Schedule: Daily Departures
Duration: 13 Days / 12 Nights
Pickup & Drop-off: Cairo International Airport (24/7 VIP Meet & Assist)
Tour Highlights
Immerse yourself in Egypt’s ancient splendor on this ultra-luxury 13-day private journey. Designed for discerning travelers seeking bespoke service, legendary accommodations, and seamless travel, this tour blends five-star historic hotels, private guided explorations, and an exquisite 8-night luxury sailing experience on the River Nile aboard the boutique Sanctuary Sun Boat III.
- Historic Cairo & Giza: Stay at iconic heritage properties such as Marriott Mena House or Four Seasons Hotel Cairo. Step into the interior burial chamber of the Great Pyramid of Khufu, take a desert camel ride, attend the Pyramids Sound and Light Show, sail on a private felucca, and explore Khan el-Khalili bazaar and the Egyptian Museum.
- Luxury Nile Cruise (Sanctuary Sun Boat III): Sail between Aswan and Luxor in boutique luxury with white-glove dining, on-deck plunge pools, Egyptian culinary workshops, evening Galabeya celebrations, and live musical entertainment.
- Upper Egypt Temples & Tombs: Tour the island sanctuary of Philae, the ancient granite quarries, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Esna’s Greco-Roman Temple of Khnum, and Karnak and Luxor temples.
- West Bank & Royal Tombs: Ascend above Luxor on a sunrise hot air balloon flight, explore the Valley of the Queens and Hatshepsut’s Temple, stand before the Colossi of Memnon, and enjoy included interior access to King Tutankhamun’s Tomb (KV62).
- Abu Simbel Air Excursion: Fly south to Lake Nasser to witness the monumental rock-cut Sun Temples of Pharaoh Ramesses II and Queen Nefertari before your return flight to Cairo.
Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Cairo – Historic Welcome & Sound and Light Show
Arrive at Cairo International Airport, where your personal Ramasside Tours manager greets you before immigration with fast-track entry visa service. Enjoy a private executive transfer to your historic hotel offering panoramic views of the pyramids. In the evening, attend the world-renowned Sound and Light Show on the Giza Plateau as dramatic lights and narrations illuminate the pyramids and Sphinx.
Meals: In-flight.
Accommodation: Marriott Mena House / Four Seasons Hotel Cairo.
Day 2: Inside the Great Pyramid of Giza & Desert Camel Trek
- The Giza Plateau: Join your private Egyptologist for an in-depth tour of the Fourth Dynasty pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure.
- Inside Khufu’s Great Pyramid: Step into the royal burial chambers of the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
- Desert Camel Ride & Sphinx: Ride across the open sands for panoramic photos of all three pyramids, then stand before the Great Sphinx and Khafre's granite Valley Temple.
- Savor lunch at a selected local restaurant, followed by leisure time at your hotel and a private welcome dinner.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
- Accommodation: Marriott Mena House / Four Seasons Hotel Cairo.
Day 3: Egyptian Antiquities, Nile Felucca & Khan el-Khalili Bazaar
- Museum of Egyptian Antiquities (or Grand Egyptian Museum upon official opening): Discover royal statues, sarcophagi, and pharaonic treasures spanning 5,000 years.
- Traditional Nile Felucca Sail: Board a private wooden felucca for a scenic river sail while lunch is served on board.
- Khan el-Khalili Souk: Stroll through 14th-century merchant alleys lined with brass lamps, fine jewelry, leather goods, and spices. After dinner, return to your hotel.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
- Accommodation: Marriott Mena House / Four Seasons Hotel Cairo.
Day 4: Flight to Aswan – Embarkation on the Sanctuary Sun Boat III
- Transfer to Cairo Airport for your domestic flight to Aswan.
- Embark on the luxury boutique cruiser Sanctuary Sun Boat III, welcomed by a traditional folkloric Zaffa celebration with pipes and drums.
- Elephantine Island & Botanical Gardens: Sail by private felucca around Elephantine Island, Lord Kitchener’s Botanical Island, and the hillside Aga Khan Mausoleum.
- Afternoon tea accompanied by live traditional Oud music in the lounge, followed by the Boat Manager's cocktail reception and a gourmet à la carte dinner.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
- Overnight aboard Sanctuary Sun Boat III in Aswan.
Day 5: Philae Island Temple & The Unfinished Obelisk
- Philae Temple Complex: Travel by private motorboat to Agilkia Island to explore the sanctuary of Isis, rescued from flooding by UNESCO.
- Northern Granite Quarries: Inspect the bedrock carving of the colossal Unfinished Obelisk, revealing ancient stone-cutting techniques.
- Lunch on board as the ship navigates toward Kom Ombo. Enjoy afternoon leisure by the heated pool, fitness room, or shaded sun deck, followed by an evening gourmet dinner and onboard movie night.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
- Overnight aboard Sanctuary Sun Boat III.
Day 6: Temple of Horus at Edfu & Egyptian Gala Evening
- Temple of Horus at Edfu: Tour Egypt’s best-preserved Greco-Roman sandstone sanctuary dedicated to the falcon god Horus.
- Sail toward Esna while lunch is served on deck.
- Egyptian Culinary Masterclass: Attend an onboard cooking workshop led by executive chefs to prepare authentic local mezze and specialties.
- Egyptian Night Celebration: Don a traditional Egyptian galabeyya for a festive themed buffet dinner followed by live oriental dance and music.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
- Overnight aboard Sanctuary Sun Boat III.
Day 7: East Bank – The Majesty of Luxor Temple
- Savor a relaxed breakfast as the ship berths on Luxor's East Bank.
- Luxor Temple: Discover the grand courtyards, soaring papyrus columns, and colossal seated granite statues of Ramesses the Great.
- Enjoy afternoon tea in the lounge, followed by complimentary cocktails and an elegant multi-course dinner.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
- Overnight aboard Sanctuary Sun Boat III in Luxor.
Day 8: Sunrise Hot Air Balloon, Valley of the Kings & King Tut’s Tomb
- Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Flight: Drift silently over the desert cliffs and ancient temples of the Theban Necropolis as dawn illuminates the Nile.
- Valley of the Kings: Explore New Kingdom royal tombs cut deep into the limestone hills.
- King Tutankhamun’s Tomb (KV62): Step inside the tomb discovered intact by Howard Carter in 1922 to view the young king’s original gilded sarcophagus.
- Valley of the Queens & Hatshepsut’s Temple: Visit royal tombs in the Valley of the Queens and tour the terraced limestone sanctuary of Deir el-Bahari, pausing at the Colossi of Memnon.
- Gala Dinner & Folkloric Show: Enjoy a white-glove gala dinner accompanied by an authentic whirling dervish (Tanoura) and belly dance show.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
- Overnight aboard Sanctuary Sun Boat III in Luxor.
Day 9: Karnak Temple Complex & Temple of Khnum at Esna
- Karnak Temple Complex: Walk down the Avenue of Sphinxes and enter the colossal Hypostyle Hall, marveling at its 134 towering sandstone columns.
- Lunch on board while sailing south toward Esna.
- Temple of Khnum at Esna: Tour the Greco-Roman hypostyle hall excavated nine meters below street level, featuring celestial ceiling reliefs.
- Continue sailing toward Edfu with afternoon tea on the sun deck and dinner served on board.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
- Overnight aboard Sanctuary Sun Boat III.
Day 10: Double Temple of Kom Ombo & Egyptian Night
- Spend a relaxing morning enjoying the ship’s luxury amenities while sailing toward Kom Ombo.
- Temple of Kom Ombo: Tour the unique dual temple dedicated to Sobek the crocodile deity and Haroeris the winged falcon god.
- Afternoon tea and hands-on cooking demonstration as the ship journeys toward Aswan.
- Savor an authentic Egyptian dinner buffet and evening folkloric entertainment.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
- Overnight aboard Sanctuary Sun Boat III.
Day 11: Aswan at Leisure & Farewell Gala Dinner
- Enjoy a full day at your leisure in scenic Aswan to relax by the pool, explore the spice bazaars, or unwind on the sundeck.
- Afternoon tea served with live Oud melodies, concluding with a farewell gala dinner featuring white-glove service.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
- Overnight aboard Sanctuary Sun Boat III in Aswan.
Day 12: Fly to Abu Simbel – Sun Temples of Ramesses II – Cairo Return
- Disembark and transfer to Aswan Airport for your domestic flight to Abu Simbel.
- Temples of Ramesses II & Queen Nefertari: Stand before the colossal 20-meter sandstone statues carved into the mountain cliff on the shores of Lake Nasser.
- Board your flight back to Cairo. Meet your representative for private transfer to your luxury hotel for an evening at leisure.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
- Accommodation: Four Seasons Hotel Cairo / Marriott Mena House / Kempinski Nile.
Day 13: Final Departure from Cairo
- Breakfast at your hotel. Private VIP transfer to Cairo International Airport with departure assistance for your outbound international flight.
- Meals: Breakfast.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions
- 4 Nights luxury hotel accommodation in Cairo (Marriott Mena House / Four Seasons / Kempinski)
- 8 Nights luxury accommodation aboard the 5-star Sanctuary Sun Boat III (Full Board with all shore excursions)
- Domestic flights within Egypt: Cairo to Aswan, Aswan to Abu Simbel, and Abu Simbel to Cairo
- Fast-track meet & assist at Cairo International Airport with Egypt Entry Visa included
- Local 4G/5G mobile SIM card for your stay
- Private door-to-door transfers in modern, air-conditioned executive vehicles
- Licensed professional English-speaking Egyptologist guides throughout
- Special interior entrance ticket to the Great Pyramid of Khufu
- Special interior entrance ticket to King Tutankhamun’s Tomb (KV62)
- Sunrise hot air balloon flight in Luxor
- Panoramic Giza desert camel trek
- Traditional Nile felucca sailings in Cairo and Aswan
- Official tickets and entry fees to all mentioned archaeological monuments
- Full daily breakfast, lunches, and gourmet dinners as specified in the itinerary
- 24/7 dedicated guest concierge support
Exclusions
- International airfare
- Optional personal expenses, premium beverages, and spa treatments
- Gratuities / Tipping
Accommodation Options
Ultra-Luxury (VIP Plan)
- Cairo: Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza / Marriott Mena House / Kempinski Nile Deluxe / Fairmont Nile City / Hyatt Regency Cairo West
- Luxor: Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor
- Nile Cruise: Sanctuary Sun Boat / The Oberoi Zahra / The Oberoi Philae / Mövenpick Royal Lily / Sonesta St. George / Le Fayan / MS Acamar
Tour Add-ons & Travel Notes
Executive Luxury Van Upgrade
Upgrade your road transit to an executive Mercedes Sprinter or VIP minivan featuring leather reclining seats, dual-zone climate control, chilled bottled beverages, and generous luggage capacity.
Professional Vacation Photographer
Hire a personal vacation photographer to accompany your tour at the Pyramids, Luxor temples, or Nile cruise deck for $50 per day.
Domestic Flight Business Class Upgrade
Upgrade your domestic flights to Business Class for $50 per person per flight segment.
Private Access with Dr. Zahi Hawass
Private after-hours tours can be arranged with legendary 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 scheduling and availability).
Fast-Track Visa-on-Arrival
Our tour managers arrange your entry visa prior to landing; simply provide your passport copy at the time of booking.
Travel Insurance (AIG Travel Guard)
Comprehensive travel protection 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 fee applies)
- 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, private charters, and bespoke VIP itinerary adjustments, contact us at: [email protected]
