CAIRO, THE PYRAMIDS, NILE CRUISE, KARNAK AND LUXOR
Are you intrigued by the mystery of mummies? Have you imagined yourself in a scene from an Indiana Jones film? Here’s your chance to be an amateur Egyptologist, digging into this country’s enigmatic architecture and antiquities. The highlight of our escorted Egypt tour package is the Great Pyramid of Giza, one of the seven wonders of the world. You’ll also cruise along the legendary Nile in a level of comfort even Cleopatra would approve of. Along with captivating commentary, your smarTours guide will offer tips, tailored to your interests and activity level, on how to make the very most of your free time in the land of the pharaohs. 5/5 stars on Tripadvisor!
COVID-19 UPDATE
U.S. travelers are welcome to visit Egypt with certain entry requirements, including:
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- All travelers returning to the U.S., including those who have been vaccinated, must provide a negative, viral COVID-19 test issued no more than 3 days prior to departure or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 from your healthcare provider. Full details and requirements can be accessed here. NOTE: smarTours will arrange testing for the group in Egypt. The cost of the test is $130 USD and must be paid in cash at the testing site.
Also, for the safety of everyone in the group, smarTours requires all travelers to provide a negative, viral COVID-19 antigen or PCR test issued no more than 3 days prior to departure, documentation of recovery from COVID-19 from your healthcare provider, or proof of full vaccination before leaving the United States.
Information is subject to change, please see the most up-to-date entry requirements for Egypt here.
Itinerary at
a Glance
- International Flight
- 2 nights in Cairo
- 1 night in Aswan
- 3-night Nile Cruise
- 2 nights in Luxor
- 1 night in Cairo
- Optional 3-night extension to Alexandria (2 nights in Alexandria, 1 night in Cairo)
Tour
Highlights
- Great Pyramids of Giza
- Sphinx of Giza
- Philae’s Temple of Isis
- Ptolemaic Temple for Horus and Sobek
- Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
- Temples of Karnak & Luxor
- Egyptian Museum of Antiquities
- Khan El Khalili Bazaar District
Your extension includes:
- Alexandria Library
- National Museum
- Montazah Gardens
- Catacombs
- Jewelry Museum
Your Tour
Includes
- Round-trip airfare from New York (JFK)
- Airfare taxes, fees & fuel surcharges
- Accommodations at deluxe hotels and on cruise ship
- 18 meals: 9 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners
- Comprehensive sightseeing tours and entry fees
- Experienced English-speaking Tour Director throughout
- Transportation in an air-conditioned bus
Tour Itinerary
Pyramids of Giza
Our destination today: the wondrous Pyramids of Giza. Built during the Third and Fourth Dynasties, these monuments stand as testimony to the skill and strength of their builders. We’ll get up close to study the Great Pyramid, as well as see the Pyramids of Khefren and Mycerinus in the distance. Nearby, we’ll gaze at the mythical Sphinx of Giza, which famously combines a reclining lion with the head of an Egyptian king. After these amazing sights, we’ll lunch like the Egyptians do at a local Cairo restaurant.
Cairo Marriott Hotel or similar | Breakfast,…
Cairo/Aswan
Today you’ll be picked up at your hotel and we’ll fly from Cairo to Aswan. Upon arrival you can either hop on another short flight for an optional tour to the Abu Simbel Temples or head to the hotel and start exploring Aswan at your leisure. Later we will all join together to sail on the Nile by a motorboat to the Nubian Village that is located on the West Bank of the River Nile. This fantastic tour to the Nubian Village lets you meet a Nubian family, have a drink in their home, while learning about their lifestyle, culture,…
Nile Cruise/Kom Ombo/Edfu/Luxor
We’ll cruise to Kom Ombo to visit an unusual double temple, built in the Ptolemaic period and dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon-head god Horus. After exploring Kom Ombo, we’ll sail on to Edfu, an Egyptian city on the west bank of the Nile River. Our day continues with a tour of the immense, well preserved Temple of Edfu, built between 237 and 57 B.C. and also dedicated to Horus. Legend says that this was the site where Horus avenged his father’s murder by his uncle, the god Seth. Back on board the Royal Lily, we’ll sail past Esna to Luxor….
Nile Cruise/Luxor
Often considered the most extraordinary open-air museum in the world, Luxor boasts an imposing array of ruins and monuments. The modern name for Thebes (the “city of palaces”), Luxor is also the inspiration for the word luxury, and we’ll see quite a bit of architectural extravagance today. The graceful Temple of Luxor was built over several centuries by Amenhopis III, Tutankhamun, Ramses II and Alexander the Great and features an avenue of sphinxes. We’ll also tour the ancient temple complex of Karnak. The immense wealth of Thebes was spent embellishing and building temples in honor…
Guided Tour Pricing
Price includes round-trip airfare from the U.S. (Land-only pricing available on request.)
| Depart | Return | Depart - Return | Best Value Pricing - Reserve by Apr 30, 2021 | Reserve after Apr 30, 2021 |
Select Tour | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2021 | w/ eCheck Discount | Sale | After Sale | ||
| June 21 | July 1 | Jun 21 - Jul 1 |
$2,799 | $2,899 | $3,299 |
Book Now: |
| July 5 | July 15 | Jul 5 - Jul 15 |
$2,799 | $2,899 | $3,299 |
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| August 5 | August 15 | Aug 5 - Aug 15 |
$2,599 | $2,699 | $3,099 |
Book Now: |
| September 6 | September 16 | Sep 6 - Sep 16 |
$2,699 | $2,799 | $3,199 |
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| September 16 | September 26 | Sep 16 - Sep 26 |
$2,899 | $2,999 | $3,399 |
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| October 4 | October 14 | Oct 4 - Oct 14 |
$2,899 | $2,999 | $3,399 |
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| October 7 | October 17 | Oct 7 - Oct 17 |
$2,699 | $2,799 | $3,199 |
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| October 14 | October 24 | Oct 14 - Oct 24 |
$3,199 | $3,299 | $3,699 | Sold Out |
| November 4 | November 14 | Nov 4 - Nov 14 |
$2,899 | $2,999 | $3,399 |
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| November 15 | November 25 | Nov 15 - Nov 25 |
$2,699 | $2,799 | $3,199 |
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| November 29 | December 9 | Nov 29 - Dec 9 |
$2,699 | $2,799 | $3,199 |
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| December 6 | December 16 | Dec 6 - Dec 16 |
$2,699 | $2,799 | $3,199 |
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| 2022 | 2022 | w/ eCheck Discount | Sale | After Sale | ||
| January 10 | January 20 | Jan 10 - Jan 20 |
$2,699 | $2,799 | $3,199 |
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| February 21 | March 3 | Feb 21 - Mar 3 |
$2,699 | $2,799 | $3,199 |
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| March 10 | March 20 | Mar 10 - Mar 20 |
$2,899 | $2,999 | $3,399 |
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| March 17 | March 27 | Mar 17 - Mar 27 |
$2,699 | $2,799 | $3,199 |
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| April 25 | May 5 | Apr 25 - May 5 |
$2,699 | $2,799 | $3,199 |
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| May 9 | May 19 | May 9 - May 19 |
$2,799 | $2,899 | $3,299 |
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| June 9 | June 19 | Jun 9 - Jun 19 |
$2,899 | $2,999 | $3,399 |
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| August 18 | August 28 | Aug 18 - Aug 28 |
$2,599 | $2,699 | $3,099 |
Book Now: |
| September 12 | September 22 | Sep 12 - Sep 22 |
$2,799 | $2,899 | $3,299 |
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| October 13 | October 23 | Oct 13 - Oct 23 |
$2,899 | $2,999 | $3,399 |
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| November 3 | November 13 | Nov 3 - Nov 13 |
$2,699 | $2,799 | $3,199 |
Book Now: |
Rates are per person based on double occupancy.
Single room supplement is $579
Alexandria Extension: Add $649 per person double occupancy / $948 single occupancy
Business Class Upgrade:
JFK-CAI-JFK add $3300 (on request)
For more information on this tour, please contact us here or call us during business hours (Mon-Fri, 9:00am – 5:30pm EST) at 800-337-7773.
Please note that the Abu Simbel excursion needs to be prepaid to smarTours in advance of departure.
Reservations and Payments
Reservations can be made by phone (1-800-337-7773) and will be confirmed upon receipt of your non-refundable, non-transferable deposit, which must be received at the time of reservation. Deposits are $99 per person for all 2021 departures, and $300 per person for all 2022 departures. Full payment is due 90 days prior to departure. Baggage fees may apply. Space and prices subject to availability. Please see the smarTours Terms and Conditions for complete booking information.
Extended Tours
Optional Tours Customize your trip with these optional tours.
Pricing is subject to change. Payment (non-refundable) should be made by cash or credit card (VISA, MasterCard or AmEx, subject to service charge).
Featured Accommodations
Egypt Room Upgrades
- From $379 per person
Call 1-800-337-7773 to add to your existing reservation, or add your upgrade at the time of booking!
Main Tour Upgrades (+$379 per person)
Cairo Marriott | Upgrade to a Nile View Room Includes two double beds, is located away from the elevator and has a balcony with Nile River views!
Movenpick Aswan | Upgrade to a Superior Nile Room Includes twin beds and a balcony with Nile River views!
Movenpick Lily or Steigenberger Nile Cruise Ship | Upgrade to an Upper Deck Cabin Located on a higher deck (Please note that…
Before You Depart
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Please make sure to allow sufficient time for clearing customs and immigration if you are planning a connecting flight. We recommend at least three-and-a-half hours. Please note that flight schedules are subject to change without prior notice.
| Departure Date | Airline | Depart JFK | Return JFK (Main Tour) | Return JFK (Alexandria Extension) |
| 2021: Jun. 21, Jul. 5, Aug. 5, Sep. 6, Sep. 16, Oct. 4, Oct. 7, Oct. 14, Nov. 4, Nov. 15, Nov. 29, Dec. 6 2022: Jan 10, Feb. 21, Mar. 10 |
EgyptAir | 6:30PM | 3:30PM | 3:30PM |
| 2022: Mar. 17, Apr. 25, May 9, Jun. 9, Aug. 18, Sep. 12, Oct. 13, Nov. 3 | EgyptAir | TBA | TBA | TBA |
ADVANCE SEAT ASSIGNMENT
EgyptAir does not assign seats in advance. Seat assignments can only be arranged at the airport upon check-in. If you have a preferred seating choice, please make sure you check-in for your flight as early as possible. EgyptAir does not offer frequent flyer miles.
LAND-ONLY TRAVELERS
International flights to/from the U.S. are not included. Land-only travelers are responsible for arranging entry and exit flights, as well as their arrival and departure transfers. smarTours cannot be held responsible for any damage caused by air schedule changes and delays. Unused land services are non-refundable.
Main Tour: Land-only services start upon independent check-in at your Cairo hotel on Day 2 of the itinerary and end after breakfast at your Cairo hotel on Day 10.
Main Tour + Extension: Land-only services start upon independent check-in at your Cairo hotel on Day 2 of the itinerary and end after breakfast at your Cairo hotel on Day 14.
PASSPORT AND VISA INFORMATION
You must possess a passport valid for at least 6 months after the date of travel. Your passport must contain at least one blank page. For U.S. passport holders, a tourist visa is required and may be obtained upon arrival in Cairo for $25 USD. Clients who book air with smarTours will be charged $28, which includes the visa and facilitation service upon arrival. The visa facilitation service is not available for land-only clients and forfeited. Non-U.S. citizens should check with the respective consulates as to the most current visa requirements to all their travel destinations. Please remember that it is your responsibility to obtain the necessary travel documents before the trip.
TICKETS AND FINAL DOCUMENTS
Your airline tickets, along with final instructions and additional travel tips, will be sent to you 7–10 days before the scheduled departure of your tour. Please make sure to advise us in case your address changes.
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
Immunizations are not currently required; however, you should consult your personal physician, local public health authorities or the Center of Disease Control (CDC) as to their suggestions.
CLIMATE
Night and day temperatures can vary greatly. Here’s what you can expect:
- December–February: Highs in the mid to low 60s with nighttime as low as 48˚F.
- March & November: Highs in the upper 60s to low 70s with nighttime lows in the mid-50s.
- April & October: High 70s and low 80s with nighttime lows in the mid-50s to mid-60s.
- May–September: Average highs in the low 90s with nighttime lows in the high 50s to high 60s.
CULTURE AND DRESS
Given Egypt’s wide range of temperatures, we recommend you bring a sweater and/or layer to accommodate cooler morning/evening temperatures. Egyptians typically dress more conservatively. If you are exploring independently, please note that religious centers such as mosques will often require ankle-length pants, skirts or dresses, and, for women, a scarf to cover their hair.
CREDIT CARDS AND LOCAL CURRENCY
U.S. dollars, Euros and Canadian Dollars are accepted at Egyptian banks and money-changers, which can be found at most of the places that you’ll visit throughout the country. It is typically recommended that you ask for small bills when exchanging money. The currency in Egypt is the Egyptian Pound.
NON-INCLUDED MEALS
You may dine at the hotels or restaurants recommended by your Tour Director. The average cost for a hotel dinner (excluding drinks) in a casual restaurant is about $20-25 per person. Restaurants outside the hotel may be less expensive.
BAGGAGE
Each passenger may bring one piece of checked-in luggage (suitcase) max. 44 pounds, and one carry-on not exceeding 18”x10”x8”. We recommend that you do not overpack and that you take a variety of casual separates with climate and comfort in mind.