Fables will come alive in Ancient Egypt, where friendly local guides narrate the history and you become a part of the past. Specially handcrafted for solo travelers, this eight-day itinerary will explore the very best of the country as you will connect with the icons and the people. Travel with hand-selected insider guides and explore at the pace that suits you, piecing together the jigsaw puzzle of the past while you uncover Egypt’s vibrant present: Giza, Aswan, Luxor, Abu Simbel, Cairo.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Giza – The Great Pyramids Welcome You to Egypt
A single glance and it will be impossible to look back. The Great Pyramids of Giza will rise before you, three towering peaks complemented by scatterings of weather-worn stone blocks. You will immediately know that you are in the presence of greatness. The pyramids are the iconic images of Egypt and you will admire them within an hour of touching down at Cairo International. A guide will greet you at the airport and assist with the visa formalities before you transfer to a luxurious Giza hotel. The views will be legendary from the rooftop terrace and the pyramids will slowly change color around sunset. Then, you will plod across the desert on a camel, traveling in the style of the past to appreciate the scale of the ancient wonder of the world. A welcome dinner at the hotel will be provided upon your return.
What's Included:
Day 2
Giza to Aswan – Ancient Egypt and an Ancient Oasis Town on the Nile
Day 3
Aswan – Private Tour of Aswan’s Mesmerizing Sights
Day 4
Aswan – Day Trip By Plane to the Temples of Abu Simbel
Day 5
Luxor – Train Along the Nile to the Temples of Karnak and Luxor
Day 6
Luxor – Hot Air Ballooning Above the Valley of the Kings and an Insider’s Tour of the Tombs
Day 7
Cairo – Legends of the Egyptian Museum and a Stroll Through Old Cairo
Day 8
Cairo – Departure
Trip Highlights
- Take a hot air balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings and admire how the desert colors change at sunrise
- Fly to the temples of Abu Simbel to appreciate their remarkable design and scale
- Marvel at the Great Pyramids of Giza, as an Egyptologist guide will help you sidestep the touts and embrace the ethereal beauty
- Soak up the ambiance of Aswan, a desert oasis where you will mingle with locals at teahouses and take a stroll through a marketplace formerly used by the camel caravans
- Enjoy a private insider’s tour of Luxor’s West Bank, which incorporates world-famous Tutankhamen’s Tomb with the tombs of pharaohs that are less recognized but just as intriguing
- Understand the glory of history in the Egyptian Museum, where the 120,000 artifacts come to life with the expertise of your Egyptologist guide
- Celebrate the grandeur of the past at Luxor and Karnak temples, astonishing complexes where it’s great to be alone amid the history, not with a tour group
- Cruise on the River Nile in a felucca, a traditional wooden sailboat
Detailed Description
Egypt’s legendary monuments may need little introduction. You will have seen photos and heard stories, but nothing will prepare you for the details of seeing the monuments in person. Traveling solo will create a space to free your mind and reflect. There are few more inspiring places to do this than the ancient monuments of Egypt. Their scale and silence will help you reset your batteries and inspire possibility. With eight days in Egypt there is time to be alone amid the revelations of history. On this tour you will also connect with the local people, as handpicked Egyptologist guides lead you through their backyard, from the pyramids to the tombs, temples and old-world marketplaces in the desert.
Hospitality is one of the core tenets of Egyptian society as local people take great pride in welcoming visitors from around the world. Egypt was also where one of the first civilized societies originated as their historical engineering and ideas continue to baffle 21st-century experts. The Egyptians are proud of their past and know the stories as if they only happened yesterday. Throughout this eight-day tour you will be accompanied by local insiders, with each destination including a hand-selected guide to narrate the historical tale.
Like all good solo itineraries, this tour has been handcrafted for flexibility and freedom. Every day will be a balance of guided discovery and free time to discover for yourself. On most days you will likely spend the evening with your guide, perhaps also with other local people, sipping tea and discussing everything from football to history, politics to culture, family to mundane events.
Your route will connect the major highlights of Egypt in a week. Start at the Great Pyramids of Giza then journey to the old oasis town of Aswan, the perfect destination to discover traditional Egyptian hospitality as you sail on the River Nile in a wooden felucca, sip tea at a 15th-century market, and connect with local cultures. Then, you will fly to the temples of Abu Simbel, marvelous monuments in the far south of the country before you take the train to Luxor for an afternoon amid the temples of Karnak and Luxor. The next day will be dedicated to Luxor’s West Bank and the Valley of the Kings, which will include an iconic hot air balloon flight. Finally, you will return to Cairo, where the Egyptian Museum and some old labyrinthine streets provide a fitting conclusion to your week in Egypt.
Read our Egypt travel reviews submitted by our travelers to learn more about this amazing experience.
Starting Price
$3,200 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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