Egypt

As far back as our memories go, we can all remember being amazed by the stories of ancient Egypt, the cradle of civilization. The mystery of how the pyramids were built, the unbelievable cache of treasures buried deep in tombs, the strange ritual of mummification, the art of hieroglyphics, and the wonder surrounding this unique civilization that existed 4500 years ago. There are few places on earth that so tightly grip our imagination and curiosity and it's all the more powerful when finally standing at the foot of the Great Pyramids of Giza, or exploring underground tombs in the Valley of the Kings surrounded by hieroglyphics, or placing your own hand on the massive pillars of the Karnak Temple in Luxor. The pages of our history books come to life right in front of us for 10 days that can only be called epic.
Our seasoned OUTstanding/Detours travelers will note some differences with this special-edition destination... While we incorporate the same fun relaxed atmosphere that you've come to expect, this particular trip includes upgraded 5-star accommodation throughout, some more structure to each day, and more inclusions, all in an effort to provide maximum comfort and safety in this unique part of the world. Check out the itinerary, inclusions, and trip notes for our upcoming 10-day Egypt adventures below.

Day 1 and 2 - Cairo

There's no better way to start an Egyptian trip off than in the heart of Cairo. You'll be met at the airport by our arrival representative who will walk you through the arrival process from start to finish, then you'll be transferred to our home in Cairo for your first nights in this incredibly unique city. Our accommodation here is our very comfortable base, right on the bank of the Nile River, in which to get some deserved R&R after exploring the highlights of this region.
On day 1 we'll all meet at 4:00pm where we'll introduce each other, including our local Egyptian guide and your Detours trip leader who will be there to answer questions and prepare you for the coming days of adventure and exploring together.
On day 2 we'll explore the entire site of the Pyramids of Giza on a private guided tour including the huge Sphinx, a visit inside an ancient tomb, a panoramic photo stop, and of course we'll get right up next to the captivating pyramids themselves. In the afternoon we'll head to one of the world's great museums, the Egyptian Museum, where you'll find yourself face-to-face with ancient mummies and impressive antiquities to give you all the background of ancient Egyptian society, up close. This is one of those days you'll remember forever.

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Day 3 - Aswan

On the 3rd day we'll head to the airport together and jump on a short 45 minute flight down to Aswan, on the bank of the mighty Nile River and considered the source of life for thousands of years of Egyptian civilization. This part of country is full of endless incredible sites to experience.
After our flight we'll jump on a boat to visit the beautiful Temple of Isis (the Goddess of health, marriage and wisdom) located on Philae Island. It's a marvel of decorative pylons featuring some of Egypt's finest carvings – definitely one of the real gems of Upper Egypt.

Day 4, 5 and 6 - Nile cruise

There's no better way to experience this beautiful region than by casually cruising down the Nile River on an impressive ship with all the amenities of an upscale hotel. On our 4th day we'll board our floating home for 3 nights, where we can enjoy watching the daily life on the banks of the Nile from the comfort of our guest room, or the rooftop sundeck, the pool or the bar. It's a fantastic way to enjoy constantly changing scenery, while also having plenty of opportunities to jump off to explore impressive sites along the way.
We'll jump off our ship several times over the course of our few days for the following experiences:

A ride on a traditional wooden felucca boat and a climb on the towering sand dunes on the east side of the river.
A visit to the Kom Ombo Temple, dedicated to the Gods Horus and Sobek and built around 181 BC, picturesquely ruined on the river's edge, providing an interesting insight into the Greco-Roman period.
A visit to Edfu temple, considered the best-preserved temple in Egypt, dating back to 237-57BC. Note that the only means to visit this temple is by horse-drawn carriage.

Our cruising trip ends with what many will consider the highlight of it all - the Valley of the Kings and Luxor. We'll go underground in the Valley of the Kings to explore royal tombs and learn about the vibrant hieroglyphics that surround us in each one. We'll explore the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, who was the most famous queen of Egypt and ruled for the longest period. And we'll stand at the feet of the 56-ft tall statues of the Colossi of Memenon, used to flank the entrance of the funerary temple of king Amenhotep
the 3rd the grand father of Tutankhamen.

Day 7 and 8 - Luxor/Cairo

On the morning of our 7th day we'll wander around in awe at Karnak, one of the world's most celebrated temple complexes, built over a period of some 2000 years, some of it dating back to 2,055 BC - that's over 4000 years ago! After over a week of fascinating history and impressive sites right in front of us this time in Luxor at Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and more is an incredible place to end before we jump on our flight back to Cairo for our final night together.
We'll get back to Cairo on a 45-minute flight, then stay in downtown Cairo for the remaining nights of the trip, right on the bank of the Nile in one of the most vibrant areas of the city. Our 8th day in the city introduces some of the flexibility our travelers expect with a day of options. Maybe you'd like to check out the ancient city of Memphis, or visit a traditional souk, or experience the Islamic sites of Cairo, or see the pyramid of Djoser or give yourself some time for a poolside drink in the sun. This is a day to experience something that specifically interests you, before we are welcomed into the home of a local family for a delicious lunch or dinner all together.

Day 9 - Cairo Highlights

Cairo is packed full with amazing sites to experience and this day is spent exploring the best of them together. These include the Egyptian Museum of Civilization, which holds the mummies of 18 kings and 2 queens and is the first museum in the Arab world dedicated to all the historical periods and their impact on the area.
From there, we'll ascend to the Citadel of Saladin built in 1176 to protect the city from the Crusaders invasion. Perched above the city, this makes for a great viewpoint in addition to its historical significance and architectural beauty.
The last stop of the day is the eclectic souks of the Khan al-Khalili Bazaar, which is an essential Egyptian experience. You'll have plenty of time to lose yourself in the colours and aromas of this fascinating marketplace, one of the worlds’ oldest. We’ll learn how various vendors prepare popular food, explore the Al Attarin spice and El Sagha gold markets, and take a break for tea at the iconic Feshawi Café.

Day 10 - Departure from Cairo

Our Egyptian adventure together comes to a close today in Cairo, after an incredible 10 days of unique experiences you'll never forget. There are no scheduled activities today, leaving you free to book your departing from from Cairo any time on this 10th day.

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CAIRO: Steigenberger Hotel
This beautiful and spacious hotel located right in El Tahrir Square near to the Eqyptian Museum and Khan El Khalili Bazar, features an array of amenities such as culinary outlets, a swimming pool, wellness area and gym. Every room features a room safe, air conditioning, flat screen tv and free wifi.

ASWAN: Movenpick Aswan
Perched right on the bank of the Nile River, with views over the city, the river, and the giant sand dunes, the 5-star Movenpick Resort is a fantastic home for us in Aswan. Very quick walking distance to downtown, a rooftop bar, and a beautiful pool area all help make this the most comfortable place to stay in the city.
NOTE: Some groups spend their night in Aswan on the Nile cruise ship, rather than on land, depending on ship scheduling.

NILE CRUISE: M/S Royal Lotus
With just 60 cabins, the 5-star Royal Lotus is one of the smaller, more intimate of the Nile ship options. With a beautiful rooftop pool, great on-board restaurant, and all the amenities you'd expect from a hotel room on land. All-in-all a very upscale and comfortable way to enjoy a cruise down the Nile River.

Oct. 14 - 23, 2024

Oct. 24 - Nov. 2, 2024

Our rates include

• All taxes
• All group transport between itinerary destinations
• Accommodations for your 10-day Detours experience
• Two domestic flights from Cairo to Aswan/Luxor and Aswan/Luxor to Cairo
• 3-night Nile River Cruise
• Guided visits and entrance fees at Giza Pyramids, Egyptian Museum, Edfu Temple, Karnak Temple, Temple of Isis, Kom Ombo Temple, Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
• Entrance to 3 tombs in the Valley of the Kings
• 4 lunches
• 4 dinners
• All full breakfasts
• Local Egyptian guide throughout
• Knowledgeable and fun Detours leader

Our rates exclude

• Meals and drinks outside of those listed above

• Activities outside of those listed above

• International Airfare

• Visa/departure fees

• Optional gratuities

Cancellation policy

We will require a $500 non-refundable deposit upon booking and full payment 60 days before departure.
60 days prior to trip departure the entire trip becomes non-refundable. However, we can often retain a chunk of your paid amount for you to use on a future trip and this all depends on what we can negotiate back from our suppliers at the time of cancellation.

We do recommend taking Travel Insurance to cover any unforeseen events that would prevent you to partake in this trip; as well as the cost of assistance (including repatriation) in the event of accident or illness, loss of baggage and money, and other expenses.

It is your responsibility to fulfill the passport (which should be valid for six months beyond the intended length of your stay abroad), visa, and other immigration requirements applicable to your itinerary. You should confirm these with the relevant embassies and/or consulates. We do not accept any responsibility in the case of you being unable to travel due to not complying with any such requirements.

Payment

It is our company policy to receive a $500 deposit upon booking, and full payment 2 months prior to arrival.

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