Schedule: Daily Departures
Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights
Pickup & Drop-off: Cairo International Airport (24/7 VIP Meet & Assist)
Tour Highlights
Experience Egypt’s most iconic treasures on this streamlined 9-day journey featuring domestic flights, boutique hotel stays, and a 3-night luxury Nile River cruise between Aswan and Luxor.
- Cairo & Giza Necropolis: Tour the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Tahrir Square, stand before the Fourth Dynasty Great Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure, visit Khafre’s granite Valley Temple, and capture panoramic photos before the Great Sphinx.
- Aswan & Island Sanctuaries: Fly south to Aswan to marvel at the modern engineering of the High Dam and cross the Nile by boat to explore the romantic island Temple of Philae.
- 3-Night 5-Star Nile Cruise: Sail downriver to visit the unique riverside double temple of Sobek and Haroeris at Kom Ombo, followed by Egypt’s best-preserved Greco-Roman monument, the Falcon Temple of Horus at Edfu.
- Luxor West Bank & Royal Tombs: Discover the Theban Necropolis, stepping inside the royal rock-cut tombs in the Valley of the Kings, Queen Hatshepsut’s terraced limestone sanctuary at Deir el-Bahari, and the monolithic Colossi of Memnon.
- Mediterranean Alexandria: Journey northwest along the desert highway to explore Alexandria’s modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Qaitbay Citadel (standing on the site of the ancient Pharos Lighthouse), the Abu El Abbas Mosque, and the royal gardens of Montaza Palace.
Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Cairo – Welcome to Egypt
Arrive at Cairo International Airport. Your dedicated Ramasside Tours representative will meet you before customs and passport control holding a personalized name sign. Board a modern, climate-controlled vehicle for a 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 day exploring classical galleries housing over 250,000 ancient pharaonic antiquities spanning 5,000 years, including gold treasures and royal artifacts.
- 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.
- Valley Temple of Khafre & Great Sphinx: 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
- Early morning breakfast and private transfer to Cairo Airport for your domestic flight to Aswan.
- Aswan High Dam: Visit the monumental rock-fill dam completed in the 1960s, taking in views across Lake Nasser.
- Philae Temple Complex: Travel by 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 Nile cruise ship before lunch. Savor full-board dining and evening leisure on board.
- (Note: Cruise sailing schedules and sightseeing order may be adjusted slightly based on river navigation conditions, with all included visits guaranteed).
- Overnight aboard cruise in Aswan.
Day 4: Temple of Kom Ombo – Cruise to Edfu
- Sail downriver toward Kom Ombo while enjoying afternoon tea on the sundeck.
- Temple of Kom Ombo: Explore the unique symmetrical twin temple dedicated to Sobek the crocodile deity and Haroeris the falcon god, standing along a bend in the Nile.
- Continue cruising toward Edfu. Savor dinner on board followed by an evening party on the ship.
- Overnight aboard cruise in Edfu.
Day 5: Horus Temple at Edfu – Esna Lock – Sail to Luxor
- Temple of Horus at Edfu: Tour Egypt’s best-preserved Greco-Roman sandstone sanctuary dedicated to the falcon god Horus.
- Return to the ship as you cruise through the Esna river locks toward Luxor. Savor lunch and afternoon relaxation on deck.
- Overnight aboard cruise in Luxor.
Day 6: Luxor West Bank – Flight to Cairo (Optional Hot Air Balloon)
- Disembark after breakfast.
- (Optional: Sunrise hot air balloon flight drifting peacefully over the Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, and the Nobles’ Mountain).
- 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 towering limestone cliffs of Deir el-Bahari.
- The Colossi of Memnon: Stop before the two monolithic 18-meter quartzite statues of Amenhotep III standing guard over the ancient flood plain.
- Transfer to Luxor Airport for your return domestic flight to Cairo. Private transfer to your hotel upon arrival.
- Overnight in Cairo.
Day 7: Coastal Alexandria Day Tour
- 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; internal reading hall access requires a separate entry ticket).
- Citadel of Qaitbay: Visit the 15th-century defensive sea fortress built on the exact footprint of the ancient Pharos Lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
- Abu El Abbas Mosque & Corniche: Stop outside Alexandria’s largest Andalusian-style mosque and drive along the 30 km seaside Corniche overlooking the historic Eastern Harbour.
- Saint Mark’s Cathedral & Stanley Bridge: Visit Africa's oldest church, pause for photos at the modern Stanley Bridge, and stroll through downtown streets.
- Montaza Palace Gardens: Walk through the lush royal gardens of King Farouk, viewing the Salamlek and Haramlek Palaces and the coastal Tea Palace island.
- Check into your Alexandria hotel.
- Overnight in Alexandria.
Day 8: Return to Cairo – Leisure Day (Optional Saqqara & Dahshur)
- Breakfast at your hotel, followed by a comfortable private drive back to Cairo.
- Enjoy the afternoon at your leisure in Cairo.
- (Optional Excursion: Tour the Step Pyramid of King Djoser at Saqqara, the open-air museum and Colossus of Ramesses II at Memphis, and the pioneering Bent and Red Pyramids at Dahshur).
- 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 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 & Shore Excursions)
- 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 (Egyptian Museum, Giza Plateau area, Valley Temple, High Dam, Philae Temple, Kom Ombo Temple, Edfu Temple, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Qaitbay Citadel, Montaza Gardens)
- Boat transfers 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 (sunrise hot air balloon, Saqqara & Dahshur, Sound & Light Show, interior pyramid chambers)
- Beverages and personal dining expenses outside cruise 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 your city and highway transfers to an executive luxury minivan featuring extra legroom, dual-zone climate control, chilled bottled beverages, and generous luggage capacity.
Professional Vacation Photographer
Book a dedicated vacation photographer to capture high-resolution portraits at the Pyramids, Luxor West Bank, 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]
