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Cairo, Luxor & Aswan, Egypt
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Egypt · North Africa

Cairo, Luxor & Aswan

5,000 years of pharaohs from Giza to the Valley of the Kings

8 days · 7 nightsOct–Apr (mild · avoid summer heat)2–16 travellersFrom USD 2,150 pp sharing

About this trip

Egypt remains the world's most concentrated archaeological wonder - the Giza pyramid complex, the Sphinx, the Grand Egyptian Museum (opened 2024 with Tutankhamun's full 5,400-piece collection on display for the first time), the Valley of the Kings with 65 royal tombs including Tutankhamun and Ramesses VI, the temples of Karnak and Luxor, Abu Simbel cut into the cliff by Ramesses II, and Philae temple rescued from the rising Aswan dam. Our 8-day circuit pairs three nights in Cairo with a 4-night classic Nile dahabiya (small sailing boat, 8-12 cabins, far better than 200-cabin floating hotels) between Luxor and Aswan, with a flight extension to Abu Simbel. Curated by Egyptologists with PhDs, not generic guides.

Highlights

  • Private dawn visit to the Pyramids of Giza before crowds (subject to permit)
  • Grand Egyptian Museum - Tutankhamun's full collection in one gallery
  • Sail the Nile aboard a traditional dahabiya (max 12 cabins)
  • Valley of the Kings with three tomb entries including KV62 (Tutankhamun)
  • Karnak Temple sound and light show after dark
  • Abu Simbel by 45-min flight from Aswan - beat the road convoy
  • Felucca sail at sunset around Elephantine Island

Itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Arrive Cairo

    Meet & greet at airport with Egyptologist. Transfer to hotel. Welcome dinner with Nile views.

  2. Day 2

    Giza Pyramids & Sphinx

    Pre-dawn entry to Giza plateau. Inside the Great Pyramid. Solar boat museum. Lunch at Mena House. Afternoon at the Grand Egyptian Museum.

  3. Day 3

    Old Cairo + fly to Luxor

    Coptic Cairo, Hanging Church, Ben Ezra Synagogue, Khan el-Khalili bazaar. Evening flight to Luxor. Board dahabiya.

  4. Day 4

    Luxor East & West Bank

    Karnak and Luxor temples in morning. Cross to West Bank: Valley of the Kings (3 tombs), Hatshepsut temple, Colossi of Memnon. Sunset sail begins.

  5. Day 5

    Sail to Edfu

    Lazy day on deck. Stop at Esna lock. Visit Khnum temple. Onboard dinner.

  6. Day 6

    Edfu & Kom Ombo

    Horus temple at Edfu (best-preserved in Egypt). Sail to Kom Ombo for the dual temple of Sobek and Horus at sunset.

  7. Day 7

    Aswan + Abu Simbel flight

    Disembark Aswan. Optional 0500 flight to Abu Simbel (45 min each way). Afternoon Philae temple by motorboat. Felucca sunset around Elephantine Island.

  8. Day 8

    Aswan → home

    Morning at Nubian village or unfinished obelisk. Afternoon flight Cairo for international connection.

What's included

  • All domestic flights (Cairo–Luxor, Aswan–Cairo)
  • Three nights 5-star Cairo hotel + four nights dahabiya full board
  • All entry fees including Giza, Tutankhamun tomb, Valley of the Kings
  • Private Egyptologist guide throughout (PhD-level)
  • All transfers in air-conditioned vehicles
  • Felucca sunset sail and Karnak sound & light show

Not included: international flights, visa fees, optional activities marked above, personal expenses, tips beyond stated inclusions, and travel insurance (we arrange separately on request).

Best suited for

History enthusiastsMulti-generational familiesCultural travellersPhotographersBucket-list
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