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Pyramids & Nile Cruise
plus Lost City of Petra optional extension

Includes airfare, fuel surcharges, great hotels, transfers, many meals, touring and more!

On Sale On sale prices include savings of up to $600 per couple if you reserve before December 23, 2009!   No extra fee for paying by credit card!

Egyptian on Camel in front of Pyramids Once again, Friendly Planet is defying skyrocketing travel prices to bring you a fantastic, truly first class Egypt vacation deal fit for a pharaoh. You'll see the famous sphinx & pyramids at Giza, the temples at Luxor & Edfu, King Tut's tomb, old Cairo & much more, plus enjoy 4 nights on a luxury cruise on the Nile. Top it all off with an optional extension to the lost city of Petra and Amman in Jordan!

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Pyramids & Nile Cruise Itinerary

Departures prior to September 2009 follow a slightly different itinerary.

Pyramids & Nile Cruise and Pyramids & Nile Cruise plus Petra tour itineraries map Day 1: Depart USA. Your fascinating journey to Egypt begins this evening as you depart JFK International Airport in New York for your flight to Cairo.

Day 2: Cairo. Arrival in Cairo, where East and West come together in a wonderful and chaotic mix of old and new. You'll be met by our representatives in Cairo and transferred to your hotel.

Cairo & the Nile at night
Cairo & the Nile at night
Proceed to check in at your centrally located 5-star hotel overlooking the Nile River. Your hotel is within walking distance of downtown shopping districts, restaurants, and the famous Egyptian Museum, so enjoy time to explore Cairo independently or rest from your flight and enjoy the facilities at your hotel. This evening, join your fellow travelers on an optional dinner cruise with entertainment aboard a floating Nile River restaurant ($65). Ramses Hilton or Cairo Sheraton

Sphinx and Pyramids at Giza, Egypt
Sphinx and Pyramids at Giza, Egypt
Day 3: Cairo, Pyramids & Sphinx. This morning, after a well deserved rest and breakfast, your guide will escort you on a fascinating tour of the most famous of all sites in Egypt—the Pyramids of Cheops and Chephren. These monuments have stood for 46 centuries and are considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World, possibly the most visited monuments of Egypt. The Sphinx, a feline character with the body of a lion and the face of Khufu (Cheops in Greek) is 50 meters long and 22 meters high. Carved from a single stone, it lies just before the Pyramids, and even today its meaning and origin remain shrouded in mystery.

Tomb of King Tutankhamen
Tomb of King Tutankhamen
The afternoon is yours to explore Cairo on your own, or take advantage of an optional afternoon tour to the Egyptian Museum, where you'll see, among other treasures, the priceless antiquities of Tutankhamen's tomb ($35). (B)

The Great Court, Luxor Temple
The Great Court, Luxor Temple
Day 4: Cairo & Luxor. Transfer to the airport this morning for the flight to Luxor, capital of the New Kingdom when Pharoah Ahmos, in 1580 BC, drove foreign invaders (the Hyksos) from Lower Egypt. It was then that Luxor became a grand city of luxurious palaces, huge temples, large gardens, as well as an important diplomatic and trade center of the ancient world. Transfer from the airport to the pier for embarkation aboard your deluxe Nile cruise ship, the Tamr Henna. Settle into your cabin and enjoy lunch aboard.

Karnak temple interior
Karnak temple interior
This afternoon, visit the East Bank of the Nile. Highlights of today's tour include visits to the Temple of Karnak, one of the most overwhelming monuments of the Pharaonic legacy, with work carried out on the temples over a period of 1500 years, and Luxor Temple, strikingly graceful and added to over the centuries by Tutankhamen, Ramses II, Alexander the Great, and others. Tamr Henna (B,L,D)

Mortuary temple of Queen Hapshepsut near Luxor
Mortuary temple of Queen Hapshepsut near Luxor
Day 5: Luxor & Esna. After breakfast, disembark and board your touring coach to visit the West Bank of the Nile and the Valley of the Kings, where 64 of Egypt's Pharaohs have their royal tombs hewn into the sheer rock. Continue to the impressive Deir El Bahari mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut, an architectural wonder built against the backdrop of a looming cliff face and the Colossi of Memnon, two huge seated statues of Amenhotep III. (B,L,D)

Bedouin man
Bedouin man
Day 6: Esna, Edfu & Kom Ombo. Your cruise ship sails from Esna to Edfu. As you go south, you will have an opportunity to view rural life in Egypt. The crops, methods of farming, animals and irrigation systems have changed little from 4,000 years ago. Here you best appreciate the fascinating contrast of ancient and modern ways of life, which coexist in Egypt and make it one of the world's most interesting of travel destinations.

Kom Ombo on the Nile
Kom Ombo on the Nile
At Edfu, you'll see the Temple of Horus, Egypt's best preserved temple. Afterward, board your ship and sail to Kom Ombo, where, in ancient times, sacred crocodiles basked in the sun on the river bank. The Temple of Kom Ombo is unique in all of Egypt and is shared by the two gods Sobek and Haroeris. These Ptolemaic temples overlook the Nile and feature fascinating drawings on the walls, including detailed drawings of surgical instruments. (B,L,D)

Temple of Ramses, Abu Simbel, Egypt
Temple of Ramses, Abu Simbel, Egypt
Day 7: Kom Ombo & Aswan. Sail to Aswan, the gateway to Africa for the ancient Egyptians. Originally called "Sain" from "sanite", the red granite extracted form its quarries, Aswan became a hub of trade in spices, leather, ivory, fruit, grains, baskets and mummified and living crocodiles. An optional tour to Abu Simbel, the site of the Great Temple of Ramses II and one of the most magnificent of all temples in Egypt, is available early this morning.

Abu Simbel Tour: This extra optional tour is $255/person, if reserved and prepaid. Space is limited and we cannot guarantee availability once you arrive in Egypt, so we strongly recommend booking in advance.

Philae Temple  Photo by Przemyslaw "Blueshade" Idzkiewicz.
Philae Temple   Photo by Przemyslaw "Blueshade" Idzkiewicz.
After lunch aboard your cruise ship, visit Philae Temple which for centuries was the holiest site for Isis worshippers. The temple was officially closed down in the 6th century A.D. by the Byzantine emperor Justinian and was & the last pagan temple to exist in the Mediterranean world. After the construction of the Aswan Dam, the half-submerged Temple complex was completely dismantled and rebuilt to the original orientation on the nearby island of Agilika, which rises higher from the water and has been reshaped and landscaped to resemble the original Philae. Metal pylons on the old island of Philae can still be seen rising from the water to the south of Agilika.

Felucca boats
Felucca boats
Before returning to your cruise ship, enjoy a tour by felucca (a small, swift Egyptian sailboat) around Elephantine Island, once the center of modern Aswan. Conclude today's sightseeing at the magnificent Botanical Gardens of Lord Kitchener. (B,L,D)

Aswan Dam
Aswan Dam
Day 8: Aswan & Cairo. This morning's visits include Aswan's High Dam, which controls the Nile and is a major source of hydroelectric power in Egypt. Also visit the granite quarries where a huge, cracked obelisk will clearly demonstrate how the giant stones were carved from rock. Transfer to Aswan airport for the short flight back to Cairo.

Cairo Citadel
Cairo Citadel
Enjoy time at leisure to explore the city on your own. Or, take advantage of an optional guided tour of Old Cairo ($45), including the Citadel of Saladin, built on the remains of a Crusader-style fortress and the Alabaster Mosque. Continue to the world-famous Khan El Khalili bazaars, where the sights, sounds, spices and exotic clothing and jewelry, hand-hammered copper, ceramic ware and other treasures await your deft bargaining to win them at astounding prices. Ramses Hilton or Cairo Sheraton (B)

Khan el Khalili bazaar, Cairo
Khan el Khalili bazaar, Cairo
Day 9: Cairo/USA.. Today you'll be escorted to the airport as you bid farewell to Cairo and board your return flight to the USA. Your fascinating journey comes to an end as you arrive in the USA later today. Or, why not take advantage of an extension to the mysterious, rose-red city of Petra in Jordan! (B)


Pyramids & Nile Cruise plus Petra Itinerary

Be sure to also check out our Pyramids & Petra tour.

The Treasury, Petra
The Treasury, Petra
Days 1-9: Same as above. However, passengers will spend one additional night in Cairo at the beginning of the tour. (Passengers on the December 2 departure will spend this extra night in Cairo at the end of the tour, after the Jordan portion of the tour).

Day 10: Cairo, Amman & Petra. Transfer to the airport for the short flight from Cairo to Amman. After customs formalities, board your touring coach and drive south, via the Kings Highway, to Petra. Arrival early this evening at your deluxe hotel located very close to the archeological site of Petra, where you'll enjoy a spectacular view of the ancient site and surrounding mountains. Join your fellow travelers for dinner and a stroll around the grounds of this fascinating hotel. Taybet Zaman (B,D)

Monastery at Petra  © FreeStockPhotos.com
Monastery at Petra   © FreeStockPhotos.com
Day 11: Petra/Amman. Your guided tour begins with a ride on horseback and then a walk through the Siq, a narrow gorge flanked by huge cliffs. As you reach the end of the Siq, you'll behold the breathtaking sight of the Treasury, its elaborately carved façade looming high above you. Explore the various tombs and structures in this site and marveling at the artistry and creativity that must have inspired the Nabateans to construct so marvelous and dramatic a city. Later this afternoon, drive north to Amman and your hotel. Landmark Hotel Amman or le Meridien Hotel (B)

Amman citadel  © Jordan Tourism Board North America
Amman citadel   © Jordan Tourism Board
Day 12: Amman. Located in the heart of Amman's diplomatic and business districts—just minutes away from the vibrant city center—your hotel is close to Amman's major historical sites including the Citadel and the Roman amphitheatre. Explore the city at leisure, or take an optional tour to Jerash.

Ruins at Jerash, Amman
Ruins at Jerash, Amman
Located 30 miles north of Amman, Jerash is considered one of the largest and most well-preserved sites of Roman architecture in the world outside Italy. To this day, its colonnaded streets, baths, theaters, plazas and arches remain in exceptional condition. Within the remaining city walls, archaeologists have found the ruins of settlements dating back to the Neolithic Age, indicating human occupation at this location for more than 6500 years.

Roman Amplitheater, Amman, Jordan
Roman Amplitheater, Amman, Jordan
After lunch, return to Amman where you'll visit the major historical sites, including the Roman amphitheatre, Archaeological Museum, and the ruins of the Temple of Hercules ($100 per person). This evening, you're invited to join your fellow travelers for an optional dinner at a local restaurant ($25). (B)

Day 13: Amman/USA. Today you'll be escorted to the airport as you bid farewell to Amman and board your return flight to the USA. Your fascinating journey comes to an end as you arrive in the USA later today. (B)


Optional Tours in Egypt

To take full advantage of your visit to Egypt, we offer several optional tours to other "must see" sites. These are not "seat in coach" tours that pick up passengers in various hotels. All the optional tours are operated for Friendly Planet groups only.

  • Dinner cruise on the Nile, with entertainment
  • Half-day of guided touring of Cairo's Old City
  • Half-day guided tour of the Egyptian Museum and the Khan El Khalili bazaars

These optional tours are available for the special package price of $130/person when booked and prepaid prior to departure.* Optional tours will be available for booking individually in Egypt for a little more. We regret that we cannot accept bookings for the pre-paid optional tours package within 75 days from departure or after final payment has been received.


Optional Tours in Jordan

For passengers traveling to Jordan, the optional tours package includes the above tours in Egypt, plus:

  • Jerash City Tour
  • Farewell dinner at local restaurant

These optional tours are available for the special package price of $230/person when booked and prepaid prior to departure. Optional tours will be available for booking individually in Jordan for a little more. We regret that we cannot accept bookings for the pre-paid optional tours package within 75 days from departure or after final payment has been received.


Destination FAQs

Quick answers to Frequently Asked Questions about travel to Egypt.

Quick answers to Frequently Asked Questions about travel to Jordan.


We weren't sure what to expect (especially at this price), and quite honestly, we were thoroughly impressed. The tour guides were not only knowledgeable but very friendly. The accommodations were pristine and the adventure—well, enough cannot be said for all that Egypt has to offer. We were a little concerned about any anti-American feelings that could be present there. On the contrary, the locals seemed to be warm, wonderful people who opened themselves up to us so very easily. We felt completely safe every step of the way! I highly recommend this trip to anyone who may have an interest in seeing Egypt.

— Scott Hebert, Gardner, MA

testimonial photo Just wanted to let you know the trip was amazing. I already recommended Friendly Planet tours to a couple of friends. I'm very impressed, and I'm so glad I came across your service on TravelZoo. It was excellent. Thank you so much.

— Josephine Castillo, West New York, NJ

Clearly the Egypt trip was the BEST value in traveling we've ever had, and, believe me, I search all over. I would heartily recommend that trip and, based on it, Friendly Planet for exceptional travel organization and service. Looking forward to traveling with you again.

— Jean McGlaughlin, McClure, PA

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Pyramids & Nile Cruise
Included Features

  • On the Pyramids & Nile Cruise, round trip flights from New York (JFK) via EgyptAir including fuel surcharges (flight schedule)
  • On the Pyramids, Nile Cruise, & Petra tour, round trip flights from New York (JFK) via Royal Jordanian Airlines including fuel surcharges (flight schedule) (The Dec. 2 departure includes flights aboard EgyptAir)
  • Arrival and departure transfers with meeting, assistance and porterage
  • All intra-Egypt flights and ground transportation
  • Five star hotel accommodations at the Ramses Hilton or Cairo Sheraton
  • 4 nights aboard the 5-star Tamr Henna ship in outside balcony cabin
  • Buffet breakfast daily and all meals aboard the cruise, including mineral water and complimentary local wine and local beer (B,L,D)
  • Half day of included touring in Cairo featuring the famous Pyramids at Giza and the Sphinx.
  • Optional Extension to the Lost City of Petra in Jordan

TourCode: h2v-2039064

Pyramids & Nile Cruise
Departures & Prices*
Depart Return Book by
Dec 23
After
Dec 23
2009 DEPARTURES
Jul 4 Jul 12 $2299 SOLD OUT
Aug 1 Aug 9 $2199 SOLD OUT
Aug 15 Aug 23 $2199 SOLD OUT
Sep 2 Sep 10 $1399 SOLD OUT
Sep 9 Sep 17 $1499 SOLD OUT
Sep 16 Sep 24 $1599 SOLD OUT
Sep 23 Oct 1 $1699 SOLD OUT
Oct 7 Oct 15 $1799 SOLD OUT
Oct 21 Oct 29 $1899 SOLD OUT
Nov 4 Nov 12 $1899 SOLD OUT
Dec 2 Dec 10 $1899 SOLD OUT
Dec 30 Jan 7 $2399 $2699 SOLD OUT
2010 DEPARTURES
Jan 13 Jan 21 $1899 $2199 SOLD OUT
Jan 27 Feb 4 $1899 $2199 SOLD OUT
Feb 10 Feb 18 $1899 $2199 SOLD OUT
Mar 17 Mar 25 $1899 $2199 SOLD OUT
Mar 31 Apr 8 $2299 $2599 Reserve Now!
Apr 7 Apr 15 $1899 $2199 SOLD OUT
Apr 14 Apr 22 $1899 $2199 SOLD OUT
Apr 28 May 6 $1899 $2199 Reserve Now!

Tour prices are per person, double occupancy, including airfare. Prices in red reflect an early booking discount if you reserve by Dec. 23, 2009.

* Prices do not include Additional Taxes, Fees & September 11th Security Fee for this tour of $100.

Pyramids & Nile Cruise plus Petra
Departures & Prices*
Depart Return Book by
Dec 23
After
Dec 23
2009 DEPARTURES
Jul 4 Jul 15 $2899 SOLD OUT
Aug 1 Aug 12 $2799 SOLD OUT
Aug 15 Aug 26 $2799 SOLD OUT
Sep 1 Sep 13 $2199 SOLD OUT
Sep 8 Sep 20 $2299 SOLD OUT
Sep 15 Sep 27 $2399 SOLD OUT
Oct 6 Oct 18 $2599 SOLD OUT
Oct 20 Nov 1 $2699 SOLD OUT
Nov 3 Nov 15 $2699 SOLD OUT
Dec 2 Dec 14 $2699 SOLD OUT
2010 DEPARTURES
Jan 12 Jan 24 $2699 $2999 SOLD OUT
Jan 26 Feb 7 $2699 $2999 Reserve Now!
Feb 9 Feb 21 $2699 $2999 SOLD OUT
Mar 16 Mar 28 $2699 $2999 SOLD OUT
Mar 30 Apr 11 $3099 $3399 Reserve Now!
Apr 6 Apr 18 $2699 $2999 SOLD OUT
Apr 13 Apr 25 $2699 $2999 SOLD OUT
Apr 27 May 9 $2699 $2999 Reserve Now!

Tour prices are per person, double occupancy, including airfare. Prices in red reflect an early booking discount if you reserve by Dec. 23, 2009.

* Prices do not include Additional Taxes, Fees & September 11th Security Fee for this tour of $150.

Pyramids & Nile Cruise Taxes & Fees
Service Price
Additional Taxes, Fees & September 11th Security Fee +$100
Egyptian Visa Fee*
(paid separately)
+$20

* Fee is paid locally upon arrival

Pyramids & Nile Cruise plus Petra Taxes & Fees
Service Price
Additional Taxes, Fees, & September 11 Security Fee +$150
Egyptian Visa Fee*
(paid separately)
 
Dec 2 +$40
All other departures +$20

* Fee is paid locally upon arrival. Passengers on the Dec. 2 departure will require a second visa to cover their re-entry into Cairo after the Jordan portion of the tour.

Pyramids & Nile Cruise Optionals & Upgrades
Service Price
Discounted Optional Tours Package +$130
Abu Simbel Optional Tour +$255
Single Room Supplement  
Dec 30, Mar 31 +$548
All other departures +$398
Cruise Single Supplement (for third passenger in party of 3)*  
Dec 30, Mar 31 +$499
All other departures +$339
Cabin Upgrades
Standard Cabin  
Feb 10 unavailable
All other departures included
Superior Cabin, Middle Deck, double occupancy +$75
Superior Cabin, Middle Deck, single occupancy +$110
Superior Cabin, Upper Deck, double occupancy  
Sep 16, Oct 7, Nov 4, Dec 2, Jan 13, Apr 14 unavailable
All other departures +$125
Superior Cabin, Upper Deck, single occupancy  
Sep 16, Oct 7, Nov 4, Dec 2, Jan 13, Apr 14 unavailable
All other departures +$190
Jacuzzi Suite, double occupancy +$350
Jacuzzi Suite, single occupancy +$630
Royal Panoramic Suite, double occupancy +$500
Royal Panoramic Suite, single occupancy +$900

* This cruise supplement applies only to the third passenger in a party of three. Triple occupancy hotel rooms are available on this tour. However, triple occupancy cabins are not available on the cruise ship. The cruise supplement listed above provides a single cabin on the cruise portion of the tour.

Pyramids & Nile Cruise plus Petra Optionals & Upgrades
Service Price
Discounted Optional Tours Package-Cairo & Amman +$230
Abu Simbel Optional Tour +$255
Single Room Supplement  
Mar 30 +$838
All other departures +$658
Cruise Single Supplement (for third passenger in party of 3)*  
Mar 30 +$499
All other departures +$339
Cabin Upgrades
Standard Cabin  
Feb 9 unavailable
All other departures included
Superior Cabin, Middle Deck, double occupancy +$75
Superior Cabin, Middle Deck, single occupancy +$110
Superior Cabin, Upper Deck, double occupancy  
Sep 15, Oct 6, Nov 3, Dec 2, Jan 12 unavailable
All other departures +$125
Superior Cabin, Upper Deck, single occupancy  
Sep 15, Oct 6, Nov 3, Dec 2, Jan 12 unavailable
All other departures +$190
Jacuzzi Suite, double occupancy +$350
Jacuzzi Suite, single occupancy +$630
Royal Panoramic Suite, double occupancy +$500
Royal Panoramic Suite, single occupancy +$900

* This cruise supplement applies only to the third passenger in a party of three. Triple occupancy hotel rooms are available on this tour. However, triple occupancy cabins are not available on the cruise ship. The cruise supplement listed above provides a single cabin on the cruise portion of the tour.

Departure Airport: This tour departs from New York Kennedy International (JFK).

Coming from somewhere else? Unfortunately, we don't offer departures from other cities for this tour, but you can book your own connecting flights separately.

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Egyptian on camel in front of pyramid at sunset

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