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Essential Egypt

9 Days | Wander through an ancient Wonder of the World, discover temples and sail the Nile

4.9 out of 5 based on 155 reviews submitted.
18 to 35s
From
USD $668
View dates and book
This trip is for the 18 to 35 year olds

Ancient history, endless golden sands and crowded souqs – Egypt is the ultimate destination for any adventurous traveller. This nine-day trip is the perfect mix of blockbuster wonders and intimate moments, with loads of planned activities and plenty of time to wander at your own pace. Your local leader will take you to bucket list icons like the Pyramids of Giza (one of the Seven Wonders of the World) in Cairo and the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, then guide you off the beaten path to eat koshari in a local downtown joint, or into a bazaar to meet a perfume merchant. Kayak along the Nile, spend a night on a traditional felucca under starry skies and drink your body weight in mint tea. 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 35s
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 35
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.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Witness some epic sights in Cairo, like the mysterious Sphinx and one of the Seven Wonders of the World – the Great Pyramids of Giza. Maybe even learn how to spell your name in hieroglyphics!
  • Take a memorable kayak along the Nile with a unique active experience, paddling through ancient landscapes.
  • Spend a night cruising the Nile in a traditional felucca boat (a bit like a floating living room) stopping at colourful villages and temples by day and stargazing by night.
  • Discover the Valley of the Kings with a tour through three burial sites of ancient Pharaohs and the option to check out the fascinating lost tomb of Tutankhamun.
  • Squeeze between stalls at an Aswan bazaar and discover the open-air museum of Luxor with loads of free time to see the sights at your own pace and a local leader with all the hot tips.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Animal Care in Egypt. Donations help them care for sick or injured working animals, like horses and donkeys, and help empower local communities with the knowledge and training to better care for their animals.

Is this trip right for you?
  • Before booking this trip, read the ‘Safety’ section under Essential Trip Information for specifics regarding Egypt trips. If you have 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/
  • It gets pretty warm in July and August in Egypt. 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.
  • 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

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) - EGP230
  • Cairo - Islamic Art Museum (entrance fee) - EGP270
  • Cairo - The Citadel (entrance fee) - EGP450
  • Cairo - The 3rd Pyramid of Menkawre (entrance fee) - EGP220
  • Cairo - The Great Pyramid of Cheops (entrance fee) - EGP900
  • Cairo - The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization & The Royal Mummy Room (entrance fee) - EGP500
  • Cairo - The Egyptian Museum - USD40
  • Aswan - Philae Temple (entrance fee) - EGP450
  • Aswan - Unfinished Obelisk (entrance fee) - EGP200
  • 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) - USD45
  • Aswan - Philae Temple, High Dam and Unfinished Obelisk Tour - USD65
  • Aswan - Philae Temple Sound and Light Show (entrance fee) - USD40
  • Aswan - Abu Simbel Tour (minimum 4 people) - USD110
  • Aswan - Nubian Museum (entrance fee) - EGP300
  • Aswan - Abu Simbel by Air - subject to availability - from - USD450
  • Luxor - Karnak Temple (entrance fee) - EGP450
  • Luxor - Karnak Temple Sound and Light Show (minimum 2 persons) (entrance, guide & transport) - USD45
  • Aswan - Kom Ombo Temple (entrance fee) - EGP360
  • Edfu - Edfu Temple (entrance fee) - EGP450
  • Luxor - Karnak Temple Sound & Light Show Tour - USD45
  • Luxor - Hatshepsut Temple - EGP360
  • Luxor - Tomb of Tutankhamun (entrance fee) - EGP500
  • Luxor - Luxor Temple (entrance fee) - EGP400
  • Luxor - Luxor Museum (entrance fee) - EGP300
  • Luxor - Dinner with a local family - USD20
  • Luxor - Hot Air Balloon over the Valley of the Kings - USD130
  • Cairo - Sound & Light Show at the Pyramids Tour - USD55
  • Cairo - Sound & Light Show at the Pyramids (entrance fee) - USD20

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 155 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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Oscar · Traveled January 2024
I would 100% recommend this trip to anyone interested in the history of Egypt or just the sightseeing, our guide (Sam) was very friendly and knowledgeable
Review submitted 24 Jan 2024

Jeremy · Traveled January 2024
This trip is an amazing opportunity to explore Egypt and gain a deeper understanding of its dense history. Egypt can be daunting as a solo traveler or foreigner so this was an amazing opportunity to experience the country and to do so for quite cheap. If you get Wael as a leader, you're a very lucky person
Review submitted 11 Jan 2024

Shane · Traveled January 2024
Way more than I could have even hoped for. I already look forward to my next Intrepid tour!
Review submitted 11 Jan 2024

Fahim · Traveled December 2023
Had an excellent time in many different destinations.
Review submitted 20 Dec 2023

Conrad · Traveled December 2023
Our guide Mahmoud made this trip great. Personable with a good sense of humour, and very knowledgeable on every relevant subject, be it history, culture, or navigating haggling at the markets. Was very adept at adjusting moving parts throughout the trip to suit everyone’s wants and needs
Review submitted 20 Dec 2023
Essential Egypt
From
USD $668