Schedule: Daily Departures
Duration: 12 Days / 11 Nights
Pickup & Drop-off: Cairo International Airport (24/7 Meet & Assist)
Tour Highlights
Immerse yourself in Egypt’s ancient civilizational wonders on this comprehensive 12-day journey featuring domestic flights, boutique hotel accommodations, and a relaxing 7-night luxury Nile River cruise between Luxor and Aswan.
- Cairo, Giza & Dahshur: Discover the treasures of the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Tahrir Square, stand before the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, visit the Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara, explore the ancient capital of Memphis, and see the Bent and Red Pyramids at Dahshur.
- 7-Night Nile River Cruise: Board a five-star cruise ship sailing the classic Nile route. Tour the colossal Karnak and Luxor temple complexes, the rock-cut royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings, the terraced Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, and the Colossi of Memnon.
- Upper Egypt Sanctuaries: Sail south to the Greco-Roman Temple of Khnum at Esna, the falcon-headed Temple of Horus at Edfu, and the double temple of Sobek and Haroeris at Kom Ombo.
- Aswan & Nubian Nile: Marvel at the engineering feat of the Aswan High Dam, cross by felucca to the romantic island Temple of Philae, sail around Kitchener's Island, and take advantage of an optional excursion to the monumental Sun Temples of Abu Simbel.
- Optional Luxor Ballooning: Experience a sunrise hot air balloon flight drifting silently above the West Bank tombs and temples.
Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Cairo – Welcome to Egypt
Arrive at Cairo International Airport. Your Ramasside Tours tour coordinator will greet you before immigration holding a personalized name sign. Enjoy a private transfer in a modern, climate-controlled vehicle directly to your hotel in Cairo.
Overnight in Cairo.
Day 2: The Egyptian Museum & The Great Pyramids of Giza
- Museum of Egyptian Antiquities (Tahrir Square): Begin your day exploring classical galleries housing over 250,000 ancient pharaonic antiquities spanning 5,000 years, including gold treasures and masterworks of the pharaohs.
- 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 temple where purification and mummification rites were performed, then stand before the limestone colossus guarding the plateau.
- (Optional: Evening Sound and Light Show on the Giza Plateau).
- Overnight in Cairo.
Day 3: Saqqara, Memphis & Dahshur Pyramids
- 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.
- Dahshur Royal Necropolis: Continue south to explore the pioneering architectural evolution of pyramid building, featuring the transition between the unique angle of the 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.
- 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, known 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 the 1960s, taking in views of Lake Nasser.
- Philae Temple Complex: Sail by traditional wooden boat to Agilkia Island to explore the sanctuary of Isis, rescued from the 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 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 and meet your representative for private transfer to your 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 & 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
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 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 personal 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]
