Highlights of Egypt

Experience Overview

Explore the wonders of ancient Egypt with an expert Egyptologist unravelling the myths and legends that envelope this storied kingdom. The highlights are numerous: the great pyramids and sphinx of Giza, the stepped pyramid of Saqqara, the Kom Ombo and Edfu temples, and the Valley of the Kings. There’s also time to immerse ourselves in the indigenous Nubian culture and explore the great city of Cairo. Additionally, this trip was designed to visit the sites at their quietest without the normal crowds from the Nile cruises – a welcome bonus in such a popular destination.
Profile
— Accommodation: 8 Superior nights (hotels) — Travel by minibus and one internal flight — Group normally 4 to 16, plus local leader. Minimum age: 16
At a Glance
— Accommodation: 8 Superior nights (hotels) — Travel by minibus and one internal flight — Group normally 4 to 16, plus local leader. Minimum age: 16
Trip For You
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: Most days involve early starts, allowing us to maximise 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. Ramadan is expected to run from approximately 28 February-29 March 2025. 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.
Group Description
Our tour leader is a qualified Egyptologist. We also have drivers and local guides where needed.
Eating Drinking
All breakfasts and two dinners included. For meals not included, we suggest you allow approximately US$15 for lunch and US$20 for dinner. Food in Egypt involves kebabs, chicken, stews, pita 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.
Transportation
Road transport is by private air-conditioned mini/midi-bus (could be coaster or bus according to group size) and Egypt’s roads are generally good. Travelling is normally restricted to a few hours a day and the mode of transport is varied. We also travel by motorboat and felucca.
Joining Instructions
Start hotel: Pyramids Park Resort Cairo, Alexandria Desert Rd, Kerdasa, Giza Governorate, Cairo, 12411, Egypt Phone: +20 2383 88300 Recommended arrival time: Hotel check-in is from 2pm Airport: Cairo (CAI) Getting to the start hotel The start hotel is approximately a one-hour drive from Cairo International Airport. We provide one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times. (For the group transfer you need to know that you will be waiting for other travellers arrival and luggage, otherwise you can prebook a private transfer) Catching your return flight There’s a group departure transfer to Luxor International Airport (LXR/HELX) that is scheduled to align with a flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join or to arrange an alternative transfer.
Weather Information
Rain is very rare in Egypt and most days are sunny and clear. Summer temperatures can exceed 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 summer, these temperatures are 35C (95F) and 22C (72F) respectively. Daytime temperatures are slightly higher on average in Aswan.
Spending Money
Optional excursions Prices are per person and in US dollars as this is the most stable currency used in Egypt, but excursions can be paid in any hard currency (including British pounds and euros). Payment cannot be made in Egyptian pounds. When booking and paying for these tours locally a three percent charge will be added for all card payments. Unless indicated otherwise, the below prices are based on a minimum of six people taking part and are subject to change. Please note that prices include entrance fees, guide, private transport and police permissions. Cairo (only possible pre-tour or if arriving early on Day 1) — Sound and light show, Giza: US$48 – this does not run every day — Citadel and Mohamed Ali Mosque: US$40 — Coptic Cairo including Coptic Museum: US$38 — Visit Saqqara and Memphis: US$66 — Entrance fee to go inside Great Pyramids during the pyramids visit: US$30 — Grand Egyptian Museum: US$65 Aswan — Tour of Philae, High Dam and Obelisk: US$54 — St Simone Monastery: US$36 — Sound and light show at Philae: US$52 — Abu Simbel flight excursion: from USD$435. This must be requested with Exodus at time of booking your tour. If you do not request the flight at this time, we cannot guarantee seats will be available if trying to book locally. Flight timings vary but the flight duration is approximately 45 minutes. The length of time in the temples depends on the EgyptAir flight schedule and is not controlled by Exodus. It should, however, be longer than an hour. — Abu Simbel road excursion: from US$150 (book locally). Depart Aswan at approximately 4.30am for the 3hr 30min transfer to Abu Simbel. The temple visit itself takes around two hours. Depart approximately 10am and arrive back in Aswan at around 1.30pm. Luxor: A.C.E Luxor Animal Hospital (time permitting): Free — Sound and light show, Karnak Temple: US$52 — Queen Hatshepsut’s temple: US$18 Paying for optional excursions by credit card is recommended.
Tipping
Baksheesh is part of Egyptian life, and small tips are expected by most of the people working in the tourism industry (drivers, hotel staff, railway porters, restaurant staff etc). Tipping kitty: To simplify this process, the tour leader will recommend a tipping kitty. They will explain this at the start of the trip and will collect the suggested sum from those who wish to participate. Your tour leader will then take care of all the tipping on behalf of the group. While your participation is highly recommended, it is not compulsory. Tipping could be in US dollars, British pounds or Egyptian pounds. Your tour leader can provide details of the distribution of the money as required. For groups of 12 or more, the suggested contribution is US$45 per person For groups of fewer than 12, the suggested contribution is US$50 per person Tour leader: If you feel your tour leader has performed well over the course of your trip, you may want to show your appreciation of their services. The sum you choose to give is entirely personal, but as a guide, about US$4 per person per day would be reasonable. The tipping kitty explained above is entirely separate from any contribution to the tour leader.

Highlights