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Ancient Wonders of the Nile (Small Group)

9 Days Cairo Return
Ancient Wonders of the Nile (Small Group)
Ancient Wonders of the Nile (Small Group)
Ancient Wonders of the Nile (Small Group)

Overview

Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on Insight Vacations 9 Day Ancient Wonders of the Nile (Small Group). Travel through Egypt on a Small Group tour, splitting your time between Cairo and a multi-day cruise on the Nile aboard a traditional dahabiyya. Explore Cairo, from the Saladin Citadel and Alabaster Mosque to the Hanging Church and the Great Pyramids of Giza, and a visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum. Fly to Luxor to see the Valley of the Kings and sail to Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae Temple. Along the way, meet artisans at a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience and enjoy dinner on a private Nile island.
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US$4,000 per person
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Trip Length
Trip Length

9 Days

Trip Starts
Trip Starts

Cairo

Trip Ends
Trip Ends

Cairo

Countries Visited
Countries Visited:
Trip Style
Trip Style

Regional Journey

Accommodation
Accommodation

4 - 4.5 Star

Budget
Budget

Premium

Age Range
Age Range

5-99 Years

Max. Group Size
Max. Group Size

24

Guide Style
Guide Style

Fully Guided, Locally Guided

Tour Code
Tour Code

Y945

Itinerary

Arrive in Cairo, a city of more than 20 million people, home to the Pyramids of Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum. Transfer from the airport to your hotel and take time to settle in after the flight.

This evening, meet your Travel Director and fellow small group travellers over a welcome drink and small bites, a relaxed start before tomorrow's sightseeing.

Accommodation: Cairo Marriott & Omar Khayyam Casino

Take an early morning flight to Luxor, then visit the Valley of the Kings with an Egyptologist. Continue to the Colossi of Memnon, the twin statues that once marked the entrance to the mortuary temple of Amenhotep III, before exploring the vast Karnak Temple complex with its halls, pylons and obelisks.

In the afternoon, you'll board your dahabiyya, a smaller traditional Nile boat, to settle into your cabin and have lunch on board, before your first evening on the river.

Accommodation: Dahabiyya Princess Judi sailboat
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy a Relaxed Start on your dahabiyya as it sails along the Nile towards Edfu. On arrival, you'll go ashore to visit the Temple of Edfu, one of Egypt's best-preserved temples dedicated to the falcon god Horus. Back on board, spend the afternoon on deck with your small group, reading, playing cards or simply looking out at the river as the boat continues its journey.

This evening, you'll travel by boat to Al Ramady, a private Nile island.

Accommodation: Dahabiyya Princess Judi sailboat
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Cruise along the Nile this morning on your dahabiyya, passing riverbank villages and palm groves on the way to Gabal El Silsila Temple. Here, you'll go ashore to visit a small riverside sanctuary set below sandstone cliffs, linked to the area's ancient quarries. You'll then continue by boat to Kom Ombo to explore its double temple, dedicated to Sobek and Horus the Elder, and visit the small crocodile museum.

In the evening, you'll return to your dahabiyya for dinner and another night on board with your small group.

Accommodation: Dahabiyya Princess Judi sailboat
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Travel by boat to visit Philae Temple, relocated to its island site after the construction of the Aswan High Dam and dedicated to the goddess Isis.

Afterwards, explore a local bazaar, with time to browse stalls selling spices, textiles and simple handcrafted souvenirs. Spend your afternoon your way, with Insight Choice. Enjoy an Egyptian cooking demonstration on board, seeing how classic dishes are prepared. Or sit down to tea with your captain to hear more about daily life on the river and working on a dahabiyya.

Accommodation: Dahabiyya Princess Judi sailboat
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

If you wish, you could join an Optional Experience to Abu Simbel to see the rock temples of Ramesses II and Nefertari on the shores of Lake Nasser. Later, visit the Aswan Women's Cooperative for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, meeting female artisans at a local weaving school who are preserving traditional techniques.

Afterwards, join a local sailor for a felucca ride on the Nile before returning on board for a Gallabiyah party, an evening where you can wear a traditional Egyptian robe with music and simple entertainment hosted by the crew.

Accommodation: Dahabiyya Princess Judi sailboat
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Disembark your dahabiyya this morning and fly to Cairo. Visit the Saladin Citadel, including the Ottoman-style Alabaster Mosque of Muhammad Ali with its prominent domes and courtyard. Continue to Coptic Cairo to see the Hanging Church, built above the old Roman gatehouse.

This evening is free to explore Cairo at your own pace – perhaps visit Khan el-Khalili bazaar, find a cafe in Downtown Cairo or book a local restaurant for dinner. Alternatively, you can choose from Optional Experiences, including the Giza Sound and Light Show at the pyramids or a Nile cruise with dinner and entertainment.

Accommodation: Cairo Marriott & Omar Khayyam Casino
Included Meals: Breakfast

Travel to the Giza Plateau to see the three Great Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure and view the Sphinx at close range. Explore inside one of the pyramids to see its internal passageways and burial chamber.

Later, visit the Grand Egyptian Museum to explore galleries of colossal statues, painted coffins and objects from the tomb of Tutankhamun, including jewellery and ritual items.

In the evening, join your small group and your Travel Director for dinner in Cairo to bring your journey through Egypt to a close.

Accommodation: Cairo Marriott & Omar Khayyam Casino
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Say goodbye to your small group and your Travel Director this morning as your Egyptian journey comes to an end. A transfer will take you from the hotel to Cairo International Airport for your onward flight.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Trip Inclusions

  • Cairo: Take a short scenic flight to Luxor where you will begin your Nile Cruise.
  • Valley of the Kings: Explore the Valley of the Kings, home to the magnificent tombs of Egypt's Pharaohs, with an Egyptologist.
  • Karnak: Stand amid a vast forest of columns in the largest temple complex known to man, as your Egyptologist explains the significance behind it. Walk the avenue of ram-headed sphinxes, see the of Rameses II and the Hypostyle Hall.
  • Edfu: Visit the only temple in Egypt that is dedicated to two gods.
  • Silsila: Visit Gabal El Silsila Temple, a small riverside sanctuary between Edfu and Kom Ombo set below sandstone cliffs on one of the Nile's narrowest stretches. Walk among its rock-cut chapels and reliefs as your Local Expert explains how quarries here supplied stone for major temples such as Karnak, Luxor and Edfu, linking this quiet site to Egypt's larger monuments.
  • Kom Ombo: Visit the unique temple as it is the only double temple in Egypt.
  • Philae Island: Travel by motorboat to Philae Island and witness the majestic Temple of Isis rising from the waters.
  • Cairo: Discover Cairo's history on a city tour taking in the Saladin Citadel and the Alabaster Mosque of Muhammad Ali, with its domes and courtyard, before continuing to Coptic Cairo to visit the Hanging Church, built above a Roman gate, and see how these landmarks trace Egypt's Islamic and Christian traditions.
  • Giza: With your Egyptologist, meet the enigmatic Sphinx and venture deep inside one of the pyramids, to the chambers where the pharaohs went to meet their Gods in the afterlife.
  • Giza: Visit the Giza Plateau to see the three Great Pyramids and the Sphinx, iconic monuments of Egypt's Old Kingdom. Walk among the pyramids and go inside one of them to view its internal passages and burial chamber, gaining a closer look at the scale and construction of these ancient royal tombs.
  • Cairo: At the Grand Egyptian Museum, discover the complete collection from Tutankhamun's tomb — displayed together for the first time — from ceremonial beds to his golden funerary mask. With your Egyptologist, explore the reconstructed solar barque once buried beside the Great Pyramid of Giza, stand before the 11‑metre statue of Ramses II, and wander through one of the largest collections of ancient artefacts spanning the Predynastic to the Greco‑Roman eras. 
  • Aswan: On a traditional Nile felucca, meet a sailor and learn the art of sailing this ancient Nile craft. Visit the High Dam and Granite Quarries.

Choose between two carefully selected activities

  • Aswan: Satisfy your curiosity and your taste buds over an Egyptian cooking demonstration with your talented onboard chef.
  • Aswan: Ever wondered what it is like to be in the driver's seat? Enjoy a tour of the Captain's quarters and learn about how he sails through the Nile and how knowledge has been passed down through generations.

  • Aswan: In Aswan, meet the women of a local women-owned co-operative whose mission is to support vulnerable women from the local villages to learn new skills and become financially independent. The organisation provides a hub of support and comfort for over 300 women who may live in poverty or suffer from loneliness and want to become financially independent. Thanks to their newly learnt skills, the women are now able to provide the main source of income for their family. The co-op also strives to reduce waste with a secondary mission to ensure a cleaner world by using waste and natural material like bamboo or palm trees to create fine handicrafts. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality.

  • We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
  • From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
  • 4 night Nile cruise aboard your mid-size cruise ship featuring air-conditioned cabins with private facilities, on either MS Medea, MS Miriam, MS Giselle, MS La Boheme or similar. Please note that gratuities are not included for the Travel Director, Nile Cruise staff, Drivers and Airport Escorts.
  • Included economy class flights between Cairo/Luxor and Aswan/Cairo with transfers between airports and hotels.
  • Complimentary transfers from/to Cairo Airport are available on arrival and departure days, or with additional accommodation booked through Insight Vacations.

  • Al Ramady: Enjoy dinner on Al Ramady Island, a small sand island in the Nile. You'll arrive by boat in the early evening and sit down to an al fresco meal of Egyptian dishes such as grilled meats, seasonal salads, mezze and freshly baked bread.
  • Kom Ombo: Learn about traditional Egyptian attire and immerse yourself in local culture at an Egyptian dinner and galabeya party.
  • Dining Summary: 8 Breakfasts (B), 5 Lunches (L), 6 Dinners (D)

  • Our highly-skilled Travel Director and certified Egyptologist will ensure your journey is seamless, serving as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas.
  • Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxury, air-conditioned coach with onboard washroom. Alternate vehicles without onboard washroom may be used on occasion. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
  • We only work with establishments we are confident will consistently adhere to our high well-being standards, which include hotels, restaurants and sight-seeing venues.

  • Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
  • Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included

Operator

Insight Vacations
At Insight Vacations we have been creating magical travel experiences for over 40 years, showcasing the most outstanding destinations and curated experiences in Europe and North America.

Why are we different to any other operator? It’s our unique Insight experiences. It’s our authentic and varied dining options, it’s t moreravelling in smaller groups on customised coaches with twice the legroom, it’s staying in the right hotels in the right location, all brought together seamlessly by our exceptional travel directors. In essence: All the sights, and the insights….up close and personal…in comfort and style.

Travel is such a joy and a personal passion for myself and every member of our team. We’re so proud of the quality, service and value we provide and invite you to try it for yourself. Talk to Global Journeys to find out more about travelling in style and booking your next holiday with Insight Vacations.

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Insight Vacations Europe, Britain & the World (2026-27) Brochure

Insight Vacations Europe, Britain & the World (2026-27)

Discover premium guided journeys across Europe, Britain, North Africa, the Americas and Asia, where iconic cities, breathtaking landscapes and rich cultures come to life. Enjoy carefully crafted experiences, small group sizes and superior comfort, including luxury coaches and seamless end to end service. From world wonders to hidden gems, every detail more is designed to deliver an elevated and unforgettable holiday.

Dates & Pricing USD USD

Sunday 10 Jan 2027 10 Jan 27 Cairo
Monday 18 Jan 2027 18 Jan 27 Cairo
Details
Available Departure
Today's Deal
Was: $4,695
US$4,265
Save $430
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Sunday 24 Jan 2027 24 Jan 27 Cairo
Monday 01 Feb 2027 01 Feb 27 Cairo
Details
Available Departure
Today's Deal
Was: $4,695
US$4,265
Save $430
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Note
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 Inquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Note
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 Insight Vacations. 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.

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