Egypt: Alexandria to Aswan

Name: Egypt: Alexandria to Aswan
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 4.5 (34 reviews)

34 reviews

Activity

Culture

Overview

From the Pyramids of Giza to the lesser-known wonders, immerse yourself in the Land of the Pharaohs

Journey the length of Egypt on an in-depth exploration of this ancient and storied land. Guided by an expert tour leader, we discover the old and new in Cairo, marvel at the iconic pyramids of Giza, and explore Alexander the Great’s Alexandria. It’s then to Aswan, where we immerse ourselves in the indigenous Nubian culture, before a cruise down the Nile and an exploration of the magnificent Valley of the Kings.

Key Information

Trip Code: AED
Ways to Travel: Guided Group
Countries: Egypt
Carbon Footprint: 46kg CO2e per person per day

What's Included

All breakfasts, four lunches and seven dinners
All accommodation
All transport and listed activities
Tour leader throughout
Group arrival and departure transfers available

Highlights

Travel the length of Egypt on an in-depth exploration of its wonders
Marvel at the legendary Pyramids of Giza and Great Sphinx
Journey down the Nile on a stylish cruise boat with a pool
Visit the Alexandria Bibliotheca, a modern revival of the Great Library
Explore the Valley of the Kings, home to tombs of more than 60 pharaohs

Itinerary

First Destination: Cairo
Next Destination: Luxor

Meals included:None

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast

First Destination: Cairo
Next Destination: Luxor

Welcome to Cairo, where the ancient and modern worlds connect seamlessly. Many flights arrive into Cairo late today, but if you arrive earlier, you may want to head to the hotel pool for a refreshing post-flight dip.

Want more time in Cairo? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative, allowing you extra time to explore the city and relax into the adventure.

Accommodation: Barceló Cairo Pyramids (or similar)

After breakfast, say hello to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead.

It’s then into the city for a full-day tour. First up is the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, which contains relics dating to 4,000 BCE, including the fantastic riches of Tutankhamun’s tomb. Survey the many fabulous treasures of Egypt in one place and set the scene for the rest of the adventure, before diving deeper into the ancient world at the National Museum of Civilization. We then visit Al Azhar Mosque, the oldest mosque in Cairo. We need to cover up before entering and sometimes the mosque closes without notice, but we still pass by to see it.

Please note: When the Grand Egyptian Museum fully opens, we go there instead of the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities. Duration for the visit is 3 -4 hours.

Your tour leader ensures a big welcome this evening over a group dinner.

Accommodation: Barceló Cairo Pyramids (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Begin with a visit to Giza, home to the iconic pyramids and sphinx, where we explore the site and admire these 4,500-year-old monuments. Only the throng of sightseers milling around their huge foundations keep you in the 21st century. If you’d like to go inside these grand structures, it is possible to buy an entrance ticket locally.

The afternoon is free to relax at our hotel, explore Cairo or join an optional excursion to Saqqara and Memphis.

Accommodation: Barceló Cairo Pyramids (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

Start with a 90-minute drive to Wadi El Natrun, where the ancient Egyptians extracted salt to use for mummification. The area was also important for early Christians, and we visit the ancient Monastery of Saint Bishoy.

Then we transfer (two hours) to El Alamein, the site of a decisive Allied victory during the Second World War, where we can visit the War Cemetery and Military Museum. More than 80,000 soldiers were killed or wounded here, but the victory led Sir Winston Churchill to say: “Before Alamein we never had a victory. After Alamein we never had a defeat”.

After, we transfer (two hours) to Alexandria, where we enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

Accommodation: Metropole Paradise Inn (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BCE, Alexandria was home to the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and its 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 modern revival of the Great Library.

Accommodation: Metropole Paradise Inn (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

Return to Cairo (three to four hours) to catch our flight to Aswan.

Accommodation: Basma Hotel
Upgrade to a Nile-view room today – speak to your sales representative for more details

Meals included:Breakfast

Spend the day learning about the indigenous Nubian people and their way of life.

Begin with a visit to the Nubian Museum, which charts the history and culture of the Nubian people, before a Nubian lunch on a felucca (traditional Egyptian sailboat) as we explore the Nile.

In the afternoon, we take a 15-minute-or-so camel ride to the mud-and-stone ruins of the Monastery of St Simeon. We also have time to meet a Nubian family at their home on Elephantine Island before finishing with a barbecue on the shores of the Nile.

Please note: 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)
Upgrade to a Nile-view room today – speak to your sales representative for more details

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, there is the option to visit the magnificent temples of Abu Simbel to the south through the Nubian Desert. Built by Ramses II, the two temples are among the most spectacular in Egypt with four great seated statues of the pharaoh staring east towards the rising sun.

You have the option to add this excursion by bus or plane. In both instances you are picked up early in the morning with a breakfast box and return to Aswan in the afternoon. You arrive at the destination around 8am, where you have approximately two hours to visit the temples. For those flying to Abu Simbel, the timing is different. In the afternoon we are 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)
Upgrade to an upper-deck cabin today – speak to your sales representative for more details

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Begin with a visit to the Philae temple complex. The standout structure here is the Temple of Isis, an impressive classical monument built around 690 BCE for the ancient goddess. We also visit the vast Aswan High Dam, which was built in the 1960s to manage flooding, increase hydroelectric power and provide a reliable source of water for agriculture.

After lunch, we sail to the temple of Kom Ombo, which is dedicated to the gods Sobek and Horus and sits on scenic spot by the Nile, before continuing to Edfu, where we spend the night.

Accommodation: M/S Nile Style (or similar)
Upgrade to an upper-deck cabin today – speak to your sales representative for more details

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Rising early, we start our day exploring Edfu, home to the remarkably well-preserved Temple of Horus, a grand structure that served as the centre of the cult. We then sail north along the Nile to Luxor, crossing the Esna lock, where we have dinner and hopefully witness a stunning sunset over the river.

Accommodation: M/S Nile Style (or similar)
Upgrade to an upper-deck cabin today – speak to your sales representative for more details

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Disembark after breakfast and explore the Valley of the Kings on the west bank of the Nile. The valley contains the once-hidden tombs of more than 62 pharaohs, including Tutankhamun, Seti I, Ramses III and IV. A discreet entrance in the hillside takes visitors underground; a series of corridors and antechambers leads us down to the burial chamber and sarcophagus. The walls are covered in brightly painted images and hieroglyphs – a map of the afterlife to ensure the king’s safe passage. One ticket allows us to see three tombs. The ticket usually allows entry into what are regarded as the most impressive tombs, but a visit to the tombs of Ramses VI and Tutankhamun (both extra tickets, payable locally) are recommended. Visits to tombs are now strictly controlled to halt further deterioration of wall paintings – each tomb is periodically closed for several weeks.

After, we visit the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, a magnificent monument to the ancient pharaoh under a limestone cliff.

Then, 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)
Upgrade to a Nile-view room with balcony today – speak to your sales representative for more details

Meals included:Breakfast

For our penultimate day, we have a half-day tour of Luxor’s east bank. Luxor is often 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)
Upgrade to a Nile-view room with balcony today – speak to your sales representative for more details

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

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.

Meals included:Breakfast

Dates & Prices

Skip the hassle: We’ll handle your trip from start to finish, with competitive flight prices, deposit-only payments, and full ATOL protection available.

Call us on 0203 733 5948

Your Group, Your Adventure

Want to choose your travel companions? Gather your family and friends and let us create a Private Adventure just for you.

View Details

Accommodation

Cruise boat and hotels

We aim to secure locally owned accommodation that is well located, offers good value for money, and plenty of comfort. To help you find your ideal adventure, each trip is given a Comfort Level rating, which indicates the overall standard of accommodation. For more on our ratings, see our Comfort Level guidelines.

Upgrade to a higher category of room on Day 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the itinerary – speak to your sales representative for more details.

Nile cruise: M/S Nile Style (nights 8-10)

Egypt: Alexandria to Aswan

Climb aboard this stylish cruise boat for an unforgettable journey on the longest river in the world. It has 77 air-conditioned cabins, each with a view over the waters while sailing, allowing you to relax in peace and watch the world drift past. Much of your free time may well be spent on the spacious sundeck, which has a dipping pool and plenty of cushy loungers (shaded and unshaded). Elsewhere, there’s a sophisticated lounge bar and elegant restaurant. In common with all Nile cruises, the M/S Nile Style moors next to other boats at night, meaning you may only have a view of the river from your cabin while sailing.

Tailor your trip: Extend your adventure by securing extra hotel nights before or after the main itinerary. Speak to your sales representative to book.

Private rooms: Like most tour operators, we room solo passengers together. If you’d prefer to have a private room, it’s normally possible to do this for a supplement. Speak to your sales representative to book.

Post-trip Extensions

Exclusive Add-ons

Red Sea Beach Extension

Extend your stay in Egypt and end the adventure on a relaxed note with time at the Red Sea. Hurghada is a vibrant beach resort ideal for rest and relaxation as well as activities out at sea and in the nearby desert. Stay for as many nights as you wish in a choice of hotels by the beach.

Let us know your preferences and we’ll take care of all the details, including transfers and accommodation: all you need to do is relax.

Essential Information

Trip Expert

Andrew Shenouda

Expert Leader: Egypt

Introducing Andrew Born and raised in the Egyptian capital of Cairo where he still resides today, Andrew has been expertly leading Exodus tours since 2018.

This trip is graded Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings, visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.

Itinerary: Some days involve early starts but this allows us to get the most from our time in Egypt and avoid the worst of the heat.

Weather: Egypt can be hot, take care to keep hydrated. The hottest months tend to be June to September when temperatures can reach 40C (104F) in the south of the country.

Ramadan is expected to run from approximately 28 February-29 March 2025 and 17 February-19 March 2026. One of the most important periods in the Islamic calendar, it is a special time to visit a Muslim country. Each evening, the streets empty as people head home to break the fast, followed by an air of festivity upon their return. Our leaders and drivers choose to work at this time so we continue to run trips; however, their energy levels may be slightly lower than normal. Many tourist sites, restaurants and shops will have an amended schedule, but your tour leader will know how to adapt the itinerary to still experience all the inclusions on this trip and maximise your experience during this special time.

Key information

Start hotel: Barceló Cairo Pyramids, 229, Al Haram, At Talbeyah Al Qebleyah, El Talbia, Giza Governorate 12111
Phone: +20 2 35823300
Recommended arrival time: Hotel check-in is from 2pm, there are no activities on Day 1 so you can arrive at any time.
Our welcome meeting takes place on the morning of Day 2 – please bring your insurance details as the tour leader needs to gather this information.
Airport: Cairo (CAI)

Getting to the start hotel

The start hotel is approximately a one-hour drive from the airport. We provide one group transfer from the airport to the hotel – speak to your sales representative for the transfer time. You may join at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. The transfer only departs once all passengers joining the transfer have arrived, and you may, therefore, have to wait. If you are joining, you will be met before immigration and customs.

Catching your return flight

There’s a group departure transfer to Luxor International Airport (LXR) that is scheduled to align with a flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.

There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are tetanus, typhoid, hepatitis A. Although not usually advised, other vaccinations to consider include rabies and hepatitis B.

There is evidence that Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS) is spread by contact with camels. This trip includes a camel ride to Monastery of St Simeon, which is undertaken at your own risk; we suggest that you visit the Travel Health Pro website which includes information about the virus.

We recommend exercising caution with tap water. To reduce the risk of stomach upsets, it is best to use bottled water to brush your teeth and avoid salad that may have been washed with tap water.

Egypt

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally need a visa to enter Egypt. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/africa/egypt
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/egypt
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt/entry-requirements
• USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Egypt.html

If you are obtaining your visa online, please ensure you have a scan of your passport ready. The file size should be small and ideally saved as a JPEG or PDF otherwise you might not be able to load it on the visa application.

You will need to provide your host’s information on the application – please use the following details:

South Sinai Travel
79 Merghany Street
Cairo
Egypt
Telephone: +20 22418 7310
www.southsinai.com
salwa.ibrahim@southsinai.com

Please note, Egyptian officials have requested tourists carry a copy of their passport with them while in the country. Please also note, some prescribed medicines are controlled substances in Egypt.

In the itinerary, we state which meals are included on which day. For meals not included, we suggest you allow approximately US$15 for lunch and US$20 for dinner. 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. On travel days, we can either visit a supermarket or a restaurant to pick up some food. On non-travel days, lunches can be enjoyed at a local restaurant.

Meals on the cruise are open buffets, which include Western and Egyptian dishes. Drinks and water are not included at hotels and on the cruise.

Rain is very rare in all parts of Egypt and most days are sunny and clear. Summer temperatures often near 40C (104F) but this is particularly true for the period between June and September. Winter can be surprisingly cold, especially on the Nile or at night. The average daytime maximum in Cairo in January is 20C (68F), nighttime minimum is 8C (46F). In the summer, these temperatures are 35C (95F) and 22C (72F) respectively. Daytime temperatures are slightly higher on average in Aswan.

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.

You’ll also find Thriving Nature, Thriving People moments across our trips. These experiences are often a highlight of your adventure, while also benefiting the natural world or local communities.

On this trip, we:

Can choose to visit A.C.E (Animal Care in Egypt), an animal charity dedicated to providing free veterinary care and education to their owners

Reviews

Add new review

Rick de Jongh

Added October 2025

Great history leason but amzing views

This trip blew me away with all the places we visit, the beautiful accommodations we stay at and the views you get with each new day you have.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the Pyramids up close and the sheer size of them

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was filled with tons of knowledge and knew the answers to all of our questions

Advice for Potential Travellers

Added February 2023

Illness forced me to cut the trip short.

Unfortunately, I became quite ill on the fifth day of the trip requiring thAT I return to the United States. That portion of the trip in which I was able to participate was very good. The Exodus trip leader, Andrew, was excellent.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Andrew was very good.

Read all reviews

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Egypt: Alexandria to Aswan

Activity Level

Comfort Level

Activity

Overview

From the Pyramids of Giza to the lesser-known wonders, immerse yourself in the Land of the Pharaohs

Key Information

What's Included

Highlights

Itinerary

Dates & Prices

Skip the hassle: We’ll handle your trip from start to finish, with competitive flight prices, deposit-only payments, and full ATOL protection available.

Your Group, Your Adventure

Accommodation

Cruise boat and hotels

Post-trip Extensions

Red Sea Beach Extension

Essential Information

Trip Expert

Key information

Getting to the start hotel

Catching your return flight

Egypt

Reviews

Great history leason but amzing views

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Breathtaking trip, although perhaps a bit too rushed and crammed at times

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Alexandria to Aswan

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Suggestions

Felt too rushed

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Suggestions

Slightly Disappointed

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Suggestions

Historical wonders at every turn

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Suggestions

Alexandria to Aswan commencing 26th January 2024

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Suggestions

Egypt: money advice

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Suggestions

A cut above other Egypt tours.

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Suggestions

Illness forced me to cut the trip short.

Thoughts on Group Leader

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