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Egypt & the Nile

with Jordan extension

Duration: 12 or 16 days
Group size: 15-35
Reviews: 326

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Pharaohs and pyramids, sultans and souks, temples and tombs.

Descend into a world of ancient wonders to discover the lands behind the legends. Walk past towering stone icons, through avenues of sphinxes, and into royal valleys amid the desert sands. Then, cruise down the Nile and anchor at remote islands and beside the Theban Hills. End your adventure in Cairo, where historic mosques mingle with today’s modern bustle.

Your tour package includes

6 nights in handpicked hotels
4 nights aboard the Nile River cruise ship
10 breakfasts
5 lunches
9 dinners with beer or wine

Included highlights

Pyramids of Giza
Great Sphinx
Temples of Karnak and Luxor
Luxor Museum
Valley of the Kings

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Day-by-day itinerary

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Overnight Flight1 night

Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Cairo today.

Giza3 nights

Day 2: Arrival in Cairo & transfer to Giza

Included meal: Dinner

Welcome to Egypt! Arrive in Cairo and transfer to Giza.

This evening, enjoy an included dinner.

Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Giza

Included meals: Breakfast, Welcome dinner

Meet up with a professional Egyptologist, who’s also your Tour Director, and set off on a guided tour of Giza.

Uncover the Pyramids of Giza, the only Wonder of the Ancient World to have survived the modern era
Visit the enigmatic Great Sphinx, the largest monolith statue in the world
Continue to Saqqara, the pharaohs’ royal graveyard for more than 3,000 years, and enter the Imhotep Museum in Memphis
Visit a carpet factory to learn about the traditional Egyptian textile industry and enjoy a cup of tea

Gather with your group for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant this evening.

Day 4: Free day in Giza

Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a free day in Giza or add an excursion.

Alexandria

Excursion (additional cost)

Nile River Cruise4 nights

Day 5: Sightseeing tour of Luxor & cruise embarkation

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Please note: Some cruise departures will follow days 5–9 in reverse.

Fly to Luxor and set off on a guided tour. You’ll step inside the Luxor Museum to see one of the world's highest-quality collections of Egyptian artifacts, including a statue recovered from King Tutankhamen's tomb.

Board your cruise ship this afternoon and enjoy an included lunch before seeing the painstakingly excavated Temple of Karnak and Luxor, once connected by an avenue of sphinxes.

Enter Karnak Temple for a walking tour through the complex to see the Precinct of Amun Re, walls of hieroglyphics, and the Temple of Khonsu
Visit a papyrus shop to learn about traditional Egyptian paper and enjoy free time to shop
Take an early evening walking tour through Luxor Temple, located on the banks of the Nile River
View obelisks, statues, and the Abu Haggag Mosque

Sit down for an included dinner aboard the ship this evening.

Day 6: Sightseeing tour of the Nile's West Bank

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Spend the day touring the Nile’s West Bank with your Egyptologist as your guide.

Explore the Valley of the Kings, a series of tombs hidden in the Theban hills
Tour the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, devoted to one of the few female pharaohs
View the 64-foot-high Colossi of Memnon

This afternoon, enjoy an included lunch before sailing toward Edfu. Then, sit down for an included dinner this evening.

Day 7: Sightseeing tour of Temple of Kom Ombo

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Continue your exploration of the wonders of Egypt today.

Sail along the Nile and learn about the region during an engaging talk led by your Egyptologist from the comfort of the ship
Ask questions to discover more about the country’s history from your Egyptologist
Enjoy an included lunch aboard the ship
Dock in Kom Ombo to visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, built during the Greco-Roman period and noted for its twin deities, Sobek and Horus

Later today, arrive in the busy market city of Aswan and sit down for an included dinner aboard the ship.

Day 8: Felucca sailboat ride

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy a free morning on board the ship or add an excursion.

Please note: Depending on flight schedules, the Abu Simbel optional excursion may be offered on day 9 instead of day 8.

Later, enjoy an included lunch before climbing aboard a felucca, a traditional sailboat, to ride past Elephantine Island.

See the dark granite rocks that resemble a herd of elephants bathing in the river
Take in panoramic views of the water from the hilltop mausoleum of Agha Khan

Sit down for an included dinner aboard the ship this evening.

Abu Simbel

Excursion (additional cost)

Aswan1 night

Day 9: Disembarkation & sightseeing tour of Aswan

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Disembark your cruise in Aswan and set off on a sightseeing tour of the city led by your Egyptologist.

See the Aswan High Dam, one of the crowning achievements of modern Egypt
Board a boat and visit the temples at Philae, located on an island in the Nile River
Walk through the local market and stop at a perfume oil shop to learn about Frankincense and other natural remedies

Spend a free afternoon in Aswan or add an excursion.

Sit down for an included dinner at a local restaurant this evening.

Nubian Village Visit

Excursion (additional cost)

Cairo2 nights

Day 10: Flight to Cairo

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Fly to Cairo this morning and spend free time exploring the city at your leisure.

After sitting down for an included dinner, enjoy a free evening in Cairo or add an excursion.

Pyramids of Giza & Great Sphinx by Night

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 11: Sightseeing tour of Cairo

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Farewell dinner

Enter the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, which houses the famous masks of Tutankhamen, and explore the exhibits alongside your Egyptologist.

Then, enjoy an included lunch before exploring Cairo on a sightseeing tour lead by your Egyptologist.

Visit the citadel that was built in the 12th century by mighty Salah el-Din and originally used as a fortress before it became the residence of the Sultans until 1850
Stop at Mohammed Ali Mosque, also known as the Alabaster Mosque

Celebrate your trip with your fellow travelers during tonight’s farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Flight Home

Day 12: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport to board your flight home. If you are continuing your tour in Jordan, fly to Amman today.

Extension to Jordan

Jordan is one of the most welcoming countries in the world. The striking landscapes are only rivaled by the UNESCO sites (both outmatched by the hospitality of the locals). Fly to Amman to tour the lost city of Petra and float in the Dead Sea.

Petra2 nights

Day 12: Flight to Amman

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Fly to Amman, Jordan this morning and transfer to Petra. Then, sit down for an included dinner.

Day 13: Sightseeing tour of Petra

Included meal: Breakfast

Head to the city of Petra, which was carved into the red rocks of Mount Hor, and embark on a guided tour.

Learn about Petra’s unique architecture, one of the reasons it was named to the list of modern world wonders
Walk through the UNESCO World Heritage Site to the famous Al-Khazneh temple
See the intricately carved pillars and columns that make up the Palace Tomb
Stroll through the winding gorge known as the Siq

Please note: In order to enter Petra, customers should be able to walk two miles round-trip in hot weather over uneven terrain. Other modes of transportation may be available for you to book upon your arrival at an additional cost.

Spend a free evening in Petra or add an excursion.

Jordanian Home-Hosted Dinner

Excursion (additional cost)

Amman1 night

Day 14: Amman via Madaba & Mount Nebo

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Today, further explore the history and culture of Jordan on guided tours before continuing on to Amman, the capital city.

Visit Madaba to tour the City of Mosaics and visit St. George’s Church
Stop at Mount Nebo, Moses’ burial site, and Wadi Mujib

Sit down for an included dinner this evening.

Overnight Flight1 night

Day 15: Sightseeing tour of Amman, the Dead Sea & departure

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Spend your last day in Jordan getting to know the city of Amman and relaxing in the therapeutic waters of the Dead Sea.

Take a guided tour of the Jordanian capital, entering the citadel and Roman theater
Travel to the Dead Sea for time to float in the salty water and share a farewell lunch with your fellow travelers

Later, return to Amman to board your late-night flight home.

Arrive Home

Day 16: Travel day

Arrive home after your overnight flight.

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Reviews

4.6 average

Our reviews are authentic and unedited.

Whirlwind

03/16/2020 by 3rd time traveler Ann H.

This trip was very fast paced over mostly uneven terrain. I really enjoyed my trip and so many of the optional excursions were the highlights of the trip. Especially the Hot Air balloon ride. If I had to do it over I would skip a few of the excursions. The light show was a waste of money in my op...

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Go Ahead Tours replied on 03/16/2020

Dear Ann, Thank you so much for sharing your exper...

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Great Experience

03/16/2020 by 3rd time traveler Anonymous

This tour covered many wonderful sites and venues in a relatively short time. The hotels and river boat offered comfortable accommodations. Transportation arrangements were excellent including armed security travelling with us and police escorts for our bus as needed. The three flights on Egyptia...

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Go Ahead Tours replied on 03/16/2020

Dear Traveler, Thank you so much for letting us kn...

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Fabulous trip

03/09/2020 by 2nd time traveler Silke B.

This was my first trip with Go Ahead and won’t be my last. This trip exceeded all my expectations. Our tour director was very knowledgeable, each day was packed with interesting sites to visit, the hotels were great. The tours were well planned and organized. I would definitely recommend Go Ahea...

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Go Ahead Tours replied on 03/09/2020

Hi Silke! Thank you for taking the time to review ...

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03/03/2020 by 4th time traveler Cindy F.

This tour was an awesome summary of Egyptian culture and history. We had an exceptional tour director who not only educated us but looked out for our health. Our bus driver in Cairo and Giza was the best! He was always smiling, very friendly & gave us lots of chocolate! The antiquities we toured wer...

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Go Ahead Tours replied on 03/03/2020

Dear Cindy, We are so pleased that you enjoyed you...

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Great on tour, but home office missed on a few things

03/02/2020 by 2nd time traveler Lawrence V.

The Egypt/Jordan tour went quite well. The itinerary was crammed, as is typical for such package tours, and the tour was structured to shepherd the group through each site expeditiously and move on to the next site, again, typical for the genre. The EF Go Ahead people smoothed the process and were v...

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Go Ahead Tours replied on 03/02/2020

Dear Lawrence, Thank you for your detailed feedbac...

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Hotels, flights & FAQ

Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.

Hotels

We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.

Hyatt Zaman

This rustic hotel is located in At-Taybeh. Guests enjoy an outdoor pool, restaurant, and traditional hammam bathhouse. Nearby you’ll find Petra.

Iberotel Crown Empress

This deluxe river cruiseship travels along the Nile. Guests enjoy panoramic windows, an outdoor pool, and gym.

The Old Village Resort

This unique, rustic-chic hotel is located in the Ma'an Governorate in the town of Wadi Musa. Guests enjoy a swimming pool, sauna, and restaurant and b...

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Movenpick Resort Aswan

This resort-style hotel is located on Elephantine Island in Aswan. Guests enjoy a pool, tennis courts, and laundry services. Nearby, you'll find Kitch...

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Le Grand Amman

This opulent hotel is located in the city center. Guests enjoy a pool, spa, and free internet. Nearby, you’ll find King Abdullah Mosque, National Libr...

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Steigenberger El Tahrir

This modern hotel is located in the heart of downtown Cairo. Guests enjoy a restaurant, bar, spa, and swimming pool. Nearby, you’ll find the Nile Rive...

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Flights

Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.

Add our airfare package and you'll get:

Round-trip flight for your tour
Airport transfers at your destination
A great price locked in today
24/7 support from our dedicated service team
Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes

Find out more about flights

FAQ

Print FAQ

Passport & visa requirements

In order to enter Egypt (and Jordan on the tour extension), U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps.
U.S. and Canadian passport holders must obtain a visa in order to enter Egypt. You can purchase your visa at the airport upon arrival for $25. The entry authorities require exact change in crisp, new bills. You can also purchase your visa in advance by using a visa provider, such as our partner VisaCentral. Additionally, you can opt to purchase an electronic visa on the Egyptian Electronic Visa Portal website. Passport control officers at ports of entry can verify your e-visa in their systems. However, we advise keeping either a digital or hard copy of your e-visa in case of any system failures.
A group visa for entry into Jordan (on the tour extension) will be provided for all travelers whose flights have been arranged through Go Ahead Tours, as well as for travelers who book their own flights and provide Go Ahead Tours with their full passport and flight details.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Tour pace

You will walk for at least 2.5 hours daily across uneven terrain, including cobblestone streets and paved roads, with some hills and stairs.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times, as well as getting in and out of small boats.
Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Tour Director

You will have a different Tour Director in Jordan on the tour extension.

Transportation & arrival information

Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in and depart from Cairo (or from Amman on tour extension). A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
Flights from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan to Cairo are included in the price of your tour. (The tour extension also includes flights from Cairo and Amman.)
A four-night Nile River Cruise and boat rides are also included in the price of your tour.
All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.

Baggage allowance

Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.

Clothing & packing tips

We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered, as well as a light jacket or rainwear. While many places in Egypt have a warm, sunny climate, the desert can be very cold at night and temperatures will dip with changes in elevation throughout your tour. Therefore, we also recommend packing a few long sleeve shirts and warmer layers to wear at night.
A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
A sun hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen is recommended for outdoor activities.
A small bottle of hand sanitizer may be helpful when other facilities are not readily available while on the road.
You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
It is preferable not to visit mosques or other religious sites with bare legs or shoulders (entrance may be denied on this basis).

Health

At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
Please be sure to take proper care with sun exposure, the sun can be especially strong in some of the areas you are visiting.
Drink bottled water only. Refrain from drinking tap water, including when brushing your teeth.
Bring a small first aid kit, including antacids, anti-diarrhea medication, motion sickness medication, and any prescription medications in your carry-on bag.
Avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables unless they are cooked or washed in clean water and peeled.
Public restrooms in Egypt can be quite bare. We suggest carrying bathroom tissue and hand sanitizer with you.
Depending on season and weather patterns, air pollution in Cairo may be problematic for travelers with a history of respiratory problems. Based on your health history, please discuss any precautions with your healthcare provider prior to departure.
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour and any possible delays encountered.
Certain over-the-counter and prescription medications may be banned in one or all of the countries on this tour. Importing these drugs can carry severe consequences, including imprisonment. Please consult your healthcare provider prior to departure to ensure that any drugs you may want to bring with you are legal in all countries you will visit.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.

Cuisine

Egyptian cuisine uses the bountiful harvests of the Nile Valley—corn, eggplant, zucchini, onions, tomatoes, cabbage, chickpeas, and citrus fruits are popular in many dishes. Don’t miss out on Egyptian interpretations of typical Mediterranean staples like baba ghanoush, falafel, and stuffed grape leaves. Tea is the national drink and is offered at breakfast, after lunch, and in most social situations.
Meal times vary greatly in Egypt and locals often skip lunch. While on tour, breakfast will be served around 8am and lunch is often served around 3pm. Therefore, we recommended bringing energy bars, crackers, or other packable snacks with you during the day.
Meals on board the cruise ship are served buffet-style and provide a wide variety of international offerings. Afternoon tea is offered every day.
On the tour extension, Jordanian cuisine resembles that of the rest of the Middle East. Olives, hummus, sesame seeds, and herbs are typical in many meals. Falafel is the main street food and many meals are served with rice. Hummus and salad are also popular and available at many restaurants. You'll find plenty of opportunities to sip mint tea or Turkish coffee.

Electricity & air conditioning

Egypt operates on 220 volts and use Types C or F plugs with two round pins.
Jordan, on the tour extension, operates on 220 volts and uses Type C or G plugs with two round pins or three flat pins, respectively.
We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
The strength of the air conditioning in hotels in these regions is often not as strong or as cool as what one might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Time zones

Egypt is 6 hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
Jordan, on the tour extension, is seven hours ahead of ET.
When it's noon in New York City, it's 6pm in Egypt (and 7pm in Jordan).

Currency

You will use the Egyptian pound in Egypt (and the Jordanian dinar on the tour extension).
Better rates of exchange are usually available abroad, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
Any shipboard purchases are directly added to your room account. Purchases made from on-board shops can be paid in USD or Egyptian pounds.
You may find it useful to have a supply of U.S. currency in small denominations when bargaining for everything from taxi rides to souvenirs.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
We recommend tipping the equivalent of $7USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director, $1USD per person per day for the bus helper, $3USD per person per day for your driver, and $20USD to $25USD per person for cruise ship personnel.
If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
In Egypt, tipping is an important part of the local culture and you will be expected to tip for services including, but not limited to, taking photos in some areas or seeing additional exhibits. Travelers should carry small bills (in USD) for this purpose.
Tips can only be paid in cash.

Purchasing excursions on tour

Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour.
Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for excursions.
Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information.

Safety

As dictated by Egyptian Tourism Police, all foreign groups must be accompanied by an armed guard and/or convoy.
Be aware of your surroundings, as pickpockets are active at most tourist sites. We recommend leaving your passport in the hotel safe, and concealing credit cards and cash in a money belt or a hidden pouch.
Bring photocopies of your passport, credit cards, and other important documents. Keep them separate from the originals.

Dates & prices

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2020

Egypt & the Nile

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