12 Day Egypt Tour: Pyramids, Luxor, Aswan & Oasis Adventure

Breakfast at your hotel in Cairo then, you will accompanied by your private guide for a discovery tour of Cairo starting by

 

Giza Pyramids Complex

The Giza Pyramids Complex, is home to the three iconic pyramids: the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure. Built over 4,500 years ago, this site also includes the Great Sphinx and the Valley Temple. The pyramids served as royal tombs and remain a testament to ancient Egypt's architectural and engineering genius.

 

The Great Pyramid

The Great Pyramid of Giza, built around 2600 BCE for Pharaoh Khufu, is the largest of the Giza pyramids and the last remaining Wonder of the Ancient World. Standing at 481 feet tall, it was the tallest man-made structure for nearly 4,000 years. Its precise construction and massive scale continue to amaze visitors and historians, showcasing the incredible skill of ancient Egyptian builders.

 

The Great Sphinx

The Great Sphinx of Giza, carved from limestone around 2500 BCE, is one of the most iconic symbols of ancient Egypt. With the body of a lion and the head of Pharaoh Khafre, it stands 66 feet tall and 240 feet long. The Sphinx is believed to represent strength and wisdom, guarding the Giza Pyramids and adding to the mystery and grandeur of the site.

 

The Valley Temple

The Valley Temple, was constructed during the reign of Pharaoh Khafre around 2500 BCE. This temple was used for mummification rituals and the purification of the king's body before burial. Made from massive limestone and granite blocks, the temple’s simple, yet powerful design reflects the grandeur of ancient Egyptian architecture and its spiritual significance.

 

Lunch Time

Proceed to have your Lunch will be served in a good quality restaurant, then move to visit:

 

The Egyptian Museum

The Egyptian Museum in Cairo houses the world’s largest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts. Opened in 1902, it features over 120,000 items, including statues, jewelry, and royal mummies. The museum offers a comprehensive journey through Egypt's ancient history, from the pre-dynastic era to the Greco-Roman period, making it a must-visit for history enthusiasts, Continue to Coptic Cairo to visit

 

The Hanging Church

The Hanging Church, or Saint Virgin Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church, is one of the oldest churches in Egypt, dating back to the 3rd century. Located in Old Cairo, it is named for its unique position above a Roman fortress gate. Known for its beautiful wooden ceiling and icons.

 

Ben Ezra Synagogue

Ben Ezra Synagogue, is one of Egypt’s oldest and most significant Jewish sites. Originally a Coptic church, it became a synagogue in the 9th century. The synagogue is famous for the discovery of the Cairo Geniza, a collection of ancient Jewish manuscripts that offer valuable insights into medieval Jewish life.

 

Later transfer to Giza train station taking a sleeper train from Cairo to Aswan for about 14 hours.

 

Overnight

Dinner and breakfast will be served on board - overnight inside your compartment. (There is another option with a domestic flight upon your request) 

 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Sleeper Train On Half Board Basis

You will be met at Aswan station, then transferred to your hotel, Optional to enjoy a tour to one of Egypt's top tourist attractions

 

Abu Simbel Temples

Abu Simbel Temple, was built by Pharaoh Ramses II in the 13th century BCE. The temple complex features two massive rock temples, with colossal statues of Ramses II at the entrance. It was originally carved out of a mountainside and later relocated to higher ground in the 1960s to avoid flooding from the Aswan High Dam.

 

Overnight

Overnight in Aswan

 

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Movenpick Resort Aswan

Start your day with breakfast at your hotel in Aswan. At 10:00 AM, you’ll be picked up and transferred to board your Nile River Cruise, just in time for lunch at 11:00 AM. Afterward, get ready to enjoy some fascinating visits to incredible sites.

 

The High Dam

The High Dam, is an engineering marvel built between 1960 and 1970 to control the Nile River's flooding, provide water for irrigation, and generate hydroelectric power. The dam created Lake Nasser, one of the world’s largest artificial lakes, and has played a vital role in Egypt’s economy.

 

Philae Temple

Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis and Hathor, is located on Agilkia Island near Aswan. Originally built in the 4th century BCE, the temple complex was relocated in the 1960s to save it from flooding caused by the construction of the Aswan High Dam.

 

The Unfinished Obelisk

The Unfinished Obelisk, is the largest known ancient obelisk, left incomplete in its granite quarry. Thought to have been commissioned by Queen Hatshepsut, it would have stood about 137 feet tall and weighed over 1,000 tons if completed. Cracks appeared during its construction, causing it to be abandoned.

 

Overnight

Dinner on board and overnight in Aswan.

 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: MS Nile Goddess Nile Cruise Egypt

Breakfast on board and visit the Temple shared by two gods Sobek & Haeroris

 

Kom Ombo Temple

Kom Ombo Temple, is unique for its double design, dedicated to two gods: Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus, the falcon god. Built during the Ptolemaic period (180-47 BCE), the temple features beautiful reliefs and inscriptions. The temple complex also includes a fascinating crocodile museum, displaying mummified crocodiles found in the area.

 

Edfu Temple

Edfu Temple, dedicated to the falcon god Horus, is one of Egypt’s best-preserved ancient temples. Built during the Ptolemaic period between 237 and 57 BCE, the temple showcases impressive columns, detailed carvings, and statues of Horus.

 

Overnight

Dinner and overnight on board.

 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: MS Nile Goddess Nile Cruise Egypt

Sail to Luxor – have a breakfast on board then visit the West Bank, take an excursion to the royal cemetery for 62 Pharaohs

 

Valley of the Kings

The Valley of the Kings, located on the west bank, served as the royal burial site for pharaohs of the New Kingdom (1550-1070 BCE). This ancient necropolis is home to over 60 tombs, including the famous tomb of Tutankhamun. The tombs are richly decorated with hieroglyphs and scenes from the afterlife.

 

Hatshepsut Temple

Hatshepsut Temple, also known as Deir el-Bahari, is an impressive mortuary temple built for Queen Hatshepsut, one of Egypt’s few female pharaohs, in the 15th century BCE. Carved into a cliff on the west bank of the Nile near Luxor, the temple features terraces, columns, and stunning reliefs that depict her reign and divine birth.

 

Colossi of Memnon

The Colossi of Memnon are two massive stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, standing at 60 feet tall on the west bank of the Nile near Luxor. Built around 1350 BCE, the statues once guarded the entrance to Amenhotep's mortuary temple.

 

Lunch

Lunch on board

 

Visit the East Bank Attractions of the Nile River in Luxor

 

Karnak complex

Karnak Temple, located in Luxor, is the largest religious complex ever built in ancient Egypt. Constructed over 2,000 years, from around 2055 BCE to 100 AD, it is dedicated primarily to the god Amun-Ra. The temple features massive columns, towering obelisks, and intricate hieroglyphs. Highlights include the Great Hypostyle Hall with its 134 towering columns and sacred lake.

 

Luxor Temple

Luxor Temple, is a stunning ancient temple dedicated to the god Amun. Built during the New Kingdom, primarily under Pharaoh Amenhotep III in the 14th century BCE, the temple features magnificent statues, towering columns, and detailed hieroglyphs. Luxor Temple is known for its grand entrance.

 

We Will drive you back to the cruise ship. Dinner on board and overnight in Luxor.

 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: MS Nile Goddess Nile Cruise Egypt

Breakfast on board nile cruise in Luxor followed by disembarkation at 08:00 AM and then transfer by a private air-conditioned vehicle to Baris Oais about 5 hours driving

 

Baris Oais

Baris Oasis, located in the Western Desert of Egypt, is a lesser-known oasis known for its unique natural beauty and tranquil atmosphere. Surrounded by rugged mountains and vast sand dunes, it offers visitors a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. The oasis features palm trees, fresh springs.

 

Dush Temple

Dush Temple, also known as the Temple of Dush or the Temple of the Oasis, is an ancient temple located in the Dakhla Oasis in Egypt’s Western Desert. Built during the Roman period around the 1st century AD, the temple is dedicated to the worship of the Egyptian god Amun. Although smaller than other temples, it features well-preserved inscriptions and reliefs that depict various deities and rituals.

 

Overnight

Spend the first night camping in the Western Desert.

 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Campsite in Kharga Oasis

After breakfast move onto Kharga Oasis to visit

 

Qasr El Labkha

Qasr El Labkha, located in the Dakhla Oasis, is an ancient fortress dating back to the Roman period. This site is notable for its well-preserved mudbrick architecture and serves as a reminder of the region's historical significance in trade and defense. The fortress was strategically built to protect the oasis and facilitate trade routes across the desert.

 

Roman Temple

The Roman Temple of Hibis, located in the Kharga Oasis, is one of the best-preserved temples from the Roman period in Egypt. Built during the reign of Emperor Tiberius around 30 BCE to 14 CE, this temple is dedicated to the god Amun and features stunning sandstone architecture. Its walls are adorned with intricate reliefs depicting various gods and scenes from Egyptian mythology.

 

Christian cemetery

The Christian Cemetery in Bagawat, located near the Kharga Oasis, is an ancient burial site dating back to the 4th century AD. It is one of the oldest Christian cemeteries in Egypt and features over 250 tombs, many of which are adorned with intricate frescoes and inscriptions. The tombs exhibit a blend of Christian and Egyptian artistic styles.

 

We drive on, to Dakhla, where we spend the night at an Oasis style hut with reed huts, communal showers and basic facilities. Overnight in Dakhla.

 

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Desert Lodge Hotel Dakhla

After breakfast, head to the fabulous medieval mud-brick town of Al Qasr, exploring the timeless streets, seeing the old school, an ancient olive press and the granary. We also enjoy a trip to the Roman burial ground Mezzawaqqah from outside and the Roman Temple Deir El Hagar in its serene surroundings.

 

We return for lunch and spend the afternoon relaxing at hot spring while waiting for the heat of the day to pass. In the late afternoon we set off on camels, riding through a desolate windswept landscape to the base of a Great escarpment. Camel ride for about 10 km. Overnight camping in the desert. 

 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Campsite in Dakhla

North of Dakhla is Farafra Oasis where we have time to visit Badr Museum and enjoy a swim at the natural sulphur spring at Bir Setah. A little further on we enter the White Desert, a spectacular region of wind-eroded limestone formations. The continual erosion has left a layer of fine white dust on the desert sands, hence the name ‘white desert’.

 

We enjoy a sunset walk in this surreal landscape and spend the night camping under the stars. Note it can be very cold in the winter months (Oct-Mar) so make sure you are well rugged up if you are travelling at this time. Overnight camping in the White Desert.

 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Campsite in White Desert

After breakfast, transfer to visit the Crystal Mountain and the Black Desert. Upon arrival in Bahariya Oasis, enjoy local tour to the hill top ruins ‘the English House.

 

Then transfer to see Museum of Golden Mummies, Tombs of the Nobles, Alexander Temple, Temple of Ain Meffetla.

 

After that transfer to Cairo from Bahariya about 4 hours drive. Overnight in Cairo. 

 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Steigenberger Pyramids Hotel

Breakfast with free time at your hotel before checking out at 12:00 PM, then you will be picked you up by our representative to transfer you to Cairo international Airport for final departure.

 

Meals: Breakfast

 

Note:

If the mentioned cruise or the hotel are not available, the company has the right to change to any cruise or hotel, as long as it is of same category.

That the order of the days could be change according to cruise sailing dates keeping the sightseeing you will visit as it is.