Embark on a mesmerizing 7-day journey delving into the captivating ancient history of Egypt, an experience that promises to be both enlightening and awe-inspiring. This meticulously crafted tour serves as the quintessential introduction to the wonders of this ancient civilization, offering an immersive exploration of its most iconic landmarks and cultural treasures.
Commencing in the vibrant metropolis of Cairo, the adventure unfolds amidst the backdrop of towering monuments and storied relics. The journey begins with a comprehensive exploration of the city's historical gems, including the illustrious Giza Plateau. Here, marvel at the enigmatic Great Pyramid, standing as a testament to the ingenuity and grandeur of the ancient Egyptians, alongside the timeless allure of the enigmatic Sphinx. Delve deeper into the annals of history with a visit to the renowned Egyptian Museum, home to an unparalleled collection of artifacts and antiquities, each whispering tales of bygone eras.
Setting course towards the sun-drenched landscapes of Upper Egypt, the tour ventures southward to the legendary city of Luxor, aptly hailed as the World's largest outdoor museum. Prepare to be enraptured by a plethora of majestic temples and sacred tombs, each bearing witness to the splendor of ancient dynasties. Traverse the hallowed grounds of Luxor Temple, where the echoes of rituals past still linger amidst the towering columns and intricately carved reliefs. Journey onward to the sprawling complex of Karnak, a sprawling testament to the devotion and architectural prowess of the Pharaohs.
Venture into the mystical realm of the Valley of the Kings, where the silent guardians of the pharaohs' eternal rest lie in solemn repose. Pay homage to the legacies of queens and nobles as you explore the intricately adorned tombs of Queen Hatchepsut and Medinat, each a testament to the enduring allure of Egypt's royal heritage. Behold the majestic Colossi of Memnon, standing sentinel amidst the desert sands, their imposing visages bearing witness to the passage of millennia.
Amidst the splendor of Luxor, embrace the opportunity for optional experiences, from exhilarating hot air balloon flights offering panoramic vistas of the Nile, to leisurely felucca trips along its tranquil waters. Concluding with a return to Cairo, savor moments of leisure to explore the bustling streets at your own pace or partake in optional excursions. Conclude your odyssey with a captivating stroll through the labyrinthine alleys of Islamic Cairo, where the echoes of history intertwine with the vibrant tapestry of everyday life, culminating in the bustling ambiance of the Khan-el-Khalili bazaar, a testament to Egypt's enduring spirit of commerce and culture.

【Itinerary】
Day 1: Arrive into Cairo, transfer to hotel
Upon arrival our staff will meet you at the airport, assist you with obtaining your visa and luggage, and then transfer you to your hotel close to the Pyramids for the start of your trip. They will help you settle in, introduce you to the local area, and explain tomorrow’s arrangements. The rest of the day is free. If you arrive early you may like to take an evening dinner cruise on the Nile, or enjoy a spectacular sound and light show at the pyramids (both available to book locally on arrival).
OVERNIGHT: Cairo 5-star hotel | MEALS: None | EXTRAS: Single room supplement (EGSGPE), Extra day in Cairo (5-star) - pre-tour

Day 2: Cairo, Pyramids, Sphinx & Museum tour
Our tour of Egypt begins with a trip to the famous Egyptian Museum with its huge number of ancient Pharaonic exhibits. Home to the fantastic Tutankhamun exhibit the museum hosts a huge number of other ancient Egyptian artefacts. One of our local Egyptologist guides will be accompanying you on this and all of your other sightseeing tours, and you'll find them a wealth of knowledge and full of enthusiasm about Egyptian history, and their country in general. Following on from the museum we then head to Giza on the outskirts of Cairo to visit the Sphinx and the three great pyramids of Egypt. At 500 feet high and 750 feet wide at its base the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) is an awesome man-made structure constructed of giant stone blocks with a hard limestone casing. The casing has, over the years, been stripped away to leave exposed the inner block structure. Together with the smaller pyramids of Khafre (Chephern) and Menkaure (Mycerinus), the majestic sight of these enormous structures rising out of the desert is a breathtaking spectacle. You will have the opportunity to climb down right inside the pyramids if you wish, though your guide cannot accompany you (a limited number of tickets are available for the Great Pyramid). This evening we transfer to the station for the overnight sleeper train to Luxor (approx. 9 hours). You'll enjoy dinner on board in your private twin-berth compartments before the steward sets your beds up for the night.
OVERNIGHT: On board sleeper train | MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner | EXTRAS: Cairo to Luxor flight upgrade

Day 3: Luxor, West Bank tour, free time
We arrive into Luxor early this morning and cross the Nile to begin our tour of Luxor's West Bank. Home to the Valley of the Kings, the dusty tombs in this ancient burial site are still revealing their secrets today and so it remains one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. Our tour includes several of these Pharaonic tombs, as well as the temple of Queen Hatchepsut, Deir el-Medina (the Valley of the Craftsmen), and the huge Colossi of Memnon. Your afternoon is then free to relax and enjoy the facilities of your 5-star hotel on the banks of the Nile. This evening we visit Luxor temple, which is located right in the middle of town and beautifully lit up at night.
OVERNIGHT: Luxor 5-star hotel | MEALS: Breakfast

Day 4: Luxor, Karnak temple
Your morning is free today and you can enjoy a welcome lie in after your early start yesterday. After lunch we'll tour the huge temple complex at Karnak , once the religious centre of Thebes and Upper Egypt. It was linked to Luxor by an extensive avenue, lined with sphinxes, and the whole complex was in turn linked to the Nile via a canal through which moved the sacred boats of the god Amun. Entering through a smaller sphinx-lined avenue, built by Ramesses II, you come to the immense pylon entrance. Inside the huge Courtyard are three chapels dedicated to the gods Amun, Khous and Mut. The remarkable Hypostyle Hall has 134 towering columns, each carved with scenes of gods and pharaohs, and hieroglyphic inscriptions adorn the walls. A spectacular hot air balloon flight over the west bank of the Nile is available this morning (expect an early start to catch sunrise as the balloon rises).
OVERNIGHT: Luxor 5-star hotel | MEALS: Breakfast | EXTRAS: Hot air balloon in Luxor

Day 5: Luxor, free day and optional tours
Your day is free today to relax in the hotel or take an additional optional tour if you'd like an even more in depth exploration of Egyptian history. For example, the Rammesseum, Medinat Habu and Valley of the Queens on the west bank of the Nile are all worth a visit, as is the Luxor Museum. You can also explore Luxor further, do some shopping or browsing in the market, visit the mummification museum or enjoy a felucca trip to nearby Banana Island. Your tour guide will be happy to arrange any extra visits for you or you can book the sightseeing tours in advance. In the evening we head back to the station to catch the overnight sleeper train back to Cairo. Flight upgrades are available on request.
OVERNIGHT: On board sleeper train | MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner | EXTRAS: Luxor to Cairo flight upgrade, Extra West Bank tour in Luxor, Luxor Museum tour

Day 6: Cairo optional tours, Old Cairo & Khan-el-Khalili bazzar walk
We arrive back into Cairo this morning and transfer to our hotel. Most of the day is then free to explore Cairo as you choose or you may take an optional tour. These include a city tour in Cairo which visits Coptic Cairo, the Citadel and Mohamed Ali Mosque, or a half day tour to Saqqara, Dashour and Memphis to learn more about the history and evolution of pyramid building. Other full day options further afield include a visit to the colonial city of Alexandria on the Mediterranean, or a trip into the desert outside Cairo to see the World Heritage Site of the Valley of the Whales at Wadi Rayan (you’ll miss the bazaar walk if you take these full day options). In the late afternoon we take a guided walk through the back streets and bazaars in Old Cairo. We'll walk through the huge Bab al-Futuh gateway and explore streets dedicated to metalwork, spices, pottery, fabric, jewelery and anything else you can imagine as we gradually enter the more touristy Khan-el-Khalili bazaar. We'll have time for a break to try some mint tea and a shisha pipe and this is a great final opportunity to pick up some souvenirs of your time in Egypt.
OVERNIGHT: Cairo 5-star hotel | MEALS: Breakfast | EXTRAS: Cairo city tour, Saqqara, Dashour & Memphis

Day 7: Cairo, Free time, departure airport transfer Your time is free today for some last minute sightseeing or shopping until we transfer you to the airport for your departure flight. If you have an evening flight departure, then the Cairo City Tour and Saqqara, Dashour & Memphis tours are also available today. Alternatively you can add extra nights to your time in Cairo which would allow you to take a day trip to the colonial city of Alexandria on the Mediterranean coast, or a trip into the desert outside Cairo to see the World Heritage Site of the Valley of the Whales at Wadi Rayan.
MEALS: Breakfast | EXTRAS: Alexandria day trip, Cairo city tour, Saqqara, Dashour & Memphis, Extra day in Cairo (5-star) - post-tour