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Duration
13 Days / 12 Nights
Meals
Daily Breakfast, Select L & D
Accommodation
5-Star Hotels Throughout
Pace
Moderate & Immersive
Recommended Ages
Ages 16 & Above
Accessibility
Limited at Some Sites
Walking
Moderate, Avg. 1–2 Miles / Day
Best Season
Oct – May
Good To Know
Pricing Notice
The prices displayed on this website are provided as a guideline only and should not be considered final quotations. The final trip price may vary depending on several factors, including your travel dates and season, group size, hotel and room category, meal plan, availability, and any additional services or special requests. Please contact Cometra Travel for a personalized quotation based on your specific travel requirements. All prices are subject to final confirmation. A booking is considered confirmed only after a written quotation has been accepted and the required deposit has been received.
Travel TipsRecommended Start Day:This itinerary can begin most days of the week — we build the schedule, and the lecture programme, around your preferred arrival date in Cairo. Walking & AccessibilitySeveral sites on this itinerary — Saqqara's necropolis, the Valley of the Kings, the excavation site on Luxor's West Bank — involve walking on uneven terrain, sandy paths, or stairs. If you normally use a walking cane or other mobility aid, we recommend bringing it with you for added comfort. Comfort During VisitsDuring guided visits, there may be times when you will stand while listening to your guide, wait for transportation, or queue at attractions. If standing for extended periods is uncomfortable, we recommend bringing a lightweight foldable chair or informing Cometra in advance so we can assist where possible. We'd also suggest wearing comfortable walking shoes, packing a sun hat, and dressing modestly for visits to religious sites. Stay HydratedAs we spend much of the day exploring, we encourage you to bring a reusable water bottle. Refill stations are available in many locations, helping you stay hydrated while supporting sustainable travel.
Standard:
At Cometra, luxury is personal. Our journeys are carefully crafted, yet never intended to be restrictive. If you are drawn to an itinerary but would prefer a different style of accommodation, a higher or more considered level of comfort, or simply a different way of experiencing the journey, we are happy to tailor it around you. Whether you wish to retain the itinerary as designed or refine it with your preferred hotels, services and travel style, our team will be delighted to create a bespoke version that feels entirely your own.
Read our full Essential Travel Information guide. Trip OverviewBuilt for travellers who want Egypt's monuments explained by the people who study them, not simply shown. Thirteen days across Cairo, Luxor and Aswan, designed specifically for archaeology societies, Egyptology students, and specialised travellers. Private evening lectures accompany the sites each day, and where access allows, doors open that a standard itinerary never reaches — a private night visit to the Great Pyramid, private time at an active excavation on Luxor's West Bank, and a look inside Chicago House, the research institute that has spent a century documenting Luxor's monuments stone by stone. The journey opens with Cairo's full Old Kingdom arc — Giza, the Grand Egyptian Museum's Tutankhamun collection, and two full days across Saqqara's necropolis. Four days in Luxor cover both banks in depth, including sites most visitors never reach, before the itinerary continues to Aswan for Philae, Abu Simbel and a Nubian village, closing with a return to Cairo for the Egyptian Museum's older, equally essential collection. Egypt's history isn't only in the display cases — it's in the excavation sites, the research institutes, and the guides who can explain both. Trip HighlightsNine reasons this route covers more of ancient Egypt than almost any other itinerary we run.
Day by DayTrip GalleryA glimpse of the landscapes, details, and moments that make this journey unforgettable. Trip Route MapA thirteen-day loop from Cairo south to Aswan and back — four days across Cairo and Saqqara, four across Luxor's East and West Banks, and three in Aswan, connected by two short domestic flights.
Cairo → Luxor (flight) → Aswan → Cairo (flight)
ExtensionsNine nights, however full, is still a chosen slice of a country that rewards more time than any itinerary can hold. Upon request, we build pre- and post-trip extensions around your dates — shaped by where your journey starts, where it ends, and what's calling to you beyond it. Pre-Trip ExtensionArrive a night or two before Day 1 and Cairo stops being a blur between flights. A day trip to Alexandria trades the desert for the Mediterranean coast; a private evening at the Sphinx Sound & Light Show puts Giza's monuments in a different kind of light entirely; or simply take the extra night to let jet lag settle before the itinerary asks anything of you. Tell us what you're drawn to, and we'll build the days around it. Post-Trip ExtensionEnd in Aswan rather than flying back to Cairo, and continue on to a Lake Nasser cruise past Amada, Wadi es-Sebua and Qasr Ibrim, or unwind with a few nights on the Red Sea in Hurghada or El Gouna before heading home. Ask your COMETRA consultant about extending this itinerary. Pricing for extensions varies by season, hotel category, and length of stay. Please contact our team at info@cometra.net to discuss possible pre- or post-trip extensions and receive full costing details.
Optional ExcursionsNot every unforgettable moment fits inside a fixed itinerary — these are the ones worth stepping outside it for. This is a standard section included across all Cometra Travel trip plans, featuring excursions available at an additional cost. Your final itinerary may already include one or more of these experiences, depending on the services and arrangements confirmed in your final agreement with Cometra Travel. Any excursion included in your confirmed itinerary will therefore be considered part of your trip, even if it appears in this section. Prices shown are indicative only and may vary depending on several factors, including the number of participants, season, and the style or level of service selected. For the most accurate pricing and availability, please contact Cometra Travel. Each excursion includes the associated arrangements and expenses, including private transportation, an expert guide, entrance fees, gratuities, and applicable taxes, unless otherwise specified. Hot Air Balloon Ride, Luxor
Rise at dawn over the Valley of the Kings and the West Bank temples for a sweeping view of Luxor from the air.
Price on request
Tomb of Tutankhamun & Additional Royal Tombs
Standard Valley of the Kings entry covers a selection of tombs; add Tutankhamun's tomb or other separately ticketed tombs for a deeper visit.
Price on request
Hotel Room & Suite Upgrades
Upgrade your accommodation to suites or premium room categories at any hotel on this itinerary. Subject to availability and additional supplement.
Supplements forwarded on request
Inclusions & ExclusionsWhat's Included
What's Excluded
Accommodation Plan
Marriott Cairo or similar
Hilton Luxor or similar
Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan or similar
Marriott Cairo or similar
All accommodations based on standard room type. Upgrades subject to availability and additional supplement. Terms, Payment & CancellationGood to KnowPayment, deposit, and cancellation policies may vary significantly from one trip to another depending on the travel season, the type of itinerary, and the services included. Journeys that feature private or exclusive arrangements—such as chartered boats, domestic or international flights, special events, private venue access, or exclusive openings—are subject to stricter payment and cancellation terms due to the nature of these services and the policies imposed by third-party suppliers and service providers. Guests are encouraged to review the specific terms and conditions applicable to their chosen itinerary before confirming their booking.
Payment PolicyThe payment schedule below is a general guideline and may vary based on the season, number of travelers, booking date, and requested services. We will always work with you to provide the most suitable payment terms and ensure your journey is confirmed with confidence. Payments are received by bank wire transfer with no transfer fees charged to COMETRA Travel.
25%
On sign-up to secure your trip
50%
60 days before arrival
25%
30 days before arrival
Cancellation Policy
All cancellations must be submitted via official email. The price quoted is guaranteed in USD upon receipt of deposit. Any government-imposed changes to entrance fees, fuel surcharges, or taxes may affect the final price. We understand that canceling a trip is never a pleasant decision and is often due to unexpected circumstances beyond your control. Our cancellation policy is governed by the terms and conditions of our third-party suppliers, including hotels, airlines, Nile cruises, and other service providers. Whenever a cancellation occurs, Cometra Travel will work diligently on your behalf to negotiate the highest possible refund, reduce cancellation charges whenever possible, and minimize your financial loss. While all refunds remain subject to supplier policies, we are committed to achieving the best possible outcome for every client.
Cometra Terms
Read our full Booking & Cancellation Policy and Privacy Policy. Sustainability & CommunityCOMETRA Travel is committed to preserving Egypt's incomparable heritage for future generations. This journey features low-impact transportation options, actively supports local communities, and offers guests the meaningful opportunity to volunteer by helping clear litter at select sites — leaving each place better than we found it. We also encourage thoughtful contributions during community visits. Small gifts or school supplies are warmly welcomed when visiting local villages, as a gesture of genuine respect and cultural exchange. Please speak with a member of the COMETRA team before or during the trip for guidance and further information. Read our full Sustainability Policy. Frequently Asked QuestionsYes — this is one of COMETRA's most immersive itineraries, reaching Middle Egypt sites like Tell el-Amarna and Beni Hassan that most cruise-based itineraries never visit, alongside a deeper, slower exploration of Luxor's West Bank.
No — this itinerary concludes in Luxor. Travellers who'd like to continue south can ask about a post-trip extension to Aswan, or consider COMETRA's Nile Valley Explorer, which follows a similar route through to Aswan.
An active amount. Several Middle Egypt sites and the Luxor West Bank tombs involve walking over uneven ground, sandy paths and stairs, with the pace arranged to allow appropriate breaks.
Standard entry covers a selection of tombs; Tutankhamun's tomb and certain other tombs require a separately ticketed entry, available as an optional add-on.
Yes. The pace, order and length of this trip can be tailored — ask your COMETRA consultant about condensing the Middle Egypt section or extending the Luxor stay.
Have more questions? Visit our full FAQ page. Save or Share This Itinerary
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Tailored to YouThis itinerary is flexible. You're welcome to request it exactly as published, or adjust and customize it for individual travelers, couples, families, private groups, shared departures, or corporate travel. Every detail can be tailored to your preferences, including hotels, room categories, meal plans, experiences, and pace of travel. Pre- and post-tour extensions, additional destinations, and private services can also be added upon request. To personalize this itinerary or discuss your travel plans, please contact us at info@cometra.net. We look forward to creating the perfect journey for you. Curious what sets us apart? See Why Choose COMETRA. |