Premium Egypt
Experience Overview
Take to the Nile Valley on a nine-day Premium adventure by river, road and air, visiting the mighty pyramids of Giza, one of the ancient Wonders of the World. See the majestic temples of Karnak, the famous tomb of Tutankhamun and Cairo’s bustling Khan al-Khalili Bazaar. Spend an evening with a Nubian family and another with an Egyptian family in Cairo for a look at local life and enjoy plenty of time for independent discoveries in each destination. Tuck into Egypt’s unique cuisine, cruise down the Nile on a riverboat and a felucca and visit Cairo’s oldest coffeeshop. With an ancient past that has led to a colourful present, Egypt is a traveller’s dream!
Highlights
- Spend three unforgettable evenings on a Nile riverboat – your Feature Stay accommodation. Enjoy first-class facilities including a swimming pool and sundeck, and get right to the heart of each destination, taking in gorgeous riverside views along the way.
- Discover the varied cuisine of Egypt during dinner at a fantastic restaurant in Cairo, taste Nubian delights in a family home on an island in the middle of the Nile and sample traditional Egyptian food with the locals in Cairo.
- Wander the incredible Pyramids of Giza – one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Then, discover the mighty Valley of the Kings, the Kom Ombo Temple and the Karnak Temple complex, all with the expert guidance of your Egyptologist leader.
- Enjoy unforgettable Exclusive Experiences, including dinner in a family’s home in Cairo, a visit to the city’s oldest coffeeshop and sunset drinks on board a traditional felucca.
- The unearthing of Tutankhamun’s tomb is one of the world’s greatest discoveries – at the Valley of the Kings you’ll have the chance to enter three tombs of your choice, followed by a visit to the resting place of the famous young Pharaoh.
- By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Animal Care in Egypt. Donations help them care for sick or injured working animals, like horses and donkeys, and help empower local communities with the knowledge and training to better care for their animals.
Trip Details
Product Code: 3013
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Unknown
Transport: Private vehicle,Plane,Riverboat,Felucca
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
Intrepid Travel
Supplier Code: XEPN
Starts: Cairo, Egypt
Finishes: Cairo, Egypt
Duration: 9 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Light
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (8), Lunch (3), Dinner (6)Accommodation: Comfortable hotel (5 nights),Feature Stay (3 nights)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $3,701 ($411 /day)
Itinerary
Salaam Aleikum! Welcome to Egypt. When you arrive at the Cairo airport, meet an Intrepid representative and take an included transfer to your hotel. You’re adventure officially begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, maybe get out and explore the busy streets, find a hole-in-the-wall eatery for a snack like ta’ameya (Egypt’s take on falafel) or relax at your hotel – the pool offers magnificent pyramid views! After your meeting, head out for an included dinner with the group. Your leader will introduce you to Egyptian cuisine, known for being fresh, delicious and unique to the country. Best enjoyed when shared, you’ll tuck into an array of traditional dishes like fatta (a dish made with rice, bread and meat in a garlic and vinegar sauce) and kushari (a delicious mixture of pasta, rice, lentils and fried onions).
Included Activities:
- Complimentary Arrival Transfer
- Cairo - Welcome Dinner
Optional Activities:
- Cairo - Islamic Art Museum (entrance fee) (340 EGP)
- Urban Adventures - Saqqara and Memphis (109 USD)
- Cairo - Urban Adventures Downtown Cairo Tour (29 USD)
Accommodation:
- Steigenberger Cairo Pyramids Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, tour the mighty Pyramids of Giza (one of the famed Seven Wonders of the World) and the Sphinx with your expert leader, who is a trained Egyptologist. Seeing these ancient and iconic structures up close is a memory that will stay with you long after your time in Egypt is over. For an additional charge, you may be able to go inside the Great Pyramid of Khufu (or Cheops). After some time for lunch, your adventure continues to the Egyptian Museum – home to one of the world's great collections of ancient artefacts. The masses of gleaming artefacts recovered from the tomb of Tutankhamun are an impressive sight – from jewellery to the famous golden death mask and his gilded sarcophagi, this pharaoh was certainly prepared for the afterlife. Your leader will take you through some of Egypt’s dynastic history and you’ll have plenty of time to explore on your own – home to almost 100,000 artefacts, there’s a whole ancient world to uncover!
Included Activities:
- Cairo - Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx
- Cairo - Egyptian Museum
Optional Activities:
- Cairo - The Great Pyramid of Cheops (entrance fee) (1000 EGP)
Accommodation:
- Steigenberger Cairo Pyramids Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Catch a morning flight to Aswan – Egypt’s southernmost city. Check into your hotel, then travel to Philae Island and visit the beautiful Temple of Isis – the goddess of health, marriage and wisdom – rescued from the rising waters of the Nile and relocated here. Your leader will share stories of the history and changing landscape of the island. Then, take a boat to a Nubian village on an island in the middle of the Nile. Walk through the village before sitting down to dinner with a local Nubian family in their home. Enjoy traditional Nubian food, swap stories with your friendly hosts and gain a unique perspective into their way of life.
Included Activities:
- Aswan - Nubian Village Visit and Dinner
- Aswan - Philae Temple
Accommodation:
- Sonesta Nouba or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
After breakfast, you may like to take a stroll around Aswan or join an optional tour of Abu Simbel – a temple complex that was dismantled and moved to make way for the Aswan High Dam. Board a Nile riverboat – your Feature Stay accommodation for the next three nights! Travelling by riverboat allows you to get to the heart of each destination while ensuring the journeys in between are every bit as interesting. In the afternoon, board a traditional felucca sailing boat where you can sit back and relax with some drinks as the sun sets over your beautiful surroundings. Return to your riverboat for dinner.
Included Activities:
- Aswan - Sunset drinks on a felucca
Optional Activities:
- Aswan – Abu Simbel excursion by car (includes transfer, guide and entry) (110 USD)
- Aswan - Abu Simbel excursion by flight (includes flights, transfers, guide and entry) from price (450 USD)
Accommodation:
- Amwaj Nile Cruise (Feature Stay) or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Enjoy a peaceful morning on board your riverboat, then set out in the afternoon along the river, relaxing in the sun on deck and taking in the desert hills forming a backdrop over the lush riverbanks. Arrive at Kom Ombo Temple, sitting spectacularly on the river’s edge. Your leader will let you in on the secrets of this ancient temple. Built in approximately 181 BC, Kom Ombo is dedicated to two gods – Horus (god of protection) and Sobek (god of fertility, linked to the Nile’s water). Each god has a dedicated section – north or south – and there have been recent discoveries of mummified crocodiles in the Sobek section. After, return to your riverboat and continue to Edfu where you’ll dock for the evening.
Included Activities:
- Izbat Al Bayyarah - Kom Ombo Temple
Accommodation:
- Amwaj Nile Cruise (Feature Stay) or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, you’ll be moored near Edfu and may have the option to venture independently into town to see the nearby temple. Sail towards Luxor passing through the Esna Locks. You may have to queue to proceed through the locks, but this is a great opportunity to sit back with a drink in hand and observe life on the Nile. Arrive at the open-air museum of Luxor – from the spectacular temple complex of Karnak to the Valley of the Kings, Luxor is full of wonderfully preserved reminders of the Pharaohs. Today you'll explore the Karnak Temple. One of the world's most celebrated temple complexes, Karnak is a house of the gods built over a period of some 200 years. Your guided tour of this vast temple of impressive pylons, obelisks and chapels will reveal its finest sections, such as the Avenue of Sphinxes and the Great Temple of Amun. You’ll also head over to our Intrepid Foundation partner, Animal Care in Egypt (ACE), a local NGO dedicated to providing free veterinary care for wounded working animals in the region.
Included Activities:
- Luxor - Karnak Temple
Optional Activities:
- Edfu - Edfu Temple (entrance fee) (550 EGP)
- Luxor - Karnak Temple Sound and Light Show (minimum 2 persons) (entrance, guide & transport) (45 USD)
Accommodation:
- Amwaj Nile Cruise (Feature Stay) or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Disembark your riverboat and travel to the Valley of the Kings. Buried under the arid hills are over 60 tombs of pharaohs, many richly decorated with reliefs and paintings. With your leader, explore the place where the pharaohs of the New Kingdom (16th to 11th century BC) were secretly interred for all eternity, and where discoveries are still being made. Your leader will explain the history and legends of these people and the significance of the many paintings and hieroglyphics, still well preserved in the deepest tombs. Entry is included to three tombs of your choosing, as well as access to the tomb of Tutankhamun. The unearthing of the young Pharaoh’s resting place is one of the world’s greatest archaeological discoveries, and today you’ll explore the painted chamber that holds his famous golden sarcophagus. Continue to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut – a colonnaded building set against high cliffs that create a spectacular natural amphitheatre, then view the Colossi of Memnon – two 17-m-high statues on Luxor's west bank.
Included Activities:
- Luxor - Hatshepsut Temple
- Luxor - Valley of the Kings (entrance to 3 tombs)
- Luxor - Tomb of Tutankhamun
- Luxor - Colossi of Memnon
Optional Activities:
- Luxor - Hot Air Balloon over the Valley of the Kings (120 USD)
- Luxor - Valley of the Queens (entrance fee) (220 EGP)
- Luxor - Tomb of Queen Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens (entrance fee) (2500 EGP)
Accommodation:
- Sonesta St George Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Board a flight bound for Cairo this morning. When you arrive, settle into your hotel then head out to the Al-Azhar neighbourhood to visit Khan al-Khalili Bazaar – a sprawling maze of alleyways including the gold market, cloth market, 'perfume street' and the spice market. Continue to the 9th-century Al-Azhar Mosque – one of the oldest and largest in Egypt. Its perfectly proportioned courtyard and distinctive minaret make it a masterpiece of Islamic architecture. Stop off in Cairo’s oldest coffeeshop for an Arabic coffee or mint tea as you watch the world go by. It’s a known fact that the very best food in Cairo is made inside local homes, but few visitors get the chance to experience this for themselves. This afternoon, you’ll be one of the lucky few as you’re welcomed into the home of a local family. Sit down to a wonderful meal of traditional dishes which you’ll share with your friendly hosts and gain an inside look at modern Egyptian life.
Included Activities:
- Cairo - Home-Cooked Dinner
- Cairo - Khan al-Khalili Bazaar
- Cairo - Al-Azhar Mosque
- Cairo - Coffee/tea in a local cafe
Accommodation:
- Steigenberger Hotel El Tahrir Cairo, Sonesta Cairo, or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Your trip will come to an end today after breakfast and you’re free to leave at any time after check out. If you have arranged a private airport transfer, you’ll be advised of the pick-up time. If you would like to spend more time in Cairo, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.
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Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
elizabeth - Traveled, April 2024
The trip was exactly as it was explained and delivered fantastically by our guide - Eman. We were so well looked after and saw all of the main sites with incredibly detailed explanations on Egyptian history and hotels were amazing. Loved it.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/09/2024
Charles - Traveled, March 2024
Intrepid made our tour of Egypt a "trip of a lifetime". This company clearly knows what it is doing. Our group leader was an outstanding individual with good organizational skills and extensive knowledge of important locations, customs, and histories.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/11/2024
Predrag - Traveled, March 2024
Great tour, beggining of March was perfect timing for it. Mohamed is an amazing tour guide and made the experience that much more special and enjoyable. Would recommend this tour 10/10!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/16/2024
Elizabeth - Traveled, March 2024
This trip surpassed all expectations for me. I would thoroughly recommend it.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/10/2024
Wanda - Traveled, March 2024
This exciting adventure, which far exceeded my expectations in so many ways, has left me with a high that I hope won’t dissipate for a very long time. Our guide was exceptional. The treasures of ancient Egypt were more beautiful than I expected and the Egyptian people were very welcoming.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/14/2024
Kelly - Traveled, February 2024
Had the most amazing time with Hassaan on the Egypt trip. His knowledge was amazing and it showed he loved what he was doing by the passion he showed when he spoke.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/05/2024
Edward - Traveled, February 2024
Fantastic trip visiting all of the sites you have only read about accompanied by our wonderful guide Hassaan.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/06/2024
Helen - Traveled, February 2024
Intrepid tour to Egypt was absolutely amazing from start to finish. Our guide Hassaan was so knowledgeable and engaging with the group. Would highly recommend this tour.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/10/2024
Zandra - Traveled, February 2024
If you're considering booking a trip with Intrepid, do it! The guides have fantastic knowledge of your tour, the culture, and locals are supported where possible, their drive to ensure wellbeing is looked after, and welfare are top priority makes for a fantastic trip where you can get involved with local traditions, and support those around you
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/13/2024
Abigail - Traveled, February 2024
Excellent experience, all very well organised with a great guide. Great escape from working life which felt like a real break and immersion to a new culture in a short space of time.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/04/2024
Kathryn - Traveled, February 2024
Our trip to Egypt was amazing. The cruise on the Nile was 1st class. Rooms were spacious and very clean. Food was plentiful , lots of choice and good quality. Staff very friendly and helpful. All hotels very good quality. Transport was on time. Careful polite drivers. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and well organised. I can recommend this trip. It was amazing.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/04/2024
Debbie - Traveled, February 2024
What an adventure. It exceeded our expectations and we could not have done it without the knowledge and guidance of our guide, Mohamed. He was so knowledgeable and was with us the whole way. What a beautiful, exciting, historic country. I will never forget this incredible trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/12/2024
Pamela - Traveled, February 2024
The Premium Egypt trip was totally enjoyable. Tips and entry fees were included which reduced the stress for me. I felt totally safe and supported by our excellent guide who shared his knowledge and love for his country.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/15/2024
Dyanne - Traveled, February 2024
An outstanding experience led by Hady an outstanding leader. Excellent value for money. And importantly at this time, very safe.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/15/2024
Glen - Traveled, February 2024
Would highly recommend to everyone who has a love for Egypt. You won't be disappointed
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/10/2024
Marcus - Traveled, February 2024
Excellent trip and guide - felt very safe at all times.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/13/2024
Eshaa - Traveled, January 2024
I would highly recommend travelling to Egypt with Intrepid. My guide Maged made our tour enjoyable and he was very accommodating the entire time!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/02/2024
Brock - Traveled, January 2024
We really enjoyed our Egypt trip! Maged was our guide and shared his knowledge of ancient Egyptian life while facilitating seamless travel and hotel rooms between many sites. 10/10 would recommend to everyone!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/02/2024
Kacie - Traveled, January 2024
We just returned from our trip to Egypt and wish we could’ve stayed! Initially, we were hesitant to travel to Egypt, but ended up loving every second. The trip was well organized and we felt safe and cared for. We experienced a comprehensive overview of the major sites in Cairo, Aswan, and Luxor, as well as spent time with local families, ate delicious food, and got to do more than we would get to do if we had traveled on our own. Our group leader was absolutely perfect and we truly enjoyed spending time with the others in our group. Our Intrepid premium trip to Egypt has been our best trip yet to date. We will definitely travel with Intrepid again!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/04/2024
Barbara - Traveled, January 2024
An absolutely incredible and life changing trip. I can’t recommend it enough. We saw so many beautiful things and our guide & group was amazing! I would definitely go on another intrepid trip!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/04/2024
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