Discover the hidden treasures of Egypt with this unforgettable 15 day Egypt hidden gems tour by Egypt Best Vacations. Travel across Egypt by land and uncover ancient wonders, cultural treasures, and lesser-known archaeological sites far from the usual tourist routes.
Begin your Egypt in 15 days by land itinerary in Cairo, where you will explore the legendary Giza Pyramids, Saqqara, Dahshur, the Grand Egyptian Museum, and the historic Saladin Citadel. Continue to Alexandria to discover the Roman Catacombs and the impressive Citadel of Qaitbay.
Travel south through Middle Egypt to visit the fascinating Meidum Pyramid, the ancient tombs of Bani Hassan, and Tell el-Amarna, the city of Akhenaten. Explore the magnificent Temple of Seti I in Abydos and the stunning Temple of Hathor in Dendera.
In Luxor, enjoy a breathtaking hot air balloon ride and discover the wonders of Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Habu Temple, and Deir El-Medina. Continue by land to Aswan via Temple of Horus and Kom Ombo Temple.
Conclude your journey with visits to the phenomenal Abu Simbel Temples and the beautiful Philae Temple before flying back to Cairo. This Egypt hidden gems tour offers the perfect blend of famous landmarks and off-the-beaten-path discoveries.
Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, you will meet and assist by our representative of “Egypt Best Vacations” who will help you through the arrival and visa regulations. Then, transfer to your hotel for free time and the beginning of your 15 day Egypt hidden gems tour by land.
Meals Plan: No Meals Included
Your actual Egypt hidden gems tour begins when our tour guide picks you up from your hotel for the tour of the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx and the GEM Museum.
Today, you will explore the Giza Plateau. Today’s tour includes the Great Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure with the great Sphinx. The only ancient wonder which still exists (Khufu’s pyramid) awaits you. Are you ready to explore it from the inside? (Optional). Today you will learn about the history of the pyramids, how they were built, and why they were built.
Savor your lunch at a local restaurant, then proceed to the Grand Egyptian Museum. Explore the world’s largest collection of ancient Egyptian treasures in one stunning modern complex. You’ll stand face-to-face with the full Tutankhamun collection and enjoy immersive galleries that bring Egypt’s history to life. Then, transfer back to your hotel.
Meals Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
After breakfast at your hotel, begin your day with a visit to the historic Saladin Citadel. A fort built in 1172 to defend Cairo against the Crusaders. Inside the citadel, admire the magnificent Mosque of Muhammad Ali, also known as the Alabaster Mosque, one of Cairo’s most iconic landmarks.
Continue to the famous Coptic Cairo district. Explore the ancient Hanging Church, and Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church, famous as Abu Serga. Then to the historic Ben Ezra Synagogue, reflecting Egypt’s rich religious heritage.
Conclude your tour at the lively Khan el-Khalili, the oldest and most famous bazaar in Egypt, where colorful shops, local crafts, and traditional souvenirs create an unforgettable atmosphere. After your tour, return to your hotel.
Meals Plan: Breakfast Only
Today, your 15 day Egypt tour by land leads you to the beautiful City of Alexandria. Your tour includes the famous Roman Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa. The catacombs are huge Egyptian tombs and royal cemeteries with Ptolemaic and Roman influences. The catacombs of Kom El-Shoqafa are one the largest Roman burial sites not just in Alexandria but in Egypt. These catacombs started as a private tomb for a wealthy family, then became a public cemetery. The catacombs house more than 300 tombs.
From the catacombs to the Pompey’s Pillar. Many of the ancient historians did not tell us more details about the “Pompey’s Pillar” but about the buildings that stood nearby and have disappeared now. The hill on which the pillar is erected was covered with temples and houses a long time before the Roman era. It was the place of the Citadel of Rhakotis. A temple was dedicated to Osiris-Serapis was built on the mountain.
Then proceed to the Citadel of Qaitbay. The Citadel of Qaitbay in Alexandria is one of the most important fortifications in Egypt. It was constructed by Sultan Al-Ashraf Qaitbay to defend Egypt against the Ottomans/Turks. End your tour to Alexandria wonders with visiting the Library of Alexandria. Enjoy your lunch at a local restaurant, then travel back to Cairo.
Meals Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
After breakfast at the hotel, you will head toward Meidum. Here, you will visit Senferu’s first pyramid. Started as a Step Pyramid but then converted into a true pyramid, the pyramid at Meidum marks the transition from the Early Dynastic Period to the Old Kingdom. Then, your Egypt off the beaten path tour leads you to El-Minya. Upon arrival in El-Minya, you will explore Tuna El-Gabel. Tuna El-Gabel is the necropolis of Hermopolis Magna, ancient capital of the 15th nome and cult centre of Thoth, god of writing and sciences. Continue to Ashmunein, the site of the ruins of the ancient city of Hermopolis (Magna). Then, proceed to your hotel in El-Minya for a free evening.
Meals Plan: Breakfast & Dinner
Savor your breakfast at the hotel, then visit the wonderful tombs of Bani Hassan. This site includes some of the most impressive tombs of the Middle Kingdom. Its rich and well-preserved tombs attest the economic prosperity that it enjoyed. Then your Egypt cultural tour package proceeds Tell El-Amarna. Tell El-Amarna was known as Akhetaten. This city was founded by King Tutankhamen’s father, Akhenaton, and where King Tutankhamen was born. Artifacts discovered here in the 19th century included hundreds of cuneiform tablets, known as Amarna Letters. Archaeological finds of the late 20th century included sculptures and paintings. Then, head back to your hotel.
Meals Plan: Breakfast & Dinner
Today, your Egypt land tour itinerary shifts to Abydos. Here, you will explore the stunning temple of Seti I and the Osirion. Abydos is the Greek name of the ancient Egyptian name (Abdju). Abdju was the great necropolis of Thini. Thini, the capital city of the 16th nome of Upper Egypt, held a great position during the Predynastic period. The temple of Seti I is built of limestone and laid out on three levels. Unlike other Egyptian temples, it is L-shaped rather than rectangular and incorporates seven great doorways and seven sanctuaries. The temple was dedicated to the major gods Osiris, Isis, Horus, Amun-Ra, Ra-Horakhty, and Ptah as well as the deified Seti I himself. Then, head to your hotel in Abydos for a free evening.
Meals Plan: Breakfast & Dinner
Travel from Abydos to Qena to visit the wonderful temple of Hathor at Dendera. The temple of Dendera dates back to the Ptolemaic Period, although evidence points to older structures once existing on the site, dating as far back as king Pepy I, from the Old Kingdom. Among the temple’s most notable features are astronomical engravings on its ceiling.
After visiting Dendera Temple, you will proceed to your hotel in Luxor where you will spend two full days there. Visit the majestic Luxor Temple by night. The Temple of Luxor was built by the 18th Dynasty pharaoh Amenhotep III (1387-1349 BCE). Luxor Temple was expanded by the 19th Dynasty pharaoh Ramses II (1279-1213 BCE). Numerous other sovereigns, including Tutankhamun, Horemhab, and Alexander the Great enriched the construction with reliefs, inscriptions, and minor buildings. Then, head back to your hotel.
Meals Plan: Breakfast Only
Enjoy a breathtaking sunrise hot air balloon over Luxor, then back to your hotel for breakfast. Then, commence your Luxor West Bank tour. Visit the impressive Valley of the Kings. The Valley of the Kings is one of the most important highlights not only in Luxor but throughout Egypt. The Ancient Egyptians named it (Ta-Iset-Ma’at), which means “the Place of Truth”. The Valley of the Kings is the necropolis of the great Egyptian pharaohs of the 18th to the 20th Dynasty (1550-1080 BCE). Tuthmosis I was the first pharaoh who was buried at the Valley of the Kings while Ramses XI was the last pharaoh who was buried there.
Then, your Egypt classic and hidden gems tour continues to the unique Temple of the female pharaoh Hatshepsut, who ruled Egypt for about 20 years as a sole pharaoh. End your Luxor west bank tour with a photo stop at the Colossi of Memnon. Two giant statues survived from the temple of Amenhotep III. Then, head back to your hotel for a free evening.
Meals Plan: Breakfast Only
Today, you will return back to the west bank of Luxor to visit the Valley of the Queens. It was part of ancient Thebes and served as the burial site of the queens and some royal children of the 19th and 20th dynasties (1292–1075 BC). Then proceed to the Valley of the Artisans at Deir El-Madina. Deir El-Madinah is the modern Arabic name for the worker’s village which was home to the artisans and craftsmen of Thebes who built and decorated the royal tombs in the nearby Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens. Then continue to the tombs of the Nobles.
Enjoy your lunch at a local restaurant then, proceed to the Karnak Temple. The Temple/Complex of Karnak was the great god’s chief sanctuary and much larger than any other monument in Egypt. This huge and splendid complex which actually contains many separate temples covers 1700 years of expansion and an area of 300 acres. Then, proceed back to your hotel in Luxor.
Meals Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
Today, your Egypt off the beaten path itinerary shifts to Aswan via Edfu and Kom Ombo. After breakfast at the hotel, your will head to Edfu, where you will explore the most intact temple in Egypt, the Temple of Horus. The Temple of Horus in Edfu is one of the most beautiful temples built during the Greco-Roman period. The Temple of Edfu is fully inscribed with reliefs and hieroglyphs on its exterior and interior walls. Then proceed to the twin Temple of Horus and Sobek at Kom Ombo. It was built during the Greco-Roman period. The temple began during the time of Ptolemy V and was completed by the time of Emperor Tiberius. The emperors Domitian, Caracalla, and others added to the temple. So it took about 400 years to finish. Enjoy a short visit to the Crocodile Museum, then continue to your hotel in Aswan.
Meals Plan: Breakfast Only
After breakfast at the hotel, you will embark on a 3.5 hour journey to Abu Simbel. Abu Simbel temples are one of the top highlights of your 15 day Egypt cultural tour. Upon arrival in Abu Simbel you will explore with your guide the Great Temple of Ramses II. This temple is carved in the rock and famous for its colossal statues at the gate. Then, continue to visit the Temple of Neferarti. A small elegant temple dedicated to Hathor and Nefertari. The temples of Abu Simbel are considered among the most celebrated achievements of ancient Egypt.
Because of the rising water of Aswan High Dam, the temples had to be saved and rescued in a magnificent world rescue operation of temples in Lower Nubia. Then, transfer back to your hotel in Aswan.
Optional tour: Nubian Village Tour
Meals Plan: Breakfast Only
Today, you will explore the highlights of the beautiful City of Aswan. Visit the High Dam, one of the great engineering feats of the 1960s. The dam was built to protect Egypt against floods and to generate hydropower. Then continue to the beautiful Temple of Isis at Philae Island. This temple was built during the Greco-Roman era and, was dedicated to Isis, goddess of Love and Magic in ancient Egypt. You will end your Aswan tour at the granite quarry of the Unfinished Obelisk. Then, head to Aswan Airport to fly back to Cairo for the remaining chapter of your 15 day Egypt hidden gems itinerary. Transfer from Cairo Airport to your hotel.
Meals Plan: Breakfast Only
Step beyond the famous Pyramids of Giza and unlock Egypt’s deeper secrets with a captivating Saqqara, Memphis and Dahshur Tour. Begin your journey in Saqqara, home of the iconic Step Pyramid of King Djoser, the world’s oldest stone monument. Discover how Saqqara became the blueprint for pyramid construction.
Continue to Memphis, Egypt’s first capital, where history comes alive among open-air statues and colossal masterpieces. Stand before the legendary fallen statue of Ramses II and explore the treasures that once watched over the heart of the Old Kingdom. Your adventure concludes in Dahshur, a tranquil desert site that showcases the evolution of pyramid engineering. Marvel at the Bent Pyramid and the perfectly crafted Red Pyramid, enjoying quiet moments away from the crowds. Then, return to your hotel for the final night of your 15 day Egypt hidden gem tour by land.
Meals Plan: Breakfast Only
Wrap up your 15-day Egypt hidden gems by land tour by a transfer to Cairo Airport for final departure. It is really sad to leave, so feel free to contact us about your next adventure in Egypt.
Meals Plan: Breakfast Only
