Egypt tour packages from the UK: how to choose the right holiday

Egypt tour packages are one of the easiest ways to see the very best of the country in one trip. Instead of piecing everything together yourself, a well planned tour can combine Cairo’s iconic sights, a relaxing Nile cruise and time at a Red Sea resort in one ATOL protected holiday from the UK.

As a Nile cruise specialist, Classic Holidays has been arranging Egypt holidays for UK travellers for many years. Our Egypt tour packages typically include flights, transfers, guided sightseeing and a 5 star Nile cruise, with the option to add extra nights in Cairo or at one of Egypt’s beach resorts on the Red Sea.

If you are just starting to compare tour packages in Egypt, this guide explains what is usually included, the main types of itineraries and how to decide which Egypt holiday will suit you best.

What is included in an Egypt tour package

Every operator is different, but most Egypt tour packages from the UK follow a similar pattern. With Classic Holidays, a typical Egypt holiday package will usually include:

• Return flights from the UK to Cairo, with all airport taxes and charges
• Internal flights within Egypt where required, for example between Cairo and Luxor or Aswan
• Meet and assist on arrival, plus transfers between the airport, hotels and your Nile cruise
• A 5 star Nile cruise for 4 or 7 nights with full board on the boat
• Comfortable hotel stays in Cairo near the Pyramids or in the city, on bed and breakfast or half board
• Guided sightseeing with an experienced local Egyptologist guide, as per your chosen cruise itinerary
• Entrance fees to the main sites listed in your cruise tour programme

On top of this, you can usually tailor your Egypt tour package with optional extras, such as extra nights in Cairo, an upgraded cabin on the cruise or a few days at a Red Sea resort at the end of your holiday.

Types of Egypt tour packages

Classic Cairo and Nile cruise tours

For many travellers, the perfect first time holiday to Egypt is a classic combination of Cairo plus a Nile cruise. You spend a couple of nights close to the Pyramids, then fly down to Luxor to join your cruise on the Nile.

A classic Egypt tour package usually includes:

• Time in Cairo to see the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, with the option to visit the new Grand Egyptian Museum which is now open to the public
• A Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan, visiting the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, Kom Ombo and other sites along the river
• Comfortable cabins on a 5 star Nile cruise ship, with full board on board and guided excursions included

If you are looking for a complete yet relaxed introduction to Egypt, a Cairo and Nile cruise itinerary is often the best value Egypt tour package option.

Egypt tour packages with Red Sea resorts

Another popular choice is to add a few days at one of Egypt’s holiday resorts on the Red Sea, such as Hurghada, Makadi Bay or El Gouna. After an exciting week of temples and tombs, many guests like to end their holiday with some time by the pool or on the beach.

These Egypt tour packages normally follow this pattern:

• Start with Cairo and a Nile cruise, following a similar route to a classic tour
• Fly or transfer by road to a Red Sea resort for 3 to 7 nights all inclusive or half board
• Relax by the sea, with options for snorkelling, diving or simply enjoying the hotel facilities

This style of itinerary is ideal if you want both culture and relaxation in one Egypt tour package. It also allows you to sample some of the best Egypt holiday resorts without having to book a separate trip.

Adding extra flexibility to your Egypt tour package

Not everyone wants exactly the same itinerary. Within our Egypt tour packages there is still some flexibility to tailor your holiday, while you continue to travel on a shared programme with an experienced local guide.

• Extra nights in Cairo, Luxor or Aswan at the start or end of your cruise, subject to availability
• Suites on your chosen Nile cruise ship, where available
• Different lengths of stay at Red Sea resorts to suit your schedule

This kind of flexibility lets you personalise your Egypt tour package while still enjoying the value and convenience of travelling on a well organised itinerary.

Cairo: an essential part of most Egypt tour packages

Even if your main focus is a Nile cruise, it is worth including time in Cairo in your Egypt tour package. This is where you will find the Giza Plateau with its famous Pyramids and the Sphinx, as well as museums, markets and modern districts that show a different side to the country.

Some of our itineraries include two nights or three nights in Cairo, either at the start or the end of your holiday. This gives you time to recover from the flight, see the highlights and perhaps add an optional excursion, such as a visit to the Pyramids.

Nile cruises: the heart of many Egypt holiday packages

For many travellers, the Nile cruise is the highlight of their Egypt tour package. Sailing along the Nile allows you to see a long stretch of Upper Egypt in comfort, with your floating hotel taking you from temple to temple while you watch life on the riverbanks go by.

A typical Nile cruise within a tour package will include:

• Spacious cabins with a picture window or French balcony
• All meals on board, often with afternoon tea and occasional themed dinners
• Guided visits to key sites such as Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings and Philae Temple
• Time to relax on the sun deck between excursions

Because your sightseeing is arranged for you and your guide travels with you, a Nile cruise is one of the most relaxing ways to see a large number of sites in a short time.

Adding a stay at Egypt holiday resorts on the Red Sea

If you enjoy beach holidays as much as cultural trips, look for Egypt tour packages that include time at a Red Sea resort. After your cruise, you can extend your stay in Hurghada, Makadi Bay, El Gouna or another coastal resort, where warm weather and clear water make it easy to unwind.

At these resorts in Egypt you can usually expect:

• Good quality 4 and 5 star hotels with pools, gardens and direct beach access
• All inclusive or half board meal plans
• Watersports, snorkelling and diving on the Red Sea
• Family friendly facilities and kids clubs at many Egypt holiday resorts

Because your resort stay is built into the same Egypt tour package, everything is organised for you, from transfers to meal plans. It also means your ATOL protection applies to the whole holiday, rather than just the flights.

When is the best time to book an Egypt tour package

Egypt is a year round destination, but the main season for classic touring holidays is roughly September to May. At this time of year, daytime temperatures along the Nile are generally more comfortable for sightseeing than in the peak of summer.

• September to May is the main season for Egypt tour packages, with warm days and cooler evenings along the Nile.
• Christmas, New Year and Easter are very popular, so Egypt tour packages for these dates often sell out early.
• June, July and August are warmer, especially in Upper Egypt. Some guests still choose these months, often when they are focusing more on Red Sea resorts and spending time by the pool or sea.

If you are tied to school holidays, it is worth booking early to secure the best cabins on your preferred Nile cruise and your first choice hotels in Cairo and at the Red Sea.

How to choose the right Egypt tour package for you

With so many tour packages in Egypt to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start. A few questions to consider are:

• Is this your first visit to Egypt, or have you been before
• Do you prefer more time in Cairo, a longer Nile cruise, or extra days by the sea
• Would you like a simple, fixed itinerary, or some flexibility to add extra nights or upgrades
• Are you celebrating a special occasion where a suite would be worthwhile

Once you have a rough idea of what is most important, it becomes much easier to narrow down the Egypt holiday packages that fit your budget and style.

Booking your Egypt tour package with Classic Holidays

Classic Holidays specialises in Egypt tour packages from the UK, with a particular focus on Nile cruise and stay holidays. As part of The Co-op Travel Consortium and an ABTA and ATOL protected travel company, your money and your holiday are in safe hands.

Our team can help you compare different itineraries, choose the right Nile cruise for your dates and add extra nights in Cairo or at your chosen resort in Egypt. Whether you are planning a once in a lifetime trip or returning to Egypt for a second or third visit, we can put together a personalised Egypt tour package that suits you.

Ready to start planning Get in touch with Classic Holidays today to speak to a specialist about our latest Egypt tour packages from the UK.