Ancient Egyptian, Greco-Roman and Mediterranean history · KT-ALX-10
Where the Pharaohs End and the Mediterranean Begins
Cairo, Alexandria and Nile Cruise
Ten days across Cairo, Alexandria and the Nile Valley, for travelers who want Greek, Roman and Coptic Egypt as well as the pyramids.
- 10 days / 9 nights
- Cairo · Giza · Alexandria · Aswan
- Private or Group
About this journey
Egypt did not stop being interesting when the pharaohs did. This itinerary is built for travelers who already know what they want from Giza and would rather not stop there. After Cairo, you drive north to Alexandria, a city of catacombs, a Roman amphitheater, a Ptolemaic pillar and a seafront that feels closer to Greece than to the Nile Valley. Then you fly south for Philae, a Nile cruise through Kom Ombo and Edfu, and Luxor's east and west banks. Arranged this way, you experience three distinct Egypts in chronological layers: pharaonic, Greco-Roman and Islamic-Coptic. It suits repeat visitors, mature travelers and anyone who reads the museum labels. Sightseeing is intentionally paced at roughly one major site per half day, with a real lunch break every day.
Why travellers choose this itinerary
- Two days on the Mediterranean coast, including an Alexandria overnight rather than a rushed day trip.
- Greco-Roman, Coptic and Islamic Egypt covered alongside the pharaonic sites.
- Roughly one major site per half day, with an unhurried lunch built into every schedule.
- A guide chosen for depth of commentary, suited to repeat visitors and readers.
- Seafront seafood lunch and an old-quarter walk instead of a checklist of monuments.
- Nile cruise still included, so the classic river experience is not sacrificed for the coast.
Quick facts
- Duration
- 10 days / 9 nights
- Starts / ends
- Cairo → Cairo
- Destinations
- Cairo, Giza, Alexandria, Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor
- Trip format
- Private or Group
- Group size
- Up to 14 travellers
- Activity level
- Moderate
- Recommended ages
- Best suited to travelers aged 12 and up; very popular with mature and repeat visitors
- Best months
- March, April, May, September, October, November, December
- Languages
- English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese
- Accommodation
- 4-star (Comfort) · 5-star (Superior) · Luxury / boutique and sea-view
- Room types
- Single, Double, Twin, Sea-view room on request, Standard and deluxe cabins
- Meals
- Daily breakfast; full board on the Nile cruise; one Alexandria seafood lunch optional
Trip highlights
- Alexandria seafront and Qaitbay Citadel
- Bibliotheca Alexandrina, subject to availability
- Selected Greco-Roman sites
- Upper Egypt temples and tombs
Best for: History and culture travelers wanting both heritages
Day-by-day itinerary
Every day below can be reordered, shortened or extended on a private departure.
Meet and assist at the airport and private transfer to your hotel.
Meals: Dinner. Overnight: Cairo.
What is included
Not included
Choose your accommodation level
The same itinerary, three levels of comfort. Pick a tier when you request your booking and we confirm the exact properties in writing before any payment.
Comfort
4-star (Comfort)
Well-located 4-star properties and standard cabins where a cruise is included. Everything essential is covered: private guiding, private transfers and daily breakfast. Chosen for travelers who would rather spend on experiences than on suites.
Standard double or twin rooms, air conditioned, with private bathroom
- Private licensed guide
- Private air-conditioned transfers
- Daily breakfast
- All listed entrance fees
- Standard room or cabin
Superior
5-star (Superior)
Our most-booked tier. 5-star hotels in prime locations, deluxe cabins on the river, and upgraded vehicles. Selected lunches and a few extras are folded in so fewer decisions are needed on the road.
Superior or upgraded rooms, upper-deck cabins where available
- Private licensed Egyptologist
- Upgraded private vehicle
- Daily breakfast and selected lunches
- All listed entrance fees
- Superior room or upper-deck cabin
- Priority check-in assistance
Luxury
Luxury / boutique and sea-view
Landmark and boutique properties, suites or view rooms where available, premium or charter river accommodation, and a senior Egyptologist. Airport meet-and-greet, lounge access and special-occasion requests are handled personally.
Suites, view rooms or premium cabins, subject to availability
- Senior private Egyptologist
- Luxury vehicle with dedicated driver
- Daily breakfast, lunches and selected dinners
- All listed entrance fees
- Suite or premium cabin where available
- Airport meet-and-greet and fast-track assistance
- 24/7 direct contact with your trip manager
Transport
Airport transfers · private
Private arrival and departure transfers with a representative meeting you inside the terminal.
Ground transport · private
Modern air-conditioned private vehicle sized to your group, with a dedicated English-speaking driver and bottled water on board.
Domestic flights
Economy-class domestic flights on scheduled Egyptian carriers, including luggage assistance and airport escort at both ends.
Nile cruise vessel
Full-board accommodation aboard a licensed Nile cruise ship, with your cabin serving as your hotel between Aswan and Luxor.
Long-distance road transfer · private
Air-conditioned private transfer on the intercity route, with comfort stops arranged along the way.
Guide services
- Private licensed Egyptologist
- Greco-Roman specialist guide in Alexandria
- Local cultural host
Suitability and accessibility
- Physical requirements
- Moderate: 2 to 4 miles walking daily, catacomb stairs and spiral ramps in Alexandria, one road transfer of roughly 3 hours each way to the coast, and uneven ancient paving throughout.
- Recommended ages
- Best suited to travelers aged 12 and up; very popular with mature and repeat visitors. Child pricing and reduced-pace alternatives are available on request.
- Mobility and accessibility
- Many ancient sites have uneven paving, sand, steps and no handrails, and some interiors cannot be adapted. We can arrange wheelchair-friendly vehicles, extra assistance and alternative viewing points at most locations, but a small number of tombs and interiors remain inaccessible. Tell us your requirements before booking and we will confirm in writing what is and is not possible on this route.
- Medical and pregnancy notes
- Heat, dust and long days can affect travelers with cardiac, respiratory or mobility conditions. Bring your own medication in original packaging. Pregnant travelers should seek medical advice before booking, and adventure, diving and balloon activities are generally not suitable during pregnancy.
- Dietary requirements
- Vegetarian, vegan, halal, kosher-style, gluten-free and allergy-related requirements can be catered for at hotels, on the river and on private meals when notified in advance. Severe allergies should be declared at the time of booking so we can brief every supplier.
- Weather and seasonality
- Best travel months for this route are March, April, May, September, October, November, December. Summer daytime temperatures in Upper Egypt and the desert can exceed 40C, so summer departures are re-timed to start earlier and rest through the afternoon.
- Dress and cultural notes
- Egypt is a conservative country outside beach resorts. Lightweight clothing covering shoulders and knees is appropriate at religious sites, and closed walking shoes are strongly recommended for temples and desert ground. Your guide will brief you on photography rules at each site.
Optional experiences and upgrades
Add any of these to your enquiry. Each is confirmed in writing with a price before you pay anything.
Extra Alexandria night with sea-view room
Available on request. Confirmed in writing with a price before you pay anything.
Price on request
El Alamein museum and cemeteries
Available on request. Confirmed in writing with a price before you pay anything.
Price on request
Coptic and Islamic Cairo walking day
Available on request. Confirmed in writing with a price before you pay anything.
Price on request
Hot-air balloon over Luxor
Available on request. Confirmed in writing with a price before you pay anything.
Price on request
Private photographer
Available on request. Confirmed in writing with a price before you pay anything.
Price on request
Upcoming dates
Private departures run on any date you choose. The dates below are currently held open for shared departures.
- 10 Sept 202610 places left
- 10 Oct 20268 places left
- 10 Nov 20266 places left
- 10 Dec 20264 places left
- 10 Jan 202711 places left
- 10 Feb 20279 places left
Questions about this tour
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Demo content notice: Sample hotels, departure dates, reviews and prices shown on this page are demo content. Final pricing and named suppliers are confirmed in writing before any payment.