Schedule: Daily
Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights
Tour Highlights
Experience a comprehensive 8-day archaeological expedition across Egypt crafted especially for history enthusiasts. Arrive in Cairo to explore the monumental Pyramids and Sphinx on the Giza Plateau, the Step Pyramid of Saqqara, the ancient capital of Memphis, and the pyramids of Dahshur.
Continue south to Upper Egypt to explore Luxor, visiting the vast Karnak and Luxor temples, the royal rock-hewn tombs across the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens, the mortuary sanctuary of Medinet Habu, and the terraced Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Journey overland to the Greco-Roman cult temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo, behold the colossal rock-cut temples of Ramesses II and Nefertari at Abu Simbel, and tour Aswan’s High Dam and the island sanctuary of Philae before returning to Cairo for your final departure.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Cairo
Arrive at Cairo International Airport. Upon arrival, you will be met inside the terminal by our Ramasside Tours representative holding a personalized sign. You will then be transferred in a modern, air-conditioned vehicle to your hotel. Overnight in Cairo.
Day 2: The Giza Pyramids, Saqqara, Memphis & Dahshur
Breakfast at the hotel. Begin your tour at the Giza Plateau to behold the monumental Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure, followed by the Great Sphinx, the colossal limestone guardian dating to the reign of King Khafre. Explore the Valley Temple where pharaonic mummification and purification rites were performed, with multiple scenic photography stops.
Continue your archaeological journey southward to Saqqara, Memphis, and Dahshur. At Saqqara, explore the Step Pyramid of Djoser, humanity's oldest monumental stone building, engineered by the master architect Imhotep during the Third Dynasty (c. 2630 BC). View the neighboring mastaba tombs and the Imhotep Museum.
Next, explore Memphis, the first capital of unified Egypt during the Old Kingdom founded by King Menes, to view the open-air museum featuring the colossal limestone statue of Ramesses II and ancient alabaster sphinxes.
Proceed further south to Dahshur to inspect the Red Pyramid—the first successful true, smooth-sided stone pyramid—and the unique Bent Pyramid of Pharaoh Sneferu.
(Optional: Attend the evening Sound and Light Show across the illuminated Giza Plateau).
Overnight in Cairo.
Day 3: Flight to Luxor – East Bank & Luxor Museum
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for your domestic flight to Luxor. Upon landing, begin your guided exploration of the monumental East Bank of ancient Thebes.
Explore Luxor Temple, dedicated to the Theban triad of Amun, Mut, and Khonsu, to view its monumental courtyards, obelisks, and colossal granite statues of Ramesses the Great. Proceed to the sprawling Karnak Temple complex, built across successive dynasties spanning two millennia. Walk along the Avenue of Sphinxes, enter through the massive First Pylon, marvel at the Great Hypostyle Hall with its 134 towering sandstone columns, and view the obelisks of Queen Hatshepsut and Thutmose III, the sacred lake, and the colossal granite scarab beetle of Amenhotep III.
Conclude the day with a visit to the Luxor Museum, showcasing an exceptional, carefully curated collection of artifacts excavated primarily from Theban temples and royal tombs. Transfer to your hotel for check-in. Overnight in Luxor.
Day 4: Luxor West Bank – Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut & Medinet Habu
Breakfast at the hotel. Cross the River Nile to explore the sacred West Bank necropolis. Begin at the world-renowned Valley of the Kings, the royal burial ground of the New Kingdom pharaohs. Tour three magnificent rock-hewn royal tombs with intact colorful wall reliefs and funerary texts. (Note: Entry inside King Tutankhamun’s tomb requires an extra specialized ticket).
Visit the terraced Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, an architectural masterpiece dedicated to Egypt's prominent female ruler from the 18th Dynasty.
Continue to the Valley of the Queens to explore royal tombs created for the queens and royal children of the New Kingdom. Proceed to Medinet Habu, the monumental mortuary temple of Ramesses III, celebrated for its towering pylon walls and deep relief carvings depicting historic sea battle victories.
Conclude with a photo stop before the towering Colossi of Memnon, two colossal quartzite statues representing Amenhotep III. Return to the hotel. Overnight in Luxor.
Day 5: Edfu & Kom Ombo Temples – Transfer to Aswan
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart by private air-conditioned vehicle toward Edfu to visit the magnificent Temple of Horus, recognized as the best-preserved cult temple in all of Egypt. According to ancient myth, this sanctuary marks the site where the falcon god Horus avenged the death of his father Osiris against Seth.
Continue driving southward to Kom Ombo to visit the unique temple dramatically perched on high ground overlooking the Nile. Built during the Ptolemaic period, this rare dual temple is dedicated symmetrically to two distinct deities: the falcon god Haroeris (Horus the Elder) and the crocodile god Sobek, patron of fertility and creator of the cosmos. Tour the adjoining crocodile museum housing mummified sacred reptiles excavated nearby.
Proceed south to Aswan and check in to your hotel. Overnight in Aswan.
Day 6: Day Excursion to Abu Simbel
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart early on a guided excursion to visit the monumental rock-cut temples of Abu Simbel, built by Ramesses II (19th Dynasty) and famously salvaged by UNESCO from the rising waters of Lake Nasser.
Marvel at the colossal 20-meter-high seated statues of Ramesses II guarding the Great Temple facade, oriented so that sunlight illuminates the inner sanctuary deities twice a year. Explore the neighboring Small Temple, carved in honor of Queen Nefertari and dedicated to the goddess Hathor. Relax on your private drive back to Aswan. Overnight in Aswan.
Day 7: Aswan Sightseeing – Flight to Cairo
Breakfast at the hotel. Begin your guided tour of Aswan with a visit to the Aswan High Dam, an engineering marvel completed in 1964 providing commanding views over Lake Nasser.
Take a scenic boat ride across the Nile to Agilkia Island to explore the sacred island Temple of Isis at Philae, relocated from the submerged island of Philae. The main temple and its peripheral colonnades date from the 26th Dynasty through the Roman era, representing the last major sanctuary where hieroglyphic writing was actively inscribed.
Transfer to Aswan Airport for your domestic flight back to Cairo. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Cairo.
Day 8: Final Departure
Breakfast at the hotel. Your Ramasside Tours representative will provide a private transfer to Cairo International Airport and assist you through departure procedures for your onward flight.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions
- 3 Nights accommodation at a 5-Star hotel in Cairo (Bed & Breakfast)
- 2 Nights accommodation at a 5-Star hotel in Luxor (Bed & Breakfast)
- 2 Nights accommodation at a 5-Star hotel in Aswan (Bed & Breakfast)
- Full-day tour to the Giza Pyramids, Saqqara, Memphis, and Dahshur
- Full-day East Bank Luxor Tour (Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple & Luxor Museum)
- Full-day West Bank Luxor Tour (Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, Valley of the Queens & Medinet Habu)
- Overland guided excursion to Edfu and Kom Ombo Temples
- Guided day excursion to the monumental temples of Abu Simbel
- Guided Aswan tour (Philae Temple & High Dam)
- All transfers and sightseeing in modern, private air-conditioned vehicles
- Professional licensed English-speaking Egyptologist tour guide
- Entrance tickets to all mentioned archaeological monuments
- Domestic flight tickets: Cairo / Luxor & Aswan / Cairo
- 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
- Specialized entrance tickets (interior of the Great Pyramid, King Tutankhamun Tomb, Queen Nefertari Tomb)
- Beverages during meals
Accommodation Plans & Pricing
Plan A: 5-Star Standard
- Cairo: Le Méridien Pyramids / Steigenberger Pyramids / Ramses Hilton / Barceló Cairo Pyramids / Pyramisa Suites
- Luxor: Steigenberger Nile Palace
- Aswan: Tolip Hotel Aswan / Mövenpick Aswan
Plan B: 5-Star Luxury
- Cairo: Kempinski Nile Hotel / Fairmont Nile City / Conrad Cairo / Cairo Marriott Hotel / Sheraton Cairo
- Luxor: Hilton Luxor Resort / Sonesta St. George
- Aswan: Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan (Luxury Room) / Mövenpick Resort Aswan
Ultra Luxury Tier
- Cairo: Four Seasons Hotel Cairo / Marriott Mena House / Hyatt Regency
- Luxor: Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor
- Aswan: Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan (Palace Suite)
Tour Add-ons & Travel Notes
Executive Luxury Minivan Upgrade
Upgrade to an executive luxury minivan for superior travel comfort across all overland transfers between Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Aswan. Enjoy extended legroom, dual-zone climate control, complimentary bottled refreshments, and generous luggage capacity.
Professional Studio Photographer
Hire a professional photographer to accompany your archaeological tour. 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]
