Egypt & the Eternal Nile
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Overview
Highlights
- Cairo’s intriguing ancient sites, including the Great Pyramids, Sphinx, Memphis, Sakkara
- Old Cairo touring
- Renowned Egyptian Museum
- Abu Simbel’s dramatic temples
- Sound & Light show at Abu Simbel
- Lake Nasser cruise through ancient Nubian homeland
- Aswan’s temples at Kalabsha
- Nile felucca sail
- Nile River cruise
- Aswan Dam visit
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Activities
Trip includes
- Round-trip air transportation from listed cities; all flights within Egypt
- 13 nights’ accommodations: 6 nights in Deluxe and Superior First Class hotels; 7 nights aboard Deluxe and Superior First Class ships
- 32 meals: 13 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 9 dinners
- Extensive sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees
- Services of an Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director
- Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip, including shore excursions
- Luggage handling for one bag per person
- Gratuities for local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
- $100 frequent traveler credit towards your next Odysseys Unlimited tour ($200 after 3 tours; $300 after 10 tours)
Itinerary
Depart U.S. for Cairo, Egypt
Arrive Cairo We arrive in the Egyptian capital and transfer to our hotel. As guests’ arrival times may vary greatly, we have no group activities or meals planned.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Cairo After a morning briefing, our full-day tour begins at the acclaimed Egyptian Museum, the world’s greatest repository of ancient relics. Then we tour the Citadel of Saladin housing the alabaster Mosque of Mohamed Ali; later this afternoon we navigate bustling Khan el-Khalili bazaar. Tonight we enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Cairo Today’s tour starts at the open-air museum at Memphis, Egypt’s first capital (early 4th century BCE). Here, too, we encounter the enigmatic Sphinx, whose leonine body and human face were carved from a single piece of limestone. ...
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Cairo/Aswan/Embark Lake Nasser Cruise Early this morning we fly to Aswan. Upon arrival we tour the Aswan High Dam, considered a marvel of engineering when completed in 1965. Then we visit the Nubia Museum, an acclaimed showcas...
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Lake Nasser Cruising – Kalabsha Temples/ Wadi el-Seboua Today we see some sights of ancient Nubia, Egypt’s neighbor in antiquity but with a distinct culture and traditions. We stop first at “new” Kalabsha, the largest freestan...
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Lake Nasser Cruising – Wadi el-Seboua This morning we see two important New Kingdom temples that, like Kalabsha, were dismantled and relocated to make way for Lake Nasser. We explore Wadi el-Seboua, the next largest of all the...
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Lake Nasser Cruising – Amada/Kasr Ibrim/ Abu Simbel We sail this morning to Kasr Ibrim, the last remaining Nubian settlement in its original location. As it is forbidden to go ashore here, we learn about this ancient site whil...
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Disembark/Abu Simbel/Aswan/Embark Nile Cruise Ship We disembark then travel by coach to Aswan, where we board our Nile ship. This afternoon we take an afternoon sail aboard small feluccas, replicas of ancient Nile sailboats.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Nile Cruising – Aswan/Kom Ombo/Edfu We cruise today to the site of the ancient trading town at Kom Ombo, with its unusual double temple and outstanding Nile views. We sail on to Edfu, where tonight we attend a shipboard party wearing the traditional Egytian galabeya.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Nile Cruising – Edfu/Luxor/East Bank This morning we visit Edfu’s Temple of Horus, Egypt’s best-preserved ancient temple. Then we cruise to Luxor, the world’s “greatest open-air museum,” whose vast temple complexes, tombs, and...
Meals: Breakfast
Disembark/Luxor/West Bank We have the option to rise very early to see the West Bank from above on an optional hot air balloon ride. After we disembark our ship later this morning, we tour the haunting Valley of the Kings, where 34 royal tombs ...
Meals: Breakfast
Luxor/Cairo We fly to Cairo. After checking in at our hotel, we visit the lively Kahn el-Khalili bazaar.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Cairo This morning we encounter Old Cairo, the district where early capital cities once stood and now only remnants remain. We visit 5th-century St. Sergius Church, the Coptic church of el-Mauallaqa, and Ben Ezra Synagogue, built in 882. Mid-day we return to our hotel where tonight we enjoy a farewell dinner.
Depart for U.S. Early this morning we transfer to the airport for our return flight to the U.S.
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Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Odysseys Unlimited.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
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Tour Operator
Small Groups: Our Only Focus
Small group travel is all that we do – just 12 to 24 guests on our own custom-designed tours. And it’s all we’ve ever done, from the day we opened our doors in 1998.
We design and operate our tours specifically for small groups, rather than adapt a conventional tour to take fewer guests. And while you’re sure to find tours with fewer guests, or lower prices, or labeled “Deluxe” (with the prices to match), you won’t find the combination of value, quality, superior accommodations and amenities, and guaranteed small groups that we offer.
We do this by creating and operating our own tours, and offering them to you without any middlemen. We work closely with our airline, hotel, and other travel partners to secure the lowest rates possible. Then we put those rates to good use by offering our tours at an excellent value – not necessarily the lowest price, but the best ratio of price to experiences, quality, and service.
We invite you to compare our tours with those of other travel companies and see for yourself. You’ll find that Odysseys Unlimited offers the best package of small group travel and premium quality – at an excellent value.
The Small Group Experience
The small size of our tour groups allows us to move about more flexibly and efficiently; enjoy more spontaneous encounters; and experience a degree of freedom and independence simply not available to travelers on conventional group tours of 40 or more.
Traveling on your own you’d see the major sights, but chances are you’d stick close to the traditional tourist routes. Our goal is to show you the major sights and take you behind the scenes: into private homes and traditional villages, to local schools and neighborhood restaurants. And you’ll travel in the company of experienced, knowledgeable tour directors and guides who share their countries – and their lives – with you, bringing destinations alive in a truly personal and meaningful way.
Not only do these opportunities enhance your travels, but someone else makes the arrangements and manages all the details – leaving you free to savor the small group experience.
Extensive Included Sightseeing
Our small group tours include a great deal of thoughtful and engaging sightseeing and activities, from camel-back rides, rainforest walks, and scenic excursions to guided museum tours, home visits, cultural performances, and wine tastings. In major cities there’s usually free time to explore on your own after a guided city tour.
Respect for Your Freedom and Individuality
If you’ve avoided taking group tours, preferring to travel on your own, we think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by our level of service, independence, and value. And if you’re a veteran of traditional group tours, we’re confident you’ll be impressed by the many advantages of small group travel, as well as by the high quality and outstanding value you’ll enjoy with Odysseys Unlimited.
We offer the best of both worlds: the value, ease, and comprehensive itinerary of a group tour, and the freedom, quality, and service that sophisticated travelers demand, and deserve. Should you choose to sit out an included tour or two and go off on your own, you’re entirely welcome to do so. And we think you’ll appreciate having the occasional lunch or dinner on your own, away from the group.
Our Tour Directors Make the Difference
We believe personal attention is key to an outstanding travel experience, so we’ve ensured that it’s a hallmark of Odysseys Unlimited. It starts with our travel counselors when you reserve your trip, then continues on the road with your tour director. Our professional tour directors rank among the best in the business; their love of travel is surpassed only by their desire to share their enthusiasm and knowledge with others. And traveling in a small group means your tour director will have more time to spend with you and to share the personal insights that can add so much to your experience.
A Variety of Accommodations
We know that hotels aren’t the main reason for traveling. But good accommodations can enhance your overall tour experience, and great accommodations can contribute to a great trip. So we select hotels that we believe are best for a particular trip and experience – those that offer the best combination of quality, value, and atmosphere for each destination. Our hotels in major cities are usually centrally located so guests can get around easier; our unique lodgings are often out of the way, offering our tour members a local ambiance larger groups never experience.
Our lodging options are divided into three segments:
Excellent Hotels
These are the Deluxe, Superior First Class, and First Class accommodations we use in major cities, including well-known chain hotels and independently owned properties. You can expect excellent service and amenities in these well-located properties.
Unique Lodgings
Perhaps our most interesting lodgings, these properties cater to small groups and independent travelers, and generally are not available to conventional groups of 40 or more. From the historic paradores of Spain, to a French farmhouse, to a Japanese ryokan or a Tuscan villa, these accommodations often are destinations in themselves.
Small Ships
We leave the mass-market big ship cruise experience to others, and instead focus on the smaller, more intimate ships that ply distinctive waterways. As you cruise along the Yangtze River, the Turquoise Coast, or through the Patagonian ice fields, among others, your small ship is as much a part of the journey as the places you visit. These vessels let you see the life of a country up close, and allow you to disembark frequently to explore. And while they may vary from simple and comfortable to truly deluxe, these ships generally feature a casual onboard atmosphere, single-seating dining, and amenities such as lounges, boutiques, and plenty of open deck space.
Most Gratuities Included
Experienced travelers know that tipping is an expected element of worldwide travel; but at times it can become a nuisance or inconvenience. For that reason, we’ve eliminated the worry by including in your tour price all gratuities for local guides and drivers, hotel and airport porters, and dining room servers. Gratuities for your Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director and shipboard personnel (if your tour includes a cruise) are not included and should be extended on a voluntary basis, in recognition of truly excellent service.
What Your Tour Price Includes
We design our tours to be highly inclusive, while still making it possible for you to exercise some personal preferences. So we include all the essentials – airfare, accommodations, most meals, extensive sightseeing – but leave some room for you to explore on your own or to enjoy a few meals away from the group.
In general, every Odysseys Unlimited trip includes:
- Travel in a small group of just 12 to 24 guests – guaranteed
- Round-trip air transportation from listed cities; plus all flights within your tour
- Accommodations
- Many meals: all breakfasts, many lunches and dinners – and you’ll also have the opportunity to dine on your own, without the group
- All advertised sightseeing (plus all entrance fees and admissions)
- Singular activities and more intimate cultural encounters possible only with a small group
- The services of an experienced, professional Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director
- Gratuities for local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
- Luggage handling for one bag per person
- $100 frequent traveler credit toward your next Odysseys Unlimited tour ($200 after three tours; $300 after 10 tours)
Fully Refundable Deposits
A deposit of just $375 confirms your reservation, which you can make with a personal check or major credit card: American Express, MasterCard, Discover, and VISA are all accepted. Best of all, your deposit is fully refundable up to 95 or 125 days before departure (depending on the tour). It’s easy to reserve your tour with us; simply call toll-free, 1-888-370-6765, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time.
Six-Time Honoree Travel + Leisure’s “World’s Best Tour Operators” Award
We are honored that Odysseys Unlimited has been named six times as one of the “World’s Best Tour Operators” by readers of Travel + Leisure in the magazine’s prestigious annual poll. Based on surveys completed by thousands of readers and travelers, the “World’s Best” list judges tour operators on their staff and guides, itineraries, activities, destinations, accommodations, food, and value.
About Travelstride
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Logistics
Accommodation
Launched in 2007, this 56-cabin river ship offers such amenities as a dining room, bar, lounge, Sun Deck with outdoor pool, heated whirlpool, sauna, massage treatments, fitness center, Wi-Fi internet access (for a fee), and gift shop. Air-conditioned cabins have private bath with hair dryer, safe deposit box, mini-bar, TV, and phone.
Length: 244 feet Width: 46 feet
Cancellations and Refunds
You will receive a full refund for any cancellations made up to 95 days before departure (125 days for In the Wake of Lewis and Clark). If you must cancel your tour, the effective date of cancellation will be upon our receipt of your notification. Refunds for cancellations are subject to the following per person charges:
For all tours (except as noted)
Prior to departure
Charge
95 days or more
Full refund
94–65 days
25% of tour price
64–45 days
50% of tour price
44–30 days
75% of tour price
29–0 days
No refund
13 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches and 9 Dinners
Post-Tour Extension
Jordan: Petra & Amman
5 days/4 nights for $1,695 total price
Single Supplement: $395
Discover the fabled "rose-red city, half as old as time" on this exciting exploration. Plus: ancient Jerash and the capital of Amman.
Your Tour Price Includes
- Air transportation Cairo/Amman
- 4 nights’ accommodations: 2 nights in Petra at Movenpick Resort Petra (Superior First Class); 2 nights in Amman at Kempinski Hotel Amman (Superior First Class)
- 9 meals: 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners
- Extensive included sightseeing
- Services of an Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director
- Private motorcoach transportation
- Gratuities for dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
Please note: This trip involves considerable walking on uneven terrain and at sites of ancient ruins. You should be in good physical condition to enjoy the tour to its fullest.
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