President’s Picks
Luxury Egypt Tour
Price starts at 1,200.00 Land per person, per day, double occupancy.
10
Day 1: Arrive in Cairo, Egypt
Welcome to Cairo!
Upon arrival at the Cairo International Airport, you will be met and assisted by one of our representatives at the gate of the aircraft and transferred to the VIP Lounge to rest while our representative finalizes the passport control formalities and collects your luggage. You will then be transferred to your accommodations at Four Seasons Cairo at the First Residence.
Four Seasons Cairo at the First Residence
Day 2: Cairo
After breakfast at your accommodations, you will be joined by your Egyptologist to begin your day’s tour.
Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) is the newest museum in Egypt; however, right now, it is not open to the public. There is a (Type B) The New Trail Phase Tour, starting from the Piazza (The Hanging Obelisk at the Museum Entrance), then visit the Atrium/Grand Hall (Ramses II Statue, Merenptah Pillar and the Greek-Roman Statues). There are also 12 newly opened halls showcasing lifetimes of endless history.
Next begin touring and learning about the Pyramids of Giza. Nothing evokes the long and intriguing history of Egypt as powerfully as the pyramids. Rising from the desert, Khufu (Cheops), Khafra and Menkaura seem to symbolize the enigmatic tug of Egypt in our imaginations.
Continuing to the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the only one to remain largely intact, is The Great Pyramid of Giza. There are three known chambers inside the Great Pyramid. The lowest chamber is cut into the bedrock upon which the pyramid was built and was unfinished. The so-called Queen’s Chamber and King’s Chamber are higher up within the pyramid structure. Witness and admire the Sphinx, which has stood guard over the pyramids for more than 4,500 years. Carved from an outcrop of rock, the Sphinx remains the ultimate symbol of Ancient Egypt with its lion’s body and human head.
Watch the history and the lifestyle of ancient Egyptian pharaohs come alive before your eyes through the skilled narrations of our specialist guide. The tour concludes at the heart of the Pyramids – Khufu’s Restaurant with for a delectable lunch offering mesmerizing views before returning to your accommodations. Four Seasons Cairo at the First Residence – (Meals – Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 3: Cairo / Aswan
This early morning starts with a meeting with one of our representatives for a transfer to the Cairo Domestic Airport for your flight to Aswan. Breakfast boxes will be ready. Arrival at Aswan Airport, where you will connect to your flight to Abu Simbel for your over-day tour. Upon arriving at Abu Simbel, a representative will accompany you to continue the day’s tour by visiting the Temple of Ramses II & Queen Nefertari.
The Temples of Abu Simbel are amongst the most interesting Pharaonic Temples. Located close to the southern border with the Sudan, it is 280 km south of Aswan and consists of two rock-cut Temples, which both date back to the reign of King Ramses II (1290-1223 BC). Unfortunately, these unique Temples suffered from the rising water of Lake Nasser while the High Dam was being built.
You will fly back to Aswan, where one of our representatives will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract for your accommodations.
Optional, with supplement. This afternoon, enjoy your private felucca dinner. It is extremely relaxing and gives you the chance to enjoy the Nile and its cooling, fresh breezes of air.
Sofitel Legend Old Cataract – (B, Box Lunch)
Day 4: Aswan
After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, your Egyptologist will meet you to start your day’s tour. The High Dam of Aswan is a great project. In fact it was one of the most important achievements of the in the last century in Egypt, even for many years it was a symbol of the New Era of the Revolution of 1952. It provided Egypt with water and electricity and secured the country of the risk of the destructive inundation of the River Nile. The Temple of Isis in Philae is one of the greatest Temples in Egypt and it occupies about a quarter of the island. It is the main temple on the island, with its huge, complete, pylons and beautiful scenes. At the end of the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel. Sofitel Legend Old Cataract – (Meals – Breakfast)
Day 5: Historia Nile Cruise *Must Be A Saturday*
Very early this morning a representative will be present in the hotel lobby to whisk you off to the Historia Nile Cruise. The cruise begins with sailing to Kom Ombo, where your Egyptologist will be with you to start this morning tour to the Temple Shared by the two Gods, Sobek and Haeororis in Kom Ombo. The Temple of Kom Ombo stands on the east bank of the Nile, right next to the river, about 4Km from the town. It was dedicated to two Gods, Horus and Sobek. The Temple was mainly dedicated to the God Sobek, the crocodile God, together with his wife, in another form of the Goddess Hathor. The remainder of the morning will be sailing to Edfu while enjoying breakfast on board at the Noria Restaurant followed by a cooking demonstration. There will also be an opportunity to visit the wheelhouse, where the ship is piloted by the captain and crew.
This afternoon your Egyptologist will meet you in the cruise’s lobby to begin your tour of Horus Temple in Edfu.
The site of Edfu Tell was known as Wetjeset-hor (classical name Apollinopolis Magna), the place where the god Horus was worshipped and where the battle between Horus and his traditional enemy Seth in ancient mythology took place. The Temple of Horus is the most well-preserved and the only one we know to have been completed. Built from sandstone blocks, the huge Ptolemaic temple was constructed over the site of a smaller earlier temple.
Sail to Luxor while enjoying your lunch on board at Noria Restaurant. Passing by the Esna Lock, enjoy the remainder of the day with afternoon tea and a Captain’s Cocktail on the Solaria Sun Deck, followed by a 1001 Night-Themed Dinner. Historia Nile Cruise – Meals (B,L,D)
Day 6: Historia Nile Cruise / Luxor
After enjoying breakfast on board, you will be met by our representative to disembark and start your tour of the East Bank.
The Temple of Karnak is the largest Temple in the World! The complex contains a group of Temples, such as the Great Temple of Amon Ra, The Temple of Khonso, The Ipt Temple, The Temple of Ptah, the Temple of Montho, and the Temple of the God Osiris. A 20m high, mud brick enclosure wall surrounded all of these buildings. This great Temple of Amon Ra was known during the Middle Kingdom period as Ipt-Swt, which means the Selected Spot. It was also called Pr-Imn, which means the House of Amon. The name Al-Karnak in Arabic was derived from Karnak, which means fortified village.
Continue on towards The Temple of Luxor. King Amenhotep III, who reigned from 1390-53 BC, built this beautiful temple and dedicated it to Amon-Re, king of the gods, his consort Mut, and their son Khons. This temple has been in almost continuous use as a place of worship right up to the present day. It was completed by Tutankhamun and Horemheb and added to by Ramses II. Towards the rear is a granite shrine dedicated to Alexander the Great.
After the tour, you will be taken to the Al Moudira Boutique Hotel for check-in. Al Moudira Boutique Hotel – (B)
Day 7: Luxor
Early Morning: Optional, with a supplement Meeting at the hotel’s lobby to be transferred for your Private Hot Air Balloon adventure with the sunrise light. (This activity is quoted separately). Soar above Luxor’s West Bank for an aerial perspective of the city’s archaic sights. Enjoy scenes of vast temples and tall statues illuminated and richly colored by the sun, sitting low in the sky. Observe the complex of temples and chapels at Karnak to the east, then cast your eyes to the west for views of Hatshepsut Temple. In its dramatic spot at the foot of colossal cliffs. See the Colossi of Memnon rising up and seemingly guarding royal tombs. This activity is very early in the morning.
After enjoying a delightful breakfast, get ready to meet your Egyptologist for an exciting tour of the West Bank.
The Valley of the Kings is a valley in Egypt where tombs were constructed for the pharaohs and powerful nobles of the New Kingdom for nearly 500 years, from the 16th to 11th century BC. The valley stands on the west bank of the Nile, opposite Thebes, within the heart of the Theban Necropolis. The wadi consists of two valleys: East Valley (where the majority of the royal tombs are situated) and West Valley. The Colossi of Memnon are two massive, ruined statues that stand approximately 17 meters tall. They once guarded the entrance to Amenhotep III’s mortuary temple, although very little of the temple itself remains today. The statues were carved from two enormous granite blocks transported from quarries near Cairo and depict the pharaoh Amenhotep III from Dynasty XVIII.
The Temple of Hatshepsut is a mortuary temple located opposite the city of Luxor and considered a masterpiece of ancient architecture. The temple was built to commemorate the achievements of the great Queen Hatshepsut and as a funerary temple for her, as well as a sanctuary of the God Amon Ra. There will also be a very special visit to the tombs of King Tutankhamun and NeferHotep.
Tutankhamun was buried in a tomb that was unusually small, considering his status. His death may have occurred unexpectedly, before the completion of a grander royal tomb, so his mummy was buried in a tomb intended for someone else. This would preserve the observance of the customary 70 days between death and burial. NerferHotep Tomb is the newly opened tomb at the West Bank of Luxor. Neferhotep lived and worked during Ancient Egypt’s 18th Dynasty, under the rule of the mysterious King Ay. Ay was the penultimate pharaoh of Ancient Egypt’s 18th Dynasty. He held the throne of Egypt for a brief four-year period in the late 14th century BC.
Afterward, you will be taken back to your hotel. Al Moudira Boutique Hotel – (B)
Day 8: Luxor / Cairo
Today, after breakfast, you will be met by a representative and taken to Luxor Airport for your flight to Cairo. Upon arrival at Cairo Domestic Airport, a representative will greet you and start your day tour.
In Coptic Cairo, visit the famous Suspended Church “Hanging Church” dating to the late 4th and early 5th century. This basilica was named “Al-Mu’allaqah” because it was built atop the south gate of the Fortress of Babylon. Continue to the Church of St. Sergius, a 5th century Coptic Church. This basilica is built on the cave in which the Holy Family stayed and is regarded by visitors as a source of blessing.
Ben Ezra Synagogue is situated in the Fustat part of Old Cairo, Egypt. According to local folklore, it is located on the site where baby Moses was found. The founding date of the Ben Ezra Synagogue is not known, although there is good evidence from documents found in the geniza that it predates 882 CE and is probably pre-Islamic. The style of the carving on the Torah ark door is incompatible with that of the Fatimid Caliphate and is more representative of the Mamluk Sultanate, specifically the 15th century. A medallion that decorates the door is designed with a motif common to bookbinding of that period. It is known that a 15th-century fire in the synagogue damaged the bimah or pulpit. One plausible theory is that wood from the damaged bimah was repurposed to make a new door for the Torah ark.
The first museum of civilization in the Arab world, the NMEC will present a comprehensive view of Egyptian civilization from prehistory to present, taking a multidisciplinary thematic approach designed to highlight Egypt’s tangible and intangible heritage. A museum of a new kind, the NMEC’s main goal is to “share knowledge.”
We continue the visit with cultural landmarks that span three millennia of Egyptian history. We begin with the Citadel commanding a complete view of the city. Completed in 1183, the Citadel was surrounded by sturdy walls and towers to withstand attacks from Christian crusaders. Inside, we shall see the lavishly decorated alabaster Mosque of Mohammed Ali. Then stroll with your guide through Khan El Khalili, a bustling warren of shops where you can bargain for rugs, copper and leather crafts, perfumes, and other goods, both exotic and familiar.
Enjoy your traditional Egyptian Koshari for lunch. Transfer to St. Regis for check-in and refreshment.
This evening, you will be joined by Farah, who used to work for the United Nations defending women’s rights in Egypt. She will take you out in Cairo for an unforgettable local experience with dinner. St. Regis Hotel – (B,L)
Day 9: Cairo
Meet at the hotel’s lobby with one of our representatives to transfer you to Dahshur to enjoy breakfast at Beit El Reef, surrounded by Rural and Pharaonic Egypt, before you begin your day tour.
Dahshur is a royal necropolis located in the desert on the west bank of the Nile, approximately 40 kilometers (25 mi) south of Cairo. It is known chiefly for several pyramids, two of which are among the oldest, largest, and best preserved in Egypt, built from 2613–2589 BC. Building the Dahshur pyramids was an extremely important learning experience for the Egyptians before they could build the Great Pyramid of Giza. Two of the Dahshur Pyramids bent and the Red Pyramids, were constructed during the reign of Pharaoh Sneferu.
Optional, with supplement The Black Pyramid was built by King Amenemhat III during the late Middle Kingdom of Egypt. It is one of the five remaining pyramids of the original eleven pyramids at Dahshur in Egypt. Originally named Amenemhet is Mighty, the pyramid earned the name Black Pyramid for its dark, decaying appearance as a rubble mound. The Black Pyramid was the first to house both the deceased pharaoh and his queens. Jacques de Morgan, on a French mission, began the excavation of the pyramids at Dahshur in 1892.
Continue towards Sakkara, where King Zoser’s Step Pyramid was “built to last ’till the ends of time”. This vast site in the heart of a desert plateau is the largest necropolis in Egypt. Extending for almost 5 miles, the complex forms a collection of pyramids, temples and tombs that is fundamental to understanding the history of Ancient Egypt.
Optional, with supplement. While here, you will visit the Wahtye tomb. This is a newly discovered tomb found in 2018. It is the subject of the Netflix documentary Secret Tomb of Saqqara. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see this. The excavators interviewed in the doc are our guides – https://www.netflix.com/title/81064069 . St. Regis Hotel – (B)
Day 10: Cairo / Depart
Breakfast at your hotel and checkout Meet at the hotel’s lobby with one of our representatives to transfer you to Cairo International Airport for your departure flight. (B)