Dazzling Dubai & Cairo
The glittering playground of Dubai; plus bustling Cairo, the Sphinx, and Pyramids of Giza and an optional Nile Cruise extension
Overview
Style | Small Group TourTravel with a small, intimate group of no more than 16 likeminded travelers (and often much fewer), escorted by an English speaking guide and/or tour manager for some or all of your journey. (Some exceptions, including special promotional packages, may accommodate up to 30.) More of these packages
Dedicated tour escorts & guides throughout |
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Departures | December 2024 – December 2025 | Group Size | 16 travelers max |
Themes | History & Culture, City Stays | ||
Activity Level | Moderate | ||
What to Expect | This moderately-paced, partially escorted tour includes a reasonable amount of walking or hiking and requires an average level of physical fitness. Travel safely and confidently with our new health & safety protocols. | ||
Already booked? | Find everything you need to know before you go, including information about passport & visa requirements, flights, luggage, and more. |
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Discover opulent and dazzling Dubai: home to the world’s tallest building, a man-made island archipelago created for luxury living and vacationing, plenty of fine dining, and an ancient culture that has leapt from desert tent to skyscraper condo in less than 50 years. But your vacation in Dubai is only one-half of this exotic tour package. Continue to Egypt to discover ancient sites in Cairo. If you’ve been dreaming of seeing the Pyramids of Giza and Sphinx for yourself, this is an opportunity not to be missed. Join us and see why these destinations are some of the most popular in the world.
Package includes
- Flights
- Coach
- Transfers
- Hotel
- Meals
- Guides
- Round trip flights via Emirates including fuel surcharge and taxes & fees
- All ground transportation & transfers
- 7 nights deluxe hotel accommodations
- 11 meals: 7 breakfasts, 1 lunch & 3 dinners
- Comprehensive touring program including entrance fees in Dubai and Cairo
- Professional, English-speaking Egyptologist tour director & local guides in Dubai and Cairo
Optional add-ons
- Flights from other cities are available. Request pricing when making your reservation.
- Optional day excursion to Abu Dhabi
- Nile Cruise Optional Extension
Why you'll love it
- Explore the glittering playground of Dubai and discover the timeless sites in Cairo.
- Discover the dazzling highlights of Dubai on a guided city tour, including Burj Khalifa, the Bastakiya district, the Museum of the Future, and more.
- Wander through the souks and shop for stunning textiles, gold, and spices.
- Set out on an exciting Jeep desert safari with a local BBQ dinner.
- Gaze upon the ancient treasures that fill the Egyptian Museum including the priceless antiquities of Tutankhamen's tomb.
- Tour one of the most famous sites in Egypt and one of the Seven Wonders of the World: the Pyramids of Cheops and Chephren as well as the Sphinx.
Itinerary at a Glance
- 1 Depart USA
- 2 Dubai
- 3 Dubai
- 4 Dubai
- 5 Dubai
- Optional Excursion: Full-Day Abu Dhabi, $185
- 6 Dubai & Cairo
- Optional Excursion: Inner Chamber of the Great Pyramid at Giza (purchased locally ), $35
- 7 Cairo
- Optional Excursion: Memphis & Sakkara, $90
- Optional Excursion: GEM (Grand Egyptian Museum), $90
- 8 Cairo, Pyramids & Sphinx
- 9 Depart Cairo
Optional Nile Cruise Extension
- 8 Cairo, Pyramids & Sphinx
- 9 Luxor
- 10 Luxor, Esna & Edfu
- Optional Excursion: Hot Air Balloon (purchased locally), $170
- 11 Esna, Edfu & Kom Ombo
- 12 Aswan
- Optional Excursion: Abu Simbel, $350
- 13 Aswan & Cairo
- 14 Cairo
- Optional Excursion: Walking Tour of El Moez Street with lunch, $85
- Optional Excursion: Cairo's Old City, $80
- 15 Cairo/USA
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Dates & Prices
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 Depart USA
- Check in for your overnight flight to Dubai
Day 2 Dubai
- Arrive in Dubai, meet our representatives, and transfer to your centrally located hotel
- Check-in is at 3:00 pm, or you can add guaranteed early check-in to your reservation
JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai or similar
Full Day ItineraryDay 3 Dubai
- Visit the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world
- Explore the Gold and Spice Market
- Enjoy an abra ride before a walking tour at Bastakiya Al Fahidi District
- Learn about Islamic life in the UAE at Jumeirah Mosque
- See the Palm Jumeirah and Atlantis
- Witness the spectacular Dubai Mall Fountain Show
- Meet your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner
JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai or similar Breakfast & dinner
Full Day ItineraryAfter breakfast, visit the Burj Khalifa (formerly known as Burj Dubai), which officially opened in 2010 as the tallest building in the world. This miracle of international cooperation and coordination houses a luxury Armani hotel, offices of some of the world's most successful companies, and homes as high as the clouds for a lucky few. Take in sweeping city views from the breathtakingly high "At the Top" observation deck.
Discover the vibrant atmosphere of Dubai's Gold and Spice Market, where the scents of exotic spices mingle with the glittering gold on display. Immerse yourself in a world of sensory delights as you explore this bustling market and try your hand at haggling!
Glide through Dubai's waterways on a traditional abra as the boatman expertly navigates through the bustling water traffic. Sail past some of Dubai's most iconic landmarks, like the towering Burj Khalifa and the majestic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, in spectacular panoramic fashion.
Later, stop at Jumeirah Mosque to gain insight into Islamic life in the United Arab Emirates during a lecture by one of the Mosque's clerks. Feel free to ask questions!
Wander through the charming alleyways of Bastakya Al Fahidi District on a walking tour that will transport you back in time. As you stroll along the narrow streets, admire the traditional wind-tower architecture and learn about the district's rich history from your knowledgeable guide.
Enjoy free time to explore and have an independent lunch at Souq Madinat Jumeirah, a vibrant market in Dubai inspired by traditional Middle Eastern architecture. Browse local handicrafts and sample delicious cuisine while taking in stunning views of the Arabian Gulf.
Stop by for Palm Jumeirah, a man-made island shaped like a palm tree, and Atlantis, located on the crescent of the Palm, for photo ops, followed by a drive-by of the glittering Marina Skyline.
End your day with excitement! As the sun sets, the fountain show at the Dubai Mall begins. Water dances in perfect synchronization with music and lights, creating a mesmerizing experience for all who witness it.
Join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner.
Day 4 Dubai
- Discover the fascinating exhibits at the Museum of the Future
- Explore the beautiful Miracle Garden
- Set out on an exciting Jeep desert safari with a local BBQ dinner
JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai or similar Breakfast & dinner
Full Day ItineraryAfter breakfast, stop at the Dubai Frame for a photo opportunity before visiting the Museum of the Future, an extraordinary destination where imagination meets innovation. This captivating museum is a testament to Dubai's vision of embracing cutting-edge technology and shaping a better future for humanity. Be immersed in a world of awe-inspiring exhibits, interactive displays, and thought-provoking installations. The museum showcases the latest advancements in science, technology, and innovation across various fields, offering a glimpse into the future.
Then, step into the Dubai Miracle Garden, an extraordinary garden home to over 50 million blooming flowers, meticulously arranged to create stunning displays that defy imagination. Marvel at the garden's record-breaking displays, including the world's largest flower wall, a spectacle that will leave you awestruck. Immerse yourself in the fragrance of countless floral varieties, from roses and tulips to exotic blooms that perfume the air and evoke a sense of tranquility.
Set out on a desert safari tour, where you'll discover the vastness and stark beauty of the desert surrounding Dubai. Experience an exciting jeep ride over the neighboring dunes. End the day with a traditional BBQ dinner and live belly-dancing entertainment.
Special Notes
- Dubai Miracle Garden is closed from May to October due to weather conditions and will be replaced by a visit to the Butterfly Gardens.
- The sand dunes jeep ride is not recommended for people with neck, back, or cardiac concerns. Passengers who cannot do the jeep ride will relax at the rest area during this time.
Day 5 Dubai
- Relax and explore on your own, or join an optional excursion to Abu Dhabi
JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai or similar Breakfast
Full Day ItineraryThe day is yours to explore at your pace, or take an optional excursion to Abu Dhabi.
Optional Excursion: Full-Day Abu Dhabi, $185Today, see another sophisticated city in the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi. Enjoy a panoramic view of Jebel Ali, the largest man-made port, en route to the iconic symbol of Abu Dhabi, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Later, drive along the sweeping curve of the Corniche, replete with parks and fountains, from which you'll enjoy a contrast of modern skyscrapers against the sparkling waters of the Persian Gulf. Visit the Heritage Village and learn about the history of Abu Dhabi in a reconstructed oasis. Walk through the open-air museum and see artisans demonstrate traditional skills. Later, pass by the Sheik Khalifa Palace, home to the president of the UAE. Afterward, take a photo stop at Yas Island, where the Ferrari World theme park and Formula 1 race track are located. Return to Dubai.
Note: Min of 4 passengers
Day 6 Dubai & Cairo
- Transfer to the airport for your flight to Cairo
- Tour of the Pyramids of Cheops & Chephren
- Evening panoramic tour of the city
- Get to know your fellow travelers during a welcome dinner at a local restaurant
Sheraton Cairo Hotel & Casino or similar Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Full Day ItineraryTransfer to the airport for your morning flight to Cairo.
Arrive in Cairo, where East and West come together in a wonderful mix of old and new. After customs formalities, you'll be met by our representatives in Cairo and then escorted to your centrally located 5-star hotel overlooking the Nile River.
Depart the hotel with your guide, who, after lunch, will escort you on a fascinating tour of Egypt's most famous sites—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 164 feet long and 72 feet high. Carved from a single stone, it lies just before the Pyramids, and today, its meaning and origin remain shrouded in mystery.
This evening, take a panoramic tour by bus to Downtown Cairo, including the culturally-rich Zamalek Island, Cairo Opera House, Maspero television building, and the historic Qasr El Nil Bridge. Get to know your fellow travelers during a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Optional Excursion: Inner Chamber of the Great Pyramid at Giza (purchased locally ), $35Take advantage of a unique opportunity to explore the interior of the pyramids. This 30-minute visit to the interior is unguided and will take place during the guided exterior visit.
Note: You must be in good physical condition to fully enjoy this tour, which involves traversing narrow passages and steep stairways. Some areas have very shallow ceilings, preventing visitors from standing upright. This excursion is not recommended for anyone suffering from heart conditions, back problems, asthma, or claustrophobia.
Day 7 Cairo
- Enjoy the day at leisure or join an optional excursion to Memphis & Sakkara and/or the new GEM (Grand Egyptian Museum)
Sheraton Cairo Hotel & Casino or similar Breakfast
Optional Excursion: Memphis & Sakkara, $90Optional Excursion: GEM (Grand Egyptian Museum), $90Be captivated by the world of ancient Egypt at one of the largest archaeological museums in the world, situated near the Giza pyramids. The Museum exhibition is only partially open to limited of visitors. The experience will include The Grand Staircase Gallery, a 45-minute guided tour of the museum's Grand and Glass Halls, and a 30-minute immersive King Tutankhamen show.
Day 8 Cairo, Pyramids & Sphinx
- Enjoy a full day of sightseeing in Cairo
- Discover the treasures of the Egyptian Museum
- See the Citadel of Saladin and the Alabaster Mosque
- Experience the sights and sounds of the Khan El Khalili Bazaar
Sheraton Cairo Hotel & Casino or similar Breakfast
Full Day ItineraryThis morning, enjoy a full-day tour of Cairo, starting with the Egyptian Museum, where you'll see the priceless antiquities of Tutankhamun's tomb, among other treasures. After free time for lunch, your day of sightseeing continues with the Citadel of Saladin, built on the remains of a Crusader-style fortress and the Alabaster Mosque. Continue to the famous Khan El Khalili Bazaar, where the sights, sounds, spices, exotic clothing and jewelry, hand-hammered copper, ceramic ware, and other treasures await your deft bargaining to win them at astounding prices.
Day 9 Depart Cairo
- Enjoy some free time in Cairo for last-minute shopping or sightseeing
- This afternoon, bid farewell to Egypt as you're escorted to the airport for your overnight flight home via Dubai, arriving in the USA the following morning.
Breakfast
Optional Nile Cruise Extension
Take advantage of your already-included international airfare and enjoy a 4-night cruise down the River Nile. This extension also includes 2 additional nights in Cairo. You will depart Egypt 6 days later the return dates listed, arriving in the USA the following morning.
Day 8 Cairo, Pyramids & Sphinx
- Enjoy a full day of sightseeing in Cairo
- Discover the treasures of the Egyptian Museum
- See the Citadel of Saladin and the Alabaster Mosque
- Experience the sights and sounds of the Khan El Khalili Bazaar
- Board your evening flight from Cairo to Luxor
Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa or similar Breakfast & lunch
Full Day ItineraryEnjoy a full-day tour of Cairo, starting with the Egyptian Museum, where you'll see the priceless antiquities of Tutankhamun's tomb, among other treasures. After free time for lunch, your day of sightseeing continues with the Citadel of Saladin, built on the remains of a Crusader-style fortress and the Alabaster Mosque. Continue to the famous Khan El Khalili Bazaar, where the sights, sounds, spices, exotic clothing and jewelry, hand-hammered copper, ceramic ware, and other treasures await your deft bargaining to win them at astounding prices.
Later this evening, transfer to the airport for a flight to Luxor, the capital of the New Kingdom when in 1580 BC, Pharoah Ahmos drove foreign invaders (the Hyksos) from Lower Egypt. Then, Luxor became a grand city of luxurious palaces, massive temples, extensive gardens, and a significant diplomatic and trade center of the ancient world. Transfer from the airport to your hotel.
Day 9 Luxor
- Embark on your Nile cruise and enjoy lunch aboard
- Tour the East Bank of the Nile and the Temple of Karnak
Full Day ItineraryAfter breakfast, transfer from your hotel to the pier for embarkation aboard your deluxe Nile cruise ship. Settle into your cabin and enjoy lunch aboard.
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 significant monuments of the Pharaonic legacy, with work carried out on the temples over 1,500 years, and Luxor Temple, strikingly graceful and added to over the centuries by Tutankhamen, Ramses II, Alexander the Great, and others.
Note: All 2024 departures will stay on the MS Tamr.
Day 10 Luxor, Esna & Edfu
- Tour the West Bank of the Nile and the Valley of the Kings via motor coach
- Visit the mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
- Discover the ancient tomb of King Tutankhamun
Full Day ItineraryAfter 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 a looming cliff face, and the Colossi of Memnon, two giant seated statues of Amenhotep III. Afterward, discover the ancient tomb of King Tutankhamun. Explore the rooms covered in mural paintings and the burial chamber, which still contains the pharaoh's mummy in its original sarcophagus.
Note: All 2024 departures will stay on the MS Tamr.
Optional Excursion: Hot Air Balloon (purchased locally), $170Day 11 Esna, Edfu & Kom Ombo
- Tour of Edfu including the Temple of Horus
- Sail along the Nile River to Kom Ombo
Full Day ItinerarySail from Esna to Edfu. As you go south, have an opportunity to view rural life in Egypt. The crops, farming methods, animals, and irrigation systems have mostly stayed the same from 4,000 years ago. Appreciate the fascinating contrast between ancient and modern ways of life, which coexist in Egypt and make it one of the world's most interesting travel destinations.
At Edfu, 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.
Note: All 2024 departures will stay on the MS Tamr.
Day 12 Aswan
- Join an optional early morning excursion to Abu Simbel
- Take a tour by felucca
- Partake in High Tea at the Historic Old Cataract
- Enjoy a festive dinner on board
Full Day ItineraryWake up in Aswan overnight, the gateway to Africa for the ancient Egyptians. Originally called "Sain" from "sanite," the granite extracted from its quarries, Aswan became a trade hub in spices, leather, ivory, fruit, grains, baskets, and mummified and living crocodiles.
Early this morning, take advantage of an optional excursion to the temple complex of Abu Simbel.
Spend time this morning relaxing on board. Later, take a tour on a felucca, a small, swift Egyptian sailboat.
In the afternoon, visit The Terrace in the Historic Old Cataract to enjoy High Tea. The Terrace is a legendary venue where Dame Agatha Christie once settled for hours, intently penning chapters of her celebrated Death on the Nile. Look out over the Nile, Khnum Temple, and Elephantine Island while savoring an authentic High Tea experience enriched with mouthwatering international pastries.
Later this evening, enjoy a festive dinner on board.
Note: All 2024 departures will stay on the MS Tamr.
Optional Excursion: Abu Simbel, $350Early this morning, fly from Aswan to nearby Abu Simbel, the site of the Great Temple of Ramses II, one of the most magnificent temples in Egypt and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Part of the Nubian Monuments, the twin temples of Abu Simbel were originally carved out of the mountainside during the reign of Ramses II in the 13th century B.C. as a lasting tribute to himself and his queen Nefertiti. After the creation of Lake Nasser, which was formed by the building of Aswan High Dam in 1968, the Abu Simbel complex was relocated entirely above the reservoir. After exploring the temple complex, return to Aswan.
Day 13 Aswan & Cairo
- Visit Philae Temple, the former holiest site for Isis Worshipers
- Admire Aswan's High Dam and the granite quarries
- In the early afternoon, board your flight to Cairo
Sheraton Cairo Hotel & Casino or similar Breakfast & lunch
Full Day ItineraryThis morning, visit Philae Temple, considered the holiest site for Isis worshipers for centuries. 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 specifications on the nearby island of Agilika, which was 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.
Then, visit Aswan's High Dam, which controls the Nile and is a significant source of hydroelectric power in Egypt. See the granite quarries where a partially carved and cracked obelisk demonstrates how the giant forms were hewn from the solid rock.
Transfer to the airport to board your short flight back to Cairo. After settling into your hotel, enjoy the evening at leisure.
Day 14 Cairo
- Spend your day at leisure, or enjoy take part in an optional excursion
- Meet with fellow travelers for a farewell dinner at your hotel on your last evening in Egypt
Sheraton Cairo Hotel & Casino or similar Breakfast & dinner
Optional Excursion: Walking Tour of El Moez Street with lunch, $85This morning, enjoy an optional guided walk along El Moez Street, one of the oldest and most impressive streets in Cairo, dating back to the Fatimid period, followed by lunch. Begin at Azhar mosque, one of the best medieval architectural treasures in the Islamic world. Continue to Bab Zuweila, a medieval gate in Cairo considered one of the city's significant landmarks, and Al Hussein Mosque, named for the grandson of the Prophet Muhammed and one of the holiest Islamic sites in Cairo.
Walk by Al-Hakim Mosque, Bab al-Fetouh, and Bab al-Nasr, a massive fortified gate with rectangular stone towers flanking the semicircular arch of the eastern Portal. Proceed to the Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan, remarkable for its size and innovative architectural components, Al-Rifa'I Mosque, then to the Mosque of Ibn Tulun, the oldest mosque in the city surviving in its original form.
Optional Excursion: Cairo's Old City, $80This afternoon, continue discovering Cairo's history during an optional excursion to its Old City. See The Hanging Church, named for its location atop the southern gate of the Roman Fortress. Continue to Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral, the seat of the Coptic Orthodox Pope. Finally, visit the Ben Ezra Synagogue, believed to be Cairo's oldest synagogue.
Day 15 Cairo/USA
- Enjoy some free time in Cairo for last-minute shopping or sightseeing
- This afternoon, bid farewell to Egypt as you're escorted to the airport for your overnight flight home via Dubai, arriving in the USA the following morning.
Breakfast
Hotels & Ships
Hotels
In the unlikely event that a particular hotel is not available, a similar or better hotel may be substituted.
Cruise Ships
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Trip Details
- What should I know before I go? We've compiled a comprehensive checklist, including information on how to pay your balance due, flights & transfers, packing & luggage, and more.
- Do I need a visa or other documents? Are there any entry requirements? Travel visas are required for this package. Please review the visa & entry requirements.
- Can I make changes to my trip? Want to upgrade your seats? Depart from another city? Stay a few extra days? Something else? Just ask!
- Can I bring my kids? Are there any age restrictions? To book this package, you must be 18 or older. Your traveling companions must be 8 or older at time of travel.
- Should I purchase travel insurance? Yes! We recommend you purchase travel insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer a plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services.
- What's the fine print? Review the terms & conditions for this package.
- What should I know about Egypt? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
- What should I know about Dubai? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.