Highlights
► Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Ancient Luxor
► Nile Tour with Delicious Food & Open Buffets Provided on a 5-Star Deluxe Cruise Ship
► Lots of Archeological Sites, such as the World Famous Pyramids
► Evening Sound & Light Show in Giza
► Sightseeing Tour of Capital City Cairo
► Street Markets (a.k.a. Bazaars or Souks)
► Belly Dancing Night Show
► Rich Culture
► Camel Riding
► And Much, Much More...
What's Included
International Airfare *For VIP members only (ask us for details)
Lodging *Some restrictions apply
Male or Female Tour Guides
Tours in English
All Ground & Water Transportation
All Activities in Itinerary Below
All Entry Fees
Your Own On-Call Concierge
Breakfasts
Lunches x 3
Dinners x 3
What to Expect on This Tour
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Itinerary
Day 1: The Unfinished Obelisk, the Temple of Philae & the High Dam
Our tour starts not in Cairo but rather Aswan. We spend the day sightseeing and sleep in our cabin on the cruise ship. Dinner is included after today's tour.
Aswan is the smallest and most relaxed of the major tourist destinations along the Nile River. There we visit two attractions, the High Dam and the Temple of Philae. Construction of the High Dam became a key objective of the government following the Egyptian Revolution of 1952. The ability to control floods, provide water for irrigation and generate hydroelectricity were seen as pivotal to Egypt’s industrialization. The Temple of Philae was the last ancient temple built in the classical Egyptian architectural style (approximately 690 BC). A major multinational UNESCO team relocated the Temple of Philae after the flooding of Lake Nasser.
Please note that this tour (Day 1) begins only on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Also, note that breakfast, lunch and dinner are included on the cruise ship, as are a swimming pool, different fun activities and live entertainment.
Day 2: Starting the Nile Tour with a 5 Star Deluxe Cruise Ship & Visiting Ancient Temples
Before the cruise ship leaves Aswan, we go on a daytrip to the temples of Abu Simbel. There we are provided with a guided tour. The twin temples were originally carved out of the mountainside in the 13th century BC, during the 19th dynasty reign of the Pharaoh Ramesses II. They serve as a lasting monument to the king and his queen Nefertari and commemorate his victory at the Battle of Kadesh. Their huge external rock relief figures have become iconic. After the tour is breakfast, which is provided to us near Abu Simbel. We then return to the ship. It starts sailing along the Nile River after lunch.
In the evening, we disembark the cruise ship. Walking distance from where it docks is an ancient temple called Kom Ombo. There we are provided with a guided tour. Kom Ombo is an unusual double temple constructed between 180-47 BC. It is atypical because everything is perfectly symmetrical along the main axis. Please note that breakfast, lunch and dinner are included on the cruise ship, as are a swimming pool, different fun activities and live entertainment.
Day 3: A Horse Carriage Ride, a Belly Dancing Show, Temples & Luxor Museum
Today starts with a horse carriage ride to an ancient temple called Edfu. There we are provided with a guided tour. This is one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt, built between 237 and 57 BC. We should be back on the cruise ship around 8:00am and continue sailing along the Nile river shortly thereafter. We again disembark the cruise ship around 4:45pm, in the city that is Luxor. The highlights on this evening’s tour are the Luxor Museum and the Luxor Temple. The day ends with dinner and a belly dancing show.
Day 4: A Hot Air Balloon Ride & Sightseeing in the City of Luxor
Our cruise ends this morning and our luggage is taken to the hotel. Just in time for sunrise, we enjoy a balloon ride over the archeological site of Luxor. Afterwards, we are taken to the west bank. There we have breakfast, which is included on today’s tour. Next, we are taken to the Colossi of Memnon. There we see two massive stone statues. Afterwards, we head to the Valley of the Kings. There we see ancient tombs of Egyptian kings (a.k.a. pharaohs), including that of the much-revered Tutankhamun. Next, we are taken to Deir el-Bahri. There we see a complex of mortuary temples and tombs. Afterwards, we are taken to Deir el-Medina. There we see an ancient village. Next, we are taken to the Tombs of the Nobles. There we see the burial places of some of the powerful courtiers of the ancient city. Following this attraction is lunch. Afterwards, we are taken to the Valley of the Queens. There we see ancient tombs of Egyptian queens, including that of the much-revered Nefertari. Next, we are taken to Medinet Habu. There we see a mortuary temple. The final attraction today is Ramesseum. There we see another memorial temple.
Day 5: The Sacred Settlement of Abydos & the Dendera Temple Complex
Today we make a daytrip to the ancient sites of Abydos as well as the Dendera Temple Complex. We are provided with a guided tour at each destination. Both breakfast and lunch are included on today’s tour. Considered to be one of the most important archaeological sites in Egypt, the sacred city of Abydos includes a royal necropolis where early pharaohs were entombed. Dendera was a site for chapels from the beginning of ancient Egyptian history. The whole complex, surrounded by a hefty mud brick enclosed wall, covers 40,000 square meters.
Day 6: Mummification Museum, the Extravagant Winter Palace & the Old Market
Today we explore the East Bank of Luxor. The first stop is the Mummification Museum. There we are provided with a guided tour. This unique museum is intended to provide visitors with an understanding of the ancient art of mummification. The Ancient Egyptians applied embalming techniques to many species, not only to dead humans. Mummies of cats, fish and crocodiles are on display in this museum, where one can also get an idea as to the tools which were used during those times. Next, we are taken to the Karnak Temple. There we are provided with a guided tour. Karnak comprises a vast mix of decayed temples, chapels, pylons and other ancient buildings. Following the Karnak Temple is lunch. Afterwards, we are taken to the Winter Palace Hotel. At this historic, British colonial-era 5-star luxury resort, we are provided with a guided tour. The day ends with checking out the shops in the Old Market.
Day 7: Exploring the Capital That is Cairo
We take an early-morning and quick flight from Luxor to Cairo and immediately start sightseeing. Places to visit today are the Mosque of Ibn Tulun, Cairo Citadel, Hanging Church, Cairo Cave Church (a.k.a. Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church), Ben Ezra Synagogue, Egyptian Museum and Khan el-Khalili bazaar. We should be at the hotel in Giza around 8:00pm, which is about a 40-minute drive away from Cairo.
Day 8: Camel-Riding, World Famous Pyramids & a Sound & Light Show
Destinations for today are the ancient sites of Dahshur, then Memphis, then Saqqara and finally the Giza Pyramids. Camel-riding is included at the Giza Pyramids, as is the sound and light show later this evening.
Day 9: Our Tour Ends This Morning
Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the international airport in Cairo.
Customer Reviews
We had a great time in Cairo with Charlie’s guide and driver. I was very thankful that I could change the itinerary at the last minute with no problem. I especially liked the concierge service that kept in communication with us making sure everything went smoothly. They were on top of things when we had to change our pick up time because of a lost bag at the airport. The guide made sure we were having a good time and saw everything we wanted to see. She was easy to understand and a joy to be around. The driver did an excellent job getting around some very close places. I felt safe and well taken care of. Thanks to Charlie The Traveler’s team for their flexibility, patience, and knowledge of the city.
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CharlieTheTraveler planned an great trip that was organized and a blast. Our tour guide was excellent and personable. Everything on the trip surpassed my expectations.
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I was interested in going to Egypt on my next trip. I did some research and I found the tour through CharlieTheTraveler. I was impressed with the number of positive reviews and I knew from the start I would have a fantastic learning insight into the country that was also an adrenaline rush. The trip did not let me down and I got all of that and more.
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Before finding the Egypt trip through CharlieTheTraveler, I knew of the famous landmarks in Egypt (the Nile, the pyramids, the Sphinx), but I did not realize there was so many more activities and landmarks to explore. I appreciated the balance between the archaeological tours and the exciting excursions.
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CharlieTheTraveler always seems to include so much in their trips, so I was not surprised when I booked my trip to Egypt through them and saw the itinerary packed with a variety of activities. The Egyptian history was highlighted in this tour by the well-versed tour guide and the selection of the sites.
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My bucket list has always included touring the pyramids in Egypt. CharlieTheTraveler’s trip to this country was more than I ever expected. I am glad I didn’t have to plan any of that on my own, as I would have never had time or wouldn’t have booked any of the unique excursions.
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I was looking for an exciting yet educational trip to Egypt. I didn’t know where to begin planning on my own, so I researched group tours to the country. CharlieTheTraveler came up with raving reviews. All of the planning was done for me, especially during the 3-day cruise down the Nile which included all accommodations and meals. I didn’t have anything to do except enjoy myself.
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CharlieTheTraveler gave me everything I wanted on a trip in this Egypt tour. They booked plenty of activities to keep me busy, but they also gave me the ideal time away from the group while I explored on my own. This was a great cultural experience of the country!
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A group tour is only as successful as the tour guide is good, so CharlieTheTraveler’s Egypt tour was a homerun. Our tour guide was knowledgeable about the history of the areas we visited, which says a lot as there is a lot of history! He was never stumped when I had questions. He helped me appreciate the history and culture, which was important to me on this trip.
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I have been on other group tours, but none that were so organized with so many activities. CharlieTheTraveler surpassed all expectations with this Egypt tour, as they provided transportation to and from activities. They didn’t just provide a bus and waste our time traveling to Cairo, as they planned plane travel to save time and make sure we didn’t miss a beat of our adventure. I cannot wait to book my next trip with this company!
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CharlieTheTraveler had some of the best reviews I have ever seen for a group tour. I was confident in my decision to book the Egypt tour. I am happy to have done so, as the trip was well organized. I had nothing to worry about or stress over and I was actually about to enjoy myself. This was the best group tour to go on for a relaxing and interesting vacation!
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I never typically like to travel due to the stress of booking the trip and planning everything that goes into it. However, I read some great reviews of CharlieTheTraveler and figured it was a safe bet to book through them. I appreciated the company providing a tour guide, as Egypt is so complex and there was a lot of information on the area to truly appreciate it. I never had to panic about time or where I had to go to next. I barely had to do any planning, so the trip was one of my best ones yet!
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I have never come across a tour company that fit as many activities into a tour as CharlieTheTraveler did in this 9-day tour of Egypt. I was impressed with just the 3-day cruise on the Nile, but little did I know my trip had just barely started. This was an educational yet fun tour that I wouldn’t mind doing again!
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I loved everything about my trip to Egypt! I appreciated the small group number, as I wouldn’t have learned as much or felt like a priority if there was a huge group that went. CharlieTheTraveler provided the perfect tour guide, as he was personable and got to know everyone in the group. By the end, he knew what part of the tours interested me (the history) and would highlight it while we explored.
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I have never had such a laid back trip until I booked the Egypt tour through CharlieTheTraveler. Practically everything was planned for me and our tour guide made the trip painless and fun. He knew the area well and offered the best recommendations on where to eat dinner each night.
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The history and modern culture of Egypt was emphasized in every activity on this trip. CharlieTheTraveler organized a balanced trip that gave me a well-rounded experience of the country. I also had so much fun learning about the history of each site we visited, as our tour guide was anything but boring!
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Planning a trip to a country abroad is stressful and overwhelming. Upon doing some research to help alleviate the stress, I found CharlieTheTraveler had a 9-day tour to Egypt that was right down my alley. I don’t think I could have planned this trip on my own and done it so well.
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I found the trip by CharlieTheTraveler to Egypt very organized. It was obvious the company spent a lot of time and thought planning the trip. This made it easy for me to travel, as most of the details had been figured out for me. The 3-day cruise was outstanding and a great introduction to the trip.
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Although it didn’t seem like a romantic getaway, I booked the Egypt tour for my significant other and me. I could not believe how great it was to participate in all of the unique activities with the love of my life. I didn’t have to worry about anything since CharlieTheTraveler did most of the work for me. I think we will be booking our next trip through them!
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Traveling is never easy for me, as it is unnerving and unsettling. However, from the moment I looked into the Egypt tour with CharlieTheTraveler, I knew it would be the best trip of my life. I felt at ease booking and the company went to great lengths to ensure I felt safe. Our tour guide stayed with us and it was obvious safety was his number one priority on every trip we took. That made the trip fun, as I didn’t have to worry about anything!
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I didn’t have time to plan a whole vacation, so when my parents said they wanted to go abroad with me, I was stuck. I researched and found a lot of great reviews of CharlieTheTraveler. Booking a trip to Egypt through them was much easier than if I had planned it myself. They planned and prepared almost everything for us, including letting us know what to pack for the activities we’d be on. I loved seeing my parents thrilled with the trip!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Financing Offered for This Tour?
A 4-installment payment plan is available, often with 0 percent interest to those with at least decent credit. Ask us for details. Our luxury-oriented and itinerary-packed “Ancient Egypt in 9 Days” tour is available for $2,449 USD per person. This price includes all transportation, except flights. It also includes English-speaking tour guides, food, all activities and all entry fees. Also included are 3 nights of lodging on a cruise ship. If you would like lodging included for the remaining 5 nights on this tour, then the combined (transportation, tour guides, food, activities, entry fees and lodging) total would be $2,824 USD per person. This price is based on 2 per room and is offered to those booking at least 6 weeks in advance. Note that whereas there is no fee associated with paying by check, there is a 3.5 percent surcharge for payments made by credit card. We accept both forms of payment. Moving forward, to better understand your specific circumstances and wishes, and for us to accurately quote you, please tell us:
1. How many persons in your party-including yourself-would be joining this tour?
2. Where would you be flying from (and back to)?
3. On what date would you like to leave home?
4. Would you like to extend the duration of this tour so you have some free days just to relax? If you have 1 extra day, then we recommend Luxor. If you have 2, then we recommend 1 in Luxor and 1 in Cairo.
5. Do you have a preference between male and female tour guides?
6. On a side note, would you like to go snorkeling while in Egypt? If so, we offer this in our 12-day grand tour itinerary: charliethetraveler.com/our-multiday-tours/egypt-grand-tour
7. Also, would you like to add another day to this standard 9-day tour so you can visit-as a daytrip from Sharm El-Sheikh-an Eastern Orthodox monastery called Saint Catherine’s? The drive each way takes around 3 hours.
8. Lastly, would you like to add another day to this standard 9-day tour so you can visit-as a daytrip from Cairo-the city of Alexandria? The drive each way takes around 3 hours. We recommend this daytrip only to those who wish to go scuba diving (to see ruins in the Mediterranean Sea) and to those who are visiting Egypt between April and October.
What’s Excluded in the Price?
Any airfare, alcohol, travel insurance, any government-imposed visa fees and anything not mentioned in the itinerary.
Although airfare is not included in the price, we will find you the exact flights you need. Just ask.
Are Domestic Flights Needed for This Tour?
Below are the domestic flights needed for this tour:
Day 1: Cairo to Aswan
Day 2: Aswan to Abu Simbel & Back to Aswan *Land transportation is provided when there are no available flights between Aswan and Abu Simbel.
Day 7: Luxor to Cairo
At What Specific Hotels Would We Be Staying?
Below are the names of the hotels where we commonly have our customers stay. Note this is subject to availability.
Nights 1-3: Nile Cruise, Preferred Accommodation: Concerto or Nile Premium Cruise Ship
Nights 4-6: East Bank of Luxor, Preferred Accommodation: Steigenberger Nile Palace or Sofitel Winter Palace
Nights 7-8: Cairo, Preferred Accommodation: Sofitel Cairo Nile El Gezirah
Is This a Private or Group Tour?
The hot-air balloon ride is shared with other travelers. The rest of the tour is exclusive to you and whomever else you may book on behalf of.
Am I Sharing the Room with Someone?
Your room is exclusive to you and whomever is in your party. Strangers (meaning customers who book on the same start date but do not know each other) do not share rooms on this tour. On a side note, please let us know if you and the other person(s) in your booking want separate rooms.
What is the Age Range & Nationality of the People Who Book This Tour?
Although we get customers of all ages and from several countries, our statistics show most people who book are 30 to 65 years old and from USA, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Are Kids Allowed on This Tour & Are They Charged the Same as Adults?
We welcome your kids specifically and only when the tour is exclusive to you and your group-meaning other customers are not joining you. We define kids as anyone under 18 years old. In order to make the tour exclusive to you and your group, your booking would need to be for 4 persons or more for any of our tours except Iceland. For our Iceland tour, your booking would need to be for 8 persons or more. Regarding the cost of bringing a non-adult, we do deduct from the total based on the amount of activities you request we remove from the tour. Note that reducing the total price of the tour by removing activities is something offered for non-adults only. Adults can opt out of activities but the total price does not change.
How Strong Do I Need to Be For This Trip?
We do not expect you to be an Olympic champion. We know some of the tour members are more fit than others…and we are well prepared for this. However, we do hope you take into consideration this is a very active tour, just like every other tour we offer.
Are Disabled People Allowed on This Tour?
Please let us know about any disability you have. Some disabilities would not affect you taking this tour. Others would prevent you from joining altogether. Although we want all of our customers to have fun, your safety is our first priority.
Do I Get Any Free Time to Myself?
Of course. Once each day’s tour is over, you have the rest of the evening to yourself. Because our tours tend to be very active, our customers typically want to simply relax once the sun sets.
What Happens If I Arrive Late?
Notify us as soon as possible and we will do our very best to arrange a meeting point. Please note that we do not refund for any days or activities that you miss.
Can I Opt-Out of Certain Activities?
Generally speaking, you can opt out as long as we are given adequate notice. Please note that opting out of certain activities does not reduce the price of this tour.
What Happens If I Get Injured on This Trip & Cannot Continue?
We would do our best to keep you safe and make you as comfortable as possible, as well as make special arrangements to address your situation. Partial refunds are not offered if you cannot continue with the tour. However, most travel insurances reimburse you for such situations. This is one of many reasons why we require our customers to purchase travel insurance before taking this tour.
What Happens If I Cancel This Trip?
To confirm your tour, full payment is needed at the time of your purchase. However, refunds are offered. You will receive a full refund if canceling at least 91 days in advance from the departure date. Cancelling between 90-60 days prior to departure entitles you to a 50 percent refund. Cancelling between 59-31 days prior to departure entitles you to a 25 percent refund. Canceling 30 days or less prior to departure is not eligible for a refund. Cancellation requests need to be made by email and become effective on the date received by CharlieTheTraveler.
What Happens If You, CharlieTheTraveler, Cancel This Trip?
In the unlikely event CharlieTheTraveler needs to cancel this trip, such as because of very poor weather conditions, we will give you a full refund for the tour within 14 business days of the cancellation. Note: We are not a participant in the California Travel Consumer Restitution Fund, nor is this transaction covered by the Restitution Fund.
How Do You Help Prepare Us For This Trip?
You should receive an email from us within 24 hours of purchasing this tour as well as a week before departure. The first email gives details about what to bring, how to prepare yourself, etc. The second email is more like a timetable combined with important contact information.
Is There Anything Out of the Ordinary I Should Bring on This Trip?
Bring a strap for your sunglasses, to wrap around your head while on the hot-air balloon. Also, bring a mobile hand/wrist strap, to prevent it from falling while in the air. On a different note, you may need to bring adapters for your electronic devices.
Is CharlieTheTraveler Licensed & Which State in America Issued it?
The owner of the travel license is the same owner of CharlieTheTraveler. Charlie is a California born and bred resident. The company is headquartered in Greater Los Angeles. The registration number is CST 2136740-70. Please note that travel agents registered as a seller of travel in California does not constitute approval by the State. Also please note that California law requires sellers of travel to have a trust account or bond. CharlieTheTraveler has a trust account.
Are the Tour Guides Licensed & Will They Be With Me the Entire Time?
Our tour guides/drivers are licensed, speak English and know how to bring excitement to your day. What we deliver is the complete opposite of the cookie-cutting tours the big corporations offer, leaving you in complete boredom. Although our tour guides/drivers are attentive, accommodating and engaged, they also know when to give you your private space and free time. It's a perfect balance.
Are We Required to Have Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance is required for all of our customers, for their protection and safety. CharlieTheTraveler does not sell travel insurance. We cannot endorse any specific company. Please check out different companies online and go with the one which offers the most comprehensive coverage.
In Which Language(s) is This Tour Offered?
All of our tours are offered in English. If you prefer another language, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you.
Can We Customize This Tour?
Although we are open to customizing this tour to fit your liking, as a general rule, we discourage the practice. We do our best to keep the cost of the tour low. The more we customize it, the quicker the price goes up. As our tour is currently advertised, you absolutely will not find another one out there as packed with activities and attractions. What’s more, you will not find another tour out there that offers it all "FIRST CLASS," yet for a relatively low price. We have thousands of travelers taking this specific tour every year, and that's because no competitor can beat us on quality, price & substance.
Do We Need to Get Our Own Transportation to and From the Airport?
Absolutely not. We make the arrangements for you.
Is Someone Available for Us 24-7 While on This Tour?
Yes! You have your own concierge for this tour who is at your disposal. You could reach this person when you need anything.
Where Can I Read About All of Your Terms & Conditions?
Why Our Tours Beat Competition
- We routinely pick up the phone and otherwise respond to messages quickly and thoroughly.
- We do not cancel because of group size turnout, unlike with most competitors.
- Virtually no company offers multiday tours as comprehensive as ours. This is a verifiable fact.
- We do not charge solo travelers single supplements for the tours.
- For most of our tours, you can start on any date.
- We have hundreds of 5-star reviews online.
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