Classic Egypt
Example Itinerary
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Overview
Steeped in a history that stretches back across countless millennia, Egypt is home to some of the world's most iconic monuments. This classic overland journey takes you along the fertile ribbon of the Nile Valley and into the very heart of ancient Egypt. The journey begins in Cairo, home to the great Pyramids of Giza, the last of the great wonders of antiquity. You’ll have an opportunity to visit the famous pyramids at both Giza and Saqqara, as well as the treasures of the city’s ...
Steeped in a history that stretches back across countless millennia, Egypt is home to some of the world's most iconic monuments. This classic overland journey takes you along the fertile ribbon of the Nile Valley and into the very heart of ancient Egypt. The journey begins in Cairo, home to the great Pyramids of Giza, the last of the great wonders of antiquity. You’ll have an opportunity to visit the famous pyramids at both Giza and Saqqara, as well as the treasures of the city’s Museum, which include the remarkable horde of artefacts taken from the tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922. You then head along the timeless landscapes of the Nile Valley to Aswan, where you can visit the beautiful temple of Isis on the island of Philae and take to the Nile in a traditional felucca sailboat before driving to Luxor, site of the ancient capital of Thebes. Here you will have a chance to explore the spectacular remains of Karnak and Luxor Temples and the vast mortuary temples of the Valley of the Kings, some of the greatest creations of the Pharaohs of the Eighteenth Dynasty.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
How Tailor-Made Works
Discuss your initial ideas with one of our experts, the types of things you want to see and do.
Your expert will start designing your perfect trip. Within a day or two we'll send a suggested itinerary.
At this stage you can still tweak anything from accommodation to experiences and dates, using our expert advice.
Time to prepare for your trip, safe in the knowledge you'll be in the expert hands of local guides and drivers throughout.
Relax and enjoy...through our partners you'll have support on the ground as well as 24-hour emergency assistance in the UK.
Example Itinerary
This is an example itinerary. Our experts have all travelled widely in the region and will be happy to tailor any of our itineraries to suit your tastes and budget, or build a trip from scratch.
Day 1 Arrive Cairo
Arrive in Cairo, where you will be met at the airport by a representative and transferred to your hotel in Giza, located close to the Pyramids which can be seen in the far distance.
Day 2 Cairo: Pyramids of Giza, Sphinx & Saqqara
Today you will have the opportunity to see the awe-inspiring Great Pyramids of Giza, royal burial ground for Memphis (ancient capital of Egypt). Drive along the Giza Road to the Giza Plateau, home of the mighty pyramids. View the three pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus from a panoramic view point before driving down to the great pyramids, where you may like to go inside one of the tombs. From the Pyramid of Chephren, walk down to the solar boat museum and then onto the Sphinx. In the afternoon, visit the oldest pyramids in the world at Saqqara. The complex of Djoser is one of the oldest known structures to have been constructed completely with natural stone. It was built at the beginning of the third dynasty, around 2625 BC, and was intended as a funerary complex for King Djoser.
Day 3 Cairo: Explore Downtown with Culinary Tour
Today enjoy a guided tour of the Old Islamic District. Visit the main Citadel (Al-Qalaa), a crusader-style fortress dating from the time of Saladin and home to Egypt's rulers for almost 700 years. From here, head to the medieval bazaar of Khan al-Khalili, the most intriguing part of the Old Quarter, to challenge your bargaining skills. Also visit the Coptic area of Cairo to see the Hanging Church, the most beautiful church in Egypt, with its ornately decorated interior consisting of three barrel-vaulted, wooden roofed aisles, ivory inlaid screens and a finely carved pulpit. Today you'll also embark on a culinary adventure through Cairo visiting a range of restaurants that specialize in different traditional Egyptian foods. This evening why not check out the Cairo Jazz Club – a fantastic live music venue where you can find some of Egypt’s most talented musicians.
Day 4 Cairo – Aswan: Great Egyptian Museum & Fly to Aswan
Start your busy day with an early breakfast, then drive to the much-anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum. Known locally as GEM, this museum has long been in the making, with plans first announced in 2002, after which a number of setbacks and delays followed. The museum claims to be the largest archaeological museum complex in the world, with over 100,000 different artefacts on display. After spending the morning at the museum, you then fly south to Aswan. Settle into your hotel, before enjoying the rest of the day and evening at leisure. Please note: If the Grand Museum is not yet open, you can visit the Egyptian Museum.
Day 5 Aswan: Highlights, Nubian Museum & Market
Today you will visit some of Aswan’s main sites, including the beautiful Philae Temple, passing the Nile Dam, an engineering miracle built in the 1960s to regulate the flow of the Nile. The Temple of Philae is a well-preserved monument and was the centre of the cult of Isis. Continue to the Unfinished Obelisk, a gigantic obelisk weighing 200 tonnes dating from the new kingdom era that lies in an ancient granite quarry. This afternoon visit the Nubian Museum, established in association with UNESCO to preserve the ancient Nubian culture. Then end the day with a visit to Aswan’s souq, a treasure trove of all kinds of different goods, from spices and peanuts to henna powder and flowers, as well as carpets, talismans, and much more.
Day 6 Aswan – Kom Ombo – Edfu – Luxor
Set off by road for Luxor today, first visiting the riverside temple of Kom Ombo, the only temple in the Nile Valley that is dedicated to two gods - Haroeris and Sobek. From here you continue north to Edfu, enjoying spectacular scenery as it changes from desert to lush greenery. This remarkably well-preserved temple is the largest in the Nile Valley after Karnak. Supposedly built on the site of the final battle between the Gods Horus and Seth, the temple was built in the 3rd century BC and lay buried under sand for centuries before being unearthed by the French archaeologist Auguste Mariette in the 1860s. You arrive in Luxor late afternoon and can enjoy an evening at leisure.
Day 7 Luxor: Explore the West Bank
Today you take in the exceptional sites of the West Bank. After crossing the River Nile by boat you first visit the tombs in the Valley of the Kings. You will then visit the Temple of Hatshepsut, before moving on to the Tomb of the Nobles. In the afternoon you will continue your explorations to the Valley of the Workers, also known as Dier Al Madina, before finishing in the Valley of the Queens, returning to the hotel late afternoon.
Day 8 Luxor: Karnak & Luxor Temples with Felucca Nile Ride
Waking early to enjoy sunrise at Karnak offers the chance to explore this vast and hugely impressive temple before the crowds arrive. Enjoy the rest of the morning free before moving on to the magnificent Luxor temple in the afternoon, an awesome testament to the power and wealth of the ancient pharaohs. End the day with a sunset felucca ride on the River Nile.
Day 9 Depart Luxor
You will be transferred to the airport this morning for your onward flight.
EXAMPLE ACCOMMODATION
Movenpick Elephantine Island Resort, Aswan
A secluded oasis surrounded by exquisite gardens on Elephantine Island and accessible only by private boat, the five star Elephantine Island Resort Aswan was established in 1975 and underwent extensive renovation in 2007 under Movenpick Hotels & Resorts management. The fully-appointed 235 guestrooms feature Nubian-style decor and balconies overlooking the Nile, Aswan city or the desert. Diners can head for the Orangerie restaurant, which serves International and local dishes, while the La Perla serves Traditional Italian dishes in a Mediterranean-style setting. The hotel also offers a fitness centre, sauna, Turkish steam room, outdoor swimming pool and tennis courts.
Steigenberger Pyramids Cairo, Cairo
Located just across from the New Egyptian Grand Museum and offering some stunning views of the Pyramids, Steigenberger Pyramids Cairo is a welcome addition to this luxury collection. The hotel offers a wide range of rooms types with different views and layout, all offering spacious rooms, generous amenities and tasteful decor. The Lotus Main Restaurant and Terrace has a good selection of international cuisine, whilst guests can enjoy a variety of cocktails and other treats in the Zoser Bar, or relaxing by the outdoor pool. Be sure to check out the hotel spa where you can enjoy a range of peaceful treatments after a busy day of exploring.
Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa, Luxor
Another beautiful property by the team at Hilton, the Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa does not disappoint, from the unique location on the Nile to the extensive facilities spread across the resort and its gardens. Located on the East Bank, guests can enjoy spectacular sunsets over the Nile as they relax by one of two infinity pools. There is a generous selection of dining and drinking options, offering Mediterranean, Asian and local cuisine. Rooms are spacious and tastefully-decorated, with a range of view options and some connecting rooms. Be sure to check out the spa, home to multiple treatments and beauty therapies, and even has an outdoor thermal garden.
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Accommodation listed here is intended as a guide only, to give you a taste of what we can do. Our experts can tailor any aspect of this itinerary and accommodation to suit your budget and tastes.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
MEALS
TRANSPORT
ENTRANCE FEES
EXPERT TEAM
ACCOMMODATION
WILD MILES
ACCOMMODATION
Wild Miles Club
When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:
| Blue | More than 10,000 points | 2.5% discount |
| Bronze | More than 30,000 points | 5% discount |
| Silver | More than 45,000 points | 7.5% discount |
| Gold | More than 60,000 points | 10% discount |
This itinerary is aimed to give you an idea of what we can offer. The price shown above is per person, based on two people travelling outside of peak periods. As this itinerary is only a suggestion and can be tailor-made to suit your interests and budget, your final price may differ.
Positive Impact of this Trip
Making a Difference
Community Tourism
People and local communities have always been at the heart of Wild Frontiers and the travel experiences we offer. Through community tourism we have the opportunity to generate real positive impact, supporting people we visit through sustainable local development, and in turn help to alleviate poverty and protect culture and environments in often more vulnerable destinations. While doing so, our clients gain richer travel experiences and more meaningful connections with the people they meet.
Conservation and Climate Action
As a travel company, we hold a responsibility to minimise our environmental footprint and contribute to sustainability, and work closely with local communities to support their efforts. By implementing initiatives such as carbon measuring, tree-planting, reducing single-use plastic and promoting eco-friendly practices, we can help mitigate the negative impacts of tourism on fragile ecosystems and local communities. Additionally, prioritising conservation efforts helps preserve natural habitats and wildlife, ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy the wonders of our planet.
Wild Frontiers Foundation
The Wild Frontiers Foundation aims to provide a platform to create awareness, raise money and deliver funding to projects in countries where we operate as a travel company. Through the foundation, we are able to channel money into grass roots projects, which we have either established ourselves or support through charity partners. These include initiatives focused around education, the empowerment of local people and community conservation.
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Whether you are looking for a boutique hotel, homestay, local guesthouse, luxury spa, tented camp or heritage hotel, our experts can select the perfect property for you.
24-HOUR SUPPORT
Our local agents are there to help you on the ground should you need any assistance, and in addition you will be given a 24-hour UK emergency phone number.OTHER ITINERARIES IN EGYPT
Check out our group tours in Egypt
As well as private tailor-made trips, we also offer small group tours (max size 12) to Egypt. Led by an experienced tour leader, travel with a group of like-minded people on one of our award-winning group tours.
View Group Tours in Egypt