Overview
Itinerary
Hello and welcome to Egypt! Tonight, we'll head out for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Get ready for great food, first laughs, and time to get to know your small group at the table before the adventure really kicks off.
Today we'll take on Cairo. First things first: a guided tour of the Pyramids, the Sphinx and the Valley Temple. This afternoon, we'll shop for fresh ingredients before jumping into a hands-on falafel cooking class. Think we're done? Nope. We'll visit the Grand Egyptian Museum for one seriously impressive deep dive into ancient history. Tonight, we'll board the overnight train to Aswan — local style.
After a simple dinner onboard, it's all about those group vibes: settle in, swap stories, and watch the real Egypt roll past.
This morning we'll wake up in Aswan, ready for jaw-dropping sights start to end. After a stroll along the Nile, we'll hop aboard a traditional wooden felucca and watch river life drift by.
Later, we'll step things up with a Nile cruise. It's gonna be home for the next three nights on Egypt's most iconic waterway.
Today you'll wake on the River Nile… and with plenty of choices. Opt to visit the legendary Abu Simbel or explore Aswan at your own pace. Back aboard, we'll sail onwards to Kom Ombo, where we'll visit its temple. Or if you'd prefer to stay on the boat (which has a pool btw), that's cool too.
In the afternoon, we'll sail toward Edfu, relaxing onboard the boat and soaking in the scenery.
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. The evening's all yours to do just what you please.
Today we'll go full ancient-Egypt mode, letting the weather guide us. We'll explore the Valley of the Kings, stop by the Colossi of Memnon, and check out the epic Hatshepsut Temple. Then it's time for an included bike tour of Luxor (with local guides) on the West Bank. We'll round it out with an optional guided tour of Karnak and Luxor Temples.
See ya' later, Luxor. This morning, we'll hit the road to Hurghada. Along the way, we'll take stop in a Bedouin settlement for a jeep safari and a traditional lunch. 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.
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.
We'll hit the road and leave the Red Sea behind, cruising into desert landscapes on the way to St Anthony Monastery. Along the way, we'll stop by at the historic monastery set within a desert oasis, then stop for delish lunch at a local restaurant before continuing our journey.P. S. If the church is closed for religious holidays, we'll swap it for a wander around town instead. We'll arrive back in Cairo and check in. The evening is free — perfect for a final dinner, one last wander, or a relaxed night with your crew.
Time to wrap up our Egyptian adventure. Grab your final breakfast, look back on everything you've ticked off, and say goodbye to a crew that went from strangers to family real quick.
Trip Inclusions
- Cairo: Visit Egypt's most iconic ancient sites in one stop: the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, and the Valley Temple. Your Trip Manager will guide you around the plateau, sharing the stories behind how these monuments were built and what they meant to the people who created them. Think: pharaoh power to afterlife beliefs and the engineering that still impresses today.
- Cairo: The world's largest archaeological museum complex is no joke. You'll find 100,000 artifacts here (including King Tut's ENTIRE treasure collection). You don't wanna miss this one...
- Cairo: Roll up your sleeves and join a seasoned local home cook for a hands-on Egyptian food adventure. You'll kick things off at a buzzing local market, picking out fresh ingredients for a classic lunch. Back in the kitchen, you'll learn to make taamiya (Egypt's take on falafel) from scratch, while getting the lowdown on local cheeses, basterma and tehina from someone who knows it best. Then comes the best bit — sitting down together to enjoy the feast you've created, soaking up that laid-back, family-style Egyptian meal
- Aswan: Spend a few nights aboard a river cruise – with views out over the Nile and a sun deck on board.
- Aswan: Sit back and chill as you drift down the famous river on a traditional felucca sailing boat
- Kom Ombo: Explore this seriously cool double temple with a perfectly symmetrical layout. One side is dedicated to Sobek (the crocodile god), the other to Horus (the falcon god) — two temples in one, and twice the ancient intrigue.
- Luxor: 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.
- Hurghada: 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.
- Luxor: Get ready to see Luxor on two wheels. We'll cruise past epic monuments and historic spots with stories that bring the place to life. The best bit? You'll meet local youth communities along the way, so you can swap hellos, hear real stories, and ride away with more than just photos
- Hurghada: Buckle up for a 4x4 ride across open desert terrain, chasing big views and off-road thrills. You'll visit a Bedouin settlement to learn about local life, then refuel with a barbecue lunch served up the traditional way. Sand, stories, and seriously good feeds.
- Cairo: Step into history with a visit to the 4th-century Monastery of St Anthony, set in a desert oasis that feels worlds away from everything. Ancient walls, quiet courtyards, and wide-open desert all around — peaceful, powerful, and seriously atmospheric.
- 5 Dinners (D)
- 9 Breakfasts (B)
- 5 Lunches (L)
- 5 nights in Hotels
- 3 nights in Nile Cruise
- 1 night in Overnight Train
- Expert Trip Manager
- Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
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Contiki Worldwide (2026-27)
Dates & Pricing
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Enquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Contiki. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
