Rajah Travel Corporation

Dining Summary

• 7 Breakfast (B)
• 5 Dinner (D)
• 3 Lunch (L)

Faqs

• Cairo: Is there an airport transfer on this trip? Complimentary transfers from Cairo International Airport (CAI) are available on arrival and departure days of the itinerary or in conjunction with a pre-trip or post-trip accommodation booked through Contiki.
• Cairo: What is the overnight train like? Accommodation aboard the overnight train is two-berth cabins, which are comfortable and air-conditioned. All bedding is provided on board by the porter and western-style toilets are located in each carriage. Keep in mind general train cleanliness may not be to the same standards you are accustomed to. An included set dinner and breakfast are served inside your cabin. You may want to purchase something extra beforehand to supplement your meal, particularly if you're a vegetarian. It is recommended to bring a jumper/sweatshirt as the train is always cold due to the AC.
• Cairo: What is the Nile Cruise like? Our Nile cruise boat is modern with many of the amenities of our comfortable hotels. Cabins are twin/double with central air-conditioning, private bathrooms, and large windows offering great views of the Nile. Facilities on board include a large restaurant, lounge with bar, sun deck with small pool, a billiards table, and WIFI (not available at all times due to poor reception at times). Often our cruise boats are referred to as "floating hotels" as the actual sailing distance covered is not great and Egyptian law requires that all boats dock overnight.
• Cairo: What is the weather like? Please note that as a desert region, the Middle East can have extreme weather. Temperatures are generally hot with little rain. This can become extreme during the summer months of June to August. In the months of December to March it can be very cold, particularly next to the river or the ocean and out in the desert where night temperatures can drop dramatically.
• Cairo: What clothing should I pack for Egypt? While visiting mosques and other religious monuments you should dress modestly, cover your shoulders and you shouldn't wear short shorts or skirts. Outside of capital cities and the more touristic centres, local dress is often more conservative and as a matter of respect we ask that both men and women are aware of this and recommend loose-fitting clothes with your shoulders covered. Ask your Trip Manager for more specific advice.
• Cairo: Can I drink the tap water in Egypt? We recommend you don't drink the tap water, even in hotels, as it contains much higher levels of different minerals than the water you may have at home.

Included Experience

• Cairo: Check out this Cairo landmark and soak up the history. It’s home to more than 120,000 ancient Egyptian antiquities.    
• Giza: This needs no introduction! Marvel at the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. #bucketlist 
• Aswan: Sit back and chill as you drift down the famous river on a traditional felucca sailing boat   
• Luxor: Follow in the footsteps of the pharaohs as you walk along this famous stretch of road.
• Luxor: Grab your camera and explore one of the world’s most famous archaeological sites. See the tomb of Tutankhamun from the outside (with the option to add on exploring it from the inside!) and many other Egyptian pharaohs. 
• Hurghada: Check out these towering Pharaoh statues. They’ve stood guard since 1350 BC, even surviving natural disasters. And apparently one even ‘sings’ in the wind. 
• Luxor: Stroll through the mighty mortuary temple built during the reign of Pharaoh Hatshepsut. Don't forget to bring your camera! You'll definitely want to capture the perfectly symmetrical poles of the Porticos. This is also the spot where the Beautiful Festival of the Valley (celebrated to meet your ancestors) used to take place back in the middle ages.

• Pyramids Resort By Jaz (or similar)
• Overnight Train
• Nile Cruise
• Bel Air Azur Resort (or similar)
• Novotel Cairo Airport (or similar)

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.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Pyramids Resort By Jaz (or similar)

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!

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Overnight Train

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.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Nile Cruise

Enjoy waking up to the Nile and sand dunes as your backdrop, while you sip your coffee and ponder just how good life is. Next up is your chance to explore Abu Simbel's Temple of Ramses II, one of the world's most iconic sites dating back to 1264 BC. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is a must-do for history buffs and those looking to get in the know on this ancient site. Our Local Guide will uncover its history before we gently drift upstream, steering ourselves away from Aswan with our maps open on ancient Edfu. After green fields, the Arabian desert and palm trees aplenty have teased our eyes along the Nile, we'll pull in for a peak at the perfectly symmetrical town of Kom Ombo. This village's famous temple is dedicated to the God of Crocodiles, and the God of Falcons and with it's stunning setting right by the Nile is the perfect spot to head on-land for some exploring. Back on the boat you can practice your 'walk like an Egyptian' pose, then take a dip in the pool (yes, as in the boat has a pool) before we dock for the night in Edfu.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Nile Cruise

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.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Nile Cruise

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.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Bel Air Azur Resort (or similar)

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.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Novotel Cairo Airport (or similar)

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.

Duration: 1 Day