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Demystify sites that define 5,000 years of history as you sail along the Nile River.
The perfect day in Egypt involves a little falafel, a little stroll through the souks, and a whole lot of ancient history. We’re talking deciphering hieroglyphics at towering temples and snapping photos of the Pyramids of Giza that look just like the ones you see in history books. Then, take to the Nile—because no trip to Egypt is complete until you discover the sites spanning the east and west banks of Africa’s longest, and most famous, river.
Your tour package includes
4 nights in handpicked hotels
3 nights aboard a Nile River cruise ship
7 breakfasts
3 lunches
6 dinners, select meals with beer or wine
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Included highlights
Pyramids of Giza
Great Sphinx
Imhotep Museum
Temple of Philae
Temple of Kom Ombo
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An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.
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
Please note: While the Imhotep Museum is currently closed for renovations, travelers will spend extra time at the Pyramids.
Gather with your group for a welcome dinner this evening.
Aswan1 night
Day 4: Flight to Aswan & sightseeing tour
Included meal: Breakfast
Fly to Aswan this morning, then 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 evening in Aswan or add an excursion.
Aswan Sunset Felucca Ride & Dinner
From $85 per person
Nile River Cruise3 nights
Day 5: Cruise embarkation
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy a free morning in Aswan or add an excursion.
This afternoon, board your cruise ship and enjoy an included lunch as you set sail for Kom Ombo.
Sit down for an included dinner aboard the ship this evening.
Abu Simbel
From $435 per person
Day 6: Sightseeing tour of the Temple of Kom Ombo & Esna
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Spend the day touring Kom Ombo and Esna with your Egyptologist as your guide.
Visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, built during the Greco-Roman period and noted for its twin deities, Sobek and Horus
Enjoy an included lunch aboard the ship
Disembark in Esna to explore the Temple of Khnum, which features colorful hieroglyphics intricately carved into the temple’s columns and ceiling
Sit down for an included dinner aboard the ship this evening.
Day 7: Sightseeing tour of Karnak & Luxor
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Continue your exploration of the wonders of Egypt today by seeing the painstakingly excavated Temple of Karnak and Luxor, once connected by an avenue of sphinxes, with your Egyptologist.
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
Walk through Luxor Temple, located on the banks of the Nile River
View obelisks, statues, and the Abu Haggag Mosque
Enjoy lunch aboard the ship. Then, spend a free afternoon in Luxor or add an excursion.
Sit down for an included dinner aboard the ship this evening.
Luxor’s West Bank: Valley of the Kings
From $110 per person
Cairo1 night
Day 8: Disembarkation, flight to Cairo & walking tour
Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner
Disembark from your cruise this morning and fly to Cairo. Then, explore downtown Cairo on a walking tour led by your Egyptologist.
View Tahrir Square and learn about how it served as the backdrop for the Arab Spring and other political demonstrations
See Abdeen Palace, a former royal home that’s now the President of Egypt’s residence and workplace
Travel down Al Muizz street, an ancient road running through Cairo’s Islamic center that’s home to many impressive monuments, thousands of artisans, and several architectural wonders
Celebrate your trip with your fellow travelers during tonight’s farewell dinner.
Flight Home
Day 9: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Transfer to the airport to board your flight home, or continue exploring Cairo.
Extension to Cairo
Haven’t gotten your fill of Egypt’s history and charm? Cairo has plenty more to offer. Explore the largest collection of pharaonic antiquities, mingle with locals as you try authentic dishes, and get to know Old Cairo—your Tour Director will make sure you don’t miss a thing.
Cairo2 nights
Day 9: Guided tour of the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities
Included meal: Breakfast
Enter the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, which houses the famous masks of Tutankhamun, and explore the exhibits alongside your Egyptologist.
Please note: Travelers will not be able to enter the mummy room as it’s moved to a different museum. Additionally, the visit to the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities will be replaced with a visit to the new Grand Egyptian Museum once it opens.
Enjoy free time in Cairo or add an excursion.
Food of Cairo Walking Tour
From $99 per person
Day 10: Sightseeing tour of Old Cairo
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Set off on a guided tour of Old Cairo. You’ll explore the labyrinthine alleys, ancient churches, and ornate mosques as you learn more about Egypt’s history from your Egyptologist.
Visit the citadel, which was built in the 12th century by mighty Salah el-Din, and was originally used as a fortress before it became the residence of the Sultans until 1850
Enter the Mohammed Ali Mosque, also known as the Alabaster Mosque
Step inside the Ben Ezra Synagogue and view its ornate Turkish-style interior, which is a place of pilgrimage for North African Jews
Enter the Hanging Church, one of the oldest churches dating back to the 3rd century
Please note: While the Ben Ezra Synagogue is currently closed for renovations, the Tour Director will provide commentary from outside the site.
Sit down for an included dinner at a local restaurant.
Flight Home
Day 11: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
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.
Cairo Pyramids Hotel
This modern hotel is located outside of Giza. Guests enjoy an outdoor swimming pool, fitness area, restaurant, and bar options. Nearby you’ll find the...
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H/S Moondance
This modern cruise ship travels along the Nile River and features a sundeck, pool, gym, restaurants, bars, and a beauty salon.
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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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
In order to enter Egypt, 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.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code EGP.
Tour pacing & mobility
You will walk for at least 3 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
Your Tour Director, who’s also an Egyptologist, will be with you throughout the duration of your Egypt tour. There will also be additional staff working alongside your Tour Director to confirm logistics, as well as assist with transfers and on-tour flights. Having these staffers, who are solely focused on ensuring all on-tour logistics go smoothly, allows your Tour Director to dedicate even more one-on-one time to teaching your group about Egyptian history and culture. While it’s customary to tip your Tour Director, you don’t need to tip these additional staff members.
Transportation & arrival information
Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in and depart from Cairo. 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 Aswan and Luxor to Cairo are included in the price of your tour.
A three-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 are 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, as 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.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code EGP.
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 the cruise ship are served buffet-style and provide a wide variety of international offerings. Afternoon tea is offered every day.
Electricity & air conditioning
Egypt operates on 220 volts and use Types C or F plugs with two round pins.
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).
When it’s noon in New York City, it’s 6pm in Egypt.
Currency
You will use the Egyptian pound on tour.
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.
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