An unforgettable trip, I read as much as could on Egypt, its history, this tour - and was still... Kate Stevenson, 2019 See more reviews
Visits to the Pyramids & Sphinx , Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo Temples, Valley of the Kings and Abu... Margaret Madgwick, 2019 See more reviews
Visits to the Pyramids & Sphinx , Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo Temples, Valley of the Kings and Abu... Margaret Madgwick, 2019 See more reviews
Egypt is beautiful and the temples, pyramids and other sites you will visit are absolutely... Lee York, 2019 See more reviews
I've wanted to visit Egypt for quite sometime and I wasn't disappointed . The Exodus... Vince Parish, 2019 See more reviews
Fantastic holiday from start to finish. Very well organized. Fantastic tour guide Ahmed. Nothing... marie Hallam, 2019 See more reviews
A wonderful trip, more than full on. So many must-see sites packed into such a short time. Great... Pete Batchelor, 2019 See more reviews
For my chance to see one of the seven wonders, I got a lot more than I bargained for with even... Jonny Hodgetts, 2019 See more reviews
A busy and enjoyable week. With so much to see, all in a week, Tito (leader) kept encouraging us... Graham Mosley, 2019 See more reviews
Itinerary Include flights Expand all London to London Day 1 Fly to Cairo. Fly to Cairo. Accommodation: Pyramids Park Resort Hotel or similar Day 2 Visit Egyptian Museum, El Azhar Mosque and Cairo's lively bazaar; afternoon visit spectacular pyramids at Giza. Visit to Egyptian Museum, Al Azhar mosque and lively Bazaar. We begin with a visit to the incredible Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, which contains relics dating back to 4000 BC, including the fantastic riches of Tutankhamun's tomb. Here is a unique opportunity to survey the many fabulous treasures of Egypt in one place and to set the scene for the rest of the tour. Following our visit to this amazing museum we experience modern day Cairo with a visit to Al Azhar mosque, Cairo's oldest mosque and university, and the small alleyways and streets that make up Cairo's popular bazaar.Dating back to AD970, Al Azhar mosque is a busy and popular mosque today, frequently visited by locals and thus well worth a visit. We will need to cover up (long sleeves and trousers) as when entering all mosques. Women will also need to cover their hair with a scarf.In the afternoon we visit the Pyramids at Giza. Home to the Great Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus and the timeless and enigmatic Sphinx, these great monuments to the afterlife defy the imagination. Only the throng of sightseers, Egyptian and foreign, milling around their huge foundations, keep the viewer in the 21st century. Accommodation: Pyramids Park Resort Hotel or similar Meals included: Breakfast Day 3 Fly to Luxor; visit to Karnak and Luxor temples; free time. We typically transfer to Cairo airport before sunrise for our flight to Luxor (flight times can vary). On arrival in Luxor we visit Luxor Temple and the huge Karnak Temple complex on the east bank of the Nile. Built over 1500 years, Karnak is a confusion of pylons, courtyards, halls and sanctuaries. Its Hypostyle hall has 134 columns 23 metres high and 15 metres in diameter! Both temples are incredibly impressive. We arrive at our cruise boat in time for lunch on board before having free time in the afternoon to relax or explore Luxor. Accommodation: M/S Crown Empress or similar Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Days 4-5 Valley of the Kings; two days on the Nile with visits to Edfu and Kom Ombo en route. We begin Day 4 with a visit to the Valley of the Kings on the west bank of the Nile, which contains the once hidden tombs of over 62 Pharaohs, including Tutankhamun, Seti I, Ramses III and IV. A discreet entrance in the hillside takes the visitor underground; a series of corridors and ante-chambers 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 if you have time a visit to the tomb of Ramses VI is also highly recommended. Visits to tombs are now strictly controlled to halt further deterioration of wall paintings - each tomb is periodically closed for a number of weeks. On return to our cruise boat we begin our voyage along the Nile, travelling upstream from Luxor to Aswan. Exact sailing and excursion times cannot be guaranteed for each individual trip but we will visit the temples of Edfu, famous for its roofed inner temples and huge Pylon, and Kom Ombo. The cruise boat has good facilities: a sundeck with sun loungers, bar and small pool, restaurant, gift shop and library - these can all be taken advantage of when the cruise boat is docked or during sailing. The sunsets over the Nile are truly stunning and travelling from Luxor to Aswan, enjoying the beauty of the lush verdant landscape make this journey special. Accommodation: M/S Crown Empress or similar Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 6 A traditional felucca ride on the Nile; free afternoon or optional visit to Aswan High Dam and unfinished obelisk. This morning we are travelling the Nile in a different, exciting way: by felucca, the traditional Egyptian sailing boat. Using the felucca, we can truly savour the tranquillity of the Nile and the beauty of the surrounding landscape, where the vast desert almost reaches the water's edge. (The sailing by felucca timing might be changed according to weather conditions). In the afternoon there is the option to visit the Nubian Museum, situated opposite the hotel. Opened in April 1998, the museum chronologically charts the history and culture of the Nubian people. Alternatively, we can arrange an optional visit to Philae Temple. In the 1970s it has been relocated by UNESCO to Aglika Island after it became evident that the original site of Philae would submerge on completion of the Aswan High Dam. It represents a magnificent and enduring testament to both ancient and modern engineering. During this excursion we will also visit Aswan High Dam and Cleopatra's unfinished obelisk. Accommodation: M/S Crown Empress or similar Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 7 Optional visit to Abu Simbel. Today there's the option of a visit to Abu Simbel, 300 km. to the south through the Nubian Desert. The optional bus tour starts at 3.30/4 in the morning when we get picked up from the boat. A breakfast box is provided. Around 8 am we will arrive at the destination, where we are given approx 3 hours to visit the temples. Built by Ramses II the two temples are certainly some of the most spectacular in Egypt. Originally on the banks of the Nile, the temples were raised to a new site above the lake in the late 1960s, as the waters from the new Lake Nasser rose behind the Aswan High Dam. The four great seated statues of Ramses II stare east towards the rising sun. We will be back in Aswan around 3 pm. Our luggage will be moved to the hotel, where we will overnight for the next 2 days. Accommodation: Basma Hotel or similar Meals included: Breakfast Day 8 Aswan; St. Simone Monastery optional tour, bazaar and corniche. Today it's our last day in Aswan. A visit to St. Simone Monastery would be one of the available optional tours or we can spend our day discovering the bazaar (market) and corniche in Aswan. Shopping of home-made products can be done at the market, a great opportunity to have a taste of the local culture. Aswan is a laid-back, sleepy town that reflects the character of its largely Nubian inhabitants, known for being friendly and hospitable. Enjoying its atmosphere is a highlight for many on this trip. Accommodation: Basma Hotel or similar Meals included: Breakfast Day 9 Fly to London via Cairo. Fly to London. Meals included: Breakfast
Egypt Visas are required by all non-Arab nationalities and currently cost approximately GBP20. It is recommended that you obtain your visa before you travel (although it’s still possible to get a tourist visa on arrival). You can get a visa online at Visa2Egypt or alternatively, the address of the Egyptian Embassy in London is 2 Lowndes Street, SW1. Tel: 020 7235 9777. Visas are now generally available for same day collection, although this should NOT be relied upon. Opening hours are 09.30 to 12.30 for applications, 14.15 to 16.00 for collection of passports after the visa has been issued. Postal applications direct to the embassy for visas are not recommended as the service takes 15 to 20 days. You will need to provide your host’s information on the application – please use the following details: South Sinai Travel79 Merghany StreetCairoEgyptTel: +20 22418 7310www.southsinai.com Please note that recently Egyptian officials have requested tourists carry a copy of their passport with them whilst in the country.
Egypt 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.
Cruise Boat & Hotels We use comfortable 4/5 star hotels (Egyptian Classification) on a twin-share basis. We typically stay at the Basma Hotel in Aswan. It is located on the East Bank on Aswan's highest hill, directly opposite the famous Nubian museum. All the rooms have balconies with views of the Nile or the surrounding desert. The facilities in the rooms and in the hotel itself are excellent, including a choice of bars and restaurants, a huge swimming pool and all set amid well-maintained gardens.In Cairo we generally use the Cairo Pyramids Hotel. Set in a landscaped garden it offers stunning views over the Pyramids. All rooms are en suite. Cruise boatWe sail the Nile on the M/S Crown Empress or on a similar cruise boat. It offers impressive service and great facilities including a swimming pool, a sun deck, gift shop, sauna, restaurant and two bars. It stretches 109.8m in length and 14.8m in width, each of the 128 en suite cabins is fully air-conditioned and has a TV and mini bar. Wi-Fi is also currently available free of charge (subject to change). Single rooms available, please enquire for prices. Additional AccommodationCan be arranged in Cairo pre or post tour. Please speak to a consultant at the time of booking if you would like additional accommodation.
Reviewed June 2019 Kate Stevenson Trip: Nile Cruise - Premium Unforgettable An unforgettable trip, I read as much as could on Egypt, its history, this tour - and was still blown away by so much about the place and this Exodus trip. A very busy nine days, but still plenty of time in the afternoons to recharge. Can't believe what we packed in to such a small amount of time. Very well organised, and absolutely adored our guide Tefa; and particularly pleased with the dynamics of the group I travelled with. Thoroughly enjoyable experience. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Seeing the Valley of the Kings. Having an idea of what it would be like, and still not really being ready for the scale of the landscape, the tombs, the timeline and history. Seeing Tutankhamum's mummy just centimetres away was truly humbling. What did you think of your group leader? Tefa was an absolute legend. Organised, generous, thoughtful, cheeky, funny, and very knowledgable. The guy was built for this job. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Read read read the trip notes and other reviews. They are honest and helpful. Found trip notes on money and costs helpful for working out what you'd need for extra excursions and in particular photography passes if you want to take photos or video at some of these amazing locations. Was helpful to work out tips too. As many have said, there will be early mornings, and the place is seriously hot (hence the need to get out and about early), but your afternoons are largely free, and by the time you're waiting for sunset by the pool, you're remembering the mindblowing sites you saw more than the alarm, the sweaty seats, or the late-night call to prayer keeping you awake (we were there during Ramadan). This is a travel experience, more than a holiday, but it's one I'll never forget.
Reviewed June 2019 Margaret Madgwick Trip: Nile Cruise - Premium A glimpse of Ancient Egypt. Visits to the Pyramids & Sphinx , Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo Temples, Valley of the Kings and Abu Simbel. Cruise down the Nile river. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The whole tour was special. Visiting the sites of Ancient Egypt. None to be missed. What did you think of your group leader? Our group leader 'Tefa' was brilliant. His knowledge as a guide was superb. He was reliable, patient and helpful. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? It was very hot in may/june 46c. plus so my advise would be to go at a cooler time if possible. Keep well covered up. Have upset tummy medication with you just in case. Take at least suncream 50. Its easy to change your money when you are there rather than before you go. Have a great time. Is there anything else you would like to add? Understand that tourists are targeted to buy from the locals so you will be hassled, please don't mind or be offended as they need to make a living. Say 'no thank you' if you don't want to buy.
Reviewed June 2019 Margaret Madgwick Trip: Nile Cruise - Premium A glimpse of Ancient Egypt. Visits to the Pyramids & Sphinx , Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo Temples, Valley of the Kings and Abu Simbel. Cruise down the Nile river. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The whole tour was special. Visiting the sites of Ancient Egypt. None to be missed. What did you think of your group leader? Our group leader 'Tefa' was brilliant. His knowledge as a guide was superb. He was reliable, patient and helpful. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? It was very hot in may/june 46c. plus so my advise would be to go at a cooler time if possible. Keep well covered up. Have upset tummy medication with you just in case. Take at least suncream 50. Its easy to change your money when you are there rather than before you go. Have a great time. Is there anything else you would like to add? Understand that tourists are targeted to buy from the locals so you will be hassled, please don't mind or be offended as they need to make a living. Say 'no thank you' if you don't want to buy.
Reviewed May 2019 Lee York Trip: Nile Cruise - Premium Do it! Egypt is beautiful and the temples, pyramids and other sites you will visit are absolutely amazing, its an experience I will never forget! What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Abu Simbel Temple was the highlight of the trip for me, incredible. What did you think of your group leader? Ahmed was full of knowledge and was a great tour leader, you could tell he loved his job and Egypt and it made every day more interesting and enjoyable. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? If you take the optional tour to the Monastery of St. Simeon, be careful when walking into one of the bedrooms, its full of bats! Is there anything else you would like to add? I always felt safe in Egypt so don't let this deter you from visiting this amazing country.
Reviewed May 2019 Vince Parish Trip: Nile Cruise - Premium Superb Trip! I've wanted to visit Egypt for quite sometime and I wasn't disappointed . The Exodus itinerary was perfect for us with the right balance of adventure and good accommodation. Lots of early starts so be prepared to be exhausted at times! We travelled with a fantastic bunch of people and made some great friends, with lots of laughs along the way. The hotels we stayed in were excellent and cruising along the Nile was idyllic, a perfect trip for those wanting both touring and comfort. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? We saw so many wonderful things but the highlight for me was seeing the Tutankhamun exhibition at the Cairo Museum, and the optional visit to the Nubian village in Aswan. It's difficult to pick out specific moments as there were many. What did you think of your group leader? Ahmed our group leader couldn't have been better, he looked after us from the minute we arrived until the minute we left. He was knowledgeable, fun, efficient and generally a nice guy and was always available. He helped to make our trip a memorable one. Additionally the other guides and coach drivers we met couldn't have been more obliging. Customer service was paramount. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? The market sellers, taxi drivers and carriage drivers can be the most persistent and aggressive sellers I have ever come across, and I have visited lots of countries with this culture. At times they were quite unpleasant, so be prepared. Stand firm and accept nothing, If you do want to buy, barter and then walk away they soon drop the price! Is there anything else you would like to add? As vegetarians who worry about animal welfare we were a little upset to discover that one of the trips involved using a horse and carriage. Many of the horses do look well cared for but unfortunately many don't! Ahmed listened to our concerns, along with some other members of our group, and quickly organised us Tuctucs. Had we known about this trip earlier we could have given him more notice. As with all trips there are extras such as the "tipping fund" and optional excursions, it would be really useful to know the approximate costs of these extras to help with budgeting, and to ensure you have sufficient currency with you when required. Reply from Exodus Reply from Exodus We would like to thank Vince for his feedback and we are very pleased to read that overall he had a superb holiday. Over the last year we have been trying to work with our leaders to ensure only well looked after horses are used at Edfu, alongside a number of other precautions taken to try an ensure we are supporting positive animal welfare. However, as it has become clear this is not possible, going forwards we will now be providing a bus to take clients to Edfu temple. John Penge – Product Manager for Egypt
Reviewed May 2019 marie Hallam Trip: Nile Cruise - Premium Nile cruise Fantastic holiday from start to finish. Very well organized. Fantastic tour guide Ahmed. Nothing was too much trouble. Brilliant fellow travellers. Fun filled packed days. Saw amazing sites. Gina pyramids. Valley of the kings. Etc. Fantastic accommodation. Food really good. Amazing experience. Thank you Exodus and a massive thanks to Ahmed. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Valley of the kings. What did you think of your group leader? Fantastic. Very knowledgeable. Great fun. Looked after every member of the group.
Reviewed April 2019 Pete Batchelor Trip: Nile Cruise - Premium Hectic awe-inspiring tour A wonderful trip, more than full on. So many must-see sites packed into such a short time. Great organisation with an excellent expert guide. Hotels and cruise ship were very good. Be prepared for some incredibly early starts though. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Where to start? The Pyramids & Egyptian museum, Karnak, Hatshepsut etc Temple, Valley of the Kings tombs, Abu Simbel…. What did you think of your group leader? Ahmed was an expert Egyptologist teaching us much about Egyptian culture and history as well as doing a splendid job as our tour guide. The organisation and itinerary was first class. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? The trip is graded as leisurely because there are no difficult walks involved. But it is really full on with starts of 4am or earlier on 3 of the days to catch internal flights or the coach to Abu Simbel. Very high security at airports – we had hand sanitiser confiscated! No need to get E£ or US$ before you go - ATMs are good and plentiful and generally don’t charge fees. Get lots of small notes (5 E£, about 25p) as soon as possible for tips at toilets etc. – our guide managed to get supplies of these. Is there anything else you would like to add? Optional visits Hatshepsut, Abu Simbel, Philae Temple are must-sees and should probably be included as standard. We also really enjoyed the Nubian Village trip. Egyptair was good with tasty meals and better legroom than UK airlines!
Reviewed April 2019 Lisa Burt-frost Trip: Nile Cruise - Premium Trip full of wonder Premium Nile trip to fulfil a lifetime of wonder What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Honestly all of the sights, a lifetime of reading about these ancient wonders only to find yourself actually there, walking into the Chambers of a Pyramid, through tombs in the valley of the Kings, even Tomb of King Tut and seeing his mummified remains, wondering around various temples including Karnak, Edfu, Hatshepsut's etc, the workers village trip is a must, and the simply breathtaking Abu Simbel. What did you think of your group leader? We had Sayed, his knowledge and passion for all things Egyptian is mind blowing, if you want to learn along the way Sayed is your guide. But he also finds a balance between giving you lots of info but free time to explore as well, nothing was too much trouble and we never felt rushed. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Only down side to this tour is Exodus are still supporting a couple of areas less than positive where animal welfare is concerned, when visiting the temple please do not support the horse and carriage rides this is a barbaric practice and sadly avoidable as for every horse and carriage their is a man trying to earn a living with a Tut Tut, speak to your guide and tell him you want a Tut Tut only, the more of us that do this the less horses will suffer in this practice. Also be aware that if doing the Nubian Village tour which I do recommend request that you only visit a house that does not have a caged Croc, we visited Fifi and her family and had a lovely time, a very confident and spirited young lady with a very clean and welcoming home. Is there anything else you would like to add? If you have always wanted to immerse yourself in the real ancient side of Egypt then do consider booking this trip, you won't be disappointed Reply from Exodus Reply from Exodus We would like to thank Lisa for her feedback and we are delighted to read that overall the trip was wonderful. As mentioned in Vince’s review, we are now going to be using a bus to transport clients to Edfu Temple. Our tour leaders are also given clear instruction to visit homes in the Nubian Village which do not keep crocodiles as pets. John Penge – Product Manager for Egypt
Reviewed April 2019 Jonny Hodgetts Trip: Nile Cruise - Premium Memorable For my chance to see one of the seven wonders, I got a lot more than I bargained for with even more amazing sights What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Seeing Abu Simble What did you think of your group leader? Fantastic and quirky Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Make sure to take sanitizer Is there anything else you would like to add? Worth going
Reviewed April 2019 Graham Mosley Trip: Nile Cruise - Premium Ex - dooooss! OK Guys! A busy and enjoyable week. With so much to see, all in a week, Tito (leader) kept encouraging us in his inimitable way so that we made the most of our time. There was also, however, some relaxing time on the cruise boat to watch it all sliding past. We were a large (20) and varied group which mixed well. Overall, it was a more enjoyable trip than I was expecting. So, if in doubt, - go for it! What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Sunsets. What did you think of your group leader? Tito was excellent; indefatigable. Always smiling and ready to share his bottomless store of knowledge, both ancient and modern, which he imparted in a lively and engaging manner. In particular, he looked after the group completely but always had an eye to the needs of individuals and small groups. He is a great ambassador for Egypt. - and a really nice bloke! Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Be prepared for early starts on some days - e.g. flight from Cairo to Luxor, Abu Simnel option. But they are worth it. Otherwise, just read the notes. I did do a little background reading on Egyptian history, ancient to modern, beforehand. I'm glad I did this because it gave some perspective to what I was seeing. It made more sense. Is there anything else you would like to add? It seems that most of the Nile cruisers sail on the same days following similar itineraries. And there are a lot of them.This means that occasionally, when a number of boats hits a temple at the same time, it gets very busy. I couldn't understand why the cruisers don't stagger their sailing dates - it would be better for all concerned, including the desperate stallholders who get hit by surges of tourists. At night the boats moor up side by side, so your cabin window looks onto another boat. It was not a big deal, but it would make more sense to me.
Egypt: Alexandria to Aswan 9 reviews New Travel the length of Egypt and explore its history, food and landscapes. Culture Suitable for: Age 16+ Activity level: Leisurely 13 Days from £1,779 Guided (Incl. Flights) View More Details
Ethiopia in Depth 17 reviews Journey along Ethiopia's magnificent northern circuit, including Tigrai. Culture Suitable for: Age 16+ Activity level: Leisurely / Moderate 15 Days from £2,799 Guided (Incl. Flights) View More Details
Imperial China & Yangtze River Cruise 74 reviews A comprehensive China itinerary covering the country's length and breadth Culture Suitable for: Age 16+ Activity level: Leisurely 20 Days from £3,099 Guided (Incl. Flights) View More Details
A Week in Jordan 258 reviews ON OFFER Visit the highlights of Jordan including magnificent Petra Culture Suitable for: Age 16+ Activity level: Leisurely / Moderate 9 Days from £1,499 Guided (Incl. Flights) View More Details