A Taste of Egypt

Discover ancient Egypt: Cairo, its capital; Aswan, gateway to Africa; Luxor, site of Luxor and Karnak temples; the iconic Pyramids of Cheops and Chephren; 3 nights aboard a deluxe Nile cruise ship.

Overview

from$3299Tour + Flights 9days

price per person, double occupancy,* based on May 6, 2025 departure from JFK

$300 Instant Savings. Expires Dec 19, 2024.* All prices reflect savings.

$199 deposit. Lock in your spot for less.^††

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Style	Small Group TourTravel with a small, intimate group of no more than 16 likeminded travelers (and often much fewer), escorted by an English speaking guide and/or tour manager for some or all of your journey. (Some exceptions, including special promotional packages, may accommodate up to 30.) More of these packages Dedicated tour escorts & guides throughout
Departures	May – December 2025	Group Size	16 travelers max
Themes	History & Culture, River Cruises
Activity Level	Moderate
What to Expect	This fast-paced, escorted tour includes a reasonable amount of walking or hiking and requires an average level of physical fitness. Expect early wake up times and very long days in order to fit in all included visits. The Nile cruise portion of this tour can total up to 100 passengers.
Already booked?	Find everything you need to know before you go, including information about passport & visa requirements, flights, luggage, and more.

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Dates

Travelers

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Step back in time and discover the ancient wonders of Egypt on our A Taste of Egypt tour. Enjoy nine fascinating days exploring this historic country, starting in the sprawling capital city of Cairo, where East and West meet in a wonderful mix of precious antiquities and bustling modern life. Explore the treasures in the Egyptian Museum, browse the ancient bazaars and visit the Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza. Fly to Aswan and embark on a three-night deluxe Nile River cruise, touring the East Bank of the Nile from Aswan to Kom Ombo and Esna to Luxor and the Temple of Karnak. Egypt is known as the world's greatest outdoor museum, and you'll soon discover why it is a bucket list destination for world travelers.

Package includes

Flights
Cruise
Coach
Transfers
Hotel
Meals
Guides

Round trip flights from New York (JFK) via EgyptAir, including taxes & fees
Arrival & departure transfers with meeting, assistance and porterage
All intra-Egypt flights and ground transportation
3 nights Deluxe hotel accommodations in Cairo
1 night Deluxe hotel accommodations in Aswan
3 nights aboard a 5-star Nile cruise ship in an outside, middle deck cabin
15 meals: 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 3 dinners
All shore excursions on Nile Cruise
Comprehensive touring program including entrance fees
Professional English-speaking Egyptologist tour director and local guides

Optional add-ons

Exciting optional excursions in Cairo
Optional excursion to Abu Simbel

Why you'll love it

Spend 3 nights sailing along the Nile River aboard your deluxe Nile cruise ship.
Browse the Egyptian Museum's extensive collection of ancient treasures.
Marvel at the mysterious Sphinx and the great Pyramids of Cheops and Chephren.
Tour the granite quarries at Aswan's High Dam, which controls the Nile and is Egypt's major source of hydroelectric power.
Share a pot of tea with a family in a local village.
View the unique and fascinating drawings at the Temple of Kom Ombo.
Sail from Esna to Luxor, the capital of the New Kingdom and an important trade center of the ancient world.
Visit the Temple of Karnak, one of the most signification monuments of the Pharaonic legacy.
Explore the Valley of the Kings, once a royal burial ground for pharaohs.
Discover the ancient mysteries of King Tut on an included tour of his tomb in Luxor.

Itinerary at a Glance

1 Depart USA
2 Cairo
3 Cairo, Pyramids & Sphinx, Aswan
4 Aswan
Optional Excursion: Abu Simbel, $350
5 Kom Ombo & Esna
6 Luxor
7 Luxor & Cairo
Optional Excursion: Hot Air Balloon Ride (purchased locally), $170
8 Cairo
Optional Excursion: Citadel of Saladin & Khan El Khalili Bazaar, $90
Optional Excursion: Memphis & Sakkara, $90
Optional Excursion: Walking Tour of Art Galleries in Zamalek with dinner, $70
9 Cairo/USA

Dates & Prices

Instant Savings: Get $300 off if you book by Dec. 19, 2024!

Dates & Prices, with flights per person, double occupancy*, including Instant Savings discounts
2024 DEPARTURES
Dates	Regular Price	Instant Savings	Your Price
Departs U.S.: Tue, Nov 26, 2024 Finishes: Wed, Dec 4, 2024 Nov 26 – Dec 4	$3499	–	–	Departed
Departs U.S.: Tue, Dec 3, 2024 Finishes: Wed, Dec 11, 2024 Dec 3 – Dec 11	$3649	–	–	Departed
Departs U.S.: Tue, Dec 17, 2024 Finishes: Wed, Dec 25, 2024 Dec 17 – Dec 25	$3949	–	–	Sold Out
Departs U.S.: Tue, Dec 24, 2024 Finishes: Wed, Jan 1, 2025 Dec 24 – Jan 1	$3949	–	–	Sold Out
Departs U.S.: Tue, Dec 31, 2024 Finishes: Wed, Jan 8, 2025 Dec 31 – Jan 8	$4049	–	–	Sold Out
2025 DEPARTURES
Dates	Regular Price	Instant Savings	Your Price
Departs U.S.: Tue, Jan 7, 2025 Finishes: Wed, Jan 15, 2025 Jan 7 – Jan 15	$3649	–	–	Sold Out
Departs U.S.: Tue, Jan 21, 2025 Finishes: Wed, Jan 29, 2025 Jan 21 – Jan 29	$3649	–	–	Closed
Departs U.S.: Tue, Feb 4, 2025 Finishes: Wed, Feb 12, 2025 Feb 4 – Feb 12	$3649	–	–	Sold Out
Departs U.S.: Tue, Apr 1, 2025 Finishes: Wed, Apr 9, 2025 Apr 1 – Apr 9	$3649	–	–	Sold Out
Departs U.S.: Tue, Apr 22, 2025 Finishes: Wed, Apr 30, 2025 Apr 22 – Apr 30	$3799	–	–	Sold Out
Departs U.S.: Tue, May 6, 2025 Finishes: Wed, May 14, 2025 Book by Thu, Dec 19, 2024 (midnight ET) to get the Instant Savings! May 6 – May 14	$3599	–$300	$3299	Select
Departs U.S.: Tue, Jun 10, 2025 Finishes: Wed, Jun 18, 2025 Book by Thu, Dec 19, 2024 (midnight ET) to get the Instant Savings! Jun 10 – Jun 18	$3699	–$300	$3399	Select
Departs U.S.: Tue, Jul 15, 2025 Finishes: Wed, Jul 23, 2025 Book by Thu, Dec 19, 2024 (midnight ET) to get the Instant Savings! Jul 15 – Jul 23	$3699	–$300	$3399	Select
Departs U.S.: Tue, Aug 12, 2025 Finishes: Wed, Aug 20, 2025 Book by Thu, Dec 19, 2024 (midnight ET) to get the Instant Savings! Aug 12 – Aug 20	$3849	–$300	$3549	Select
Departs U.S.: Tue, Sep 9, 2025 Finishes: Wed, Sep 17, 2025 Book by Thu, Dec 19, 2024 (midnight ET) to get the Instant Savings! Sep 9 – Sep 17	$3999	–$300	$3699	Select
Departs U.S.: Tue, Sep 23, 2025 Finishes: Wed, Oct 1, 2025 Book by Thu, Dec 19, 2024 (midnight ET) to get the Instant Savings! Sep 23 – Oct 1	$3799	–$300	$3499	Select
Departs U.S.: Tue, Oct 14, 2025 Finishes: Wed, Oct 22, 2025 Book by Thu, Dec 19, 2024 (midnight ET) to get the Instant Savings! Oct 14 – Oct 22	$3799	–$300	$3499	Select
Departs U.S.: Tue, Oct 28, 2025 Finishes: Wed, Nov 5, 2025 Book by Thu, Dec 19, 2024 (midnight ET) to get the Instant Savings! Oct 28 – Nov 5	$3799	–$300	$3499	Select
Departs U.S.: Tue, Nov 11, 2025 Finishes: Wed, Nov 19, 2025 Book by Thu, Dec 19, 2024 (midnight ET) to get the Instant Savings! Nov 11 – Nov 19	$3799	–$300	$3499	Select
Departs U.S.: Tue, Nov 25, 2025 Finishes: Wed, Dec 3, 2025 Book by Thu, Dec 19, 2024 (midnight ET) to get the Instant Savings! Nov 25 – Dec 3	$3799	–$300	$3499	Select
Departs U.S.: Tue, Dec 2, 2025 Finishes: Wed, Dec 10, 2025 Book by Thu, Dec 19, 2024 (midnight ET) to get the Instant Savings! Dec 2 – Dec 10	$3799	–$300	$3499	Select
Departs U.S.: Tue, Dec 16, 2025 Finishes: Wed, Dec 24, 2025 Book by Thu, Dec 19, 2024 (midnight ET) to get the Instant Savings! Dec 16 – Dec 24	$4199	–$300	$3899	Select
Departs U.S.: Tue, Dec 23, 2025 Finishes: Wed, Dec 31, 2025 Book by Thu, Dec 19, 2024 (midnight ET) to get the Instant Savings! Dec 23 – Dec 31	$4199	–$300	$3899	Select

Unfortunately, we don't offer late returns on this package. Want to extend your trip?

Options & Fees

A Taste of Egypt
Rooming Selection
Double Occupancy	included
Single Occupancy
Nov 26, 2024; Dec 3, 2024	$919
Jan 7, 2025; Jan 21, 2025; Feb 4, 2025; Apr 1, 2025	$929
Sep 9, 2025; Sep 23, 2025; Oct 14, 2025; Oct 28, 2025; Nov 11, 2025; Nov 25, 2025; Dec 2, 2025	$999
Dec 17, 2024; Dec 24, 2024; Dec 31, 2024	$1079
Apr 22, 2025	$1089
Dec 16, 2025; Dec 23, 2025	$1199
All other dates	$829
Optional Excursions¹
Discounted Optional Excursions Package²	$195
Abu Simbel Optional Tour³	$350

1. Price based on a minimum of two passengers

2. Includes Citadel of Saladin & El Khalili Bazaar, Memphis & Sakkara, Evening walking tour of Zamalek & Dinner

3. Space is limited and must be pre-booked, tour is not available for purchase locally

So that we can offer you the best deals, our packages are, like most hotels and cruises, priced based on double occupancy rooms or cabins. We charge solo travelers an extra fee to cover the extra costs of single occupancy rooms or cabins. (Consider: if you booked a $200/night hotel room solo, you would pay the $200 yourself; but if a couple booked the same room, each one would pay only $100.) But you only pay extra for the rooms or cabins, nothing else, including meals, sightseeing, tips, etc. Why are single rooms more?

Flights & Departure Cities

Departure Airports
New York Kennedy (JFK)	included

This package includes round-trip flights from the city listed above. Please review the flight schedule, especially if you're booking connecting flights.

Want to fly from another city? Unfortunately, we don't offer flights from other cities, but you can book your own connecting flights.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Depart USA

Check in for your overnight flight for Cairo, Egypt

Day 2 Cairo

Arrive in Cairo, Egypt and transfer to your hotel
Enjoy the day at leisure

Hilton Cairo Zamalek Residences or similar

Full Day Itinerary

Arrive in Cairo, where East and West come together in a wonderful mix of old and new. After customs formalities, you'll be met by our representatives in Cairo and escorted to your centrally located hotel overlooking the Nile River. You'll have the rest of the day to relax after your long flight or explore independently.

Day 3 Cairo, Pyramids & Sphinx, Aswan

Tour the Pyramids of Cheops and Chephren
Discover the treasures of the Egyptian Museum
Board your evening flight from Cairo to Aswan

Mövenpick Resort Aswan or similar Breakfast & lunch

Full Day Itinerary

This morning, your guide will escort you on a fascinating tour of the most famous of all sites in Egypt—the Pyramids of Cheops and Chephren. These monuments have stood for 46 centuries and may be the most visited in Egypt. The Sphinx, a feline character with the body of a lion and the face of Khufu (Cheops in Greek), is 50 meters long and 22 meters high. Carved from a single stone, it lies just before the Pyramids, and even today, its meaning and origin remain shrouded in mystery.

After lunch, enjoy a tour of Cairo, beginning at the Egyptian Museum, where you'll view, among other treasures, the priceless antiquities of Tutankhamun's tomb.

This evening, transfer to the airport for your short flight to Aswan, the gateway to Africa for the ancient Egyptians. Originally named "Syene" for the coarse-grained syenite extracted from its quarries, Aswan became a trading hub for spices, leather, ivory, fruit, grains, baskets, and mummified and living crocodiles.

Day 4 Aswan

Join an optional tour to Abu Simbel
See Aswan's High Dam and the granite quarries
Enjoy a tour by felucca

MS Tulip, MS Tamr or similar Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

Early this morning, take advantage of an optional excursion to the temple complex of Abu Simbel.

See Aswan's High Dam, which controls the Nile and is a significant source of hydroelectric power in Egypt. Also, tour the granite quarries where a partially carved and cracked obelisk will demonstrate how the giant forms were hewn from the solid rock. Continue to the pier for embarkation aboard your deluxe Nile cruise ship. Settle into your cabin and enjoy lunch on board.

Enjoy a tour by felucca (a small, swift Egyptian sailboat) before returning to your cruise ship for dinner.

Spend the night in Aswan.

Note: All 2024 departures will stay on the MS Tamr.

Optional Excursion: Abu Simbel, $350

Early this morning, fly from Aswan to nearby Abu Simbel, the site of the Great Temple of Ramses II, one of the most magnificent of all temples in Egypt and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Part of the Nubian Monuments, the twin temples of Abu Simbel were initially carved out of the mountainside during the reign of Ramses II in the 13th century BCE as a lasting tribute to himself and his queen Nefertiti. After the creation of Lake Nasser, formed by the building of Aswan High Dam in 1968, the Abu Simbel complex was relocated in its entirety high above the reservoir. After exploring the temple complex, return to Aswan. Space is limited. This tour must be pre-booked and is not available for purchase locally.

Day 5 Kom Ombo & Esna

Visit Philae Temple and enjoy a cup of tea at a Nubian house
Tour the Temple of Kom Ombo

MS Tulip, MS Tamr or similar Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

Visit Philae Temple, the holiest site for Isis worshippers for centuries. The temple was officially closed down in the 6th century CE by the Byzantine emperor Justinian, and it was the last pagan temple to exist in the Mediterranean world. After the construction of the Aswan Dam, the half-submerged temple complex was completely dismantled and rebuilt to the original specifications on the nearby island of Agilika, which was reshaped and landscaped to resemble the original Philae. Metal pylons on the old island of Philae can still be seen rising from the water to the south of Agilika. Then enjoy a cup of tea in a Nubian house and learn about the local Nubian culture!

After lunch aboard the cruise ship, sail to Kom Ombo, where, in ancient times, sacred crocodiles basked in the sun on the river bank. The Temple of Kom Ombo is unique in all of Egypt and is shared by the two gods, Sobek and Haroeris. These Ptolemaic temples overlook the Nile and feature fascinating renderings on the walls, including detailed drawings of surgical instruments.

After dinner onboard, enjoy an Egyptian Galabeya Party onboard the ship.

Spend the night in Esna.

Note: All 2024 departures will stay on the MS Tamr.

Day 6 Luxor

Sail to Luxor
Tour the East Bank of the Nile and the Temple of Karnak and Luxor Temple

MS Tulip, MS Tamr or similar Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

Visit the East Bank of the Nile. Highlights of today's tour include visits to the Temple of Karnak, one of the most significant monuments of the Pharaonic legacy, with work carried out on the temples over 1500 years, and Luxor Temple, strikingly graceful and enhanced over the centuries by Tutankhamun, Ramses II, Alexander the Great, and others.

After dinner onboard, enjoy a Belly Dancer and Tanoura show.

Spend the night in Luxor.

Note: All 2024 departures will stay on the MS Tamr.

Day 7 Luxor & Cairo

Disembark after breakfast
Tour the West Bank of the Nile and the Valley of the Kings via motor coach
Visit the mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
Discover the ancient tomb of King Tutankhamun

Hilton Cairo Zamalek Residences or similar Breakfast & lunch

Full Day Itinerary

After breakfast, disembark and board your touring coach to visit the West Bank of the Nile and the Valley of the Kings, where 64 of Egypt's Pharaohs have their royal tombs hewn into the sheer rock. Continue to the impressive Deir El Bahari mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, an architectural wonder built against a looming cliff face backdrop, and the Colossi of Memnon, two giant seated statues of Amenhotep III. Afterward, discover the ancient tomb of King Tutankhamun, commonly referred to as King Tut. Explore the rooms covered in mural paintings and the burial chamber, which still contains the pharaoh's mummy in its original sarcophagus.

Then, transfer to the airport for your short flight back to Cairo. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for check-in and overnight.

Optional Excursion: Hot Air Balloon Ride (purchased locally), $170

Wake up early to embark on a hot air balloon ride and an incredible bird's eye view over the Nile. (Subject to weather conditions.)

Day 8 Cairo

Spend the day at leisure or join an optional excursion

Hilton Cairo Zamalek Residences or similar Breakfast

Full Day Itinerary

Enjoy a day at leisure and independent exploration, or join an optional tour.

Optional Excursion: Citadel of Saladin & Khan El Khalili Bazaar, $90

This morning, visit the Citadel of Saladin, built on the remains of a Crusader-style fortress and the Alabaster Mosque. Later, visit the Khan El Khalili Bazaar. Embrace the spices as you admire exotic clothing, jewelry, hand-hammered copper, ceramic ware, and other treasures that await your deft bargaining to win them at astounding prices.

Optional Excursion: Memphis & Sakkara, $90

This afternoon, visit the royal burial ground of Sakkara, located in the ancient Egyptian capital, Memphis. Discover the famous Step Pyramid of Djoser, the oldest known complete stone building from the Third Dynasty.

Optional Excursion: Walking Tour of Art Galleries in Zamalek with dinner, $70

This evening, enjoy a guided visit to the trendy Zamalek suburb, an island in the Nile alongside Cairo. Zamalek is one of Cairo's most dynamic enclaves and cultural hubs, home to eclectic galleries, fair trade shops, bakeries, cafes, restaurants, and bars. Stroll through the neighborhood and discover wonderful artworks by some of Egypt's most talented contemporary artists showcased at galleries such as Safar Khan Art Gallery or Picasso Art Gallery. Afterward, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 9 Cairo/USA

Bid farewell to Egypt as you're escorted to the airport for your return flight
Arrive in the USA later today

Breakfast

Discounted Optional Excursions Package: $195

Save by pre-booking a discounted package of our most popular optional excursions:

Citadel of Saladin & Khan El Khalili Bazaar ($90)
Memphis & Sakkara ($90)
Walking tour of Art galleries in Zamalek and Dinner ($70)

You can book these excursions individually in Egypt. But you can save if you purchase this special package ahead of time—with or before your final payment. These are not "seat in coach" excursions that pick up passengers at various hotels; all are operated for Friendly Planet groups only.

Abu Simbel Excursion: $350

Pre-book this excursion to save money and ensure your spot as space is limited and is not available for purchase locally. See details above.

Hotels & Ships

Hotels

Hilton Cairo Zamalek Residences

First Class

Hilton Cairo Zamalek Residences is located in the heart of Cairo on the Zamalek island, right in the city's center. The hotel is just steps from the Egyptian Museum, Cairo Opera House, and Andalos Park.

More information

Mövenpick Resort Aswan

Deluxe

Mövenpick Resort Aswan is located on its own island, Elephantine Island, in the middle of the Nile River in Aswan. Lush gardens and views of the Nile surround the resort. The resort includes a birdwatching station, a deer farm, a fish pond, and an organic farm.

More information

In the unlikely event that a particular hotel is not available, a similar or better hotel may be substituted.

Cruise Ships

MS Tulip

Wings Group welcomes you aboard their newly renovated five-star M/S Tulip cruise ship. Your deluxe cruise along the Nile will take you back thousands of years to places where history unfolded and unearthed the romances of Cleopatra, some of the wonders of the ancient world, and impressive structures mysteriously built without modern technology.

More information

MS Tamr

Discover the ancient wonders of Egypt along the Nile River between Luxor and Aswan while indulging in the comforts of MS Tamr, your luxurious floating oasis. This cruise ship offers an unparalleled experience combining Egypt’s rich history and breathtaking landscapes with the highest standards of comfort and hospitality.

More information

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Trip Details

What should I know before I go? We've compiled a comprehensive checklist, including information on how to pay your balance due, flights & transfers, packing & luggage, and more.
Do I need a visa or other documents? Are there any entry requirements? Travel visas are required for this package. Please review the visa & entry requirements.
Can I make changes to my trip? Want to upgrade your seats? Something else? Just ask!
Can I bring my kids? Are there any age restrictions? To book this package, you must be 18 or older. Your traveling companions must be 8 or older at time of travel.
Should I purchase travel insurance? Yes! We recommend you purchase travel insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer a plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services.
What's the fine print? Review the terms & conditions for this package.
What should I know about Egypt? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.