10 Day Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Abydos, Aswan and Abu Simbel

This private, 10-day program visits Egypt’s most iconic sites across Lower and Upper Egypt: the Giza plateau and Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo; the classical and coastal highlights of Alexandria; Luxor’s East and West Bank treasures; the temples of Abydos and Dendera; Edfu and Kom Ombo en route to Aswan; and the rock-cut sanctuary of Abu Simbel. The package includes domestic flights, hotel nights in Cairo, Luxor and Aswan, most entrance fees, an English-speaking Egyptologist guide and private transfers. The schedule is flexible and can be tailored to your preferences.

Highlights

• Giza Pyramids Complex (Khufu, Khafre & Menkaure) and the Sphinx
• Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) and Tutankhamun collection
• Saqqara (Djoser’s Step Pyramid) and Memphis Open-Air Museum
• Valley of the Kings and Tutankhamun’s tomb
• Karnak and Luxor Temples
• Abydos Temple (Seti I) and the Osireion
• Dendera Temple Complex (Temple of Hathor)
• Edfu Temple (Horus) and Kom Ombo (Sobek & Haroeris)
• Aswan High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk and Philae Temple
• Abu Simbel twin temples of Ramses II and Nefertari
• Alexandria: Library, Roman Amphitheatre, Pompey’s Pillar and Qaitbay Citadel

Itinerary

Day Day 1 — Arrival to Cairo — Transfer to hotel

Arrive at Cairo International Airport where an English-speaking representative will assist with arrival formalities and transfer you to your hotel for an overnight stay in Cairo.

Meals: No meals included

Day Day 2 — Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Saqqara and Memphis

After breakfast meet your Egyptologist guide to visit the Giza Plateau (the three pyramids and the Sphinx). Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, then continue to Saqqara to see Djoser’s Step Pyramid and later visit the open-air museum at Memphis, with monuments including those of Ramses II. Return to your Cairo hotel for the night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day Day 3 — Grand Egyptian Museum, Citadel and Khan el-Khalili

Visit the Grand Egyptian Museum to view major antiquities including the Tutankhamun collection, followed by lunch. Continue to the Citadel of Salah El-Din and finish the day exploring the historic Khan el-Khalili bazaar. Overnight in Cairo.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day Day 4 — Fly to Luxor — West and East Bank tour

Transfer to Cairo airport for a domestic flight to Luxor. On arrival explore the West Bank: the Valley of the Kings (including the tomb of Tutankhamun where entry is included), Deir el-Bahari (Hatshepsut’s temple) and the Colossi of Memnon. After lunch, visit Karnak Temple Complex and Luxor Temple on the East Bank. Check in to your Luxor hotel for overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day Day 5 — Abydos and Dendera day trip

Full-day excursion south of Luxor to Abydos to see the temple of Seti I and the Osireion, followed by a visit to Dendera to explore the well-preserved Hathor temple, the ceiling reliefs and the Greco-Roman additions. Free time to wander the complexes before returning to Luxor for the night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day Day 6 — Edfu and Kom Ombo — Transfer to Aswan

Check out and travel toward Aswan, stopping at Edfu to visit the Temple of Horus and then at Kom Ombo to see the double temple dedicated to Sobek and Haroeris. Continue to Aswan, have lunch and check in to your hotel for overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day Day 7 — Aswan: High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk and Philae

Explore Aswan’s engineering and ancient stonework: the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk in the granite quarries, and Philae Temple — the relocated island temple devoted to Isis. Return to your Aswan hotel in the evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day Day 8 — Abu Simbel and flight to Cairo

Early departure by private air-conditioned vehicle to Abu Simbel to visit the two temples carved under Ramses II. After the visit transfer to Aswan airport for a flight back to Cairo, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel for overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day Day 9 — Alexandria day trip

Drive to Alexandria for a guided visit including the modern Library of Alexandria, the Roman Amphitheatre, Pompey’s Pillar and the exterior of the Qaitbay Citadel. Lunch is provided locally. Return to Cairo and overnight at your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day Day 10 — Departure from Cairo

After breakfast check out from your hotel and transfer to Cairo International Airport for your onward flight.

Meals: Breakfast

Included

• Hotel in Cairo for 5 nights
• Hotel in Luxor for 2 nights
• Hotel in Aswan for 2 nights
• Domestic flights (as listed in itinerary)
• Private air-conditioned vehicle transfers
• Horse carriage at Edfu
• Taftaf at Valley of the Kings
• Motor boat to Philae island
• 9 breakfasts, 8 lunches
• Meet and assist by English-speaking representatives
• Entrance fees to the archaeological sites listed in the itinerary
• Private Egyptologist English-speaking tour guide(s)
• Complementary one bottle of water per person per day in Cairo
• Portage when needed
• All taxes and service charges

Not included

• International airfare
• Entry visa to Egypt
• Travel insurance
• Laundry service
• Any service or tour not mentioned in the itinerary