ancient egypt tour; great pyramids and temple carvings

Bas-relief carvings adorn Egypt's temples

Temple carvings depicting religious and mythological symbols of Pharaonic Egypt are still well preserved after 5,000 years. Our Egypt Private Journey includes a luxurious 4-day Nile cruise for exploring epic Nile-side temples.

Photo by Catherine Karnow

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Egypt Private Journey route-map
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Trip Details at-a-Glance

Cost From: $2695   see pricing
Length: 7 days
Arrive: Cairo, Egypt
Depart: Cairo, Egypt
Lodging: 3 nights in 5-star hotels, 3 nights luxury vessel describe
Meals: All meals included except 1 lunch and 2 dinners
Activity: Archaeology, Cultural Adventures, River Cruises, Small Boat & Yacht Cruising
Trip Level: Nile River cruise, overland touring, and city exploration with easy walking
1 explain

Highlights

  • Luxurious Nile cruise boat (Nile Adventurer or Sun Boat IV), with Nile-view cabins
  • Great Pyramids at Giza, Treasures of King Tut
  • Temples of Karnak and Luxor, Valley of the Kings, optional visit to Abu Simbel


We would never have been able to do all the things we did without such a well planned trip.Mary Jeanne K.—Bend OR

Choosing the Right Trip

We work hard to help you choose the right trip for you, paying attention to your individual interests, abilities, and needs. If you have questions about the level of comfort or any of the activities described in this itinerary, please contact us.
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References

We are proud to have an exceptionally high rate of repeat travelers. For more information, we would be happy to put you in touch with a client who has traveled with us.

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Departure Notes

Once you have signed up on the trip, we send a complete packing list, relevant health information, and required travel documents.

Resources

The 5,000-year-long story of Egypt is an epic and extraordinary one, from the colossal Great Pyramids on the Giza Plateau to the monumental temples along the legendary Nile, lifeblood of Egypt, where temples, tombs, and hieroglyphs continue to entrance visitors, as they have for thousands of years. On this Private Journey with your Egyptologist guide, explore the Pyramids and feast your eyes on the glorious artifacts from King Tutankhamen's tomb, then set off on a deluxe Nile cruise, gliding in the wake of Cleopatra and the pharaohs as you discover their mysterious world from Aswan to Luxor. For a pre- or post-trip extension, explore Jordan’s lost city of “rose-red Petra, half as old as time,” whose temples and tombs were carved from solid rock 2,000 years ago, and T. E. Lawrence's Wadi Rum, a legendary mountain-and-desert landscape.

Itinerary at a Glance

For a more complete description, Download Full Detailed Itinerary


Please note: Because of the boat schedule, Day 1 of this itinerary must be a Wednesday.

Days 1-2
Cairo and The Great Pyramids

Experience the wonder of the monumental pyramids of the great pharaohs, a colossal testament to mankind’s quest for immortality. Nothing quite prepares one for the first sight of the three pyramids of Cheops, Chephren, and Mycerinus, and the enigmatic Sphinx. Explore the treasures of the renowned Egyptian Museum, including the stunning golden artifacts unearthed from the tomb of young King Tut, all in the company of your own Egyptologist guide.

Days 3-5
Ancient Monuments and Luxurious Nile Cruise

A cruise on the storied Nile is the ultimate experience of this epic land of history. After visiting the Aswan High Dam, board a deluxe 5-star Nile cruise boat and discover the temples, tombs, and hieroglyphs that have entranced travelers for thousands of years. Explore the romantic and majestic temple complex of Isis at Philae, an exquisite blend of Egyptian and Greco-Roman architecture, and the striking Temple of Kom Ombo, standing on a promontory at a bend in the Nile where in ancient times, sacred crocodiles basked in the sun on the riverbank. Among the many sites you visit is the extraordinary Temple of Horus, the most completely preserved Pharaonic temple in Egypt. On arrival in Luxor, discover the Valley of the Kings and Queens, home to magnificent tombs including that of Queen Hatshepsut, Egypt’s only female pharaoh, the monumental temple of Karnak, and Luxor, a strikingly graceful piece of temple architecture on the banks of the Nile.

Days 6-7
Eternal Cairo

Enjoy free time to roam the twisting passageways of the ancient Khan El Khalili bazaar, little changed since the 14th century, or explore Coptic Cairo, with its ancient Christian churches. Depart on Day 7.

For a more complete description, Download Full Detailed Itinerary

Optional Extensions

If you would like to continue your adventure, we offer the following extensions:

What the Trip is Like

This trip is rated Level 1, Easiest. It is an overland touring trip with day walks to explore the fascinating temples and wonderful towns of this ancient and modern civilization. It can be enjoyed by anyone in good health who has no mobility restrictions.

Explanation of Trip Levels

 

When to go

October to April

For our Private Journey trips, you choose your own group and your preferred dates—there are no set departure dates. Private Journeys are available to groups as few as two people or as large as you like. Contact us for availability, questions, or to book your adventure!

Trip Cost

Prices valid through September 2013

$2695 (2-5 members)
April Surcharge: $400 per person
High Season Surcharge (Jan-Mar): $400 per person
Optional Abu Simbel Flight/Tour: $300 per person

more on pricing

Extension Costs
Alexandria Extension
   from: $995
Jordan: Petra & Wadi Rum Extension
   from: $2695

Trip Cost Includes:

  • Two nights at the Mena House Hotel (garden section with pyramid view), one night at the Four Seasons (standard room)
  • Three nights aboard 5-star Nile cruise ship with full-board beginning with lunch on Day 3 and ending with breakfast on Day 6
  • All meals included except 1 lunch and 2 dinners
  • Tours and sightseeing as described, private English-speaking Egyptologist in Cairo, resident shared boat guide during cruise
  • Airport transfers and ground transportation as noted in the Full Trip Brochure

Trip Cost Does Not Include:

International airfare, internal flights, any meals not specified after each itinerary day in the Full Trip Brochure, beverages at restaurants and hotels (excluding those mentioned above during cruise), any activities described as optional, porterage at airports and hotels, airport departure taxes, optional tipping or gratuities to Egyptologist, representatives (in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan), drivers, cruise staff, entry fee for the Mummies Room at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo (approx. $17), entry fee for the solar boat museum (approx. $10), and entry fee for the Great Pyramids (approx. $20, subject to availability); additional hotel nights made necessary by airline schedule changes or other factors, pre-trip expenses such as medical immunizations (if any), travel insurance, or passports and visas; and other expenses of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.).

Trip Payment Schedule

At time of reservation: $500
120 days prior to departure: 20%
60 days prior to departure: Balance

Cancellation and Transfer Fee Schedule*

Minimum fee: $250
46-90 days prior to departure: 25% of trip cost
45 days or less: 100% of trip cost

*Please note that this differs from our regular catalog departures.

Mena House Oberoi

Mena House Oberoi

Days 1 to 2 (2 nights), Giza, Egypt

Originally built as a royal hunting lodge for Khedive Ismail, ruler of Egypt from 1863 to 1879, the Mena House was bought and converted into a hotel ...
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<em>Nile Adventurer</em>

Nile Adventurer

Days 3 to 5 (3 nights), Nile River, Egypt

The luxurious 5-star Nile Adventurer, with only 28 double staterooms and four suites, enjoys a relaxed and intimate yacht-like atmosphere. Recently ...
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<em>Sun Boat IV</em>

Sun Boat IV

Days 3 to 5 (3 nights), Nile River, Egypt

The stylish 80-passenger river yacht Sun Boat IV, with its 40 well-appointed cabins, is our comfortable home for four nights. All cabins ...
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Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at the First Residence

Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at the First Residence

Day 6 (1 night), Cairo, Egypt

Ideally located in Cairo’s central Giza district on the west bank of the Nile, this hotel is a welcoming oasis with a top-notch staff and ...
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Extension Accommodations

If you would like to view the accommodations offered with our extensions options:

Note: Listed above are our signature accommodations for this trip. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.

Optional Extensions

If you would like to continue your adventure, we offer the following extensions:

Egypt

alexandria

Alexandria Extension

Crossroads of the Ancient World

Archaeology, Cultural Adventures
3 days  -  Level 1

Jordan

Jordan: Petra & Wadi Rum Extension

Ancient Desert Fortresses, Lost Cities, Fabled Wadi Rum

Archaeology, Cultural Adventures
7 days  -  Level 2

Client Comments

We would never have been able to do all the things we did without such a well planned trip. Mary Jeanne K., Bend OR All five of us greatly enjoyed the trip and learned a lot. We saw a great deal with knowledgeable guides who were a pleasure to be with, who anticipated problems, and who helped us avoid crowds and maximize our visits to sites. Constance C., New Haven, CT Great itinerary, good, hotels, nice balance between activity and relaxation. Nicholas P., Chacago, IL This is one of the very best trips we have ever been on. No question we were spoiled by having private guide, private bus 90% of the time, and doing things at our own speed and addressed to our particular interests. Our guide was one of the best we have ever encountered. Kathy B., Lafayette, CA
Wilderness Travel did it again! This was just perfect. We are spoiled! Denny H., Mercer Island, WA This was an outstanding trip. Everything was planned and executed perfectly. Pat H., Richmond, VA