Best of Egypt: 8-Day All-Inclusive Tour
Description
Cairo, Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan... On this comprehensive journey, we will explore the must-see attractions of Egypt in 8 days. This is the ideal approach to fully immerse yourself in the historical land of the Pharaohs!
Ultimate Egypt: All-Inclusive 8-Day Tour
Day 1: Arrival in Cairo
Upon your arrival, we'll be there to welcome you at Cairo airport, facilitating your visa process and assisting with immigration formalities. After that, we’ll transport you to your hotel, followed by dinner at a local eatery. Should your flight arrive after 9 PM, we will provide a cold picnic at your hotel instead.
Day 2: Giza, Memphis, & Cairo
After breakfast, our first stop will be the pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, where the adventurous can explore the interiors, navigating the ancient traps laid by builders to deter tomb raiders! Following this, we will visit a papyrus workshop to see how this iconic Egyptian artifact is crafted. To recharge, we will enjoy a traditional lunch before heading to Memphis, the first capital of Egypt, and exploring the necropolis at Saqqara, including the statue of Ramses II.
Later, after a brief rest at the hotel, we’ll venture to Old Cairo to stroll through its ancient streets, experience the Khan el Khalili market, and dine at the renowned Café of Mirrors.
Day 3: Cairo
On the third day, we'll explore the key sites in downtown Cairo. Visits include the Citadel, the Alabaster Mosque, and opportunities for bargaining at the Khan el Khalili. We will traverse through the Coptic quarter and indulge in a meal while admiring the masterpieces at the Grand Egyptian Museum, home to the treasures of Tutankhamun and over 500,000 artifacts from ancient Egypt. Dinner will follow at a local restaurant.
Day 4: Cairo - Luxor
After a hearty breakfast, we’ll head to the airport to catch a flight to Luxor—historically known as Thebes—where our Nile cruise begins. Upon arrival, we’ll visit the Luxor Temple, which is likely to become an iconic memory of the trip. Additionally, we will explore the city center via a horse-drawn carriage before checking into our hotel to rest for the night.
Day 5: Luxor - Edfu
We will kick off the day with a visit to the impressive Karnak Temple, located less than two miles from Luxor Temple, connected by the grand avenue lined with a multitude of sphinxes.
Our next destination will be the Valley of the Kings, where some of Egypt’s most notable pharaohs are interred (entry to Tutankhamun's tomb incurs an additional fee of approximately 16 EUR). We will also visit the Temple of Hatshepsut and the monumental Colossi of Memnon.
Later, we will embark on a cruise down the Nile towards Edfu, taking in the sights as we pass the evening at the Esna floodgates.
Day 6: Edfu - Kom Ombo - Aswan
Our day will begin with a visit to the renowned Temple of Edfu, dedicated to Horus, the sky deity, recognized as one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt. Following this, we will continue our journey onwards to Kom Ombo.
Upon arrival, we will explore the temple dedicated to the Gods Sobek and Horus, set in a picturesque location. Later, we’ll continue our cruise down the Nile toward Aswan.
Note: The visit to Edfu is conducted via horse-drawn carriage. For alternative transportation such as a car or bus, please inform your guide the day prior.
Day 7: Aswan - Abu Simbel - Aswan
This day begins with a bus ride to the iconic Temples of Abu Simbel, known as the most famous in Egypt, which were saved from the rising waters of the Nile through an international effort. On the way back to Aswan, we’ll have a chance to glimpse the imposing Aswan Dam, a significant feat of 20th-century engineering.
Furthermore, we will visit the Temple of Philae, situated on a tranquil island referred to as the Jewel of the Nile, before returning to the cruise ship for lunch. Afterward, we’ll take a leisurely sail on a traditional wooden boat, or Felucca, around the area, returning to the ship by 4 PM to unwind for the evening.
Day 8: Aswan - Cairo
Following breakfast, we will transfer you to Aswan airport for your return flight to Cairo. Once in Cairo, you are free to continue with your connecting or international flight.
We will adjust your departure time from Aswan based on your flight schedule. For early flights, we will leave Aswan sooner and provide a continental breakfast or takeaway meal. For evening departures, a meal aboard the ship will be included before we escort you to Aswan for your flight.
Essential Information
The sequence of the itinerary is subject to adjustments, but all mentioned visits will occur. Depending on your arrival time, you may start your experience in Cairo or the cruise.
Travel Requirements
To participate in this tour, you will need a round-trip flight to Cairo, arriving on your scheduled day and returning exactly one week later. For instance, if you arrive on a Monday, your return should be the subsequent Monday.
All-Inclusive Package
All services are included in the total price: visa, domestic flights, air-conditioned transportation, accommodations, vessels, meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), knowledgeable guides, excursions, and entrance fees (with the exception of the Great Pyramid of Cheops).
It's difficult to find comparable prices with other providers; we uniquely offer a fully inclusive package, while others might charge double the final amount for separate items.
Accommodation & Vessels
We present this itinerary with two accommodation quality options:
Standard
- Cairo Hotel: Pyramids Park Resort Cairo or similar.
- Boat: MS Princess Du Nile, MS Isis, MS Nile Dolphin, MS King of Tebas, MS King Tut I, MS Pioneer II, MS Mirage, MS Nile Admiral, Miss Egypt, Beaurivage II, Grand Princess, Voyager, MS Jasmine, MS Grand Princess, MS Solares II or similar.
Premium Category
- Cairo Hotel: Renaissance Mirage City, Crown Plaza Cairo West, Cairo Marriott, Omar Khayyam Casino, Hyatt Regency Cairo West, Ramsés Hilton, JAZ Pyramids Resort, Kempinski Royal Maxim or similar.
- Boat: MS Sarah, MS Radamis II, MS Royal Ruby I, MS Zeina, MS Royal Viking, MS Blue Shadow, MS Blue Shadow II, MS HS Moon Dance, Ms Stegenberger Minerva, MS Kon Tiki, MS Opera, MS Al Jamila, M/S Alyssa, M/S Royal Princess, Ms Stegenberger Regency, Ms Stegenberger Royale, MS Concerto or similar.
Note: In Aswan (boarding occurs on Wednesdays and Fridays), a one-night hotel stay is possible. The following morning, we will escort you back to the boat for your cruise.
Pricing Details
- The stated price is per person sharing a double room or cabin. Solo travelers are subject to an individual surcharge.
- For 3-person bookings, a double room with an additional bed will be provided. If the third traveler prefers a separate room, a single surcharge will apply.
- There are no accommodations available for four persons, although adjoining rooms can be requested for groups (subject to availability). Please indicate this in the booking process comments.
Booking for Families with Children
The discounted rate for children applies only when a child shares accommodation with two adults.
Should you have inquiries during the booking process, please reach out to us directly via this link.
Starting the Tour from Luxor or Aswan
This all-inclusive 8-day tour of Egypt can also be enjoyed starting from Aswan or Luxor.
Extend Your Experience!
If you wish to enhance your trip, consider extending your stay to explore the Red Sea or embark on a cruise across Lake Nasser. We offer three options:
Seasonal Notes
Cancellations are non-refundable from December 20th to January 2nd (Christmas period) and during Easter. Moreover, the sequence of activities may shift due to seasonal considerations.
```What's included
- All transport from start to finish
- Visa and travel assistance
- English–speaking guides throughout the tour
- 3 nights full board in Cairo
- 3 or 4 nights on an all–inclusive cruise (depending on your start date)
- Full board from dinner on arrival day to breakfast on departure day
- All tickets, excursions and guided tours mentioned
- Domestic flights to and from Cairo, Luxor,and Aswan
- Port taxes
- Tips
What's not included
- Drinks
- Wifi on board: 5EUR – 10EUR per day, depending on the boat)
- Admission to the Great Pyramid of Cheops: 1500EGP per person
Cancellation policy
Cancellazione gratuita fino a 144 ore prima (local time)
Accessibility
Not wheelchair accessible.
Important information
Our guides will be waiting for you at the arrivals area of Cairo International Airport. They will be carrying a sign with the name Civitatis. If you have any doubts, you can call the phone number on this voucher.
Please note that the guide will not be able to enter the Sphinx airport, as they are not allowed access. If you arrive at this airport, you'll have to arrange the visa yourself, which costs 25USD per person and must be paid in cash. This fee of 25USD (or the equivalent in EUR) will be reimbursed by the local team in the same manner.
Important Info
- For airport security reasons, 2 or 3 days before your arrival, you'll have to send an email to the local tour operator with a copy of your passport.
- To take photos in the Valley of the Kings, you need a permit. According to the list of the Ministry of Antiquities, it's 300EGP and is purchased at the entrance to the Valley of the Kings
- There's an additional cost for drinks and WiFi onboard the cruise ship
- Check-in to the boat is from 12 pm, and check-out is at 8 am. The pool onboard the boat is cleaned daily from 8 am - 12 pm, so if you arrive at 10 am, it won't be open.
- If you wish to buy tickets to the pyramids, you must tell the guide at the ticket office, as once inside the enclosure, you cannot go back to the ticket office to buy them.
- When Kefren opens, Mykerinos is usually closed without prior notice and vice versa. Cheops is always open (although for renovation reasons it may be closed).
Insurance Info
This tour doesn't include insurance, so we recommend getting it separately on the Civitatis website.
Dinner on the First Day
If you arrive after 9 pm, instead of dinner, we'll provide you with a cold picnic at the hotel.
Seasonal Dates
Refunds are unavailable in the event of cancellation from 20th December to 2nd January (Christmas) and during Easter. Additionally, due to the seasonal dates, the order of the itinerary is subject to change.
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