Day 1:
Arrival to Cairo International Airport
Day 2:
Saqqara & Dahshur Pyramids
Day 3:
Pyramids of Giza
Day 4:
Flight to Upper Egypt - Luxor
Day 5:
Valley of the Kings and Queens
Day 6:
Dendera – Temple of Hathor
Day 7:
Abydos
Day 8:
Ibis catacombs – Isadora Temple
Day 9:
Fayoum
Day 10:
4 WD Desert Safari
Day 11:
Tunis Village
Day 12:
Return drive to Cairo
Day 13:
Museum of Egyptian Antiquities – Khan el-Kalili Bazaar
Day 14:
Departure Day
Hotel 1:
Hotel 3:
Hotel 4:
Hotel 5:
Hotel 6:
Hotel 7:
Start your day with a customized private tour which includes a private vehicle with a driver and an expert Egyptologist guide. You will view the highlight of the Saqqara monuments, the Step Pyramid of Djoser, which is the first pyramid built in Egypt.
Giza Pyramids Complex.
The Great Sphinx.
The valley Temple.
The Egyptian Museum.
Karnak temple.
Valley Of the Kings.
Hatshepsut temple.
Abu simbel temples.
3 night accommodation 5 Star Deluxe Hotel - Cairo steigenberger Pyramids Hotel- or similar Includes breakfast.
2 night accommodation in 5 Star Hotel Luxor Sonesta St. George – classic room Includes breakfast.
1 night accommodation in House of Life Abydos.
Standard room includes breakfast.
2 night accommodation in Minya Grand Aton – El Minya Standard room includes breakfast.
3 night accommodation in Fayoum Oasis Helnan El Auberge Standard room includes breakfast.
2 night accommodation in 5 Star Downtown Cairo Hotel Steigenberger Tahir Square Superior room includes breakfast.
Entrance tickets to all sites mentioned.
Entrance ticket to King Tutankhamun Tomb.
Entrance ticket to tomb of Nefertari.
Qualified tourism private driver.
Qualified tourism private driver.
Licensed English speaking expert Egyptologist tour guide.
Lunch and Dinner as mentioned in itinerary.
4 WD Safari in Fayoum.
Sunset sailing at Lake Qarun.
Entry Visa to Egypt.
International Flights & Travel Insurance.
Drinks.
snacks and personal items.
Meals not mentioned in itinerary.
Extra sites or entrance tickets not mentioned.
Optional Tours such as Hot Air Balloon in Luxor.
Tipping of any kind for Driver/Hotel Staff.
Tipping for Egyptologist Tour Guide.
Entrance Tickets not mentioned in program.
Domestic Flights Cairo – Luxor.
Christmas and New Year Gala dinner if applicable..
Upon arrival, you and your party will be met by your airport liaison. Your liaison will help you with your entry visa and escort you thru customs. Your private driver will transfer you to the Steigenberger Pyramids Hotel or Marriott Mena House and relax in a Pyramids view room during your stay.
Start your day with a customized private tour which includes a private vehicle with a driver and an expert Egyptologist guide. You will view the highlight of the Saqqara monuments, the Step Pyramid of Djoser, which is the first pyramid built in Egypt. This pyramid dates to 2700 BC and was built for the 3rd Dynasty Old Kingdom pharaoh Djoser who ruled about 2691 -2625 BC.
Djoser Step Pyramid was built a full one hundred years before the Great Pyramids’ work even begun. For a structure of 4,600 years old and 200 feet tall, the Step Pyramid of Djoser was the perfect introduction to Egyptian pyramids. They only got better after that, giving us the most amazing architecture in ancient history.
Lunch will be provided at a local restaurant where you can enjoy the wonderful aromas and flavors of an Egyptian cuisine.
Visit a local oriental carpet school, where students are trained on hand weaving the most beautiful Egyptian carpets.
Travel 20 kilometers to the ruins of Memphis, known as the first capital of ancient Egypt. Among the most important monuments in the open museum of Meet Raheena – ruins left from ancient Memphis – are the status of Ramses II at the entrance and the huge statue of Ramses II which lies on the ground, measuring 30 feet tall.
While is Dahshur, visit the Red Pyramid and the Bent Pyramid. The Red Pyramid is the oldest pyramid in the straight pyramid shape, built just after the Bent Pyramid. Both are about 344 feet high, and they are the third largest pyramids after the two largest ones in Giza plateau.
Travel back to Giza plateau and explore the Great Pyramids and the famous Sphinx on the Giza Necropolis plateau.
Learn about the Great Pyramids of Giza and how they were covered with casing stones. The casing stones were made of highly polished limestone. The ancient Egyptians covered the Great Pyramids with casing stones so it can reflect the sun’s light. The reflected sun’s light with the casing stone made the pyramid shine and look like a jewel.
The Great Pyramids’ original look with its shining casing stones would act like huge mirrors and reflect light so powerful that it would be very visible from the moon as a shining star on the earth. No wonder why the ancient Egyptians called the Great Pyramid “Ihket”, which means the glorious light.
This wonderful tour includes entry to the Pyramid of Khufu, also known as Cheops Pyramid. You will visit a fascinating papyrus institute and enjoy a wonderful dinner meal at a great local restaurant to end your 3rd exciting day in Egypt. *Optional camel ride along the Giza plateau.
Take an early flight to Luxor. Upon arrival at the Luxor airport, you will be met by your airport liaison and a private vehicle is provided to the Sonesta St. George or Old Winter Palace Hotel.
Enjoy a private custom tour of Luxor’s fascinating and historic East Bank with a qualified Egyptologist guide. Your guide has the education, experience, and knowledge of Egyptian history to give you a fascinating insight into the historic sights you will be seeing.
You will start by visiting the Karnak temple. Walk along the Avenue of Sphinx to enter the complex, as your guide explains how the massive façade was constructed and how they used the Avenue of Sphinx for the Opet Festival.
Karnak Temple is more than just a temple; it is an open museum and the largest ancient religious site globally. It was built for the sacred Theban triad, God Amun Ra, his wife Goddess Mut, and their son, God Khonsu.
Continue to Luxor Temple which was once joined to the Temple of Karnak by the Sphinx Avenue. Luxor Temple was built by the king Amenhotep III, who dies before he finished it. King Ramses II then completed it and built his massive statues by the entrance of the temple. Return to your hotel and have dinner as you enjoy a wonderful sunset.
Join your private Egyptologist guide and explore some of the most incredible sites of the country. Your custom private tour will take you to the Queen Hatshepsut temple and the Tomb of King Tutankhamun.
Queen Hatshepsut was the most famous, intelligent, and powerful woman in ancient Egypt. She ruled Egypt for 20 years during the New Kingdom time (15th Century B.C.) She was considered one of the most successful pharaohs in Egyptian history. Hatshepsut was the daughter of King Thutmose I and Thutmose II’s wife (he was also her half-brother). Hatshepsut married her half-brother Thutmose II, whose mother was a lesser wife, in a common practice meant to ensure the purity of the royal bloodline. Thutmose II dies after a 15-year reign when Hatshepsut was 30 years old.
Head to the Valley of the Kings, where you will have the chance to explore three tombs. These tombs were constructed here for the kings, including King Tut, and powerful nobles of the New Kingdom (the Eighteenth to the Twentieth Dynasties of Ancient Egypt).
In the Valley of the Kings, you will be able to learn about the reign of King Tut. His tomb is the only one that was not robbed because it is located underneath another tomb, the tomb of King Ramses VI. The tomb robbers didn’t look there because they never expected to be a tomb underneath another tomb. That’s why King Tutankhamun’s tomb was untouched until Carter found it in 1922.
Valley of the Queens includes a visit to the most beautiful Tomb of Nefertari. Wife of the legendary Pharaoh Ramses II. The beauty of the tomb has the most vivid colorful mural scenes.
Gaze at the splendid Colossi of Memnon, one of the biggest tourist attractions in Luxor, gained its popularity due to its majestic appearance and for the mysterious sounds emitted by the northern colossus statue at every sunrise. Prior to returning to your hotel on the Nile River, enjoy a visit to an alabaster factory with the most amazing treasures. In the late afternoon relax as you enjoy sunset while riding on a horse draw carriage along the corniche.
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before checkout. Your private driver and tour guide will drive you to Dendera to visit the Temple of Hathor. The temple is one of the most well-preserved sites in Egypt today and is an excellent example of traditional Pharaonic architecture. It was built during the Ptolemaic Dynasty, which was a period of Greek rule in Egypt.
Continue your drive to Abydos where you’ll check into the House of Life Hotel and enjoy a wonderful diner.
Enjoy breakfast at House of Life prior to seeing Abydos Temple. The necropolis was used by Egypt’s earliest kings and later became a pilgrimage center for the worship of the god Osiris. It is also where the cults of the deified kings of ancient Egypt were celebrated. Known for the Pharaonic era’s artistry, the vibrantly colored wall and ceiling paintings, as well as the sculpted column work of the Temple of Seti I, are a highlight of a Nile journey. Built of limestone and laid out on three levels, the temple is unusual in many respects from other Egyptian temples, honoring Osiris, Isis, Horus, Ptah, Re-Harakhte, Amun and the deified Pharaoh Seti I.
Return to the hotel for an afternoon lunch prior to driving to Minya where you’ll enjoy your evening meal at the Pioneer Floating Hotel.
Visit Tuna el-Gebel was the necropolis of Khmun. It is the largest known Greco-Roman necropolis in Egypt, dating from the New Kingdom to the Roman Period and used in the Ptolemaic Period. It’s located in Al Minya Governorate in Middle Egypt.
The Tomb of Petosiris in Dakhla Oasis is the only free-standing tomb that takes the shape of the façade of the Egyptian temple that dates to the early Greco-Roman Period, to the reign of Ptolemy I. It’s famous for its mixed iconography which only appeared in the pronaos where the daily life scenes are represented.
The Ibis Catacombs are the most remarkable places in Tune el-Gebel for enclosing the mummified bodies of Ibis and the Baboon. These birds were considered the live image of the god Thuth, God of wisdom, and therefore worshipped in their life and then mummified and buried in catacombs. The rooms of the animals’ necropolis were about 15m height encompassing some stone niches where the mummified birds were kept. There are also stone ibis sarcophagi and pottery jars that contained the mummified bodies dating to Darious I.
Tomb of Isadora – Isadora was a wealthy woman who drowned in the Nile River during the rule of Antoninus Pius (AD 138-161) while running away with her lover. Her body was mummified, and at some time after her death, a cult would be developed around her tomb. Her tomb has few decorations, but it does contain the unfortunate woman’s mummy, and displayed in a glass case. It remains in excellent condition. Her teeth, hair and fingernails clearly visible.
Visit Beni Hasan, an Ancient Egyptian cemetery site. The most important are the tombs of Kheti, Baqet, Khnumhotep and Amenemhet. These tombs have great reliefs that depict fishing, hunting, weaving, bird trapping, travel and warfare. You’ll also see rare full frontal face illustrations that are outstanding.
Drive to Tel El-Amarna located midway between Thebes and Memphis on the Nile River. This is an extensive Egyptian archaeological site containing the remains of what was the capital city of the late Eighteenth Dynasty.
Ahmose Tomb – Ahmose I, was the founder of the 18th Dynasty and the New Kingdom of Ancient Egypt.
Huya Tomb – Huya was an Egyptian noble living around 1350 BC. He was the “superintendent of the Royal Harem” “Superintendent of the Treasury” and “Superintendent of the House”, all titles that are associated with Queen Tiye. He was the steward of Akhenaten’s mother, Queen Tiye, and the relief scenes to the right and left of the entrance of his tomb show Tiye dining with her son and his family.
Check into the Helnan Auberge Fayoum Hotel and enjoy a leisure afternoon before diner.
After breakfast, enjoy a fun safari thru the desert sands. Visit the Valley of the Whales with fossils of whales dating back to 40 -200 million years ago. All transport is by 4WD Jeep or WD Quad. Enjoy lunch in the desert before heading back to your hotel for some leisure time.
In the evening you’ll enjoy a sunset sail on Lake Qarun, Fayoum, which is considered the oldest natural lake in the world, the third largest lake in Egypt. Lake Qarun is also an internationally designated important bird area where thousands of migratory bird’s rests during their winter migration pattern south. Flamingos, grey herons, spoonbills and many duck species flock to the lake during the fall. The lake provides food, shelter and breeding grounds for a wide variety of resident and migrating birds, including several endangered species.
Time to explore Tunis Village, which is famous for its pottery and handicrafts. It’s located in the oasis of Fayoum, on a hill facing a large saltwater lake. The village overlooks a stunning view of the edge of the desert on the other side of the lake. It is one of the most beautiful places in Egypt.
You’ll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and then the afternoon is leisure time for you to explore.
Spend the morning and early afternoon exploring this fascinating Tunis Village. You can visit explore the various hand-crafted pottery artisans, horseback ride along the lake and enjoy bird watching. For the adventurous travelers, you can ride a bike in and around Tunis Village.
After lunch at the hotel, you will fly back to Cairo and check into the Steigenberger Tahir Square Hotel.
Visit the best display of Egyptian history at the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities in Tahir Square. Enjoy a trip to Khan El-Khalili, the famous bazaar and souk in the historic center of Cairo. The bazaar is loud, crowded, colorful, and exciting. It’s filled with all kinds of food and shiny baubles. Amongst the typical tourist trinkets, there is some genuinely fine shopping to be found at the market. Even if you are not looking to buy, taking a walk through the winding alleys of this labyrinthine district, you are sure to find something that will catch your eye.
Walk along Moezz Street, which is adjacent to the bazaar. It’s a 1 km long pedestrian street and has the greatest concentration of medieval architectural treasures in the Islamic world. It’s known as Historic Cairo, but locals refer to it as “Old Cairo”.
Your airport liaison will meet you at your hotel and assist with your departure to the Cairo International Airport, and your final check-in process.
Hat
Camera
Comfortable shoes
Sunblock & Sunglasses
Warm clothes in winter
Cotton clothes in summer
Passport with at least 6 months prior to expiration
Explore the Great Pyramids of Giza and the world’s largest collection of beautifully preserved artifacts at the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities which covers nearly 5000 years of Egypt’s history during this 4-day tour with your private driver and your expert Egyptologist. Cairo is home to some of the most amazing Pharaonic, Coptic and Islamic sites in Egypt.
Breakfast at hotel, prior to checkout, Tour city of Amman, Travel to Madaba, Check into hotel in Petra
Highlight of the tour after visiting Cairo and the Giza Pyramids is an amazing tour of Upper Egypt. Stroll thru Karnak Temple, Avenue of the Sphinx and Valley of the Kings & Queens which includes the Tomb of King Tutankhamun, and Queen Nefertari Tomb. Enjoy a refreshing cup of local tea as you visit a local alabaster factory and jewellery shop. Enjoy dinner in a local restaurant.
Tour of the Giza plateau Pyramids includes entrance ticket to the great pyramid of Cheops. Visit essence factory to sense the fragrence of pure oils. Travel to Upper Egypt to explore the West Bank Valley of the Kings & Queens. Visit the Tomb of King Tutankhamun, Temple of Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon. Tour the East Bank and gaze at the incredible Karnak & Luxor Temples.
Start your day with a customized private tour which includes a private vehicle with a drive, a trained Egyptologist guide. You will view the highlight of the Saqqara monuments, the Step Pyramid of Djoser, which is the first pyramid built in Egypt.
Aswan is located about 550 miles south of Cairo (one hour by flight). It is famous for its natural beauty, the Nile River, its history, and the best places to visit in Egypt, such as the Philae Temple
Upon arrival, you and your party will be met by your airport liaison. Your liaison will help you with your entry visa and escort you thru customs. Your private driver will transfer you to the Steigenberger Pyramids Hotel and relax in a Standard Room during your stay.
Explore the Great Pyramids and the famous Sphinx on the Giza Necropolis plateau. This tour includes entry to the Pyramid of Khufu, also knows as Cheops Pyramid. Learn about the Great Pyramids of Giza and how they were covered with casing stones. These stones were made of highly polished limestone. The casing reflected the sun's light and made the pyramids shine like a jewel.
This effect would act like mirrors so powerful that it would be very visable from the moon as a shining star on earth. The Great Pyramids were also called "Ihket" which means the glorious light.
Explore the Great Pyramids and the famous Sphinx on the Giza Necropolis plateau. This tour includes entry to the Pyramid of Khufu, also knows as Cheops Pyramid. Learn about the Great Pyramids of Giza and how they were covered with casing stones.
Take an early flight to Luxor. Upon arrival at the Luxor airport, you will be met by your airport liaison and a private vehicle is provided to the Movenpick Royal Lotus cruise ship.
Upon arrival, you and your party will be met by your airport liaison. Your liaison will help you with your entry visa and escort you thru customs. Your private driver will transfer you to the Steigenberger Pyramids Hotel and relax in a Pyramids view room during your stay.
Start your day with a customized private tour which includes a private vehicle with a drive, a trained Egyptologist guide. You will view the highlight of the Saqqara monuments, the Step Pyramid of Djoser, which is the first pyramid built in Egypt. This pyramid dates to 2700 BC and was built for the 3rd Dynasty Old Kingdom pharaoh Djoser who ruled about 2691 -2625 BC.
Start your day with a customized private tour which includes a private vehicle with a driver, a expert Egyptologist guide. You will view the highlight of the Saqqara monuments, the Step Pyramid of Djoser which is the first pyramid built in Egypt.
Upon arrival, you and your party will be met by your airport liaison. Your liaison will help you with your entry visa and escort you thru customs. Your private driver will transfer you to the Marriott Mena House Hotel and relax in a Pyramids view room during your stay.
I traveled with Philipe and company to Cairo, Alexandria, Athens, Madrid, Valencia and two small fishing villages in Portugal. It was magical. The travel and exploration of these exotic, humble, fascinating and historic places changed my life. Philipe lusts for travel as much as I do which makes it all the more fun to explore, learn and grow. If we all had the good fortune to explore other cultures, meet people of different cultures, and exchange our stories.
Studio City, CA
As a seasoned traveler who has visited and worked in many countries around the world, I have always appreciated the “inside scoop”, the “helping hand” from a friend or relative who knows the area well and whose personal knowledge will increase the pleasure and experience. To those visiting Egypt for the first time, or those on a repeat trip who would enjoy an insider’s guidance, that “helping hand” is Philippe Doren and Nile Infinity Tours.
Asheville, NC
As our tour guide, I always felt safe because Philipe watched out for us with CARE, WISDOM & a sense of HUMOR. He knew the areas we were visiting and understood the culture of the people around us. He thought quickly, on his feet, and could solve any situation that came up. He truly has years of experience dealing with the Egyptian people. A dream of seeing the pyramids, Cheops, Luxor, Aswan and sailing on the Nile became reality because of Philipe.
Las Vegas, NV
Traveling with Philipe was amazing and Fun! Touring the inside of the Pyramid, shopping in the alleyways of Khan el-Khalili bazaar, horseback riding through the desert and so much more , are memories that I will forever be grateful for. I can’t wait to return and see what other new adventures he will have for me next time.
St. Louis, MO
I had the good fortune to travel to Egypt on a tour organized by Philipe Doren. We saw the most amazing sights, the Great Pyramids, Sphinx, Saqqara, and Khan Al Khalili Bazaar, among many others. Everything ran smoothly and the trip was very well organized down to the last detail. Travel throughout Cairo and points south was comfortable and safe. Importantly, Philipe was so great to work with - he is cordial, attentive, knowledgeable, and very responsive.
Philadelphia, PA
This was the best time of my life! I was so fortunate to travel with Philipe in the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. My favorite was Egypt, riding horses across the Sahara, exploring the Great Pyramids, and sailing on the Nile. We had numerous trips that were skillfully crafted and ran so smoothly one could only relax and enjoy! Congratulations to Philipe for accomplishing his lifelong dream of a travel company that puts the wonder and adventure at the top.
Nipomo, CA
How wonderful that Philipe has returned to helping others travel to and discover Egypt. I count myself as one of the fortunate to have explored the Egyptian Museum, the Khan Khalili Bazaar and the pyramids of Giza (Cairo), including the Sphinx, with him. Boating on the Nile, horseback riding on the Sahara experiencing the magnificent sunrises and sunsets - my time spent in Egypt was enriching. I am thrilled that Philipe is guiding others through Egypt.
Lake Arrowhead, CA
I first traveled to Egypt with Philipe many years ago. His love for travel, and for Egypt in particular, is deep. His familiarity with the sights and culture is extensive. You will be in friendly, organized and efficient hands by traveling with his company.I have been back to Egypt twice since that first thrilling journey. It is a place that delights all your senses and calls you back. Without doubt I will go again, and I will go with Nile Infinity Tours.
New York City, NY
I had the pleasure of working with Philipe Doren and Company in the 70’s and 80’s traveling to Europe, the Far East and Middle East. Philipe was the line captain of the company and assisted with all the travel logistics of a touring company. Wherever the company toured around the world Philipe experienced the cultures to the fullest, learning the languages and enjoying the country’s cuisines.
Christopher Island, WA
Several years ago, I took a trip of a lifetime with Philipe through the Middle East, and Europe. It was by far the best thing I ever did in my life. Our visit to Cairo, Egypt was amazing. In the evening Philipe took me to a wonderful local nightclub to watch a spectacular Egyptian folkloric dance show and we witnessed authentic belly dance performances. The Arabic musicians were playing such enchanting music.
Las Vegas, NV
I look forward to stepping back in time to the magical world of antiquity Egypt with Philipe and Nile Infinity Tours!
Tabor, NJ
I had the pleasure of traveling to Egypt in 1976 with Philipe. Although we couldn’t read the street signs, the menus or understand Arabic, Philipe kept us all on course as we explored the amazing Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Tahir Square. We experienced seeing all the wonderful museum treasures before the actual King Tut tour to the USA. It was so thrilling to walk into the chambers of the Mohamed Ali Mosque.
NYC, NY