Set off on an unforgettable journey through Egypt’s legendary past. Arrive in Luxor, known as the world’s greatest open-air museum, where you’ll discover awe-inspiring temples and tombs from antiquity. The adventure continues in Cairo, Africa’s largest city, with visits to the renowned Grand Egyptian Museum and the iconic Pyramids of Giza—the last of the ancient wonders—alongside the timeless Sphinx.
Special Notes:
•Any guests travelling with Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) or CPAP breathing machines should read further below about airline stipulations with regards to bringing this equipment on tour.
•This program involves extensive walking over uneven ground and is thus not suitable for guests with walking difficulties or for those who require a wheelchair or scooter.
Day 1
Disembark the ship in Safaga and begin the 3.5-hour drive to Luxor. Upon arrival, a stop will be made for lunch before continuing across the Nile River to the west bank for a visit to the Valley of the Kings.
Hidden in the foothills of the Gourma Mountains, this desert valley is home to the remarkable tombs of Egypt’s ancient kings, their families, and other members of the nobility. More than 60 tombs have been excavated here, each offering insight into the beliefs and burial practices of the New Kingdom. Ample time is allotted to explore the site at your own pace.
Enjoy a short photo stop at the Temple of Hatshepsut, a striking mortuary temple built into the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari. Buried under sand for centuries, the temple was commissioned by Hatshepsut—the only woman to rule Egypt as pharaoh—and features a series of grand terraces and square granite columns that blend seamlessly with the surrounding mountainside.
A second photo stop follows at the Colossi of Memnon, two massive stone statues that once flanked the entrance to the mortuary temple of Amenhotep III. Although the temple itself was destroyed by an earthquake and little remains of its original structure, the statues continue to stand guard over the site, offering a powerful glimpse into Egypt’s monumental past.
Next, visit Luxor Temple, a breathtaking monument that has stood at the heart of the city for more than three millennia. Originally commissioned by Amenhotep III and later expanded by Ramses II, the temple was designed to honor the divine rulers of Egypt and the sacred rituals of kingship. Ramses II added colossal statues of himself and two towering obelisks to the entrance, though today, only one remains in place. The second was gifted to France in 1831 and now stands in the Place de la Concorde in Paris.
Over the centuries, the temple continued to evolve. Alexander the Great rebuilt the sanctuary in the 4th century B.C., and later, portions were reconstructed under Roman rule. A mosque was eventually built within the complex, reflecting the temple’s enduring significance across cultures and eras.
Following your visit to the Luxor Temple, you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in.
In the evening, enjoy a buffet dinner at your hotel.
DAY 2
After an early wake-up call, breakfast boxes will be provided by the hotel prior to departing for the Luxor Airport. From here, you will board a flight to Cairo, with a flight time of approximately 60 minutes.
Upon arrival in Cairo, recognized as the largest city in Africa and the Middle East, you will be transferred to a deluxe hotel for a buffet breakfast. Following breakfast, the day’s touring will begin.
Your first visit of the day will be to the Grand Egyptian Museum, considered to be the largest archeological museum in Africa and the Middle East, where the world’s most important pieces of Egypt’s ancient history are on display.
Spanning approximately 500,000 square meters, it houses over 100,000 artifacts showcasing Egypt's rich history. GEM's galleries offer a chronological journey through 3,000 years of Egyptian history, with exhibits from the Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms.
One of the highlights of your visit will be King Tutankhamen exhibition hall where the full collection of the Boy King are displayed in one place.
After your museum visit, continue to one of the most iconic sites in all of Egypt—the Pyramids of Giza. These monumental structures, built over 4,500 years ago, are the only remaining wonder of the Ancient World. Nearby stands the enigmatic Sphinx.
The Giza Plateau is home to three major pyramids, each built as a royal tomb by the pharaohs Cheops, his son Chephren, and Chephren’s son Mykerinus. These monumental structures were designed to house their mummified remains and support their journey to the afterlife. Located within the greater Cairo area, the pyramids remain a powerful symbol of ancient Egypt’s engineering mastery and spiritual beliefs.
Situated in front of the Pyramid of Chephren stands the legendary Great Sphinx, guardian of the Giza Plateau. This monumental statue, with the body of a lion and the head of a human, was carved from a single piece of bedrock and remains one of the most iconic symbols of ancient Egypt. Its imposing presence has inspired awe for millennia and is considered a national emblem of both Ancient and Modern Egypt.
At each site you will have ample time to walk around and take photos although no inside visits are permitted. Please be aware that there will be vendors selling merchandise and camel rides which you can do but are at your own risk.
Lunch will be in a deluxe restaurant prior to the drive back to the airport for a flight to Hurghada. Once you have arrived you will be met and transferred to Safaga where you will re-board the ship.
Land Program Step by Step:
Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. This program is subject to flight confirmations which are beyond our control. All program details including timings and any flights indicated below are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. Direct flights are never guaranteed. Final itineraries with the most up to date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.
Day 1
8:30am Disembark the ship in Safaga
8:45am Proceed to the port terminal for security screening
9:00am Depart for the drive to Luxor, approximately 3. 5 hours
Restrooms are available on the bus, no comfort stop is scheduled
12:30pm Buffet lunch at a deluxe hotel
1:30pm Proceed to visit the West Bank by motorboat
2:15pm Visit the Valley of the Kings
3:45pm Proceed to Hatshepsut Temple
4:00pm Photo stop at Hatshepsut Temple
4:10pm Proceed to the Colossi of Memnon
4:15pm Photo stop at the Colossi of Memnon
4:20pm Drive back to the East Bank
5:00pm Visit Luxor Temple
6:00pm Proceed to your hotel and check in
Optional: shopping opportunity with your guide for an hour
7-10pm Buffet dinner served at your hotel
Overnight at the Hilton Luxor or similar hotel
Day 2
4:00am Wake up call, breakfast box provided by the hotel
4:45am Proceed to Luxor Airport
5:15am Arrive at Luxor Airport and check in
6:30m Fly to Cairo (flight details TBA and subject to change)
7:30am Arrive at Cairo International Airport
8:15am Proceed to a deluxe restaurant for breakfast
9:45am Proceed to and visit the Grand Egyptian Museum
12:00pm Proceed to the Pyramids area
12:15pm Visit the area surrounding the Pyramids and the Sphinx for photos
2:15pm Transfer to lunch venue
2:30pm Lunch at a deluxe restaurant
3:30pm Drive to Cairo Airport
4:30pm Arrive and check in
5:30pm Flight to Hurghada (flight details TBA and subject to change)
6:30pm Arrive in Hurghada
7:00pm Drive to the port of Safaga
8:00pm Arrive at Safaga port and re-board the ship
What to Bring
Comfortable clothing and walking shoes, camera, hat, sunscreen
Luggage:
Domestic flights accommodate one piece of checked (23kg / 50 lbs.) and one carry on (8 kg / 17 lbs.) per person. Should
you exceed this allowance you will be required to pay at the check-in counter for any excess.
Carriage of Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) or CPAP breathing machines on internal flights per airline regulations (subject to change as each airline has their own regulations)
1.Portable Oxygen Concentrator (POC) - Guests must obtain a Doctor’s Certificate mentioning their medical condition and the need to carry a POC. Further paperwork may be required by the airline.
2.CPAP Machine NOT being used in flight – please advise RSSC at least 95 days before your cruise if you will bring a CPAP on the internal flight(s) used in this land program. Please supply the make, model and battery type.
3.CPAP Machine to be used during flight – same as above + a doctor’s note is required mentioning the need to use the machine during flight.
*Guests are required to bring with them any details from the manufacturer regarding the CPAP specifications. While most modern CPAP machines are FAA-approved for in-flight use, having a copy of your manufacturer’s FAA-approval status will help to quickly clear any confusion that may arise.
* Failure to provide the above details in a timely manner may result in a denial of this equipment at the airport for which Regent Seven Seas Cruises nor our local ground operator will be responsible for.
*Some hotels do not provide distilled water. While we can certainly request this for you, we cannot guarantee that it will be available. If received in a timely manner, at least 95 days before sailing, requests will be sent on the final manifest that our ground operators and hotels receive. We highly recommend packing your own supply, especially on programs that travel to more remote locations in order to avoid not having it. Please keep in mind the rule for liquids in carry-on bags. Many hotels will charge for distilled water. If there is a fee, this will be added to your hotel incidental account to be paid at check-out. Fees will vary from hotel to hotel.
Currency
Egyptian Pound but USD are widely accepted
Electricity
220- 240 V - Adaptors are not available at hotels, please make sure to bring your own should you require one
Documents and Visa Requirements
A passport that is valid for at least 6 months after travel is required. Please check with your local embassy for any visa requirements for your nationality for Egypt.
Accommodation
Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa
13 El Karnak El Gadid St, Luxor Governorate.
Phone: +2010 0600 1270
Program Includes
•1 night at Hilton Luxor Resort or similar (Side Nile View Room)
•One breakfast, two lunches and one dinner
•Bottled water, tea, coffee, one soda or one bottle of beer/one glass of local wine with meals
•Entrance fees of all mentioned sites
•English-speaking guide
•Economy class flights per the itinerary
Program does not Include
•Any meals or drinks not listed above
•Gratuities to drivers and guides
•Personal expenses
•Hotel incidentals including laundry, room service and mini bar
•Excess or overweight luggage fees on the flights
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity,
while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and
participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.
All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Mid cruise overland programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty.
Price: $1,799 per guest based on double occupancy.
Land program promotions are per person for guests 1 and 2 for one pre- or post-cruise program only, subject to terms.
