Egypt: Boats & Bazaars (8 Days)

Tour overview

This compact adventure offers maximum Egypt at a minimum cost. Stare in amazement at the pyramids and float down the Nile on a felucca. Embrace the culture and meet remarkable people as you dine on traditional fare with a local family in a Nubian village. You’ll enjoy basic accommodation and transport to the best sights. Walk through the Valley of the Kings or explore Karnak—it’s your call. Don’t just dream of Egypt, wake up in the Land of the Pharaohs and open your eyes to adventure.

Highlights

Enjoy a traditional family meal, explore ancient temples and monuments, barter in bazaars, journey down the Nile on a felucca, visit a Nubian village, and explore the famous Khan el-Khalili souk.

Accommodation
Simple hotels (5 nts, twin-share), overnight sleeper train (2 nts).

Group Leader
Certified Egyptologist as CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout

Brief Itinerary

Day	Highlights	Overnight
Day 1	Arrive in Cairo	Cairo
Day 2	Cairo day trip – board an overnight train to Aswan.	Train to Aswan.
Day 3	Explore Aswan	Aswan
Day 4	Spend the day exploring Aswan	Aswan
Day 5	Transfer to Kom Umbo	Felucca
Day 6	Explore Luxor	Luxor
Day 7	Luxor – Board an overnight train back to Cairo	Train to Cairo
Day 8	Depart Cairo

Group Size Notes
Max 18, avg 14.

Meals Included
7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 4 dinners

What’s Included
Your G for Good Moment: Funtasia Project Visit, Luxor Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends Your Local Living Moment: Boat ride to Nubian Village with Traditional Meal, Aswan Your Discover Moment: Aswan – guided tour of the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Orientation walk through Cairo’s Khan el-Khalili bazaar. Free time in Aswan. Felucca Sailing Excursion. Kom Ombo Temple visit. Cycle and Funtasia Project visit. Free time in Luxor. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.

Day 1 : Welcome to Egypt

Arrive at any time.: There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting. What better way to kick off your travels than by getting to know your CEO and group over a few drinks? Take a short taxi ride to a favourite local restaurant and bar in a trendy part of Cairo. Kick back, relax, and bask in the excitement of your journey’s beginning.

Day 2 : Cairo day trip - board an overnight train to Aswan.(B/D)

Enjoy a guided tour of the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Take an orientation tour through the narrow alleys of the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, with free time for shopping or people watching from a shisha café. Overnight train to Aswan.: For lunch, why not go local with a couple of falafel sandwiches, or take the chance to find out what kushari tastes like? In the evening, board an overnight train to Aswan. The overnight train is a modern air-conditioned sleeper, with twin-berth beds. There is no shower in the cabin, but each cabin does have a sink. The shared toilet is at the end of each carriage. A basic airline-style tray meal for dinner and breakfast is included. Attendants can serve drinks in your compartment at extra cost or there is a bar car for socializing.

Day 3 : Explore Aswan (B/D)

Free morning to explore Aswan. Opt to wander through the souk at your own pace or visit the famous Philae Temple, it's your choice. In the afternoon, board a boat and cruise down the Nile. Visit a Nubian village and enjoy a home-cooked dinner with locals.: Our train is due to arrive in Aswan early in the morning, but, trains can often be delayed.

Day 4 : Spend the day exploring Aswan (B)

Spend the day exploring Aswan.: Spend another day exploring Aswan. Opt to visit one of the most fascinating sights in the area, the Temple of Abu Simbel. Or continue exploring the city to learn more about Aswan's local people.

Day 5 : Transfer to Kom Umbo (B/L/D)

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. Ride on a Felucca to Aswan Bridge, where we will disembark and transfer to Kom Umbo. Later visit Kom Umbo temple before transferring to Luxor. Tonight, enjoy dinner at the local market where you can try some local specialties.: Feluccas are very basic traditional Nile sailboats and make for an extremely relaxing and enjoyable way to travel down the river.

Day 6 : Explore Luxor (B)

Enjoy a full free day to explore Luxor. Opt to set off on a guided visit to the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon on the West Bank of Luxor excursion. Or choose to discover the city at your own pace, by wandering through the local bazaars or visiting a museum—the choice is yours!:

Day 7 : Luxor - Board an overnight train back to Cairo.(B/D)

After breakfast the group will sail by ferry to the West Bank to meet our student-guide. Together we will bike through the village and visit the Funtasia Project Center where the group will learn about the Planeterra project at this location over tea with our guide. Afterwards, cycle back to the waterfront and board the ferry to travel back across the Nile. Spend a free afternoon in Luxor at your leisure, or choose to join the East Bank optional excursion. In the evening board an overnight train back to Cairo.: In the evening, board an overnight train back to Cairo. The overnight train is a modern air-conditioned sleeper, with twin-berth beds. There is no shower in the cabin, but each cabin does have a sink. The shared toilet is at the end of each carriage. A basic airline-style tray meal for dinner and breakfast is included. Attendants can serve drinks in your compartment at extra cost or there is a bar car for socializing.