Duration: 7 days · 6 nights
Starts from: Cairo
Group size: Up to 12 guests
Difficulty: Easy

Overview

A fast-moving private week: Giza, Saqqara and Dahshur, a day in Alexandria, both banks of Luxor in one day, Philae in Aswan and a pre-dawn drive to Abu Simbel.

This is a trip for travellers who want to see a great deal in a week and don't mind early starts. It begins the day you land in Cairo, with the Egyptian Museum, the pyramids of Giza, a short camel ride near the Sphinx and the bazaar of Khan el-Khalili, followed the next day by Saqqara, the Bent and Red Pyramids of Dahshur and the ruins of Memphis.

Day three is a long drive north to Alexandria for the Roman theatre at Kom el-Dikka, the catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and Qaitbay Citadel on the harbour, returning to Cairo in the evening. Then you fly to Luxor for the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's temple, Karnak and Luxor Temple, all in one full day.

From Luxor you drive about three hours south to Aswan for the High Dam and the Temple of Isis at Philae. Very early the next morning you cross the desert to Abu Simbel, then fly from Aswan back to Cairo for your last night. A private Egyptologist guide is with you throughout.

Highlights

Giza pyramids, the Sphinx and a camel ride
Saqqara, Dahshur and Memphis
A day in Alexandria on the Mediterranean
Luxor's East and West Banks in one day
Philae temple and the Aswan High Dam
The rock temples of Abu Simbel

Itinerary

1
Day 1
Arrival → Egyptian Museum, pyramids & Khan el-Khalili
Our representative meets you at Cairo International Airport and your guide begins with the Egyptian Museum. You continue to Giza for the pyramids and the Sphinx, including a short camel ride, with lunch along the way, and end the day in Khan el-Khalili. Overnight in Cairo.
2
Day 2
Saqqara, Dahshur & Memphis
Pickup at 8:00 for Djoser's Step Pyramid at Saqqara, then south to Dahshur, where King Sneferu's Bent and Red Pyramids show the builders learning how to make a true pyramid. The day ends at Memphis with the colossus of Ramses II and the alabaster sphinx. Lunch is included. Overnight in Cairo.
3
Day 3
Day trip to Alexandria
A 7:00 departure for the drive of about three hours to Alexandria. You visit the Roman theatre at Kom el-Dikka, go down through the three levels of the Kom el-Shoqafa catacombs, see the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and Qaitbay Citadel, and stop at the mosque of El-Mursi Abu el-Abbas, with lunch included. Back in Cairo around 19:00; the Bibliotheca is closed on Fridays.
4
Day 4
Cairo → Luxor: both banks
A 4:00 hotel departure for the early flight to Luxor. On the West Bank you visit the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari and the Colossi of Memnon; on the East Bank, Karnak's Hypostyle Hall, sacred lake and obelisks, then Luxor Temple. Overnight in Luxor.
5
Day 5
Luxor → Aswan: High Dam & Philae
Breakfast and a 7:00 departure for the road south to Aswan, about three hours. You see the High Dam above Lake Nasser, then take a boat out to Agilkia Island for the Temple of Isis at Philae. Overnight in Aswan.
6
Day 6
Abu Simbel → fly to Cairo
A 4:00 pickup for the drive of about three and a half hours to Abu Simbel and the great temples of Ramses II and Nefertari, the latter dedicated to Hathor. After the visit you return to Aswan, with lunch included, for an afternoon flight back to Cairo. Overnight in Cairo.
7
Day 7
Departure from Cairo
A last breakfast in Cairo before our driver takes you to Cairo International Airport, timed around your flight. Our representative helps you with check-in and departure formalities.

What's included

6 nights in 3-star hotels with breakfast: 4 in Cairo, 1 in Luxor and 1 in Aswan (4- and 5-star hotels on request, at extra cost)
Domestic flights Cairo – Luxor and Aswan – Cairo
Private air-conditioned transport in Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor and Aswan
Meet-and-assist service at every airport
Private Egyptologist guide for all visits
Camel ride at the pyramids
Lunch on days 1, 2, 3 and 6
Entry fees for the sites in the itinerary, plus all taxes and service charges