Private 17-Day Egypt in Depth: Cultural & Adventure Tour

After breakfast, meet your private tour guide and begin your journey into the heart of ancient Egypt.

Stand before the timeless Great Pyramid of Giza, the last surviving wonder of the ancient world. Walk across the Giza Plateau and admire the pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure rising from the desert sands.

Come face to face with the legendary Great Sphinx, guardian of the plateau for thousands of years.

Later, continue to the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) to explore one of the world's greatest collections of ancient Egyptian treasures.

Return to your hotel in the evening.

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Cairo Hotel

Day 3: Sakkara, Memphis & Dahshur

Morning: Breakfast, then meet your private guide. Today is about the first pyramids.

• Sakkara: Home to the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the world's oldest stone giant. Walk among ancient tombs with hieroglyphs so bright they look freshly painted.

• Memphis: Egypt's first capital. See the colossal fallen statue of Ramses II and the elegant Alabaster Sphinx.

Lunch: Local Egyptian food at a real neighborhood spot.

Afternoon:

• Dahshur: Quiet and crowd-free. See the Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid, Egypt's first true smooth-sided pyramid. You can even go inside.

Evening: Return to your Cairo hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: Cairo Hotel

Morning: Breakfast at your Cairo hotel, then check out. You'll be driven to the airport for a quick flight south to Aswan, where the Nile is wider, the pace is slower, and the temples feel more magical.

Upon arrival in Aswan, your guide meets you with a private A/C car. Time to explore:

• Aswan High Dam: A modern marvel that tamed the Nile and gave Egypt light and water. Quick stop, big views.

• The Unfinished Obelisk: A giant broken stone that shows exactly how ancient Egyptians carved their monuments. Fascinating and real.

• Philae Temple: The highlight. A short boat ride takes you to this island temple dedicated to the goddess Isis. Beautiful carvings, peaceful water views, and a story of love and loss that still echoes.

Afternoon: You'll board your Nile cruise ship, your floating hotel for the next few nights. Settle into your cabin, then watch the river drift by from the deck.

Evening: Dinner onboard. Then relax under a canopy of stars as the Nile rocks you gently to sleep.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Flight: Cairo → Aswan
Overnight: On the cruise

Early morning: Breakfast box in hand, drive through the desert to one of Egypt's most breathtaking sights.

Abu Simbel Temples: Two massive rock temples carved into a mountainside in 1264 BC by Pharaoh Ramesses II. The main temple has four towering statues of Ramesses (each 20m tall). The smaller temple is for his beloved queen, Nefertari.

Fun fact: The whole complex was moved block by block in the 1960s to save it from flooding. Twice a year, the sun perfectly lights the inner statues.

Explore, take photos, then drive back to your cruise for lunch.

Evening: Dinner and overnight onboard.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: On the cruise

Morning: Breakfast on your cruise as you sail south. First stop: Kom Ombo Temple.

This one's unusual; it's a double temple, split perfectly in half. One side honors Sobek. The other side is for Horus the Elder. Look closely at the walls, you'll see ancient carvings of surgical tools and medical instruments. Way ahead of their time.

Late morning: Back on board as your cruise sails to Edfu. Enjoy the Nile views from the deck.

Afternoon: You'll reach Edfu Temple, one of the best-preserved temples in all of Egypt. It's massive, dramatic, and dedicated to the falcon god Horus. The carvings tell a bloody, epic story of Horus avenging his father's murder. You'll walk through towering gateways and dark chambers that feel almost brand new, even after 2,000 years.

Evening: Return to your cruise, enjoy lunch and dinner onboard, and sail gently toward Luxor as the sun sets.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: On the cruise

Morning: Breakfast on board, then check out. Your guide and private A/C vehicle take you to Luxor's legendary East Bank.

Karnak Temple
A sprawling city of gods built over 2,000 years across 274 acres. Walk through the Hypostyle Hall with 134 massive columns (some over 20 meters tall). Dedicated to Amun, Mut, and Khonsu.

Lunch: A delicious meal at a local restaurant. Real food, real flavor.

Luxor Temple
Smaller, more intimate. Built by Amenhotep III and Ramesses II in the heart of modern Luxor. Once connected to Karnak by the 2.7 km Avenue of the Sphinxes. The stone glows golden in the late afternoon.

Evening: Check into your Luxor hotel, dinner, and rest. Tomorrow: the West Bank.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: Luxor hotel

Morning: Breakfast at your Luxor hotel, then cross to the West Bank, the land of the dead.

Valley of the Kings
Over 60 tombs carved into rock. Descend into several (including Tutankhamun's if you choose). The wall paintings are still vivid after 3,000 years, underworld journeys, and magic spells.

Hatshepsut Temple
A total contrast. Three graceful terraces rising against a dramatic cliff. Built by one of Egypt's few female pharaohs, bold and unapologetically hers.

Colossi of Memnon
Two lonely giants, each 18 meters tall. Once guarded a temple that's long gone. One used to "sing" at sunrise.

Lunch at a local restaurant in Luxor.

Afternoon: Drive east to Hurghada from dusty temples to turquoise Red Sea waters. Check into your hotel, have dinner, and feel the seaside vibe.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Hurghada hotel

Morning: Breakfast at your hotel, then get ready for a day on (and in) the water. The Red Sea is waiting, and trust us, it's as legendary as the temples you've just seen.

It's peaceful, colorful, and absolutely alive.

No experience needed, just a sense of wonder. Your crew will provide gear and guidance.

Lunch & soft drinks are included onboard. You'll have time to swim and sunbathe on deck.

Evening: Back to your hotel for dinner and another overnight in Hurghada.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner + Soft Drinks
Overnight: Hurghada Hotel

Morning: Breakfast at your hotel, then swap your snorkel for sandals. Today, the desert calls.

You'll head into the golden Eastern Desert for a proper adventure. Hold tight as your 4x4 bounces over dunes, then try sandboarding down soft slopes (easier than snowboarding, promise). Feel the silence. Feel the heat. Feel alive.

Along the way, you might visit a Bedouin village, sip sweet tea, and learn a little about life under the stars.

Lunch is included (often a simple, tasty Bedouin-style meal).

Evening: Back to your Hurghada hotel for dinner and another night by the Red Sea.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Hurghada Hotel

Morning: Breakfast at your hotel, then check out. The rest of the morning is yours to enjoy Hurghada however you like.

Soak up the sun by the pool, stroll along the beach, or add one last splash of adventure, jet skiing, parasailing, or a relaxing boat trip. No rush. No schedule. Just you and the Red Sea.

Afternoon: Transfer to Hurghada Airport for your short flight back to Cairo.

Evening: Arrive in Cairo, check into your hotel, and enjoy a quiet night. Time to catch your breath before your final day, or a last chance to explore a bit more.

Meals: Breakfast
Flight: Hurghada → Cairo
Overnight: Cairo Hotel

Morning: Breakfast in Cairo, then a scenic drive north to Alexandria, Egypt's dreamy coastal queen. The air feels saltier, the streets more European, and the history, well, it's a beautiful mix of Greek, Roman, and Egyptian.

Your guide will take you to:

• Bibliotheca Alexandrina: A stunning modern tribute to the ancient world's greatest library. Sleek, grand, and full of books, art, and light. A true love letter to knowledge.

• Qaitbay Citadel: A 15th-century fortress standing proudly where the legendary Lighthouse of Alexandria once guided ships. Walk its walls and feel the sea breeze and the weight of one of the Seven Wonders beneath your feet.

Lunch: Fresh seafood at a waterfront restaurant. Yes, you're eating with a Mediterranean view.

Afternoon:

• Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa: A hauntingly beautiful underground necropolis where Egyptian, Greek, and Roman styles meet. Secret passages, carved pillars, and a quiet, mystical atmosphere.

• Pompey's Pillar: A single 27-meter granite column rising from the ruins. It's Roman, it's red, and it's stood here for over 1,600 years, watching empires come and go.

Evening: Check into your Alexandria hotel and enjoy a restful overnight by the sea.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: Alexandria Hotel

Early morning: Breakfast in Alexandria, then hit the road toward Siwa Oasis, one of Egypt's most remote and mystical destinations. The drive is long but beautiful, with desert landscapes slowly replacing coastal views.

Upon arrival in Siwa:

• Shali Fortress: A centuries-old fortress made of salt and clay. It's mostly in ruins now, but climbing through its weathered walls gives you a raw, breathtaking view of the oasis and a real feel for Siwa's soul.

• Fantasy Island: Yes, that's the real name. It's not a beach resort, it's a peaceful spot surrounded by natural lakes. Relax, dip your feet in the water, take photos, or just sit and soak in the silence. No crowds. No rush.

Lunch is included locally.

Evening: Head back to Siwa town for a simple, authentic dinner. Then check into your Siwa hotel for a calm desert night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Siwa Hotel

Morning: Breakfast, then step into legend.

• Temple of the Oracle (Amun Temple). This is where Alexander the Great came to be declared a god. The ruins sit atop a rock, and the view alone is worth the climb. Stand where conquerors once stood and asked the gods for their fate.

• Cleopatra's Pool: A natural spring surrounded by palm trees. Legend says Cleopatra herself bathed here. The water is impossibly clear and cool. Go ahead, take a dip. Tradition says one swim equals a wish granted.

Noon: Head to Shiatta Lake, a peaceful salt lake with mirror-like water. Perfect for a quiet break, a picnic, or a slow boat ride.

Afternoon: Buckle up for a 4x4 Jeep Safari into the Great Sand Sea. Dune bashing, endless golden waves of sand, and a silence that feels sacred. You'll stop at scenic viewpoints that look like another planet.

Late afternoon: Back to Siwa town to freshen up.

Evening: Relax at your hotel, share stories from the day, and enjoy a local dinner under desert stars.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Siwa Hotel

Morning: Breakfast in Siwa, then check out. It's time to say goodbye to the palm trees, salt lakes, and silent dunes.

You'll drive back across the desert toward Cairo — a long but beautiful journey. Let the landscapes shift from oasis green to golden sand to the familiar buzz of Egypt's capital.

Lunch is included along the way.

Afternoon/Evening: Arrive in Cairo and check into your hotel. Rest, pack, or take one last stroll through the city that started it all.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: Cairo Hotel

Morning: Breakfast at your Cairo hotel, then head out with your guide for a day of Cairo's best.

• The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC). Home to the stunning Royal Mummies Hall. Walk quietly among Egypt's greatest pharaohs, including Ramses II. The museum tells Egypt's story from ancient times to today, and it's beautifully done.

• The Citadel of Saladin: A medieval Islamic fortress on a hill. The views of Cairo are worth the trip alone. Inside, visit the Mohamed Ali Mosque, also called the Alabaster Mosque, grand, shining, and unforgettable.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon:

• Khan El Khalili: Cairo's famous old bazaar. Narrow alleys, lanterns, spices, silver, and endless haggling. Even if you don't buy anything, the atmosphere is pure magic. Grab a mint tea at a centuries-old coffeehouse like El Fishawy and watch the world go by.

Evening: Back to your hotel for a final overnight in Cairo.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: Cairo Hotel

Morning: One last Egyptian breakfast. Savor it.

Then, your private, air-conditioned vehicle will be waiting to take you to Cairo Airport.

No rush. Just a smooth, comfortable goodbye.

Meals: Breakfast
Transfer: Cairo Hotel → Cairo Airport

Safe travels home. And remember, Egypt always welcomes you back.