Schedule:
Daily
Tour Highlights:
Embark on an exhilarating 14-day grand tour of Egypt beginning in Cairo with visits to the Giza Pyramids and the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities. Journey south to Luxor to board a deluxe 5-star Nile cruise featuring guided excursions to Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings. Sail past Kom Ombo to Aswan, with an optional air excursion to the colossal temples of Abu Simbel before returning north to Cairo and coastal Alexandria. Conclude your adventure discovering the historic charms of Rosetta (Rashid) and enjoying leisure time in Cairo.
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. Begin your guided tour visiting the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Tahrir Square, home to the world's most extensive collection of ancient pharaonic art and historical artifacts spanning over 5,000 years, headlined by the golden treasures of King Tutankhamun.
Next, visit the Great Pyramids of Giza—one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World—featuring panoramic vistas of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure, alongside the Great Sphinx, the Valley Temple, and prime photo viewpoints. Return to your hotel.
Overnight in Cairo.
Day 3: Saqqara Step Pyramid & Ancient Memphis
Breakfast at the hotel. Meet your guide to explore Saqqara, home to the Step Pyramid of Djoser—the earliest monumental stone structure in history, built by Imhotep for Third Dynasty Pharaoh Djoser (c. 2630 BC).
Proceed to Memphis, the ancient kingdom's first capital founded by King Menes, serving as the center of government and culture for over 3,000 years. Tour the open-air museum to see the colossal limestone statue of Ramesses II and the Alabaster Sphinx. Return to your hotel.
Overnight in Cairo.
Day 4: Saladin Citadel, Historic Old Cairo & Khan El Khalili
Breakfast at the hotel. Meet your guide to visit the medieval Citadel of Saladin, constructed in 1183 AD to defend Cairo, and tour the alabaster Mosque of Muhammad Ali, designed by Turkish architect Yusuf Bushnaq.
Head into Old Cairo (Coptic Cairo) to visit the Hanging Church, the Church of St. Barbara, Abu Serga (Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus), and Ben Ezra Synagogue. Conclude your day exploring the lively lanes of the historic Khan El Khalili Bazaar. Return to your hotel.
Overnight in Cairo.
Day 5: Flight to Luxor (Optional Abydos & Dendera)
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Cairo Airport for your domestic flight to Luxor.
(Optional Excursion: Upon arrival, embark on a day trip to Abydos, mythological burial center of Osiris, to explore the Temple of Seti I with its renowned painted relief murals. Continue to Dendera north of Luxor to visit the magnificent Temple of Hathor, goddess of love and joy).
Transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Luxor.
Day 6: East Bank Temples & Nile Cruise Embarkation
Begin your day touring the East Bank monuments of Thebes: the monumental Karnak Temple Complex—the largest religious site of the ancient world—and the grand Luxor Temple with its royal courtyards and colossal granite statues of Ramesses II.
Transfer to your luxury Nile cruise ship and check in prior to lunch. Lunch served on board.
Overnight on board in Luxor.
Day 7: 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, entering royal pharaonic tombs carved deep into the desert hills.
Visit the terraced Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir El-Bahari, rising dramatically against limestone cliffs. On the return drive, stop at the towering Colossi of Memnon—two giant seated statues of Amenhotep III facing the Nile. Lunch on board followed by leisure time and afternoon tea.
Overnight on board in Luxor.
Day 8: 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. Tour the unique twin Temple of Kom Ombo, symmetrically dedicated to the falcon god Haroeris and the crocodile god Sobek. Enjoy afternoon tea on the sun deck as you sail toward Aswan.
Overnight on board in Kom Ombo.
Day 9: Aswan Highlights & Island of Philae
Breakfast on board while sailing into Aswan. Begin your sightseeing with the modern engineering marvel of the Aswan High Dam, completed in 1964 and opening up panoramic views across Lake Nasser.
Transfer to the boat dock and sail aboard a traditional felucca or 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.
Overnight on board in Aswan.
Day 10: 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 return domestic flight to Cairo. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Cairo.
Day 11: 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. Tour 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 its outdoor sunken antiquity exhibit recovered from Alexandria's 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".
Walk through the historic Mansheya quarter and Zan'et El Setat bazaar. Make photo stops outside Abbo Elabbas Mosque, the old fishing harbor, and the exterior of the Citadel of Qaitbay (built on the site of the ancient Pharos Lighthouse).
Drive along the Corniche with a photo stop at the Unknown Soldier Memorial and a refreshment break at "King of Mango". Tour the royal gardens of Montaza Palace, stroll across Montaza Bridge, and view Tea Palace Island.
Overnight in Alexandria.
Day 12: Rosetta (Rashid) River & Heritage Tour
Breakfast at the hotel. Journey approximately 60 km east to the historic port town of Rosetta (Rashid).
Board a motorboat to cruise along the Nile to the point where the river meets the Mediterranean Sea. Visit the historic fortress where the famed Rosetta Stone was discovered in 1799.
Tour the town's preserved Islamic and Ottoman brick architecture before enjoying a comfortable return drive to Cairo.
Overnight in Cairo.
Day 13: Free Day at Leisure in Cairo
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a full day at leisure to relax, shop in Cairo's modern retail districts, or explore local museums at your own pace.
Overnight in Cairo.
Day 14: Final Departure
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer with our representative to Cairo International Airport for your international departure flight with full check-in assistance.
What's Included:
- 7 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 (Luxor to 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 Cairo tour (Saladin Citadel, Old Coptic Cairo & Khan El Khalili)
- Full-day guided excursion to Alexandria
- Full-day guided excursion to Rosetta (Rashid)
- 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: 14-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]
