Schedule: Daily Departures
Duration: 15 Days / 14 Nights
Pickup & Drop-off: Cairo International Airport (24/7 VIP Meet & Assist)
Tour Highlights
Unveil the definitive pharaonic experience on this comprehensive 15-day all-inclusive expedition. Tracing thousands of years of dynastic history across Lower Egypt, Upper Egypt, and the Mediterranean coastline, this grand itinerary blends top-tier hotel accommodations, domestic flights, private ground transit, and an enriching 4-night 5-star Nile River cruise.
- Cairo, Giza & Royal Necropolises: Discover over 50,000 antiquities at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) with access to the climate-controlled Royal Mummies Hall, stand before the Fourth Dynasty Great Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure, take a desert camel ride, and explore Djoser's Step Pyramid at Saqqara alongside the ancient capital of Memphis.
- Middle Egypt Pilgrimage Sites: Venture 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.
- Theban Splendor & King Tutankhamun: Tour the curated Luxor Museum, the monumental hypostyle halls of Karnak, and Luxor Temple. Cross to the West Bank to visit the Valley of the Queens, 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 Edfu’s Falcon Temple of Horus, the double temple of Kom Ombo, the island sanctuary of Philae, and travel by motorboat to an authentic West Bank Nubian village.
- Alexandria, Rosetta & Secret Cairo: Discover Alexandria’s Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Roman Amphitheatre, Citadel of Qaitbay, and Montaza Palace Gardens. Cruise the Nile estuary in historic Rosetta where the Rosetta Stone was discovered, and finish with an authentic culinary walking tour through medieval El Moez Street in Old Cairo.
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 customs holding a personalized name sign. Board a modern, climate-controlled executive vehicle for a private transfer directly to your luxury hotel in Cairo.
Overnight in Cairo.
Day 2: NMEC Royal Mummies Hall, Giza Pyramids & Camel Trek
- National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC): Begin your day exploring comprehensive galleries tracing Egyptian civilization from prehistoric origins to modern times. Walk through the specialized Royal Mummies Hall to view the remarkably preserved remains of Pharaohs Hatshepsut, Thutmose III, and Ramesses II in advanced climate-controlled chambers.
- The Giza Plateau: Stand before the sole surviving Wonder of the Ancient World: the Great Pyramids of Khufu (Cheops), Khafre (Chephren), and Menkaure (Mykerinos). Walk up close to the Great Sphinx and Khafre’s granite Valley Temple.
- Desert Camel Ride: Enjoy an included camel ride across the desert ridge, capturing sweeping panoramic photos framing all three pyramids against the desert sands.
- (Optional: Evening Sound and Light Show on the Giza Plateau).
- Overnight in Cairo.
Day 3: Step Pyramid of Djoser & 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 – East Bank Arrival
- Breakfast at your hotel, followed by a private transfer to Cairo Airport for your domestic flight to Luxor.
- Arrive in ancient Thebes, meet your private Egyptologist guide, and transfer to your hotel for check-in and an evening at leisure.
- Overnight in Luxor.
Day 5: Sacred Temples of Abydos & Dendera
- 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.
- Transfer back to your luxury hotel in Luxor.
- Overnight in Luxor.
Day 6: Luxor Museum, Karnak & Luxor Temples – Embarkation
- Luxor Museum: Tour one of Egypt's finest curated regional museums, showcasing masterworks salvaged from Theban temples and royal tombs.
- Karnak Temple Complex: Walk down the Avenue of Sphinxes and enter the colossal Great Hypostyle Hall, marveling at 134 massive sandstone columns.
- Luxor Temple: Discover the grand courtyards and colossal seated granite statues of Ramesses the Great.
- Nile Cruise Embarkation: Board your 5-star Nile cruise ship before lunch. Savor full-board dining on board.
- Overnight aboard cruise in Luxor.
Day 7: 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 back on deck as the cruise sets sail south toward Edfu.
- Overnight aboard cruise in Luxor.
Day 8: 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 9: 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 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 10: 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 11: 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 architecture of the modern library complex housing up to 8 million books. (Note: Reading hall requires an entry 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.
- 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.
- Overnight in Alexandria.
Day 12: Historic Rosetta (Rashid) & Nile Estuary – Return to Cairo
- Drive 60 km east to the historic port town of Rosetta (Rashid).
- Board a motorboat along the Nile estuary to see where the river flows into the Mediterranean Sea.
- Tour the historic fort where the Rosetta Stone was discovered in 1799, alongside preserved Ottoman-era brick merchant residences.
- Return in comfort by private air-conditioned vehicle to Cairo.
- Overnight in Cairo.
Day 13: Secrets of Old Cairo & Authentic Culinary Trail
- Taste the true culinary flavors of Egypt, sampling traditional street food staples and sweet delicacies away from commercial tourist spots.
- Walk along El Moez Street in historic Islamic Cairo, discovering medieval gates, madrasas, hidden galleries, and local taverns with your private guide.
- Overnight in Cairo.
Day 14: Free Leisure Day in Cairo
- Enjoy a full day at your leisure in Cairo for relaxation, personal shopping at Khan el-Khalili, or optional spa and dining experiences.
- Overnight in Cairo.
Day 15: Final Departure from Cairo
- Breakfast at your hotel. Private executive transfer to Cairo International Airport with departure assistance for your outbound international flight.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions
- 7 Nights luxury hotel accommodation in Cairo (Bed & Breakfast)
- 1 Night luxury hotel accommodation in Alexandria (Bed & Breakfast)
- 2 Nights luxury hotel accommodation in Luxor (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 – Rosetta – 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)
- Giza Plateau panoramic camel ride
- Private motorboat excursions in Aswan (Philae Temple & Nubian Village) and Rosetta
- 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, Queen 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
- 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]
