Pharaohs in Private: The Shorter Nile Journey

Your Egyptian adventure begins the moment you land at Cairo International Airport, where our VIP service ensures a seamless arrival with fast-tracked formalities. A private transfer whisks you to your hotel, one of the city’s most prestigious addresses. Overlooking the Nile and with views stretching towards the Pyramids, the hotel offers elegant rooms, a tranquil spa, and refined dining options. The evening is at leisure to recover from your journey, or you may choose a welcome dinner hosted by a local chef for an introduction to Egyptian Flavors.

The day begins with a dive into Islamic Cairo, where towering minarets and centuries-old mosques tell the story of the city’s medieval golden age. At the Mosque of Sultan Hassan, you will be struck by the sheer scale and harmony of this 14th-century masterpiece, while the Ibn Tulun Mosque enchants with its vast courtyard and spiral minaret. Wandering through the labyrinthine alleys of Khan el-Khalili Bazaar, El Moez Street,. In the afternoon, your Egyptologist leads you through the treasures of the Grand Egyptian Museum, home to the golden mask of Tutankhamun and countless masterpieces of the pharaonic world. The evening concludes with a private sunset cocktail sail on the Nile, watching the river reflect Cairo’s dazzling skyline.

Today is dedicated to the eternal symbols of Egypt. At the Giza Plateau, you will not only marvel at the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the last surviving Wonder of the Ancient World, but also enjoy exclusive access to its interior, standing in the King’s Chamber where Pharaoh Khufu was once laid to rest. Nearby, the Great Sphinx silently guards the sands, its enigmatic gaze captivating visitors for millennia. Lunch is a highlight at the 9 Pyramids Lounge, offering an unrivalled panoramic view of all three pyramids. In the afternoon, the journey continues south to Saqqara, the vast necropolis of ancient Memphis. Here, the Step Pyramid of Djoser, built by the architect Imhotep, marks the first monumental stone building in history. You will also enter the Pyramid of Unas, where the world’s earliest Pyramid Texts still adorn the walls, and the Tomb of Mereruca, celebrated for its lively scenes of daily life carved in exquisite relief.

A short flight brings you to Luxor, ancient Thebes, where the grandeur of pharaonic Egypt comes alive. Begin at the sprawling Karnak Temple Complex, where colossal statues and 134 towering columns in the Hypostyle Hall bear witness to 2,000 years of continuous construction. Walking along the Avenue of the Sphinxes, you arrive at the Temple of Luxor, beautifully illuminated at dusk, where Alexander the Great left his own imprint alongside Amenhotep III. Afterward, you board the Luxury Nile Cruise, your floating sanctuary for the next several nights. With private balcony suites, fine dining, and impeccable service, the cruise offers both elegance and intimacy.

Crossing the Nile to the West Bank, you explore the sacred necropolis of the Valley of the Kings. Unlike most visitors, your tour grants you access to the most exclusive tombs: the magnificent Tomb of Seti I, whose colourful reliefs are considered the pinnacle of New Kingdom art; the Tomb of Ramses VI, with its celestial ceiling depicting the goddess Nut; and the famous Tomb of Tutankhamun, where the boy-king’s mummy still rests. Nearby, the Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahri stands as a striking testament to Egypt’s only female pharaoh, its terraces blending seamlessly into the cliffs. On your return, pause at the towering Colossi of Memnon, guardians of ancient Thebes for over 3,000 years.

A horse-drawn carriage takes you to the Temple of Horus at Edfu, one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt, where colossal pylons and detailed reliefs depict the eternal struggle between Horus and Seth. As the cruise sails onward, you stop at Kom Ombo, a unique dual temple dedicated to both Sobek, the crocodile god of fertility, and Horus the Elder. The nearby Crocodile Museum displays dozens of mummified crocodiles once worshipped here. The evening brings fine dining and stargazing on the deck of your luxury cruise ship.

At dawn, you fly to the awe-inspiring temples of Abu Simbel, carved into solid rock by Ramses II in the 13th century BCE. The four colossal statues of Ramses, each over 20 meters high, guard the entrance to one of the most extraordinary monuments of ancient Egypt. Returning to Aswan, you explore the Philae temple then at sunset, you sail in a traditional felucca, gliding across golden waters as the desert meets the Nile.

After breakfast, you disembark your Nile Cruise. A short flight returns you to Cairo, where your private driver continues onward to the Mediterranean city of Alexandria. Here, you descend into the Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa, a fascinating blend of Egyptian and Greco-Roman motifs. The futuristic Bibliotheca Alexandrina revives the spirit of the ancient Great Library, once the most important in the world. In the evening, stroll along the Corniche and enjoy Mediterranean breezes before checking into your selected hotel , an opulent seaside resort with private beach access.

The morning begins at Pompey’s Pillar, a towering Roman column that once stood in the Serapeum, the grand temple of Serapis. From here, a scenic drive takes you to El Alamein, where the sands of Egypt became the stage of one of World War II’s most decisive battles. The El Alamein War Museum and the Commonwealth cemeteries honor the memory of those who fought and fell. Returning to Alexandria, a seafood feast awaits at a fine Mediterranean restaurant overlooking the harbour.

After breakfast at your hotel, a private transfer returns you to Cairo International Airport for your flight home. You depart Egypt carrying with you the unforgettable memories of pyramids and temples, kings and queens, and the eternal Nile.

| Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 3 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| What’s Included. Option 1.Meet & assist at Cairo Airport arrival & departure.3 Nights at Sofitel Cairo El Gezerah, Nile view, B.B4 Nights Movenpick Royal Lily Luxury Nile Cruise.2 Nights Hilton Corniche Sea view Private Egyptologist guide throughoutEntrance fees to all sites listedAll private transfers in air-conditioned vehiclesDomestic flights: Cairo → Luxor & Aswan → CairoWhat’s Not IncludedInternational flightsEgypt entry visaOptional Abu Simbel tourPersonal expenses (laundry, drinks, spa, etc.)Gratuities for guides, drivers, and cruise staff | What’s Included. Option 1.Meet & assist at Cairo Airport arrival & departure.3 Nights at Kempneski Nile, Nile view, bed and Breakfast.4 Nights Sonesta St George Luxury Nile Cruise.2 Nights Four Seasons Alexandria Sea view Private Egyptologist guide throughoutEntrance fees to all sites listedAll private transfers in air-conditioned vehiclesDomestic flights: Cairo → Luxor & Aswan → CairoWhat’s Not IncludedInternational flightsEgypt entry visaOptional Abu Simbel tourPersonal expenses (laundry, drinks, spa, etc.)Gratuities for guides, drivers, and cruise staff | What’s Included. Option 1.Meet & assist at Cairo Airport arrival & departure.3 Nights at Four Seasons Nile Plaza Nile view B.B.4 Nights Oberoi Philae Ultra Luxury Nile cruise 2 Nights Four Seasons Alexandria Sea view.Private Egyptologist guide throughoutEntrance fees to all sites listedAll private transfers in air-conditioned vehiclesDomestic flights: Cairo → Luxor & Aswan → CairoWhat’s Not IncludedInternational flightsEgypt entry visaOptional Abu Simbel tourPersonal expenses (laundry, drinks, spa, etc.)Gratuities for guides, drivers, and cruise staff |