the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Sphinx before a guided tour of the Egyptian Museum. Catch an overnight train to Aswan.
Visit the pyramids and soak in the history of these majestic structures before a visit to the Egyptian Museum. In the evening, board an overnight train to Aswan. The overnight train is a modern air-conditioned sleeper, with twin-berth beds. There is no shower in the cabin, but each cabin does have a sink. The shared toilet is at the end of each carriage. A basic airline-style tray meal for dinner and breakfast is included. Attendants can serve drinks in your compartment at extra cost or there is a bar car for socializing.
Please note that during Ramadan, the museum, and Egyptian pyramids will close at 3PM this year, and so we will follow the below order, and schedule on Day 2. Visit the Pyramids from 9 - 11 Visit the museums from 11:30 - 14:30 Lunch from 15:00 - 16:00 before heading to the train station
Day 3 Aswān
Opt to explore the busy Aswan market or visit the beautiful Philae Temple, before visiting a Nubian village and enjoying a home-cooked dinner with a local family.
Our train is due to arrive in Aswan early in the morning, but, trains can often be delayed. Enjoy some free time to browse the souk, walk along the Nile or opt to book the 'Philae Temple Excursion'. Later, board a boat to reach one of the many Nile islands and visit a Nubian village. Walk around the small community, then enjoy a traditional dinner at a local home.
Day 4 Aswān
Spend the day exploring Aswan.
One of the most fascinating sights in the area is the Temple of Abu Simbel. Later, opt for a half-day tour of the Unfinished Obelisk, High Dam, and Philae Temple. Visit the modern Nubian Museum to learn more about Aswan's local people.
Day 5 Aswān/Luxor
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel this morning. Ride on a Felucca to Aswan Bridge, where we will disembark and transfer to Kom Umbo. Later visit Kom Umbo temple before transferring to Luxor. Tonight, opt to grab dinner at the local market where you can try some local specialties.
Day 6 Luxor
After breakfast the group will set off on a guided visit to the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. Have lunch with a local family on the West Bank of the Nile, then visit an Alabaster Factory en route back to Luxor. The remainder of the afternoon will be at your leisure.
Cross to the West Bank. Descend down the narrow corridors and check out the tombs of the pharaohs at the Valley of the Kings. The Funerary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut literally seems to rise out of the surrounding limestone outcrops. Then visit the massive 18m (59ft)-high Colossi of Memnon, which is all that remains of an ancient temple. Enjoy lunch with a local family on the West bank of the Nile and then explore Luxor at your own pace.
Day 7 Luxor
After breakfast the group will sail by ferry to the West Bank to meet our student-guide. Together we will bike through the village and visit the Funtasia Project Center where the group will learn about the Planeterra project at this location over tea with our guide. From here, enjoy a visit to the Karnak Temple, which was once the centre of all religious life in ancient Egypt. Later take advantage of free time in Luxor to explore the bustling local bazaar at your leisure.
Day 8 Luxor
Take a final free day in Luxor to explore any last minute sights in this storied city. Opt to check out the local bazaar to pick up a last minute keepsake.
Day 9 Luxor/Hurghada
Drive from Luxor to Hurghada on the stunning Red Sea. The rest of the day is free at leisure, opt to relax and enjoy the beach.
After arriving in Hurghada, prepare to spend the next few days soaking in the tranquility of it's white sand beaches, and the rich marine environment of the Red Sea.
Day 10 Hurghada
Enjoy a day on a boat trip to the local islands and snorkel amid the crystal clear waters and stunning coral gardens of the Red Sea.
The Red Sea is a global hotspot for snorkelling, thanks to it's crystal clear waters and incredible aquatic ecosystems. Explore the rich coral reefs and be overwhelmed with the amount of colourful coral and fish you encounter.
Day 11 Hurghada/Alexandria
Catch an early flight from Hurghada to Cairo. Continue by private vehicle to Alexandria. Stop en route to visit the monasteries of Wadi Al Natrun
Travel by plane and private car to Alexandria, one of the ancient world's most important trade and cultural hubs. Explore it's many Greek, Roman and Egyptian ruins as you walk in the footsteps of some of histories greatest heroes.
Day 12 Alexandria
Take a guided tour of Pompeys Pillar, Catacombs, the Alexandria Library, and Qaitbay Fort. Later, opt to explore the cities's cafés, or dine on fantastic seafood
Prepare for a full day of exploring the many historical wonders of Alexandria. Delve into the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, marvel at the resolute Citadel of Qaitbay, and explore the grounds of Pompey's Pillar, one of Egypt's most impressive Roman architectural works.
Day 13 Alexandria/Cairo
Drive to El Alamein to visit the World War cemeteries and memorial. Continue to Cairo for the final evening.
As we travel from Alexandria to Cairo, take a stop at the El Alamein World War memorials, and learn more about the pivotal battles that changed the course of the war in Africa. Afterwards, continue on to the bustling metropolis of Cairo.
Day 14 Cairo
Depart at any time.
If you opt to book the Memphis and Sakkara Excursion, please ensure you allow enough time to return from the activity when planning your onward journey.
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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