Trip Overview
Is this trip for you? TIMELESS. MAGICAL. MOMENTOUS.
The pyramids, the Sphinx, the Nile... they're all here. But where are you?
You've seen them in books. You've seen them in documentaries. You've seen them in movie after movie after movie. But experiencing them in real life = a whole different level of AMAZING. Ancient, archaeological and wall-to-wall ICONIC, this sure as hell isn't your average holiday. But then - you're not your average traveller.
Worth noting…
Psst! All our Egyptian Topdeck Trip Leaders are qualified Egyptologists. Meaning? You're gonna have more fact-filled days than you can poke a mummified finger at.
This trip includes an overnight stay aboard a traditional felucca sailing boat - don't forget to pack a sleeping bag. Sweet!
YOUR #TOPDECKER TRAVEL MOMENTS
Trip Itinerary
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Cairo to Aswan via overnight coach
2You’ve read about them in books. Seen them in documentaries. And watched them play backdrop to movie after movie. But today, you’re gonna experience the AMAZING Pyramids of Giza in real life. First though, we’ll get the low-down on the world’s largest collection of Pharaonic antiquities at the Egyptian Museum. Then: prepare to feel insignificant (in the best possible way) as you stand before the Great Pyramids and the legendary Sphinx. We mentioned your Trip Leader is a qualified Egyptologist, right? So, our walking tour is gonna’ be filled with allll the fascinating facts. Win! After a full day of exploring, we’ll get cosy with our trip mates on an overnight coach to Aswan. Note to self: bring a neck pillow and plenty of snacks – this one’s a long one.
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Included Today
- Visit the Egyptian Museum
- Walking tour of the Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza Plateau
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Included Today
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Aswan
3Disembark our noble steed, freshen up at the hotel and slip on your Birks – we’re gonna’ take a wander around the miss-match of antique storefronts and brightly coloured stalls of Aswan Bazaar. Then? The rest is 100% up to you. But if you need some suggestions, we got you. You could explore the Temple of Isis in nearby Philae. Or head out on the Nile for a spot of kayaking. Keen to delve a bit deeper into the unique culture here? Opt in to visit a Nubian village and tuck into dinner with the locals. This is as authentic as it gets.
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Included Today
- Visit Aswan Bazaar
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Optional extras
- Visit the Temple of Isis in Philae: from 57 USD
- Visit a Nubian village (with traditional Nubian dinner): from 36 USD
- Kayaking on the Nile: from 30 USD
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Included Today
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Aswan including Abu Simbel
4Crank the ancient history knob a little higher – today we’re exploring the great temples of Abu Simbel. Carved within the mountains on the bank of the Nile, these babies are full of WOW-factor. Take it alllll in as we wander through the great halls of the Great Temple of Ramses II and gape at the detail within the Temple of Hathor – dedicated to Ramses’ favourite wife: Queen Nefertari. Later, get the gang together for a wander along Aswan’s Corniche in search of a riverside terrace for dinner. Our Trip Leader knows where to get the best fattah. Or watch the sunset from the Ferial Gardens. This is livin’.
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Included Today
- Visit the Temples of Abu Simbel
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Included Today
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Aswan to Felucca sailing
5Imagine: the sun on your back, the wind in your sails and THE BEST people you could ever hope to meet sharing stories, food and music in one rug-strewn love-in. Today, we’re ditching the wheels and embarking on a journey down the Nile – aboard a traditional wooden felucca boat, of course. Pull up a cushion, turn off the tech and lose yourself in the moment as we watch rural Egyptian life play out along the banks of this mighty river. After plenty of home-cooked food, swim stops and games of UNO with the gang – we’ll spend the night under a star-filled sky. This is the real Egypt. *Felucca facts: You’re spending the night on a traditional wooden boat. Meaning? No cabins. The boat’s broad canvas sails offer shade and protection from the elements by day. And by night, we’ll sleep outdoors on comfy mattresses – so don’t forget a sleeping bag. And for other…things? DW there’s a toilet and shower on board.
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Included Today
- Felucca sailing (sleeping bag recommended)
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Meals
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
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Included Today
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Felucca sailing to Luxor
6Wake to the sun rising slowly over the Nile and enjoy the fresh air lapping at our felucca's sails. After breakfast, we'll make a pit stop at Kom Ombo for an optional look at the Temple and Crocodile Museum. Then? It's onwards to INCREDIBLE Luxor. They say this place is the world's greatest open-air museum - and you've got all afternoon free to uncover what 'they' mean. Explore the ancient temple of Karnak on an optional visit - stick around for the sound and light show later if you want. Or do your own thing and head to Egypt's largest Pharaonic temple or the fascinating Luxor Museum. Tonight, dinner is on you - so get the crew together and hunt down a local restaurant for some fiteer (aka Egyptian pizza). Mmmm.
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Optional extras
- Visit Kom Ombo Temple: from prices available locally
- Visit Karnak Temple: from 70 USD
- Experience the Karnak Temple Sound & Light Show: from 30 USD
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Meals
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Luxor to Hurghada
7Another day, another bucket-list item well-and-truly ticked off the list. Insert: Valley of the Kings. We’ll spend the morning getting schooled on the funerary rites of the ancient Egyptians and the many hieroglyphics painted throughout three significant royal tombs – including Hatshepsut Temple and the Colossi of Memmon. Give a silent salute to Queen Hatshepsut (who ruled ancient Egypt for 20 years), before we jump back on the coach and hit the road to Hurghada. Want to explore? We got you. An optional walking tour with a local guide will give you alllll the inside knowledge on this coastal paradise. Or spend the afternoon horizontal by the pool or beachside. Tonight, we’ll get the gang together for an included dinner. Sweet!
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Included Today
- Visit the Valley of the Kings
- Visit the Temple of Hatshepsut
- Visit the Colossi of Memnon
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Meals
- Breakfast
- Dinner
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Optional extras
- Locally guided tour of Hurghada: from 30 USD
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Included Today
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Hurghada to Cairo
8Disclaimer: we’re out of here this afternoon. So, don’t waste a sun-soaked second. Spend the morning topping up the tan by the pool or staring out to sea under a thatched beach umbrella. Heard about the incredible Red Sea diving here? Yeah, us too. Jump aboard an optional snorkelling boat trip and explore the abundance of marine life and coral reefs for yourself. Waterlogged and sunkissed, we’ll catch up on some zzzs on the drive back to Cairo.
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Optional extras
- Hurghada snorkelling boat trip: from 70 USD
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Meals
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Cairo
9You came. You saw. You embrace it all. And now, just like that– it’s all over. Get down to breakfast and swap those digits with your trip mates – you’ll be catching up later for sure. Where to next?
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Meals
What's included
Included Experiences
- Visit the Egyptian Museum
- See the Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza Plateau
- Visit Aswan Bazaar
- Visit the Temples of Abu Simbel
- Overnight stay on a traditional Felucca (sleeping bag recommended)
- Visit the Valley of the Kings
- Visit the Temple of Hatshepsut
- Visit the Colossi of Memnon
Accommodation
-6 nights in hotels (twin-share), 1 nights aboard a felucca sailboat, 1 night aboard an overnight coach
Transport
Air-conditioned coach or minibus. Traditional felucca sailboat.
Optional activities
-Kayaking on the Nile: from 30 USD
-Visit the Temple of Isis in Philae: from 57 USD
-Visit a Nubian village (with traditional Nubian dinner): from 30 USD
-Visit Kom Ombo Temple: prices available locally
-Visit Karnak Temple: from 25 USD
-Experience the Karnak Temple Sound & Light Show: from 30 USD
-Locally guided tour of Hurghada: from 30 USD
-Hurghada snorkelling boat trip: from 70 USD
OTHER INFORMATION
FELUCCA SAILING
Feluccas are traditional wooden sailing boats that have been used as transport up and down the Nile for centuries. Meaning? No motors. No cabins. No hairdryers. The boat’s broad canvas sails offer shade and protection from the elements by day. And by night, we’ll sleep outdoors on comfy mattresses – so don’t forget a sleeping bag. And for other…things? DW there’s a toilet and shower on board. All meals are prepared by the felucca crew aboard the boat.
During winter months it can get cold on the river, especially at night. So, it’s a good idea to bring a jacket or warm windcheater during these months.
RAMADAN
As many Middle Eastern countries are of Islamic faith, it is important to remember that lots of restaurants and shops will either be closed or operating on reduced hours during Ramadan. As a result, some optional and included activities on your trip may be affected.
Ramadan, which takes place in either April, May or June, is an incredibly important and sacred month for Muslims. When equipped with some basic knowledge, you’ll have the chance to immerse yourself in this special tradition and experience all its highlights.
Views & Reviews
Latest Reviews
Average rating based on 15 reviews
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Kendra W January 2020
Excellent
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Anusha T August 2019
I wish I had been told before about hotels and stays. Although I loved Felucca sail I wasn’t sure about some of the hotels. If I had more information on this I probably would have chosen better
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Nicole C February 2019
Fantastic, great value for money. One of the best trips I have ever done.
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