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12 Day Oberoi Exclusive & Nile Cruise
Highlights: Cairo, Nile, Hurghada
Trip start: Cairo
Trip end: Cairo
Price Range from $4,776 to $5,808 *
* USD per person based on 2-4 people, double occupancy. Custom designed personal tour. Prices subject to change.

National Geographic Adventure Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth '98.33 Client Satisfaction Rating'

Winner National Geographic 'Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth'
2008 & 2009

Trip Summary
Map of Itinerary
Expand [+]

Experience the wonders of Egypt through the comfort and luxury of the exclusive Oberoi Hotels and Resorts. Begin your Journey in Cairo, enjoying spectacular views from the Mena House. Your private guide will unlock the secrets of Egypt while you explore the Pyramids of Giza, Saqqara, Memphis and the Great Sphinx. From there it's off to Aswan, to board your Oberoi Philae Nile Cruiser - your floating hotel for the next four nights. From Aswan to Ancient Thebes you will embark on a journey of discovery and splendor that is the Nile River. Tour the temples and monuments along the river's edge including: Kitchener Island and High Dam/Philae in Aswan, Edfu and Kom Obo Temples, to the Valley of the Kings & Queens and Karnak Temple in Luxor. Your private guide distinguishes you from the rest of the passengers as you explore at your own pace these amazing archaeological treasures. Following the cruise, continue on to the Red Sea resort area of Hurghada for some luxurious rest and relaxation at the Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh. Return to Cairo to explore the Egyptian Museum with its incredible Tutankhamun exhibit, Citadel and the bustling bazaars. A truly personalized experience with your own private driver and vehicle, plus a trained Egyptologist guide. Designed to be completely low hassle. Our most complete and exclusive Egypt experience.
ALERT: Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise is not running during the month of June 2010
NOTE: Travel in Egypt often involves early-morning starts, designed to avoid crowds and the hottest midday hours. It can be hot, especially in June, July and August, but there is virtually no humidity and evening temperatures cool off dramatically. Egypt is a moderate secular state, well used to hosting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. While you will want to avoid revealing clothing, loose shorts and short-sleeved shirts are fine for both genders on board your Nile cruise and while sightseeing.

Day Activities Hotel
Day 1
Cairo
  • Kensington Cares - 3
  • Cairo: Transfer - Airport - VIP Vehicle/Driver
  • Airport Assistance and Visa Service
Mena House Oberoi Garden
(Alt: ) (B)
Day 2
Cairo
  • Private - Pyramids, Saqqara, Memphis Tour - VIP Vehicle/Guide/Driver
  • Lunch Exclusive - Vehicle & Driver
Mena House Oberoi Garden
(Alt: ) (B)
Day 3
Nile
  • Transfer - Airport - VIP Vehicle/Driver
  • Air - Cairo - Aswan [Direct (1.5 hr)] - Economy
  • Aswan: Transfer - Airport - Vehicle/Driver
  • Private - Kitchener island, Aga Khan - Sailing
Oberoi Philae
(Alt: ) (B,L,D)
Day 4
Nile
  • Private - 1/2 d High Dam, Philae, Obelisk - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
  • Nile: Private - Kom Ombo Temple - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
Oberoi Philae
(Alt: ) (B,L,D)
Day 5
Nile
  • Private - Edfu Horus Temple - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
Oberoi Philae
(Alt: ) (B,L,D)
Day 6
Nile
  • Luxor: Private - 1/2 d East Bank - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
  • Private - 1/2 d West Bank (Valley of Queens & Valley of Kings) - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
Oberoi Philae
(Alt: ) (B,L,D)
Day 7
Hurghada
  • Private - Hurghada convoy (4hr drive) - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh (B)
Day 8
Hurghada
  • At Leisure
Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh (B)
Day 9
Hurghada
  • At Leisure
Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh (B)
Day 10
Cairo
  • Hurghada: Transfer - Airport - Vehicle/Driver
  • Air - Hurghada - Cairo [Direct (1 hr)] - Economy
  • Cairo: Transfer - Airport - VIP Vehicle/Driver
Mena House Oberoi Garden (B)
Day 11
Cairo
  • Private - Museum, Citadel & Bazaar Tour - VIP Vehicle/Guide/Driver
  • Lunch Exclusive - Vehicle & Driver
Mena House Oberoi Garden (B)
Day 12
Cairo
  • Transfer - Airport - VIP Vehicle/Driver
Depart (B)
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, 1/2d = Half Day, Al = All Inclusive

Trip Options
All of our itineraries may be customized as you wish, add extra days, change a hotel, see different sights. Contact one of our expert consultants for your free, no-obligation vacation plan.

Itinerary

Day 1 Cairo

Cairo is the capital of Egypt and the hub of the country. Millennia of history have made it one of the most fascinating places in the world. The Egyptian Museum whose 107 halls feature huge statues on the ground floor, and small statues, jewels, Tutankhamon treasures and the mummies on upper floors. Other downtown sights include the Saladin Citadel and Mohamed Ali Mosque, and Khan Khalili bazaar. Nearby Giza is famous for the Pyramids of Egypt, among the largest constructions ever built.

Kensington Tours donates a portion of proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities.

Transfer to/from Cairo Airport in private vehicle with English speaking driver.

You will be met in the tunnel by an airport representative who will in turn facilitate the visa process ($15 per person - included in tour cost), escort you through customs and immigration, off to baggage claim and finally to passenger pick up. It is here that you will connect with our representative associate who will arrange airport transfer to your hotel.

The Mena House Oberoi stands tall, yet guarded by the mighty heights of the Great Pyramids of Cairo. Fascinating guests since 1869, the 523 room hotel has continuously held the attention of royalty, political thinkers, and celebrities over time. A range of continental dining and Egyptian specialty restaurants and bars satisfy even the most critical of appetites. The Mena House grants guests the opportunity to relax or stay active by checking out its golf courses, horse and camel stables, and extensive fitness options. Wander a few steps outside the hotel and you may run smack into a pyramid. Forty acres of jasmine-scented gardens will leave their scent on those who depart the hotel. It’s hard to leave this embellished haven of lush furnishings, oriental prints, and hand-woven fabrics.

Overnight at Mena House Oberoi Garden.


The Mighty Sphinx
The Mighty Sphinx
Kensington Cares
Kensington Cares
Mena House Oberoi Garden
Mena House Oberoi Garden
Day 2 Cairo

Enjoy this tour which explores the relics of ages past, and includes visits to ancient Memphis, Saqqara and the Great Pyramids of Giza. Already millennia old by the birth of Christ, the elaborate statues and astonishing scale of these sites will amaze all who visit. This tour also features the famous Sphinx, whose constructor's still remains unknown, but its sheer beauty and allure has mystified the likes of Alexander the Great and Napoleon Bonaparte. This tour includes a private vehicle, a driver, and a highly trained Egyptologist, and entry to either Chephren (Khafre) or Menkaure (Mycerinus) pyramids, as well as the Solar boat. Entrance to the Pyramids come with an additional cost, and be aware that a limited number of people are allowed inside daily, so arrive early so you will not be disappointed.

Enjoy the city's finest cuisine with a private table at the very best restaurants.

Overnight at Mena House Oberoi Garden.


Ancient Egyptian Sphinx of Giza
Ancient Egyptian Sphinx of Giza
Day 3 Nile

Glide up the Nile at night and explore ancient temples during the day. Edfu (Idfu) is located on the west bank of the River Nile between Esna and Aswan. Of all the temple remains in Egypt, the Temple of Horus at Edfu is the most completely preserved. Kom Ombo was originally an Egyptian city called Nubt, meaning City of Gold. The town's location on the Nile 50 km north of Aswan (Syene) gave it some control over trade routes from Nubia to the Nile Valley, but its main rise to prominence came with the erection of the temple in the 2nd century BC.

Transfer to/from Cairo Airport in private vehicle with English speaking driver.

Take your Egypt Air flight from Cairo to Aswan, flights as requests only and subject to change.

Airport transfer with private vehicle, and driver in Aswan.

Enjoy a Nile adventure as you sail aboard a traditional, non-motorized felucca around Kitchener's Island, the Aga Khan Mausoleum and botanical gardens.

The essence of luxury, times gone by, and the power of ancient eras combine in making the Oberoi Philae the cruise of choice, as it gently glides along the Nile. With 58 cabins and suites, it provides a private escape into another time, where a world hidden on water is at the fingertips of guests. Dine as the Egyptian pharaohs once did, with remarkable service, upon elegant interiors and brushing against stylish teak paneling. With the Nile humming beneath your feet, let yourself relax as the sun sets over this cruise. Slip into the swimming pool, and let this journey envelope you as the Oberoi Philae floats peacefully through history’s landmarks.

Overnight at Oberoi Philae.


Nile
Nile
Feluccas on the Nile
Feluccas on the Nile
Room on the Oberoi Philae
Room on the Oberoi Philae
Day 4 Nile

This 1/2 day tour begins with a visit to the impressive Aswan High Dam. The water which was collected behind created Lake Nasser, the world's largest artificial lake. View the Temple of Philae, dedicated to the Goddess Iris, on the island of Agilika, stopping at the “unfinished obelisk,” a practical demonstration of the methods used by ancient craftsmen to create impressive monuments.

Visit a unique Greco-Roman temple dedicated to two gods: Sobek, the crocodile god, and Haroeris, the sun god. The Temple in Kom Ombo (also known simply as Kom Ombo Temple) dates from about 180 BC, during a period known as the Ptolemaic era, and had some additions built on to it during Roman times. It stands right on the bank of the Nile between Edfu and Aswan. The temple is unusual in that it is a double temple, with one side dedicated to the god Haroesis and the other side to Sobek. The design is almost perfectly symmetrical, with two side-by-side sanctuaries and two parallel passageways leading through the outer parts of the temple. The right side is dedicated to Sobek-Re (the crocodile god combined with the sun god Re), along with his wife (a form of Hathor) and their son Khonsu-Hor. Sobek is associated with Seth, the enemy of Horus. In the myth of Horus and Osiris, Seth and his followers changed themselves into crocodiles to escape. The ancient Egyptians believed that by honouring the fearsome crocodile as a god, they would be safe from attacks. The left side is dedicated to Haroeris, the "Good Doctor" (a form of the falcon-headed god Horus the Elder) along with his consort Ta-Sent-Nefer, the "Good Sister" (another form of Hathor).

Overnight at Oberoi Philae.


Temple of Philae on the island of Agilika
Temple of Philae on the island of Agilika
Kom Ombo Temple
Kom Ombo Temple
Day 5 Nile

Visit the Nile-side Temple of Horus, the falcon god, built in 230 BC by Ptolemy III. The Temple of Horus in Edfu (also known as the Temple of Edfu) is considered the best-preserved cult temple in Egypt. This is partly because it was built later than most: in the Ptolemaic era from 237 to 57 BC. Despite its later date, it reflects traditional pharaonic architecture and so provides an excellent idea of how all the temples once looked. Edfu is also very large: the second largest in Egypt after Karnak Temple.

Overnight at Oberoi Philae.


Temple of Horus
Temple of Horus
Day 6 Nile

Enjoy a private tour with a qualified Egyptologist guide exploring the East Bank of Luxor. Visit the most impressive temples of Karnak and Luxor, while learning about ancient Egyptian history from your own personal guide. Start your day with a visit to the Temples of Karnak. Walk along the Avenue of Sphinx to enter the complex as your guide explains how the massive facade was constructed. Continue to Luxor Temple which was once joined to the Temples of Karnak by a two-kilometre long Avenue of Sphinx, a portion of which marks the entrance to the temple. Your private guide will offer interpretation and guide you through the most important parts of the temples.

This morning you will meet up with your guide and explore some of the most incredible sites of the country. You will visit the Valley of the Kings where you will have the chance to explore three tombs. For a period of nearly 500 years from the 16th to 11th century BC, tombs were constructed for the kings and powerful nobles of the New Kingdom (the Eighteenth to the Twentieth Dynasties of Ancient Egypt). The valley stands on the west bank of the Nile, opposite modern Luxor. Then it's off to the nearby Valley of the Queens and also the recently renovated mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Hatshepsut was the second pharaoh of the eighteenth dynasty of Ancient Egypt. She is generally regarded by Egyptologists as one of the most successful pharaohs, reigning longer than any other woman of an indigenous Egyptian dynasty. The tour includes a visit to the huge Colossi of Memnon which are all that remain of the mortuary temple of Amenhotep III.

Overnight at Oberoi Philae.


Karnak Temple
Karnak Temple
Hatshepsut Temple
Hatshepsut Temple
Day 7 Hurghada

The beaches of Hurghada stretch for about 40 km along the seashore. El Gouna is an artificially-created and privately owned luxury hotel town, about 25 km north of Hurghada. Beautifully designed with several islands separated by channels and connected by bridges, the hotels and marinas feature private beaches and an exclusive boutique village. It is an international center for aquatic sports and snorkeling and diving.

Queue up with the morning convoy departing Luxor. This 350 KM drive will cross the desert and rock terrain that is a feature across most of Egypt. Arrive at the sparkling sea mid-morning and transfer to your resort.

A secluded haven on the Red Sea Coast, celebrating rare marine life, nature’s fabulous colours and the timeless beauty of the sea. Nature’s colours come to life at The Oberoi, Sahl Hasheesh, situated on 48 acres with private beach, white sand, aquamarine waters and vibrantly-hued marine life. All 63 Deluxe Suites and 21 Superior Deluxe Suites are spacious and elegantly appointed and have luxurious bathrooms with separate shower stalls. Their sunken marble baths overlook a private open-air walled garden. The 12 larger Grand Suites have their own private swimming pool, heated in the cooler months. Their restaurants and bar are all you would expect from this resort and offers an a la carte menu of Continental and Oriental cuisine. Get pampered at their Oberoi Spa with massages, scrubs and beauty therapies that leave you feeling completely rejuvenated or simply unwind in the private steam room or in the outdoor swimming pool, which overlook over the beach and the Red Sea.

Overnight at Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh.


Hurghada
Hurghada
Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh
Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh
Day 8 Hurghada

Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.

Overnight at Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh.


Day 9 Hurghada

Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.

Overnight at Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh.


Day 10 Cairo

Airport transfer with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide.

Take your flight from Hurghada to Cairo. The flight duration is approximately 1 hour.

Transfer to/from Cairo Airport in private vehicle with English speaking driver.

The Mena House Oberoi stands tall, yet guarded by the mighty heights of the Great Pyramids of Cairo. Fascinating guests since 1869, the 523 room hotel has continuously held the attention of royalty, political thinkers, and celebrities over time. A range of continental dining and Egyptian specialty restaurants and bars satisfy even the most critical of appetites. The Mena House grants guests the opportunity to relax or stay active by checking out its golf courses, horse and camel stables, and extensive fitness options. Wander a few steps outside the hotel and you may run smack into a pyramid. Forty acres of jasmine-scented gardens will leave their scent on those who depart the hotel. It’s hard to leave this embellished haven of lush furnishings, oriental prints, and hand-woven fabrics.

Overnight at Mena House Oberoi Garden.


Hurghada
Hurghada
Day 11 Cairo

This full day tour includes a private tour with your trained Egyptologist guide through the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities and its Mummy Room, which houses priceless archaeological finds including the treasures of Tutankhamun and the Greco/Roman period. In the afternoon visit Saladin Citadel, a spectacular medieval fortress built by the renowned leader himself and dating back from the 12th century. Here you will explore the mosque and tomb of the Ottoman ruler Mohamed Ali, whom laid the foundation for the modern nation of Egypt. Later, on a walking tour, you will get to stroll through the fabled Khan Khalili bazaar, absorbing the sights, scents, exotic treats and energy of this ancient yet vibrant meeting place.

Enjoy the city's finest cuisine with a private table at the very best restaurants.

Overnight at Mena House Oberoi Garden.


Interior of Saladin citadel
Interior of Saladin citadel
Day 12 Cairo

Transfer to/from Cairo Airport in private vehicle with English speaking driver.

Depart from Cairo international airport - end of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart.



Trip Includes
Guaranteed departure – Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services

Trip Excludes
Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance

Trip Terms & Conditions

  • Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $250). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure. We accept payment via credit card, certified check, wire transfer or money order.
  • Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
  • Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
  • Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
  • Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of deposit. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to 100% of program price.
  • Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.kensingtontours.com/terms-and-conditions
  • Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.