BEST OF EGYPT

with

Dr. Ashraf Mohie El-Din

Director General of the Giza Pyramids Plateau

&

Dr. Tarek El-Awady

Leading Egyptologist

Limited to 27 guests

Explore Egypt’s most iconic sites in just 7 days and have a once-in-a-lifetime experience? Now you can – on the Best of Egypt Tour!

Enjoy a VIP tour of two of the country's most significant sites – the Giza Pyramids Plateau and the Grand Egyptian Museum – with Egypt's leading archaeologists.

Discover the finest treasures of the Land of the Pharaohs – from the tombs of the greatest pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings to the magnificent temples of Karnak and Luxor and the rock-cut temples of Abu Simbel. Sail the Nile in luxury, with stops to admire further temples and experience authentic Egyptian life.

Imagine the Great Pyramid and the entire Giza Necropolis being open just for you. Have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to stand between the paws of the Great Sphinx rather than seeing it from a distant viewing platform. Complete your journey by visiting the long-anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum. All of Egypt’s bucket list is here.

VIP TOUR OF THE GRAND EGYPTIAN MUSEUM

Explore the country’s latest landmark in the company of Dr. Tarek El-Awady, one of the key figures involved in the Grand Egyptian Museum project. 

PRIVATE ENTRY TO THE GIZA PLATEAU

Visit the most iconic historic site in the world outside regular hours for an intimate and crowd-free experience.

PRIVATE ENTRY TO THE GREAT PYRAMID

Explore the Pyramid of Khufu – including two chambers that are closed to the public – without any other tourists.

SPECIAL ACCESS TO THE GREAT SPHINX ENCLOSURE

Marvel at a once-in-a-lifetime chance to touch the Great Sphinx and watch the sunset from between its huge paws, accompanied by the Director of the Giza Pyramids himself.

Cairo & Pyramids – Discover the diverse capital of Egypt. Explore the Great Pyramid of Giza, the last remaining Wonder of the Ancient World, and gaze in awe at the enigmatic Sphinx while standing right between its huge paws.

Grand Egyptian Museum – Delve into the world’s largest collection of pharaonic treasures, including King Tut’s famous golden mask, by visiting the country’s latest landmark.

Nile Cruise – Enjoy a 4-day scenic cruise down the Nile and visit the most awe-inspiring sites.

Luxor – Unveil the secrets of the ancient city of Thebes by visiting the enormous Karnak and Luxor Temples. Explore the royal tombs of the pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings and the great Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut. Admire the Colossi of Memnon, two massive stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III.

Edfu & Kom Ombo – Visit the marvelous Temple of Edfu, one of the best-preserved ancient temples in Egypt, and the Greco-Roman Temple of Kom Ombo.

Aswan – Discover the Temple of Philae, beautifully located on an island.

Abu Simbel – Explore the magnificent temples of Abu Simbel, carved out of the mountainside for Ramses II and his wife Nefertari.

Cultural Experiences – Stroll through the most atmospheric old souks in Luxor and Aswan. Connect with locals and enjoy authentic traditional musical performances.

Day 1 – Arrival in Cairo

When you arrive at Cairo International Airport, an Archaeological Paths’ representative greets you and helps you with visa and airport procedures. You are then transferred to a luxurious 5-star hotel in Giza.

Day 2 – VIP tour of the Grand Egyptian Museum with Dr. Tarek El-Awady /  Private Entry to the Giza Plateau  /  Special Access Between the Paws of the Great Sphinx with Dr. Ashraf Mohie El-Din /  Private Entry to the Great Pyramid

Begin your journey by visiting the long-anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum. It is home to the world’s greatest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts, preserving 7,000 years of Egyptian history.

SPECIAL GUEST:

You will explore the museum’s treasures with Dr. Tarek El-Awady, former Director of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. He was one of the key figures involved in the Grand Egyptian Museum project – including the complex, historic transfer of the Tutankhamun collection to its new home.

As an Egyptologist deeply involved in both the museum’s development and some of Egypt’s most important archaeological discoveries, Dr. El-Awady gives you an insider’s view reserved for our guests only. 

The highlight of the visit is the spectacular Pharaoh Tutankhamun collection, displayed in its entirety for the first time. Also not to be missed among the most valuable collection of Egyptian antiquities is the Khufu Solar Boat, which symbolically transported the Pharaoh Khufu from the living world to the afterlife.

After lunch, it is time to experience the most iconic ancient site – the Giza Plateau. First, you visit the stone quarry of Giza and the Valley Temple of Khafre, which was used for the Pharaoh Khafre’s mummification and purification before burial. Next, you are driven to a panoramic viewpoint to take in a picturesque overview of the pyramids.

EXCLUSIVE VIP EXPERIENCE:

Later, when the Giza Plateau closes to other tourists, you are granted special permission to visit the site privately. This crowd-free experience is typically offered only to royals, heads of state and other honored guests.

First, you have VIP access to the Great Sphinx Enclosure. While other tourists see the Sphinx only from a distant observation terrace, you stand right in front of the world’s most recognizable sculpture.

SPECIAL GUEST:

During this visit, you will be joined by none other than Dr. Ashraf Mohie El-Din, Director General of the Giza Pyramids Plateau. You will gain access to exclusive insights into recent excavations, groundbreaking research, and discoveries that have yet to be made public. You’ll be captivated as Dr. Mohie El-Din describes a restoration project underway at the Great Sphinx and reveals the hidden tunnels that lie beneath it.

EXCLUSIVE VIP EXPERIENCE:

Next, you enjoy private entry to the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still standing today. During the entire visit, you are accompanied by an Egyptology Expert who leads you through the Great Pyramid’s interior and vividly describes its history, construction, and mythology.

On top of accessing the pyramid privately and seeing the King’s Chamber, the Director of the Giza Pyramids opens for you two additional chambers – the Queen’s Chamber and the Subterranean Chamber, both closed to the public.

VIDEO - THE GIZA PLATEAU with Archaeological Paths - explore differences

Your visit to the Giza Plateau might be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so you want to be sure it is extraordinary. The tour company you choose makes all the difference. Compare two different ways to visit the world’s most iconic archaeological site and see how much of a difference it makes traveling with Archaeological Paths!

Day 3 – Abu Simbel Temples  /  Temple of Philae  /  Aswan Old Souk

A short flight takes you to Abu Simbel. There, you visit the majestic Abu Simbel Temples, one of the most impressive monuments of ancient Egypt. The temples were carved out of the mountainside in the 13th century BC for Ramses II and his wife Nefertari.

Later, you arrive in Aswan, where you check in to your home for the next four days, a 5-star deluxe cruise ship.

After lunch, you take a motorboat ride to the Temple of Philae, beautifully located on an island. The temple was built in 208 BC and dedicated to the goddess Isis.

Back on board the luxury cruise ship, you are invited to the captain’s cocktail party, where you meet the crew and enjoy delicious local and international cocktails. Later in the evening you stroll through the Aswan Old Souk, an atmospheric open-air market. Don’t forget to try the local shisha and taste some traditional Egyptian tea.

Day 4 – Kom Ombo Temple  /  Nile River Cruise  /  Q&A Session  /  Edfu Temple

In the morning you start cruising toward Kom Ombo to explore the Greco-Roman Temple of Kom Ombo. It was built between 205 and 180 BC as a place of worship for two gods: Horus, the falcon god, and Sobek, the crocodile god. Later you visit the Crocodile Museum, which houses a collection of mummified crocodiles and ancient carvings.

On the way along the Nile to the next site, you can enjoy a drink on the ship’s sundeck while admiring the local wildlife, flourishing green fields, picturesque villages, palm trees and desert in the distance. Have a swim in the pool or use the ship’s spa, jacuzzi or gym facilities. With all these possibilities for relaxation, do not miss an engaging Q&A session with your Egyptology Expert who answers your questions about history and daily life in both ancient and modern Egypt.

In the afternoon you visit the marvelous Temple of Edfu. It is among the best-preserved ancient temples in Egypt, built between 237 and 57 BC, and dedicated to Horus.

Tonight’s onboard dinner features exquisite Egyptian cuisine and an Egyptian Night costume party in traditional galabeyas.

Day 5 – Valley of the Kings  /  Temple of Hatshepsut  /  Colossi of Memnon  /  Luxor Market

Start the day by exploring Luxor, the ancient city of Thebes and one of the capitals of ancient Egypt. After breakfast, a short motorboat ride across the Nile takes you to the Valley of the Kings. It was a royal cemetery for over 500 years, and 62 pharaohs and other nobles were buried there. In the Valley, you see some of the best-known tombs, including King Tutankhamun’s, which was famously found intact in 1922 by British archaeologist Howard Carter.

Next, you discover the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, one of the most characteristic temples in Luxor. It was built for the most successful female pharaoh to rule over Egypt. On the way back to the cruise ship you stop to admire the Colossi of Memnon, two massive stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III.

Before dinner, enjoy a traditional belly dance performance. In the evening you explore Luxor Market, an authentic, open-air souk, where you have a chance to connect with locals at every turn and sample regional delicacies.

Day 6 – Karnak and Luxor Temples  /  Farewell Dinner

Another exhilarating day in Luxor starts with a visit to Karnak, the largest temple complex in the world. Walk through the avenue of sphinxes, gaze up at the towering 97-foot-tall obelisk and wander among the massive pillars of the Great Hypostyle Hall.

Then, it’s on to the magnificent Luxor Temple. It was built over hundreds of years by the New Kingdom pharaohs including Tutankhamun and Ramses II. To this day the temple is one of the greatest reflections of the pharaohs’ power and supremacy.

After your adventure on the Nile, you fly back to Cairo to check in at your 5-star hotel. There, you have a farewell dinner with live Egyptian music and celebrate your unforgettable journey across Egypt.

Day 7 – Departure from Cairo

After breakfast, you are transferred to Cairo International Airport for your flight back home.

Please find below a brief summary of the Pre- and Post- Tours. To read the full description of the Extensions, please download our Extensions Travel Brochure – CLICK HERE TO VIEW BROCHURE.

PRE-TOURS:

CAIRO MUSEUMS (1-day add-on)

During this one-day add-on, visit two of Cairo’s most important museums. First, explore the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Tahrir Square. It was built in 1902, and its iconic pink-toned walls in the midst of downtown Cairo still house an extensive collection of pharaonic antiquities. After lunch, visit the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. Just opened in 2017, the museum tells the story of Egypt’s rich history and contribution to world cultures – from ancient times through the Greco-Roman, Coptic, and Islamic periods – with fascinating exhibitions and artifacts, including royal mummies of the greatest pharaohs.

Price: $995 per person for a double room or $1295 for a single room. The add-on includes accommodation for 1 night at the same hotel as during the main tour.

MEMPHIS & DAHSHUR (1-day add-on)

Discover Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt, and Dahshur, home to the Bent and Red Pyramids. In Memphis, you visit a historical open-air museum and admire a monumental statue of Ramses II carved from limestone. Dahshur gives you a chance to explore two of the oldest, largest and best-preserved pyramids in Egypt – the Bent and Red Pyramids, built for Pharaoh Snefru.

Price: $995 per person for a double room or $1295 for a single room. The add-on includes accommodation for 1 night at the same hotel as during the main tour.

POST-TOURS:

THE HIDDEN GEMS OF THE GRAND EGYPTIAN MUSEUM (1-day add-on)

All Archaeological Paths tours include a visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum. And it’s spectacular. Yet the scale of the world’s largest archaeological museum is such that no single visit can reveal all it holds. This optional add-on is for guests who feel that familiar pull — What else is here? What did we miss? It goes beyond the main route, exploring lesser-known galleries, overlooked masterpieces, and artifacts most visitors never encounter. It’s a more intimate, in-depth way of experiencing the museum — designed for those who want to leave not with questions, but with the feeling that they’ve truly gone deeper.

Price: $995 per person for a double room or $1295 for a single room. The add-on includes accommodation for 1 night at the same hotel as during the main tour.

ALEXANDRIA (1-day add-on)

The tour starts in the morning with a 3-hour drive on an air-conditioned bus. Alexandria is the second largest city in Egypt, famous for its Greco-Roman remains and Mediterranean character. The city was founded by Alexander the Great in 332 BC and was the capital of Egypt for more than 300 years. The add-on covers all highlights, including the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the catacombs of Kom ash-Shuqqafa, the Roman Amphitheater, the harbor of Alexandria with the picturesque Citadel of Sultan Qaitbay, and the place where the famous Lighthouse of Alexandria – one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World – once stood. In the evening you return to your hotel in Cairo for dinner and overnight stay.

Price: $995 per person for a double room or $1295 for a single room. The add-on includes accommodation for 1 night at the same hotel as during the main tour.

JORDAN (5-day add-on)

Experience Jordan on a fascinating tour to a land of ancient wonders. Unveil the secrets of the Rose City of Petra, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the desert of Wadi Rum, also known as the Valley of the Moon, with its prehistoric petroglyphs and ever-changing landscape of otherworldly rock formations. Take a relaxing dip in the Dead Sea and visit Mount Nebo, from where Moses is believed to have seen the Promised Land.

EXCLUSIVE VIP EXPERIENCE:

Petra with an archaeologist: Explore Jordan’s most famous site together with one of the leading archaeologists working there. Learn about the latest research and discoveries made in Petra and uncover the secrets of the Treasury, Petra’s most magnificent temple.

Price: $5985 per person for a double room. Single supplement costs $1295. The add-on starts the day after the Egypt tour ends. You should purchase an additional night at the hotel, so you can use that day to rest, or take part in our 1-day post-tour add-on which includes the cost of the additional night.

Follow in the footsteps of the most cosmopolitan travelers and savor the world of luxury by staying at the most iconic hotels in Egypt. Relish the beauty of 19th-century palaces and colonial-era resorts and enjoy a level of service that would impress even royals and dignitaries.

Price: $7,985 USD per person (based on double occupancy)

Deposit: Only $1,200 USD required at the time of booking!

Traveling solo? You’re welcome to share a room with another solo traveler from the tour at no additional cost.

Prefer your own room? A single room supplement of $1,985 USD applies.

Payment Schedule:
• $1,200 USD deposit – during booking
• Remaining balance – 90 days before the tour

Price Includes:
Exclusive VIP Experiences as indicated in the itinerary; Special Guests as indicated in the itinerary; Luxury Accommodations as indicated in the itinerary; All sightseeing tours and entries as indicated in the itinerary; Three meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) on all sightseeing days + dinner on the arrival day and breakfast on the departure day; English-speaking Egyptology Expert as a tour guide; English-speaking Travel Concierge; Domestic airfare; Bottled water during sightseeing; Transfers in air-conditioned buses; Reception at the airport and airport transfers on standard arrival and departure days; Basic health insurance (to download the Terms and Conditions of travel insurance click here); Taxes.

Not Included:
International airfare (we can assist you with the booking); $30 USD entry visa (issued and paid in cash on arrival at Cairo International Airport); Tips; Soft and alcoholic beverages; Personal expenses

In order to book your place on the Best of Egypt tour, please click below on the Book Now button and follow the instructions.

Next, please make the deposit payment to confirm your place on the tour. Since the number of places is limited, we encourage you to book the tour as soon as possible. Please contact us if you have any questions.

E-mail: [email protected]

USA phone: 917-724-2772
Other countries: +1 917-724-2772

Office hours: from 8 AM to 5 PM New York Time (Monday to Friday) & from 9 AM to 5 PM (Saturday).