Exploring Egypt: A 9-Day Train Adventure Through Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, and Aswan
Embarking on a 9-day trip through Egypt offers a captivating blend of ancient history, vibrant culture, and scenic landscapes. Traveling by train across this historic country provides a unique, comfortable, and eco-friendly way to explore its most iconic cities: Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, and Aswan. This itinerary is perfect for history enthusiasts, adventure seekers, and travelers eager to experience Egypt’s timeless allure.
Your journey begins in Cairo, Egypt’s bustling capital. Known for the awe-inspiring Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, Cairo is a treasure trove of ancient wonders and lively markets. Spend your first day exploring the Giza Plateau, marveling at these ancient monuments that date back over 4,500 years. Don’t miss the Solar Boat Museum and the Pyramid of Khafre for a comprehensive experience.
On the second day, delve into Egypt’s rich history at the Egyptian Museum, home to countless artifacts including Tutankhamun’s treasures. Take a stroll through Islamic Cairo, exploring historic mosques like the Sultan Hassan Mosque and bustling bazaars such as Khan El Khalili. The city’s vibrant atmosphere, combined with its historical sites, makes Cairo an essential stop on your Egyptian adventure.
From Cairo, catch a scenic train ride to Alexandria, Egypt’s Mediterranean port city. The train journey takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, offering picturesque views of the Nile Delta and coastal landscapes. Upon arrival, explore the city’s blend of ancient history and modern vibrancy.
Visit the historic Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, an underground necropolis showcasing a mix of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman art. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a modern tribute to the ancient Library of Alexandria, is a must-see for book lovers and history buffs alike. Don’t forget to stroll along the Corniche, enjoying panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea. Alexandria’s unique fusion of antiquity and contemporary life makes it a fascinating stop.
Next, board a train to Luxor, often called the world’s greatest open-air museum. The journey from Alexandria to Luxor involves a transfer in Cairo, but the train ride is well worth the effort. In Luxor, explore the East Bank, home to the magnificent Karnak Temple complex and Luxor Temple, illuminated beautifully at night.
On the West Bank, visit the Valley of the Kings, where pharaohs like Tutankhamun and Ramses the Great were laid to rest. Nearby, explore the Colossi of Memnon and the historic Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Luxor’s archaeological sites provide a vivid glimpse into Egypt’s New Kingdom era, making it a highlight of your trip.
Travel south by train to Aswan, renowned for its scenic Nile River views and ancient temples. The train journey from Luxor to Aswan takes about 3 hours, offering stunning vistas along the riverbanks. Once in Aswan, visit the Philae Temple dedicated to Isis, situated on an island in the Nile.
Take a boat trip to the Nubian Village to experience local culture and colorful traditions. A visit to the Aswan High Dam offers insight into Egypt’s modern engineering marvels and its importance for irrigation and hydroelectric power. For a more adventurous experience, consider a felucca sailboat cruise around Elephantine Island.
Conclude your Egyptian adventure with a train ride back to Cairo. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time to explore any missed sites or enjoy some last-minute shopping. Reflecting on your journey, you’ll appreciate how traveling by train allowed you to see Egypt’s diverse landscapes and vibrant cities comfortably and sustainably.
Traveling by train in Egypt offers numerous advantages. It’s a cost-effective, eco-friendly way to cover vast distances while enjoying scenic views of the countryside and Nile River. The train network connects major cities efficiently, providing a relaxed pace that allows you to soak in the country’s rich history and culture along the way.
A 9-day train trip through Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, and Aswan combines the best of Egypt’s ancient treasures and modern vibrancy. From the pyramids and temples to the lively markets and scenic river views, this itinerary offers a comprehensive experience of Egypt’s timeless allure. Whether you’re exploring archaeological sites, cruising the Nile, or wandering bustling streets, this journey promises unforgettable memories and a deeper understanding of Egypt’s rich heritage.
Welcome to Egypt. Our airport transfer team is available 24/7. As soon as you get out of the exit gate of the Terminal, you will find Ancient Egypt Tours representative, holding a sign, waiting to meet and greet you. He will escort you to your private A/C vehicle. You will be transferred to the hotel and the reception manager will assist you in check-in procedures as smooth as possible. Ancient Egypt Tours agent will contact you to agree on a meeting time with you
In case you arrive early then check-in limit you can enjoy waiting in the hotel until check-in time or you can ask your operator to book you a pre-tour extra night and get checked in immediately
Optional Tour:
2-hour open buffet dinner Nile cruise including a belly dancer, local band and skirt rotation performer if your tour starts in Cairo
Sound and Light show if available
Overnight in Cairo
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be escorted by your private guide to visit the ever-famous Egyptian Museum, which features artifacts from different period of Egyptian history. The museum displays a rare collection of 5000 years of art which is considered the largest most precious collection in the world. Over 250,000 overwhelming artifacts are presented.
Before extending your trip, you will be served with a warm delightful lunch meal at a high-quality restaurant.
After lunch, you will move on to Coptic Cairo to visit Babylon Fortress and the Hanging Church, Church of St. Barbara, Church of St. Sergius and Ben Ezra synagogue.
Enrich you tour with a visit to Amr Ibn El-Aas Mosque which is the very first mosque built in Egypt.
After lunch, you will move on to visit the Citadel of Salah El-Din, where you will see the view of all Cairo, as you will visit Mohamed Ali Alabaster Mosque which is considered the largest to be built in the beginning of the 19th century the ruler of Egypt (1805-1849) who ruled Egypt over 45 years & it is built in Baruk style.
If there is enough time, you will take a walk in Khan El Khalili Bazaar, the most Historically famous and oldest Market in the Middle East.
Later, you will be transferred to the Giza train station to catch the sleeper train from Cairo to Luxor. Dinner and breakfast will be served on board.
after breakfast. Upon arrival at Luxor train station, you will be met by our representative, then have a blissful day tour. starting with a visit to the famous Karnak Temple the largest place of worship that was ever built. Its ancient name Ipet-isut means “the most sacred of places.” The temple, or, more correctly, the complex of temples, was built more than two thousand years ago by generation after generation of pharaohs. Within the complex, the great “Hypostyle Hall” is an incredible forest of giant pillars.
Proceed to have your lunch at a local restaurant in Luxor.
Then move to Luxor Temple. It was built by Amenhotep III in 18th Dynasty in the New Kingdom, and it was completed by Ramesses II during the 19th Dynasty. King Ramses II was the most famous king in the 19th Dynasty. He ruled Egypt for about 67 years. It was dedicated to the great god Amun-Ra, his wife Mut and their son Khonsu together representing the Theban triad. Enjoy visiting the Obelisk of Ramses II in front of the 1st Pylon. Back to hotel in Luxor
Discover the greatness of the ancient Pharaohs by visiting their legendary temples in Luxor. Start your tour by taking a domestic flight to Luxor. Upon arrival at Luxor, you will be met by our representative, then have a blissful day tour. starting with a
visit to the Valley of the Kings was created and used from approximately 1539 BC to 1075 BC. It contains some 60 tombs, starting with Thutmose I and ending with Ramses X or XI. The official name of the site was The Great and Majestic Necropolis of the Millions of Years of the Pharaoh, Life, Strength, Health in The West of Thebes, or more usually, the Great Field. The most famous tomb is KV62, the Tomb of King Tutankhamun. The discovery of King Tut’s tomb was made by Howard Carter in 1922, Tutankhamun’s tomb was the first royal tomb to be discovered that was still largely intact.
Then you will continue the tour to visit the Hatshepsut temple at El Deir El Bahary, this impressive temple was dedicated to Queen Hatshepsut the only female pharaoh. It rises out of the desert in a series of terraces and merges with the sheer limestone cliffs that surround it. Proceed to the two colossal statues of Amenhotep III, Colossi of Memnon are the two massive stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III. For 3,400 years they have sat in the Theban necropolis, across the River Nile from the city of Luxor. The original function of the Colossi was to stand guard at the entrance to Amenhotep’s memorial temple or mortuary temple. Back to hotel.
Early in the morning, the company representative will take you to the train station and go to the city of Aswan.
Upon your arrival at the Aswan train station, you will be met and assisted by Ancient Egypt Tours representative. then have a blissful day tour. starting with a
visit to the High Dam, an engineering miracle built in 1960 protecting Egypt from annual floods from the Nile.
Then proceed to visit the Unfinished Obelisk which shows the techniques used by the ancient Egyptians to cut obelisks. Most probably this obelisk belongs to Queen Hatshepsut, one of the rulers of the 18th Dynasty and the royal wife of king Tuthmosis II. This queen was the owner of her Temple in the eastern bank of Luxor. Also there is an opinion said that it belongs to Queen Nefertiti.
Proceed to have your lunch at local restaurant in Aswan.
Move on to visit the majestic Philae Temple which was built on the honor of Goddess Isis the chief deity of the island. Then you will have the chance to enjoy some Free time at leisure in Aswan for shopping in the evening, Later, you’ll head to the Aswan train station to catch the sleeper train back to Cairo. Dinner will be served on board the train.
Enjoy breakfast at the Train before, An Ancient Egypt Tours representative will pick you up from the train station in Cairo or Giza to enjoy a daily tour of the wonderful city of Alexandria. First visit Pompay’s Pillar. It was constructed in honor of the Emperor Diocletian at the end of the 4th century. Originally from the temple of the Serapis, it was once a magnificent structure rivaling the Soma and the Caesarean. Then you drive to visit the Catacombs which are the largest Roman Cemetery consisting of three levels cut in the rock. Lunch at local restaurant in Alexandria.
Proceed to have your lunch at local restaurant in Alexandria.
then we proceed to see the Qaitbay Citadel which was built on the site of the ancient pharaohs (Light House) of Alexandria then to Bibliotheca Alexandrina. Finally, you will drive back to Cairo.
after breakfast . Free day, enjoy your time
You can choose Optional Tour
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before you leave to the airport for your flight back home. Ancient Egypt Tours representative will pick you up and transfer you to the airport.
If your flight is early before breakfast time you can make arrangements with the hotel to prepare a breakfast box for you to take it on your way to the airport
Ancient Egypt Tours had a great time with you and hope you have enjoyed your time and was satisfied with the services you were offered
| Room Type | Price/Person |
|---|---|
| Single Room | 2000$ |
| Twin Room | 1575 $ |
| Triple Room | 1475$ |
| Room Type | Price/Person |
|---|---|
| Single Room | 1450 $ |
| Twin Room | 1140 $ |
| Triple Room | 1030 $ |
| Room Type | Price/Person |
|---|---|
| Single Room | 1850 $ |
| Twin Room | 1350 $ |
| Triple Room | 1265 $ |
| Room Type | Price/Person |
|---|---|
| Single Room | 1200 $ |
| Twin Room | 940 $ |
| Triple Room | 775 $ |
Price quotes are in USD per person per tour except for celebration. Please inquire for the prices of New Year, Christmas and Easter.
Tipping for a job well done is customary and highly expected in Egypt though it is not obligatory. Please feel welcomed but not obliged to offer a tip to your service provider
Notes:
Children policy is applied to children who share rooms with their parents (Maximum 1 OR 2 Child under 5 years old sharing parent’s room)
Children policy is not applied on all kinds of transportation (Flight, train or bus) full ticket payment is required
We are offering a considerable down payment of just 20% to secure your space on the tour including hotel room, cruise cabin, domestic flight ticket, and other travel-related services and 30% during Christmas, New Year and Easter Holidays. The remaining balance can be paid up to two days prior to your arrival date or in cash upon arrival at the destination. Therefore, your booking will be a risk-free investment.
In case you cancel your trip, the following charges will be applied:
At any time after your booking is confirmed, Ancient Egypt Tours holds a 20% non-refundable deposit
7 days or less before departure, we will retain the 50% payment you have paid in relation to your booking.
We advise all clients to purchase travel insurance in the event that travel is unexpectedly interrupted due to illness. To confirm the booking, the client must pay a deposit of 20% of the total tour price.
Should the reservation be canceled, customers will be charged a fee depending on how far beyond the departure date the cancellation is made. To cancel, the Customer must notify the Tour Organizer in writing.
Full payment forfeiture in case of no show
All Transportation tickets are nonrefundable and there’s also a 5% transaction fee on refunds.
Here, at Ancient Egypt Tours, we prioritize your well-being and safety above all else and for that reason, we have adapted our cancellation policy to reflect our values. We offer a very flexible cancellation policy in case the government or the airline issues a NOT TO TRAVEL warning to the designated destination. In the event of this happening, we will refund you the amount paid according to cancellation policy, unless you prefer to keep your payment available for future travel credit and travel voucher that can be used towards any of the destinations, we operate tours in. You have the flexibility to apply this amount towards new travel services booked. Reservations will be adjusted to reflect these travel credits automatically.
After your tour is confirmed, we will email final confirmation and voucher to print and bring with you. Details will include contact numbers of your tour operator and customer care and additional information for your convenience.
