Egypt and the Nile

Join forces with your group tonight and soak up the excitement of these exotic lands. Tomorrow will be a whole world of discovery, so you'll be thankful for your hotel slumber.

Get ready for a sensory overload of the best possible variety. Markets & mayhem are on every corner, with stops for hummus and tea proving very essential. Of the 7 Ancient Wonders of the World only one remains, and today you will be seeing it up close and personal. Get the tissues ready, seeing the iconic Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza in all their 4,600 year old glory will make for a day that stirs you to the very core. Tonight it's an overnight train to Aswan - nothing gives you a more up-close look at a place than riding local!

This morning we'll wake up in Aswan, today is all about jaw drops from start to end. Take a stroll along the Nile before grabbing that camera, as we hop aboard a wooden felucca sailboat, the first of our two boating experiences for the day, and watch the local life as you float on by. Tonight is a taste of the high life with a luxury cruise on the River Nile, no less. This is the first of 3 nights we'll spend on the water, soaking up Egypt from its iconic waterway.

Today you’ll wake on the River Nile… and with plenty of choices too. Opt for an optional visit to the legendary Abu Simbel Temple, explore Aswan at your leisure, or simply chill on the boat and bask in the scenery. We’ll make our way to Edfu in the afternoon. Here in Edfu, you’ll have the chance to visit another temple - this time an evening tour of the Kom Ombo. Or if you’d prefer to stay on the boat (which has a pool btw), that’s cool too.

This morning we'll cast off in the direction of Luxor. As soon as we step foot on Luxor terrain, we'll start spinning our way into the historical mysteries of this magnificent town including the Avenue of the Sphinxes, an epic lineup of human headed sphinxes spanning 3km, and let's not forget a photographers dream. Tomorrow the Luxor discoveries continue, so there's no need to cram it all in on day one.

Only on a trip to Egypt would ancient royal tombs make a casual appearance on our daily agenda. Venturing to the Valley of the Kings known as 'City of the Dead,' our local guide will take us to some of the 63 royal tombs found here. We'll also walk through the perfectly symmetrical Temple of Hatshepsut. Later, choose to visit the Temple of Karnak where we can find the world’s largest religious structure, the Temple of Amun. Hurghada is all about beachside summer holiday vibes to rival the Mediterranean. With crystal clear waters as far as the eye can see, umbrella-lined beaches, and golden sunsets, this town will be sure to seal the deal on your love for Egypt.

Lovers of exploring by sea could take a cruise of the Red Sea for all new views, or those who prefer life a little more on land could snorkel, sun bake or just relax in paradise this morning. Later, we'll attempt an Arabic goodbye to the beautiful beaches of Hurghada as we make our way back to where our Egyptian escapade kicked off just a week ago. It's our last complete day together on tour, which means we need to make the most of every second and avoid winding down at all costs. It's our last complete day on trip, we'll enjoy some time together as we make our way back to Cairo.

Down your last breakfast on us before collapsing into a mess of farewells. Stay strong, there are plenty more exotic lands with Contiki trips written all over them.