Egypt: Ancient Wonders of the Legendary Nile

11 days
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Private Guided
The history of one of the world’s most ancient and greatest civilizations, from the oldest standing pyramid at Şaqqārah, to the grand tombs and temples of Luxor, and the Coptic churches, Islamic mosques, and bustling souks of Cairo. Stand in the shadows of the great Pyramids at Giza and gaze into the eyes of the Great Sphinx; then puzzle over colorful hierogl...
From$6,995
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Overview

Trip type
Private Guided
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Enjoy an exclusive, after-hours visit to the Egyptian Museum, home to spectacular relics recovered from King Tutankhamun’s tomb, including his throne and golden burial mask.
    • Venture away from the crowds to lesser visited sites, including the pyramids at Dahshūr, the Valley of the Queens, and the stunningly painted tomb of King Seti I.
    • Visit the ancient stone quarry at Jabal as Silsilah, and learn about ongoing National Geographic–supported excavations at the site.
    • Experience the rhythms of daily life along the Nile River as we cruise from Luxor to Aswān, past ancient temples and farming villages.

What's this trip about?

    The history of one of the world’s most ancient and greatest civilizations, from the oldest standing pyramid at Şaqqārah, to the grand tombs and temples of Luxor, and the Coptic churches, Islamic mosques, and bustling souks of Cairo. Stand in the shadows of the great Pyramids at Giza and gaze into the eyes of the Great Sphinx; then puzzle over colorful hieroglyphs in the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens, where Egypt’s great pharaohs constructed elaborate tombs among the desolate desert landscape. Travel in the style of the ancient pharaohs along the storied Nile River—the lifeblood of Egypt—and soak in the riverbank scenery of lively villages, lush date palms, and striking remnants of Egypt’s multilayered history.

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIntimate group - 12 max
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityCairo
End CityCairo

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Local Immersion & Homestays

Destinations

  • Africa
  • Egypt

Attractions

  • Abu Simbel
  • Aswan
  • Cairo
  • Luxor Temple
  • Pyramid of Giza
  • Temple of Karnak

Activities

  • Culture
  • Educational/ learning
  • History
  • Homestays & Cultural Immersion
  • Nature
  • Ruins & Archaeology

Trip includes

    • Transfers upon arrival and departure
    • Transportation provided on-trip
    • Accommodation as indicated in the itinerary
    • Meals as indicated in the itinerary
    • Daily activities and excursions as indicated in the itinerary
    • (2021) All gratuities
    • (2022) All gratuities except the Expedition Leader*

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Itinerary

Day 1: Cairo, Egypt

Accommodations: The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo

Arrive at Cairo International Airport (CAI) and transfer to your elegant city center hotel, located on the east bank of the Nile. As you settle in, soak up your first views over this fabled river from your room, and if you wish, set off to explore on your own.

Day 2: Şaqqārah/Dahshūr

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodations: The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo

Begin your journey through ancient Egyptian history at the complex of Şaqqārah, home to Djoser’s step pyramid—the oldest standing pyramid in Egypt. Puzzle out your first se...

Day 3: Giza/Cairo

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodations: The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo

This morning, discover the fabled Pyramids of Giza, built some 4,500 years ago. As you approach these architectural marvels, feel the thrill of glimpsing their ancient slop...

Day 4: Luxor

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodations: Steigenberger Resort Achti

Catch an early flight to Luxor, known in antiquity as Thebes. The city served as Egypt’s capital at the height of the New Kingdom and its chief god was Amun, king of the anci...

Day 5: Luxor/Nile River

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodations: M.S. Mayflower

Venture into the Valley of the Kings, where the pharaohs of the New Kingdom built elaborate underground tombs—a departure from the burial pyramids of the Old Kingdom. We’ll descend into ...

Day 6: Luxor/Nile River

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodations: M.S. Mayflower

Begin the day with a visit to Ramesseum, Ramses II’s mortuary temple. Scattered with granite remains of the king’s giant likeness, the temple inspired the poem “Ozymandias” by English po...

Day 7: Jabal As Silsilah/Kawm Umbū

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodations: M.S. Mayflower

Follow in the wake of the pharaohs as we cruise south along the Nile, where magnificent temples and ancient villages line the banks against a dramatic desert backdrop. Dock at Idfū and t...

Day 8: Aswān

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodations: M.S. Mayflower

Wake up docked in Aswān, a busy market town north of the Aswān High Dam, completed in 1970 to tame the regular flooding of the mighty Nile. Explore the island temple of Philae, a site of...

Day 9: Abu Simbel/Cairo

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodations: The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo

Fly to Abu Simbel, part of a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to two of Egypt’s most impressive temples, built by the Egyptian king Ramses II. In the 1960s, the site was...

Day 10: Cairo

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodations: The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo

This morning, we’ll head into Old Cairo, the location of the earliest original settlement. Venture to the 12th-century Citadel of Saladin, a hilltop fortress commissioned b...

Day 11: Cairo

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, transfer to the Cairo International Airport and catch your flight home.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $6,995
Price per day$636
Last Updated: 2/23/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with National Geographic Expeditions.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • Airfare to and from destination, as well as internal airfare
    • Trip cancellation insurance or any other travel insurance
    • Visas when applicable
    • Alcoholic beverages
    • (2022) Expedition Leader gratuities*
Travel Insurance
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Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Trip ID
nation-EgyAncNat

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