Schedule:
Daily
Tour Highlights:
Embark on a comprehensive 12-day tour across Egypt beginning in Cairo with visits to the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities and the Great Pyramids of Giza. Continue south to Luxor to explore monumental ancient temples and embark on a classic Nile cruise. Discover the temple complexes of Dendera and Abydos, sail through Upper Egypt to Kom Ombo and Edfu, and arrive in Aswan to see the High Dam and the Island Temple of Philae. Conclude your journey in coastal Alexandria visiting the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the Roman Amphitheatre, and Montaza Palace before your final departure.
Hotel & Nile Cruise Accommodations Note
Please note that hotel star ratings in Egypt differ from North American and European classification standards. For the highest levels of comfort and service quality, we always recommend selecting Luxury or Ultra-Luxury accommodation plans.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Cairo
Arrival at Cairo International Airport. You will be greeted by our airport representative holding a "Ramasside Tours" sign and transferred in a private, air-conditioned vehicle to your hotel.
Overnight in Cairo.
Day 2: Pyramids of Giza & The Egyptian Museum
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in central Cairo, home to a unique collection of ancient art spanning over 5,000 years, headlined by the golden treasures and jewelry of King Tutankhamun.
Next, visit the Great Pyramids of Giza to take in panoramic vistas of Khufu (Cheops), Khafre (Chephren), and Menkaure (Mykerinos). Continue to the Great Sphinx, the Valley Temple, and prime plateau photography points. Return to the hotel.
Overnight in Cairo.
Day 3: Saqqara Step Pyramid & Ancient Memphis
Breakfast at the hotel. Meet your guide in the lobby and depart for Saqqara to tour the Step Pyramid of Djoser—the earliest monumental stone structure in the world, built for Third Dynasty Pharaoh Djoser (c. 2630 BC).
Proceed to Memphis, Egypt's first unified capital founded by King Menes, to view the colossal fallen statue of Ramesses II and historic archaeological remains. Return to the hotel.
Overnight in Cairo.
Day 4: Cairo – Flight to Luxor – East Bank Temples
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Cairo Airport for your domestic flight to Luxor. Upon arrival, visit the East Bank monuments of Thebes: the magnificent Karnak Temple Complex and Luxor Temple.
At Luxor Temple, explore the grand courtyards and the colossal granite statues of Ramesses II. Continue to Karnak, walking through the Avenue of Sphinxes and the towering Great Hypostyle Hall. Transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Luxor.
Day 5: Dendera & Abydos Temples Excursion – Nile Cruise Embarkation
Breakfast at the hotel. Set out on an overland excursion to Abydos, ancient Egypt's sacred cult center where Osiris was believed to be buried. Tour the Temple of Seti I, completed by Ramesses II, famous for its exceptionally preserved carved relief murals.
Continue to Dendera north of Luxor to explore the Temple of Hathor, the goddess of love, joy, and music, known for its colorful astronomical ceilings and crypts. Return to Luxor and board your luxury Nile cruise ship. Lunch served on board.
Overnight on board in Luxor.
Day 6: West Bank Necropolis – Valley of the Kings
Breakfast on board. Cross to the West Bank of Luxor to tour the Theban Necropolis. Explore the Valley of the Kings, descending into the painted tombs of New Kingdom pharaohs.
Visit the terraced Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir El-Bahari, integrated into towering limestone cliffs. On the return drive, stop at the Colossi of Memnon—two giant quartzite statues of Amenhotep III facing the Nile. Lunch served on board, followed by leisure time and afternoon tea.
Overnight on board in Luxor.
Day 7: Edfu & Kom Ombo Temples
Breakfast on board while sailing south. Tour the Temple of Horus at Edfu, the most complete and best-preserved temple from the Ptolemaic period.
Continue sailing toward Kom Ombo. Lunch served on board. In Kom Ombo, tour the unique symmetrical double Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to Haroeris the falcon god and Sobek the crocodile god. Afternoon tea served on the sun deck as you sail toward Aswan.
Overnight on board in Kom Ombo.
Day 8: Aswan High Dam & Island Temple of Philae
Breakfast on board while sailing into Aswan. Begin your guided tour at the Aswan High Dam, completed in 1964 and opening up panoramic views across Lake Nasser.
Board a motor launch to Agilkia Island to visit the sacred island Temple of Philae, dedicated to the goddess Isis and rescued from rising Nile waters by UNESCO. Return to the ship for dinner and evening leisure.
Overnight on board in Aswan.
Day 9: Disembarkation – Optional Abu Simbel – Flight to Cairo
Breakfast on board followed by disembarkation.
(Optional Excursion: Fly or drive to Abu Simbel to marvel at the rock-cut Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Sun Temple of Queen Nefertari, saved from Lake Nasser by UNESCO).
Transfer to Aswan Airport for your domestic flight to Cairo. Upon arrival, meet our representative and transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Cairo.
Day 10: Full-Day Tour to Alexandria
Meet your Ramasside guide at the hotel for a full-day coastal excursion to Alexandria. Begin at the modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the world’s largest library housing 8 million volumes. Walk through the open plaza featuring statues of Alexander the Great and Ptolemy I retrieved from the seabed.
(Note: Library reading area requires an on-site ticket).
Visit the Roman Amphitheatre and the outdoor exhibition of sunken antiquities recovered from the East Harbor. Visit Saint Mark’s Church (the oldest church in Africa) and El Nabi Daniel Mosque.
Enjoy lunch at a seafood restaurant or at the iconic "Mohamed Ahmed’s". Continue through the historic Mansheya quarter and Zan'et El Setat bazaar. Photo stops at the exterior of the Citadel of Qaitbay (built on the site of the ancient Pharos Lighthouse) and Abbo Elabbas Mosque. Drive along the Corniche with a refreshment break at "King of Mango" and explore the royal gardens and palaces of Montaza.
Overnight in Alexandria.
Day 11: Return to Cairo (Optional Citadel & Coptic Cairo)
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Cairo in a private air-conditioned vehicle.
(Optional Excursion: Visit the medieval Citadel of Saladin, built in 1183 AD, and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali. Continue into Old Coptic Cairo to visit the Hanging Church, Abu Serga, and Ben Ezra Synagogue).
Return to your hotel.
Overnight in Cairo.
Day 12: Cairo – Final Departure
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer with our airport representative to Cairo International Airport for your international departure flight with full check-in assistance.
What's Included:
- 5 Nights hotel accommodation in Cairo (with daily breakfast)
- 1 Night hotel accommodation in Alexandria (with daily breakfast)
- 1 Night hotel accommodation in Luxor (with daily breakfast)
- 4 Nights full-board accommodation on a 5-star Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan (all meals & scheduled shore excursions included)
- Full-day Cairo tour (Egyptian Museum, Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & Valley Temple)
- Full-day Cairo tour (Saqqara Step Pyramid & Ancient Memphis)
- Full-day guided excursion to Alexandria
- Day tour to Dendera and Abydos temples
- All ground transfers in private, air-conditioned vehicles across Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and Alexandria
- Professional licensed Egyptologist tour guides
- All entrance tickets to mentioned archaeological sites, temples, and museums
- Domestic flights: Cairo / Luxor and Aswan / Cairo
- All service charges and government taxes
Excludes:
- Entry visa to Egypt (available on arrival upon request)
- International flights
- Personal expenses and optional excursions
- Gratuities (tipping)
- Beverages during meals
Tour Accommodation Categories & Rates
Plan (A) 5-Star Standard
- Cairo: Le Méridien Pyramids / Steigenberger Pyramids / Ramses Hilton / Helnan / Barceló Cairo Pyramids / Pyramisa
- Nile Cruise: MS Emilio / MS Radamis / MS Princess Sarah
Plan (B) Luxury
- Cairo: Kempinski Nile Hotel / Fairmont Nile City / Conrad Cairo / Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino / Hilton Pyramids Golf
- Nile Cruise: MS Amwaj Living Stone / MS Nile Premium / MS Blue Shadow / MS Jaz Jubilee / Steigenberger Minerva
Plan (C) Ultra-Luxury
- Cairo: Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza or First Residence / Marriott Mena House / Kempinski Nile Deluxe / Fairmont Nile Premium / Hyatt Regency
- Nile Cruise: Sanctuary Sun Boat / The Oberoi Zahra or Philae / Mövenpick Royal Lily / Sonesta Nile Goddess / Le Fayan / MS Farah / MS Acamar
Travel Notes: 12-Day Cairo, Alexandria & Nile Cruise Tour
Upgrade to a Luxury Vehicle for Extra Comfort:
Upgrade to a premium luxury vehicle for a smoother travel experience. Our executive vehicles offer extra legroom, high-performance climate control, complimentary refreshments, and generous luggage capacity.
Professional Photographer Service:
Hire a professional photographer to accompany your excursion to the Pyramids or West Bank monuments. Studio photographers capture portrait-grade photos and candid memories at top scenic locations for an additional $50 USD per day.
Booking & Operational Policies
- Hotel Standards in Egypt:
- Hotel classifications in Egypt differ from US and European systems. Standard 5-star hotels may feel closer to 3 or 4-star properties abroad. We strongly suggest selecting Luxury or Ultra-Luxury accommodation plans for travelers expecting international 5-star luxury standards.
- Visa Support on Arrival:
- Avoid airport queues. Send us your passport copy in advance, and our representative will arrange your entry visa on arrival. (Eligible travelers holding valid US, UK, or Schengen visas can obtain visa-on-arrival support regardless of nationality).
- Night Sleeper Trains (Not Recommended):
- We advise against overnight sleeper trains due to extended journey times (15–18 hours), noise levels, and compact sleeping berths. We strongly recommend domestic flights instead. A one-way domestic flight upgrade with an additional 5-star hotel night starts from $150 USD per person.
- Travel Insurance (AIG Travel Guard):
- Protect your holiday with optional coverage through AIG: $25 USD per person per week, or $50 USD per person for itineraries exceeding one week.
- Domestic Flight Upgrades to Business Class:
- Special Offer: Upgrade domestic flight sectors to Business Class for $50 USD per person per flight sector to enjoy wider seating, priority handling, and extra legroom.
- Domestic Flights Policy:
- Itinerary rates factor in average seasonal domestic airfares. Peak holiday periods, late bookings, or specific schedule requests may result in fare adjustments.
- Payment Policy:
- Secure payments are accepted via Visa, MasterCard, PayPal, and direct bank wire transfers.
- Pricing & Currency:
- Tour packages are priced in USD, with payments accepted in EUR or GBP based on current exchange rates. Semi-private small group departures and fully private VIP itineraries are arranged upon request.
- Private VIP Tour with Dr. Zahi Hawass:
- Ramasside Tours offers exclusive private visits to the Great Pyramid and Giza Plateau accompanied by world-renowned archaeologist Dr. Zahi Hawass, featuring private after-hours access between the paws of the Sphinx and inside restricted chambers. Contact us for private scheduling.
- Child Policy:
- 0 – 1.99 years: Free of charge (airfare supplements apply if flights are included)
- 2 – 5.99 years: 25% of adult tour price (50% if flights are included)
- 6 – 11.99 years: 50% of adult tour price
- 12+ years: Standard adult rate
- Special Archaeological Site Tickets:
- Standard entrance passes exclude restricted special chambers, such as the burial chamber inside the Great Pyramid of Khufu or the Tomb of King Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings. Entry to these specific chambers can be added upon request for an additional fee.
- Essential Packing:
- Comfortable, closed walking shoes are recommended for stone ruins and archaeological grounds. Pack comfortable slip-on shoes or sandals for felucca and cruise decks.
- Peak Travel Seasons:
- Christmas & New Year: December 15 – January 7
- Easter: March 20 – April 20
- Mid-Term Holidays: October 20 – October 31
- Standard Hotel Times: Check-in at 14:00 | Check-out at 12:00
Customer Support:
For reservations and inquiries, contact: [email protected]
