Tours in Egypt

EGYPT WITH PALACE HOTELS

12 DAYS / 11 NIGHTS

from £4,250 / US$5,362 per person*

Tour Highlights

  • Stay at Egypt’s grand colonial-era style hotels
  • Unhurried journey without a Nile Cruise
  • Room with a view of the pyramids in Cairo
  • See the treasures of the Egyptian Museum
  • Relax in the royal gardens at the Winter Palace
  • Discover the Valley of the Kings
  • Sunset sailing on the Nile by felucca
  • Nile view room at the Old Cataract Hotel
  • Enjoy some of the best views in Egypt

Tour Overview

CAIRO • THE PYRAMIDS • LUXOR • VALLEY OF THE KINGS • EDFU • ASWAN

Egypt with Palace Hotels is an unhurried private journey that explores the land of the pharaohs while based at the country’s grand colonial-era hotels. Alternative titles could be ‘Slowly through Egypt’ or ‘Egypt without a Nile Cruise’ – for these are also key differentiating factors that distinguish this Egypt with Palace Hotels itinerary from most other luxury Egypt holidays.

Starting in Cairo, this leisurely tour begins with a stay at the Mena House Hotel. Located in the shadow of the famed Pyramids of Giza and surrounded by 40 acres of gardens, this historic property was originally built in 1869 as a hunting lodge on the edge of the desert for Egyptian royalty. The Mena House is noted for its classic Arabian look – a theme repeated in the hotel’s modern Garden Wing – where guests stay today. While touring Cairo with your private Egyptologist guide, you will see the Sphinx, the Great Pyramid, the Egyptian museum treasures, and the vibrant alleys of the Khan el Khalili bazaar.

Then, fly south to Luxor, where you will check in at the grand Edwardian-style Winter Palace Hotel (opened in 1907). On entering this yellow-pastel-hued landmark, you will arrive in another era: antique furnishings, old engravings, high ceilings, the smell of polish, and exotic gardens give the property the feel of an imposing residence in an exotic outpost of empire. Lord Carnarvon, a patron of the archaeologist Howard Carter and a regular guest at the hotel, announced the discovery of Tutankhamun’s Tomb to the world from the steps of the Winter Palace in 1922. After exploring Luxor’s magnificent temples and tombs – including the Valley of the Kings – with your private guide, the journey continues south via the temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo to Aswan, where your room at the glorious Old Cataract Hotel (opened 1900) overlooks the Nile.

Sat on a granite bluff overlooking the world’s longest river, the Old Cataract Hotel is considered one of the world’s foremost colonial-era properties. While residing at this beautiful Moorish-style hotel with its horseshoe arches and fine Mashrabiya woodwork, you’ll visit the beautiful Temple of Isis on Philae Island, tour the Quarries of the Pharaohs, and enjoy a sunset sailing on the Nile in a traditional lateen-sailed felucca. The Egypt with Palace Hotels tour concludes with a day at leisure to enjoy some of the most beautiful views in Egypt.

Itinerary

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Day 1 Arrive in Cairo, Egypt

Cairo (Mosque-Madrasa of Sultan Hasan) Egypt DT 8580980

Land at Cairo International Airport under your own arrangements (if you would like a quote for international flights, please ask us). On arrival, you’ll be met and assisted with visas (included), and then a private transfer will bring you to your Cairo hotel located overlooking the pyramids of Giza.

ACCOMMODATION (3 nights)

Sapphire: Marriott Mena House Hotel (Partial Pyramid View Room)

Diamond: Marriott Mena House Hotel (Premium Pyramid View Room)

Day 2 Pyramids of Giza

Cairo (Egyptian pyramids.Giza pyramid complex) Egypt DT 3171475

Travel the short distance to the pyramid complex of Giza to see the Great Pyramid of the Pharaoh Khufu and the enigmatic Sphinx with a private guide. Then, return to the Mena House Hotel where the afternoon will be at leisure to enjoy the gardens and the pyramid views, and perhaps take a dip in the outdoor pool.

Day 3 Egyptian Museum and Bazaar

Cairo (Egyptian Museum) Egypt DT 67536780

Start the day at the Egyptian Museum, where you will have a crash course in ancient Egyptian history and gaze at the spellbinding exhibits that include the golden treasure of Tutankhamun. Then, set off on a walking tour through the vibrant streets of the Khan El Khalili bazaar for an immersion into the traditional Middle East.

Day 4 Fly to Luxor

Luxor (Luxor Temple. Sphinx corridor) Egypt DT 8652430

Fly south to Luxor. Meet on arrival and private transfer to the historic Winter Palace Hotel – a building infused with the spirit of a bygone era that was once a royal guesthouse. The afternoon will be leisurely to enjoy the beautiful gardens and have a swim in the pool. Later, you might want to enjoy a drink in the club-style Victorian Lounge before having dinner at the elegant 1886 Restaurant.

ACCOMMODATION (4 nights)

Sapphire: Sofitel Winter Palace Hotel (Superior Garden View room)

Diamond: Sofitel Winter Palace Hotel (Luxury Garden View Room)

Day 5 Luxor sightseeing

Luxor (Karnak Temple) Egypt DT 14630166

Tour Luxor’s East Bank with a private Egyptologist guide. Sightseeing will include the stunning temple complex of Amon-Ra at Karnak, the small, beautifully displayed collection of the Luxor Museum, and the imposing Temple of Luxor.

Day 6 Luxor (West Bank sightseeing)

Luxor (Colossi of Memnon) Egypt DT 17751049

Visit the beautifully painted tombs in the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens, the rock-cut temple of Queen Hatshepsut, and the Colossi of Memnon. After lunch, return to Luxor, where the rest of the day will be at leisure. Alternatively, we can arrange for more sightseeing – do let us know if this might interest you.

Day 7 Luxor

Abydos Temple (Temple of Seti I. Horus with Seti and Isis) Egypt DT 13311981

At leisure in Luxor to relax by the pool and enjoy the gardens of the Winter Palace. Alternatively, consider the option of seeing more of the West Bank or the temples of Abydos and Dendera.

Day 8 Edfu, Kom Ombo, arrive in Aswan to Egypt

Kom Ombo (Temple of Kom Ombo) Egypt DT 23724823

Leaving Luxor behind you, travel south to Edfu and visit the temple of the falcon-headed god Horus – one of the finest and most complete ancient Egyptian temples in Egypt. The journey continues to see the fine pharaonic temples at Kom Ombo and concludes in Aswan, where your luxurious historic hotel has some of the finest Nile views in Egypt.

ACCOMMODATION (4 nights)

Sapphire: Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Hotel (Luxury room, Nile Wing)

Diamond: Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Hotel (Cataract suite, Palace Wing)

 

Day 9 Aswan (felucca sailing)

Aswan (River Nile) Egypt DT 8594920

Today will be at leisure to relax and enjoy the views and facilities of the historic Old Cataract Hotel in Aswan. The hotel’s terrace is considered THE place to have tea with a Nile view in Egypt. Should you wish to explore the Nubian Museum is nearby and Aswan town is just a short drive away. Late this afternoon, sail on the Nile in a private traditional lateen-sailed felucca.

Day 10 Aswan sightseeing

Aswan (Philae Temple) Egypt DT 127939403

Discover Aswan this morning, one of the most beautiful spots in Egypt. Sightseeing will include the Aswan High Dam, the Quarries of the Pharaohs, and the beautiful Temple of Isis on Philae Island, which was rescued from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. Relax at the historic Old Cataract Hotel this afternoon.

Day 11 Aswan (optional visit to Abu Simbel)

Abu Simbel (Rameses II temple) Egypt DT 1969219

At leisure in Aswan (or optional visit to the Temples of Ramses II at Abu Simbel – supplement applies).

Day 12 Farewell to Egypt

a. general Egyptian papyrus Egypt DT 9175227

A private transfer will bring you to Luxor International Airport where you will check in for your onward flight.

Customise your tour

Personalise this Egypt tailor-made holiday by adding some extra nights into the itinerary or extending the tour. Here are some ideas…

2 NIGHTS

Visit Alexandria and stay at the Steigenberger Cecil Alexandria, an iconic heritage hotel

Alexandria (Montaza Palace) Egypt DT 18393734

3 NIGHTS

Enjoy a cruise on River Nile

Aswan (River Nile) Egypt DT 22657629

4 NIGHTS

Relax by the Red Sea

Red Sea (Hurghada. Soma Bay) Egypt DT 204174986

Pricing Notes & Information

Price Guideline

*Price guideline, per person, based on two people sharing.

LOW SEASON
Sapphire Hotels from £4,250 (US$5,362)
Diamond Hotels from £4,950 (US$6,245)

HIGH SEASON
Sapphire Hotels from £4,800 (US$6,056)
Diamond Hotels from £5,590 (US$7,052)

What's Included

  • Accommodation and sightseeing as described
  • Services of Corinthian Travel’s representatives throughout your time in Egypt
  • Egyptian visas
  • Entrance fees for specified sightseeing
  • Private guide in Cairo, Luxor and Aswan for all sightseeing
  • Private transfers throughout in an air-conditioned minivan (Hyundai H-1 or similar)
  • Meals: 11 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches
  • Domestic flight with Egyptair in Economy Class (Cairo/Luxor)

Notes

Egypt with Palace Hotels is a private tour that can operate throughout the year based on arrival in Cairo on any day of the week.

All prices are subject to availability at the time of booking. Prices do not include International flights (please ask us for a quote) and are per person, based on two people sharing a room and a minimum group size of two.

Single and sole traveller supplements will apply.

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