SHORTLIST

Splendours of Egypt - Classic Group, Summer

Explore the splendours of Egypt on this 12-day tour. Cruise down the Nile and follow in the footsteps of Sir Winston Churchill and Agatha Christie for high tea at the Old Cataract Hotel. Continue down the Nile to Luxor, where you will see the Valley of the Kings, where pharaohs — including the famous Tutankhamun — are buried. Later, break bread with a family in Geziret Bahirat, who will regale you with tales of local life. In Cairo, see the oldest pyramid in the world, the Step Pyramid of King Zoser, before travelling to see one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: The Pyramids of Giza. Here, stand face-to-face with the towering sphinx and later, see a sound and light show dance across the stones.
Tour details
Tour Provider Insight Vacations
Price From
$7,334
Number of Days
12
Start Location
Cairo, Egypt
End Location
Cairo, Egypt
Age Range
Avg. 50+
Group Size
30 to 40
Tour Style
Luxury
Tour Themes
Virtuoso
Physical Rating
Easy to Moderate
Itinerary Open all
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
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 seven nights. After lunch on board, take a walk through the Luxor Museum, witness ancient artefacts. This evening, get to know your Travel Director, a professionally trained Egyptologist, as well as fellow guests over a drink followed by dinner. The rest of the evening is at leisure.
Exploring Dendera and on to Edfu
A day of legend and history awaits you today as you begin with a morning visit to the Temple of Hathor in Dendera. One of the best-preserved temples in Egypt, it contains a rare depiction of Cleopatra and her son Caesarion, whose father was Julius Caesar. At lunchtime return to your ship and enjoy a scenic journey via the Esna Lock to Edfu.
Edfu to Aswan
You will start the day with breakfast, as you cruise along the Nile to Kom Ombo before continuing on to the city of Aswan. Famous for its archaeological sites, such as the Philae Temple Complex and the Temple of Isis, Aswan is a vibrant destination that portray an agreeable mix of ancient and contemporary Egypt. Indulge your culinary side during an Egyptian cooking demonstration or tea with the Captain for your Insight Choice experience. In the evening, enjoy a fun-filled Egyptian dinner and galabeya party.
Aswan’s High Dam & Temple of Isis
Today’s sightseeing includes a visit to Aswan's 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. Enjoy a retelling of the Nile flood and the stories of the goddesses Isis and Hathor in a Roman-style theatre. The rest of the day is free to relax and enjoy the facilities on your cruise ship.
Feluccas and High Tea Relaxed Start
Throughout your journey you’ll have seen many feluccas sailing along the Nile. Now it’s your time to explore one for yourself. On this traditional vessel, you’ll meet a local sailor who will teach you about the ancient art of sailing. Meet the ladies behind the local women’s co-op on your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience and see scrap materials come to life as they are being turned into fine handicrafts. The organisation provides an important source of income for the vulnerable women of the co-op. As the sun starts to fade, enjoy high tea at the historic Old Cataract Hotel, just like Sir Winston Churchill and Agatha Christie once did before you. The hotel is rumoured to be where Christie wrote her bestselling novel, “Death on the Nile.”
Free Time and on to Kom Ombo Relaxed Start
With the morning free, perhaps join an Optional Experience to Abu Simbel? These temples overlook Lake Nasser and are made up of the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Temple of Hathor. Later, sail to Kom Ombo to visit the only double temple of Egypt, dedicated to two gods: the crocodile-headed Sobek and the falcon-headed Horus the Elder.
Cruising the Nile to Luxor Relaxed Start
Your cruise continues along the bustling waters of the Nile. Enjoy the facilities on board and have your cameras at the ready for the sights, as you leisurely make your way to Luxor. In the evening, visit Luxor Temple, where you dock for the night.
Explore Luxor and fly to Cairo
This morning, disembark from your cruise and 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. Later, transfer to the airport for your return flight to Cairo.
Cairo Sightseeing
This morning, ascend to the Citadel, for breathtaking views over the city. While here visit the Alabaster Mosque, otherwise known as the Great Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha, regarded as the founder of modern Egypt. Continue to Tahrir Square, the focal point of the 2011 Egyptian Revolution, and the Egyptian Museum. Among the many exhibits found here, are the fabulous artefacts recovered from the tomb of King Tutankhamun.
Cairo and the Pyramids of Giza
Today you’ll head to Memphis, the famous capital of the ancient world. See the colossal statue of Ramses II and the Great Alabaster Sphinx. Continue to Sakkara to see the Step Pyramid of King Zoser, the oldest pyramid in the world, dating back to 2700 B.C. In the afternoon, it's on to Giza to explore the magnificent pyramids. Here you’ll come face-to-face with the enigmatic Sphinx. During your visit, venture inside one of these ancient wonders to see the chambers where the pharaohs were sent to meet their gods in the afterlife.
Depart Cairo
Your wonderful journey ends with transfers to Cairo International airport.
Inclusions
  • 11 Breakfast (B)
  • 7 Lunch (L)
  • 7 Dinner (D)
  • 1 Afternoon Tea (AT)
Departure dates
All pp pricing is based on twin share occupancy. Single supplements will apply
Start End Availability Price NZD
02 Apr 2025 13 Apr 2025 Available $7,334
09 Apr 2025 20 Apr 2025 Available $7,334
16 Apr 2025 27 Apr 2025 Available $7,334
23 Apr 2025 04 May 2025 Available $7,334
30 Apr 2025 11 May 2025 Available $7,334
07 May 2025 18 May 2025 Available $7,334
21 May 2025 01 Jun 2025 Available $7,334
28 May 2025 08 Jun 2025 Available $7,334
04 Jun 2025 15 Jun 2025 Available $7,334
11 Jun 2025 22 Jun 2025 Available $7,334
18 Jun 2025 29 Jun 2025 Available $7,334
02 Jul 2025 13 Jul 2025 Available $7,334
09 Jul 2025 20 Jul 2025 Available $7,334
16 Jul 2025 27 Jul 2025 Available $7,334
23 Jul 2025 03 Aug 2025 Available $7,334
30 Jul 2025 10 Aug 2025 Available $7,334
13 Aug 2025 24 Aug 2025 Available $7,334
20 Aug 2025 31 Aug 2025 Available $7,334
27 Aug 2025 07 Sep 2025 Available $7,334
03 Sep 2025 14 Sep 2025 Available $7,334
10 Sep 2025 21 Sep 2025 Available $7,334
17 Sep 2025 28 Sep 2025 Available $7,334
24 Sep 2025 05 Oct 2025 Available $7,405
08 Oct 2025 19 Oct 2025 Available $8,920
15 Oct 2025 26 Oct 2025 Available $8,920
22 Oct 2025 02 Nov 2025 Available $8,920
29 Oct 2025 09 Nov 2025 Available $8,948
01 Apr 2026 12 Apr 2026 Available $8,925
08 Apr 2026 19 Apr 2026 Available $8,925
15 Apr 2026 26 Apr 2026 Available $8,925
22 Apr 2026 03 May 2026 Available $8,925
29 Apr 2026 10 May 2026 Available $8,750
20 May 2026 31 May 2026 Available $8,295
27 May 2026 07 Jun 2026 Available $8,295
10 Jun 2026 21 Jun 2026 Available $8,295
17 Jun 2026 28 Jun 2026 Available $8,295
01 Jul 2026 12 Jul 2026 Available $8,350
15 Jul 2026 26 Jul 2026 Available $8,350
22 Jul 2026 02 Aug 2026 Available $8,350
29 Jul 2026 09 Aug 2026 Available $8,350
19 Aug 2026 30 Aug 2026 Available $8,350
26 Aug 2026 06 Sep 2026 Available $8,350
02 Sep 2026 13 Sep 2026 Available $8,350
16 Sep 2026 27 Sep 2026 Available $8,750
23 Sep 2026 04 Oct 2026 Available $8,825
07 Oct 2026 18 Oct 2026 Available $8,825
14 Oct 2026 25 Oct 2026 Available $8,825
21 Oct 2026 01 Nov 2026 Available $8,875
28 Oct 2026 08 Nov 2026 Available $8,975