We are also offering a June 12th departure of this program.
This journey through Egypt packs in the best of culture and adventure in 12 energetic days. We have upgraded the hotels and transportation to make this a bit more luxurious than the typical GEEO program. Explore ancient sites along the Nile, including the most famous of them all, the Great Pyramids of Giza. Embrace the culture and meet remarkable people as you sample some traditional fare with a local family in Luxor. Feel the buzz of vibrant bazaars in Aswan and Luxor, but still manage to relax and watch life unfold as you enjoy a 3-day cruise down the Nile. Visit Egypt with us, all while earning professional development credit with other educators.
Arrive at any time. The tour begins and ends in Cairo, and the main airport is Cairo Airport (CAI). Due to the potential for flight delays or cancellations, we recommend that you plan to arrive at least a day in advance. This will also give you time to adjust to the time difference and overcome any jetlag. We can book extra hotel nights for you in Cairo before and/or after the trip. Hotel Check-in and Welcome Meeting Please note that check-in at the hotel is usually around 2:00-3:00 p.m. There are no planned activities until an intro meeting around 6:00 or 7:00 p.m., usually in the hotel lobby. Check for a sign or ask at the reception desk about the exact time and location of the group meeting. Please make every effort to arrive in time for this meeting. If you are delayed and will arrive late, please inform us. Your tour leader will then leave you a message at the front desk informing you of where and when to meet up tomorrow. After the meeting, you might choose to get dinner at a nearby restaurant with your traveling companions and your tour leader to further get to know one another. Joining Instructions The program fee for this trip includes an arrival transfer from Cairo airport on Day 1, or up to three days prior if you arrive early and have booked your pre-accommodation through GEEO/G Adventures in our starting hotel. Arrival transfers will not be available to passengers who have booked pre-tour accommodations independently of GEEO/G Adventures. A G Adventures representative will be at the airport to meet you with your name on a sign. They will meet you inside the airport before immigration, as they are all licensed airport representatives. There could be many signs at this rendezvous point, so please check carefully for your name. If for any reason you are not met at the airport, please call our local support line. If you are unable to make contact for whatever reason, please make your way to the hotel via taxi. G Adventures regional office emergency contact number: +44 1858378000 G Adventures local contact emergency phone number: +20 100 000 3945 CAUTION: Unfortunately, there have been cases of people misrepresenting themselves as G Adventures representatives; please check that your driver knows your name and the hotel to which you are going. If in doubt, ask them to call their manager to confirm your transfer. Approximate travel time: 1-1.5 hours included arrival transfer from airport to your hotel Accommodation: Safir Hotel Cairo (or similar) * For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.
This morning, catch an early flight to Aswān, which has a distinctively African feel. Small enough to walk around and graced with the most beautiful setting on the Nile, the pace of life is slow and relaxing. You might opt to explore the busy Aswān market. Spend time strolling up and down the broad Corniche watching the sailboats etch the sky with their tall masts, or sitting in floating restaurants listening to Nubian music and eating fresh fish. Dinner this evening is included at your hotel. Approximate travel time: 1.5 hrs by plane Accommodation: Basma Hotel (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast | Dinner
Early in the morning, take a private bus to the famed temples of Abu Simbel for a guided tour. The visit allows around 2 hours at the site to wander through the different temples and learn more about the construction, history, and relocation of these magnificently preserved structures. The temples, built by Ramses II between 1274-1244 BC, would now be under Lake Nasser, if not for the wonders of modern engineering. The towering figures of Ramses himself, Ra-Horakhty, Amun, and Ptah will all be waiting to welcome you. Later, board a river boat for the night and start a comfortable ride down the Nile. Approximate travel time: 6.5 hours by private vehicle. Overnight aboard Nile river boat. Accommodation: Iberotel crown empress Nile Cruise (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Following breakfast, set sail on our 2-day luxury riverboat cruise. Before too long, it is time for a shore excursion with a visit to Kom Ombo, a temple dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god. It still contains an ancient mummified crocodile. Please note there is an additional 50 EGP fee to take photos in the Crocodile Museum. Throughout the boat trip and in between excursions, relax on the outside decks of the boat with a drink, watching the passing desert sands and enjoying the scenery. Approximate travel time: All day by boat, except 1-2 hrs at Kom Ombo. Overnight aboard Nile river boat. Accommodation:Iberotel crown empress Nile Cruise (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Today, continue cruising the Nile and relaxing on board, watching the lovely scenery drift by. Arrive at Luxor in the evening. Tonight, the boat will moor overnight just outside of Luxor. However, sometimes the ship is directed to arrive in Luxor earlier in the day. In this case, the free time on board the boat today will be swapped with the activities on day 7, and day 7 will become a free day to explore Luxor on your own. Approximate travel time: All day by boat. Overnight aboard Nile river boat. Accommodation: Iberotel crown empress Nile Cruise (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
After breakfast, the group will leave for the West Bank to meet our student-guide at the Funtasia Project Center, a local nonprofit that works with young people to develop life skills and social consciousness. Bike through the village and learn about the project over a cup of tea. Funtasia is a local nonprofit that works with young people in the West Bank of Luxor to develop life skills and social consciousness. They work with youth in an after-school program that teaches art, communication, and social skills. Next, enjoy a guided excursion to the famous Valley of the Kings. Travel by motorboat across the Nile to the West Bank and enjoy a traditional lunch in a local family home, and then ride through farmer’s fields to reach the Valley of the Kings. Please note there is an additional 300 EGP fee to take photos in the Valley of the Kings. Descend the narrow, rock-hewn corridors and take in the magnificent decoration and designs of the tombs of the pharaohs at the Valley of the Kings. While the treasure is now all gone, the tombs contain the most incredible paintings of the life of their occupant and stories from the Book of the Dead. Visit three tombs in total, and opt to visit the famous tomb of King (“Tut”) Tutankhamun (an extra 120 EGP each). You will also visit the impressive Funerary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, which seems to rise out of the surrounding limestone outcrops – it’s a reminder of the power women held in the Ancient Kingdom. Then visit the two mammoth statues of Amenophis II at the Colossi of Memnon, which used to stand at the front of a temple. Check out the ancient graffiti discussing the statues. On the way back to the hotel, stop at an Alabaster factory and watch as the manufacturer's hands mold, shape, and reshape the rocks until they end up with stunning sculptures, statues, candle holders, and other crafted items. With what remains of the afternoon, you can explore Luxor at your own pace. Approximate travel time: 6-7 hrs by private vehicle, including stops in the Valley of the Kings Accommodation: Steigenberger Resort Achti Luxor (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch
This morning, enjoy a visit to the Karnak Temple, once the center of all religious life in ancient Egypt. Built and extended by successive generations of rulers, take time to admire the amazing architecture, massive columns, and painted hieroglyphs. Next, take in the beauty of the Luxor temple, an architectural splendor located near the Nile and right in the center of downtown Luxor. One of Egypt’s most impressive temples, Luxor has been used as a place of worship all the way from its conception in 1390 BC to the present day. Evidence of ancient worship, Coptic Christianity, and Islamic architecture are found throughout the temple, illustrating how the regional culture has evolved over several thousand years. In the afternoon, you will have free time to explore on your own. You might choose to wander the bazaar to shop for souvenirs, visit the Mummification Museum to learn about the ancient art of embalming, or take a guided tour of the temples of Habu, Ramsseum, and Deir El Medina. Accommodation: Steigenberger Resort Achti Luxor (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast
Catch a flight back to Cairo in the morning, and the begin the drive to the historic Mediterranean city of Alexandria. Stop along the way to take a tour with a local monk at the monasteries of Wadi Natrun. The history of the Wadi and its importance to Coptic Christians dates back to the 4th century AD, and they constitute some of the earliest Christian monasteries in the world. Enjoy a free afternoon in Alexandria to explore at your leisure. Approximate travel time: 1 hr by plane, 2.5-3 hrs by private vehicle Accommodation: Metropole Hotel Alexandria (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast
Spend today exploring this ancient seaside city of Alexandria. Founded by Alexander the Great around 331 BC, Egypt’s only Mediterranean city is characterized by a distinctly European atmosphere and a refreshing sea breeze. Start with a visit to Pompey’s Pillar. The name “Pompey’s Pillar” is actually a misnomer, as it has nothing to do with Pompey, having been erected in 293 for Emperor Diocletian, possibly in memory of the rebellion of Domitius Domitianus. Next, visit the Catacomb of Kom El Shoqafa. These tombs were tunneled into the bedrock in the age of the Antonine Emperors (2nd century AD) for a single wealthy family still practicing the ancient religion of Egypt. They represent the last existing major construction of the old Egyptian religion. The Ancient Library of Alexandria was probably the largest and certainly the most famous of the libraries of the ancient world. It flourished during Greek rule and functioned as a major center of scholarship until at least the time of the Roman conquest of Egypt, and likely for many centuries thereafter. The old library was destroyed in a fire around the 1st century BC. Visit the magnificent new library, which was opened in 2002 very close to the site of the ancient one. In the evening, opt to enjoy an optional seafood dinner at one of the city’s many outdoor restaurants. Accommodation: Metropole Hotel Alexandria (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast
Start off the day by driving back to Cairo. There will be time to grab a quick lunch before visiting the Egyptian Museum. With over 10,000 pieces from every period of Egyptian history, including the treasures from the tomb of Tutankhamun, the display can be a bit daunting. Your tour leader will direct you to the most important and magnificent items. There is also plenty of free time for you to explore on your own. Please note there is an additional 50 EGP fee to take photos in the museum and some exhibits have extra fees. After visiting the museum, pay a visit to Khan el-Khalili, a famous bazaar and souk in the historic center of Cairo, to check out the fine brassware, copper, perfumes, leather, silver, gold, and antiques for which the bazaar is famous. The remainder of the evening will be at your leisure. Approximate travel time: 4 hrs by private vehicle Accommodation: Safir Hotel Cairo (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast
Begin the day with one of the highlights of any visit to Egypt, a visit to the three main pyramids of Giza. While once located in remote desert, they now touch the suburbs of modern Cairo. No matter how many photos or documentaries you have seen, your first glimpse of these marvels of the ancient world will take your breath away. As a qualified Egyptologist, your tour leader is able to expertly explain the facts and myths behind these three mammoth works of art. You will also visit the mysterious Sphinx with its lion’s body and man’s face. Later, enjoy a visit to the Papyrus Institute, home to the world’s largest collection of papyrus documents. In the afternoon, take advantage of free time to explore more of Cairo on your own, or opt to visit Memphis (the ancient capital of Aneb-Hetch) and Sakkara (the site of Egypt's first pyramids). Accommodation: Safir Hotel Cairo (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast
There are no planned activities today, so you may depart Cairo at any time. If you wish to extend your stay in Cairo, consider booking post-tour accommodation with us. Please note that check-out time from the hotel is usually mid-morning, but luggage storage services are available at the reception desk. Want more adventure? Book two or more GEEO programs in the same school year and receive a discount! GEEO will give you 10% off of the lesser value program(s) (up to 3 programs per year). If you would like to extend your time abroad but don't see another GEEO program that interests you, let us know. We can work with you to find a trip from our tour operator’s much larger catalog. Their tours are open to the general public and not designed specifically for educators, but we can still offer you and your travel companions a discounted educator price on any additional tours that you book. Meals included: Breakfast