Schedule: Daily
Duration: 12 Days / 11 Nights
Tour Highlights
Embark on a comprehensive 12-day journey across Egypt, beginning in Cairo with guided excursions to the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities and the monumental Giza Pyramids. Continue south to Luxor to explore its magnificent temples and embark on a luxury Nile River cruise. Uncover the sacred temples of Dendera and Abydos, sail toward Edfu and Kom Ombo, and discover Aswan’s engineering and sacred landmarks, including the High Dam and Philae Temple. Conclude your tour in Mediterranean Alexandria, exploring the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the Roman Amphitheatre, and the royal gardens of Montaza Palace.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Cairo
Arrive at Cairo International Airport. You will be warmly welcomed inside the terminal by our Ramasside Tours representative holding a personalized name sign. Enjoy a private transfer in a modern air-conditioned vehicle to your hotel. Overnight in Cairo.
Day 2: The Giza Pyramids & Egyptian Museum
Breakfast at the hotel. Begin your exploration at the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Tahrir Square, featuring an incomparable collection of classical antiquities spanning over 5,000 years, including the world-famous golden funerary treasures of King Tutankhamun.
Next, head to the Giza Plateau to behold the Great Pyramid of Giza, the sole surviving Wonder of the Ancient World. Take in breathtaking panoramic vistas of the Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure, and visit the enigmatic Great Sphinx, the Valley Temple, and scenic viewpoint stops. Return to the hotel. Overnight in Cairo.
Day 3: Saqqara Necropolis & Ancient Memphis
Breakfast at the hotel. Meet your private Egyptologist guide in the lobby and travel south to Saqqara. Explore the Step Pyramid of Djoser, humanity's oldest monumental stone building, designed by the master architect Imhotep during the Third Dynasty (c. 2630 BC).
Continue to Memphis, the historic first capital of unified Egypt founded by King Menes, which served as the seat of royal power throughout the Old Kingdom. Tour the open-air museum housing the colossal limestone statue of Ramesses II and ancient sphinxes. Return to the hotel. Overnight in Cairo.
Day 4: Flight to Luxor – East Bank Sightseeing
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Cairo Airport for your domestic flight to Luxor. Upon landing, begin your guided exploration of the East Bank of Luxor.
Visit Luxor Temple, dedicated to Amun-Ra, to view its monumental courtyards, obelisks, and colossal granite statues of Ramesses the Great. Proceed to Karnak Temple, the largest religious sanctuary ever built in the ancient world, featuring the magnificent Great Hypostyle Hall. Transfer to your hotel for check-in. Overnight in Luxor.
Day 5: Dendera & Abydos Excursion – Nile Cruise Embarkation
Following breakfast, depart on an overland excursion north to the sacred ancient city of Abydos. Venerated by ancient Egyptians as the burial center of Osiris, ruler of the underworld, you will tour the magnificent Temple of Seti I, completed by Ramesses II and renowned for preserving Egypt’s finest and most vibrant relief carvings.
Continue to Dendera to explore the beautifully preserved Temple of Hathor, goddess of love, joy, and music. Transfer directly to embark on your 5-star luxury Nile cruise ship. Enjoy lunch served on board. Overnight in Luxor.
Day 6: Luxor West Bank – Royal Tombs & Mortuary Temples
Breakfast on board. Cross the Nile to the West Bank to explore the Theban Necropolis. Discover the royal rock-cut burial chambers in the Valley of the Kings, followed by the terraced Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari.
Stop before the towering Colossi of Memnon, two massive quartzite statues representing Amenhotep III facing the Nile. Return to the ship for lunch. Spend the afternoon relaxing on the sun deck with afternoon tea as the vessel sets sail. Overnight in Luxor / Kom Ombo.
Day 7: Edfu & Kom Ombo Temples
Breakfast on board. Visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu, the most intact and complete cult temple in Egypt. Return to the vessel and cruise toward Kom Ombo while enjoying lunch on board.
Upon arrival, tour the unique symmetrical double Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated jointly to the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Haroeris. Afternoon tea is served on the sun deck. Overnight in Kom Ombo.
Day 8: Aswan Sightseeing – High Dam & Philae Temple
Breakfast on board. Cruise into Aswan and begin your sightseeing at the Aswan High Dam, an engineering marvel completed in 1964 creating Lake Nasser.
Take a boat transfer across the Nile to Agilkia Island to explore the picturesque island Temple of Isis at Philae, relocated from the submerged island of Philae during the UNESCO rescue campaign. Dinner on board. Overnight in Aswan.
Day 9: Disembarkation – Optional Abu Simbel Excursion – Flight to Cairo
Breakfast on board followed by disembarkation.
(Optional Excursion to Abu Simbel): Depart early by road or short flight to visit the monumental rock-cut temples of Abu Simbel, built by Ramesses II (19th Dynasty) to glorify the gods and immortalize his victory, alongside the neighboring temple honoring Queen Nefertari.
Transfer to Aswan Airport for your domestic flight to Cairo. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Cairo.
Day 10: Day Tour to Mediterranean Alexandria
Meet your Ramasside Tours guide at the hotel and travel north along the desert highway to Alexandria. Tour the world-renowned Bibliotheca Alexandrina, home to 8 million books, and admire its exterior architecture and courtyard statues of Alexander the Great and Ptolemy I. (Note: Access to the main reading room requires a specialized admission ticket).
Visit the Roman Amphitheatre and the sunken antiquities exhibition recovered from the Eastern Harbor. Explore the Church of Saint Mark, the oldest church foundation in Africa. Wander through Alexandria's historic downtown, admiring French and Italian baroque-era facades and sampling traditional local desserts.
Visit the Mosque of Nabi Daniel, historically associated with local lore surrounding the tomb of Alexander the Great. Enjoy an optional seafood lunch or dine at Alexandria’s famous traditional eatery, "Mohamed Ahmed."
Drive through the historic Mansheya market district, exploring the traditional women’s market (Zanqet El Settat) and the Gold Souk. Visit the landmark Mosque of Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi, view the historic harbor with traditional wooden fishing boats, and take photos outside the 15th-century Citadel of Qaitbay, built on the historic foundations of the Pharos Lighthouse.
Continue along the coastline to Montaza Palace and Gardens, stopping optionally at "King of Mango" for fresh juices. Explore the royal gardens of King Farouk, the Haramlek and Salamlek palaces, Montaza Bridge, and the royal beaches. Overnight in Alexandria.
Day 11: Return to Cairo – Optional Old Cairo & Citadel Tour
Breakfast at the hotel. Private air-conditioned transfer back to Cairo.
(Optional Excursion): Visit the medieval Citadel of Saladin, fortified in 1183 AD to protect Cairo against crusader armies, and tour the Alabaster Mosque of Muhammad Ali. Continue to Old Cairo (Coptic Cairo) to visit the Hanging Church, Ben Ezra Synagogue, and the Church of Abu Serga.
Check-in and overnight in Cairo.
Day 12: Final Departure
Breakfast at the hotel. Your Ramasside Tours representative will provide private transfer to Cairo International Airport and assist you through departure procedures for your onward flight.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions
- 5 Nights accommodation at a 5-Star hotel in Cairo (Bed & Breakfast)
- 1 Night accommodation at a 5-Star hotel in Alexandria (Bed & Breakfast)
- 1 Night accommodation at a 5-Star hotel in Luxor (Bed & Breakfast)
- 4 Nights aboard a 5-Star Nile Cruise between Luxor and Aswan (Full Board with guided excursions)
- Full-day Cairo Tour (Egyptian Museum, Giza Pyramids & Sphinx)
- Full-day Cairo Tour (Saqqara Step Pyramid & Memphis)
- Full-day Alexandria Tour
- Excursion to Dendera and Abydos Temples
- Domestic flight tickets: Cairo / Luxor & Aswan / Cairo
- Overland private transfers: Cairo / Alexandria / Cairo
- All transfers in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and Alexandria in modern air-conditioned vehicles
- Professional licensed English-speaking Egyptologist tour guide
- Entrance tickets to all mentioned archaeological monuments
- All service charges and local taxes
Exclusions
- Entry Visa to Egypt (visa-on-arrival assistance available upon request)
- International flight tickets
- Personal expenses
- Gratuities / Tipping
- Optional excursions (Abu Simbel, Saladin Citadel & Coptic Cairo)
- Beverages during meals
Accommodation Plans & Pricing
Plan A: 5-Star Standard
- Cairo: Le Méridien Pyramids / Steigenberger Pyramids / Ramses Hilton / Barceló Cairo Pyramids / Pyramisa Suites
- Nile Cruise: MS Emilio / MS Radamis / MS Princess Sarah
- Luxor: Steigenberger Nile Palace
Plan B: 5-Star Luxury
- Cairo: Kempinski Nile Hotel / Fairmont Nile City / Conrad Cairo / Cairo Marriott Hotel / Sheraton Cairo
- Nile Cruise: MS Amwaj Living Stone / MS Nile Premium / MS Blue Shadow / Jaz Jubilee / Crown Emperor
- Luxor: Hilton Luxor Resort / Sonesta St. George
Ultra Luxury Tier
- Cairo: Four Seasons Hotel Cairo / Marriott Mena House / Hyatt Regency
- Nile Cruise: Sanctuary Sun Boat / The Oberoi Zahra / Mövenpick Royal Lotus / Le Fayan / MS Acamar
- Luxor: Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor
Tour Add-ons & Travel Notes
Executive Luxury Minivan Upgrade
Upgrade to an executive luxury minivan for superior travel comfort across all road transfers. Enjoy extended legroom, dual-zone climate control, complimentary bottled refreshments, and generous luggage capacity.
Professional Studio Photographer
Hire a professional photographer to accompany your excursion. Capture high-resolution portraits and candid travel memories across the Pyramids and ancient temples for $50 per day.
Hotel Standards in Egypt
Hotel classifications in Egypt differ from North American and European standards. For true international 5-star quality, we advise selecting Plan B (Luxury) or the Ultra Luxury tier.
Visa Assistance
Bypass terminal immigration lines upon arrival. Our airport team arranges pre-processed entry visas for eligible passport holders or travelers carrying valid US, UK, or Schengen visas. Simply send a passport copy prior to arrival.
Domestic Flights Included
All long-distance travel between Cairo and Upper Egypt is arranged via scheduled domestic flights, eliminating tedious 15-to-18-hour train rides. Upgrades to Business Class on domestic sectors are available for $50 per person.
VIP Tour with Dr. Zahi Hawass
Request an exclusive private tour inside the Great Pyramid and stand between the paws of the Great Sphinx accompanied by world-renowned archaeologist Dr. Zahi Hawass. Contact us for private VIP availability.
Travel Insurance (AIG Travel Guard)
Secure peace of mind with AIG Travel Guard insurance coverage: $25 per person for one week, or $50 per person for multi-week packages.
Child Policy
- 0 – 1.99 years: Free of charge (excluding airline ticket charges where applicable)
- 2 – 5.99 years: 25% of adult tour rate (50% if domestic flights are included)
- 6 – 11.99 years: 50% of adult tour rate
- 12+ years: Full adult rate
For reservations and custom itineraries, contact us at: [email protected]
