Insider Journey Through Egypt

(20 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Cairo & the Pyramids, Alexandria, Siwa Oasis, Luxor, Nile River dahabiya cruise, Aswan & Abu Simbel

On this in-depth private tour of Egypt, cruise the Nile River in a traditional dahabiya sailing barge, stay at an atmospheric eco-lodge in the remote Siwa Oasis, and enjoy private touring of Cairo, the Pyramids, Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel with your own top Egyptologist guide.

First, experience Cairo as an insider—our tours offer the most in-depth, sophisticated Cairo touring available. Visit the most interesting cultural attractions in the historic center—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—such as the Citadel, the Egyptian Museum and the Hanging Church. Tour our favorite neighborhoods, which are filled with beautiful Fatimid, Islamic, Mameluk, Ottoman, Coptic and Art Deco architecture. See well-preserved medieval residences formerly occupied by wealthy merchants. Walk through fascinating markets such as the renowned Khan al-Khalili bazaar and visit Cairo's top boutiques. Also visit smaller and lesser-known museums dedicated to Islamic art, applied arts and Egyptian culture. Artisans of Leisure will also arrange an exclusive visit to the restoration labs at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. 

One day, take a private excursion to the older pyramids of Dahshur and Saqqara. If desired, venture inside the Bent Pyramid or Step Pyramid to discover some of their secrets. Artisans of Leisure will arrange exclusive access to a well-preserved tomb that is not open to the public.

Continue to the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, which was founded by Alexander the Great and is today Egypt's second-largest city. Explore the hidden charms of this fascinating city during touring with your private guide and driver. Visit the Bibliotheca Alexandrina—a striking, state-of-the-art library and museum of antiquities—as well as various ancient monuments, catacombs and the site of the Pharos Lighthouse, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Perhaps also browse the antiques district, see beautiful mosques, and relax at waterfront cafes.

En route to Siwa Oasis, learn about the World War II history of North Africa at the War Museum and war cemeteries in El Alamein.

Continue through the desert to enchanting Siwa Oasis, a traditional village of mudbrick buildings among palm groves, freshwater springs and salt lakes. Experience the area's unique calm while staying at a kasbah-style eco-lodge built with traditional materials that blend into the surroundings. During touring, venture into the nearby sand dunes, explore the remains of the 13th-century Shali Fortress, see an ancient necropolis known as the Mountain of the Dead, and relax in natural springs.

Return to Cairo for an overnight before flying to Luxor. Visit Luxor Temple and the Karnak complex, Medinet Habu, the Colossi of Memnon, and the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens, including the tombs of King Tut and Ramses VI. We will also arrange access to the spectacular tombs of Seti I and Queen Nefertari and exclusive access to the Tomb of Horemheb. 

Next, take a five-night Nile River cruise aboard a traditional dahabiya sailing barge. On this atmospheric boat (also spelled dahabeah), enjoy a leisurely yet in-depth experience of the Nile, including visits to local villages and cultural sites (such as Gebel el-Silsila) not accessible to larger cruise ships. The boat has a more flexible schedule, so you can explore many extraordinary archaeological sites—such as the Temple of Horus (Edfu) and the Temple of Kom Ombo—at times when few other boats and visitors are present. Artisans of Leisure will arrange private shore excursions with your own Egyptologist guide at most stops on the cruise.

Continue to Aswan, one of Egypt's most attractive cities. During private touring with your Egyptologist guide, learn about Nubian life, history and crafts at the excellent Nubian Museum. Also visit highlights such as the stunning Temple of Philae, the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk. One day, fly to Abu Simbel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and two spectacular monumental temples commissioned by Pharaoh Ramses II and carved into sandstone cliffs.

Return to Cairo and visit the awe-inspiring Pyramids of Giza, a UNESCO-listed necropolis of pyramids, tombs, temples and other monuments. See the Great Pyramid, the Great Sphinx and enjoy lunch with a view of the pyramids. We can also arrange a visit to the entrance hall of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM). Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange VIP experiences such as after-hours private tours of major sites such as the Egyptian Museum and the Pyramids of Giza.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1 Cairo VIP airport assistance. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 3 nights Day 2 Cairo & the older pyramids Full-day private excursion to Dahshur and Saqqara, including entry to the Bent Pyramid, the Red Pyramid and exclusive access to the Tomb of Wahtye Day 3 Cairo Full-day private city tour Day 4 Cairo – Alexandria Private transfer to hotel for 2 nights, with tour of Wadi Al Natrun monasteries en route Day 5 Alexandria Full-day private city tour Day 6 Alexandria – Siwa Oasis Private transfer (approx. 7 hours) to ecolodge for 3 nights, with stop at El Alamein War Cemetery en route Day 7 Siwa Oasis Flexible private touring through ecolodge and time at leisure as desired Day 8 Siwa Oasis Flexible private touring through ecolodge and time at leisure as desired Day 9 Siwa Oasis – Cairo Private transfer (approx. 8 hours) to hotel for 1 night Day 10 Cairo – Luxor Private transfer to the airport for morning flight to Luxor. Private touring on arrival of the Luxor and Karnak temples before transfer to hotel for 2 nights Day 11 Luxor Private touring of Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens, including the tombs of King Tut, Seti I and Queen Nefertari and exclusive access to the Tomb of Horemheb Day 12 Luxor – Esna – El Kab Private transfer to Esna to board dahabiya cruise for 5 nights. Private tour of the Temple of Khnum en route to El Kab Day 13 El Kab & Edfu Private tour of the Temple of Nekhbet. Sail to Edfu for private tour of Temple of Horus Day 14 Edfu – Gebel el-Silsila Sail to Gebel el-Silsila with options for swimming and desert walk en route Day 15 Gebel el-Silsila Morning private tour of Temple of Horemheb. Afternoon at leisure to relax with option to swim Day 16 Gebel el-Silsila – Kom Ombo Sail to Kom Ombo for private tour of the Temple of Kom Ombo Day 17 Kom Ombo – Aswan Sail to Aswan and disembark cruise. Private touring of High Dam, Temple of Philae and other sights around Aswan. Private transfer to hotel for 1 night Day 18 Aswan & Abu Simbel – Cairo Morning private transfer to airport for flight to Abu Simbel. Private touring of temples. Private transfer to the airport for flights to Cairo, via Aswan. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights Day 19 Cairo & the Pyramids of Giza Full-day private excursion to the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, including optional camel ride, pyramid entry and lunch reservation overlooking the pyramids, and the Grand Egyptian Museum Day 20 Depart Cairo Private airport transfer. VIP departure assistance

Hotels

Cairo: The St. Regis Cairo or Four Seasons Nile Plaza Alexandria: Four Seasons Hotel Alexandria Siwa Oasis: Adrere Amellal Luxor: Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor or Al Moudira Nile River Dahabiya cruise: Nour El Nil Aswan: Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan

Cost

$37,510 Per person (double occupancy)