Ancient myths meet active adventures on this MTS exclusive!

Egypt is on nearly everyone’s list of must-see destinations—the legendary pyramids, tombs and temples along the Nile have been astounding visitors for centuries. On this exclusive MTS journey, you’ll explore the area’s most renowned treasures, as you follow our local, senior guides—seasoned Egyptologists—on a comprehensive tour of ancient Egypt, including the Great Sphinx, the Giza Pyramids, the Temple of Luxor, the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens, and more. You’ll take a deluxe cruise down the Nile on a 5-star ship, enjoying gala dinners, music, dancing, and entertainment. And you’ll go off the beaten path to the scenic Sinai Peninsula, for four days of hiking, snorkeling, and canyon explorations.

Along the way, we’ve included numerous opportunities to immerse yourself in the culture, such as meals with local families. You’ll stay at classic hotels like Mena House Oberoi and the legendary Old Winter Palace. We’ll take care of all the details, so all you need to do is take in the experience, and pinch yourself once in a while—this dream trip is the real deal!
 

Activities

13 days of easy to moderate touring, hiking, cruising

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit the Great Sphinx, Giza Pyramids, Temple of Luxor, Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens, and more!
• Unravel the mysteries of the pharaohs under the leadership of our seasoned Egyptologists—an MTS exclusive journey!
• Cruise down the storied Nile River on a deluxe cruise, and immerse yourself in the rich history of this fascinating land
• Discover Egypt’s vibrant living culture with musical performances and meals at local homes, and be entertained by whirling dervishes and belly dancers
• Visit the Sinai Peninsula for hiking, snorkeling and canyon explorations!

Duration: 13 days Start Location: Cairo End Location: Cairo

BRIEF Itinerary

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  Day 1 : Arrive Cairo

  Arrive in Cairo, Egypt, anytime today.

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  Day 2 : Cairo

  Visit the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx in the morning, then explore Memphis and Sakkara in the afternoon.  Welcome dinner at the hotel in Cairo.

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  Day 3 : Abu Simbel

  Fly to Abu Simbel, tour the temples, then fly to Aswan in the afternoon and board the Sanctuary Nile Adventurer cruise boat.

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  Day 4 : Esna

  Visit Philae Temple before cruising to Kom Ombo Temple, then on to Edfu and Esna.

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  Day 5 : Luxor

  Today we cruise to Luxor and visit Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings & Queens, Hatshepsut Temple and the Colossi of Memnon.

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  Day 6 : Luxor

  We leave our Nile cruise and explore the Luxor Museum.  Free afternoon in Luxor to explore on foot.

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  Day 7 : Cairo

  Fly to Cairo and explore Old & Coptic Cairo.  Dinner tonight in an Egyptian home.

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  Day 8 : Cairo

  Visit the Egyptian Museum and Islamic Cairo today, including the famous souks of the Khan El-Khalili Bazaar.

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  Day 9 : Sinai Peninsula

  Fly to Sharm El Sheikh on the Sinai Peninsula and transfer to St Catherine.

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  Day 10 : Mount Sinai

  Early morning hike up Mount Sinai on foot or camel (2-3 hours) and visit to St. Catherine's Monastery on the descent.

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  Day 11 : Sinai Peninsula

  Today we explore the desert landscape of the Sinai by 4WD vehicle into the Colored Canyon.  We'll stop for a short hike and picnic lunch in the canyon before returning to Sharm El Sheikh in the evening.

• Day 12 : Sinai Peninsula

  Visit the Ras Mohamed National Park with options for swimming and snorkelling or simply relaxing on the beach.

• Day 13 : Depart Cairo

  Fly from Sharm El Sheikh to Cairo and connect with international flights home tonight.

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  Mena House Oberoi Hotel

  Cairo, Egypt

  In the shadow of the great pyramids, resting on 40 acres of jasmine-scented gardens, the Mena House Oberoi has enchanted guests since 1869. Host to kings, emperors, heads of state and celebrities, the hotel's luxurious interior reflects its royal reputation. With its lavish design, swimming pool, fitness center, and 18-hole golf course, Mena House is a destination in and of itself.

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  Nile Adventurer

  The newly renovated, elegant Sanctuary M.S. Nile Adventurer has just 32 cabins, offering an intimate and relaxed cruising experience on the epic Nile River. Decorated in a modern, comfortable lounge style and providing gourmet cuisine and superb sightseeing experiences with the country’s most experienced Egyptologists, the Adventurer is a taste of genuine 5-star luxury on this timeless and beautiful river.

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  Old Winter Palace Hotel

  Luxor, Egypt

  Resting in a tropical garden on the banks of the River Nile, this 5-star hotel has hosted royalty and celebrities since it was built in 1886. With 5 restaurants, multiple gardens, swimming pools, tennis courts and terraces, guests can expect a luxurious experience in a spectacular setting.

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  Four Seasons First Residence

  Cairo

  A gracious sanctuary on the west bank of the Nile, with impressive views of the Great Pyramids over the old-growth canopy of Cairo's ancient Zoological and Botanical Gardens, the Hotel is at the centre of the prestigious new First Residence apartments and shops. The Hotel's 269 guest rooms and suites, the largest in the city, take full advantage of the diverse setting with dramatic views of the Nile, pyramids and treetops of Cairo's botanical gardens.

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  Catherine Plaza Hotel

  St. Catherine, Egypt

  This hotel is located in the heart of St. Catherine's village and is a few minutes walk to the monastery. The hotel offers excellent views of the surrounding mountains.  This hotel is the most modern in the area and has its own water supply tower and a swimming pool. The bedrooms are nicely furnished in traditional wooden style with marble flooring and pastel colored walls and ceilings.

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  Hyatt Regency Resort

  Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt

  Poised on the edge of an 'aqua oasis', the 35-hectare Hyatt Regency Sharm El Sheikh Resort is embraced by the spectacular land and seascapes of Egypt's Sinai Peninsula.

Properties shown are representative of the accommodations we use on this trip, may not be inclusive of all accommodations we use, and are subject to change.

Local Guides

Expert leadership is the key to an exciting, unforgettable experience. Our trips feature gifted leaders for whom leading trips is a true vocation. Besides showing you wonders you’d never find on your own, they make sure everything runs smoothly and safely without a hitch. They are knowledgeable about all aspects of your trip, and take great pleasure in sharing their insights with you. More than just guides, they positively elevate your experience by being teachers, companions, and the best of friends. You’ll be in good hands with them every step of the way.

*For trips with only 2-3 people, we will not have a private guide on this trip to keep costs down.  Instead, you will enjoy local Egyptian guides at each destination.  For trips with 4 or more people, we will have a private guide from Cairo to Cairo and then a separate private guide with the group in the Sinai Peninsula.

photo credits: ©MTS Photo File