Schedule:
Daily
Tour Highlights:
On Day 1, arrive in Cairo where our Ramasside Tours representative will meet you to provide airport assistance and private hotel transfer. Day 2 features guided visits to the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities and the Great Pyramids of Giza, including the Great Sphinx and Valley Temple. On Day 3, take a morning flight to Aswan to tour the High Dam and Philae Temple before embarking on a deluxe Nile cruise. Over the following days, cruise along the Nile visiting the temples of Kom Ombo, Edfu, Karnak, and Luxor. On Day 6, return to Cairo with an optional sunrise hot air balloon flight over Luxor and a tour of the Valley of the Kings. Day 7 features a full-day coastal excursion to Alexandria, including the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and historic city landmarks, concluding on Day 8 with your airport departure transfer.
Hotel & Nile Cruise Accommodations Note
Please note that hotel star classifications in Egypt differ from North American and European 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 warmly greeted by our 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 tour visiting the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in central Cairo, home to an extraordinary collection of pharaonic artifacts spanning over 5,000 years, including the world-famous golden funerary treasures of King Tutankhamun.
Next, head to the Giza Plateau to visit the Great Pyramids—Khufu (Cheops), Khafre (Chephren), and Menkaure (Mykerinos)—alongside the Great Sphinx and the Valley Temple of Khafre.
(Optional: Evening Sound and Light Show on the Giza Plateau).
Overnight in Cairo.
Day 3: Cairo – Flight to Aswan – Nile Cruise Embarkation
Breakfast at the hotel. Early transfer to the domestic airport for your flight to Aswan. Upon arrival, visit the modern engineering feat of the Aswan High Dam and take a boat transfer to Agilkia Island to explore the sacred island Temple of Philae, dedicated to the goddess Isis.
Transfer to your 5-star Nile cruise ship for embarkation and lunch.
(Note: Sailing schedules may vary depending on navigational conditions; all sightseeing visits are guaranteed, though sequence order may adjust).
Overnight on board in Aswan.
Day 4: Kom Ombo Temple – Sail to Edfu
Breakfast on board. Cruise toward Kom Ombo and visit the unique double Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated symmetrically to Haroeris the falcon god and Sobek the crocodile god.
Enjoy afternoon tea on the sun deck as the vessel sails toward Edfu. Dinner served on board followed by a festive Egyptian Galabeya party.
Overnight on board.
Day 5: Temple of Horus at Edfu – Sail to Luxor
Breakfast on board. Visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu, the most complete and best-preserved cult temple from Ptolemaic Egypt. Cross the Esna lock while cruising toward Luxor, with afternoon tea served on deck.
(Optional: Tour the East Bank of Luxor visiting Karnak Temple Complex—the largest religious sanctuary in history, dedicated to Amun, Mut, and Khonsu—and Luxor Temple, built by Amenhotep III and completed by Ramesses II).
Dinner served on board.
Overnight on board in Luxor.
Day 6: Luxor West Bank – Flight to Cairo
Breakfast on board followed by disembarkation.
(Optional Excursion: Sunrise Hot Air Balloon ride floating over the Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, and Theban peaks for 30–45 minutes, weather permitting).
Transfer to the West Bank to explore the Valley of the Kings, descending into ancient royal pharaonic tombs. Visit the terraced Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir El-Bahari and stop for photos at the towering Colossi of Memnon—two giant statues depicting Amenhotep III facing the Nile.
Transfer to Luxor Airport for your domestic flight to Cairo. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Cairo.
Day 7: Full-Day Tour to Alexandria
Meet your Ramasside guide at the hotel for a full-day coastal excursion to Alexandria.
Begin at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the world’s largest library housing 8 million volumes, with visits to the open plaza and complimentary museum areas.
(Note: Library is closed on Fridays and public holidays; reading area requires an on-site ticket).
Visit the site of the ancient Pharos Lighthouse where the Citadel of Qaitbay now stands. Explore the royal grounds of Montaza Palace and Gardens, viewing the Haramlik and Salamlik palaces alongside the royal beaches. Visit Abbo Elabbas Mosque, the Unknown Soldier Memorial, and the statue of Alexander the Great.
Enjoy optional lunch, visit Saint Mark’s Church (the oldest church in Africa), drive along the 30 km Corniche overlooking historic harbors where 7,000 underwater antiquities were discovered, stop at Stanley Bridge, and walk through the historic downtown core planned by Alexander the Great. Return to Cairo.
Overnight in Cairo.
Day 8: Final Departure
Breakfast at the hotel. Meet our airport representative for your private transfer to Cairo International Airport with full departure and check-in assistance.
What's Included:
- 4 Nights hotel accommodation in Cairo (with daily breakfast)
- 3 Nights full-board accommodation on a 5-star Nile cruise (Aswan to Luxor, all meals & scheduled shore excursions included)
- Full-day Cairo tour (Egyptian Museum, Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & Valley Temple)
- Full-day guided excursion to Alexandria
- All ground transfers in private, modern air-conditioned vehicles across Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, and Aswan
- Meet-and-assist services across all destinations
- Professional licensed Egyptologist tour guides
- All entrance tickets to mentioned archaeological sites, temples, and museums
- Domestic flights: Cairo / Aswan and Luxor / Cairo
- Intercity transfer by air-conditioned vehicle: Cairo / Alexandria / 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: 8-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]
