Egypt Classic Tours: Best Egypt Trips

A classic Egypt tour covers Cairo (Pyramids of Giza, Grand Egyptian Museum, Islamic Cairo), a Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan (with stops at Edfu and Kom Ombo), and key temples in Luxor (Karnak, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple) and Aswan (Philae Temple, High Dam). Many classic tours also include Abu Simbel.

Most classic tours use domestic flights to travel quickly between Cairo and southern Egypt, saving significant time. Budget-oriented itineraries sometimes use Egypt's overnight sleeper train between Cairo and Aswan or Luxor as an alternative that adds a unique local experience.

Yes. Classic Egypt tours are very family-friendly. Children are typically fascinated by mummies, pharaohs, and the scale of the Pyramids. Memphis Tours can adapt pacing and activities to suit younger travelers, and most Nile cruise ships have pool facilities onboard.

The Valley of the Kings on Luxor's West Bank is the royal burial ground of New Kingdom pharaohs, including Tutankhamun and Ramesses II. A standard entry ticket includes access to three tombs; additional tickets can be purchased for special tombs such as Seti I or Nefertari's tomb in the nearby Valley of the Queens.

Classic Egypt tours typically include airport transfers, hotel accommodation, Nile cruise cabin, all meals on the cruise (full board), daily breakfast at hotels, a private licensed Egyptologist guide, entrance fees to listed sites, and all internal transportation including domestic flights where specified.

Karnak is the largest ancient religious site ever constructed, covering over 200 acres in Luxor. It was built over approximately 2,000 years by successive pharaohs and features the famous Hypostyle Hall with 134 massive columns. The Sound and Light Show at Karnak after dark is a highlight many travelers add to their classic tour.

Yes. Memphis Tours can upgrade any classic itinerary to feature 5-star hotels such as the Marriott Mena House in Cairo or the Sofitel Winter Palace in Luxor, and premium Nile cruise vessels like the MS Salacia or Oberoi Zahra, all at a higher price point.

A sunrise hot air balloon ride over the West Bank of Luxor is one of Egypt's most spectacular experiences, floating above the Valley of the Kings, the Nile, and the temple complex below. Flights last approximately 45–60 minutes. Memphis Tours can book this as an add-on to any Luxor-inclusive package.

The Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari is one of ancient Egypt's most architecturally distinctive monuments. Built into a natural amphitheater of cliffs on Luxor's West Bank, it honors one of Egypt's rare female pharaohs and features stunning colonnaded terraces and painted reliefs.

Kom Ombo is a unique double temple on the Nile between Aswan and Edfu, dedicated to two gods simultaneously: Sobek the crocodile god and Horus the falcon god. The temple is perfectly symmetrical, with every chamber, hall, and sanctuary mirrored for each deity. It's a standard stop on all Nile cruise itineraries.