THE ROYAL TOUR TO EGYPT

with

Dr. Zahi Hawass, The World’s Most Famous Archaeologist

Dr. Mostafa Waziri, Egypt’s Head of Antiquities

Dr. Khaled El-Enany, Egypt’s First Minister of Tourism & Antiquities

Dr. Tarek Tawfik, One of the Directors of the Grand Egyptian Museum Project

Limited to 27 guests in a group

THIS IS THE MOST EXCITING AND EXCLUSIVE TOUR OF EGYPT EVER OFFERED!

JOIN THE THREE MOST IMPORTANT FIGURES IN THE WORLD OF EGYPTOLOGY TODAY.

There is no one better to lead you through the fascinating history of the Land of the Pharaohs than the world’s most famous archaeologist, Dr. Zahi Hawass. For over 20 years he held all the keys to the Egyptian antiquities. Dr. Hawass has revolutionized our understanding of ancient Egypt and now he takes you on a private journey to explore the country’s greatest monuments.

The Royal Egypt Tour provides unparalleled access to the wonders of ancient Egypt and offers special entries to sites that are off-limits to the general public. You’ll join Dr. Mostafa Waziri, Egypt’s Head of Antiquities, to learn secrets never before revealed. To enrich your experience of Egypt even further, you will meet Dr. Khaled El-Enany, Egypt’s First Minister of Tourism & Antiquities, and Dr. Tarek Tawfik, one of the Directors of the Grand Egyptian Museum Project. Throughout the tour, you stay in the finest and historic 5-star hotels, sail on a luxury Nile cruise ship, dine on delicious local cuisine and embrace the unique Egyptian culture.

Explore the wonders of the ancient Egyptian civilization including the enormous Karnak and Abu Simbel temples, the tombs in the Valley of the Kings, and much more! The Royal Tour offers private entrances to the entire Giza pyramid complex and the Luxor Temple outside of opening hours. Only with us will you stand between the paws of the Great Sphinx and gain exclusive access to the places closed to the public! Thanks to special permission granted by the Minister of Antiquities, you will see the Tombs of the Pyramid Builders in Giza, an active excavation site. With Archaeological Paths you will experience Egypt like no one else!

Dr. Zahi Hawass: No one can tour Egypt like this. Except for you – when you come and join me. You will visit many unique sites that very few people can see. You will be treated like royalty, this is why we call it the Royal Tour.

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.

PRIVATE ENTRY TO LUXOR TEMPLE

Discover this UNESCO World Heritage Site after everyone else has left for the day – a true VIP experience.

SPECIAL ACCESS TO THE GREAT SPHINX ENCLOSURE

Marvel at a once-in-a-lifetime chance to touch the Great Sphinx and watch the sunrise from between its huge paws.

SPECIAL ACCESS TO THE TOMBS OF THE PYRAMID BUILDERS AT GIZA

Take a VIP tour with Dr. Hawass to explore one of his greatest discoveries – an active excavation site that is closed to the public.

SPECIAL ACCESS TO THE KHONSU TEMPLE

Together with Dr. Mostafa Waziri, discover the Temple of Khonsu, one of the best preserved temples of the New Kingdom, which is off-limits to the public.

VIP TOUR OF THE GRAND EGYPTIAN MUSEUM*

Explore the country’s latest landmark in the company of Dr. Tarek Tawfik, one of the Directors of the Grand Egyptian Museum Project.

_{*The tour itinerary will include a visit to the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities at Tahrir Square until the Grand Egyptian Museum opens.}

Inspired by Dr. Zahi Hawass – Royal Egypt Tour has been designed in cooperation with Dr. Hawass to ensure the most comprehensive journey through Egypt’s fascinating history.

Cairo & Pyramids – Discover the diverse capital of Egypt. Begin your journey at Saqqara, home to the first pyramid ever built by the Egyptians, the Step Pyramid of Djoser. See two early pyramids in Dahshur and take in the sight of the magnificent Pyramids of Giza and the enigmatic Sphinx.

Memphis – Visit Egypt’s first capital and gaze up at a monumental 35-foot-tall statue of Ramses II.

Grand Egyptian Museum* – Delve into the world’s largest collection of pharaonic treasures, including King Tut’s famous golden mask.

Nile Cruise – Enjoy an 8-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. Discover Deir el-Medina, the ancient workers’ village, and 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 – Admire the Unfinished Obelisk, the world’s largest ancient obelisk, and discover the Temple of Philae, beautifully located on an island. Marvel at the feat of engineering behind the 2-mile-long Aswan High Dam.

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

Historic Cairo – Experience the exotic vibe of Cairo and explore the city’s two historic architectural gems, the Saladin Citadel and the Alabaster Mosque.

Cultural Experiences – Meet with Nubians and experience their way of living by visiting their homes and local school. Stroll through captivating old souks in Luxor and Aswan and take a scenic ride across the Nile on a felucca, a traditional Egyptian sailboat. Connect with locals and enjoy authentic traditional musical performances

_{*The tour itinerary will include a visit to the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities at Tahrir Square until the Grand Egyptian Museum opens.}

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 that offers spectacular views of the pyramids.

Day 2 – Saqqara  /  Exclusive Lecture by Dr. Zahi Hawass

After an orientation with Archaeological Paths’ representatives, you visit the ancient necropolis of Saqqara, which, according to Dr. Hawass, is one of the most impressive places on Earth and the “birthplace of architecture”. Admire the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the oldest pyramid in Egypt, built 4,700 years ago by the legendary architect Imhotep. You also visit the elaborately decorated Tomb of Mereruka and the Pyramid of Teti, which boasts one of the oldest pyramid texts ever discovered. Wrap up your sightseeing in Saqqara with a visit to the Imhotep Museum.

In the evening you are invited to an exclusive multimedia lecture by Dr. Hawass. He shares decades of his research, touching on the mysteries of Tutankhamun, the search for the tombs of Queen Nefertiti and Cleopatra, and new findings around the pyramids and in the Valley of the Kings. After the lecture, join in a Q&A session and enjoy a formal dinner with Dr. Hawass.

Day 3 – Memphis  /  Dahshur Pyramids  /  Special Access to the Tombs of the Pyramid Builders with Dr. Hawass

Today you visit the ruins of Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt, where you gaze up at a monumental 35-foot-tall statue of Ramses II carved from limestone. Then, you head to Dahshur, home to the Bent and Red Pyramids, built for Pharaoh Snefru. These pyramids are among the oldest, largest and best preserved in Egypt.

After lunch, Dr. Hawass takes you on a private tour of the Tombs of the Pyramid Builders at Giza, which date to 2,500 BC. Although it is closed to the public, Archaeological Paths’ guests are granted exclusive access to this active excavation site.

I will take you to see one of my greatest discoveries, the Tombs of the Pyramid Builders. This discovery is even more important than the discovery of King Tut’s tomb, where we found mainly gold; the Tombs of the Pyramid Builders reconstructed our history. For the first time, we got to know the people who built the pyramids. Thanks to this visit, you will learn how the pyramids were actually built.

– Dr. Hawass

Day 4 – Private Entry to the Giza Plateau  /  Private Entry to the Great Pyramid  /  Special Access Between the Paws of the Great Sphinx with Dr. Hawass

In the morning, when the entire Giza Plateau remains closed to other tourists, Archaeological Paths’ guests have exclusive access to this iconic ancient site. This crowd-free experience is typically offered only to royals, heads of state and other honored guests.

First, 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. Exclusively for you, the Director of the Giza Pyramids opens two additional chambers – the Queen’s Chamber and the Subterranean Chamber, both closed to the public.

Next, 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 largest sculpture. Dr. Zahi Hawass awaits you between the paws of the Sphinx to share with you all that we know about this enigmatic monument.

I will tell you all about the latest research and mysteries of the Sphinx and pyramids, including the tunnels under the Sphinx and secret doors and possible hidden chambers in the Great Pyramid.

– Dr. Hawass

Later, when the Giza Plateau opens to the public, 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. Finally, take in a picturesque overview of the pyramids from a panoramic viewpoint.

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 5 – Karnak Temple  /  Special Access to the Khonsu Temple with Dr. Mostafa Waziri

In the morning, you fly from Cairo to Luxor, known in ancient times as Thebes, one of the capitals of ancient Egypt. After checking in to a 5-star cruise ship, you begin your 8-day Nile cruise, continuing your journey to the most impressive monuments from the time of the pharaohs.

Your first stop in Luxor is 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.

In the Karnak Temple Complex, Archaeological Paths’ guests are granted special access to the Temple of Khonsu, one of the best preserved and most complete of the New Kingdom temples, which is off-limits to the general public. During the visit you are joined by Dr. Mostafa Waziri, Egypt’s Head of Antiquities, who personally introduces you to the most recent discoveries and restoration work. He also shares ongoing research with you and reveals plans for the future.

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 – Valley of the Kings  /  Nile River Cruise

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.

The rest of the afternoon is free for leisure. You can enjoy the stunning views of the Nile from the cruise ship’s sundeck while sailing to Edfu or avail yourself of some of the ship’s other amenities. In the evening you are invited to the captain’s cocktail party, where you meet the crew and enjoy delicious local and international cocktails.

Day 7 – Edfu Temple  /  Nile River Cruise  /  Q&A Session  /  Kom Ombo Temple

Begin the day with a visit to the marvelous Temple of Edfu. It is among the best-preserved ancient temples in Egypt, built between 237 and 57 BC, and dedicated to the falcon god Horus.

On the way along the Nile to the next site, you can enjoy a drink on the ship’s beautiful 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 Greco-Roman Temple of Kom Ombo. It was built between 205 and 180 BC as a place of worship for two gods: Horus and Sobek, the crocodile god. The day ends with a visit to the Crocodile Museum, which houses a collection of mummified crocodiles and ancient carvings.

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

Day 8 – Unfinished Obelisk  /  Temple of Philae  /  Nubian Village

Today brings you to Aswan and begins with a visit to the Unfinished Obelisk, the largest-known ancient obelisk, lying on its side in a stone quarry. It measures around 140 feet tall and weighs nearly 1,200 tons. Next, 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.

After lunch, another motorboat ride takes you through the cataracts of the Nile to a Nubian village. There, you meet the Nubians and visit their homes and local school to experience their way of living. Back on board the cruise ship, you enjoy a Nubian party featuring traditional music and folk dances.

Day 9 – Abu Simbel Temples  /  Aswan High Dam  /  Felucca Ride  /  Aswan Old Souk

Your second day in Aswan starts with a drive to 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. On the way back to the cruise ship, you stop to see the imposing 2-mile-long Aswan High Dam. Its construction began in 1960, lasted 8 years and cost $1 billion. The dam ended the cycle of flood and drought in the Nile River region.

After lunch, enjoy a relaxing and scenic ride across the Nile on a felucca, a traditional sailboat. 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 10 – Nile River Cruise  /  Q&A Session  /  Private Entry to Luxor Temple

Today, you can relax while cruising the Nile back to Luxor. In the meantime take part in the second Q&A session with your Egyptology Expert.

Upon reaching Luxor, you are granted the extraordinary privilege of exploring the magnificent Luxor Temple in complete privacy, after it has closed to the public. This UNESCO World Heritage Site remains one of the greatest reflections of the pharaohs’ power and supremacy. During this exclusive visit, reserved solely for guests of Archaeological Paths, you witness the temple’s true grandeur as it comes alive under stunning nighttime lighting, creating an atmosphere that daytime visitors can only imagine. In this intimate, crowd-free setting, you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped back in time to the era when pharaohs ruled the world.

Day 11 – Temple of Hatshepsut  /  Deir el-Medina  /  Colossi of Memnon

Another engrossing day in Luxor starts with a visit to 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. Next, you discover Deir el-Medina, the ancient workers’ village and home to the artisans and craftspeople of Thebes. During this visit you see the beautifully decorated tombs of the people who built the royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings. 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.

Day 12 – Saladin Citadel & Alabaster Mosque of Muhammad Ali  

After your adventure on the Nile, you fly back to Cairo to continue your tour. Enjoy more luxury at a 5-star hotel in Giza before today’s visit to the 12th-century Islamic fortress, known as the Saladin Citadel, and the Alabaster Mosque of Muhammad Ali. The mosque was built on the summit of the citadel between 1830 and 1848, bringing an unparalleled contribution to the skyline of Cairo.

Day 13 – VIP tour of the Grand Egyptian Museum*  / Exclusive Lecture by Dr. Khaled El-Enany / Farewell Dinner

You top off your tour with a visit to the long-anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum*, home to the world’s greatest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts, preserving 7,000 years of Egyptian history. 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.

You will explore the museum’s treasures with Dr. Tarek Tawfik, one of the Directors of the Grand Egyptian Museum Project. Dr. Tawfik oversaw this mammoth project for many years, including moving 50,000 artifacts from other museums to their new home. Learn about the inside story and secrets of the museum with someone who was instrumental in its planning.

In the evening you are invited to an exclusive private lecture by Dr. Khaled El-Enany, Egypt’s first Minister of Tourism & Antiquities. Learn firsthand about the newest discoveries and exciting research from the person who oversaw all of Egypt’s ancient and tourist sites for six years. Dr. El-Enany will give you exclusive insight into the past, present, and future of Egyptian archaeology. His lecture will be followed by a Q&A session and your farewell dinner, during which you enjoy live music and celebrate your unforgettable journey across Egypt.

*The tour itinerary will include a visit to the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities at Tahrir Square until the Grand Egyptian Museum opens.

Day 14 – 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: $795 per person for a double room or $995 for a single room. The add-on includes accommodation for 1 night at the same hotel as during the main tour.

POST-TOURS:

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: $795 per person for a double room or $995 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: $4985 per person for a double room. Single supplement costs $995. 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.

Accommodation on our tours is carefully and meticulously selected, thus, we book only the best available hotels in Egypt. Our guests spend 6 nights in a luxurious 5-star hotel in Giza and 7 nights on a 5-star Deluxe Cruise Ship.

Marriott Mena House

Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at the First Residence

MS Le Fayan

Price:
$12,985 per person in a double room (deposit is only $1200 during booking!). If you travel alone you can share a room with other tour participant. However, if you would like to stay in a single room then the supplement is $2985.

Payment Schedule:
- $1200 deposit – during booking.
- Remaining balance – 90 days before the tour

Included:
Dr. Zahi Hawass as our special guest; Five Star Accommodation - 6 nights in Five Star hotel in Giza, 7 nights onboard a Five Star Deluxe Nile Cruise Ship; Domestic flights during the tour (Cairo - Luxor; Luxor - Cairo); 3 meals a day – breakfast, lunch and dinner; All sightseeing tours and entrances included in the itinerary; bottled water during the sightseeing; English speaking guide; English speaking tour leader; Transfers in air-conditioned buses; Reception at Cairo International airport; Airport Arrival & Departure transfers; Government taxes; Private entrance to the Great Pyramid of Khufu; Private entrance to Luxor temple; Special entrance to the Sphinx Enclosure; Special entrance to the Pyramids Builders Tombs at Giza; Health Insurance (to download the Terms and Conditions of travel insurance click here); Taxes.

Not Included:
International flights to/from Cairo in Egypt (we can help you with booking); Visa cost (visa is only $25 and issued on arrival at Cairo airport).

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

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

JOIN US TODAY!

 E-mail: contact@archaeologicalpaths.com

USA phone: 917-719-1974
Other countries: +1 917 719 19 74

Office hours: 8am–8pm EST Monday–Friday &  9am–5pm EST Saturdays. Our consultants will be happy to give you all the information you need.

For those guests who would like to have the same itinerary but prefer smaller groups, we have prepared an offer called PRIVATE EDITION. This option limits the size of the groups to 18 people only and costs $17,985 per person (the price of our SIGNATURE EDITION of the Royal Egypt Tour is $12,985 and you can expect 27 participants). Please note, that the entire tour itinerary, including all special entrances and our special tour guests Dr. Zahi Hawass and Dr. Mostafa Waziri, remains unchanged. If you are interested in the PRIVATE EDITION tour option, please CLICK HERE.