8-Day Tailored Egypt Highlights: Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor & Aswan in Depth

You have arrived in beautiful and exotic Cairo! Once landed at Cairo International Airport, your private guide will welcome you and make sure you have a smooth transfer to your accommodation. 

After you have checked-in, you have time for yourself to relax and recover from your long flight. For your first evening of your stay, you can experience a welcome dinner at a local Egyptian restaurant which serves traditional Egyptian cuisine. The first experience of local flavors creates a calm atmosphere which serves as an excellent starting point to discover Egyptian history and cultural heritage.

Inclusions:

• Approx. 3-hour experience
• Hotel pick-up and drop-off (vehicle)
• Private services of local guide
• Dinner

Your first day’s schedule in Cairo allows you to experience all the essential attractions at a pace you prefer. You are starting with the massive Great Pyramids. Your guide will share with you the necessary background information about these large structures and give you hints about the best locations for taking photographs.

Next stop is the Sphinx! The enigmatic guardian which protects the Giza site. The discussion will present information about the well-known image while exploring its symbolic meaning, mythological background and historical theories. 

The last stop of today's tour is at the Egyptian Museum in central Cairo. The museum has one of the largest collections of ancient collections. Luckily, together with your guide, you will make your strategy to see the artifacts you find more interesting and help you to navigate around the Museum. The highlights section contains information about King Tutankhamun and other remarkable artifacts which link the different locations you will visit.

Inclusions:

• Private guided tour
• Entrance fees
• Hotel pick-up and drop-off (vehicle)

The Mediterranean city of Alexandria in Egypt exists as a place which showcases its unique historical development through multiple time periods. 

The Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa serve as an exceptional burial site with the distinctive combination of Egyptian, Greek and Roman architectural elements that define this coastal region. The modern Alexandria Library is an architectural landmark that architects built to honor the famous library from ancient times. 

Finally, together with your guide you will also visit the Montazah Palace Gardens for a relaxing evening walk to enjoy the Mediterranean views and sea breezes.

Inclusions:

• Private guided tour
• Entrance fees
• Hotel pick-up and drop-off (vehicle)

Today’s schedule brings you back to Cairo to experience the Islamic-era historical sites. 

The Mosques of Sultan Hassan and Al-Rifa’i present themselves as two architectural wonders. Their large size and their complex design elements are some of the reasons they are famous. 

The atmospheric lanes of Islamic Cairo lead visitors through historic mosques and local markets which showcase the enduring essence of the ancient city.

Inclusions:

• Private guided tour
• Entrance fees
• Hotel pick-up and drop-off (vehicle)

Your next destination is Luxor, which is considered the world's largest outdoor historical site. The city of Luxor enables you to experience ancient Egyptian history through its combination of historical temples and monuments alongside contemporary Nile River life.

The first stop is Karnak Temple where the pharaonic world's religious, architectural and political connections can be found. The experience of walking through its large courtyards and high columns stands as a core Egyptian experience. Your guide will explain the meaning of all visual elements such as symbolic elements, construction stages and historical accounts about the rulers who grew the site through different time periods.

The tour then continues to Luxor Temple which stands along the Nile River banks. The sunset is the most rewarding time to visit the site. It’s the perfect environment to slow down and relax.

Inclusions:

• Flight to Luxor
• Private guided tour
• Entrance fees
• Hotel pick-up and drop-off (vehicle)

Your journey today leads you to Luxor's West Bank where breathtaking desert landscapes provide an unique experience. In the Valley of the Kings can be found Egypt's ruling pharaohs who held the highest positions of power. 

Additionally, the major attraction of the tomb of Tutankhamun can be found there. Your guide provides essential information about this site's importance which includes both the tomb discovery narrative and its position within the political and religious framework of that time.

Finally, the Temple of Hatshepsut stands as an architectural wonder which architects constructed directly into the mountain face. The story becomes even more interesting because it shows Hatshepsut ruling as a female leader in a society where men typically held power. The temple built by Hatshepsut demonstrates her desire for power through its artistic design.

Inclusions:

• Private guided tour
• Entrance fees
• Hotel pick-up and drop-off (vehicle)

Moving down to the southern destination of Aswan where it welcomes you to experience its peaceful Nile views and unique atmosphere. 

The temple of Philae stands as a sacred site to Isis. It’s placed on an island within the river stream and provides you with serene photography opportunities and exceptional scenic views. 

The Aswan High Dam follows as a modern engineering project which brought flood management and power production benefits while offering visitors to see Lake Nasser from its elevated position.

Inclusions:

• Private guided tour
• Entrance fees
• Hotel pick-up and drop-off (vehicle)

Your last day in Egypt will be spent at the Nubian Museum. It’s time to explore Nubian cultural heritage through its artistic expressions, traditional practices and historical significance along the Nile River. 

Your departure will start with an airport transfer to Aswan Airport where you will board your flight back to your home country with memories of Egypt's historical sites and its present-day way of life.

Inclusions:

• Private guided tour
• Entrance fees
• Hotel pick-up and drop-off (vehicle)
• Transfer to airport