Schedule: Daily Departures
Duration: 10 Days / 9 Nights
Pickup & Drop-off: Cairo International Airport (CAI)
Accommodation Levels: 5-Star Standard, Luxury, and Ultra-Luxury Packages
Tour Highlights
Embark on an in-depth 10-day private archaeological journey spanning Egypt’s most celebrated pharaonic landmarks. From the monumental pyramids of Giza, Saqqara, and Dahshur to the newly previewed Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), this comprehensive overland and flight expedition takes you deep into Upper Egypt. Explore the royal tombs and temples of Luxor, the sacred pilgrimage sites of Abydos and Dendera, the riverfront sanctuaries of Edfu and Kom Ombo, the island temples of Aswan, and the rock-cut masterpiece of Abu Simbel.
- Pyramid Field Odyssey: Discover the evolution of pyramid architecture across the Giza Plateau (Khufu, Khafre, Menkaure, and the Great Sphinx), the Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara, and the Red and Bent Pyramids of Dahshur.
- Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) & Khan El Khalili: Explore the architectural wonder of the GEM complex, featuring the Hanging Obelisk, the Grand Hall with the colossus of Ramesses II, and the Grand Staircase, followed by a stroll through Cairo’s historic medieval bazaar.
- Luxor East & West Banks: Stand beneath the 134 colossal columns of Karnak, explore Luxor Temple, descend into three tombs in the Valley of the Kings, and visit Hatshepsut’s Temple, the Valley of the Queens, the Ramesseum, and the Tombs of the Nobles.
- Sacred Cult Centers of Abydos & Dendera: Marvel at Egypt's best-preserved temple reliefs and astronomical ceilings at the Temple of Seti I in Abydos and the Temple of Hathor in Dendera.
- Nile Valley Sanctuaries: Travel overland to Edfu's falcon temple of Horus and Kom Ombo's unique dual temple dedicated to Sobek and Haroeris.
- Colossal Temples of Abu Simbel: Stand before the four monumental rock-cut statues of Ramesses II and the adjacent temple dedicated to Queen Nefertari on the shores of Lake Nasser.
- Aswan Island & Engineering Heritage: Tour the island Temple of Philae dedicated to Isis, the ancient Granite Quarries with the Unfinished Obelisk, and the Aswan High Dam.
Detailed 10-Day Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Cairo – Welcome to Egypt
- Arrive at Cairo International Airport (CAI). Your Ramasside Tours representative greets you inside the terminal holding a personalized sign.
- Receive full assistance through entry formalities, visa processing, and baggage claim.
- Transfer by private, climate-controlled executive vehicle to your hotel in Cairo for check-in.
- Overnight stay in Cairo.
Day 2: Giza Pyramids, Saqqara, Memphis & Dahshur
- Breakfast at your hotel. Meet your private licensed Egyptologist guide.
- Giza Plateau: Tour the Great Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure. Descend to the Valley Temple and admire the monumental Great Sphinx guarding the plateau.
- Saqqara Necropolis: Explore the Step Pyramid of Djoser, engineered by the royal architect Imhotep during the 3rd Dynasty (circa 2600 BC). Visit the funerary complex, the Imhotep Museum, and the exquisitely decorated Old Kingdom mastaba tomb of Ti.
- Ancient Capital of Memphis: Stop at the foundational capital of unified Egypt to view the colossal reclining statue of Ramesses II and the Alabaster Sphinx.
- Dahshur Royal Necropolis: Drive south into the desert to inspect the Bent Pyramid—showcasing a unique change in architectural angle—and the Red Pyramid, Egypt's first successful smooth-sided limestone pyramid.
- (Optional Evening): Sound & Light Spectacular at the Giza Pyramids.
- Overnight stay in Cairo.
Day 3: The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) & Khan El Khalili
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) Tour: Arrive at the state-of-the-art GEM complex. Explore the exterior landscaped gardens and commercial boulevard. Enter the grand atrium to marvel at the world’s first Hanging Obelisk and the 3,200-year-old towering colossus of Ramesses II.
- Ascend the Grand Staircase lined with monumental statues of Old, Middle, and New Kingdom rulers, Ptolemaic kings and queens, and architectural victory columns, taking in panoramic window vistas looking back toward the Giza Pyramids.
- Historic Khan El Khalili Bazaar: Travel to historic Cairo to wander through the medieval market lanes of Khan El Khalili, browsing traditional perfumes, brass lanterns, silver jewelry, and handcrafted spices.
- Return to your hotel. Overnight stay in Cairo.
Day 4: Flight to Luxor – East Bank Temples & Luxor Museum
- Breakfast at the hotel, checkout, and transfer to Cairo Airport for your domestic flight to Luxor.
- Arrive in Luxor and meet your dedicated local Egyptologist guide.
- Karnak Temple Complex: Enter the largest religious sanctuary of the ancient world. Walk the Avenue of Ram-Headed Sphinxes, stand in awe within the Hypostyle Hall containing 134 towering sandstone columns, and view the soaring obelisks of Queen Hatshepsut and Thutmose III alongside the Sacred Lake.
- Luxor Temple: Walk through the court of Ramesses II and admire colossal granite seated statues fronting the monumental pylons on the banks of the Nile.
- Luxor Museum: Explore a carefully curated exhibition of masterpieces excavated from Theban temples and necropolises.
- Transfer to your hotel for check-in. Overnight stay in Luxor.
Day 5: Luxor West Bank: Valley of the Kings, Queens & Nobles
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Valley of the Kings: Cross the Nile to the Theban West Bank. Descend into three richly painted royal tombs carved deep into the limestone cliffs, marveling at the preserved funerary texts and vibrant pigments. (Entry to King Tutankhamun's tomb available via optional supplement).
- Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir El Bahari: Tour the monumental three-tiered terraced sanctuary erected against sheer desert cliffs for Egypt's celebrated female pharaoh.
- Tombs of the Nobles & The Ramesseum: Explore elite private tombs illustrating ancient Egyptian daily life, followed by a visit to the mortuary temple of Ramesses II with its toppled colossal stone statues.
- Valley of the Queens & Colossi of Memnon: Visit the royal resting grounds of New Kingdom royal consorts, followed by a photo stop at the twin Colossi of Memnon representing Pharaoh Amenhotep III.
- Return to your hotel. Overnight stay in Luxor.
Day 6: Day Excursion to Abydos & Dendera
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Temple of Seti I at Abydos: Drive north (approx. 2.5 hours) to the sacred city of Osiris. Explore the limestone temple celebrated for having Egypt’s finest and most delicate relief carvings, the renowned Abydos Kings List, and the subterranean Osireion.
- Temple of Hathor at Dendera: Continue to Dendera to explore the remarkably intact temple dedicated to the goddess of love, joy, and music. Climb stone stairs to inspect roof chapels, the replica of the famous Dendera Zodiac, and vibrant astronomical ceiling frescoes cleaned to reveal their original colors.
- Return to Luxor. Overnight stay in Luxor.
Day 7: Overland to Edfu, Kom Ombo & Aswan
- Breakfast and checkout. Drive south along the fertile Nile Valley.
- Temple of Horus at Edfu: Visit Egypt’s most intact Greco-Roman temple, dedicated to the falcon god Horus. Admire its colossal entrance pylons, fortified enclosures, and reliefs depicting the mythical victory of Horus over Seth.
- Temple of Kom Ombo: Continue south to the dramatic riverside plateau overlooking the Nile. Explore the unique symmetrical dual temple dedicated equally to Sobek the crocodile god and Haroeris the falcon god. Tour the adjacent Crocodile Museum housing mummified ancient reptiles.
- Proceed to Aswan and check into your hotel. Overnight stay in Aswan.
Day 8: Excursion to Abu Simbel
- Breakfast at the hotel (or boxed breakfast for early departure).
- Temples of Abu Simbel: Travel southwest across the Nubian desert to the shores of Lake Nasser.
- Stand before the monumental Sun Temple of Ramesses II, fronted by four 65-foot seated colossi carved directly out of the sandstone mountainside.
- Tour the interior hypostyle hall and inner sanctuary, aligned so sunlight illuminates the inner deities twice a year.
- Explore the adjacent Small Temple dedicated to Queen Nefertari and the goddess Hathor.
- Drive back to Aswan. Overnight stay in Aswan.
Day 9: Aswan Highlights – Flight Back to Cairo
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Aswan High Dam: Visit the modern engineering landmark constructed in the 1960s to regulate the Nile’s annual inundation and generate hydroelectric power.
- The Unfinished Obelisk: Stand inside the ancient northern granite quarries to observe how ancient stonemasons quarried colossal monoliths directly from the bedrock.
- Philae Island Temple: Board a motorboat across the Nile to Agilkia Island to visit the sacred sanctuary of Isis, relocated block-by-block under UNESCO supervision.
- Transfer to Aswan Airport for your domestic flight to Cairo.
- Arrive in Cairo, meet your driver, and transfer to your hotel. Overnight stay in Cairo.
Day 10: Departure from Cairo
- Breakfast at your hotel.
- Meet your Ramasside Tours representative and driver for your private transfer to Cairo International Airport (CAI), with assistance through final boarding procedures.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions
- 4 nights accommodation in Cairo on a bed-and-breakfast basis
- 3 nights accommodation in Luxor on a bed-and-breakfast basis
- 2 nights accommodation in Aswan on a bed-and-breakfast basis
- Domestic flight tickets: Cairo to Luxor & Aswan to Cairo
- All private tours and overland transfers in modern, air-conditioned vehicles
- Dedicated licensed English-speaking Egyptologist guides throughout all touring days
- All entrance tickets to scheduled attractions (Giza Pyramids, Saqqara, Memphis, Dahshur, GEM limited trial area, Karnak, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, Ramesseum, Nobles, Abydos, Dendera, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Abu Simbel, High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk, and Philae Temple)
- Private motorboat transfers for Philae Island Temple
- Chilled bottled mineral water inside vehicles throughout all transfers
- All airport meet-and-assist services, road tolls, parking fees, and local taxes
Exclusions
- Entry visa to Egypt
- International airfare
- Optional excursions (Pyramids Sound & Light, King Tutankhamun tomb interior, Nefertari tomb interior)
- Meals and beverages not specified in the itinerary (Optional lunch at Ocean View restaurant available for $15 per person)
- Professional vacation photographer add-on
- Gratuities / Tipping
Accommodation Options
TierCairo HotelsLuxor HotelsAswan Hotels5-Star Standard (A)Le Méridien Pyramids / Steigenberger Pyramids / Ramses Hilton / Barceló PyramidsSteigenberger Nile Palace / Sonesta St. GeorgeTolip Aswan / Helnan Aswan HotelLuxury (B)Kempinski Nile / Fairmont Nile City / Conrad Cairo / Marriott Cairo / Sheraton CairoHilton Luxor Resort & SpaMövenpick Resort AswanUltra-LuxuryFour Seasons at Nile Plaza / Marriott Mena House / The Nile Ritz-CarltonSofitel Winter Palace LuxorSofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan
Tour Add-ons & Travel Notes
Executive Luxury Van Upgrade
Upgrade your city and overland transfers to an executive luxury van featuring extra legroom, plush reclining seats, onboard Wi-Fi, and cold beverages.
VIP Private Tour with Dr. Zahi Hawass
Request an exclusive private tour led by world-renowned archaeologist Dr. Zahi Hawass, including private after-hours access inside the Giza Plateau and between the paws of the Great Sphinx.
Footwear & Packing Recommendation
Comfortable, flat-soled, closed-toe walking shoes are strongly recommended for walking across ancient gravel paths and temple flagstones. Sun hats and sunglasses are essential throughout Upper Egypt.
Child Policy
- 0 – 1.99 years: Free of charge (excluding domestic flight seat costs)
- 2 – 5.99 years: 25% of tour price (50% if domestic flights are included)
- 6 – 11.99 years: 50% of adult tour price
- 12+ years: Full adult rate
For reservations, customized routing, and private VIP upgrades, contact us at: [email protected]
