Schedule: Daily Departures
Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights
Pickup & Drop-off: Cairo International Airport (24/7 VIP Meet & Assist)
Tour Highlights
Experience the definitive highlights of Egypt on an immersive 9-day private journey combining domestic flights, 5-star hotel accommodations, and a scenic 3-night luxury Nile River cruise between Aswan and Luxor.
- Cairo & Giza Plateau: Discover classical antiquities at the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Tahrir Square, stand before the Fourth Dynasty Great Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure, and capture panoramic photos beside the Great Sphinx and Valley Temple.
- Coastal Alexandria Day Tour: Travel northwest to explore the modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the Roman Amphitheatre, the 15th-century Citadel of Qaitbay standing on the site of the ancient Pharos Lighthouse, Abu El Abbas Mosque, and the royal grounds of Montaza Palace Gardens.
- 3-Night 5-Star Nile River Cruise: Fly south to Aswan to embark on an upscale river cruiser sailing downriver toward Luxor. Visit the High Dam, the island sanctuary of Philae, the double temple of Kom Ombo, and the Falcon Temple of Horus at Edfu.
- Theban Necropolis & Luxor Temples: Explore the underground rock-cut royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings, Queen Hatshepsut’s terraced temple at Deir el-Bahari, the Colossi of Memnon, Karnak Temple Complex, and Luxor Temple before flying back to Cairo.
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 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.
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 ancient pharaonic antiquities spanning 5,000 years, including gold treasures, royal jewelry, and dynastic masterpieces.
- 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: 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).
- Roman Amphitheatre: View Egypt's sole surviving marble Roman theatre and underwater harbor artifacts salvaged from the Mediterranean.
- Saint Mark’s Cathedral & Downtown Mansheya: Visit Africa's oldest church, stroll through Belle Époque streets, and wander through historic souks including the women's market (Zan'et El-Setat) and gold quarter.
- Abu El Abbas Mosque & Citadel of Qaitbay: Stop outside Alexandria’s most intricate mosque and view the exterior of the 15th-century sea fortress built on the footprint of the ancient Pharos Lighthouse.
- Montaza Palace Gardens: Stroll through the royal gardens of King Farouk, viewing the Salamlek and Haramlek Palaces and the coastal bridges of the Tea Palace.
- Check into your Alexandria hotel.
- Overnight in Alexandria.
Day 4: Return to Cairo – Free Afternoon (Optional Saqqara & Memphis)
- Breakfast at your hotel, followed by a comfortable private drive back to Cairo.
- Enjoy the afternoon at your leisure for shopping, relaxation, or optional touring.
- (Optional Excursion: Tour the Step Pyramid of King Djoser at Saqqara—the earliest monumental stone structure—and the colossal fallen statue of Ramesses II at the ancient capital of Memphis).
- Overnight in Cairo.
Day 5: 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 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 motorboat 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.
- Settle in on deck as the cruise begins sailing toward Kom Ombo. Savor dinner and an evening at leisure on board.
- Overnight aboard cruise in Kom Ombo.
Day 6: Double Temple of Kom Ombo & Horus Temple at Edfu
- Temple of Kom Ombo: Explore the unique symmetrical twin temple dedicated to Sobek the crocodile deity and Haroeris the falcon god, located along a scenic bend in the Nile.
- Savor breakfast on board while sailing toward 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.
- Savor dinner on board followed by an authentic Egyptian Galabeya party.
- Overnight aboard cruise in Luxor.
Day 7: West Bank – Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut & East Bank Temples
- (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.
- Karnak Temple Complex: Walk down the Avenue of Sphinxes and enter the colossal Great Hypostyle Hall, marveling at 134 towering sandstone columns.
- Luxor Temple: Discover the grand courtyards and seated granite statues of Ramesses the Great along the Nile promenade.
- Overnight aboard cruise in Luxor.
Day 8: Disembarkation – Flight to Cairo
- Breakfast on board followed by disembarkation.
- Transfer to Luxor Airport for your return domestic flight to Cairo.
- Meet your representative upon arrival and transfer to your luxury hotel for an evening at leisure.
- Overnight in Cairo.
Day 9: 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)
- 1 Night luxury hotel accommodation in Alexandria (Bed & Breakfast)
- 3 Nights aboard a 5-Star luxury Nile Cruise (Full Board: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Guided Shore Tours)
- 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
- Professional licensed English-speaking Egyptologist guides throughout all excursions
- All entrance tickets to sites listed in the itinerary (Pyramids, Egyptian Museum, Roman Amphitheatre, Montaza Gardens, High Dam, Philae Temple, Kom Ombo Temple, Edfu Temple, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple)
- 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 (Abu Simbel, sunrise hot air balloon, Saqqara & Memphis, Sound & Light Show, interior pyramid chambers)
- 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
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 accompany your group 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]
