Ancient Egypt: A Luxury Small Group Tour
Take an enchanting tour to visit the pyramids and tombs of ancient Egypt on this once-in-a-lifetime 10-day, small-group tour (max 16 travellers), including a four-night, all-inclusive luxury cruise on the famous Nile. Stay in luxurious five-star accommodation – including Mena House which sits mere minutes from the Pyramids of Giza – as you uncover thousands of years of history. See the only remaining Wonder of the Ancient World, the Great Pyramid of Giza, the astounding Valley of the Kings – home to the tomb of Tutankhamun, the ruins of the ancient city of Memphis and other incredible sights. All this plus all internal flights, a tour of Abu Simbel, the services of expert local guides and more.
From sweeping deserts to bustling cities, majestic temples to colourful souks, Egypt is full of charming locations just waiting for you to explore. This adventure takes you to a plethora of UNESCO Heritage-listed sites, including the Great Pyramid of Giza which stands as the last of the ‘Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the towering Great Sphinx of Giza, the Valley of the Kings where Tutankhamun’s mummified body was found and so much more. Best of all, you’ll travel along the Nile River on a luxurious boat, enjoying onboard Egyptian themed costume parties, galas and unbeatable views of rural Egypt as you drift on by.
See the ‘Itinerary’ tab for more details.
The Majesty – Discover some of history’s oldest temples on visits to Giza, Thebes, The Valley of the Kings and more
Marvel at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed ancient pyramids as you tour the Giza Plateau. Visit the Pyramids of Khafre and Chephren along with the awe-inspiring Great Pyramid of Giza – the last of the ‘Seven Wonders of the Ancient World’.
On the west bank of the Nile, you’ll discover the UNESCO Heritage-listed Theban Necropolis and the majestic Valley of the Kings. This incredible site houses tombs of pharaohs and nobles dating between the 16th and 11th century BC, including that of the legendary Tutankhamun.
Come face-to-face with the mummified remains of Egyptian pharaohs at the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities. Admire priceless artefacts dating 5,000 years across Egypt’s history, including treasures from the tomb of Tutankhamun.
The Luxury – Stay in hotels with pyramid views and sail the Nile on a five-star ship
With a reputation for being one of the most unique hotels in Cairo, Mena Hotel is renowned for its historic antique furnishings and beaming views of the Pyramids of Giza. Enjoy beautiful sunrise and sunset views of the pyramids during your stay as you relax with hotel service fit for royalty.
Spend four nights sailing along the Nile River, the life-blood for the Egyptian people for millennia. Onboard, you’ll learn to craft traditional Egyptian dishes with guidance from a chef, celebrate over an Egyptian themed costume party, a ritzy gala dinner and more.
Lux Upgrade Package
Want the ultimate luxury experience with breathtaking views the whole way through? Upgrade to the Deluxe Package to enjoy upgraded rooms in your five-star accommodation and aboard the Sanctuary Sun Boat IV. Enjoy out-of-this-world views of the Giza Plateau’s ancient pyramids at Mena House, views across the famous river Nile at the Kempinski Nile Hotel Garden City Cairo, and in a cabin on the premium, highest Promenade Deck aboard the Sanctuary Sun Boat IV.
Your Package Includes
- Five nights of luxury accommodation in five-star hotels, including the Mena House and Kempinski Nile Hotel Garden City in Cairo.
- A four-night luxury Nile cruise aboard the deluxe Sanctuary Sun Boat IV.
- All-inclusive food prepared by award-winning chefs, plus complimentary mineral water, tea and American coffee with every meal during your cruise.
- A barbecue on deck, guided sightseeing with an Egyptologist, a cocktail reception and a cooking lesson, during your cruise.
- Onboard entertainment including a traditional Egyptian party, belly dancing, a lecture from an Egyptologist and complimentary Wi-Fi.
- Daily breakfasts and additional select meals throughout the rest of the tour as noted in the Itinerary.
- All internal flights – including Cairo to Luxor, Aswan to Abu Simbel and back to Cairo.
- All airport transfers and air-conditioned transport throughout.
- The services of a local, English-speaking guide and entrance fees to all sightseeing listed.
Flights to Cairo depart daily from all major Australian cities with a minimum of one stop, usually in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Doha.
Book your flight through us. First, confirm your tour booking dates. Our Tours Concierge will then be in touch within 24 business hours to assist with additional arrangements, with no booking fee to you.
A visa may be required to the destination you are visiting. It is each travellers responsibility to ensure they are holding a current visa. Please take the time to visit our preferred vendor website Visa’s Direct to assist you with any visa application requirements and processes. If you require any supporting documentation when applying for your visa please let us know and we would be more than happy to assist. Click here to visit their website.
**DAY 1: ARRIVE IN CAIRO **
At Cairo Airport, meet your local representative and transfer to The Mena House Hotel , located just minutes from the famous pyramids. Spend the day at leisure, depending on your time of arrival.
ACCOMMODATION: Mena House
DAY 2: GIZA PYRAMID TOUR - 23RD FEBRUARY 2019
In the morning, behold the mystery and majesty of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed ancient pyramids
as you tour the Giza Plateau. See the legendary Great Pyramid of Giza – the only remaining wonder of the
Seven Wonders of the Ancient World – which is believed to have been constructed around 2560BC in the Fourth Dynasty, the Pyramid of Khafre and the Pyramid of Chephren. Learn the fascinating history behind the pyramids, which were constructed as tombs for Egyptian pharaohs. Next, visit the Giza Solar Boat Museum, where the funerary ship created for Khufu (King Cheops) – which was buried at the foot of the Great Pyramid of Giza in around 2500BC – resides, and a familiar sight from the movies, the Great Sphinx of Giza. In the evening, enjoy a group welcome dinner.
ACCOMMODATION: Mena House
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
**DAY 3: CAIRO **
Today you’ll be transferred to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed ancient city of Memphis, today an open-air museum. Continue on to the burial ground of Sakkara, the site of pyramids including the Pyramid of Djoser and hundreds of tombs.
ACCOMMODATION: Mena House
MEALS: Breakfast
**DAY 4: LUXOR, KARNAK AND VALLEY OF THE KINGS **
Today you’ll board a flight south for Luxor, home to the ancient city of Thebes. Spend the morning discovering the treasures of this fascinating city, including the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Karnak Temple open-air museum with its colossal Hypostyle Hall, with 134 columns aligned in 16 rows which previously held up the roof – some of which are 80ft high. Next, step aboard the plush Sanctuary Sun Boat IV to enjoy a spot of lunch before setting off to explore the west bank of the Nile. Discover the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Theban Necropolis burial site and Valley of the Kings, where the tombs of pharaohs and nobles were constructed over a period of almost 500 years between the 16th and 11th century BC. The site is home to the tomb of the legendary Tutankhamun, which was famously uncovered in 1922 by English archaeologist and Egyptologist Howard Carter. Next, stop at the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut – one of the few female pharaohs – and the huge Colossi of Memnon statues, which are thought to have stood in the Theban Necropolis since 1350BC. Enjoy a cocktail reception on board the ship in the evening.
ACCOMMODATION: Sanctuary Sun Boat IV
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 5-7: NILE CRUISE - SANCTUARY SUNBOAT IV
Enjoy scenic views as you cruise north on the Sanctuary Sun Boat IV, away from the other ships and busy crowds. Visit Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan, the Philae Temple and much more, referring to your Sanctuary itinerary for details.
ACCOMMODATION: Sanctuary Sun Boat IV
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 8: ABU SIMBEL AND CAIRO
Disembark the Sanctuary Sun Boat IV and fly to Abu Simbel for the next part of your Egyptian adventure. Part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Nubian Monuments site, the two Abu Simbel temples were erected in honour of Ramesses II – one of the most celebrated pharaohs – and his queen Nefertari. The temple dedicated to the former (the Great Temple of Ramesses) features four huge 20-metre statues of the pharaoh on its façade. Like the temples of Philae, the sight becomes even more impressive to behold when you consider these temples were painstakingly moved from their original position to save them from being submerged in water from Lake Nasser after the construction of the Aswan High Dam. After your sightseeing, you’ll take a flight back to Cairo where, after checking in at the hotel, the afternoon is at your leisure.
ACCOMMODATION: Kempinski Nile Hotel Garden City Cairo
MEALS: Breakfast & Lunch
DAY 9: CAIRO
Feast your eyes on the priceless artefacts of the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities – including treasures from the tomb of Tutankhamun – which date back across 5,000 years of Egypt’s history. See the famous Royal Mummies Halls, which is home to the mummified remains of Egyptian pharaohs. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before exploring the Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan; a huge and ornate mosque which dates back to 1356AD and is thought to be one of the world’s largest. See the Bab al-Futuh twin-towered gateway within the old city walls before making your way to Khan el-Khalili bazaar, a major attraction for those visiting Cairo. Immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of this colourful open-air market and haggle over fare including jewellery, leather goods, spices and vegetables. Enjoy a farewell dinner to finish your final day in style.
ACCOMMODATION: Kempinski Nile Hotel Garden City Cairo
MEALS: Breakfast & Lunch
DAY 10: DEPART CAIRO
After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your journey home.
MEALS: Breakfast