Before the pharaohs came the gods, the legends from which the greatest ancient civilization took its cue. Alongside exceptional Egyptologist guides, this private tour will take a unique perspective on Egypt’s world-renowned and little-known sites, from god Amun in the pyramids to the crocodile god Sobek in Kom Ombo Temple and goddess Hathor in Luxor. Including an opulent Nile Cruise, this 8-day tour through Giza, Aswan, Nile, Luxor, and Cairo create an in-depth exploration on Ancient Egypt and...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Cairo – An Uninterrupted View of the Pyramids From Your Hotel
The ancient wonders of the world look back at you across the desert. Rising majestically and defying their age, the pyramids are the undisputed highlight of any visit to Egypt. You have the perfect view from the balcony of the five-star Le Meridien Hotel as it faces with an uninterrupted view towards the Great Pyramids of Giza. You will be greeted at the airport for transfer to your hotel, where you will enjoy a welcome drink with your guide. The pyramids are also the starting point for the stories of the first and main god of ancient Egypt, Amun-Ra. On hieroglyphs inside the pyramids, it is Amun-Ra described as the primeval creator and the ultimate symbol of a creative force other than man.
The evening is at your leisure, and the views make it worth relaxing at the hotel. There is a beautiful heated outdoor pool with glimpses of the tips of the pyramids, along with a good restaurant for dining on the rooftop. Rooms are spacious and Western in style, befitting the five-star status of the establishment. With the pyramids less than one mile away, there will be a feeling of anticipation as you drift off to sleep on your first night in Egypt. Consider learning more about our travelers’ best Egypt vacation experiences by reading their Egypt travel reviews.
What's Included:
Day 2
Cairo – God Amun-Ra and the Pyramid Builders
Day 3
Aswan – God Osiris and a Sailboat Ride Around the Nile
Day 4
Nile River – The Crocodile God and a Luxury Cruise on the Nile
Day 5
Luxor – God Horus, Goddess Mut, and Arriving in Luxor
Day 6
Luxor – Goddess Hathor and the Temples of the West Bank
Day 7
Cairo – The History of God Aton and the Authenticity of Old Cairo
Day 8
Cairo – Departure
Trip Highlights
- Listen and engage as private guides illuminate the stories of the ancient Egyptians and their gods, their expert knowledge creating a new dimension on a luxury tour of Ancient Egypt’s legendary sites
- Admire the Great Pyramids of Giza from your hotel balcony and spend a day discovering the world of the Old Kingdom pyramid builders
- Spend two days on a luxury River Nile cruise between Aswan and Luxor, stopping to uncover stories at the temple of the falcon-headed god
- Follow the struggle between God Osiris and God Seth by visiting spectacular temples along the River Nile
- Explore the fabulous West Bank of Luxor, spending a day uncovering legacies like Queen Hatshepsut Temple and the god of mummification
- Spend an afternoon sailing the River Nile in a traditional felucca boat, exploring an oasis in the Sahara
- The ancient treasures in the Egyptian Museum are mind-boggling, from the history of God Aton to King Tut’s tomb
- Get a glimpse into the authenticity of old Cairo with an evening of traditional dining
- Savor behind-closed-doors evening access to Beit el-Seheimy, where even more secrets of Egypt can be uncovered
- Enjoy a selection of exquisite five-star accommodation, all with sweeping views over Egypt’s landscapes
Detailed Description
The stories of Ancient Egypt can be baffling with so much mystique and mythology written in temple hieroglyphs. They tell of a god of mummification with the head of a jackal and guarding the necropolis and then of the crocodile god Sobek, who meant some of the Egyptians were buried alongside tens of mummified crocodiles. They showcase how the boy king Tutankhamen came to power and why such odes were built in the desolateness of the Sahara. Through these gods, the stories of Ancient Egypt truly come alive. Guided by some of the country’s best Egyptologists, this private tour provides an in-depth perspective on the country’s legendary sites, helping you appreciate not just what was built, but why.
Over your 8-day tour, you will follow a classic route across Ancient Egypt exploring the iconic legacies to the civilization. By thinking of the gods, you uncover more of the details, beginning with inscriptions hidden in the corners of temples, the gardens flourishing in the River Nile and the pyramids that came before those in Giza. All of your tours will be private, and the pace is relaxed with a bent towards exploring the most important places in depth, rather than cramming every single site from Ancient Egypt into eight days. Your accommodations will provide Western luxury in the desert, including a historical hotel overlooking the pyramids and a deluxe suite on the Movenpick Royal Lily.
Over your eight day journey, you will learn about nine of Egypt’s most famous gods and goddesses. Start in Giza, the pyramids a fabulous look at both the Old and New Kingdoms as they are tied together through God Amun Ra and Goddess Mut. Fly to Aswan a couple of days later where God Osiris starts to take center stage. You will enjoy a private felucca cruise on the River Nile before spending the first of four nights on the Movenpick Royal Lily. Spend days four and five on the Nile, between Aswan and Luxor, so many narratives to explore when you disembark. Unlike most cruises, your tours on the bank are private, maintaining this unique focus.
Arrive in Luxor on the evening of day five, beneath the backdrop of the Luxor and Karnak Temples. Exploring the West Bank of Luxor, you will begin to hear stories of God Anubis and the goddess of motherhood and love, particularly in the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Sculpted figures have cow ears or human faces with two horns. King Tut’s place of rest hides in the Valley of the Kings, and you explore the stories. After a week of exploring, you will return to Cairo, and the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities will tie together many of the tales seen in the temples. Completing your tour will be a traditional Egyptian dinner in the old heart of Cairo with your last night spent at a five-star hotel with sweeping views over the River Nile.
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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