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Essential Egypt

9 Days | If you only do one Egypt trip this lifetime, make it this one

4.9 out of 5 based on 159 reviews submitted.
18 to 29s
From
NZD $795
View dates and book
This trip is for the 18 to 29 year olds

Ancient history, endless golden sands, crowded souqs – Egypt is the ultimate destination for adventurous travellers. This nine-day tour is the perfect mix of blockbuster wonders and intimate moments, planned activities and time to wander. Your local leader will take you to bucket list icons like the Pyramids and Luxor, then guide you off the beaten path to eat koshari in a local downtown Cairo joint, or into a bazaar to meet a perfume merchant. Kayak the Nile, spend a night on a traditional felucca, drink your body weight in mint tea and more. The best part? You’ll do it all with like-minded travellers your own age.

Trip overview

Map of Essential Egypt including Egypt
Start
Cairo, Egypt
Finish
Cairo, Egypt
Theme
18 to 29s
Destinations
Egypt
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Basix
Ages
Min 18 - Max 29
Group size
Min 1 - Max 16
Trip code
XEYE
This trip generates 39 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.
Bucket list destinations

Tick off all the popular spots and enjoy unique local experiences

Great value

Affordable trips with the freedom to choose how you spend your time

Responsible travel

You book, we donate to help support local communities


Why you'll love this trip
  • Cities like Cairo can be dizzying, but your local leader and guides are there for a reason – they'll have you heading straight for the best local spots.
  • The pyramids and Sphinx are awe-inspiring. But the smaller moments are special too – like kayaking on the Nile, dancing with Nubian locals and learning to spell your name in hieroglyphs.
  • Spend overnight cruising the Nile in a felucca, which is a bit like a floating living room. Stop at villages and temples by day and stargaze by night.
  • Squeeze between stalls at an Aswan bazaar and meet a perfume merchant who will school you on everything from mummification to smelling pretty for a date.
  • You’ll get plenty of free time in massive historical sites like Luxor, so you can grill your leader for tips on the way there and then set your own pace.

Is this trip right for you?
  • This is a trip designed for travellers aged 18 to 29; full of fun, flexibility and plenty of free time to explore at your own pace.
  • Before booking on this trip we recommend that you read the ‘Safety’ section under Essential Trip Information for specifics regarding Egypt trips. If you have specific concerns about women's safety, this blog written by one of our travellers will give you an idea of what to expect: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/solo-female-travel-in-egypt/
  • We plan our itinerary in order to beat the heat wherever possible, but even so you’ll likely feel warm – particularly in July and August. The good news is its mostly dry heat, so easier to handle than humidity. Egypt nights can be chillier than expected, especially from December to February, so it’s important to pack clothes that can be layered.
  • For many of our travellers cruising the Nile on a felucca is a trip highlight, but it's not for everyone. You will be sharing a sleeping area with your fellow travellers for one night, as well as sharing a bathroom while on board.
  • The terrain at some historic sites can be rocky and steep. Solid walking shoes are essential, plus anything to shade you from those rays – a hat, sunscreen and long sleeves. If you don't feel up to it on a hot day, you can decide to not take part, or wander at your own pace.
  • This trip includes the adventure of overnight train travel, one of the most unique ways to wake up in a new and strange place. You’ll get a small bed and air conditioning in a shared room, but the train might not be as clean as you’re used to.

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2023.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024

Map of Essential Egypt including Egypt

Inclusions

Meals

8 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 4 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle, Felucca, Overnight sleeper train

Accommodation

Hotel (5 nights), Overnight train (2 nights), Felucca (1 night)

Activities
  • Cairo - Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx
  • Aswan - Kayaking
  • Aswan - Orientation walk & bazaar visit
  • Nile - Felucca overnight sailing trip
  • Nile - Dinner and Music Felucca
  • Luxor - Valley of the Kings (entrance to 3 tombs)
  • Cairo - Khan Al-Khalili Bazaar
Add on activities
  • Cairo - Saqqara and Memphis Afternoon Tour - USD82
  • Cairo - Sufi Dance Khan al-Khalili (entrance fee) - EGP125
  • Cairo - Coptic Museum (entrance fee) - EGP150
  • Cairo - Islamic Art Museum (entrance fee) - EGP180
  • Cairo - The Citadel (entrance fee) - EGP300
  • Cairo - The 2nd Pyramid of Khafre (entrance fee) - EGP100
  • Cairo - The Great Pyramid of Cheops (entrance fee) - EGP600
  • Cairo - The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization & The Royal Mummy Room (entrance fee) - EGP200
  • Cairo - The Egyptian Museum - USD35
  • Aswan - Philae Temple (entrance fee) - EGP300
  • Aswan - Unfinished Obelisk (entrance fee) - EGP120
  • Aswan - Nubian Village Visit and Dinner - USD20
  • Aswan - Philae Temple Sound & Light Show Tour (minimum 2 persons) (entrance, guide & transport) - USD55
  • Aswan - Philae Temple Tour (minimum 2 persons) - USD35
  • Aswan - Philae Temple, High Dam and Unfinished Obelisk Tour - USD60
  • Aswan - Philae Temple Sound and Light Show (entrance fee) - USD40
  • Aswan - Abu Simbel Tour (minimum 4 people) - USD110
  • Aswan - Nubian Museum (entrance fee) - EGP200
  • Aswan - Abu Simbel by Air - subject to availability - from - USD400
  • Luxor - Karnak Temple (entrance fee) - EGP300
  • Luxor - Karnak Temple Sound and Light Show (minimum 2 persons) (entrance, guide & transport) - USD35
  • Aswan - Kom Ombo Temple (entrance fee) - EGP240
  • Edfu - Edfu Temple (entrance fee) - EGP300
  • Luxor - Karnak Temple Sound & Light Show Tour - USD45
  • Luxor - Karnak Temple - USD30
  • Luxor - Hatshepsut Temple - EGP160
  • Luxor - Tomb of Tutankhamun (entrance fee) - EGP300
  • Luxor - Luxor Temple (entrance fee) - EGP260
  • Luxor - Luxor Museum (entrance fee) - EGP200
  • Luxor - Dinner with a local family - USD15
  • Luxor - Hot Air Balloon over the Valley of the Kings - USD130
  • Cairo - Sound & Light Show at the Pyramids (entrance fee) - EGP500
  • Cairo - Sound & Light Show at the Pyramids Tour - USD50

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1.Some entrance fees are not included. If you wish to take part in these activities, you pay these fees as you go along.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 2,7 (Sleeper Train) and Day 5 (Felucca) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. Following recent safety incidents we recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest information on travelling in Egypt before your departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all areas of your itinerary. We have links to prominent government travel advisories and regular updates on issues affecting this trip on our Travel Alerts page - https://www.intrepidtravel.com/au/travel-alerts.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 based on 159 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Emma · Traveled November 2023
An amazing itinerary, which was made awesome by our guide Saeed. His knowledge was unparalleled. He ensured the trip was very well organised. Our group loved the overnight Felluca and the day trip to Abu Simbel was definitely worth it.
Review submitted 09 Nov 2023

Alexandra · Traveled November 2023
Saeed is a brilliant guide, I feel so lucky to have seen all of these sights! It’s been a fabulous and we’ve all had an amazing time with a brilliant group of people!
Review submitted 09 Nov 2023

Miranda · Traveled November 2023
Always wanted to see the incredible sights of Egypt but worried about navigating such a foreign country (especially as a solo female traveller)? This your is for you!!! Leave no stone unturned in Egypt as you cover all of the gorgeous historic sites of Egypt in a jam packed week and a half. The highlight of the trip is definitely the night of the Felucca! I can not explain the sheer bliss of floating down the Nile while lounging on the comfortable mattress of the boat!
Review submitted 09 Nov 2023

Lucy · Traveled November 2023
Egypt was phenomenal. I could not have enjoyed my tour more. The cultural and historical wonder of the region was only amplified by our incredible tour guide (shout out to Saaed). Could not recommend more. It is fast paced, and the streets can be overwhelming but seeing the Pyramids, Abu Simbal and the Felucca were insane. I’ve done four intrepid tours now and Saaed far exceeded any tour guide I’ve ever had previously. Egypt can be a tough place to nab if are, but Saaed knowledge, patience and kind heart made it for me. Thank you for everything - look forward to travelling with Intrepid again!
Review submitted 12 Nov 2023

Abdul · Traveled October 2023
Mina was the best part of this trip and I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of this trip. He was well organised and ensured we enjoyed ourselves to the fullest. His recommendations were the best and he was always honest Love you Habibi - Haseeb
Review submitted 25 Oct 2023
Essential Egypt
From
NZD $795