Secrets of the Pharaohs
Egypt Private Journey
Overview
The 5,000-year-long story of Egypt is an epic and extraordinary one, from the colossal Great Pyramids on the Giza Plateau to the monumental temples along the legendary Nile, lifeblood of Egypt, where temples, tombs, and hieroglyphs continue to entrance visitors, as they have for thousands of years. On this Private Journey with your Egyptologist guide, explore the Pyramids and feast your eyes on the glorious artifacts from King Tutankhamen's tomb, then set off on a deluxe Nile cruise, gliding in the wake of Cleopatra and the pharaohs as you discover their mysterious world from Aswan to Luxor. For a pre- or post-trip extension, visit ancient Alexandria on the Mediterranean or explore Jordan's lost city of Petra and T. E. Lawrence's Wadi Rum, a legendary mountain-and-desert landscape.
Arrive: Cairo, Egypt
Depart: Cairo, Egypt
Highlights
- Luxurious Nile cruise boat with Nile-view cabins
- Great Pyramids at Giza, Treasures of King Tut
- Temples of Karnak and Luxor, Valley of the Kings, and visit to Abu Simbel
- Beautiful tomb of Queen Nefertari and King Tut's Tomb
- Private guide in Cairo and during the Nile cruise
Itinerary
Please note: Trip dates depend on the boat schedule and availability.
Experience the wonder of the monumental pyramids of the great pharaohs, a colossal testament to mankind's quest for immortality. Nothing quite prepares one for the first sight of the three pyramids of Cheops, Chephren, and Mycerinus, and the enigmatic Sphinx. Explore the treasures of the renowned Egyptian Museum, including the stunning golden artifacts unearthed from the tomb of young King Tut, and roam the twisting passageways of the ancient Khan El Khalili bazaar, little changed since the 14th century, all in the company of your own Egyptologist guide.
A cruise on the storied Nile is the ultimate experience of this epic land of history. Discover the Valley of the Kings and Queens, home to magnificent tombs including that of Queen Hatshepsut, Egypt's only female pharaoh, the monumental temple of Karnak, and Luxor, a strikingly graceful piece of temple architecture on the banks of the Nile. Explore the romantic and majestic temple complex of Isis at Philae, an exquisite blend of Egyptian and Greco-Roman architecture, and the striking Temple of Kom Ombo, standing on a promontory at a bend in the Nile where in ancient times, sacred crocodiles basked in the sun on the riverbank. Among the many sites you visit is the extraordinary Temple of Horus, the most completely preserved Pharaonic temple in Egypt.
In Cairo, visit the nearby royal necropolis of Dahshur, set in the desert on the west bank of the Nile, or explore Coptic Cairo, with its ancient Christian churches. Depart on Day 9.
Please note: some departures have cruises that run in the reverse direction (Luxor/Aswan). Those itineraries are as follows:
Days 1-3: Arrive in Cairo, visit the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, Islamic Cairo, Great Pyramids, Sphinx, Saqqara, Step Pyraid
Day 4: Fly to Luxor, tour Luxor Temple, Valley of the Queen and Kings, Nefertari and King Tut's Tomb
Day 5: Temple of Karnak, Temple of Khnum
Day 6: Temple of Edfu, Egyptian cooking lesson, Kom Ombo, evening “Egyptian Night” costume party on board the ship
Day 7: Philae Temple, Aswan, felucca ride, Lord Kitchener's Botanical Gardens, Agha Khan Mausoleum, and traditional folkloric and dervish show on board the ship
Day 8: Fly to Abu Simel, tour Abu Simel, fly to Cairo for overnight
Days 1-3: Arrive in Cairo, visit the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, Islamic Cairo, Great Pyramids, Sphinx, Saqqara, Step Pyraid
Day 4: Fly to Luxor, tour Luxor Temple, Valley of the Queen and Kings, Nefertari and King Tut's Tomb
Day 5: Temple of Karnak, Temple of Khnum
Day 6: Temple of Edfu, Egyptian cooking lesson, Kom Ombo, evening “Egyptian Night” costume party on board the ship
Day 7: Philae Temple, Aswan, felucca ride, Lord Kitchener's Botanical Gardens, Agha Khan Mausoleum, and traditional folkloric and dervish show on board the ship
Day 8: Fly to Abu Simel, tour Abu Simel, fly to Cairo for overnight
Day 9: Depart
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated Level 1, Easiest, according to our trip grading system. It is an overland touring trip with day walks to explore the fascinating temples and wonderful towns of this ancient and modern civilization. It can be enjoyed by anyone in good health who has no mobility restrictions.
Review Trip Level Details
Egypt's climate is hot and dry most of the year. During the winter months (Dec-Feb), average daily temperatures are in the upper 60s°F on the Mediterranean coast and in the 80s°F in Aswan. In spring and fall, daytime temperatures can get up to the 90s°F. It can be quite cool in the evening, especially when on the Nile River. From January through March, the temperature is cooler, down to the 50s°F and 60s°F during the day, and dropping much lower at night, sometimes into the low 40s°F. Egypt has a very dry climate, which makes a temperature of 80°F feel much cooler than it would in a humid, tropical climate.
Client Testimonials
"All five of us greatly enjoyed the trip and learned a lot. We saw a great deal with knowledgeable guides who were a pleasure to be with, who anticipated problems, and who helped us avoid crowds and maximize our visits to sites."
Constance C.
New Haven, CT
"Wilderness Travel did it again! This was just perfect. The on the ground service was incredible. First class all the way. We are spoiled! This was such an incredible experience for us. Please encourage people to come to Egypt."
Denny H.
Mercer Island, WA
"Thanks again for a trip well planned and executed. We appreciate your professionalism."
Heather B.
Venice, Italy
"Fantastic trip. Loved every minute of it!"
Hensley E.
Rosendale, NY
"The itinerary and accommodations were perfect and our guides were the simply the best! Each one was very personable and had the unique ability to weave a vivid and memorable story of the region's past and present. We look forward to our next trip with WT!"
Jo F.
Orlando, FL
"This is one of the very best trips we have ever been on. No question we were spoiled by having private guide, private bus 90% of the time, and doing things at our own speed and addressed to our particular interests. Our guide was one of the best we have ever encountered."
Kathy B.
Lafayette, CA
"We would never have been able to do all the things we did without such a well planned trip."
Mary Jeanne K.
Bend, OR
"Great itinerary, good, hotels, nice balance between activity and relaxation."
Nicholas P.
Chicago, IL
"This was an outstanding trip. Everything was planned and executed perfectly."
Pat H.
Richmond, VA
"I don't know how it could have been better!"
Vaneesa L.
Atlanta, GA
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Book your trip today
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.