Ancient Wonders of the Legendary Nile

Sakkara was the main necropolis of the Old Kingdom era and is now a key highlight of your 11-day private luxury tour in Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan. It is an incredible archaeological site where the famous and multi-titled architect Imhotep built the oldest pyramid in Egypt. This first stone structure, dating back more than 4,800 years, was erected as massive, solid steps stacked on top of each other, making the name Step Pyramid of Saqqara a perfect fit. During this luxury tour in Giza, you will learn about the evolution of royal tomb architecture as you explore the Step Pyramid complex.

Your private Egyptologist will accompany you inside one of the nobles’ tombs, the Tomb of Kagmini, where beautifully preserved wall paintings reflect scenes of daily life in ancient Egypt. You will also enter the Pyramid of Teti to see the oldest known Pyramid Texts carved on the chamber walls, dating back over 4,300 years, an exclusive experience that defines Egypt luxury tours.

The journey continues to Dahshour, an archaeological site located about five miles from Sakkara. This quiet and untrodden area is home to three remarkable pyramids: the Bent Pyramid and the Red (North) Pyramid, both built by Pharaoh Snefru, founder of the Fourth Dynasty, as well as a smaller pyramid belonging to his wife, Queen Hetepheres.

At Dahshour you will visit the Bent Pyramid, the first architectural attempt to transform the Step Pyramid into a true smooth-sided pyramid. Its unique two-angled shape and well-preserved limestone casing make it one of the most fascinating monuments of ancient Egypt. Walk around the pyramid and view the nearby Queen Pyramid before heading to the Red Pyramid.

The Red Pyramid also known as the North Pyramid, is considered the first complete true pyramid in ancient Egyptian history. You will have the opportunity to enter its interior chamber, walking through a narrow tunnel that leads deep inside the structure, an unforgettable highlight of your luxury tour in Cairo.

At the end of the Luxury Private tour, drive back to your hotel.

Overnight: in Cairo | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the majesty of the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx as part of your exclusive luxury tour in Giza. You will enjoy personalized attention during your visit to these iconic symbols of Egypt ancient civilization. Located on the Giza Plateau, the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx date back more than 4,600 years. While Egypt is home to over 100 pyramids, the Pyramids of Giza remain the most famous and stand as the last surviving wonder of the ancient Seven Wonders of the World.

Your knowledgeable Egyptologist guide will provide a fascinating introduction to the three pyramids, Cheops, Chephren and Mykerinus. You will have free time to enter one of the pyramids (at an additional cost), although your guide is not permitted to accompany you inside. Afterward, continue across the plateau for a panoramic photo stop capturing the three pyramids rising from the desert sands with the Cairo skyline in the background.

A short drive brings you to the city side of the plateau, where you will stand before the Sphinx, the mysterious guardian of the pyramids, with the body of a lion and the head of a king, an enduring symbol of ancient Egypt surrounded by unanswered questions about its construction and purpose.

We then continue to the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) one of the highlights of your 11-day Luxury Private Egypt tour. The museum displays more than 50000 ancient artifacts, with the valuable artifacts of King Tutankhamun serving as the museum's main attraction. His gilded coffins dominate the main hall, while his iconic golden mask remains the star attraction. Your guide will show you the main exhibits of the museum before you can explore the museum on your own schedule.

Overnight: in Cairo | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, catch a flight to Luxor, known in antiquity as Thebes, as you continue your unforgettable 11-day Egypt luxury tour. This extraordinary city served as Egypt’s capital during part of the Middle Kingdom and at the height of the New Kingdom and was dedicated to the god Amun, one of the most revered deities of the Egyptian pantheon.

Explore the vast Karnak Temple Complex a remarkable collection of shrines, obelisks, and monumental gateways where Amun and other deities were worshipped for centuries. In the afternoon enjoy exploring the Luxor Museum home to an exceptional collection of artifacts that bring ancient Thebes to life.

This evening, we will take an excursion to Luxor Temple, which is known for its colonnade, towering columns, statues that are larger in size, and an outside painfully seductive during sunsets. Light that is gently adjusted creates an ethereal setting toward a mystical, dreamlike twilight.

Overnight: in Luxor | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Today, venture to the famed Valley of the Kings, one of the greatest highlights of your luxury private Egypt tour package for 11 days, where the pharaohs of Egypt’s New Kingdom chose to build elaborate underground tombs instead of the pyramids typical of the Old Kingdom. Descend into the tomb of Tutankhamun, discovered in 1922 by British archaeologist Howard Carter, and see the remains of the boy king. Admire the vivid wall paintings and finely carved hieroglyphics inside the nearby tomb of Seti I considered one of the most beautifully decorated tombs in the valley.

Finish your day in Luxor with a view of the Colossi of Memnon, enormous 60-foot stone sculptures of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, which have been standing there silently as protectors of the royal necropolis since about 1350 B. C.

In the evening board your vessel to begin your unforgettable Egypt Nile Cruise, sailing through the Ancient Wonders of the Legendary Nile, where timeless history unfolds along the riverbanks.

Overnight: onboard Nile Cruise | Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Sail to the West Bank of Luxor this morning as part of your 11-day Egypt luxury private tours, and step ashore to explore the Ramesseum Temple, the impressive mortuary temple of Ramses II. Admire the massive granite remnants of the king colossal statues, a powerful testament to the grandeur of ancient Egypt.

Proceeding to the Valley of the Queens then visit the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, beautifully set against the dramatic backdrop of the Theban Mountains. After completing your West Bank explorations return to your boat for lunch and enjoy a relaxing afternoon sailing; passing through the Esna Lock on your way to the city of Edfu.

Overnight: onboard Nile Cruise | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In the morning, our cruise ship will sail to Edfu, where you will visit one of Egypt most remarkable monuments as part of your luxury all inclusive vacations. Visit the Temple of Edfu to inspect the most well-preserved ancient temple in Egypt dedicated to the falcon god Horus. The temple was, during the Ptolemaic period, built between 240-57 BC; this is a closer look at religion in ancient Egypt.

After returning to the ship, continue cruising toward Kom Ombo, arriving in the late afternoon. Visit the unique Ptolemaic Temple of Kom Ombo, constructed during the reign of King Ptolemy V (circa 205–180 BC). This rare double temple was built to honor two gods: Sobek, the crocodile god and Horus, the falcon god.

Following your visit return to the ship for dinner and enjoy an evening of sailing south toward Aswan, surrounded by the timeless scenery and Ancient Wonders of the Legendary Nile.

Overnight: onboard Nile Cruise | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Leave the Nile cruise and explore the three most popular and well-known Aswan attractions as part of our luxury Egypt travel packages. Walk on the High Dam, which separates Lake Nasser from the Nile, be astounded at the size of the Unfinished Obelisk, and enjoy the beauty of Philae Temple's island location. Depart from your hotel or cruise ship in Aswan and travel to the High Dam of Aswan, an engineering feat accomplished in the 1960s. Containing more material than used in the Great Pyramid of Cheops and carved into the existing granite, it provides irrigation and electricity for the whole of Egypt. Gaze across Lake Nasser to Kalabsha Temple from atop the High Dam. Continue to the Unfinished Obelisk in the granite quarries of Aswan, where much of the red granite used for ancient temples and colossi came from.

The Unfinished Obelisk still lies where it was carved when a crack was discovered as it was being hewn from the rock. Your knowledgeable Egyptologist guide will explain how the 1-tonne obelisk was carved and why the crack caused it to be abandoned. The last of the three famous Aswan sites you will see today is generally regarded as the best. Philae Temple was carefully moved to its current location (around 500 meters from the original site) when the construction of the High Dam caused the surrounding Nile waters to rise. This magnificent island temple is one of the highlights of the Ancient Wonders of the Legendary Nile.

A short motorboat ride takes you to the island, where your guide will take you on a walking tour through the temple before allowing you free time to explore further at your leisure. Dedicated to the goddess Isis, Philae Temple has a beautiful setting on an island in the river, which has been landscaped to match its original site. Its various shrines and sanctuaries celebrate the deities involved in the myth of Isis and Osiris. This evening, board a felucca traditional wooden sailboat of the Nile, completing a day of sightseeing in style as part of our luxury tours in Egypt.

Overnight: in Aswan | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Fly to Abu Simbel in southern Egypt this morning, where your local guide will join you. Head out for a tour of this awe-inspiring ancient site, among Ramses II's most impressive building achievements. Four nearly 70-foot-tall statues of the pharaoh grace the entrance to the main temple carved out of a dramatic sandstone cliff. During the Abu Simbel Sun Festival, celebrated twice a year, in February and October, the sun's rays cast a golden light on the inner chamber, illuminating the seated statues of Ramses and two sun gods. Like the Temple at Philae, the Abu Simbel temples were also dismantled and rebuilt at a higher elevation to make way for the Aswan High Dam, a feat of engineering to rival Abu Simbel's original construction. After lunch, catch a flight back to Cairo and relax at your hotel. This visit is an unforgettable highlight of our 11-day Egypt luxury private tours.

Overnight: in Cairo | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You will tour the Alabaster Mosque at the Citadel of Salah el-Din, which sits on top of a limestone hill overlooking Cairo and is the most important mosque in the city. The lower part of the mosque is clad inside and out with Alabaster. The top part is constructed from the limestone cladding removed from the Pyramids of Giza. Inside the mosque, your guide will introduce you to the fundamental beliefs of Islam, including a translation of the most common prayers. This is part of the Ancient Wonders of the Legendary Nile experience.

Then you will discover the ancient sites and culture of Coptic Christians and learn about Christian life in Egypt. You will first visit the Hanging Church, built into the Roman fortress's gatehouse walls and possibly the oldest Christian church in Egypt. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, it is one of Cairo's most beautiful churches. Continue to the Monastery and Church of Saint George, one of the few remaining circular churches in the Middle East.

Your next stop is the Abu Serga, where the holy family rested after fleeing Israel from King Herod. At the turn of the century, this little church, which dates from the 10th century, was the most important pilgrimage spot in Old Cairo for visiting Christian tourists. Twenty-four marble columns line the central court, and a series of 12th-century icons depict the 12 apostles. You will then tour Ben Ezra Synagogue, one of Egypt's oldest synagogues. Set in a shady garden, it was built on the site of the 4th-century Christian church.

Afterward, you will visit the Khan el Khalili Bazaar, where your guide will introduce you to the famous bazaar, said to have inspired Christopher Columbus to discover the New World. Here you will enjoy free time to stroll through the maze of streets and shops, try your luck bargaining with the shop owners for a souvenir of your trip, or have a cup of tea at the famous coffee shop El Fishawy.

This completes a rich cultural exploration, a highlight of the 11-day Egypt luxury private tours to Cairo.

Overnight: in Cairo | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Following breakfast, transfer to the airport to connect to your flight home. This marks the conclusion of your 11 day private luxury tour in Cairo, Luxor and Aswan.