Pharaohs & Red Sea: Egypt in Private

Cairo

For your added comfort, upon your arrival at the airport, an airport representative will greet you in front of customs and immigration. The representative will facilitate the included visa process for you. Continue to the baggage claim hall and passenger pick up. Here you will be met by your driver for a private transfer to your hotel.. Meet your driver and English-speaking representative for a private airport transfer.

Accommodation: Marriott Mena House Hotel (B) (Premium Pyramid View Room), Cairo

Cairo

Cross an item off your bucket list as you explore one of the Seven Wonders of the World on a private tour. Today, you will get an opportunity to marvel at one of the true ancient masterpieces, the Sphinx and the Pyramids. Following a pick-up from your hotel, you will be transferred to the Giza Plateau. Ponder at the majesty of the Great Pyramids and listen to your guide as they reveal the history of Ancient Egypt. Your experience includes a visit to a panoramic viewpoint, where you will be able to marvel at the grandeur of the Pyramids in all their glory. Continue to the Great Sphinx with its head of a man and body of a lion, gazing imposingly across the valley. During today’s tour, you will also enjoy a delicious lunch at 9 Pyramids Lounge overlooking the Plateau. Proceed to Grand Egyptian Museum, home to some of the most valuable treasures from this era. Your tour provides a unique opportunity to witness a selection of the most impressive artifacts, including magnificent statues, royal regalia, and ancient monuments. Your knowledgeable guide will lead you on this journey back in time, sharing insights on the treasures you'll encounter along the way. After the visit, transfer back to the hotel.. Dine at one of Marriott Mena House's delectable in-house restaurants this evening.

Accommodation: Marriott Mena House Hotel (B) (Premium Pyramid View Room), Cairo

Cairo, Aswan

Meet your driver and English-speaking representative for a private airport transfer.. Board a flight in Cairo with direct service to Aswan. Approximate flight duration is one hour and 30 minutes. Please note, luggage restrictions apply to this regional flight. 1) Maximum of one checked bag, weighing up to 50 lbs (23 kg) – Economy, 70 lbs (32 kgs) - Business; Checked baggage cannot be larger than 62 linear inches (158cm). 2) Guests can also bring a piece of carry-on luggage with a maximum weight of 17 lbs (8 kg). Passengers flying in Business Class may bring two pieces of carry-on luggage.. A private transfer between the airport and hotel is provided.. Glide onboard a traditional Egyptian felucca across the Nile to the historic Elephantine Island. Along the way marvel at the rocky shores guarding ancient ruins, temples, and a Roman-era nilometer once vital for measuring the river’s floods. Explore this natural border between Egypt and Nubia, steeped in thousands of years of history. With an English-speaking guide, head to Elephantine Island to uncover its role as a bustling ivory trading hub, visiting the Khnum Temple, home to one of Egypt’s three famous nilometers. Following your exploration of the island, sail back to Aswan and return you to your hotel or cruise.

Accommodation: Sofitel Old Cataract (B) (Luxury Nile View Room), Cairo

Aswan, Nile

A private port transfer is provided.. Explore Philae Temple with your private guide, relocated stone by stone from its original island to Agilkia Island to preserve it from flooding when the Aswan Dam was built. Continue to the ancient granite quarries, where the Unfinished Obelisk remains embedded in bedrock at nearly 140 feet long, abandoned mid-construction. Your guide reveals Philae's remarkable relocation story and brings ancient carving methods to life through tool marks still visible on the stone.

Accommodation: Soleil (BLD) (Luxury Cabin), Aswan

Nile

Meet your private guide to explore Kom Ombo, a rare double temple built for two gods rather than one. One half honors Sobek, the crocodile god, while the other belongs to Haroeris, the sun god, with the temple's perfectly mirrored sanctuaries and passageways reflecting this dual devotion. Your guide brings both deities and their stories to life at this compelling Nile-side stop.. Stepping off the Nile cruise and into Edfu, you arrive at the best-preserved ancient temple in Egypt and the second largest after Karnak. Dedicated to Horus, the falcon god, the temple is remarkable for its inscribed building texts, which reveal how ancient Egyptian temples were constructed and used with a clarity that most ruins simply cannot offer. Your private guide brings the story of Horus and the temple's extraordinary legacy to life against one of the ancient world's most intact backdrops.

Accommodation: Soleil (BLD) (Luxury Cabin), Nile

Luxor, Nile

Luxor is home to one of the world's greatest open-air museums, with the ruins of Karnak and the Temples of Luxor nestled on the East Bank of the city. With your private Egyptologist guide, visit these impressive UNESCO World Heritage Sites and learn about Ancient Egypt's fascinating and lengthy history. Begin with a visit to the Temples of Karnak; stroll along the Avenue of Sphinxes, marvel at the colossal sandstone columns transported 100 miles along the Nile River, and hear about the construction of the Temple's massive façade. Before continuing your experience, stop at a nearby bazaar to get a glimpse of the local life. Next, explore the Luxor Temple which was once joined to the Temples of Karnak by the 1.25-mile-long Avenue of Sphinxes. The temple is dedicated to the rejuvenation of kingship rather than the Pharaohs, cult gods or deified versions of the king in death. Upon the conclusion of your tour you will be transferred back to your accommodation.

Accommodation: Soleil (BLD) (Luxury Cabin), Luxor

Luxor

Today you'll disembark from your ship and bid farewell to the crew.. Some of the most spectacular sites in all of Egypt can be found on the West Bank of the Nile, near Luxor. Meet with your private guide and driver to spend your day exploring the marvels of this fascinating area, including the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens. Your exploration begins in the Valley of the Kings, where you will be guided through tombs carved deep into the rock face. Feel in awe of this sprawling ancient necropolis before transferring to the Temple of Hatshepsut, an astonishing terraced temple partly imbedded in the limestone mountain itself. Proceed to the Valley of the Queens and tour the site where the wives of the Pharaohs were buried. With some 70 tombs, including the tombs of princes and princesses, it provides a dazzling setting to dive deeper into the history of Ancient Egypt. Next, head to the Valley of the Workers and stroll among the remains of a complete village that once housed the skilled craftsmen and laborers who worked on the tombs of the surrounding valleys. Continue to the temple of Rameses III, one of Egypt’s best preserved and most interesting temples. It takes its name from the ancient word for an ibis, the symbol of the god Thoth, who has a Ptolemaic Period temple a few hundred meters to the south. Your excursion is completed with a photo stop at the famed Colossi of Memnon.. The tomb of Seti I (Sethos I) is the longest, deepest and most completely finished in the Valley of the Kings. Recently re-opened, being closed for public visit for years, the tomb is located in a small lateral wadi in the Valley of the Kings. Entering into Seti I’s tomb, you will capture the spirit of discovery of the archeologists as you explore one of Egypt’s most treasured and rare experiences.. Why not treat your palate to incredible gastronomy at Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa? Relax and enjoy waterfront views in the chic Diwan shisha cafe, where you can indulge in fragrant Arabian-style teas and Turkish coffees. Have a refreshing drink at the sunken Oasis Pool Bar, or relax and cool down with a light meal as you gaze out over the stunning River Nile in Olives restaurant. Perhaps opt for a fine dining experience in exquisite surroundings at the elegant Silk Road restaurant at Hilton Luxor. Explore exotic eastern cuisine, savoring an array of delicacies from all over Asia. Marvel at stunning Nile views as you sip a cocktail and recline on soft, shaded outdoor seating at the Sunset Lounge & Terrace, enjoy live entertainment and delicious traditional snacks indoors. Please note that the cost of lunch and dinner is not included, and it has to be paid for directly at the resort.

Accommodation: Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa (B) (Deluxe Room)

Luxor, Sharm El Sheikh

Transfer from Luxor Airport to your accommodation by private vehicle.. Board a flight in Luxor with service to Sharm El Sheikh via Cairo. Approximate flight duration is two hours and 30 minutes. Please note, luggage restrictions apply to this regional flight. 1) Maximum of one checked bag, weighing up to 50 lbs (23 kg) – Economy, 70 lbs (32 kgs) - Business; Checked baggage cannot be larger than 62 linear inches (158cm). 2) Guests can also bring a piece of carry-on luggage with a maximum weight of 17 lbs (8 kg). Passengers flying in Business Class may bring two pieces of carry-on luggage.. A private airport transfer is provided.. This afternoon, enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.. While staying at the Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh there is no need to go far to savor a delicious meal. For a sit-down dinner, Four Seasons offers a variety of cuisine options at their five main restaurants including Yatai (Japanese & Pan-Asian), Zitouni (traditional Lebanese), Il Frantoio (elegant Italian), Arabesque (Middle Eastern specialties) and Reef Grill (Grilled meats and seafood). For those looking for a more relaxed environment, we recommend checking out one of the lounges for cocktails and light snacks (Citadel Lounge, Observatory Lounge and Breeze).

Accommodation: Four Seasons (B) (Deluxe Sea-View Room), Luxor

Sharm El Sheikh

Offering respite and relaxation all day long, choose to spend some time at leisure at one of the Resort's four extraordinary pools or the exclusive pristine beach. Lounge in a private cabana at the heated Waha Pool or enjoy some quality family time at the spacious Gezira Pool. Indulge in exceptional poolside service as you enjoy amenities like fresh towels, lounge chairs & umbrellas, cold water spritzes and canvas cabanas.

Accommodation: Four Seasons (B) (Deluxe Sea-View Room), Sharm El Sheikh

Sharm El Sheikh

Today, venture into the Sinai Desert with your guide for an opportunity to visit the oldest Christian monastery in existence – St. Catherine’s Monastery. The Monastery has been attracting pilgrims to its gates since 330 AD. Steeped in history, the buildings of the monastery complex represent many architectural styles. According to the Hebrew Bible, this is where Moses received the Ten Commandments from God. After a guided visit to this age-old sacred site, continue to the old Bedouin town of Dahab where you will have some time to browse local wares and have lunch.

Accommodation: Four Seasons (B) (Deluxe Sea-View Room), Sharm El Sheikh

Sharm El Sheikh, Cairo

A private airport transfer is provided.. Board a flight in Sharm El Sheikh with direct service to Cairo. Approximate flight duration is one hour. Please note, luggage restrictions apply to this regional flight. 1) Maximum of one checked bag, weighing up to 50 lbs (23 kg) – Economy, 70 lbs (32 kgs) - Business; Checked baggage cannot be larger than 62 linear inches (158cm). 2) Guests can also bring a piece of carry-on luggage with a maximum weight of 17 lbs (8 kg). Passengers flying in Business Class may bring two pieces of carry-on luggage.. Meet your driver and English-speaking representative for a private airport transfer.. For a unique private dinner experience board an oriental felucca boat and immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of Cairo as you cruise down the mighty River Nile. After being transferred to the pier, board your boat for the evening and enjoy an unforgettable night on the Nile.  Your personal waiter serves you a 3-course dinner as you take in the glistening skyline of Cairo at night. The imposing hotels, bridges and the river itself provide an enchanting setting for tonight’s experience. Indulge in the delicious cuisine, enjoy the onboard entertainment and expose your senses to Cairo’s undeniable charms. After arriving back at the dock, you will be transferred back to your accommodation.

Accommodation: The St. Regis Cairo (B) (Deluxe Room), Sharm El Sheikh

Cairo

Egypt and Cairo are firmly placed within the history of Christianity. From the banks of the Nile to the rugged desertscapes of the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt played host to a number of events described in the Bible. Today’s meaningful journey through Cairo has been designed by our experts in-house to introduce you to the sites that are closely associated with the Scriptures and to highlight the city’s significance in the early days of Christianity. Your private tour begins with a visit to Ben Ezra Synagogue; located along one of the winding alleyways of Coptic Cairo, it is believed to be the birth site of Moses. Next, head to the Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church and hear about the Holy Family’s flight into Egypt. Continue to the famed Hanging Church standing as a reminder of the of Roman Empire’s presence in Egypt and the widespread conversion to Christianity. Your final stop today is the Coptic Museum containing the world’s largest collection of Egyptian Christian artifacts. It is a perfect place to learn about the influence of Christianity on Egypt historically and today.

Accommodation: The St. Regis Cairo (B) (Deluxe Room)

Cairo

Meet your driver and English-speaking representative for a private airport transfer.