8 Days Tour Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan

This 8 day Classic Egypt tour offers tourists an comprehensive overview of some of the country’s most renowned historical sites and attractions. Spanning destinations in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and Alexandria, the itinerary has been carefully crafted to highlight the greatest Pharaonic and Greco-Roman relics across these illustrious cities. With luxury accommodation at 5 star hotels, private transportation and dedicated guides throughout, guests can immerse themselves fully in Egypt’s magnificent past. The well-balanced schedule allows travelers to uncover treasures from antiquity in a relaxed and comfortable manner.

Itinerary Details
The tour begins in the bustling capital Cairo, Egypt’s gateway for thousands of years. An introductory day of sightseeing here takes in landmarks such as the awe-inspiring Giza Pyramids and Sphinx, followed by the unparalleled collections of the Egyptian Museum. Further exploration of the medieval wonders of Old Cairo helps provide cultural context. Meanwhile a later flight transports visitors southward to Luxor, the site of Ancient Thebes – a principal city of the New Kingdom pharaonic empire. Luxor’s west and east banks reveal majestic temples like Karnak and the Valley of the Kings, halls which once echoed with prayers to the all-powerful Sun God Amun-Ra.

Cairo Sightseeing
On the second morning, tours of additional Cairo gems commence. At the Citadel, remnants of the 12th century Ayyubid fortress stand guard over the city below. Nearby souks such as Khan El-Khalili offer a taste of everyday life through the sensory delights of the bazaar. The day culminates with a visit to Memphis, capital of early Egypt and home to relics of great pharaohs like Ramses II. Optional evening activities might include a galabeya party amidst a landscape of pyramids and palms under the desert stars. These experiences help bring the characters and cultures of ancient Egypt to life before travelers board their flight south.

Luxor’s West Bank
Upon arrival in Luxor, a crossing of the Nile River by boat opens the door to the spectacular attractions dotted along its western bank. Perhaps foremost are the rock-cut tombs within the Valley of the Kings, final resting places of New Kingdom pharaohs like Tutankhamun, ram-headed gods and their carved prayers guarding over the burial chambers still. Nearby, Deir el-Bahari illustrates the ingenious carving techniques employed by architects centuries ago. Back on the east bank, sights such as the colossal Karnak Temple demonstrate the lavish beliefs and building prowess of pharaonic Egypt in its imperial zenith.

Kom Ombo and Edfu
Leaving Luxor, the tour heads north once more to lesser visited towns holding marvels of their own. At Kom Ombo, a unique double temple built for the crocodile deity Sobek and the falcon god Haroeris stands in picturesque isolation. Further north, Edfu’s Horus Temple is one of the most completely preserved in all Egypt – its towering entrance pylons and interior halls offer a riveting glimpse into religious construction and practice under the ancient Ptolemies. Both sites highlight the influence and adaptations of Hellenism on Egyptian culture long after Alexander the Great’s conquests. Overnight in Luxor allows further independent exploration of the city.

Highlights of Aswan
A flight then transports guests to the city of Aswan, gateway to Nubia at the country’s southern tip. Here ancient engineering is showcased alongside natural beauty. Soaring on an incline above the Nile stands the Aswan High Dam, an architectural triumph enabling modern irrigation. Across the river, the serene isle of Philae protects a beautiful Greco-Roman temple to Isis, accessibel only by guided boat. Sailing these waters, cotton sails and feluccas carrying farmers evoke nostalgia for traditional Nubian life before the dam’s inundations. Optional excursions may take in Kalabsha’s relocated Nubian temple before an afternoon flight returns all to Cairo once more.

Memory of Abu Simbel
Those seeking further adventure then embark on a full-day trip deep into mountainous deserts to visit the colossal faces of Ramses II and his goddess-wife Nefertari, hewn directly into cliffs at Abu Simbel some 3,300 years ago. While restoration following the Aswan Dam construction was a 20th century feat, the original scale and precision-cutting of this site remains awe-inspiring. Few leave unmoved after experiencing such a divine temple preserved almost intact since Pharaonic times. This remote expedition offers a visual summation of imperial pride and craftsmanship during Egypt’s New Kingdom renaissance under the reign of mighty Ramses the Great.

Splendors of Alexandria
The tour’s final stop takes travelers to the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria. Founded by Alexander in 331BC, it became the trading and cultural heart of Hellenistic Egypt as well as home to the legendary Library of over 700,000 scrolls. Despite damage over centuries, remnants like those at the site of the Pharos lighthouse and Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa still evoke Alexandria’s past glories. Meanwhile the azure waters lapping Montazah Palace and Forti Qaitbey call for relaxation before the flight home, concluding this unparalleled Egyptian experience. Memories of its archaeological wonders and welcoming people will remain long after guests depart.

Conclusion
This comprehensive 8 day Classic Egypt tour offers an efficiently paced introduction to the country’s most renowned historical destinations. With luxury accommodation throughout and exclusively private transportation and guides, all practicalities have been handled to allow complete immersion in ancient wonders. From towering pharaonic temples and tombs, to remnants of Greco-Roman rule and modern engineering feats, a wide spectrum of Egypt’s cultural highlights from the Nile Valley to the Delta are showcased. Travelers depart wide-eyed with appreciation and understanding of the outstanding civilizations that flourished along these lands through the ages.