9 Days • 8 Nights
Treasures of Egypt: Giza Pyramids and Nile Discovery
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Continue to Luxor, home to the Karnak and Luxor temple complexes, before boarding a Nile cruise toward Aswan. Along the way, explore the Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, Tutankhamun’s Tomb and important riverside temples. Return to Cairo for a final cultural experience at Khan El-Khalili Bazaar and an authentic Egyptian meal.
Trip Highlights
- Stand before the Great Pyramids of Giza.
- View the mysterious Great Sphinx and its ancient enclosure.
- Explore the grand Karnak Temple Complex.
- Walk through the beautifully illuminated Luxor Temple.
- Sail through Upper Egypt aboard a classic Nile cruise.
- Discover the tombs inside the Valley of the Kings.
- Explore the Valley of the Queens.
- Enter the celebrated Tomb of Tutankhamun.
- Visit the impressive Temple of Queen Hatshepsut.
- See the monumental Colossi of Memnon.
- Visit the remarkably preserved Temple of Horus at Edfu.
- Explore the riverside Temple of Kom Ombo.
- Discover Aswan’s beautiful Philae Temple.
- Browse the colourful Khan El-Khalili Bazaar.
- Enjoy authentic Egyptian cuisine in Cairo.
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 9-day journey.
Welcome to Egypt, the land of the pharaohs, ancient pyramids and the legendary Nile River.
Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, meet the local representative and receive assistance with immigration, baggage collection and arrival procedures. Continue by private air-conditioned vehicle to your selected hotel.
Complete the check-in formalities and spend the remainder of the day relaxing after your international journey.
After breakfast, meet your private Egyptologist and begin an unforgettable exploration of the Giza Plateau.
Visit the three principal pyramids dedicated to Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure. Stand beneath the Great Pyramid, the last surviving Wonder of the Ancient World, and learn about the extraordinary construction methods, burial traditions and beliefs of the Old Kingdom.
Continue to the Great Sphinx, the mysterious guardian of the pyramid complex. Enjoy panoramic views of the pyramids from the desert viewpoint and capture memorable photographs of this iconic landscape.
Depending on the confirmed arrangement, exclusive or after-hours access to selected areas of the Pyramids and Sphinx complex may be available. Depending on Tour private access outside normal operating hours and special access beyond the standard Sphinx gate as a signature experience, but this must be reconfirmed before booking.
Return to the hotel after the tour.
After breakfast, transfer to Cairo International Airport for the domestic flight to Luxor.
Upon arrival, meet the local representative and begin exploring the magnificent Karnak Temple Complex. Walk through its monumental gateways, sacred courtyards and the famous Great Hypostyle Hall filled with enormous decorated columns.
Continue to the Nile Cruise vessel and complete the embarkation formalities. Enjoy lunch onboard and settle into your cabin.
Later, visit Luxor Temple, one of Egypt’s most beautiful temple complexes. Admire its statues, obelisks, courtyards and ceremonial halls, especially atmospheric when illuminated in the evening.
Return to the cruise for dinner.
After breakfast onboard, cross to Luxor’s West Bank, the ancient burial ground of Egypt’s pharaohs and royal families.
Explore the Valley of the Kings, where elaborately decorated tombs were carved deep into the desert mountains. Enter selected tombs and view vivid scenes illustrating the ancient Egyptian journey into the afterlife.
Visit the Tomb of Tutankhamun, subject to confirmation of the supplementary entrance ticket. Continue to the impressive Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, constructed against the cliffs at Deir El-Bahari.
Stop at the Colossi of Memnon, two massive seated statues that once guarded the mortuary temple of Amenhotep III.
Return to the cruise and begin sailing through Esna toward Edfu.
After breakfast, visit the remarkably preserved Temple of Horus at Edfu.
Enter through its enormous pylon and explore courtyards, columned halls, chambers and sacred spaces dedicated to Horus, the falcon-headed god.
Return to the ship and continue sailing toward Kom Ombo.
Upon arrival, explore the Temple of Kom Ombo, an unusual symmetrical temple devoted to two deities: Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus the Elder. Admire its reliefs, ancient medical carvings and riverside setting.
Depending on the cruise programme, visit the nearby Crocodile Museum.
Return to the cruise and sail toward Aswan.
Begin the day with an excursion to the magnificent temples of Abu Simbel, subject to inclusion in the final quotation.
Travel south through the desert to the monumental temple complex constructed by Ramses II. Admire the four colossal statues guarding the Great Temple and visit the nearby temple dedicated to Queen Nefertari.
Learn how the entire temple complex was relocated to higher ground to protect it from the rising waters created by the Aswan High Dam.
Return to Aswan and rejoin the cruise.
Later, enjoy a traditional felucca sailing experience around Aswan’s islands, with views of the Nile, desert banks and lush gardens.
After breakfast, disembark from the cruise and begin the Aswan sightseeing programme.
Visit the Aswan High Dam, one of Egypt’s most significant modern engineering projects. Continue to Philae Temple, beautifully situated on Agilkia Island and reached by motorboat.
Explore the sanctuary dedicated primarily to the goddess Isis and admire its gateways, courtyards, columns and detailed wall carvings.
Depending on the confirmed programme, visit a Nubian village to learn about local traditions, homes, food and everyday life along the Nile.
Transfer to Aswan International Airport for the domestic flight to Cairo. Upon arrival, meet the representative and continue to the hotel.
After breakfast, enjoy a privately guided exploration of Cairo.
Visit a major Egyptian antiquities museum displaying statues, royal treasures, funerary objects and archaeological discoveries from different eras of ancient Egyptian civilisation. The exact museum should be identified in the final booking confirmation.
Continue to historic Cairo and explore Khan El-Khalili Bazaar, one of the city’s oldest and most atmospheric marketplaces. Browse shops selling lanterns, jewellery, spices, textiles, handicrafts and traditional souvenirs.
Complete the experience with an authentic Egyptian meal, providing an opportunity to enjoy local dishes and hospitality.
Return to the hotel after the tour.
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
At the appropriate time, meet the local representative and transfer privately to Cairo International Airport for the onward flight.
Depart Egypt with lasting memories of its pyramids, ancient temples, royal tombs, Nile landscapes and welcoming culture.
Meals: Breakfast
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- Eight nights’ accommodation in selected hotels and Nile cruise cabins.
- Four nights aboard a Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan.
- Daily breakfast at the hotels.
- Full-board meals during the Nile cruise.
- Domestic flights from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan to Cairo.
- Private airport and intercity transfers.
- Private sightseeing in an air-conditioned vehicle.
- Services of professional English-speaking Egyptologist guides.
- Entrance fees to the specifically mentioned attractions.
- Pyramids of Giza and Great Sphinx tour.
- Karnak and Luxor temple tours.
- Luxor West Bank sightseeing.
- Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens.
- Tutankhamun’s Tomb when specifically confirmed.
- Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and Colossi of Memnon.
- Temple of Horus at Edfu.
- Temple of Kom Ombo.
- Philae Temple excursion.
- Khan El-Khalili Bazaar visit.
- Motorboat transfers required for Philae Temple.
- Arrival and departure assistance.
- Applicable local taxes and service charges.
Exclusions
- International airfare.
- Egypt visa fees.
- Travel and medical insurance.
- Meals not specifically mentioned.
- Drinks during meals and onboard the cruise.
- Optional tours and activities.
- Entry inside the Great Pyramid unless specifically booked.
- Special-access pyramid or Sphinx arrangements unless confirmed.
- Additional tomb tickets not listed in the final programme.
- Abu Simbel excursion.
- Hot-air balloon ride in Luxor.
- Personal expenses, laundry and telephone charges.
- Tips for guides, drivers, cruise staff and representatives.
- Early check-in and late checkout.
- Camera or photography fees where charged separately.
- Any service not specifically listed under inclusions.
- Passport Validity: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of arrival in Egypt.
- Visa Requirements: Ensure you obtain the appropriate Egypt visa before travel. Visa requirements vary depending on your nationality.
- Best Time to Visit: The ideal time to visit Egypt is October to April, when the weather is pleasant for sightseeing and Nile cruises.
- Comfortable Clothing: Wear lightweight clothing, comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen, as many attractions involve extensive walking under the sun.
- Modest Dress Code: Dress modestly when visiting mosques, religious sites and traditional local communities.
- Nile Cruise Schedule: Nile cruises operate on fixed sailing days, so the order of sightseeing may change depending on your cruise departure date and navigation schedule.
- Cash & Currency: Carry some Egyptian Pounds (EGP) in small denominations for local shopping, public facilities and tipping, although credit cards are widely accepted at hotels and larger establishments.
- Tipping Culture: Tipping is customary in Egypt for guides, drivers, cruise staff, porters and local service providers. Keep small cash handy for gratuities.
- Photography Rules: Photography is allowed at most attractions, but some museums, temples and royal tombs charge additional camera fees or restrict photography altogether.
- Travel Insurance: Comprehensive travel insurance covering medical emergencies, trip cancellation, baggage loss and flight delays is highly recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days are recommended for this Egypt tour?
This package is planned for 9 days and 8 nights. It offers a balanced combination of Cairo, Giza, Luxor, Aswan and a four-night Nile cruise.
Which destinations are covered in the tour?
The tour covers Cairo, Giza, Luxor, Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan. It includes major attractions such as the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings and Philae Temple.
Is the Nile cruise included in the package?
Yes. The suggested package includes a four-night Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan, with accommodation and full-board meals aboard the cruise vessel.
Are domestic flights included?
The package includes domestic flights from Cairo to Luxor and from Aswan to Cairo when clearly mentioned in the final quotation. Flight timings remain subject to airline schedules.
Are international flights included?
No. International flights to and from Egypt are not included unless specifically added to the final package.
Are meals included during the tour?
Daily breakfast is included at the hotels. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included during the Nile cruise. Meals outside the cruise are included only where specifically mentioned.
Is the entrance to Tutankhamun’s Tomb included?
It may be included when specifically mentioned in the final confirmation. The tomb requires a separate ticket and is not normally covered by the standard Valley of the Kings entrance ticket.
Can Abu Simbel be added to this tour?
Yes. Abu Simbel can be added as an optional excursion from Aswan, either by road or domestic flight. It requires an early departure and additional cost.
Is this tour suitable for children and senior citizens?
Yes, but the tour includes considerable walking, uneven surfaces, stairs and warm weather. Families and senior travellers should choose comfortable pacing and inform the operator of any mobility requirements.
Is an Egypt visa required?
Visa requirements depend on the traveller’s nationality. Travellers should check the latest requirements before departure and ensure their passport has sufficient validity.
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