Egypt's Ancient Wonders: 11-Day Private Tour

This morning you come face to face with the last surviving wonder of the ancient world on a private guided tour of the Giza Plateau. Stand beneath the Great Pyramid of Khufu, marvel at the enigmatic gaze of the Great Sphinx, and learn how these monuments were raised more than 4,500 years ago. Your private Egyptologist brings pharaonic Egypt vividly to life, decoding the engineering and mythology behind every stone. In the afternoon you travel south to Saqqara, home of the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the world's oldest stone monument and the blueprint for everything that followed. Nearby, the ancient capital of Memphis reveals the colossal fallen statue of Ramesses II and a serene alabaster sphinx. Returning to Cairo, you carry a deeper appreciation for the pioneers whose ambitions still tower over the desert sands.

• Great Pyramids of Giza — The three monumental pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure on the Giza Plateau.
• Great Sphinx of Giza — The colossal lion-bodied guardian carved from a single limestone outcrop.
• Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara — The world's oldest stone pyramid, the earliest monumental cut-stone building.
• Memphis — Egypt's ancient capital, home to the fallen colossus of Ramesses II and the alabaster sphinx.

Today you trade the desert for the Mediterranean on a private day trip to Alexandria, the storied city founded by Alexander the Great. The scenic drive north delivers you to a coastline once crowned by the legendary Pharos Lighthouse and Great Library. You descend into the eerie Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, a labyrinth of Greco-Roman tombs carved deep beneath the streets, then stand before the towering Pompey's Pillar amid the ruins of the Serapeum. Along the sweeping Corniche, the medieval Citadel of Qaitbay guards the harbour where the Pharos once shone, while the sleek modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina revives the city's ancient love of learning. After a seafood lunch overlooking the sea, you journey back to Cairo with your mind full of the cosmopolitan crossroads where Egypt, Greece and Rome once met.

• Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa — A multi-level Greco-Roman necropolis blending Egyptian and classical funerary art.
• Pompey's Pillar — A towering Roman triumphal column set among the ruins of the Serapeum temple.
• Citadel of Qaitbay — A 15th-century fortress built on the site of the ancient Pharos Lighthouse.
• Bibliotheca Alexandrina — The striking modern library reviving the legacy of the ancient Great Library.

After breakfast you transfer to the airport for a short domestic flight south to Aswan, Egypt's most serene city, where the Nile flows clear and blue past golden dunes and granite islands. On arrival your private guide leads you to the mighty Aswan High Dam, an engineering marvel that tamed the river's floods and created vast Lake Nasser. You then board a small boat to the enchanting island Temple of Philae, dedicated to the goddess Isis and rescued stone by stone from the rising waters. At the ancient granite quarries you examine the colossal Unfinished Obelisk, which reveals the pharaohs' astonishing stone-working skills. As the sun softens, you glide by traditional felucca toward a colourful Nubian village, where warm hospitality and sweet hibiscus tea await. It is a gentle, beautiful first taste of Upper Egypt. Overnight in Aswan.

• Aswan High Dam — The vast modern dam that controls the Nile's flow and formed Lake Nasser.
• Temple of Philae — The graceful island temple of the goddess Isis, relocated to Agilkia Island.
• Unfinished Obelisk — A colossal abandoned obelisk still lying in the ancient granite quarry.
• Nubian Village — A vibrant riverside village offering warm Nubian hospitality and culture.

Rise before dawn for one of Egypt's most unforgettable experiences: the journey to the great temples of Abu Simbel, near the Sudanese border. Carved into a mountainside more than 3,000 years ago by Ramesses II, the Great Temple is guarded by four colossal seated statues of the pharaoh, each towering some twenty metres high. Alongside it stands the graceful temple he dedicated to his beloved queen, Nefertari, and the goddess Hathor. Your private guide explains how this entire monument was ingeniously relocated in the 1960s to save it from Lake Nasser's rising waters, one of history's greatest feats of archaeological rescue. You marvel at the precision of the ancient builders, whose alignment lets sunlight pierce the inner sanctuary on two days each year. Returning to Aswan, the afternoon is yours to relax. Overnight in Aswan.

• Great Temple of Ramesses II — The mountainside temple fronted by four colossal statues of Ramesses II.
• Temple of Nefertari — The smaller Abu Simbel temple honouring Queen Nefertari and the goddess Hathor.

This morning you journey by road from Aswan to Luxor, following the timeless course of the Nile for around three hours as sugarcane fields, palm groves and the distant temples of Kom Ombo and Edfu slip past your window. Arriving in Luxor, the ancient city of Thebes and often called the world's greatest open-air museum, you begin on the East Bank at the staggering Karnak Temple complex. Here you wander the Great Hypostyle Hall, a forest of 134 giant columns, and trace nearly two thousand years of pharaonic devotion to the god Amun. As the day cools, you visit the elegant Luxor Temple, linked to Karnak by an avenue of sphinxes and glowing beautifully under the evening lights. Your private guided tour reveals the grandeur of a city that was once the beating heart of an empire. Overnight in Luxor.

• Karnak Temple — A vast temple complex dedicated to Amun, famed for its Great Hypostyle Hall.
• Luxor Temple — An elegant riverside temple linked to Karnak by the ancient Avenue of Sphinxes.

Today you cross to Luxor's West Bank, the realm of the dead where pharaohs built their eternal homes. In the sun-baked Valley of the Kings you descend into the vividly painted tombs of New Kingdom rulers, their walls alive with hieroglyphs and scenes from the afterlife, with Tutankhamun's resting place among them. Nearby, the striking terraced Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut rises dramatically against golden cliffs, a fitting monument to Egypt's most powerful female pharaoh. You pause before the towering Colossi of Memnon, two weathered statues that have guarded the plain for over three millennia. Your private Egyptologist unravels the beliefs and rituals that shaped this sacred landscape, giving depth to every carving and chamber. With the wonders of Thebes explored, you return across the river with a profound sense of Egypt's enduring mysteries. Overnight in Luxor.

• Valley of the Kings — The royal necropolis where New Kingdom pharaohs, including Tutankhamun, were buried.
• Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut — The dramatic terraced temple of Egypt's great female pharaoh at Deir el-Bahari.
• Colossi of Memnon — Two towering stone statues of Amenhotep III guarding the Theban plain.

After days immersed in ancient temples, it is time to unwind beside the sparkling Red Sea. This morning you leave Luxor and travel by comfortable private vehicle across the eastern desert to the resort city of Hurghada, a scenic drive of around four hours through rugged mountains and open plains. On arrival you check into your beachfront hotel and trade your walking shoes for sandals. The rest of the day is entirely yours: sink into a sun lounger, dip into the warm turquoise waters, or simply savour a cool drink as the sea breeze rolls in. This is the perfect pause in your Egypt journey, a chance to recharge before your final days, with nothing on the agenda but rest and the gentle sound of the waves. Overnight in Hurghada.

A full day of Red Sea bliss awaits, and how you spend it is entirely up to you. For many guests the highlight is a boat excursion to the pristine reefs around Giftun Island, where you can snorkel or dive among kaleidoscopic coral gardens teeming with clownfish, parrotfish and rays, some of the finest underwater scenery on the planet. Prefer to stay ashore? Lounge on soft sand, indulge in a spa treatment, or explore Hurghada's lively marina and bazaars. The Red Sea's calm, crystal-clear waters and year-round sunshine make this a restorative counterpoint to the grandeur of Egypt's ancient sites. However you choose to relax, you will end the day golden and unhurried, ready for a final flourish in Cairo tomorrow. Overnight in Hurghada.

• Giftun Island — A protected Red Sea island ringed by vibrant coral reefs ideal for snorkelling and diving.

This morning you catch a short flight back to Cairo for a final immersion in Egypt's layered history. Your private guide leads you first to the magnificent Grand Egyptian Museum beside the Giza plateau, where the complete treasures of Tutankhamun and thousands of masterpieces are displayed in a breathtaking modern setting. You then step into the medieval heart of Islamic Cairo, crowned by the Salah El-Din Citadel and the alabaster Mosque of Muhammad Ali with its sweeping city views. The day ends amid the bustle, aromas and colour of the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, a labyrinth of coppersmiths, spice stalls and cafes where you can hunt for handmade souvenirs and sip mint tea like a local. It is a fitting finale that weaves together ancient, medieval and modern Egypt before your departure. Overnight in Cairo.

• Grand Egyptian Museum — The vast new museum near Giza displaying the complete Tutankhamun collection.
• Salah El-Din Citadel — The medieval fortress of Saladin crowned by the alabaster Mosque of Muhammad Ali.
• Khan el-Khalili Bazaar — Cairo's historic market maze of artisans, spice stalls and traditional cafes.

Your remarkable journey through Egypt draws to a close today. After a relaxed breakfast, you savour your final morning before your private driver collects you and transfers you comfortably to Cairo International Airport in good time for your onward flight. As you depart, you carry with you the memories of towering pyramids, sunlit temples along the Nile, the treasures of the pharaohs and the warm hospitality of the Egyptian people. Travel Joy Egypt hopes this eleven-day private tour has revealed the country's ancient wonders in all their glory, and we look forward to welcoming you back to explore even more of this timeless land. Wishing you safe travels until we meet again.