Frank Pimentel
frank@realhawaiitours.com
909-702-4919
Overview
Step aboard our luxurious sleeper train and experience Egypt in style and comfort on a return journey from Aswan to Cairo. Begin in Aswan, exploring the beautiful Philae Temple, immersing yourself in vibrant Nubian culture, and enjoying an optional VIP visit to Abu Simbel.
Travel north along the Nile to Kom Ombo and Edfu, where ancient legends and remarkably preserved temples come alive. Luxor awaits with unforgettable visits to the Valley of the Kings and the majestic Karnak and Luxor Temples.
Continue through Middle Egypt to Sohag and Minya, uncovering lesser-known Pharaonic treasures before arriving in Alexandria to explore the legendary Library of Alexandria, the scenic Corniche, and the historic Qaitbay Citadel.
Your journey concludes in Cairo, where Egypt’s iconic heritage awaits. Throughout the experience, enjoy private sleeper cabins, gourmet dining, VIP-guided tours, and relaxing moments in the observation car as the Nile and Egypt’s timeless landscapes glide by.
This journey can be seamlessly extended with “Rails to Cairo: 3-Night Post-Extension” to add even more adventure to your Egyptian escape.
Short itinerary
Quick route overview-
1
Day 1
Jewel of the South (Aswan)
- Morning: Arrival in enchanting Aswan.
- Daytime: Explore the beautiful Philae Temple and the High Dam
- Evening: Enjoy a traditional dinner at a Nubian village, experiencing authentic local cuisine and warm Nubian hospitality.
- Overnight: overnight Aswan.
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2
Day 2
Temples of Eternity (Abu Simbel)
- Early Morning: Depart from Aswan by private flight or luxury vehicle.
- Daytime: Explore the awe-inspiring Abu Simbel Temples, masterpieces of ancient engineering and devotion.
- Afternoon: Return to Aswan.
- Evening: Relax on board the sleeper train as it continues north.
- Overnight: On board the sleeper train.
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3
Day 3
Legends of the Nile (Kom Ombo, Edfu & Esna)
- Morning: Arrive in Kom Ombo.
- Daytime: Visit the unique Kom Ombo Temple, then continue to the magnificent Edfu Temple, traveling in comfort and style by luxury car.
- Late Afternoon: Stop at Esna to visit the Temple of Khnum before returning to the train.
- Evening: Enjoy an exclusive dinner at Luxor Temple, surrounded by its beautifully illuminated ancient columns.
- Overnight: Luxor.
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4
Day 4
Capital of Civilization (Luxor)
- Morning: Wake up in Luxor, the heart of ancient Egypt.
- Daytime: Enjoy a “Golden Luxor” tour, including the Valley of the Kings on the West Bank
- Afternoon: Take your lunch then head to the grand Karnak and Luxor Temples on the East Bank, using luxury limousine buses.
- Evening: Overnight stay in Luxor or continue north by train.
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5
Day 5
The Sacred Route (Dendera,Abydos / Sohag)
- Morning: Arrive in Sohag.
- Daytime: Explore the magnificent Seti I Temple in Abydos, a rare artistic masterpiece and a must-see for lovers of ancient Egyptian civilization, followed by a visit to the beautifully preserved Dendera Temple, dedicated to Hathor, one of Egypt’s most impressive and richly
- Evening: Return to the train and relax as the journey continues north.
- Overnight: Minya.
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6
Day 6
Secrets of Middle Egypt (Minya)
- Morning: Arrive in Minya, known as the “Bride of Upper Egypt.”
- Daytime: Discover hidden Pharaonic treasures with visits to Tell el-Amarna, the ancient capital of Akhenaten, and Tuna el-Gebel, a fascinating necropolis.
- Evening: Board the train and continue north toward Alexandria.
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7
Day 7
From Upper Egypt to the Mediterranean (Minya → Alexandria → Cairo)
- Early Morning: Arrive in Alexandria.
- Daytime: Enjoy an exclusive tour including a private visit to the Library of Alexandria, a scenic stroll along the Corniche, and a historic visit to Qaitbay Citadel.
- Evening: Return to the train and travel back to Cairo.
- Arrival: Arrival in Cairo and Check out from the train and transfer to Cairo International Airport for your international departure flight.
Your Experience Map
No map uploaded.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1
Meals: No meals
Day 2
Meals: Full Board
Temples of Eternity (Abu Simbel)
- Early Morning: Depart from Aswan by private flight or luxury vehicle.
- Daytime: Explore the awe-inspiring Abu Simbel Temples, masterpieces of ancient engineering and devotion.
- Afternoon: Return to Aswan.
- Evening: Relax on board the sleeper train as it continues north.
- Overnight: On board the sleeper train.
Day 3
Meals: Full Board
Legends of the Nile (Kom Ombo, Edfu & Esna)
- Morning: Arrive in Kom Ombo.
- Daytime: Visit the unique Kom Ombo Temple, then continue to the magnificent Edfu Temple, traveling in comfort and style by luxury car.
- Late Afternoon: Stop at Esna to visit the Temple of Khnum before returning to the train.
- Evening: Enjoy an exclusive dinner at Luxor Temple, surrounded by its beautifully illuminated ancient columns.
- Overnight: Luxor.
Day 4
Meals: Full Board
Capital of Civilization (Luxor)
- Morning: Wake up in Luxor, the heart of ancient Egypt.
- Daytime: Enjoy a “Golden Luxor” tour, including the Valley of the Kings on the West Bank
- Afternoon: Take your lunch then head to the grand Karnak and Luxor Temples on the East Bank, using luxury limousine buses.
- Evening: Overnight stay in Luxor or continue north by train.
Day 5
Meals: Full Board
The Sacred Route (Dendera,Abydos / Sohag)
- Morning: Arrive in Sohag.
- Daytime: Explore the magnificent Seti I Temple in Abydos, a rare artistic masterpiece and a must-see for lovers of ancient Egyptian civilization, followed by a visit to the beautifully preserved Dendera Temple, dedicated to Hathor, one of Egypt’s most impressive and richly
- Evening: Return to the train and relax as the journey continues north.
- Overnight: Minya.
Day 6
Meals: Full Board
Secrets of Middle Egypt (Minya)
- Morning: Arrive in Minya, known as the “Bride of Upper Egypt.”
- Daytime: Discover hidden Pharaonic treasures with visits to Tell el-Amarna, the ancient capital of Akhenaten, and Tuna el-Gebel, a fascinating necropolis.
- Evening: Board the train and continue north toward Alexandria.
Day 7
Meals: Full Board
From Upper Egypt to the Mediterranean (Minya → Alexandria → Cairo)
- Early Morning: Arrive in Alexandria.
- Daytime: Enjoy an exclusive tour including a private visit to the Library of Alexandria, a scenic stroll along the Corniche, and a historic visit to Qaitbay Citadel.
- Evening: Return to the train and travel back to Cairo.
- Arrival: Arrival in Cairo and Check out from the train and transfer to Cairo International Airport for your international departure flight.
Inclusions
- Aswan: Explore the Philae Temple, and have a trip to Abu Simbel.
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Kom Ombo,Edfu & Esna : Visit the magnificent Edfu Temple and Kom Ombo Temple, rich in history and architecture.
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Luxor: Including the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, and Luxor Temple.
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Minya & Sohag: Explore Pharaonic treasures at Tell el-Amarna, Tuna el-Gebel, and Seti I Temple in Abydos.
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Cairo & Alexandria: Private tour of the Library of Alexandria, scenic Corniche stroll, and Qaitbay Citadel visit.
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Onboard Experiences: Relax in your private cabin, enjoy gourmet dining, and take in the Nile views from the observation car.
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Luxury Transfers & VIP Guides: Travel in comfort with expert guides at every stop to enhance your journey.
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Private Sleeper Cabins: Single or double cabins for adults only, with comfortable beds, quality linens, and ample storage.
FAQ
Egypt is very safe to visit and the police, tourist police, and army are in prominence wherever you go, giving you a feel of being in secure surroundings. Egypt prides itself on its high safety record for tourists and will do all it can to maintain this.
Egyptian Arabic is the official and most widely spoken language in Egypt. English is taught in schools and is considered a secondary language that is most commonly used for tourism purposes.
The official currency of Egypt is the Egyptian Pound. Credit cards are accepted at most hotels, restaurants and upscale shops. There are also ATMs available at hotels and outside major banks dispensing local currency.
The best time to visit Egypt would be during the winter months, from October to April. The temperatures are mild and pleasant, although evenings can become quite cool. December through January are the peak tourist months so expect large crowds if travelling at this time. The best time to enjoy the beaches, without having to endure the large crowds of summer tourists, would be from March to May. Temperatures at this time are warm and tourist sites are not too crowded.
Egypt, being a predominantly Muslim country, is naturally conservative (not like the Gulf States or Saudi Arabia) but the average people are careful in what they wear. The dress code in Egypt for women is considered conservative by western standards and it is respectful to obey this code.
For men it is not really an issue -- normal trousers and shirt or T-shirt are fine -- but in Cairo it would not be acceptable to wear short shorts or a tank tops/sleeveless tops. In the resorts like Sharm El Sheik, Hurghada, Sinai, etc. -- shorts are fine and it is very open and flexible. This also applies to ladies for the beach areas, but going into the market area in Hurghada, for example you may be more comfortable in trousers. Generally for men in Cairo or any city that is not on the sea side, remain with trousers (at tourist sites long loose shorts) or jeans and T-shirt , as even in Cairo, local people do not feel comfortable seeing a man in shorts. In Sea Side areas it's ok to walk in shorts, but once you enter a local restaurant or market, it's better to be more covered.
For the vast majority of travelers to Egypt, a valid passport and a travel visa is required. A visa can easily be purchased at the airport when you arrive. The cost for a single-entry, 30-day tourist visa is $25 (or equivalent in Euro), must be paid in cash (no credit or debit cards accepted), and your passport must be valid for at least six months. Citizens of all European countries, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, South Korea, Macedonia, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine and United States can obtain a visa upon arrival. (Egypt does allow visa-free access for certain countries such as Bahrain, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Lebanon, Macao, Oman, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Malaysia.) Visas can also be purchased beforehand through Egypt’s Visa e-Portal: https://visa2egypt.gov.eg. Forty-one different nationalities are eligible to purchase the e-visa, however, it’s far easier to simply buy the visa at the airport.
As with most European and North American countries, tipping is graciously accepted in Egypt. A 10% tip at restaurants and to guides and drivers is standard. Unfortunately, at major tourist sites like the Pyramids of Giza or the tombs of the Valley of the Kings, touts aggressively hustle for tips by allowing you to take photos in areas where it’s clearly posted as prohibited (such as inside the tombs). Please refrain from perpetuating this problem by not paying to take pictures.
Egypt has a voltage supply of 220V and the plugs are the 2-round pin type that are common throughout Europe.
As noted previously, Egypt is a Muslim country, therefore alcohol is not readily available outside of tourist areas and western-style hotels/resorts. Beer and wine is available for purchase on all Dragonfly Kite Safaris.