History stands still along the banks of the River Nile as the tombs and temples evoke an era of elaborate innovation, the pyramids defy the imagination, and the ancient cities delight in the chronicles of the past. For a journey into the remarkable splendors of history, nowhere on earth can rival the sights found along this famous waterway. Your 10-day tour will provide an insider’s narrative on Egypt’s legendary icons, bringing to life the ancient atmosphere of Cairo, Giza, Saqqara, Aswan, Luxor,...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Cairo – Meet and Greet in Egypt’s Colorful Capital
Cairo is a city with its roots in the past, but also moving forward in the 21st century. Cairo is a city full of surprise as you delve beneath the skyline. Baffling to anyone without a guide, some 20 million people inhabit this sprawling metropolis, but with your local guide alongside it is a city full of treasures. You will be greeted at the airport by your guide and transferred to your five-star hotel in the city. The afternoon will be at your leisure, and your guide will plan excursions to suit your mood, whether they be relaxed cafes popular with the locals or historical sights that offer a glimpse of what is to come on your vacation.
What's Included:
Day 2
Cairo – A Mystical Landscape of Pyramids, Temples, and Tombs
Day 3
Cairo – The Egyptian Museum and an Insider’s Tour of Cairo
Day 4
Aswan – The Temple of Philae and Waters of Lake Nasser
Day 5
River Nile – A Felucca Sailboat Around the Islands of Aswan
Day 6
River Nile – Luxury Cruise Along the Famous River
Day 7
Luxor – Historic Wonders of Luxor’s West Bank and the City of the Dead
Day 8
Luxor – The Atmospheric Secrets of the World’s Greatest Open-Air Museum
Day 9
Luxor to Alexandria – Stories From the Time of Alexander the Great and Cleopatra
Day 10
Alexandria to Cairo – Bustling Bazaars and Coastal Serenity Before Departure
Trip Highlights
- Journey far beyond any famous photographic viewpoints with expert local guides with an insider’s perspective that evokes the old-world atmosphere and intimate detail of the world’s greatest ancient wonders
- Gasp at the scale of the Pyramids of Giza and then soak up the mystique of Saqqara, site of Egypt’s first attempts at building pyramids
- Uncover Cairo with an exclusive tour through its ancient neighborhoods and colorful streets
- Visit what is arguably the world’s finest historical museum with a privately-guided tour of the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities
- Cruise around the islands of Aswan in a traditional felucca sailboat, stopping at botanical gardens and memoirs to the past
- Spend two nights drifting along Africa’s famous waterway, with a five-star Nile cruise that will stop at ancient monuments preserved by time
- Lose yourself in the marvels of Luxor’s West Bank, where tombs and temples defy the imagination at the Valley of the Kings
- Uncover the secrets of Luxor’s East Bank and the wonders of a distant era
- Explore the ancient city of Alexandria, where tales of Alexander the Great and Queen Cleopatra dominate
Detailed Description
The wonders of the Nile never seem real as they appear like phantoms, rising mystically on desert plains, nearly too surreal to take in. Everyone has seen photos of the pyramids, but nothing will prepare you for the first glimpse of their scale. Tombs and temples are laced in such intimate detail that it will seem impossible that they were crafted three or four millennia ago. Ancient complexes continue to evoke the stories of a distant era, despite standing in a state of rock-strewn ruin. Even after visiting the legendary sights, it is hard to push them into the realm of the real. Perhaps this is another legacy of ancient Egypt, this ability to make everything seem imaginary, even when you are walking inside a pyramid or feeling the crunch of old rocks beneath your feet.
Your expert guide will bring these legends to life. Narrating beyond the well-known historical facts, your guides will help you to picture a whole world that existed in the centuries before Christ. By understanding more of the context, these wonders take on new meaning. They become much more than historical sites that are seen in 21st-century isolation as they transform into ancient worlds. Intimate details are appreciated, and hidden stories are unraveled. With privately guided excursions, this 10-day Egyptian vacation is all about this transformation as you move beyond any remarkable photos you have seen in the rich atmosphere of the past. You will uncover the ambiance of a forgotten time and discover a detailed, insider’s perspective.
This vacation brings you to visit the famous icons found along the River Nile, incorporating those around Cairo, Aswan, Luxor, and Alexandria. You will explore the monuments that have astounded visitors for millennia, but you will do so with some of Egypt’s best guides, who will take you far beyond the history books. Rather than rush around on bus tours, you will explore the lesser documented details that bring ancient Egypt to life. Each hieroglyphic inscription tells a story, every column has its meaning, and every world-famous attraction has its secrets.
Start with several days in Cairo to visit the mystical landscapes of pyramids and tombs at Giza and Saqqara. Explore old city neighborhoods and tour the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities with an archaeologist, and then move on to spend time around Aswan, including a cruise in a felucca sailboat and temples frozen in time. You will cruise along the River Nile to Luxor, to explore the City of the Dead on the West Bank, as well as the fabulous chronicles of the East Bank. Fly and transfer to Alexandria to discover the city of Cleopatra before your short journey back to Cairo for your return flight.
Starting Price
$13,000 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
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