Nubian Escape
FEATURED ITINERARY HIGHLIGHT
9 day tour:

Nubian Escape

Discover the secrets of Egypt with this 9-day adventure tour where optional visits are avaialble to visit the Pyramids in Cairo, and takes you on an included felucca cruise along t...

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Nubian Escape Tour

Discover the secrets of Egypt with this 9-day adventure tour where optional visits are avaialble to visit the Pyramids in Cairo, and takes you on an included felucca cruise along the Nile to enjoy the Pharaonic wonders of Upper Egypt.

Trip Highlights 7 featured moments
Cairo
Aswan
Felucca Sailboat and Luxor plus optional tours available to visit: The Pyramids & Sphinx
antiquities of the Egyptian museum
romantic Philae Temple
Abu Simbel
ancient Valley of the Kings

Itinerary

Discover the secrets of Egypt with this 9-day adventure tour where optional visits are avaialble to visit the Pyramids i...

DAY 1 Arrive into Cairo, transf...
DAY 2 Cairo - Optional Pyramids...
DAY 3 Arrive in Aswan, Philae T...
DAY 4 Aswan, Abu Simbel option,...
DAY 5 Felucca, Edfu, Optional L...
DAY 6 Luxor - Optional West Ba...
DAY 7 Luxor, Optional West Bank...
DAY 8 Cairo, optional tours
DAY 9 Cairo, departure transfer...
DAY 1

Arrive into Cairo, transfer to hotel

Day 1 Meals TBC Cairo hotel

Upon arrival our staff will meet you at the airport, assist you with obtaining your visa and luggage, and then transfer you to your hotel for the start of your trip. They will help you settle in, introduce you to the local area, and explain tomorrow's arrangements. The rest of the day is free. If you arrive early you may like to take an evening dinner cruise on the Nile, or enjoy a spectacular sound and light show at the pyramids (both available to book locally on arrival).

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

Extra day in Cairo (4-star) - pre-tour
Extra day in Cairo (5-star) - pre-tour
Single Room Supplement - Superior Hotels
Single room supplement
Arrive into Cairo, transfer to hotel
DAY 2

Cairo - Optional Pyramids, Sphinx & Museum tour

Day 2 Breakfast,Dinner On board train

You have a free day in Cairo today, but for those who would like to get up close and personal with ancient Egypt, why not join our optional activity today to the Egyptian Museum, Pyramids and Sphinx. 

Our optional tour begins with a trip to the Egyptian Museum in central Cairo. Home to the fantastic Tutankhamun exhibit the museum hosts a huge number of other ancient Egyptian artefacts. One of our local Egyptologist guides will be accompanying you on this and all of your other sightseeing tours, and you'll find them a wealth of knowledge and full of enthusiasm about Egyptian history, and their country in general. Following on from the museum we then head to Giza on the outskirts of Cairo to visit the Sphinx and the three great pyramids of Egypt. At 500 feet high and 750 feet wide at its base the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) is an awesome man-made structure constructed of giant stone blocks with a hard limestone casing. The casing has, over the years, been stripped away to leave exposed the inner block structure. Together with the smaller pyramids of Khafre (Chephern) and Menkaure (Mycerinus), the majestic sight of these enormous structures rising out of the desert is a breathtaking spectacle. You will have the opportunity to climb down right inside the pyramids if you wish, though your guide cannot accompany you (a limited number of tickets are available for the Great Pyramid).

This evening we transfer to the station for the overnight sleeper train to Aswan (approx. 12 hours).

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

Cairo to Aswan flight upgrade
Cairo - Optional Pyramids, Sphinx & Museum tour
DAY 3

Arrive in Aswan, Philae Temple, Nubian Village

Day 3 Breakfast,Lunch Aswan hotel

This morning we arrive in Aswan and transfer to our hotel overlooking the Nile which is at its most picturesque here, with cascading rapids, lush green islands, and feluccas sailing to and fro. Aswan itself is a melting pot of African and Middle Eastern cultures, most easily experienced by wandering through the busy markets. It's also part of the ancient region of Nubia, which comprised parts of present day southern Egypt and northern Sudan around the Nile rivers. Many descendants of the Nubian people still live here and we'll visit a local Nubian village to see their colourful houses, simple way of life and to enjoy a traditional lunch.

We continue our tour this afternoon with a visit the Temple of Philae, a beautiful island complex dedicated to Isis and reclaimed from the rising waters of Lake Nasser, which we reach by a scenic boat ride. The evening is then free to look around Aswan's spice and general markets, and to walk up and down the popular Corniche, on the banks of the Nile. An option is also available to take a camel ride through the sands on the far bank of the Nile to St. Simeon's monastery. If you've chosen the Abu Simbel option then head to bed early this evening to be ready for a very early start tomorrow morning.

Nile Cruise Upgrade:
For those passengers who have chosen to join our optional Nile Cruise upgrade, you will boat the 5-star Nile Cruise ship today, after visiting the Nubian Village, and then spend 3 nights onboard. While on the boat you enjoy the comfort of an en-suite AC cabin, a restaurant, bar, sun-deck, shop and plunge pool. All meals on board (3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners) are included, generally all buffet style. Drinks are not included but may be purchased on board. Single cabin supplements apply, and triple cabins are not available. The itinerary for those joining the cruise upgrade is set out below:

DAY 3: Philae Temple and Nubian Village. Board Nile Cruise.
We awake this morning to see one of the most beautiful stretches of the Nile in Egypt in front of us. The river here is dotted with islands and felucca sailing boats and Aswan itself is an intriguing mixture of African and Middle Eastern cultures which can be easily seen by strolling through the bustling markets. You have some free time this morning to explore, walk along the Corniche on the banks of the river, or take a trip to the Nubian Museum, which has a collection of artefacts from the Nubian people. We check out of our hotel and onto our Nile Cruise boat for lunch before our organised sightseeing in Aswan starts in the afternoon with a tour to the Temple of Philae. This beautiful island temple is dedicated to Isis and was saved from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. It can only be reached by a scenic boat ride. The rest of the day is free though an option is also available to take a camel ride through the sands on the far bank of the Nile to St. Simeon's monastery.
If you upgrade the sleeper train to a flight to Aswan, then is also an early morning optional visit today o the UNESCO world heritage site of Abu Simbel, built by Ramses II (depart Aswan around 03.30am). This is an amazing site that was completely dismantled and rebuilt when Lake Nasser was flooded.

DAY 4: Nile cruise to Komombo & Edfu.
We spend the day today sailing down the Nile, enjoying our time relaxing on the sun deck and and watching rural Egyptian life pass us by. Our first stop is at the beautifully situated riverside temple at Komombo. This somewhat unusually styled temple is in fact a double temple, with one side being consecrated to Sobek, the crocobile good and the second dedicated to Horus - the falcon-headed Sky God. We then continue sailing on to the Temple of Horus at Edfu. Most cruise boats will overnight here, though some may continue on all the way to Luxor today. 

DAY 5: Edfu temple, Optional Luxor temple at night.
This morning we explore the Temple of Horus, the best preserved temple in the whole of Egypt, it has many inscriptions in the Coptic language and is adorned with paintings. We then sail onwards, passing through the lock on the Nile at Esna, before arriving in Luxor. Luxor is built on and around the ancient site of Thebes, and has the greatest concentration of ancient ruins in the Nile Valley, if not the world. To the west, across the Nile, lies the City of the Dead, with its mortuary temples and rock carved tombs, and to the east stand the Temples of Luxor and Karnak.
In the evening we offer an optional walking tour of the smaller Luxor Temple, which is in the centre of town and is colourfully lit up by night.

DAY 6: Luxor, Optional West bank tour, Optional Karnak temple.
You have a free day to explore the ancient city of Luxor or to take some optional tours. 
- West Bank Tour - this trip departs early to avoid the heat of the middle of the day and crosses the Nile to visit Luxor’s West Bank. Home to the Valley of the Kings, the dusty tombs in this ancient burial site are still revealing their secrets today and so it remains one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. Our tour includes several of these Pharaonic tombs, as well as the temples of Queen Hatchepsut and Medinat Habu, and the huge Colossi of Memnon.
- An optional spectacular hot air balloon flight over the west bank of the Nile is also available this morning (expect a very early start to catch sunrise as the balloon rises).
- After lunch we offer an optional tour tp the huge temple complex at Karnak , once the religious centre of Thebes and Upper Egypt. It was linked to Luxor by an extensive avenue, lined with sphinxes, and the whole complex was in turn linked to the Nile via a canal through which moved the sacred boats of the god Amun. Entering through a smaller sphinx-lined avenue, built by Ramesses II, you come to the immense pylon entrance. Inside the huge Courtyard are three chapels dedicated to the gods Amun, Khous and Mut. The remarkable Hypostyle Hall has 134 towering columns, each carved with scenes of gods and pharaohs, and hieroglyphic inscriptions adorn the walls.

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

Nile cruise upgrade
Arrive in Aswan, Philae Temple, Nubian Village
DAY 4

Aswan, Abu Simbel option, felucca cruise

Day 4 Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner On board felucca

This morning we have the option of taking an early start for the drive to the UNESCO world heritage site at Abu Simbel. These amazing temples built by Ramses II are one of Egypt's main highlights and attractions. Those not visiting Abu Simbel can explore Aswan's markets this morning, walk up and down the Corniche on the banks of the river or visit the Nubian Museum which has a fascinating collection covering the development of the Nubian people in the region.

We board our traditional Nile felucca at lunchtime to enjoy an afternoon sailing down the Nile. Floating down the Nile on a felucca is one of Egypt's most enjoyable activities and you'll be able to watch local rural Egyptian life pass you by on the banks of the river as you drift past. Our Nubian crew will sail the boat and entertain you on the way, as well as preparing meals for you. Our separate facilities boat will join with us from time to time during the day and moor up with us at night. This boat has a welcome toilet and showers on board as well as a hygienic kitchen where the crew will prepare a delicious evening meal. You sleep on the deck of the boat tonight (mattresses, blankets and mosquito nets provided).

You can upgrade your upcoming felucca sailboat trip to an additional night in the Aswan hotel, and in this case you'll spend tonight in Aswan and re-join the group tomorrow morning when they leave the Felucca. All other touring remains the same.

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

Nile cruise upgrade
Abu Simbel overland
Upgrade from felucca to hotel in Aswan
Aswan, Abu Simbel option, felucca cruise
DAY 5

Felucca, Edfu, Optional Luxor temple

Day 5 Breakfast Luxor hotel

After breakfast on-board we bid farewell to our felucca crew and visit the nearby temple Edfu before continuing on north to Luxor. The town of Luxor is built on and around the ancient site of Thebes, and boasts the largest concentration of ancient ruins in the Nile Valley, if not the world. To the west of the Nile lies the City of the Dead, with its mortuary temples and rock-hewn tombs, whilst to the east lie the Temples of Luxor and Karnak. This evening we offer an optional walking tour of the smaller Luxor Temple which is right in the middle of town and beautifully lit up at night.

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

Luxor temple by night
Felucca, Edfu, Optional Luxor temple
DAY 6

Luxor - Optional West Bank & Karnak temple tours

Day 6 Breakfast Luxor hotel

You have a free day to explore the ancient city of Luxor or join our optional tours to learn more about Egyptian history. 
- West Bank Tour - this trip departs early to avoid the heat of the middle of the day and crosses the Nile to visit Luxor’s West Bank. Home to the Valley of the Kings, the dusty tombs in this ancient burial site are still revealing their secrets today and so it remains one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. Our tour includes several of these Pharaonic tombs, as well as the temples of Queen Hatchepsut and Medinat Habu, and the huge Colossi of Memnon.
- An optional spectacular hot air balloon flight over the west bank of the Nile is also available this morning (expect a very early start to catch sunrise as the balloon rises).
- After lunch we offer an optional tour tp the huge temple complex at Karnak , once the religious centre of Thebes and Upper Egypt. It was linked to Luxor by an extensive avenue, lined with sphinxes, and the whole complex was in turn linked to the Nile via a canal through which moved the sacred boats of the god Amun. Entering through a smaller sphinx-lined avenue, built by Ramesses II, you come to the immense pylon entrance. Inside the huge Courtyard are three chapels dedicated to the gods Amun, Khous and Mut. The remarkable Hypostyle Hall has 134 towering columns, each carved with scenes of gods and pharaohs, and hieroglyphic inscriptions adorn the walls

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

Hot air balloon in Luxor
Luxor West Bank Tour
Karnak Temple tour
DAY 7

Luxor, Optional West Bank, Dendara & Abydos tours

Day 7 Breakfast,Dinner On board sleeper train

Your day is free today and you can enjoy a welcome lie in after several early starts and enjoy the facilities of your hotel on the banks of the Nile. You can also explore Luxor further, do some shopping or browsing in the market, visit the mummification museum or enjoy a felucca trip to nearby Banana Island. Additional sightseeing is also available if you'd like an even more in depth exploration of Egyptian history. Optional tours include:

  • Additional West Bank tour. This trip leaves early in the morning and heads back to the West Bank of the Nile, this time visiting the Rammesseum, Workers Village (Deir el Medina) and the Valley of the Queens 
  • Luxor Museum. Although much smaller than the museum in Cairo, Luxor museum still has a wealth of interesting objects and historical finds. This tour includes transport and an Egyptologist guide to escort you around the museum. 
  • Dendara & Abydos. This is a full day trip starting early and heading north down the Nile to visit the ancient temples of Dendara & Abydos. These temples are much less visited by tourists than the sites in Luxor, but are hugely impressive. Dedicated to the Goddess Hathor, Dendara in particular becomes many people’s favourite site, and is incredibly well preserved. Nearby Abydos is another fascinating site, and was the cult center of the god of the dead, Osiris. The necropolis here was a pilgrimage and burial site and at least ten temples were originally built here.

Later this evening we transfer to the station for the overnight sleeper train back to Cairo (approx. 9 hours, flight upgrade available).

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

Hot air balloon in Luxor
Luxor/Cairo flight upgrade
Extra West Bank tour in Luxor
Luxor Museum tour
Abydos & Dendara
DAY 8

Cairo, optional tours

Day 8 Breakfast Cairo hotel

We arrive back into Cairo this morning and transfer to our hotel. The day is then free to explore Cairo as you choose or you may take an optional tour. These include a city tour in Cairo which visits Coptic Cairo, the Citadel and Mohamed Ali Mosque, or a half day tour to Saqqara, Dashour and Memphis to learn more about the history and evolution of pyramid building. Another full day option further afield includes a trip into the desert outside Cairo to see the World Heritage Site of the Valley of the Whales at Wadi Rayan.

If you haven't chosen to join one of our full day optional tours, in the afternoon there is the option to take a guided walk through the back streets and bazaars in central Cairo. We'll walk through the huge Bab al-Futuh gateway and explore streets dedicated to metalwork, spices, pottery, fabric, jewelery and anything else you can imagine as we gradually enter the more touristy Khan-el-Khalili bazaar. We'll have time for a break to try some tea and a shisha pipe and perhaps enjoy an early dinner of Egypt's unofficial national dish, Kushari before returning to our hotel.

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

Alexandria day trip
Cairo city tour
Wadi Rayan day trip (Valley of the Whales)
Saqqara, Dashour & Memphis
Khan-el-Khaliali bazaar walking tour
DAY 9

Cairo, departure transfer to the airport

Day 9 Breakfast N/A

Your time is free today for some last minute sightseeing or shopping until we transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

Extra day in Cairo (4-star) - post-tour
Extra day in Cairo (5-star) - post-tour

Included and Excluded

Included

  • 4 -star hotel accommodation as stated in the itinerary (5-star upgrade available)
  • Overnight sleeper train in private twin-berth cabins (flight upgrades available)
  • Sail the Nile on a Traditional Felucca sailboat (Nile cruise and hotel upgrades available)
  • All transport and transfers in private AC vehicles
  • 24-hour airport arrival & departure transfer service
  • Included visits to a Nubian Village in Aswan, Philae & Edfu Temples
  • Services of a local Egyptologist guide/escort for included sightseeing tours 
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary

Excluded

  • International flights (available on request)
  • Visa fees (available on arrival for most nationalities)
  • Travel insurance (compulsory, get a quote here)
  • Meals not indicated in the itinerary
  • Optional sightseeing tours (see options tab)
  • Entrance fees (allow approx. US$TBC)
  • Tipping kitty (allow US$65)
  • Drinks, snacks, guide tips and other personal expenses (e.g. laundry)
  • Hotel gala dinners (see Tour notes)
  • Any other items not mentioned above

Departure Dates

Guaranteed departures with confirmed dates. Book early to secure your preferred date.

Departure Date Return Date Availability From price Notes
No departure dates currently available.
No departure dates currently available.
Private Tours

Private Tailor-Made

Travel exclusively with your family or friends on a private tour tailored to your pace and preferences.

  • Flexible dates
  • Personalized experience
  • Premium comfort

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions for this tour are being updated. Please contact our team if you need help before booking.

Still have questions?

Contact our travel team.

Contact our team

Traveler Reviews

4.7
Excellent
Based on 1,738 reviews
5
80.9%
4
12.6%
3
3%
2
2.2%
1
1.3%
92% of travelers recommend this tour
M
Mypster
Egypt
Feb 01, 2026
We had such a fantastic vacation in Egypt! We couldn’t it have planned this ourselves - so many venues, all smoothly scheduled with all transfers arranged. There was always a guide to make sure things went well, and they did indeed make everything work. From the pyramids to Luxor and the new amazing Grand Egyptian Museum, we always had a knowledgeable local certified guide who added immensely to our understanding. The Nile cruise boat was excellent as well, comfortable and fun!
I had many questions prior to and after booking, and the company provided excellent communication and support. Highly recommend!!
a
ashleyblack1212
Egypt
Sep 01, 2025
My friend and I purchased the 'Egypt Express Tour' provided by Encounters Travel and I must say, it was one of the best experiences I have ever had in my life! We were assigned an agent from the company by the name of 'Mariska Knoesen'. She was very professional, proficient, and answered all of my questions and concerns, via e-mail, in a timely fashion. Upon our arrival in Egypt, we were greeted by a friendly team from Encounters Travel, who were all fluent in English. They assisted us with getting Egyptian visas and made exiting the airport easy. In total, it ended up being 9 of us grouped together. Our main tour guide was a gentleman by the name of 'Ashrafbehairy', whom we all referred to as "Ash" for short. HE WAS AMAZING!! We could not have asked for a better tour guide for our trip. He was very humble, kind, and knowledgeable. He accompanied us from Cairo to Aswan and then to Luxor and back to Cairo, via train. We visited several attractions such as the Pyramids, Philae Temple, Edfu Temple, and the Valley of the Kings (just to name a few). While at each sight, Ash explained its history to us and was able to answer all questions. He assisted with translation (Arabic and English) when needed, got us snacks, provided water, and took me to the shop to get items I desperately needed (sunblock and aloe lol). He even gave everyone a souvenir keychain at the end of our trip. Most importantly, we all felt SAFE! There is so much more I could say about this trip, but I will end by saying that it was honestly a great experience! I highly recommend purchasing this tour from Encounters Travel.
sm
sandra mooney
Egypt
Apr 30, 2025
From the time we landed in Cairo we were treated as VIP’s. Nadine our Tour leader kept on checking on us throughout the journey. We were fortunate to have Fayed and Hossam as the tour guides, they took their time to explain the sites throughout each excursion. Everyone made us feel safe and well looked after.
CV
Carol V
Egypt
May 01, 2024
Wonderful time with friends. The land of Egypt is hard to describe in a few words. The history is so immense I will need to come back again and again. The accommodations were above par and the people from Encounters Travel are very helpful. I would your with them again.
TB
Tiffy Barnett
Egypt
Mar 01, 2024
Encounters travel worked with me to devise a specific itinerary to meet my interests, and its agents and guides in Egypt delivered beautifully while I was in Egypt. I was with a group for most of the trip, but per my request, they set up individual excursions for me on two additional days. Their agents in Cairo and Egypt were particularly good. I had to go to a medical clinic in Luxor unexpectedly, and the Encounters liaison handled it so quickly and easily that it didn't effect my itinerary at all.

Accommodation

The hotels and accommodations listed below are the ones we most often use on this tour. From time to time we may exchange these for similar properties at the same level.

Options

Our tours are designed to include all that you need to enjoy a really special time in the country you're visiting. However, we do also offer some extra options to complement the tour and add some additional sightseeing or activities, or some extra time at either end of the tour.

All accommodation based options (e.g. Single supplements, extra nights, upgrades) should be booked and paid for in advance so that we can make the appropriate arrangements. Most other options can be booked and paid for in advance or while you are on the tour, though we recommend booking in advance to ensure there are no issues with availability.

Most options are priced the same throughout the year, though some may have seasonal pricing or minimum number requirements - our sales team will advise the final pricing based on your travel date and number of passengers on your booking.

No optional extras are currently listed for this tour.

Tour Notes

The detailed Tour Notes below provide important practical information about how the tour runs, what to expect, and how to prepare for your holiday.

1. Felucca Sailboat

This tour features an overnight felucca cruise.  Feluccas are very basic traditional Nile sailboats and are a fun and relaxing way to travel down the river. You sleep on the deck of the boat (mattresses and some blankets are provided, but we suggest that you bring a sleeping sheet, blanket or light sleeping bag during the winter months of November-February).  There are no toilet facilities on board, but you will be joined several times each day and at night by our support boat where a toilet and warm showers will be available.  Mosquito nets are provided for use while you are sleeping but you should bring mosquito repellent for the evenings and early mornings. Your Nubian boat crew will cook all your meals while on board and entertain you in the evenings.

2. Transport
3. Dates & Prices
4. Transfers
5. International Flights
6. Group Size/Tour Leaders/Guides
7. Entrance Fees
8. Tipping
9. Accommodation
10. What to take
11. Booking & Payment
12. Financial Security
13. Responsible Tourism
14. Follow Us Online
15. Travel Insurance
16. Before you travel
17. Reduce Plastic Waste with Water-to-Go Filter bottles
18. Private & Tailor-made Tours
19. Passports and Visas - Egypt
20. Money - Egypt
21. Voltage
22. Time
23. Health and Vaccinations

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