Schedule: Daily Departures
Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights
Pickup & Drop-off: Cairo International Airport (24/7 VIP Meet & Assist)
Tour Highlights
Immerse yourself in Egypt’s millennia-spanning history, iconic river landscapes, and Mediterranean elegance on an intensive 8-day journey connecting Cairo, Upper Egypt, and Alexandria via domestic flights and private executive transfers. Guided throughout by certified English-speaking Egyptologists, this itinerary pairs luxury hotel accommodations with a full-board 5-star Nile River cruise.
- Cairo & Giza Plateau: Stand before the Fourth Dynasty Great Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure, examine the limestone Great Sphinx and Khafre's granite Valley Temple, and tour the classical Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Tahrir Square housing over 250,000 ancient pharaonic antiquities.
- 3-Night 5-Star Nile River Cruise: Fly south to Aswan to embark on an upscale river cruiser sailing downriver toward Luxor. Explore the monumental Aswan High Dam, the romantic island sanctuary of Philae, the symmetrical double temple of Sobek and Haroeris at Kom Ombo, and the Falcon Temple of Horus at Edfu.
- Theban Necropolis & Luxor: Descend into the painted underground royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings, admire Queen Hatshepsut’s terraced limestone sanctuary at Deir el-Bahari, and stand before the monumental Colossi of Memnon, with optional visits to Karnak and Luxor temples.
- Mediterranean Alexandria Day Tour: Venture northwest along the desert highway to explore Alexandria’s modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the 15th-century Citadel of Qaitbay standing on the site of the ancient Pharos Lighthouse, Abu El Abbas Mosque, and the royal palace grounds of Montaza Gardens.
Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Cairo – Welcome to Egypt
Arrive at Cairo International Airport. Your dedicated Ramasside Tours tour coordinator meets you before immigration and customs holding a personalized name sign. Board a modern, climate-controlled executive vehicle for a smooth private transfer directly to your luxury hotel in Cairo. Settle in and enjoy an evening at leisure.
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 authentic pharaonic antiquities spanning 5,000 years, including gold treasures, royal jewelry, and dynastic masterpieces from King Tutankhamun's tomb.
- 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: Flight to Aswan – High Dam, Philae Temple & Cruise Embarkation
- Breakfast at your hotel, followed by an early transfer to Cairo Airport for your domestic flight south to 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.
- Nile Cruise Embarkation: Board your 5-star luxury cruise ship and enjoy lunch on board.
- (Note: River navigation conditions and lock schedules may occasionally adjust sailing timetables, while ensuring all included monument visits are maintained).
- Overnight aboard cruise in Aswan.
Day 4: Double Temple of Kom Ombo & Sail to Edfu
- Savor breakfast on board while cruising downriver toward Kom Ombo.
- Temple of Kom Ombo: Explore the unique symmetrical twin temple dedicated to Sobek the crocodile deity and Haroeris the winged falcon god, located along a scenic bend in the Nile.
- Savor afternoon tea on the sundeck as the ship navigates toward Edfu.
- Savor dinner on board followed by an authentic Egyptian Galabeya celebration.
- Overnight aboard cruise.
Day 5: Horus Temple at Edfu & Sail to Luxor
- Savor breakfast on board before visiting the landmark sanctuary of Edfu.
- Temple of Horus at Edfu: Tour Egypt’s best-preserved Greco-Roman sandstone sanctuary dedicated to the falcon god Horus.
- Sail through the Esna river lock toward Luxor while enjoying lunch and afternoon tea on the sundeck.
- (Optional: East Bank Temples Tour visiting Karnak Temple Complex—the largest religious sanctuary in history—and Luxor Temple with its grand courtyards and seated granite statues of Ramesses the Great).
- Dinner and evening entertainment on board.
- Overnight aboard cruise in Luxor.
Day 6: West Bank Exploration – Flight to Cairo
- Breakfast on board followed by disembarkation.
- (Optional: Early morning sunrise hot air balloon flight drifting peacefully over the valleys and temples of Luxor's West Bank).
- 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.
- Transfer to Luxor Airport for your domestic flight to Cairo. Meet your representative upon arrival and transfer to your luxury hotel.
- Overnight in Cairo.
Day 7: Full-Day Coastal Alexandria Excursion
- 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: Closed on Fridays and public holidays; reading hall access requires a separate entry ticket).
- Citadel of Qaitbay: Stop outside the 15th-century sea fortress built on the exact footprint of the ancient Pharos Lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
- Montaza Palace Gardens: Stroll through the royal grounds of King Farouk, viewing the Salamlek and Haramlek Palaces and the coastal bridges of the Tea Palace.
- Abu El Abbas Mosque & Historic Downtown: Visit Alexandria’s most intricate grand mosque, see the Unknown Soldier Memorial, and view the statue of Alexander the Great.
- Corniche Drive & Stanley Bridge: Drive along the scenic 30-kilometer Corniche past Stanley Bridge, Saint Mark's Cathedral (the oldest church in Africa), and the ancient eastern harbor where over 7,000 submerged monuments were discovered, with an optional lunch stop at a seaside restaurant.
- Return in comfort by private air-conditioned vehicle to Cairo.
- Overnight in Cairo.
Day 8: 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)
- 3 Nights aboard a 5-Star luxury Nile Cruise (Full Board: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Guided Shore Tours)
- Full-day guided tour in Cairo visiting the Egyptian Museum, Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, and Valley Temple
- Full-day guided excursion to coastal Alexandria
- Domestic flights within Egypt: Cairo to Aswan & Luxor to Cairo
- Private overland air-conditioned transfers: Cairo – Alexandria – Cairo
- All ground transportation in modern, climate-controlled vehicles with professional drivers
- Meet-and-assist services across all airports and destinations
- 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 (East Bank Luxor temples, sunrise hot air balloon, Sound & Light Show, interior pyramid burial chambers)
- Personal expenses, souvenirs, and beverages 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
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 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 capture high-resolution portraits at the Pyramids, Luxor temples, or Alexandria for $50 per day.
Domestic Flight Business Class Upgrade
Upgrade your Cairo–Aswan and Luxor–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 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 reservations, customized flight schedules, and private VIP upgrades, contact us at: [email protected]
