Schedule: Daily Departures
Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights
Pickup & Drop-off: Cairo International Airport (CAI)
Domestic Transit: Domestic Flights Included (Cairo / Luxor & Aswan / Cairo)
Accommodation Levels: 5-Star Standard, Luxury, and Ultra-Luxury Packages
Tour Highlights
Immerse yourself in Egypt’s epic history on an intensive 8-day private archaeological expedition through Cairo and Upper Egypt. Designed for travelers who want to explore royal tombs, desert pyramids, and monumental sanctuaries at an engaging pace, this overland-and-flight journey connects the Pyramid Fields of the Old Kingdom with the temples of Thebes, the Nile Valley sanctuaries of Edfu and Kom Ombo, the island of Philae, and the colossal rock-cut cliff temples of Abu Simbel.
- Evolution of the Pyramids: Stand before the Great Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure on the Giza Plateau, the monumental Sphinx, Djoser’s Step Pyramid at Saqqara, and the Red and Bent Pyramids of Dahshur.
- Luxor East & West Banks: Walk the 134 towering sandstone columns of the Karnak Hypostyle Hall, explore Luxor Temple, descend into three painted tombs in the Valley of the Kings, and visit Hatshepsut’s Mortuary Temple, Medinet Habu, and the Valley of the Queens.
- Overland Temple Trail to Aswan: Journey along the fertile Nile corridor to visit Horus’s falcon temple at Edfu and the dual cult temple of Sobek and Haroeris at Kom Ombo.
- Colossal Abu Simbel: Stand before the four 65-foot seated rock colossi of Ramesses II and the temple of Queen Nefertari carved into the sandstone mountains overlooking Lake Nasser.
- Aswan Island & Engineering Heritage: Take a scenic motorboat ride to the relocated island Temple of Philae dedicated to Isis and view the engineering landmark of the Aswan High Dam.
- Domestic Flights & Seamless Logistics: Save travel time with included domestic flights (Cairo–Luxor and Aswan–Cairo) paired with private climate-controlled ground transfers.
Detailed 8-Day Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Cairo – Welcome to Egypt
- Arrive at Cairo International Airport (CAI). Your Ramasside Tours airport representative meets you inside the terminal holding a personalized name sign.
- Receive dedicated assistance through customs, visa stamping, and baggage retrieval.
- Transfer by private, air-conditioned vehicle to your hotel in Cairo for check-in.
- Settle in, review your upcoming travel itinerary, and enjoy a restful overnight stay in Cairo.
Day 2: Giza Pyramids, Saqqara, Memphis & Dahshur
- Breakfast at your hotel. Meet your private licensed Egyptologist guide.
- The Giza Plateau: Begin at the Great Pyramid of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure. Walk down to Khafre’s limestone Valley Temple—used anciently for royal mummification—and stand face-to-face with the Great Sphinx.
- Saqqara Necropolis: Tour the Step Pyramid of King Djoser (circa 2600 BC), designed by the architect Imhotep as Egypt’s earliest colossal stone structure. Visit the mastaba tomb of Ti and the Imhotep Museum.
- Ancient Capital of Memphis: Stop at Egypt's foundational Old Kingdom capital to admire the colossal limestone statue of Ramesses II and the Alabaster Sphinx.
- Dahshur Royal Pyramids: Travel south into the open desert to examine the distinct architectural slope of the Bent Pyramid and explore the Red Pyramid, the world’s first successful smooth-sided pyramid.
- (Optional Evening): Attend the Pyramids Sound and Light Show on the Giza Plateau.
- Overnight stay in Cairo.
Day 3: Flight to Luxor – East Bank Temples & Luxor Museum
- Breakfast and hotel checkout. Transfer to Cairo Airport for your domestic flight to Luxor.
- Arrive in Luxor; meet your local Egyptologist guide.
- Karnak Temple Complex: Tour the largest religious complex ever constructed. Stroll the Ram-Headed Sphinx Avenue, explore the 134 colossal columns of the Great Hypostyle Hall, and view the soaring obelisks of Queen Hatshepsut and Thutmose III beside the Sacred Lake.
- Luxor Temple: Walk along the Avenue of Sphinxes to explore the coastal sanctuary fronted by seated granite colossi of Ramesses II.
- Luxor Museum: Discover a carefully selected collection of Middle and New Kingdom masterpieces excavated from ancient Theban temples and royal crypts.
- Transfer to your hotel for check-in. Overnight stay in Luxor.
Day 4: Luxor West Bank: Valley of the Kings, Medinet Habu & Queens
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Valley of the Kings: Cross to the West Bank to descend into three royal underground tombs, marveling at the rich wall murals and intact astronomical ceiling art. (King Tutankhamun's tomb available via optional ticket).
- Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir El Bahari: Walk through the terraced limestone colonnades rising out of the sheer desert cliffs, honoring Egypt’s celebrated female monarch.
- Medinet Habu (Temple of Ramesses III): Explore one of the most vividly preserved mortuary temples on the West Bank, famous for deep relief carvings illustrating naval and land battles against the Sea Peoples.
- Valley of the Queens & Colossi of Memnon: Visit the resting grounds of New Kingdom royal wives and princes, followed by a photo stop at the twin Colossi of Memnon representing Amenhotep III.
- Return to your hotel. Overnight stay in Luxor.
Day 5: Edfu & Kom Ombo Temples – Transfer to Aswan
- Breakfast and checkout. Drive south along the agricultural Nile corridor toward Aswan.
- Temple of Horus at Edfu: Visit Egypt’s most intact Greco-Roman temple, admiring its massive entrance towers, enclosed courtyards, and mythic reliefs depicting Horus defeating Seth.
- Temple of Kom Ombo: Continue south to the dramatic riverside plateau overlooking the Nile. Explore the unique symmetrical dual temple dedicated equally to Sobek the crocodile god and Haroeris the falcon god. Tour the adjacent Crocodile Museum displaying mummified ancient Nile reptiles.
- Arrive in Aswan and check into your hotel. Overnight stay in Aswan.
Day 6: Day Excursion to Abu Simbel
- Early morning breakfast (or hotel breakfast box) and departure southwest across the Nubian desert.
- The Temples of Abu Simbel: Stand before the Sun Temple of Ramesses II, fronted by four 65-foot seated colossi carved directly out of the sandstone mountainside.
- Tour the grand hypostyle hall and inner sanctuary, engineered so sunlight penetrates deep inside to illuminate the statues of the deities on specific solar dates.
- Explore the adjacent Small Temple dedicated to Queen Nefertari and Hathor.
- Drive back to Aswan. Afternoon free at leisure to explore the local spice bazaars or enjoy a felucca sail around Elephantine Island.
- Overnight stay in Aswan.
Day 7: Aswan High Dam & Philae Temple – Flight to Cairo
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Aswan High Dam: Visit the modern engineering landmark completed in the 1960s, offering expansive views across Lake Nasser.
- Philae Island Temple of Isis: Board a private motorboat across the Nile to Agilkia Island to explore the sanctuary of Isis, rescued and reconstructed block-by-block under UNESCO supervision.
- Transfer to Aswan Airport for your domestic flight to Cairo.
- Arrive in Cairo, meet your driver, and transfer to your hotel. Overnight stay in Cairo.
Day 8: Final Departure from Cairo
- Breakfast at your hotel.
- Meet your Ramasside Tours representative and private driver for your transfer to Cairo International Airport (CAI), with assistance through departure check-in.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions
- 3 nights accommodation in Cairo on a bed-and-breakfast basis
- 2 nights accommodation in Luxor on a bed-and-breakfast basis
- 2 nights accommodation in Aswan on a bed-and-breakfast basis
- Domestic flight tickets: Cairo to Luxor & Aswan to Cairo
- All private tours and transfers in modern, air-conditioned vehicles
- Dedicated licensed English-speaking Egyptologist guides throughout all touring days
- All entrance tickets to scheduled attractions (Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Valley Temple, Saqqara, Memphis, Dahshur, Karnak, Luxor Temple, Luxor Museum, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Medinet Habu, Valley of the Queens, Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple, Abu Simbel, High Dam, and Philae Temple)
- Private motorboat transfers for Philae Island Temple
- Chilled bottled mineral water provided inside vehicles throughout all travel days
- All airport meet-and-assist services, road tolls, parking fees, and local taxes
Exclusions
- Entry visa to Egypt
- International airfare
- Optional excursions (Pyramids Sound & Light Show, King Tutankhamun's tomb interior, Nefertari's tomb interior)
- Meals and beverages not specified in the itinerary (Optional lunch at Ocean View restaurant available for $15 per person)
- Professional vacation photographer add-on
- Gratuities / Tipping
Accommodation Options
TierCairo HotelsLuxor HotelsAswan Hotels5-Star Standard (A)Le Méridien Pyramids / Steigenberger Pyramids / Ramses Hilton / Barceló PyramidsSteigenberger Nile Palace / Sonesta St. GeorgeTolip Aswan / Helnan Aswan HotelLuxury (B)Kempinski Nile / Fairmont Nile City / Conrad Cairo / Marriott Cairo / Sheraton CairoHilton Luxor Resort & SpaMövenpick Resort AswanUltra-LuxuryFour Seasons at Nile Plaza / Marriott Mena House / The Nile Ritz-CarltonSofitel Winter Palace LuxorSofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan
Tour Add-ons & Travel Notes
Executive Luxury Van Upgrade
Upgrade your city and overland transfers to an executive luxury van featuring extra legroom, plush reclining seats, onboard Wi-Fi, and cold beverages.
VIP Private Tour with Dr. Zahi Hawass
Request an exclusive private tour led by world-renowned archaeologist Dr. Zahi Hawass, including private after-hours access inside the Giza Plateau and between the paws of the Great Sphinx away from all crowds.
Luggage & Footwear Advice
Pack comfortable, flat-soled, closed-toe walking shoes for dirt tracks across archaeological sites in Saqqara, Luxor, and Aswan. Sun hats and sunglasses are essential throughout Upper Egypt.
Child Policy
- 0 – 1.99 years: Free of charge (excluding domestic flight seat costs)
- 2 – 5.99 years: 25% of tour price (50% if domestic flights are included)
- 6 – 11.99 years: 50% of adult tour price
- 12+ years: Full adult rate
For reservations, customized routing, and private VIP upgrades, contact us at: [email protected]
