Traveling to Egypt is one of the best decisions you should make one day. I am sure you have been hesitating a lot and thinking about the best Egypt tour packages to choose from. Let’s first say that Egypt is the land of a magnificent ancient civilization, beautiful nature, and vibrant culture.
There are more things to do and see in Egypt beyond the Pyramids of Giza. In this article, I will take you on a journey to explore what Egypt has to offer and how to plan your travel itinerary.
Let’s first start with some quick facts. In 2023, tourism has been booming, with rapid growth in the number of tourists visiting the country. The country is regaining its reputation as one of the most favorite destinations in the Middle East. A lot has been going on, and on top of that, a major event is expected to take place by the end of this year.
Finally, the Grand Egyptian Museum prepares for its grand launch. That’s one of the biggest events the world will witness this year. Over 100 thousand Egyptian artifacts will be exhibited, including some rare gems for the first time.
Best Places to Visit in Egypt
The experience of visiting Egypt is far beyond the ancient Egyptian monuments in Giza, Luxor, and Aswan. It goes further beyond that, as the country has a diversity of destinations and activities to include in a tour package. Initially, you can find all that you want from a holiday within a few hours of traveling. The country offers beautiful, sunny beaches all year, which is perfect for a relaxing experience. In addition, Cairo offers the largest open museum for Islamic monuments and a rich history with vibrant life and authentic food. Thinking of retreats and ecolodges? The oasis provides a unique experience to immerse yourself in peaceful nature.
Overall, Egypt tour packages shouldn’t be limited to short visits to the pyramids and the Egyptian museum. That’s been my struggle for years with tourism in Egypt and limiting the country to culture tours only without considering so many exciting places to visit. Let me tell you more about the stories waiting to be uncovered around Egypt.
1. Visiting Cairo: The City of Culture
Cairo is Egypt’s cultural center, where antiquity and thriving culture have been growing for centuries. On the western side, you can visit the mysterious Sphinx and Pyramids of Giza, while on the eastern side, you can visit the Islamic Cairo. Nonetheless, there is a lot more to see and do in Cairo. I personally believe that Cairo is a hidden gem due to its diversity as a city. In one place, you can meet ancient Egyptian civilization and museums while you explore the authentic food and cultures.
My best advice for Cairo is to let yourself explore deeper and hang out in the streets of the old city to get the most out of your Cairo tour. Have some tea at the local cafes, visit old alleys, enjoy dinner by the Nile, discover the Coptic museums and the history of Christianity, go shopping, and buy some gifts from Khan El Khalili.
2. Luxor: A Call from the Past
Have you heard of a city that holds most of the ancient world monuments? Luxor is the most famous destination if you are keen to visit to travel in time. The Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Karnak, and the Temple of Hatshepsut can all be found in Luxor. This city will take you back in time to visit the rise of civilization and the glorious times of the Pharos.
Basically, 2 to 3 days in the city will allow you to visit most of the city. However, I highly recommend a hot air balloon ride over Luxor as one of the top highlights. When the sun rises, you will be watching the Nile and the Valley of the Kings from the sky.
Enjoy more of the city by staying at a hotel with a Nile view or hopping on a Nile cruise tour. If you are wondering how to walk around at night, I recommend visiting the night markets and taking a cart ride.
3. Aswan, History by the Nile
Aswan, Egypt’s hidden treasure, is located in the south at the most beautiful spot on the Nile. It is well known for its impressive temples and monuments. You can visit the great temple of Abu Simbel or sail into the Nile to see the Philae Temple. The city is famous for its Nubian heritage, which you can explore in the Nubian villages. Eventually, it has been my favorite place to stay in Aswan.
When you plan your trip, you will always need to consider spending relaxing time to enjoy the flavors of Nubian people and their music, food, and traditions.
Take a felluca in the Nile or dine in by the river view, explore the museum of Aswan and the unfinished oblesik, and melt into the unique culture of Upper Egypt. Aswan is a place to remember.
4. Sun and Sea at Red Sea Resorts
Egypt’s Red Sea resorts are one of the most trendy locations to enjoy the sun any time of year. I personally visit it during the winter to enjoy the water sports and scuba diving. The Red Sea has several great destinations for an ectising holiday, including vibrant cities such as Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada, or peaceful places such as Dahab and Marsa Alam. The Red Sea is famous for its beautiful marine life, where you can enjoy snorkeling or scuba diving.
I highly recommend wind surfing as one of the best activities in the Red Sea. Moreover, Marsa Alam offers an amazing opportunity to visit the Wadi El Gemal protected reserve. Nubiea is also another place to enjoy the most relaxing holidays, with private beaches and remote camps. In meanwhile Hurghada offers some of the best resorts with acqua parks and vibrant night life.
In summary, there are more than just temples and heritage to visit. The main escesne of Egypt tour packages is to include several travel experiences in one tour. There also other destinations I would recommend if you extend your tour. Those unique tours includes Siwa Oasis, White Desert safari, Farfara, Fayyoum, Saint Cathereine, Alexandria, Rashid, Halayiab and Ain Sokhna. The list can go on and on.
Guide to Egypt Tour Packages
As we start our guide, I have to tell you that the main motive of providing this tips is to guide people off the beaten track and cheesy commercial offers. So, first things first. Let’s speak about how long you should stay in Egypt. There is no easy answer to this, but you have to know that Egypt is a big country and a City like Cairo is much bigger than Dubai. Traveling between destination is not a big struggle, but you have to give yourself the time to visit the most of the must-visit places. I suggest two main packages to choose from.
Short Egypt Tour Package: A quick and exciting tour package to Egypt can take usually between 5-7 Days. Even on a tight schedule, you can get a good experience with the best destinations of Egypt. For such tour, I suggest to head to the important historical sites in Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan.
This is highly recommended if you are visiting Egypt for the first time. However, if you are more into relaxing theme, I suggest visiting Cairo for two days and spending the rest of the trip at one of the Red Sea resorts to enjoy the sea and the sun.
Exploration Tour Package: It takes between 10-14 days usually to have the most out of your holiday tour. Evetunally, with this package you can include several destinations and activities. I mostly recommend including Cairo tours along with Nile Curise between Luxor and Aswan. This can be done in one week while the rest of the tour can include a visit to the western desert or Red Sea gateway.
Before you design your itinerary with the tour agency, I highly recommend to choose your travel type and what is your ideal theme. If you have the time, I highly recommend an epic Egyptian experience of 14 days.
How to Plan Your Egypt Tour
There is no lack of things to see and do in Egypt, from the pyramids to the Nile River, to the colorful towns and busy marketplaces. But, with so much to see and do in Egypt, planning a vacation may be difficult. Selecting the correct travel package may make or break your trip, and here are some pointers to help you make the right decision.
The style of your vacation is an essential consideration. Are you a solitary adventure seeker, or are you traveling with a group or family? Do you want to go on a guided tour or do you want to do it alone? Will you spend most of your time in cities, or do you wish to explore the countryside? The sort of vacation package that is ideal for you will be determined by your travel style.
Finally, selecting the correct travel package for your trip to Egypt is a critical choice that will affect the overall success of your vacation. While choosing a package, consider your vacation theme, the kind of lodgings and transportation, and your chosen travel style. Your vacation to Egypt can be a wonderful experience if you prepare ahead of time.
1. Pick Your Travel Theme
Egypt is a huge country with a vast landscape, old civilizations, and tradition that has something for every sort of tourist. The main three travel themes for Egypt tour packages are culture tours, beach leisure, and activities tours.
Do you have an interest in ancient history and ancient Egyptian civilization? Then mostly you want to visit the Pyramids. Mainly, Egypt is famous for its cultural tourism theme which offers some of the top ancient monuments in the world. The culture theme tour offers three main destinations which are Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan. Cairo is famous for the Pyramids of Giza and The Egyptian Museum.
The tour also may include the Islamic city and the Coptic heritage. Down in the south of Egypt, the culture tour must include Luxor and Aswan which are home to some of the greatest temples and the Valley of the Dead.
The Leisure theme is highly desirable by the majority of tourists, especially during the winter time. Egypt has some of the most beautiful and sunny beaches such as Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada, Dahab, and Marsa Allam where tourists can enjoy the warm weather and relax by the Red Sea. There is also the North Coast in the summer time where it is a different travel theme.
For adventurous travelers and wanderlusts who are seeking more adventure and excitement, Egypt has different types of activities including skydiving over the pyramids, scuba diving in the Red Sea, sandboarding at the dunes, desert safari trips, and hot air balloon rides over Luxor and the Valley of the Kings, hiking in Sinai and many wild adventures.
Finally, if you’re more interested in contemporary culture, with its busy cities and dynamic lifestyle. You can enjoy Cairo and Alexnardia’s Downtown districts. You can also take a Siwa tour to discover the unique traditions and festivals of the oasis. If you’re a gourmet or a foodie, you’ll want to try the local cuisine and cafes. Eventually, Egypt is a wonderful destination with a variety of options to suit every type of traveler. After you’ve decided on a trip theme, you can start narrowing down your alternatives.
2. Choose your lodging style
I strongly recommend checking the hotels and accommodation options with your tour operator. It is better to get an advice from experts before visiting Egypt to make sure you are staying in convenient area. My advice is to stay in down town Cairo and if you are visiting the Red Sea is to choose a beach front resort that is not far from the center.
Cairo downtown is an intersection of ancient and modern cultures with walk distance from the Egyptian museum and lively marketplaces. If you are going on safari, I suggest tents and eclodges where possible.
There are a large number of five-star hotels and villas in Egypt, perfect for those seeking a truly opulent stay. These hotels are typically situated in the heart of major tourist destinations, such as Cairo or Luxor. Remember that the best hotels in Egypt are mainly Nile View or Sea View. If you’d rather be in the middle of nature, however, you can book a stay at an ecolodge in the oasis or a Nile cruise that will provide you with a one-of-a-kind and eco-friendly vacation.
Hostels, guesthouses, and economy motels are just some of the many low-cost lodging choices available in Egypt. These are a fantastic choice for vacationers on a budget and can be found in downtown Cairo as well as the downtown of Luxor and Aswan.
Guests’ comments should be taken into account when deciding on a hotel. Reading evaluations written by previous guests is a great way to get a feel for the hotel you’re considering before making a reservation. This will help you remain out of trouble and have a more enjoyable trip.
Last but not least, pick a hotel in a convenient area. Staying in a central position is ideal if you want to see as much as possible of the city and its most well-known sights. On the other hand, if you’re looking for peace, a vacation area is the way to go. In summation, to have a pleasant stay in Egypt, it is important to pick a hotel that suits your tastes, money, ratings, and location.
3. Specify the sort of transportation
Transportation might vary greatly based on your budget and interests. I believe the most interesting thing about traveling in Egypt is that you have very interesting options including air flights, bus, train, Nile curise, 4×4 safari, or even tuk tuk and camels.
While transportation can be available easily including public transit and Uber, you have to know that visiting tourism destination might be accessible sometimes by organized tours and tour busses. Some of the temples are remote, and the Oasis would require 4×4 cars. To enjoy the planning process of your Egypt tour, I would recommend to use the services of a trustworthy travel agency.
Airports and Ease of Access
International airports in Egypt are located in the main cities. All the hot destination have regular flights from Europe and Gulf region. The main airport is Cairo International Airport, while the Sphnix airport is now operating to serve the Giza area. In additions, Red Sea resorts are serviced by the airports of Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh. There are also international airports in both Luxor and Aswan.
At Holiday Tours we will work with you to find the best mode of transportation to suit your vacation. Our tour office can book trips from Cairo to Luxor or Aswan, two of Egypt’s most visited places, so you can get from one to the other swiftly and in luxury. We can set you up with a Nile tour if you’d like a more leisurely and picturesque method of transportation. From Aswan to Luxor, you can take a tour down the Nile and see all sorts of old monuments and churches.
When planning a trip to Egypt, scheduling with Holiday Tours is the best way to make sure everything from lodging to transportation to sightseeing is taken care of. This can help you prevent problems and have a more pleasant trip.
4. Design your Itinerary
Top Tips To Select the Best Egypt Tour Package
Designing the itinerary for your Egypt tour can be an exciting process, but it’s important to consider a few key factors such as your visit length, preferred themes, and budget. Here are some tips to help you create a customized itinerary that suits your needs:
- Visit length: The duration of your trip will impact the number of destinations you can visit and the activities you can do. If you have limited time, a short package of 2-3 days that focuses on Cairo may be suitable for you. However, if you have more time, you can consider a longer package that includes multiple destinations such as Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and the Red Sea resorts or the Oasis Safari and White Desert.
- Themes: As we discussed earlier, Egypt offers various travel themes such as cultural tours, beach leisure, and activities tours. You can choose the theme that suits your interests and include activities that align with that theme. For example, if you’re interested in ancient Egyptian civilization, you can focus on cultural tours and include visits to the Pyramids, Luxor temples, and Aswan’s Valley of the Kings.
- Budget: Your budget will also play a significant role in designing your itinerary. Air flights can be a great way to save time and cover more ground, but they can be more expensive than traveling by bus or train. Depending on your budget, you can choose a package that includes the most important destinations for you while keeping costs under control.
Choosing the correct tour plan can make or ruin your Egypt trip. To prevent any misinformation, here are some pointers to help you choose the finest package:
- Research multiple tour packages: Research and evaluate numerous trip deals from various travel companies to find the one that best meets your requirements and money. To prevent shocks, read evaluations and thoroughly examine the features and limitations of each plan.
- Consider the travel agency’s reputation: Look for a respected travel agency with good evaluations and a track record of delivering high-quality service. Check with them ahead of time to see how responsive and helpful they are with contact.
- Check Google Reviews: It is important to search for the office location in Cairo and make sure the location has good reviews from different customers. Trip Advisor is another alternative, but usually, Google reviews are more accurate about local companies.
- Check for cost transparency: Make sure the travel tour operator is open about the package’s prices and features. Check for any concealed costs or additional expenses that may arise later.
- Check for customization options: Determine whether the travel service provides customization options to allow you to tailor the trip plan to your specific needs. This includes changing activities, expanding or reducing the schedule, and selecting your chosen accommodation and transit choices.
- Verify the inclusions: Check the trip package’s features to make sure they match your hobbies and tastes. If you’re interested in cultural excursions, for example, make sure the plan contains visits to historical places and institutions.
By following these guidelines, you can choose the best travel plan for your Egypt tour while avoiding false information. Working with a trustworthy travel service, such as “Holiday Tours,” can also provide additional peace of mind because they prioritize straightforward communication, cost openness, and customization options to create a personalized and memorable travel experience.
The Importance of Using the Best Travel Agency
Choosing the best travel agency is essential for a satisfying trip. Look for firms that have earned a solid reputation, have received positive evaluations, and have a track record of providing excellent service. Google Reviews can be a helpful tool for vetting a business’s location in Egypt.
Let’s talk about a very important part of your trip to Egypt: booking with a reliable tour company. Independent travel has its advantages, but navigating Egypt’s rich history and intricate logistics on your own may be daunting.
Having a reliable tour operator at your side, like Holiday Tours, may make a world of difference. Reasons why
- All the hassle of arranging a schedule, buying tickets in advance, and communicating across language difficulties is eliminated. A travel agency will handle all of these facets of the trip for you. Say farewell to transportation headaches with this hassle-free option. Your travel agency will take care of all the details, from airport transfers to luxurious tour vehicles.
- Professional Tour Guides: Egypt’s history is complex, therefore learning about it with the help of a local expert is a must. Discover the history of the structures, the lore of the tombs, and the intrigue of the Nile.
- With the help of a travel agency, you can gain admission to private events and tours. Visit the Grand Egyptian Museum before it opens to the public or take a luxurious Nile cruise just for your group.
How much will it cost to tour Egypt?
The cost of an Egypt tour will depend on the period, accommodation, transportation, and the inclusions of the tour package. Generally, a 7-day tour package can cost anywhere from $1,200 to $2,500 per person.
How much is a 10-day tour of Egypt?
The cost of a 10-day tour of Egypt will depend on the travel agency and the inclusions of the tour package. Generally, a 10-day tour package can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000 per person.
Can I tour Egypt on my own?
Yes, it is possible to tour Egypt alone or as a solo traveler, but it may not be recommended for people who are not traveling much. It is best to book with a reputable travel agency that offers organized tour packages with a knowledgeable guide to ensure a smooth and safe experience. To avoid a hassle in the Pyramids or at some popular sights, a local guide is highly recommended and also affordable.
How much is a private tour guide in Egypt?
The cost of a private tour guide in Egypt can cost anywhere from $50 to $100 per day. It might vary based on the location and length of the tour. Egypt is famous for knowledgeable tour guides who provide valuable and historical information.
