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Wonders of Ancient Egypt

Operated by: Trafalgar

12 Days from $3,650 per person
APR - OCT 2023
Egypt Feluca Boat Nile River Sunset

Countries Visited

Egypt ...more Egypt

Locations Visited

Cairo, Giza, Luxor, Dendera, Kom Ombo, Aswan, Philae Island, Abu Simbel Temples ...more Cairo, Giza, Luxor, Dendera, Kom Ombo, Aswan, Philae Island, Abu Simbel Temples
  1. Day 1 Welcome to Cairo

    Delve into the antiquities of Egypt on this epic journey which begins in the effervescent Egyptian capital. As you transfer to your hotel for a day at leisure, you’ll feel the intoxicating buzz of this lively city – the perfect introduction to an unforgettable opportunity to learn about Egypt’s ancient past and exciting present. You may choose to relax after your trip, or experience the energy of Cairo for yourself at the Khan El-Khalili souk where the sounds and smells are almost overwhelming.

    hotel Ramses Hilton
  2. Day 2 Admire the Wonders of Giza

    Immerse yourself in a history that spans millennia during a full-day excursion to the old kingdom of Egypt. See the Colossus of Ramses II and the Alabaster Sphinx at Memphis. Visit the Step Pyramid at Saqqara, then marvel at the Great Pyramid of Giza and the mighty Sphinx.

    meals Breakfast
    hotel Ramses Hilton
  3. Day 3 Fly to Luxor and Embark on Your Nile Cruise

    We fly to Luxor this morning and embark on a guided tour of the Karnak Temple Complex, before boarding our cruise in time for lunch. Later this afternoon, marvel at Luxor's Temple and visit Luxor Museum to see an astounding collection of archaeological treasures, including items from Tutankhamun’s tomb.

    meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    hotel Nile Cruise
  4. Day 4 Explore Ancient Dendera

    Pay tribute to the Goddess Hathor at Dendera Temple, a soaring structure built around 330 BC.  Beautifully preserved and elaborate in its design, every inch of this impressive sand-coloured structure is mesmerising and you’ll see many of its halls, shrines and unique features such as the sun dial and replica Dendera zodiac, tracing the images of Taurus and Libra.  You’ll learn about Dendera’s role as one of the major capitals of ancient Upper Egypt before sailing to Kom-Ombo for the night.

    meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    hotel Nile Cruise
  5. Day 5 Journey to Aswan

    Today, we travel to Aswan, which for centuries held the important strategic role of being Egypt’s southern frontier and gateway to the rest of Africa. Today it is a tranquil, modern city, most known for its High Dam, Nubian villages and Philae Temple, built to honour Egyptian goddess Isis. We arrive just in time for dinner, watching the buzz of the city from the comfort of our boat as day turns to dusk and another wonderful day sailing along the Nile comes to a close.

    meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    hotel Nile Cruise
  6. Day 6 The High Dam and More in Aswan

    On your sightseeing visit to Aswan, you’ll see first-hand how the ancient Egyptians could not have chosen a more stunning place to honour the goddess of love and you’ll learn how the Temple of Isis on Philae Island was very nearly lost underwater when the Aswan Dam was built in the 1960s. Beyond the incredible beauty and tranquillity of this structure, you’ll hear how Isis earned the title 'Mother of God' before your visit to the Unfinished Obelisk, which lies semi-carved from the solid bedrock and remains as a testament to Aswan’s heritage as the centre for stone quarries in ancient Egypt. Our final stop today is a visit to the High Dam, the world’s largest embankment dam which took 11 years to build and ended the cycle of flood and drought along the Nile River.

    meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    hotel Nile Cruise
  7. Day 7 Onwards to Philae and Kitchener’s Island

    Your travels today could see you join a once in a lifetime Optional Experience to Abu Simbel, carved into a solid rock cliff in Egypt’s Nubian Valley. As you approach the imposing Great Temple, you’ll marvel at the four-seated colossi on either side of the entrance and the elaborate engravings carved out of the stone depicting great victories and paying homage to the gods. Later, you’ll set sail in a traditional felucca around the Botanical Gardens on Kitchener's Island, given to Lord Horacio Kitchener who transformed the island into a haven for rare exotic birds and unusual plants.

    meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    hotel Nile Cruise
  8. Day 8 Off to Ancient Kom-Ombo

    We visit the roofless Temple of Kom-Ombo, a highlight on our trip along the Nile, where we’ll learn how the temple was built to honour two gods, Horus the Elder and Sobek. The Temple has a perfectly symmetrical design, the two sides a mirror of each other with one side dedicated to the crocodile god, the other to the falcon god. You’ll learn all about the mythical link the two gods shared and why the Nile crocodile, which gathered in great numbers at this bend in the Nile, were of such importance to the ancient Egyptian priests.

    meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    hotel Nile Cruise
  9. Day 9 Sail to Stunning Luxor

    Watch how the river gives life to an arid landscape and the people who live within it as you sail down the Nile to Luxor, once an ancient Egyptian capital and today one of the world’s most epic open-air museums. Every moment spent exploring the Valley of the Kings will leave you enthralled as you trace its many treasures, from the tomb of Tutankhamun to the temple complexes of Karnak and Luxor. You’ll feel that same thrill the Egyptologists who first discovered what lay beyond these walls must have felt as they explored these incredible ancient sites.

    meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    hotel Nile Cruise
  10. Day 10 Disembark and Fly to Cairo Connect with Locals

    We disembark at Luxor, Connect With Locals as you enjoy a traditional Be My Guest experience with freshly baked bread, honey and mint tea. Explore the fascinating complex of mortuary temples and tombs, including Queen Hatshepsut's Temple, the Colossi of Memnon and the Valley of the Kings. We take a return flight to Cairo where we'll enjoy an evening at leisure to soak up the buzzing atmosphere for which the city is famous. This evening consider an evening meal on board a floating restaurant with some lively Egyptian entertainment.

    meals Breakfast, Lunch
    hotel Ramses Hilton
  11. Day 11 Discover Colourful Cairo Dive Into Culture

    The buzz of Cairo is undeniable, and you’ll get to feel it first-hand as you embark on an unforgettable sightseeing tour through the effervescent Egyptian capital. History buffs will love the visits to the Hanging Church of St. Mary and the Sultan Hassan Mosque in Old Cairo, built 700 years ago as a spiritual hub for the region. You’ll also see the Alabaster Mosque and Citadel of Cairo, a medieval Islamic-era fortification which served as the seat of the Egyptian government for almost seven centuries. Later, you’ll head to the celebrated Egyptian Museum, where you’ll Dive Into Culture and discover the museum’s unbelievable array of artefacts, from mummies and sarcophagi to jewellery and King Tutankhamun’s treasures. This evening, take your seats at the dazzling sound and light show at the Great Pyramids.

    meals Breakfast
    hotel Ramses Hilton
  12. Day 12 Farewell Cairo

    Our expedition at its end, say a fond farewell to your newfound friends. Find out more about your free airport transfer at trafalgar.com/freetransfers.

    meals Breakfast
Wonders Ancient Egypt Guided Tour Map
Price Includes

Whats Included

  • The services of a professional English speaking Egyptologist / Travel Director throughout your journey
  • Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
  • All porterage and restaurant gratuities
  • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
  • Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
  • Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
  • Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
  • Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
  • Return flight from Cairo to Luxor
  • Seven-night luxury Nile Cruise
  • Flight from Luxor to Cairo
  • Optional Experiences and free time

Dining Summary

  • 11 Breakfast (B)
  • 8 Lunch (L)
  • 7 Dinner (D)

Be My Guest

  • Luxor: Enjoy an exclusive Be My Guest encounter on the banks of the Nile where your hosts, the El Boerey family, will share their stories about family life in a typical Luxor village. Savour a local culinary tradition of warm mint tea and freshly baked local bread with honey.

Dive Into Culture

  • Cairo: Enjoy a visit to Cairo’s Egyptian Museum, home to a remarkable collection of Egyptian antiquities including the world-famous ‘Mask of Tutankhamun’.

Iconic Experience

  • Giza: Enjoy a day gazing at the Great Pyramids of Giza and its treasures - the Step Pyramid of Saqqara and the Colossus of Rames II.
  • Karnak: Stand amid a vast forest of columns in the largest temple complex known to man as your Egyptologist explains the significance behind it. Walk the avenue of ram-headed sphinxes, see the of Rameses II and the Hypostyle Hall.
  • Luxor: Spend the day discovering the wonders of the Luxor Museum.
  • Dendera: At the Temple of Hathor, see a rare depiction of Cleopatra and Caesarian.
  • Aswan: Admire the picturesque setting of Aswan and its iconic sites as you embark on a sightseeing tour of the city. Learn about the beautiful Temple of Isis and the contentious construction of the Aswan Dam.
  • Kitchener's Island: Sail around Kitchener's Island and its Botanical Gardens in a traditional felucca.
  • Kom Ombo: Discover the temple of Kom-Ombo and discover the wonders of the duo gods Horus the Elder and Sobek.
  • Valley of the Kings: Discover the ancient history behind the final resting place of Egypt's Pharaohs at the Valley of the Kings.
  • Cairo: Spend your day enjoying the sights of the Hanging Church of St. Mary or embark on a journey to see the ancient Citadel and the Alabaster Mosque.

Must-see Highlights

  • : Explore Luxor and Cairo with a Local Specialist
  • : Visit the temples of Karnak, Luxor Museum, the temple dedicated to Goddess Hathor at Dendera, Luxor Temple, the Temple of Isis on the island of Philae, the Temple at Kom-Ombo, Queen Hatshepsut's Temple and the Colossi of Memnon in Luxor, the Valley of the Kings and the Egyptian Museum in Cairo
  • : View the Step Pyramid in Sakkara, the Great Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza, the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk in Aswan, the Botanical Gardens on Kitchener's Island, the Citadel, Alabaster and Sultan Hassan Mosques in Cairo
  • : See the Ramses II statue and Alabaster Sphinx in Memphis, the Sound and Light show in Giza
  • : Sail in a felucca across the Nile

Whats Included

  • : The services of a professional English speaking Egyptologist / Travel Director throughout your journey
  • : Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
  • : All porterage and restaurant gratuities
  • : All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
  • : Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
  • : Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
  • : Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
  • : Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
  • : Return flight from Cairo to Luxor
  • : Seven-night luxury Nile Cruise
  • : Flight from Luxor to Cairo
  • : Optional Experiences and free time

Dates & Prices

Prices shown are per person based on two people sharing a twin room. To request a personalized travel quote, click "Request Quote" and a Travel Specialist will send your custom quote including airfare if requested.

Online Booking Process

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July 2023
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Jul 11 Tue
Jul 22 Sat
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Guaranteed Departure This departure is guaranteed
DOUBLE OCCUPANCY PRICE/PERSON
$3,650
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Jul 25 Tue
Aug 5 Sat
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Guaranteed Departure This departure is guaranteed
DOUBLE OCCUPANCY PRICE/PERSON
$3,650
August 2023
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Aug 22 Tue
Sep 2 Sat
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Guaranteed Departure This departure is guaranteed
DOUBLE OCCUPANCY PRICE/PERSON
$3,650
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Aug 29 Tue
Sep 9 Sat
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Guaranteed Departure This departure is guaranteed
DOUBLE OCCUPANCY PRICE/PERSON
$3,650
September 2023
AARP Members Save up to $100
Sep 5 Tue
Sep 16 Sat
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Guaranteed Departure This departure is guaranteed
DOUBLE OCCUPANCY PRICE/PERSON
$3,650
AARP Members Save up to $100
Sep 12 Tue
Sep 23 Sat
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Guaranteed Departure This departure is guaranteed
DOUBLE OCCUPANCY PRICE/PERSON
$3,650
AARP Members Save up to $100
Sep 26 Tue
Oct 7 Sat
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Guaranteed Departure This departure is guaranteed
DOUBLE OCCUPANCY PRICE/PERSON
$3,675
Optional Add-Ons

Optional Experiences are subject to change. Your Travel Director will supply you with a final list of Optional Experiences available on your trip. Optional Experiences cannot be booked online; they can be purchased during your trip through your Travel Director.

Aswan

Available on Day 6

Philae Temple Sound And Light Performance

Join us for a short boat ride to Philae Island, located between the old and new Aswan Dams, where you’ll have a short tour. We’ll then seat you in a Roman style theatre for a retelling of the perennial Nile flood, and of the goddesses Isis and Hathor, to whose worship the temple was originally dedicated. Approximately 50 minutes. Prices are in USD.
Adult Price: $ 47

Available on Day 7

Abu Simbel Adventure

This four-hour excursion includes a flight to Abu Simbel, site of the Temple of Ramses II with his four great statues. You’ll also see statues of Queen Nefertari on the facade of the Temple of Hathor. 75 minutes will be spent at Abu Simbel - the remainder will be travel time. Prices are in USD.
Adult Price: $ 343
Note: Price subject to airline price fluctuations.

Luxor

Available on Day 9

Sound And Light Show At Karnak Temple

Listen to voices of ancient kings, queens and gods as they share stories about the places you’ll see in the Temple during a walking tour, followed by a show around the Divine Lake. This show is operated in Karnak Temple in Luxor during the evening, lasting for just under an hour. Prices are in USD.
Adult Price: $ 50

Cairo

Available on Day 10

Dinner, Belly Dancing And Nile Cruise

Join us for a two hour cruise along the Nile river on a luxurious ship. You’ll be treated to dinner onboard and be entertained with a belly dancing show. Prices are in USD.
Adult Price: $ 80
Note: During Ramadan there will be no alcohol or belly dancers.

Available on Day 12

Full Day Alexandria (Designed For Those Visitors With Extra Pre Or Post Trip Nights In Cairo)

Join us for a visit to Egypt's second city, Alexandria. You’ll see its nineteenth-century architecture and stop at the National Museum, the catacombs of Kom es-Shoqafa and Pompey's Pillar. You'll also enjoy great views from Fort Qaitbey, and stop at the Roman Theatre with its marble seating before returning to Cairo. Prices are in USD.
Adult Price: $ 140
Note: "This excursion is only available to guests who have purchased extra nights in Cairo before or after their tour. This Optional experience is priced at $140 per person when there are two or more participants. If there is only one participant the cost is $280 per person."

Reviews
Service
Vacation
Independent Reviews
Jeanne Breen
Monday, February 20, 2023
Service
We had the worlds best guide in Egypt, Akram, was so knowledgeable. He answered every question we all had immediately. He got us to every sight early before the crowds. He knew all the people at the sights and they liked him too. We asked for some local experiences and he did those for us. He even joined us in the lounge to play games with us. We invited him to come visit and we were not the only ones to do that and we meant it.
Vacation
The people handled everything easily for us.
Trusted Customer
Sunday, January 29, 2023
Service
Michelle was very prompt in responding to questions on this sorta last minute reservation
Vacation
While I got to see all the places and things that I wanted to see, the tour itself was awful. Really hope this tour is not typical of Trafalgar.
Denis O Connor
Saturday, October 23, 2021
Service
reliable professional excellent value
Vacation
professional knowledgeable expert guides excellent food and first class accommodation
Robert Anderson
Saturday, January 25, 2020
Service
Missed my transfer from Cairo airport to hotel. No one there though I advised GET of the flight arriving 40 minutes earlier. 'He says,she says' from the Trafalgar rep. No reimbursment for a 35 dollar taxi. I only found out it was Trafalgar after the purchase for which I wasted money as I am a repeat customer of theirs and booking through I you lost that credit. GET failed to take any action or ownership of the problem, from what i can tell.
Response from Grand European Travel:
We are sorry to hear about the rocky start to your trip. Our records show that we did advise the ground team of your early arrival. Please accept our apologies for the driver not being able to arrive at the airport on time. We have processed a refund for your taxi. All of the trips on our website, brochure and invoices indicate who the operating company is. We are sorry if this was not made clear to you when you booked your trip.
Monday, January 27, 2020
Vacation
Nothing additional to say.
Jeane Zorn
Saturday, December 7, 2019
Service
Our tour guide was very knowledgeable but he told us numerous times that we were suppose to tip him, the guides and drivers. Next time I think we will take a trip where the tipping is included. Another problem was we had to have money every time we used a public bathroom. It was hard to keep the right change. The merchants wouldn't give it to us. They wouldn't let you use the bathroom it you didn't have it. I would prefer to pay extra and have the guide pay for everyone up front to use the bathroom. The definitely need new linens on the beds and towels on the ship.
Vacation
We took a five star river cruise on the Rhine last year. Comparing the two, food and service was much better on the boat. Off the boat, what we expected in a third world county. But where else in the world can you see the pyramids at Giza, the Spinx, the valley of the kings, Tut's tomb?
Cathy Spiller
Sunday, November 17, 2019
Service
They gave me tips and inside information about the country before I left for my trip.
Vacation
Great tour director. Everyday I felt like I received a history lesson. It was just wonderful.
Response from Grand European Travel:
Egypt is so magical and it's so wonderful to se that you had a chance to enjoy it and experience all the beauty and history.
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
Trusted Customer
Tuesday, March 12, 2019
Service
Our guide, Hani, was great!
Response from Grand European Travel:
We are so happy to hear that your enjoyed the magic of Egypt. Thank you for taking the time to write.
Tuesday, March 19, 2019
Vacation
Our guide, Hani, was great! A little surprising to have armed guards on the buses and cruise ship.
Marie Buckley
Saturday, March 9, 2019
Service
Easy booking, questions answered, and everything arrived on time.
Vacation
Egypt is a great deal right now! The dollar goes a long ways.
Trusted Customer
Saturday, April 21, 2018
Service
SHOULD HAVE PROVIDED A BETTER DAILY LIST OF EVENTS OF THE DAY.WITH TIMES.
Vacation
IT WAS WORTH THE PRICE...
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