Exploring the Rich Heritage of Egypt: An 11-Day Trip to Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan, and Abu Simbel
Embarking on an 11-day journey through Egypt offers travelers a captivating blend of ancient history, vibrant culture, and breathtaking landscapes. This comprehensive itinerary covers iconic cities such as Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan, and the awe-inspiring Abu Simbel, providing an unforgettable experience of Egypt’s timeless allure. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, adventure seeker, or cultural explorer, this trip promises a deep dive into Egypt’s legendary past and lively present.
Day 1-2: Discovering Cairo’s Ancient Wonders
Begin your Egyptian adventure in Cairo, the bustling capital that is home to some of the world’s most famous monuments. Spend your first day exploring the Giza Plateau, where the majestic Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx stand as testaments to Egypt’s ancient engineering prowess. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Egyptian Museum, housing thousands of artifacts, including Tutankhamun’s treasures. Stroll through the vibrant Khan El Khalili bazaar to experience local culture and shop for unique souvenirs.
Day 3-4: A Cultural Escape to Alexandria
Travel northwest to Alexandria, Egypt’s Mediterranean gateway. This city boasts a fascinating blend of history, modernity, and seaside charm. Visit the legendary Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a modern marvel inspired by the ancient Library of Alexandria. Explore the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa and the Roman Amphitheatre, relics of Alexandria’s rich Greco-Roman past. Enjoy fresh seafood along the Corniche and relax at Montazah Palace Gardens, offering stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea.
Day 5-7: Luxor – The Open-Air Museum
Fly or take a train to Luxor, often called the world’s greatest open-air museum. Spend two days exploring the Valley of the Kings, where pharaohs like Tutankhamun and Ramses the Great were buried in elaborate tombs. Visit the magnificent Karnak and Luxor Temples, showcasing intricate hieroglyphics and grand architecture. Consider a hot air balloon ride at sunrise for a panoramic view of the Nile River and the ancient ruins sprawled across the landscape.
Day 8-9: Aswan and the Nubian Culture
Next, head south to Aswan, known for its picturesque setting along the Nile and its historical significance. Take a boat trip to the Philae Temple dedicated to Isis and explore the Aswan High Dam, a modern marvel providing hydroelectric power. Visit the Nubian Village to experience the colorful culture and hospitality of the indigenous Nubian people. Optional: Take a relaxing felucca ride around Elephantine Island for a peaceful escape.
Day 10: The Grand Marvel of Abu Simbel
Make an early morning trip to Abu Simbel, home to the awe-inspiring rock-cut temples of Ramses II. These UNESCO World Heritage sites are renowned for their colossal statues and intricate carvings. The temples’ relocation in the 1960s, to save them from flooding caused by the Aswan High Dam, is a testament to modern engineering efforts. Witnessing sunrise over Abu Simbel is a truly magical experience.
Day 11: Return to Cairo and Departure
Return to Cairo for your final day, where you can revisit favorite sites, shop for last-minute souvenirs, or explore other city attractions like Coptic Cairo or the Saladin Citadel. Reflect on your journey through Egypt’s ancient and modern worlds before heading to the airport for your departure.
Conclusion
An 11-day trip to Egypt offers a comprehensive exploration of its most iconic sites and hidden gems. From the grandeur of the Pyramids to the serenity of the Nile and the mystique of ancient temples, this itinerary immerses travelers in Egypt’s rich history and vibrant culture. Planning ahead and choosing knowledgeable guides can enhance your experience, making this journey not only educational but truly unforgettable.
Welcome to Egypt. Our airport transfer team is available 24/7. As soon as you get out of the exit gate of the Terminal, you will find Ancient Egypt Tours representative, holding a sign, waiting to meet and greet you. He will escort you to your private A/C vehicle. You will be transferred to the hotel and the reception manager will assist you in check-in procedures as smooth as possible. Ancient Egypt Tours agent will contact you to agree on a meeting time with you
In case you arrive early then check-in limit you can enjoy waiting in the hotel until check-in time or you can ask your operator to book you a pre-tour extra night and get checked in immediately
Optional Tour:
2-hour open buffet dinner Nile cruise including a belly dancer, local band and skirt rotation performer if your tour starts in Cairo
Sound and Light show if available
Overnight in Cairo
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be escorted by your private guide to visit the ever-famous Get ready to be astonished by The Grand Egyptian Museum tour. walking through layers and layer of Egyptian history. Each hall unpacks breathtaking artifacts. Each piece is loaded with history, architecture and significance. Experience King Tutankhamen’s possessions and history like you have never before. The visit lasts a couple of hours but the experience lasts for a life time.
Before extending your trip, you will be served with a warm delightful lunch meal at a high-quality restaurant.
After lunch, you will move on to Coptic Cairo to visit Babylon Fortress and the Hanging Church, Church of St. Barbara, Church of St. Sergius and Ben Ezra synagogue.
Enrich you tour with a visit to Amr Ibn El-Aas Mosque which is the very first mosque built in Egypt.
After lunch, you will move on to visit the Citadel of Salah El-Din, where you will see the view of all Cairo, as you will visit Mohamed Ali Alabaster Mosque which is considered the largest to be built in the beginning of the 19th century the ruler of Egypt (1805-1849) who ruled Egypt over 45 years & it is built in Baruk style.
If there is enough time, you will take a walk in Khan El Khalili Bazaar, the most Historically famous and oldest Market in the Middle East. Back to your hotel
Discover the greatness of the ancient Pharaohs by visiting their legendary temples in Luxor. Start your tour by taking a domestic flight to Luxor. Upon arrival at Luxor, you will be met by our representative, then have a blissful day tour. starting with a
visit to the Valley of the Kings was created and used from approximately 1539 BC to 1075 BC. It contains some 60 tombs, starting with Thutmose I and ending with Ramses X or XI. The official name of the site was The Great and Majestic Necropolis of the Millions of Years of the Pharaoh, Life, Strength, Health in The West of Thebes, or more usually, the Great Field. The most famous tomb is KV62, the Tomb of King Tutankhamun. The discovery of King Tut’s tomb was made by Howard Carter in 1922, Tutankhamun’s tomb was the first royal tomb to be discovered that was still largely intact.
Then you will continue the tour to visit the Hatshepsut temple at El Deir El Bahary, this impressive temple was dedicated to Queen Hatshepsut the only female pharaoh. It rises out of the desert in a series of terraces and merges with the sheer limestone cliffs that surround it. Proceed to the two colossal statues of Amenhotep III, Colossi of Memnon are the two massive stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III. For 3,400 years they have sat in the Theban necropolis, across the River Nile from the city of Luxor. The original function of the Colossi was to stand guard at the entrance to Amenhotep’s memorial temple or mortuary temple. Back to hotel.
Enjoy your Luxor Day Tour. Our Ancient Egypt Tours representative will pick you up from your hotel in Luxor to enjoy a day tour in the amazing city Luxor. Start your tour by a visit to the Karnak Temples, the greatest example of worship in history and was dedicated to the God Amon, his wife Mut and their son Khonsu. It was constructed from the beginning of the Middle Kingdom to the Graeco Roman Kingdom.
Then move to Luxor Temple. It was built by Amunhotep III in 18th Dynasty in the New Kingdom and it was completed by Ramesses II during the 19th Dynasty. King Ramses II was the most famous king in the 19th Dynasty. He ruled Egypt for about 67 years. It was dedicated to the great god Amun-Ra, his wife Mut and their son Khonsu together representing the Theban triad. Enjoy visiting Obelisk of Ramses II in front of the 1st Pylon. Later you will be transferred back to Hotel in Luxor
Early in the morning, the company representative will take you to the train station and go to the city of Aswan.
Upon your arrival at the Aswan train station, you will be met and assisted by Ancient Egypt Tours representative. then have a blissful day tour. starting with a
visit to the High Dam, an engineering miracle built in 1960 protecting Egypt from annual floods from the Nile.
Then proceed to visit the Unfinished Obelisk which shows the techniques used by the ancient Egyptians to cut obelisks. Most probably this obelisk belongs to Queen Hatshepsut, one of the rulers of the 18th Dynasty and the royal wife of king Tuthmosis II. This queen was the owner of her Temple in the eastern bank of Luxor. Also there is an opinion said that it belongs to Queen Nefertiti.
Proceed to have your lunch at local restaurant in Aswan.
Move on to visit the majestic Philae Temple which was built on the honor of Goddess Isis the chief deity of the island. Then you will have the chance to enjoy some Free time at leisure in Aswan for shopping in the evening, transfer to hotel in Aswan
Enjoy your Abu Simbel Day Trip from Aswan. Our Ancient Egypt Tours Representative will pick you up from your hotel in Aswan by a PRIVATE air-conditioned vehicle. It is about 03 hours and half, one way driving from Aswan to Abu Simbel. You will enjoy Abu Simbel area with its main attraction “the great sun temple of Ramses II” and the temple of queen Nefertari. Both temples were discovered in 1813 it was almost completely covered with sand. Then both temples were moved in 1960 by the help of Egyptian government and UNESCO to avoid the rising water of the Nile. Ramses II built the temple mostly to honour himself as inside there is a mural depicting his famous victory at Kadesh battle where his army defeated his enemies. On the north of Ramses temple, the Nefertari Temple which was built by Ramses II to his favorite wife Queen Nefertari among other 200 wives and concubines. Proceed to have your lunch at local restaurant. Later you will be transferred back to the Aswan airport, you will be driven to Back to Cairo hotel.
This day is a free day. You can choose optional tour or rest at the hotel.
Enjoy your Alexandria Day Tour. Our Ancient Egypt Tours representative will pick you up from your hotel in Cairo to enjoy a day tour in the amazing city Alexandria. First visit Pompay’s Pillar. It was constructed in honor of the Emperor Diocletian at the end of the 4th century. Originally from the temple of the Serapis, it was once a magnificent structure rivaling the Soma and the Caesarean. Then you drive to visit the Catacombs which are the largest Roman Cemetery consisting of three levels cut in the rock. Lunch at local restaurant in Alexandria.
Proceed to have your lunch at local restaurant in Alexandria.
then we proceed to see the Qaitbay Citadel which was built on the site of the ancient pharaohs (Light House) of Alexandria then to Bibliotheca Alexandrina. Finally, you will drive back to Cairo.
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be escorted by your private guide to Egyptian Civilization, located near Old Cairo, at the archaeological site of Fustat which was the Egyptian capital about 1400 years ago, also known as the NEMEC Museum and overlooks Lake Ain Al-Sira. And very close to most of the Islamic and Coptic monuments in Cairo, it also displays collectibles from the Pharaonic, Roman, Coptic, Islamic and modern civilizations. The main exhibition hall displays the four main crafts that shaped the Egyptian civilization: pottery, wood, textiles and ornaments, and you can see there The oldest artificial finger worldwide, the skeleton of a man dating back 30,000 years, the Kiswa of the Kaaba which was last made in Egypt during the era of President Nasser and the Mahmal which carried the covering from Egypt to Saudi Arabia every year. In a large presentation, the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization is considered the first museum in the world that presents a comprehensive view of Egyptian civilization throughout history, from prehistoric times to modern history. A large part of the museum is the hall where the mummies are now displayed, not only that, wander the royal mummies hall, and see the golden sarcophagi and the remains of the pharaohs of the past. Find out more about famous rulers such as King Ramses II and Queen Hatshepsut
Before extending your trip, you will be served with a warm delightful lunch meal at a high-quality restaurant.
After that transfer to Menial Palace where you will visit Mohamed Ali Home, Rooms, the unique Planet Garden, Mummified Animal Museum, Treasury and Meeting Rooms. Then proceed to visit the Nilometer at Al Roda Island. Then visit Cairo Tower where you can take photos for the beautiful panoramic view.
After that transfer to Cairo Tower, a majestic structure standing at 187 meters tall, symbolizes the modernity and progress of Egypt. Built in 1961, it offers breathtaking panoramic views of Cairo and the Nile River from its observation decks. Serving as a telecommunications tower, it also houses a revolving restaurant, attracting tourists and locals alike with its captivating allure and stunning vistas.
Enjoy your Alexandria Day Tour. Our Ancient Egypt Tours representative will pick you up from your hotel in Cairo to enjoy a day tour in the amazing city Alexandria. First visit Pompay’s Pillar. It was constructed in honor of the Emperor Diocletian at the end of the 4th century. Originally from the temple of the Serapis, it was once a magnificent structure rivaling the Soma and the Caesarean. Then you drive to visit the Catacombs which are the largest Roman Cemetery consisting of three levels cut in the rock. Lunch at local restaurant in Alexandria.
Proceed to have your lunch at local restaurant in Alexandria.
then we proceed to see the Qaitbay Citadel which was built on the site of the ancient pharaohs (Light House) of Alexandria then to Bibliotheca Alexandrina. Finally, you will drive back to Cairo.
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before you leave to the airport for your flight back home. Ancient Egypt Tours representative will pick you up and transfer you to the airport.
If your flight is early before breakfast time you can make arrangements with the hotel to prepare a breakfast box for you to take it on your way to the airport
Ancient Egypt Tours had a great time with you and hope you have enjoyed your time and was satisfied with the services you were offered
| Room Type | Price/Person |
|---|---|
| Single Room | 2800 $ |
| Twin Room | 1900 $ |
| Triple Room | 1750 $ |
| Room Type | Price/Person |
|---|---|
| Single Room | 1900 $ |
| Twin Room | 1400 $ |
| Triple Room | 1250 $ |
| Room Type | Price/Person |
|---|---|
| Single Room | 2280 $ |
| Twin Room | 1600 $ |
| Triple Room | 1400 $ |
| Room Type | Price/Person |
|---|---|
| Single Room | 1580 $ |
| Twin Room | 1200 $ |
| Triple Room | 1075 $ |
Price quotes are in USD per person per tour except for celebration. Please inquire for the prices of New Year, Christmas and Easter.
Tipping for a job well done is customary and highly expected in Egypt though it is not obligatory. Please feel welcomed but not obliged to offer a tip to your service provider
Notes:
Children policy is applied to children who share rooms with their parents (Maximum 1 OR 2 Child under 5 years old sharing parent’s room)
Children policy is not applied on all kinds of transportation (Flight, train or bus) full ticket payment is required
We are offering a considerable down payment of just 20% to secure your space on the tour including hotel room, cruise cabin, domestic flight ticket, and other travel-related services and 30% during Christmas, New Year and Easter Holidays. The remaining balance can be paid up to two days prior to your arrival date or in cash upon arrival at the destination. Therefore, your booking will be a risk-free investment.
In case you cancel your trip, the following charges will be applied:
At any time after your booking is confirmed, Ancient Egypt Tours holds a 20% non-refundable deposit
7 days or less before departure, we will retain the 50% payment you have paid in relation to your booking.
We advise all clients to purchase travel insurance in the event that travel is unexpectedly interrupted due to illness. To confirm the booking, the client must pay a deposit of 20% of the total tour price.
Should the reservation be canceled, customers will be charged a fee depending on how far beyond the departure date the cancellation is made. To cancel, the Customer must notify the Tour Organizer in writing.
Full payment forfeiture in case of no show
All Transportation tickets are nonrefundable and there’s also a 5% transaction fee on refunds.
Here, at Ancient Egypt Tours, we prioritize your well-being and safety above all else and for that reason, we have adapted our cancellation policy to reflect our values. We offer a very flexible cancellation policy in case the government or the airline issues a NOT TO TRAVEL warning to the designated destination. In the event of this happening, we will refund you the amount paid according to cancellation policy, unless you prefer to keep your payment available for future travel credit and travel voucher that can be used towards any of the destinations, we operate tours in. You have the flexibility to apply this amount towards new travel services booked. Reservations will be adjusted to reflect these travel credits automatically.
After your tour is confirmed, we will email final confirmation and voucher to print and bring with you. Details will include contact numbers of your tour operator and customer care and additional information for your convenience.
