Schedule: Daily Departures
Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights
Pickup & Drop-off: Cairo International Airport (24/7 VIP Meet & Assist)
Tour Highlights
Designed specifically for archaeology enthusiasts, this intensive 8-day overland and domestic flight journey covers Egypt’s most significant ancient monuments. From the architectural progression of Old Kingdom pyramid fields to the grand cult sanctuaries of Upper Egypt and Lake Nasser, explore ancient Egyptian civilization alongside certified Egyptologist guides with private climate-controlled ground transit throughout.
- Cairo, Giza & Royal Pyramid Fields: Stand before the Fourth Dynasty Great Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure on the Giza Plateau, the Great Sphinx, and the granite Valley Temple. Follow the evolution of monumental stone masonry at the Saqqara Necropolis with King Djoser's Step Pyramid, the ancient Old Kingdom capital of Memphis, and the red-limestone and bent-profile pyramids of Dahshur.
- Luxor East & West Banks: Fly south to ancient Thebes to explore the Avenue of Sphinxes, the Great Hypostyle Hall at Karnak, Luxor Temple, and the curated antiquities of Luxor Museum. On the West Bank, descend into royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings, tour the Valley of the Queens, explore the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, the painted battle reliefs of Ramesses III at Medinet Habu, and the Colossi of Memnon.
- Riverside Cult Centers (Edfu & Kom Ombo): Travel overland from Luxor to Aswan, exploring Egypt’s best-preserved Greco-Roman sandstone sanctuary—the Falcon Temple of Horus at Edfu—and the unique symmetrical double temple of Sobek and Haroeris at Kom Ombo.
- Abu Simbel & Lake Nasser Monuments: Journey south to stand before the colossal rock-cut Sun Temples of Ramesses II and Queen Nefertari at Abu Simbel, rescued from the rising waters of the Nile by UNESCO.
- Aswan Engineering & Island Sanctuaries: Explore the 20th-century Aswan High Dam overlooking Lake Nasser and travel by boat to Agilkia Island to explore the sacred island Temple of Philae dedicated to the goddess Isis.
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 passport control and immigration holding a personalized name sign. Board a modern, climate-controlled vehicle for a private transfer directly to your hotel in Cairo.
Overnight in Cairo.
Day 2: Giza Plateau, Saqqara, Memphis & Dahshur
- The Giza Plateau: Begin your archaeological journey at the Great Pyramids of Khufu (Cheops), Khafre (Chephren), and Menkaure (Mykerinos). Walk up close to the Great Sphinx and Khafre’s granite Valley Temple where mummification rites were performed.
- Saqqara Necropolis: Tour the Step Pyramid of King Djoser, designed by royal architect Imhotep during the Third Dynasty (c. 2630 BC) as the world's earliest major stone structure. Visit the complex of Imhotep and the mastaba tomb of Ti with its detailed Old Kingdom daily-life reliefs.
- Open-Air Museum of Memphis: Travel to the first unified capital of dynastic Egypt, founded around 3100 BC by King Menes, to view the colossal fallen limestone statue of Pharaoh Ramesses II.
- Dahshur Royal Necropolis: Continue south to inspect the pioneering architectural transition from stepped to smooth pyramids: the dual-angle Bent Pyramid and the first successful smooth-faced pyramid, the Red Pyramid, built for Pharaoh Sneferu.
- (Optional: Evening Sound and Light Show on the Giza Plateau).
- Overnight in Cairo.
Day 3: Flight to Luxor – East Bank Temples & Luxor Museum
- Breakfast at your hotel, followed by an early transfer to Cairo Airport for your domestic flight to Luxor.
- Karnak Temple Complex: Walk through the monumental Avenue of Sphinxes, see the unfinished propylon, marvel at the 134 massive columns of the Great Hypostyle Hall, stand before the obelisks of Queen Hatshepsut and Thutmose III, and explore the sanctuary of Amun-Ra, the Sacred Lake, and the great granite scarab of Amenhotep III.
- Luxor Temple: Discover the grand courtyards, soaring papyrus-bundle columns, and colossal seated granite statues of Ramesses the Great.
- Luxor Museum: Tour one of Egypt's finest curated regional museums, showcasing masterworks salvaged from Theban temples and royal caches. Transfer to your luxury hotel in Luxor.
- Overnight in Luxor.
Day 4: Theban Necropolis – West Bank Exploration
- 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 (visit includes entry to 3 royal tombs; King Tutankhamun's tomb requires an optional additional ticket).
- Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut (Deir el-Bahari): Admire the dramatic three-tiered colonnaded temple rising against the sheer limestone cliffs of the Theban mountain.
- Valley of the Queens: Tour the burial ground of royal wives and princes of the New Kingdom (Optional extra ticket available for Queen Nefertari's lavishly decorated tomb).
- Medinet Habu: Tour the monumental mortuary temple of Pharaoh Ramesses III, celebrated for its well-preserved, deeply carved wall reliefs documenting the naval battles against the Sea Peoples.
- The Colossi of Memnon: Pause for a 15-minute photography stop before the twin 18-meter quartzite statues of Amenhotep III standing guard over the ancient flood plain. Return to your hotel.
- Overnight in Luxor.
Day 5: Overland to Aswan – Horus Temple at Edfu & Temple of Kom Ombo
- Savor breakfast before beginning your private overland drive south to Aswan.
- Temple of Horus at Edfu: Tour Egypt’s best-preserved Greco-Roman sandstone sanctuary dedicated to the falcon god Horus, depicting the mythological victory of Horus over Seth.
- Temple of Kom Ombo: Continue to the elevated riverbank at Kom Ombo to explore the rare symmetrical double temple dedicated jointly to Sobek the crocodile deity and Haroeris (Horus the Elder). Inspect the surgical instrument reliefs and mummified crocodiles.
- Arrive in Aswan and check into your hotel.
- Overnight in Aswan.
Day 6: Excursion to the Sun Temples of Abu Simbel
- Early morning departure across the Nubian desert to Lake Nasser.
- Great Temple of Ramesses II at Abu Simbel: Stand before the colossal 20-meter seated statues of Pharaoh Ramesses II carved directly into the sandstone mountain, designed to capture sunlight deep into the inner sanctuary twice a year.
- Temple of Queen Nefertari (Small Temple): Visit the adjacent rock-cut sanctuary dedicated to Queen Nefertari and the goddess Hathor, flanked by colossal facade statues of the queen and pharaoh.
- Return across the desert to Aswan for an evening at leisure.
- Overnight in Aswan.
Day 7: Aswan Highlights – Flight to Cairo
- Aswan High Dam: Visit the monumental modern rock-fill dam completed in 1964, taking in sweeping views across the vast expanse of Lake Nasser.
- Philae Temple Complex: Travel by private motorboat to Agilkia Island to explore the sacred temple of Isis, rescued from rising Nile waters by UNESCO.
- 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 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
- 3 Nights luxury hotel accommodation in Cairo (Bed & Breakfast)
- 2 Nights luxury hotel accommodation in Luxor (Bed & Breakfast)
- 2 Nights luxury hotel accommodation in Aswan (Bed & Breakfast)
- Full-day guided tour to Giza Pyramids, Saqqara, Memphis, and Dahshur
- Full-day guided tour to Luxor East Bank (Karnak, Luxor Temple, and Luxor Museum)
- Full-day guided tour to Luxor West Bank (Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Valley of the Queens, Medinet Habu, and Colossi of Memnon)
- Guided overland tour from Luxor to Aswan visiting Edfu and Kom Ombo temples
- Dedicated excursion to the rock-cut Sun Temples of Abu Simbel
- Guided tour of Aswan High Dam and Philae Temple (including island boat transfer)
- Domestic flights within Egypt: Cairo to Luxor & Aswan 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
- 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 (King Tutankhamun tomb ticket, Queen Nefertari tomb ticket, sunrise hot air balloon, Sound & Light Show, interior pyramid chambers)
- Personal expenses, souvenirs, and beverages outside breakfast
- Gratuities / Tipping
Accommodation Options
5-Star Standard (Plan A)
- Cairo: Le Méridien Pyramids / Steigenberger Pyramids / Ramses Hilton / Barceló Cairo Pyramids / Pyramisa Suites
- Luxor: Steigenberger Nile Palace
- Aswan: Tolip Aswan Hotel / Mövenpick Resort Aswan
5-Star Luxury (Plan B)
- Cairo: Kempinski Nile Hotel / Fairmont Nile City / Conrad Cairo / Cairo Marriott Hotel / Sheraton Cairo / Hilton Golf Pyramids
- Luxor: Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa / Sonesta St. George Hotel
- Aswan: Mövenpick Resort Aswan / Helnan Aswan Hotel
Ultra-Luxury (VIP Plan)
- Cairo: Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza / Marriott Mena House / The Nile Ritz-Carlton / Hyatt Regency Cairo West
- Luxor: Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor
- Aswan: Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan
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 Abu Simbel 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 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]
