Schedule: Daily Departures
Duration: 12 Days / 11 Nights
Pickup & Drop-off: Cairo International Airport (24/7 VIP Meet & Assist)
Tour Highlights
Unveil the timeless marvels of Egypt on an expansive 12-day journey combining domestic air travel, 5-star hotel accommodations, and a relaxing 4-night Nile River cruise. From the monument-studded desert plateaus of Lower Egypt to the sacred riverside temples of Upper Egypt and the Mediterranean coastline, experience Egypt’s defining landmarks with licensed Egyptologist guides and private executive transfers.
- Cairo, Giza & Royal Necropolises: Discover over 250,000 pharaonic treasures at the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Tahrir Square, stand before the Fourth Dynasty Great Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, and the granite Valley Temple. Tour the world's earliest major stone monument—the Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara—and Egypt's first unified capital at Memphis.
- Middle Egypt Pilgrimage Sanctuaries: Journey north of Luxor to explore the vibrantly preserved bas-relief walls of the Temple of Seti I at Abydos and the astronomical ceiling reliefs of the Temple of Hathor at Dendera.
- Luxor East & West Banks: Walk the Avenue of Sphinxes through the colossal Karnak Temple Complex and visit Luxor Temple. Cross to the West Bank to explore the royal underground tombs in the Valley of the Kings, Queen Hatshepsut’s terraced limestone sanctuary at Deir el-Bahari, and the monumental Colossi of Memnon.
- 4-Night 5-Star Nile Cruise & Aswan: Sail downriver visiting Egypt's best-preserved Greco-Roman monument—the Falcon Temple of Horus at Edfu—alongside the riverside double sanctuary of Sobek and Haroeris at Kom Ombo, the modern Aswan High Dam, and the island Temple of Philae.
- Mediterranean Coastline (Alexandria): Journey northwest to explore Alexandria's modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Roman Amphitheatre, Citadel of Qaitbay (standing on the footprint of the ancient Pharos Lighthouse), and the lush royal gardens of Montaza Palace.
Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Cairo – Welcome to Egypt
Arrive at Cairo International Airport. Your dedicated Ramasside Tours tour coordinator will meet you before customs and immigration holding a personalized name sign. Board a modern, climate-controlled vehicle for a private transfer directly to your luxury hotel in Cairo.
Overnight in Cairo.
Day 2: The Egyptian Museum & The Great Pyramids of Giza
- Museum of Egyptian Antiquities (Tahrir Square): Begin your morning exploring classical galleries housing over 250,000 ancient pharaonic antiquities spanning 5,000 years, including gold treasures, royal jewelry, and dynastic masterpieces.
- The Giza Plateau: Stand before the Fourth Dynasty Pyramids of Khufu (Cheops), Khafre (Chephren), and Menkaure (Mykerinos). Stop at designated desert vantage points for sweeping panoramic photographs framing all three pyramids together.
- The Great Sphinx & Valley Temple: Tour the ancient pink-granite mortuary sanctuary used for royal purification and mummification rites, then walk up close to the iconic limestone colossus guarding the necropolis.
- Overnight in Cairo.
Day 3: Saqqara Step Pyramid & Ancient Memphis
- Saqqara Necropolis: Tour the 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.
- Return in comfort to your hotel.
- Overnight in Cairo.
Day 4: Flight to Luxor – East Bank Temples
- Breakfast at your hotel, followed by a private transfer to Cairo Airport for your domestic flight to Luxor.
- Arrive in ancient Thebes and begin your exploration on the East Bank.
- Luxor Temple: Tour the grand courtyards, papyrus columns, and colossal seated granite statues of Ramesses the Great.
- Karnak Temple Complex: Walk down the Avenue of Sphinxes and enter the colossal Great Hypostyle Hall, marveling at 134 sandstone columns soaring up to 21 meters high.
- Transfer to your hotel for check-in and an evening at leisure.
- Overnight in Luxor.
Day 5: Temples of Abydos & Dendera – Cruise Embarkation
- Temple of Seti I at Abydos: Drive north to the sacred ancient pilgrimage cult center of Osiris to examine some of the most vibrant, delicately preserved bas-reliefs in Egypt, alongside the historic Abydos King List.
- Temple of Hathor at Dendera: Continue to Dendera to explore the temple dedicated to the goddess of love, joy, and music, celebrated for its Roman-era Zodiac ceiling, subterranean crypts, and intact hypostyle hall.
- Nile Cruise Embarkation: Board your 5-star Nile cruise ship in Luxor before lunch. Savor lunch and dinner on board.
- Overnight aboard cruise in Luxor.
Day 6: West Bank – Valley of the Kings & Hatshepsut’s Temple
- Valley of the Kings: Cross to the West Bank to explore the underground rock-cut tombs of New Kingdom pharaohs adorned with ancient funerary frescoes.
- Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut: Admire the dramatic three-tiered colonnaded temple rising against the sheer limestone cliffs of Deir el-Bahari.
- The Colossi of Memnon: Pause before the twin 18-meter quartzite statues of Amenhotep III standing guard over the ancient flood plain.
- Return to the ship for lunch, followed by an afternoon at leisure on deck. Savor afternoon tea and dinner on board.
- Overnight aboard cruise in Luxor.
Day 7: 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 picturesque bend in the Nile.
- Afternoon tea served on deck.
- Overnight aboard cruise in Kom Ombo.
Day 8: Sailing to Aswan – High Dam & Philae Temple
- Sail into scenic Aswan.
- Aswan High Dam: Visit the monumental modern rock-fill dam completed in 1964, taking in sweeping views across Lake Nasser.
- Philae Temple Complex: Travel by private boat across the river to Agilkia Island to explore the sacred temple of Isis, rescued from rising Nile waters by UNESCO.
- Overnight aboard cruise in Aswan.
Day 9: 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 return domestic flight to Cairo.
- Meet your representative upon arrival and transfer to your luxury hotel.
- Overnight in Cairo.
Day 10: Coastal Alexandria Day Tour
- Meet your Egyptologist guide for an early morning private drive northwest along the desert highway to Alexandria.
- Bibliotheca Alexandrina: Tour the open courtyards and exterior architecture of the modern library complex housing up to 8 million books. (Note: Reading hall access requires a separate entry ticket).
- Roman Amphitheatre: View Egypt's sole surviving marble Roman theatre and underwater harbor artifacts salvaged from the Mediterranean.
- Saint Mark’s Cathedral & Downtown Mansheya: Visit Africa's oldest church, stroll through Belle Époque streets, and wander through historic 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 on the footprint of the ancient Pharos Lighthouse, followed by an afternoon stroll through the royal palms and coastal bridges of Montaza Palace Gardens.
- Check into your Alexandria hotel.
- Overnight in Alexandria.
Day 11: Return to Cairo – Free Leisure Day (Optional Citadel & Coptic Cairo)
- Breakfast at your hotel, followed by a comfortable private drive back to Cairo.
- Enjoy the day at your leisure in Cairo.
- (Optional Excursion: Tour Saladin’s Citadel, the Alabaster Mosque of Muhammad Ali, the historic churches of Old Coptic Cairo including the Hanging Church and Church of Abu Serga, and Ben Ezra Synagogue).
- Overnight in Cairo.
Day 12: Cairo – Final Departure
- Breakfast at your hotel. Private executive transfer to Cairo International Airport with departure assistance for your outbound international flight.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions
- 5 Nights luxury hotel accommodation in Cairo (Bed & Breakfast)
- 1 Night luxury hotel accommodation in Alexandria (Bed & Breakfast)
- 1 Night luxury hotel accommodation in Luxor (Bed & Breakfast)
- 4 Nights aboard a 5-Star luxury Nile Cruise (Full Board: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Guided Shore Tours)
- Domestic flights within Egypt: Cairo to Luxor & Aswan to Cairo
- Private overland air-conditioned transfers: Cairo – Alexandria – Cairo
- Full-day guided excursion to Abydos and Dendera temples
- All ground transportation in modern, climate-controlled vehicles with professional drivers
- Professional licensed English-speaking Egyptologist guides throughout all excursions
- All entrance tickets to sites listed in the itinerary
- Boat transfers in Aswan to Philae Temple
- 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, Cairo Citadel & Coptic tour, Sound & Light Show, interior pyramid chambers)
- 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
- Luxor: Steigenberger Nile Palace
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
- Luxor: Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa / Sonesta St. George Hotel
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
- Luxor: Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor
Tour Add-ons & Travel Notes
Executive Luxury Van Upgrade
Upgrade all ground travel 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 accompany your group at the Pyramids, Luxor temples, 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
For reservations, customized flight schedules, and private VIP upgrades, contact us at: [email protected]
