Private 12-Day Cairo & Upper Egypt Expedition

Morning Highlights:

• Giza Pyramids Complex: Stand before the Great Pyramid of Khufu (147m tall, 4,500+ years old).

• Great Sphinx: Marvel at the legendary guardian with the body of a lion and Pharaoh Khafre’s face.

• Valley Temple: Discover the ancient mummification site.

• Grand Egyptian Museum: See treasures like the Statue of Ramses II and Hanging Obelisk (VIP upgrade available).

Afternoon Exploration:

• Lunch at a top local restaurant.

• Saqqara Step Pyramid: The world’s first stone pyramid, built for King Djoser.

• Memphis: Walk through Egypt’s ancient capital, dedicated to Ptah.

Overnight: Cairo hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Morning:

• Fly from Cairo to Aswan.

• Visit the Aswan High Dam, a modern engineering marvel that transformed Egypt’s irrigation and energy supply.

• Explore the Unfinished Obelisk, a colossal monument abandoned mid-construction, revealing ancient stone-carving techniques.

Lunch:

• Enjoy a delicious meal with Nile views at a local restaurant.

Afternoon:

• Discover Philae Temple, a breathtaking sanctuary dedicated to Isis, relocated by UNESCO to Agilkia Island. Admire its intricate carvings and legends of Osiris.

Evening:

• Check into your 5-star hotel in Aswan.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: Aswan Hotel

Early Morning:

• Depart Aswan at dawn with packed breakfast

• Journey through the desert to Abu Simbel, Egypt's most awe-inspiring rock-cut temples

The Temples:

• Great Temple of Ramses II: Marvel at the 20m-tall colossi and intricate battle reliefs commemorating the Battle of Kadesh (1274 BC)

• Temple of Nefertari: Admire the exquisite carvings honoring Ramses' beloved queen

• Learn about the Sun Alignment Phenomenon (Oct 22/Feb 22) when sunlight illuminates the inner sanctum

Midday:

• Return to Aswan

• Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant

Evening:

• Free time to relax at your 5-star hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: Aswan

Morning:

• First-class train from Aswan to Luxor

• Begin at Karnak Temple, the world's largest religious complex:

  • Walk through the Great Hypostyle Hall (134 towering columns)

  • See obelisks honoring Pharaohs Hatshepsut & Thutmose III

  • Discover sanctuaries of the Theban Triad (Amun-Ra, Mut, Khonsu)

Midday:

• Lunch with Nile views at a premium restaurant

• Check-in at your 5-star Luxor hotel

Evening Magic:

• Night visit to Luxor Temple, illuminated against the dark sky:

  • Walk the Sphinx Avenue entrance

  • See where pharaohs were crowned during the Opet Festival

  • Marvel at Alexander the Great's chapel

Overnight: Luxor
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Morning Highlights:

• Valley of the Kings:

  • Explore 3 royal tombs (including Tutankhamun's or Ramses VI's)

  • Decipher colorful Book of the Dead wall paintings

  • Learn about mummification rituals in this vast necropolis

Midday:

• Hatshepsut's Temple:

  • Walk the grand terraces of Egypt's greatest female pharaoh

  • See rare divine birth reliefs and trading expedition records

• Authentic Egyptian lunch at a local restaurant

Afternoon:

• Colossi of Memnon:

  • Stand before the 18m-tall "singing statues" of Amenhotep III

  • Hear legends of the mysterious dawn "vocalizations"

Evening:

• Free time at your 5-star hotel or optional:

  • Sunset felucca ride on the Nile

  • Sound & Light show at Karnak

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: Luxor

Morning:

• Dendera Temple Complex:

  • Marvel at the Hathor Temple's vibrant ceiling zodiac and crypts

  • See the famous "Dendera Light" relief (ancient electricity myth)

  • Explore the sacred lake and Cleopatra-era carvings

Midday:

• Scenic drive through Qena countryside

• Authentic Egyptian lunch in Luxor

Afternoon:

• Abydos Temple:

  • Discover the Osireion - legendary tomb of Osiris

  • Study the perfect Abydos King List (76 pharaohs carved in stone)

  • Admire Seti I's exquisite reliefs - considered Egypt's finest

Evening:

• Return to Luxor

• Free time at your 5-star hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: Luxor

Morning:

• Fly from Luxor to Cairo

• Egyptian Museum:

  • Marvel at Tutankhamun's golden mask and treasures

  • See the Royal Mummies Room (optional extra)

  • Discover 5,000 years of history across 120,000 artifacts

Midday:

• Salah El Din Citadel:

  • Panoramic city views from this 12th-century fortress

  • Visit the Alabaster Mosque (Mohamed Ali Mosque)

• Traditional Egyptian lunch

Afternoon:

• Coptic Cairo:

  • Hanging Church (suspended over Roman towers)

  • Ben Ezra Synagogue (legendary Moses connection)

  • Amr Ibn Al-As Mosque (Africa's first mosque)

• National Museum of Egyptian Civilization:

  • Modern showcase of pharaonic heritage

  • Must-see: 22 royal mummies in climate-controlled gallery

Evening:

• Walk Al-Muizz Street - "The Street of a Thousand Minarets"

• Shop at Khan el-Khalili Bazaar for souvenirs & spices

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: Cairo

Morning Departure:

• Scenic 3-hour drive to the Mediterranean coast

• Kom El Shoqafa Catacombs:

  • Descend into this 3-level underground necropolis

  • Marvel at Greco-Roman-Egyptian fusion art

  • See the unique carved banquet hall for mourners

Midday Exploration:

• Pompey's Pillar:

  • 27m red granite monolith towering over ancient ruins

  • Last remaining structure of the Serapeum temple complex

• Qaitbay Citadel:

  • 15th-century fortress built with stones from the Lighthouse of Alexandria

  • Stunning harbor views from the ramparts

Lunch:

• Fresh seafood feast at a Mediterranean-view restaurant

Afternoon Highlight:

• Bibliotheca Alexandrina:

  • Architectural marvel honoring the ancient Great Library

  • Visit the manuscript museum & planetarium

  • See the reading hall - one of world's largest at 11 cascading levels

Evening:

• Return to Cairo (~3.5hr drive)

• Relax at your 5-star hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: Cairo

Morning:

• 4-hour scenic drive from Cairo to Bahariya Oasis

• Traditional lunch in Al-Bawiti village

Afternoon Safari:

• 4x4 adventure through:

  • Black Desert – Volcanic hills resembling a moonscape

  • Crystal Mountain – Natural quartz formations glittering in sunlight

  • Agabat Valley – Surreal wind-carved "alien" rock formations

Evening Magic:

• Arrive at White Desert National Park

• Sunset photography among:

  • Mushroom Rocks

  • Chalk Monoliths

• Bedouin camp experience:

  • Star-lit BBQ dinner

  • Traditional music around campfire

  • Overnight in private tents

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Luxury Camping

Pre-Dawn:

• Witness sunrise transforming the desert into pastel hues

• Visit natural hot springs

Midday:

• Return to Cairo (4-5 hours)

• Check into 5-star hotel

• Free afternoon for relaxation

Meals: Breakfast

Morning:

• Enjoy a leisurely final breakfast at your hotel

• Take in last views of the Nile or Cairo skyline

Departure:

• Smooth airport transfer (3 hours before flight)

• Assistance with check-in and security

Meals: Breakfast