Egypt and Dubai Vacation 2026 — Cairo, Coptic Quarter & Dubai Marina Dhow Cruise
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Overview
The Egypt and Dubai Vacation is the version for travelers who want more than the highlight reel of both cities. Two days in Cairo covers not just the Pyramids of Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum but also Coptic Cairo — the Hanging Church, the Ben Ezra Synagogue, and the streets of one of the oldest Christian communities in the world — and Khan El-Khalili, Cairo’s great medieval bazaar. Five days in Dubai gives time for the heritage creek (Bastakiya, Dubai Museum, Gold Souk), the Dubai desert safari, the modern city (Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall), and what this program uniquely includes: a Dhow cruise on the Dubai Marina at sunset — a two-hour dinner cruise through the 3km pedestrianized Marina, one of the world’s largest man-made marinas, with the illuminated towers of Dubai’s newest residential district reflected on the water.
The Marina Dhow cruise appears on no other Egypt-UAE program in our catalog. It’s an experience that genuinely differs from the desert safari: quieter, more atmospheric, the city seen from the water rather than from 124 floors above it. Egypt For Travel includes it specifically because the Dubai experience is richer when you’ve seen both the desert and the marina. ETA Licence Category A No. 1947.
8-Day Egypt & Dubai Vacation — At a Glance
| Day | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Day 1 — Cairo | Arrival · Transfer · Hotel |
| Day 2 — Cairo | Pyramids · Sphinx · GEM · Khan El-Khalili |
| Day 3 — Cairo | Coptic Cairo (Hanging Church + Ben Ezra Synagogue) · Islamic Cairo · Fly to Dubai |
| Day 4 — Dubai Heritage | Bastakiya · Dubai Museum · Abra Creek · Gold & Spice Souks · Jumeirah Mosque · Burj Al Arab |
| Day 5 — Dubai Marina | Palm Jumeirah · Atlantis Hotel · JBR Walk · Marina Dhow cruise at sunset (dinner included) |
| Day 6 — Desert Safari | Dune bashing · Sandboarding · Camel ride · BBQ dinner · Entertainment at Bedouin camp |
| Day 7 — Dubai Modern | Burj Khalifa ‘At the Top’ · Dubai Mall · Dubai Fountain show · Leisure |
| Day 8 — Departure | Breakfast · Transfer to DXB · Departure |
Entrance Fees 2026 — Included in Your Tour Price
| Site | Fee (included) |
|---|---|
| Egypt | |
| Giza Pyramids complex | 700 EGP (~$14) |
| Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) | 1,590 EGP (~$32) |
| Coptic Cairo (churches, no fee for entry to street area) | Free |
| Dubai | |
| Dubai Museum | 3 AED (~$0.80) |
| Marina Dhow cruise (dinner included) | Included in program |
| Desert safari (BBQ dinner included) | Included in program |
| Palm Jumeirah Monorail | ~30 AED (~$8) |
| Burj Khalifa ‘At the Top’ (Level 124) | 149 AED (~$41) — confirm if included in your tier |
What Makes the Marina Dhow Cruise Different from the Desert Safari
Most Egypt-Dubai itineraries include one or the other. This 8-day vacation includes both, because they show completely different versions of Dubai. The desert safari shows you what was here before Dubai: the Rub’ al Khali sand dunes, the Arabian desert, the Bedouin camp under the stars. The Marina Dhow cruise shows you what was built in 30 years: the 3.5km man-made Marina surrounded by 200 residential towers, restaurants, and promenades, seen from the water at golden hour as the towers begin to light up. A traditional wooden dhow moving through one of the world’s newest urban waterways in front of buildings taller than anything in most European capitals — it’s genuinely unlike anything else in the catalog.
How This Compares to the Other Egypt & Dubai Programs
| Program | vs. This 8-Day Vacation |
|---|---|
| 7-Day Best Egypt & Dubai | Has Abu Dhabi (Sheikh Zayed + Louvre) instead of Coptic Cairo and Marina cruise |
| This 8-Day ← | More Cairo depth (Coptic Cairo) + Marina Dhow cruise + 5 full nights in Dubai |
| 12-Day with Nile Cruise | Adds full 4-night Nile cruise + Hummer safari instead of standard 4x4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Coptic Cairo and why does this itinerary include a full day there?
Coptic Cairo is the old Christian quarter of the city, built on the site of the Roman fortress of Babylon, and home to some of the oldest surviving Christian churches in the world. The Hanging Church (Al-Muallaqah) dates to the 4th century and is built atop the Roman gatehouse towers. The Ben Ezra Synagogue marks the site where, according to tradition, Moses was found in the bulrushes. The Coptic Museum holds the world’s largest collection of Coptic Christian art. The quarter is included on Day 3 of this 8-day program because Egypt is not only Pharaonic — two thousand years of Christian Egypt existed between the Pharaohs and the Arab conquest, and Coptic Cairo is where you see it.
Is the Marina Dhow cruise dinner included?
Yes — the Marina Dhow cruise (Day 5 evening) includes a dinner buffet aboard the dhow during the 2-hour cruise. Non-alcoholic beverages are included; alcoholic beverages are available for purchase on board.
Do I need visas for Egypt and Dubai?
Egypt: $25 e-visa or on arrival. UAE: most Western nationalities visa-free for 90 days. See our Egypt Visa Guide 2026.
Book your Egypt and Dubai Vacation — Cairo, Coptic quarter, Dubai heritage, desert safari & Marina Dhow cruise in 8 days. From $1,549 per person (triple, May–Sep).
WhatsApp: +20 155 555 2466 · [email protected] — ETA Licence Category A No. 1947.
| Duration: 08 Days / 07 Nights | Type: Private Tour | Run: Everyday |
Included
- Meet and greet service at the airport upon arrival
- Arrival and departure transfers from Dubai airport
- Assistance from our guest relations team during your stay
- Air-conditioned vehicle for the duration of the tour
- Accommodation for 3 nights in a Dubai hotel with daily buffet breakfast
- Accommodation for 4 nights in Cairo, including breakfast
- Professional English-speaking guide throughout the tour
- English-speaking driver for the safari tour
- Half-day classic Dubai city tour
- Dhow cruise dinner on Dubai Marina
- Desert safari with BBQ dinner, belly dancing, and Tanoura show
- Shared sightseeing tours in Dubai with a small group
- Full-day tour in Giza, including the Pyramids, Sphinx, and Saqqara
- Full-day tour in Cairo, covering the Egyptian Museum and Old Cairo
- Private sightseeing tours in Cairo
- Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
- Entrance fees to all listed sites
- All applicable charges and taxes (Municipality Fees, Service Charge, and VAT)
Excluded
- International airfare
- Flight from Dubai to Cairo
- Entry visa for Egypt and the UAE
- Any optional tours
- Personal spending
- Tourism Dirham fee
- Tipping
Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival at Cairo Airport
Welcome to Cairo! Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, our friendly tour manager will greet you and assist with the visa process. You’ll then be transferred to your hotel in a comfortable, air-conditioned coach. After check-in, you’ll have free time to relax and get ready for the exciting journey ahead. Enjoy your Egypt and Dubai Vacation with Egypt for Travel. Overnight in Cairo.
Day 2: Giza Pyramids and Saqqara
Day 3: Egyptian Museum and Old Cairo
Day 4: Free Day in Cairo / Optional Tour to Alexandria
Day 5: Fly from Cairo to Dubai
Day 6: Traditional Dubai Tour - Dhow Cruise Dinner on Dubai Marina
Day 7: Desert Safari Tour
Day 8: Final Departure / Fly Back Home
Prices:
Standard Accommodation
Prices
Notes:
Egypt and Dubai Vacation Prices:
Our tour prices are quoted in US dollars per person per trip, but you can also choose to pay in Euro or GBP. Please be aware that prices may fluctuate during Christmas, New Year, and Easter. We are committed to providing the lowest possible prices, and we keep our rates up-to-date. Once your Egypt and Dubai Vacation is confirmed, we guarantee that no changes will be made to your rate from our side.
Tips for Departure:
On the final day of your Egypt and Dubai Vacation it is advisable to avoid booking any outgoing international flights before 3:00 pm. You may also consider extending your stay. Our Tour Leader is happy to assist you with arranging additional accommodation and transfers if required.
Children Policy:
- Infants (up to 2 years old): Free of charge when sharing with their parents.
- Children under 6 years old: Pay 25% of the adult rate when sharing a room with their parents and using an extra bed.
- Children under 12 years old: Pay 50% of the adult rate when sharing a room with their parents and using an extra bed.
- Children 12 years and older: Considered adults, paying full rates.
- This policy applies to one child sharing a room with their parents, with a maximum of one child allowed per room.
Egypt and Dubai Vacation Payment Policy:
To ensure you secure the Egypt and Dubai Vacation at the desired time, we recommend making a reservation early. To confirm your booking, a deposit of 25% is required. During peak seasons like Christmas and New Year, the deposit increases to 50%. This deposit will go toward your final payment, which is due one week before arrival or in cash upon arrival.
Installment Policy:
We offer a convenient installment payment option, allowing you to spread the cost of your Egypt and Dubai Vacation over 6, 9, or 12 months. You can pay the remaining balance upon arrival in Egypt using cash or a credit/debit card. Alternatively, you can choose to pay the full amount in monthly installments before your trip begins.
Tipping:
Tipping is a common way of showing appreciation for exceptional service, although it is not mandatory. It is often seen as a gesture to acknowledge the dedication and effort of service providers. However, it's important to note that tipping should not replace an employer's obligation to provide fair compensation.
Cancellation Policy:
In the event of canceling your Egypt and Dubai Vacation, the following charges apply:
- 61+ days before arrival: 10% of the total price.
- 31-60 days before arrival: 20% of the total price.
- 15-30 days before arrival: 50% of the total price.
- 1-14 days before arrival: 100% of the total price.
Please note that cancellation fees also apply to all domestic flights within Egypt.
Emergency Cancellation Policy:
If your government or airline issues a travel advisory due to unexpected circumstances like war, natural disasters, or pandemics, we offer a highly flexible cancellation policy. You will be eligible for a refund or credit toward future travel, which can be used within 12 months of the original booking. However, airline terms and cancellation fees, as well as any applicable bank surcharges on deposits, will apply.
About Egypt For Travel — Who Operates This Tour
Egypt For Travel holds Egyptian Tourism Authority Licence Category A No. 1947 — the highest classification issued by the ETA, reserved for operators who meet stringent standards of guide licensing, vehicle safety, and client service. The company was founded in 2010 and has designed and operated thousands of Egypt itineraries across all durations and budgets for international clients from the UK, USA, Europe, Australia, and the GCC.
Egypt For Travel is part of a specialist travel group that also operates Around Egypt Tours, Egypt Top Tours, and Best Nile Cruises — a network of Egypt specialist sites built on the same operational infrastructure, licensed guiding staff, and supplier relationships. Every Egypt and Dubai tour on this page is operated directly by Egypt For Travel in Egypt; the Dubai and Abu Dhabi portions are run by a licensed UAE partner operating exclusively for Egypt For Travel clients.
Contact us directly:
WhatsApp: +20 155 555 2466
Email: [email protected]
www.egyptfortravel.com
Last updated: July 2026
