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 ancient Egypt on an enriching 12-day journey featuring domestic flights, boutique hotel accommodations, and a relaxing 7-night classic luxury Nile River cruise between Luxor and Aswan.
- Cairo, Giza & Royal Necropolises: Discover ancient masterpieces at the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Tahrir Square, stand before the Fourth Dynasty Great Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, and Khafre's granite Valley Temple. Tour the world's earliest major stone monument—the Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara—alongside ancient Memphis, and the pioneering Bent and Red Pyramids of Dahshur.
- 7-Night 5-Star Nile River Cruise: Settle into a tranquil voyage sailing the full classic Upper Nile route. Explore the monumental Karnak and Luxor temples, the Greco-Roman Temple of Khnum at Esna, Edfu’s Falcon Temple of Horus, and the unique double sanctuary of Sobek and Haroeris at Kom Ombo.
- Theban West Bank & Royal Tombs: Cross the river in Luxor to descend into the rock-cut burial chambers in the Valley of the Kings, Queen Hatshepsut’s terraced limestone sanctuary at Deir el-Bahari, and the monolithic Colossi of Memnon.
- Aswan & Lake Nasser Sanctuaries: Marvel at the modern engineering of the Aswan High Dam, sail by traditional felucca to the romantic island Temple of Philae, cruise around Kitchener’s Botanical Island, and enjoy an optional flight excursion to the colossal Sun Temples of Abu Simbel.
- Optional Sunrise Balloon Flight: Drift quietly in a hot air balloon over the valleys and temples of West Bank Luxor at dawn.
Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Cairo – Welcome to Egypt
Arrive at Cairo International Airport. Your dedicated Ramasside Tours representative meets you before passport control and immigration holding a personalized name sign. Enjoy a private transfer in a modern, climate-controlled vehicle 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.
- (Optional: Evening Sound and Light Show on the Giza Plateau).
- Overnight in Cairo.
Day 3: Saqqara Step Pyramid, Ancient Memphis & Dahshur
- 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.
- Dahshur Royal Necropolis: Continue south to explore the pioneering architectural evolution of pyramid construction: the unique dual-angle Bent Pyramid and the first true smooth-sided Red Pyramid, built for Pharaoh Sneferu.
- Overnight in Cairo.
Day 4: Flight to Luxor & Nile Cruise Embarkation
- Breakfast at your hotel, followed by a private transfer to Cairo International Airport for your domestic flight to Luxor.
- Upon arrival at Luxor Airport, meet your private Egyptologist guide and transfer directly to your 5-star Nile cruise ship.
- Board before lunch, savor lunch on board, and spend a relaxing afternoon at leisure on deck.
- Overnight aboard cruise in Luxor.
Day 5: East Bank – Luxor & Karnak Temples – Sail to Esna
- Luxor Temple: Tour the grand courtyards, papyrus columns, and colossal seated granite statues of Ramesses the Great.
- Karnak Temple Complex: Walk through the monumental Avenue of Sphinxes, see the unfinished propylon, marvel at the 134 sandstone columns of the Great Hypostyle Hall, stand before the obelisks of Queen Hatshepsut and Thutmose III, and view the Sacred Lake and Great Scarab of Amenhotep III.
- Return to the ship and set sail toward Esna. Savor dinner on board.
- Overnight aboard cruise in Esna.
Day 6: Temple of Esna & Horus Temple at Edfu
- Temple of Khnum at Esna: Visit the Greco-Roman temple dedicated to the ram-headed creator god Khnum, celebrated for its intricate astronomical ceiling reliefs.
- Settle back on deck as the ship sails upriver to Edfu while lunch is served.
- Temple of Horus at Edfu: Tour Egypt’s best-preserved Greco-Roman sandstone sanctuary dedicated to the falcon god Horus.
- Continue cruising toward Kom Ombo. Enjoy afternoon tea and an onboard evening disco celebration.
- Overnight aboard cruise in Kom Ombo.
Day 7: Sailing to Aswan – High Dam & Philae Temple
- Sail early morning toward 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: Sail by traditional wooden boat to Agilkia Island to explore the sanctuary of Isis, rescued from rising Nile waters by UNESCO.
- Overnight aboard cruise in Aswan.
Day 8: Aswan Leisure – Felucca Sail (Optional Abu Simbel)
- (Optional Excursion: Travel south by road or air to the colossal Sun Temples of Ramesses II and Queen Nefertari at Abu Simbel).
- Nile Felucca Sail: Sail gracefully on a traditional Nile felucca around Kitchener’s Botanical Island and view the hillside Aga Khan Mausoleum.
- Enjoy lunch, afternoon tea, and a festive evening games party on board.
- Overnight aboard cruise in Aswan.
Day 9: Double Temple of Kom Ombo – Cruise to Luxor
- Cruise north toward Kom Ombo.
- Temple of Kom Ombo: Tour the unique symmetrical double temple standing along a bend in the Nile, dedicated to Sobek the crocodile deity and Haroeris the falcon god.
- Settle into the sundeck as the ship navigates back downriver toward Luxor.
- Overnight aboard cruise in Luxor.
Day 10: West Bank – Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut & Memnon
- Valley of the Kings: Cross to the Theban Necropolis on the West Bank to explore the underground rock-cut tombs of New Kingdom pharaohs adorned with ancient funerary frescoes.
- Temple of Queen Hatshepsut (Deir el-Bahari): Admire the dramatic three-tiered colonnaded temple rising against the towering limestone cliff face.
- The Colossi of Memnon: Stop before the two monolithic 18-meter quartzite statues of Amenhotep III standing guard over the ancient flood plain.
- Afternoon tea and evening disco night on board.
- Overnight aboard cruise in Luxor.
Day 11: Disembarkation – Flight to Cairo (Optional Hot Air Balloon)
- (Optional: Early morning sunrise hot air balloon flight over the valleys and temples of Luxor's West Bank).
- Breakfast on board followed by disembarkation.
- Transfer to Luxor Airport for your return domestic flight to Cairo.
- Arrive in Cairo, meet your representative, and transfer to your luxury hotel.
- 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
- 4 Nights luxury hotel accommodation in Cairo (Bed & Breakfast)
- 7 Nights aboard a 5-Star luxury Nile Cruise (Full Board: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Guided Shore Tours)
- Domestic flights within Egypt: Cairo to Luxor & Luxor to Cairo
- 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 (Pyramids, Egyptian Museum, Saqqara, Memphis, Dahshur, Luxor, Karnak, Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple)
- Traditional felucca boat rides in Aswan
- 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, Sound & Light Show, interior pyramid chambers)
- Personal expenses, souvenirs, and beverages outside cruise 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 your city and intercity road transfers to an executive luxury van featuring extra legroom, dual-zone climate control, chilled bottled beverages, and generous luggage capacity.
Professional Vacation Photographer
Book a dedicated vacation photographer to accompany your group at the Pyramids, Saqqara, or Luxor temples for $50 per day.
Domestic Flight Business Class Upgrade
Upgrade your Cairo–Luxor round-trip 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 airline 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 bookings, customized flight times, and private VIP upgrades, contact us at: [email protected]
