Schedule: Daily Departures
Duration: 11 Days / 10 Nights
Pickup & Drop-off: Cairo International Airport (24/7 VIP Meet & Assist)
Tour Highlights
Embark on an enriching 11-day pharaonic adventure designed to reveal Egypt’s timeless civilizational achievements. Featuring domestic flights, luxury hotel stays, and a full-board 4-night Nile River cruise between Luxor and Aswan, this journey balances monument-filled desert plateaus with sacred temples and Mediterranean coastal treasures.
- Cairo, Giza & Grand Egyptian Museum: Experience the Grand Egyptian Museum with access to the Grand Hall, the Hanging Obelisk, the colossal statue of Ramesses II, the Grand Staircase, and commercial zones. Tour the Fourth Dynasty Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, and the ancient necropolises of Saqqara and Memphis.
- Ancient Dynastic Centers: Explore Memphis and its vast necropolis, tracing early royal pyramid construction and administrative life from the Step Pyramid of King Djoser to the open-air colossi at Memphis.
- Luxor East & West Banks: Fly south to ancient Thebes to tour the curated Luxor Museum, the monumental hypostyle halls of Karnak, and Luxor Temple. Cross to the West Bank to visit Queen Hatshepsut's terraced mortuary temple, the Colossi of Memnon, and enjoy included interior access to King Tutankhamun’s Tomb (KV62).
- 4-Night 5-Star Nile Cruise & Nubia: Sail between Luxor and Aswan, visiting the Falcon Temple of Horus at Edfu, the double temple of Kom Ombo, the island sanctuary of Philae, and travel by motorboat to an authentic West Bank Nubian village.
- Alexandria Coastal Excursion & Old Cairo Food Trail: Discover Mediterranean Alexandria's modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Roman Amphitheatre, Citadel of Qaitbay, and Montaza Palace Gardens. Return to Cairo to savor an authentic culinary walking tour through historic El Moez Street.
Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Cairo – Welcome to Egypt
Arrive at Cairo International Airport. Your dedicated Ramasside Tours tour coordinator meets you before passport control and immigration holding a personalized name sign. Board a modern, climate-controlled vehicle for a smooth private transfer to your hotel in Cairo.
Overnight in Cairo.
Day 2: Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) Experience, Giza Pyramids & Camel Trek
- Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) Guided Experience: Arrive early at the landmark museum complex. Walk through the exterior landscaped gardens and explore the grand commercial avenue. Step into the Grand Hall to admire the soaring Hanging Obelisk, the colossal 11-meter granite statue of Ramesses II, the 10 statues of Senusret I, the victory column of Merneptah, and ascend the Grand Staircase framed by pharaonic statues.
- The Giza Plateau: Stand before the Fourth Dynasty Pyramids of Khufu (Cheops), Khafre (Chephren), and Menkaure (Mykerinos). Walk up close to the iconic limestone Great Sphinx and Khafre's pink-granite Valley Temple.
- Desert Camel Ride: Enjoy an included camel trek across the desert ridge, capturing sweeping panoramic views of the pyramids and Sphinx.
- (Optional: Evening Sound and Light Show on the Giza Plateau).
- Overnight in Cairo.
Day 3: Saqqara Step Pyramid & Ancient Memphis
- Saqqara Necropolis: Tour the revolutionary Step Pyramid of King Djoser—the earliest monumental stone structure in human history—designed by the royal architect Imhotep during the Third Dynasty (c. 2630 BC).
- Open-Air Museum of Memphis: Travel to Egypt’s first unified capital (founded c. 3100 BC by King Menes) to inspect the colossal fallen limestone statue of Pharaoh Ramesses II.
- (Optional: 2-hour evening dinner cruise along the Nile featuring live oriental folkloric music and Tanoura dance performances).
- Overnight in Cairo.
Day 4: Flight to Luxor – Luxor Museum & East Bank Temples – Embarkation
- Breakfast at your hotel, followed by a private transfer to Cairo Airport for your domestic flight to Luxor.
- Luxor Museum: Tour one of Egypt's finest curated regional museums, showcasing masterworks salvaged from Theban temples and royal tombs.
- East Bank Temples: Explore the monumental Karnak Temple Complex—walking down the Avenue of Sphinxes and through the colossal 134-column Hypostyle Hall—followed by the majestic courtyards and seated colossi of Luxor Temple.
- Nile Cruise Embarkation: Board your 5-star Nile cruise ship before lunch. Savor full-board dining on board.
- Overnight aboard cruise in Luxor.
Day 5: West Bank, King Tutankhamun’s Tomb & Valley of the Queens
- Valley of the Kings: Cross to the West Bank to explore the royal underground tombs of New Kingdom pharaohs.
- King Tutankhamun’s Tomb (KV62): Step directly inside the legendary burial chamber discovered intact by Howard Carter in November 1922 to view the young king’s original gilded sarcophagus.
- Valley of the Queens: Tour the royal necropolis of queens and princes (Optional extra ticket available for Queen Nefertari's lavishly decorated tomb).
- Hatshepsut Temple & Colossi of Memnon: Admire the terraced limestone sanctuary of Deir el-Bahari and pause before the twin 18-meter quartzite seated statues of Amenhotep III.
- Settle in on deck as the cruise begins sailing south.
- Overnight aboard cruise in Luxor.
Day 6: Horus Temple at Edfu & Dual Temple of Kom Ombo
- Temple of Horus at Edfu: Tour Egypt’s best-preserved Greco-Roman sandstone sanctuary dedicated to the falcon god Horus.
- Sail toward Kom Ombo while enjoying lunch on the sundeck.
- Temple of Kom Ombo: Explore the unique symmetrical twin temple dedicated to Sobek the crocodile deity and Haroeris the falcon god, located along a bend in the Nile.
- Overnight aboard cruise in Kom Ombo.
Day 7: Sailing to Aswan – Philae Temple & Nubian Village Expedition
- Sail into scenic Aswan.
- Philae Island Temple: Take a motorboat to Agilkia Island to explore the sanctuary of Isis, saved from the rising Nile waters by UNESCO.
- West Bank Nubian Village: Travel by motorboat past Elephantine and Soheil Islands to an authentic Nubian village. Meet a local family, learn about Nubian customs, vernacular architecture, and historic traditions.
- Overnight aboard cruise in Aswan.
Day 8: Disembarkation – Flight to Cairo (Optional Abu Simbel)
- Disembark after breakfast.
- (Optional Excursion: Fly or drive to Lake Nasser to explore the monumental rock-cut Sun Temples of Ramesses II and Queen Nefertari at Abu Simbel).
- Transfer to Aswan Airport for your domestic flight to Cairo.
- Meet your representative upon arrival and transfer to your luxury hotel.
- Overnight in Cairo.
Day 9: Full-Day Coastal Alexandria Excursion
- Embark on a private morning drive northwest along the desert highway to Alexandria.
- Bibliotheca Alexandrina: Tour the open courtyards and exterior of the modern architectural complex housing up to 8 million books. (Note: Entry to the reading area requires a separate ticket).
- Roman Amphitheatre: Inspect the marble seating tiers and salvaged underwater Greco-Roman harbor monuments.
- Saint Mark’s Cathedral & Downtown Mansheya: Visit Africa's oldest church, stroll through Belle Époque streets, and explore traditional souks including the women's market (Zan'et El-Setat) and gold quarter.
- Citadel of Qaitbay & Montaza Gardens: Stop outside the 15th-century sea fortress built upon the ruins of the ancient Pharos Lighthouse, followed by an afternoon stroll through the royal palms and bridges of Montaza Palace Gardens.
- Savor an authentic seafood lunch or traditional fare at Mohamed Ahmed’s before checking into your Alexandria hotel.
- Overnight in Alexandria.
Day 10: Return to Cairo – Secrets of Old Cairo & Food Tasting Trail
- Breakfast at your hotel, followed by a comfortable private drive back to Cairo.
- Authentic Culinary Tour: Taste the true culinary flavors of Egypt, sampling traditional street food staples and sweet delicacies away from tourist routes.
- Historic Islamic Cairo & El Moez Street: Walk through medieval city gates and down the pedestrian thoroughfare of El Moez Street, exploring hidden alleys, centuries-old madrasas, and authentic artisan bazaars.
- Overnight in Cairo.
Day 11: Cairo – Final Departure
- Breakfast at your hotel. Private executive transfer to Cairo International Airport with departure assistance for your outbound flight.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions
- 5 Nights luxury hotel accommodation in Cairo (Bed & Breakfast)
- 1 Night luxury hotel accommodation in Alexandria (Bed & Breakfast)
- 4 Nights aboard a 5-Star luxury Nile Cruise (Full Board: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Shore Tours)
- Domestic flights within Egypt: Cairo to Luxor & Aswan to Cairo
- Private overland air-conditioned transfers: Cairo – Alexandria – Cairo
- All ground transportation in modern, climate-controlled vehicles with professional drivers
- Professional licensed English-speaking Egyptologist guides throughout all excursions
- Special interior entrance ticket to King Tutankhamun’s Tomb (KV62)
- Guided experience tour of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)
- Giza Plateau panoramic camel ride
- Private motorboat excursions in Aswan (Philae Temple & Nubian Village)
- All entrance tickets to sites listed in the itinerary
- All service charges, road tolls, and municipal taxes
Exclusions
- Entry Visa to Egypt (Fast-track assistance available on arrival upon request)
- International airfare
- Optional excursions (Abu Simbel, sunrise hot air balloon, Nile dinner cruise, Nefertari tomb ticket)
- Beverages and personal dining expenses outside cruise full-board meals
- Gratuities / Tipping
Accommodation Options
5-Star Standard (Plan A)
- Cairo: Le Méridien Pyramids / Steigenberger Pyramids / Ramses Hilton / Barceló Cairo Pyramids / Pyramisa Suites
- Nile Cruise: MS Emilio / MS Radamis / MS Princess Sara
5-Star Luxury (Plan B)
- Cairo: Kempinski Nile Hotel / Fairmont Nile City / Conrad Cairo / Cairo Marriott Hotel / Sheraton Cairo / Hilton Golf Pyramids
- Nile Cruise: MS Amwaj Living Stone / MS Nile Premium / MS Blue Shadow / MS Jaz Jubilee / Steigenberger Minerva
Ultra-Luxury (VIP Plan)
- Cairo: Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza / Marriott Mena House / The Nile Ritz-Carlton / Hyatt Regency Cairo West
- Nile Cruise: Sanctuary Sun Boat / The Oberoi Zahra / The Oberoi Philae / Sonesta St. George / Mövenpick Royal Lily / MS Farah
Tour Add-ons & Travel Notes
Executive Luxury Van Upgrade
Upgrade your ground transfers to a luxury Mercedes Sprinter or executive minivan featuring extra legroom, dual-zone climate control, onboard Wi-Fi, and cold bottled beverages.
Professional Vacation Photographer
Book a dedicated vacation photographer to capture high-resolution portraits at the Pyramids, Karnak Temple, or Alexandria for $50 per day.
Domestic Flight Business Class Upgrade
Upgrade your Cairo–Luxor and Aswan–Cairo domestic flights to Business Class for $50 per person per flight segment.
Private Access with Dr. Zahi Hawass
Exclusive private tours can be arranged with world-renowned archaeologist Dr. Zahi Hawass, offering private walk-throughs between the paws of the Great Sphinx and after-hours access inside the Great Pyramids (inquire for rates and scheduling).
Fast-Track Visa-on-Arrival
Save time at Cairo Airport with pre-arranged entry visas for eligible passport holders (including valid US, UK, or Schengen visa holders) for $35 per person.
Travel Insurance (AIG Travel Guard)
Comprehensive travel insurance through AIG Travel Guard is available for $25 per person for one week or $50 per person for two weeks.
Child Policy
- 0 – 1.99 years: Free of charge (Domestic flight infant charges apply)
- 2 – 5.99 years: 25% of tour rate (50% if domestic flights are included)
- 6 – 11.99 years: 50% of adult tour rate
- 12+ years: Full adult rate
