SHORTLIST

Classical Egypt & Nile Cruise - 11 days

Discover the ancient wonders of Egypt and cruise the River Nile in style on this 11 day group tour taking in the best of Cairo, Luxor and Aswan. Marvel at the Pyramids, explore ancient tombs at the Valley of the Kings and uncover the secrets of Dendera. See Kom Ombo, admire pretty Philae Temple, and spend 4-nights cruising the River Nile in style. Then enjoy some free time in Aswan and Cairo to explore at your own pace.
Tour details
Tour Provider On The Go Tours
Price From
$3,311
Number of Days
11
Start Location
Cairo, Egypt
End Location
Cairo, Egypt
Age Range
Avg. 50+
Group Size
1 to 28
Tour Style
Comfort
Tour Themes
River/Small ship/Barge
Physical Rating
Easy
Itinerary Open all
Day 1: Cairo
Sunday. Welcome to Egypt and the start of your holiday! Upon arrival at Cairo Airport you will be met by a representative from On The Go Tours.
The rest of the day is free to relax or those arriving early can opt to join a Backstreets Tour of Cairo which departs the hotel at 10am. At 7pm this evening meet your guide and the rest of the group at a Welcome Meeting.



Note: If you would like to extend your stay we offer an [[Alexandria Day Trip|122837]] on the Saturday before your tour starts or on the final day and can arrange pre/post tour accommodation upon request.
Day 2: Pyramids of Giza
Today see the incredible pyramids and the iconic Sphinx at The Giza Plateau. Perhaps opt to ride a camel. Later we travel to Saqqara, to explore the myriad of tombs and temples at the site and see Zhoser's step pyramid - constructed by Imhotep, the pharaoh's chief architect in 2700 BC.
Day 3: Grand Egyptian Museum
Cairo - Luxor. We take a guided tour of the vast new Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza this morning. In this incredible 490,000 sq.m complex we'll discover a mind-boggling array of relics and antiquities from almost every period of ancient Egyptian history, including the treasures of King Tutankhamun. Then we head over to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization to visit the fascinating Royal Mummies' Hall, where the mummies of ancient Egyptian kings and queens are on display. Returning to the hotel there's time to relax by the pool before we board the overnight sleeper train to Luxor this evening.



Please Note: the Grand Egyptian Museum is scheduled to open in late 2024, though an official opening date has yet to be released. If travelling prior to the opening of the new facility we'll visit the Egyptian Museum instead.
Day 4: Luxor
We arrive into Luxor this morning and drive to Dendera which is one of Egypt's best preserved temple complexes, located 60km north of Luxor. This vast complex covers 40,000 square meters and its temples, chapels and shrines were gradually built over thousands of years. Dendera's crowning glory is the 2000 year old Temple of Hathor with its exquisitely decorated ceiling. After our guided tour of this incredible site we return to Luxor where the afternoon if free to spend at leisure. Take a stroll around town or enjoy a refreshing swim in the pool and soak up the sunshine.



This evening there is an optional visit to view the beautiful Temple of Luxor at night. Book and pay locally.
Day 5: Luxor
4000 year-old Luxor is ancient Egypt at its very best and this morning we visit Luxor’s famous West Bank. Our first stop is the famous Valley of the Kings, which is studded with beautifully decorated pharaoh's tombs, some of which you can enter. After exploring this incredible site we travel on to visit the striking limestone, colonnaded Temple of Hatshepsut, who was one of only three Egyptian ruling queens. On the West Bank we'll also see the imposing 18m-high Colossi of Memnon, which are all that remains of the temple of the hedonistic Amenophis III.



Returning to the East Bank we check-in on board a 5 star Nile cruiser which will be our home for the next four nights. Enjoy lunch and some rest and relaxation on board before we visit the colossal Temple of Karnak later this afternoon. More than a temple, Karnak is a spectacular complex of sanctuaries, pylons, chapels, halls and obelisks, all dedicated to the Theban gods and to the greater glory of Egypt’s Middle and New Kingdom rulers.
Day 6: Nile Cruising
Nile cruising. Today we set sail downstream. Relax on deck and go for a swim, soak up the sunshine and enjoy the views as we cruise the River Nile.
Day 7: Nile Cruising
Nile cruising. Enjoy another day relaxing on board the cruiser as we sail the Nile to the Temple of Kom Ombo today, which is dedicated to Sobek the crocodile god, and Horus the falcon-headed god. This temple is unusual because everything is architecturally is doubled and perfectly symmetrical along the main axis of the temple including twin halls, courts, colonnades, sanctuaries and entrances. After a guided tour of the temple we continue our journey, arriving into Aswan this evening.
Day 8: Aswan
Consider the optional early morning excursion to the Temples of Ramses II at Abu Simbel today. Please see our Abu Simbel by Road add-on for more info. Alternatively you can spend the morning at leisure.


This afternoon we take a short motorboat trip to Philae Temple - dedicated to the goddess Isis. The temple dates from 4th century BC but the Ptolomies and the Romans up to 3rd century AD built most of the existing structures. In danger of being completely submerged by the rising water of Lake Nasser, in 1972 UNESCO stepped in and an 8-year rescue effort was undertaken to relocate the entire temple 20m higher on nearby Agilika Island.
Day 9: Aswan at leisure
Aswan - Cairo. Today offers free time for you to discover Aswan - your way. Consider a visit to the Old Cataract Hotel, where Agatha Christie wrote the novel Death on the Nile or opt for a visit to the well-curated Nubian Museum.



Late this afternoon, we board the overnight train (twin berth sleeper cabins provided) for our journey back to Cairo.
Day 10: Cairo
Arriving into Cairo this morning, transfer to the hotel and check in. The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy the hotel facilities or you can opt to or join us for an optional tour visiting Old Cairo, Coptic Cairo and the Citadel of Saladin (book locally).
Day 11: Cairo
Wednesday. Our tour comes to an end today with a transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Inclusions
Breakfast daily, 4 lunches and 4 dinners
4 nights 4-5 star hotels, 4 nights aboard a 5 star Nile Cruiser (en suite cabin)
2 overnight trains from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan to Cairo (private 2 berth sleeper cabin)
An airport arrival transfer on day 1 and a departure transfer on day 11
Touring - Cairo, Giza, Saqqara, Luxor, Dendera and Aswan
Escorted by an Egyptian tour guide degree qualified in Egyptology
All relevant transfers and transportation in private modern air-conditioned vehicles
Departure dates
All pp pricing is based on twin share occupancy. Single supplements will apply
Start End Availability Price NZD
20 Oct 2024 30 Oct 2024 Contact Operator $3,744
27 Oct 2024 06 Nov 2024 Contact Operator $3,744
10 Nov 2024 20 Nov 2024 Contact Operator $3,744
24 Nov 2024 04 Dec 2024 Contact Operator $3,744
08 Dec 2024 18 Dec 2024 Available $3,744
29 Dec 2024 08 Jan 2025 Available $3,889
05 Jan 2025 15 Jan 2025 Available $3,744
12 Jan 2025 22 Jan 2025 Available $3,744
19 Jan 2025 29 Jan 2025 Available $3,744
26 Jan 2025 05 Feb 2025 Available $3,744
02 Feb 2025 12 Feb 2025 Available $3,744
09 Feb 2025 19 Feb 2025 Available $3,744
16 Feb 2025 26 Feb 2025 Available $3,744
23 Feb 2025 05 Mar 2025 Available $3,744
02 Mar 2025 12 Mar 2025 Available $3,744
09 Mar 2025 19 Mar 2025 Available $3,744
16 Mar 2025 26 Mar 2025 Available $3,744
23 Mar 2025 02 Apr 2025 Available $3,744
30 Mar 2025 09 Apr 2025 Available $3,744
06 Apr 2025 16 Apr 2025 Available $3,744
13 Apr 2025 23 Apr 2025 Available $3,744
20 Apr 2025 30 Apr 2025 Available $3,889
27 Apr 2025 07 May 2025 Available $3,744
04 May 2025 14 May 2025 Available $3,311
11 May 2025 21 May 2025 Available $3,311
18 May 2025 28 May 2025 Available $3,311
25 May 2025 04 Jun 2025 Available $3,311
01 Jun 2025 11 Jun 2025 Available $3,311
15 Jun 2025 25 Jun 2025 Available $3,311
22 Jun 2025 02 Jul 2025 Available $3,311
29 Jun 2025 09 Jul 2025 Available $3,311
13 Jul 2025 23 Jul 2025 Available $3,311
20 Jul 2025 30 Jul 2025 Available $3,311
27 Jul 2025 06 Aug 2025 Available $3,311
10 Aug 2025 20 Aug 2025 Available $3,311
24 Aug 2025 03 Sep 2025 Available $3,311
31 Aug 2025 10 Sep 2025 Available $3,311
07 Sep 2025 17 Sep 2025 Available $3,965
14 Sep 2025 24 Sep 2025 Available $3,965
21 Sep 2025 01 Oct 2025 Available $3,965
28 Sep 2025 08 Oct 2025 Available $3,965
05 Oct 2025 15 Oct 2025 Available $3,965
12 Oct 2025 22 Oct 2025 Available $3,965
19 Oct 2025 29 Oct 2025 Available $3,965
26 Oct 2025 05 Nov 2025 Available $3,965
02 Nov 2025 12 Nov 2025 Available $3,965
09 Nov 2025 19 Nov 2025 Available $3,965
16 Nov 2025 26 Nov 2025 Available $3,965
23 Nov 2025 03 Dec 2025 Available $3,965
30 Nov 2025 10 Dec 2025 Available $3,965
07 Dec 2025 17 Dec 2025 Available $3,965
14 Dec 2025 24 Dec 2025 Available $3,965
28 Dec 2025 07 Jan 2026 Available $4,118
04 Jan 2026 14 Jan 2026 Available $3,965
11 Jan 2026 21 Jan 2026 Available $3,965
18 Jan 2026 28 Jan 2026 Available $3,965
25 Jan 2026 04 Feb 2026 Available $3,965
01 Feb 2026 11 Feb 2026 Available $3,965
08 Feb 2026 18 Feb 2026 Available $3,965
15 Feb 2026 25 Feb 2026 Available $3,965
22 Feb 2026 04 Mar 2026 Available $3,965
01 Mar 2026 11 Mar 2026 Available $3,965
08 Mar 2026 18 Mar 2026 Available $3,965
15 Mar 2026 25 Mar 2026 Available $3,965
22 Mar 2026 01 Apr 2026 Available $3,965
29 Mar 2026 08 Apr 2026 Available $4,118