One-Way Egypt (Cairo to Luxor)

Itinerary

Day 1: Cairo Upon arrival at Cairo International airport you will be met by a Busabout representative (once you clear customs) who will arrange your airport shuttle. Soon you’ll be in the middle of cars, trucks, buses, mopeds, donkeys and pedestrians as they fight for space on the busy roads. Once you’re checked in to the hotel join up with the group for an evening orientation walk and the option of having dinner at one of our favourite local restaurants.
Overnight: Cairo (Hotel)
Day 2: Cairo to Aswan Today is all about exploring Cairo, the capital city of Egypt and known as the ‘The City of a Thousand Minarets’ for its stunning array of Islamic architecture. We start with a visit to the Pyramids of Giza where you can view the Pyramid of Cheops, the only remaining Seven Wonder of the Ancient World. We head off to the world-famous Egyptian Museum where you’ll be guided through thousands of artifacts, including the funerary treasures of King Tutankhamen. The Pyramids and the Museum will take up most of the day, but you’ll have the early evening at leisure before boarding the overnight sleeper train to Aswan.
Overnight: Aswan (Train).The train offers twin sleeper bed cabins and the journey takes approximately 12 hours
Day 3: Aswan This morning the train pulls into Aswan mid-morning and we’ll waste no time in getting from the station to the Aswan High Dam. The High Dam was finished in 1970 and has had a huge impact on the Egyptian economy and culture. You’ll get all the info from your Guide before it’s time to visit the Philae temple. The afternoon is yours to explore the Souk of Aswan and take in its distinctively African charm.
If you’re sailing on the felucca on Tuesday and Wednesday, tonight you’ll be staying in a hotel in Aswan. If you fancy a bit more luxury you can upgrade to a 5* Nile cruise boat today and spend your first night on the Nile. If you choose to upgrade you’ll board the boat in time for a buffet lunch and in the afternoon you can jump on a felucca so you can still float down the Nile as the locals do.
Overnight: Hotel (Aswan) or Nile cruise boat
Day 4: Abu Simbel – Nile Sailing Whether you wake up on the Nile or in Aswan, you have the option to take the trip to Abu Simbel. This side trip is about six hours and includes a visit to the Behemothic Temple of Ramses II, the most awe-inspiring temple in ancient Egypt. If you’re into seeing some of the local sights in Aswan, check out our optional side-trip to a traditional Nubian Village instead, before meeting up with the rest of the group to board your felucca/cruise boat as we set sail up the Nile towards Kom Ombo.
Overnight: Felucca or Nile cruise boat
Day 5: Kom Ombo Enjoy the serenity of sailing along the Nile in your felucca or cruise ship, the longest river in the world and steeped in history. This evening you’ll arrive in Kom Ombo to visit its unusual double temple dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile God and the falcon God Horus the Elder. This is not only the best preserved ancient temple in Egypt, but also the second biggest after Karnak. It was uncovered from a huge mound of sand in 1860 and dates back to 237BC.
Overnight: Felucca or Nile cruise boat
Day 6: Kom Ombo to Luxor We continue on to the river city of Luxor by bus. After breakfast we head to the temple of Edfu which was built by Amenhotep III around 1370BC and dedicated to Amon-Re, king of the Gods and his consort, Mut. This fascinating temple has been used almost continuously for worship ever since. We’ll visit Luxor temple and hear stories of ancient Thebes wandering amongst its impressive obelisks, corridors and sphinxes!
Overnight: Luxor (Hotel)
Day 7: Luxor Tour finishes after breakfast.