Schedule: Daily Departures (Synchronized with Red Sea Cruise Ship Arrivals)
Duration: Approximately 12 to 14 Hours
Pickup Time: 07:00 AM (Adjusted to your vessel's docking schedule)
Pickup & Drop-off: Safaga Port Passenger Terminal Gate (Direct Shipside Meet-and-Assist)
Tour Type: Private Chauffeured or Small-Group Egyptologist-Guided Shore Excursion
Tour Highlights
Journey inland from the Red Sea coast across the Eastern Desert mountain passes to ancient Thebes—modern-day Luxor, the world's greatest open-air museum. Specially coordinated for cruise ship passengers docking at Safaga Port, this full-day excursion provides direct, seamless transit to the monumental sanctuaries of the East and West Banks of the Nile.
- Guaranteed Punctual Cruise Ship Return: Every excursion is operated with dedicated buffer times to guarantee you return directly to the Safaga Port passenger terminal well before your vessel's scheduled all-aboard departure call.
- Direct Shipside Meet-and-Assist: Skip shared coach queues and long shuttle lines; your private guide and chauffeur meet you right outside the cruise passenger terminal exit gate holding a personalized name sign.
- Karnak Temple Complex: Walk along the ram-headed Avenue of Sphinxes and stand beneath the 134 towering sandstone columns of the Great Hypostyle Hall—the largest religious sanctuary built in the ancient world.
- Valley of the Kings: Cross the Nile to the West Bank to descend into three royal tombs carved deep into the limestone cliffs, viewing vibrant funerary wall reliefs painted over 3,000 years ago.
- Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut: Admire the three-tiered terraced colonnades rising against the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari, dedicated to Egypt’s prominent female pharaoh.
- The Colossi of Memnon: Stop before the two massive 18-meter quartzite sandstone statues of Amenhotep III standing along the Nile floodplain.
- Sit-Down Egyptian Lunch Included: Enjoy a traditional meal at a quality local restaurant along the Nile during your tour.
Detailed Shore Excursion Itinerary
07:00 AM: Safaga Port Terminal Greeting & Eastern Desert Transit
- Your Ramasside Tours licensed Egyptologist guide and professional driver greet you directly outside the Safaga Port passenger terminal exit gate holding a sign with your name.
- Board your modern, air-conditioned executive vehicle for a scenic 3 to 3.5-hour journey across the Red Sea mountain range toward the Nile Valley.
- En route, your guide provides historical background on ancient Thebes, the New Kingdom dynasties, and the day's itinerary.
Stop 1: Karnak Temple Complex (East Bank)
- Arrive in Luxor and begin at the monumental Karnak Temple Complex, built across successive dynasties from the Middle Kingdom through the Ptolemaic period.
- Walk through the monumental first pylon into the Great Court.
- Stand inside the Great Hypostyle Hall, marveling at the forest of 134 colossal sandstone papyrus columns.
- View the surviving obelisks of Queen Hatshepsut and Thutmose I, the granite sanctuary of the sacred barque, and the Sacred Lake.
Lunch: Traditional Egyptian Restaurant
- Enjoy a sit-down lunch featuring fresh local dishes, Egyptian salads, grilled meats, and flatbreads at a selected restaurant overlooking the Nile.
Stop 2: The Colossi of Memnon (West Bank)
- Cross the Nile to the West Bank and pause before the Colossi of Memnon—two towering 18-meter stone statues of Amenhotep III that once stood guard before his now-vanished mortuary temple.
Stop 3: Valley of the Kings
- Continue into the barren hills of the West Bank necropolis to the Valley of the Kings.
- Descend into three selected rock-cut royal tombs to inspect intact painted wall reliefs, astronomical ceilings, and funerary texts from the Book of Gates and Amduat.
- (Optional entry into King Tutankhamun's tomb available on-site).
Stop 4: Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut (Deir el-Bahari)
- Complete your West Bank exploration at the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut.
- Walk the rising terraces and colonnades set against the sheer limestone cliffs of the Theban mountain range.
- View the preserved painted reliefs depicting the divine birth of the queen and her famous maritime trading expedition to the Land of Punt.
Late Afternoon: Return Transit to Safaga Port
- Reboard your private vehicle for the comfortable journey back through the mountain pass to the Red Sea coast.
- Arrive directly at the Safaga Port passenger terminal gates safely ahead of your cruise vessel's scheduled departure time.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions
- Round-trip transportation from Safaga Port terminal gates in a modern, air-conditioned vehicle
- Professional licensed English-speaking Egyptologist guide throughout the day
- All entrance tickets to scheduled attractions (Karnak Temple, Valley of the Kings [3 standard tombs], Temple of Hatshepsut, and Colossi of Memnon)
- Sit-down lunch at a quality local restaurant in Luxor
- Chilled bottled mineral water inside the vehicle throughout the journey
- Port security clearance permits, highway tolls, parking fees, service charges, and taxes
- Guaranteed on-time ship return policy
Exclusions
- Entry visa to Egypt (Complimentary transit visa stamps are typically provided onboard for cruise passengers)
- Special interior tickets (inside the Tomb of King Tutankhamun or Seti I in the Valley of the Kings)
- Professional vacation photographer add-on
- Personal expenses, souvenirs, and discretionary tipping
Tour Pricing & Upgrade Options
Small Group & VIP Options
- Shared Small Group Tour: Recommended for an interactive, high-value experience with personalized attention.
- Large Group Tour (up to 50 persons): Available for cruise group organizers starting at $140 per person.
- Private VIP Tour: Available upon request with customizable pickup hours, private transport, and dedicated guiding.
Tour Add-ons & Shore Excursion Notes
Executive Luxury Van Upgrade
Upgrade your Eastern Desert transit between Safaga and Luxor to an executive luxury van featuring extra legroom, plush reclining leather captain chairs, dual-zone climate control, onboard Wi-Fi, and cold refreshments.
Professional Vacation Photographer
Hire a dedicated vacation photographer to capture your day trip across Karnak's Hypostyle Hall, Hatshepsut Temple, and the Valley of the Kings for an additional $50 per day.
Transit Visa for Cruise Passengers
Cruise ship passengers docking at Egyptian ports can receive a transit visa stamp on board, provided free of charge by the Egyptian Immigration Authority.
Port & Cruise Coordination Requirements
To finalize and confirm your shore excursion, please provide:
- Full names, email addresses, and nationalities of all travelers
- Number of adults and children (including birth dates for children)
- Cruise ship name, docking arrival time, and departure all-aboard time
- Contact mobile phone number and a copy of your passport
Recommended Footwear & Attire
Comfortable, flat-soled walking shoes and a sun hat are strongly advised for walking over gravel trails, stone steps, and open desert temple courtyards.
Child Policy
- 0 – 5.99 years: Free of charge
- 6 – 11.99 years: 50% of adult tour rate
- 12+ years: Full adult rate
Recommended Red Sea & Egypt Day Tours
- Overnight Luxor Tour from Safaga Port: Discover Luxor by night with an evening dinner along the Nile, hotel accommodation, and illuminated temple visits before returning to port.
- Alexandria Port Shore Excursions to Cairo & Pyramids: Discover the Giza Plateau, Great Sphinx, and the Egyptian Museum directly from Alexandria Port.
- Port Said Shore Excursions to the Pyramids: Overland private day tours from the Suez Canal gateway to the Giza Pyramids and Grand Egyptian Museum.
- Alexandria City Highlights Day Tour: A classic 5–6 hour guided orientation exploring the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, historic downtown quarters, and Montaza Palace.
- Alexandria Archaeological Day Tour: An in-depth Greco-Roman circuit covering the underground tombs of Kom El Shoqafa, Kom El Dikka, and Fort Qaitbay.
- Cairo to Alexandria Archaeological Day Tour: A dedicated historical expedition from Cairo covering classical Mediterranean monuments.
- El Alamein World War II Battlefield Tour: Pay tribute at the WWII Military Museum, Commonwealth War Cemetery, and German and Italian coastal memorials.
- Rosetta (Rashid) Cultural Day Tour: Visit the Nile delta port where the Rosetta Stone was unearthed, complete with an estuary boat ride and Ottoman brick mansions.
For bookings, customized departure schedules, and private VIP upgrades, contact us at: [email protected]
