Schedule: Daily
Duration: 12 Days / 11 Nights
Tour Highlights
This 12-day itinerary takes you through the wonders of Cairo, the monumental Pyramids, and a relaxing luxury Nile River cruise. In Cairo, explore the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, the Giza Pyramids, and ancient Memphis. Fly south to Luxor to embark on a 7-night Nile cruise featuring guided visits to Karnak and Luxor temples, alongside sailing excursions to Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Aswan. Following an optional hot air balloon flight over Luxor's West Bank, return by air to Cairo to complete your journey with a seamless private airport departure.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Cairo
Arrive at Cairo International Airport. You will be welcomed inside the terminal by our Ramasside Tours representative holding a personalized name sign. Enjoy a comfortable private transfer in an air-conditioned vehicle to your hotel. Overnight in Cairo.
Day 2: The Giza Pyramids & Egyptian Museum
Breakfast at the hotel. Begin your guided sightseeing at the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Tahrir Square, home to an extraordinary collection of ancient artifacts spanning over 5,000 years, including the golden funerary treasures and jewelry of King Tutankhamun.
Next, head to the Giza Plateau to behold the Great Pyramids of Giza (Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure) and the enigmatic Great Sphinx.
(Optional: In the evening, attend the Sound and Light Show across the illuminated Giza Plateau).
Overnight in Cairo.
Day 3: Saqqara, Memphis & Dahshur
Breakfast at the hotel. Meet your private Egyptologist guide in the lobby and travel south to the Saqqara Necropolis to explore the Step Pyramid of Djoser, humanity's oldest major stone monument, built during the Third Dynasty (c. 2630 BC).
Continue to Memphis, the ancient capital of the Old Kingdom founded by King Menes, to view the open-air museum housing the colossal limestone statue of Ramesses II. Proceed further south to Dahshur to visit the Red Pyramid and the unique Bent Pyramid of King Sneferu. Return to the hotel. Overnight in Cairo.
Day 4: Flight to Luxor – Nile Cruise Embarkation
Breakfast at the hotel. Private transfer to Cairo Airport for your domestic flight to Luxor. Upon landing, transfer directly to your 5-star Nile cruise ship for embarkation. Lunch is served on board. Enjoy the afternoon at your leisure. Overnight on board in Luxor.
Day 5: Luxor East Bank – Karnak & Luxor Temples
Breakfast on board. Begin your exploration of the East Bank with Luxor Temple, viewing its monumental courtyards, obelisks, and granite statues of Ramesses the Great.
Continue to the sprawling Karnak Temple complex, built across successive dynasties, to walk through the avenue of ram-headed sphinxes, the Great Hypostyle Hall featuring 134 towering sandstone columns, the obelisks of Queen Hatshepsut and Thutmose III, and the sacred lake.
Return to the cruise ship and sail toward Esna. Dinner on board. Overnight in Esna.
Day 6: Esna & Edfu Temples
Breakfast on board. Visit the Greco-Roman Temple of Khnum in Esna. Return to the vessel and cruise toward Edfu while enjoying lunch on deck.
Upon arrival in Edfu, tour the Temple of Horus, the best-preserved cult temple from the ancient world. Continue sailing toward Kom Ombo. Enjoy afternoon tea on the sun deck followed by evening entertainment. Overnight in Kom Ombo.
Day 7: Aswan Sightseeing – High Dam & Philae Temple
Breakfast on board. Cruise into Aswan and begin your city excursion. Visit the Aswan High Dam, an engineering marvel completed in the 1960s creating Lake Nasser.
Take a boat transfer across the Nile to Agilkia Island to visit the sacred island Temple of Isis at Philae, relocated from the submerged island of Philae during the UNESCO salvage campaign. Dinner on board. Overnight in Aswan.
Day 8: Aswan at Leisure – Optional Abu Simbel & Felucca Sail
Breakfast on board.
(Optional Excursion): Depart early by road or air to visit the colossal rock-hewn temples of Abu Simbel, built by Ramesses II (19th Dynasty) to honor the gods and immortalize his victory, featuring the neighboring temple dedicated to Queen Nefertari.
Return to Aswan for a scenic felucca sail around Lord Kitchener’s Botanical Island and view the Mausoleum of the Aga Khan. Lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner served on board, followed by an onboard party. Overnight in Aswan.
Day 9: Kom Ombo Temple – Cruise toward Luxor
Breakfast on board. Sail toward Kom Ombo to explore its unique symmetrical double temple, dedicated jointly to Sobek the crocodile god and Haroeris the winged falcon god.
Lunch is served on board as the ship cruises toward Edfu and continues downstream. Enjoy afternoon tea on deck and dinner on board. Overnight in Luxor.
Day 10: Luxor West Bank – Valley of the Kings & Hatshepsut
Breakfast on board. Cross over to Luxor’s 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. Lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner served on board, followed by evening music and celebration. Overnight in Luxor.
Day 11: Disembarkation – Flight to Cairo
Breakfast on board followed by disembarkation.
(Optional: Early morning hot air balloon ride drifting over the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens, and the Theban mountain range for 30–45 minutes).
Private transfer to Luxor Airport for your domestic flight to Cairo. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Cairo.
Day 12: Cairo – Final Departure
Breakfast at the hotel. Our representative will assist you with your private airport transfer and guide you through final departure procedures for your flight home.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions
- 4 Nights accommodation at a 5-Star hotel in Cairo (Bed & Breakfast)
- 7 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, Memphis & Dahshur)
- Domestic flight tickets: Cairo / Luxor / Cairo
- All transfers in Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan 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, Sound & Light Show, Hot Air Balloon)
- 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
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
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
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]
