Day 1
Arrive Cairo
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Accommodation
Flamenco Hotel (or similar)
Step into the ancient world of Egypt and discover the Great Pyramids. Experience the captivating chaos of Cairo, spend 3 nights gently floating down the river Nile in a traditional river cruise boat and have the chance to embark on a Red Sea cruise. A trip to Egypt with Contiki will ensure you have a trip to remember.
Locations Visited
Cairo, Giza, Overnight Train to Aswan, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Edfu, Luxor, Hurghada
Countries Visited
Egypt
Travel Style
Accommodations
7 nights included
Age Requirements
Social travel experiences for 18-35 year olds
Day 1
Accommodation
Flamenco Hotel (or similar)
Day 2
Get ready for a sensory overload of the best possible variety. Markets & mayhem are on every corner, with stops for hummus and tea proving very essential.
Of the 7 Ancient Wonders of the World only one remains, and today you will be seeing it up close and personal. Get the tissues ready, seeing the iconic Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza in all their 4,600 year old glory will make for a day that stirs you to the very core.
Tonight it's an overnight train to Aswan - nothing gives you a more up-close look at a place than riding local!
Accommodation
Overnight Train
Meals
Breakfast
Dinner
Check out this Cairo landmark and soak up the history. It’s home to more than 120,000 ancient Egyptian antiquities.
This needs no introduction! Marvel at the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. #bucketlist
Day 3
Accommodation
Nile Cruise
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Sit back and chill as you drift down the famous river on a traditional felucca sailing boat
Day 4
Enjoy waking up to the Nile and sand dunes as your backdrop, while you sip your coffee and ponder just how good life is.
Next up is your chance to explore Abu Simbel's Temple of Ramses II, one of the world's most iconic sites dating back to 1264 BC. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is a must-do for history buffs and those looking to get in the know on this ancient site. Our Local Guide will uncover its history before we gently drift upstream, steering ourselves away from Aswan with our maps open on ancient Edfu.
After green fields, the Arabian desert and palm trees aplenty have teased our eyes along the Nile, we'll pull in for a peak at the perfectly symmetrical town of Kom Ombo. This village's famous temple is dedicated to the God of Crocodiles, and the God of Falcons and with it's stunning setting right by the Nile is the perfect spot to head on-land for some exploring.
Back on the boat you can practice your 'walk like an Egyptian' pose, then take a dip in the pool (yes, as in the boat has a pool) before we dock for the night in Edfu.
Accommodation
Nile Cruise
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 5
This morning we'll cast off in the direction of Luxor.
As soon as we step foot on Luxor terrain, we'll start spinning our way into the historical mysteries of this magnificent town including the Avenue of the Sphinxes, an epic lineup of human headed sphinxes spanning 3km, and let's not forget a photographers dream. Tomorrow the Luxor discoveries continue, so there's no need to cram it all in on day one.
Accommodation
Nile Cruise
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Follow in the footsteps of the pharaohs as you walk along this famous stretch of road.
Day 6
Only on a trip to Egypt would ancient royal tombs make a casual appearance on our daily agenda. Venturing to the Valley of the Kings known as 'City of the Dead,' our local guide will take us to some of the 63 royal tombs found here. We'll also walk through the perfectly symmetrical Temple of Hatshepsut. Later, choose to visit the Temple of Karnak where we can find the world’s largest religious structure, the Temple of Amun.
Hurghada is all about beachside summer holiday vibes to rival the Mediterranean. With crystal clear waters as far as the eye can see, umbrella-lined beaches, and golden sunsets, this town will be sure to seal the deal on your love for Egypt.
Accommodation
Bel Air Azur Resort (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
Dinner
Grab your camera and explore one of the world’s most famous archaeological sites. See the tomb of Tutankhamun from the outside (with the option to add on exploring it from the inside!) and many other Egyptian pharaohs.
Check out these towering Pharaoh statues. They’ve stood guard since 1350 BC, even surviving natural disasters. And apparently one even ‘sings’ in the wind.
Stroll through the mighty mortuary temple built during the reign of Pharaoh Hatshepsut. Don't forget to bring your camera! You'll definitely want to capture the perfectly symmetrical poles of the Porticos. This is also the spot where the Beautiful Festival of the Valley (celebrated to meet your ancestors) used to take place back in the middle ages.
Day 7
Lovers of exploring by sea could take a cruise of the Red Sea for all new views, or those who prefer life a little more on land could snorkel, sun bake or just relax in paradise this morning. Later, we'll attempt an Arabic goodbye to the beautiful beaches of Hurghada as we make our way back to where our Egyptian escapade kicked off just a week ago.
It's our last complete day together on tour, which means we need to make the most of every second and avoid winding down at all costs. It's our last complete day on trip, we'll enjoy some time together as we make our way back to Cairo.
Accommodation
Novotel Cairo Airport (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
Day 8
Meals
Breakfast
Title
Complimentary transfers from Cairo International Airport (CAI) are available on arrival and departure days of the itinerary or in conjunction with a pre-trip or post-trip accommodation booked through Contiki.
Accommodation aboard the overnight train is two-berth cabins, which are comfortable and air-conditioned. All bedding is provided on board by the porter and western-style toilets are located in each carriage. Keep in mind general train cleanliness may not be to the same standards you are accustomed to. An included set dinner and breakfast are served inside your cabin. You may want to purchase something extra beforehand to supplement your meal, particularly if you're a vegetarian. It is recommended to bring a jumper/sweatshirt as the train is always cold due to the AC.
Heads up - if you've chosen a single supplement for this trip, you'll be assigned a two-berth cabin for this overnight train journey.
Our Nile cruise boat is modern with many of the amenities of our comfortable hotels. Cabins are twin/double with central air-conditioning, private bathrooms, and large windows offering great views of the Nile. Facilities on board include a large restaurant, lounge with bar, sun deck with small pool, a billiards table, and WIFI (not available at all times due to poor reception at times). Often our cruise boats are referred to as "floating hotels" as the actual sailing distance covered is not great and Egyptian law requires that all boats dock overnight.
Please note that as a desert region, the Middle East can have extreme weather. Temperatures are generally hot with little rain. This can become extreme during the summer months of June to August. In the months of December to March it can be very cold, particularly next to the river or the ocean and out in the desert where night temperatures can drop dramatically.
While visiting mosques and other religious monuments you should dress modestly, cover your shoulders and you shouldn't wear short shorts or skirts. Outside of capital cities and the more touristic centres, local dress is often more conservative and as a matter of respect we ask that both men and women are aware of this and recommend loose-fitting clothes with your shoulders covered. Ask your Trip Manager for more specific advice.
We recommend you don't drink the tap water, even in hotels, as it contains much higher levels of different minerals than the water you may have at home.
Trip Notes:
Terms & Conditions: