Egypt: 16 days, 6 Special Permissions, March 1-16, 2026
Optional 6 night ‘More Pyramids’ extension to the Fayoum, March 16-22!
*July 26 Update: The tour is sold out – or at least we’ve reached our maximum number of registrations! This does not mean all spots are taken, as spots are only secured with payment of the deposit. Please sign up to the wait list if you’re interested in this tour – registrants are given 2 weeks to pay their deposit to secure their spot, after that the place will be offered to people on the waitlist on a first-come, first serve basis. Inevitably some people may also withdrawn from the tour before March of 2026 for various reasons, in which case places will be offered to the waitlist on a first-come, first-served basis.
The waitlist form is here: https://forms.gle/xCaLUAHBfbMExTuc9
As a reminder, I’ll also be joining Yousef Awyan on his Primordial Egypt tour in December of 2025, and there are plenty of places available on that tour, you can find all the details here: https://unchartedx.com/primordial
Join myself (Ben van Kerkwyk from UnchartedX), Kyle and Russ Allen from The Brothers of the Serpent Podcast, as well as expert guide Yousef Awyan on an epic journey exploring the varied mysteries of ancient high technology across the iconic sites of Egypt! Full itinerary details below!
This tour will be the trip of a lifetime! It’s a packed itinerary, 16 days, built around 6 ‘private permission’ visits into normally closed areas, 5 star hotels, and a 4 night Nile Cruise. Come explore the mysteries of Ancient Egypt with a friendly and fun group of interested, open minded people. As has become tradition, our tours will also feature live music from your hosts!
Also on this tour, we are offering an optional 5-night ‘More Pyramids!’ extension to the Fayoum region. We’ll be visiting Dashur, the Bent and Red Pyramids, Meidum, and traveling safari-style into the Western Desert in 4WD’s to explore quarries, rarely seen megalithic sites, and even visiting the unique world heritage area: the Valley of the Whales!
Register for the Egypt tour waitlist here: 2026 Egypt Tour Waitlist
Register for the ‘More Pyramids’ Extension here: ‘More Pyramids’ Extension registration form
*Note, participation in the extension is reserved for those on the 2026 Egypt Tour, or those who have travelled with us on previous tours.
Price (Egypt trip): US$7,950
(per person, dual occupancy)
non-refundable $1,000 deposit required for registration.
Single Supplement: US $1,480 (for single room)
Optional 6-night ‘More Pyramids’ extension to the Fayoum: US $3,200 (dual occupancy) Single supplement US $530 (details below). Non-refundable $400 deposit required for registration.
For Egypt tour questions, Please contact Sandy at info@selectegypt.com
Feel free to copy the hosts (Ben/Kyle/Russ) at tours@unchartedx.com on any correspondence, or for any questions.
We will be organizing a zoom call for attendees 6-8 weeks prior to the trip to help get everyone ready, and answer any questions! We will also set up a Telegram group for everyone to communicate prior to, on and after the tour.
We are expecting around 60 guests on this trip.
We supply radio sets for each person so that everyone can hear the speakers as we explore the sites. Please look after the radios as we need to return them at the end of the tour, and there will be a $100 charge for any lost radios.
The Egypt tour is run by a licensed tour operator (Select Egypt) who facilitates the tour and takes payment.
Below is a detailed day-by-day itinerary, pricing details, and terms and conditions. Not everything is listed below, there will be some surprise events, and opportunities for live music and lectures.
Price does not include flights to/from Egypt. The tour begins and ends in Cairo.
Included meals are shown each day as B | L | D (Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner).
Testimonials:
Detailed Itinerary:
DAY 1: SUN, March 1, 2026 Cairo Guests Arrive & Welcome Dinner
Guests arrive at Cairo International Airport, where they will be met by one of our representatives who will assist with obtaining the tourist visas and help you through customs. Visas for visitors from many countries are $25 USD, obtained easily after de-boarding (it's how Ben does it every time). You can also obtain them on-line, check with your local Egyptian Embassy in your country. You will then be transferred by private bus to our hotel. We will have an Introductory Meeting and welcome dinner at the hotel. Please ensure your flights land in Cairo by 2 PM, as the Introductory meeting will commence at 5pm and dinner will be at 6:00 PM.
Please note, hotel check in commences at 2 PM. If your flight arrives overnight, early in the morning or the night before, you would need to book an additional night accommodation. Please contact Sandy to arrange this.
Overnight at the 5* Hyatt Regency Cairo West
D
DAY 2: MON, March 2, 2026 Cairo Giza Plateau, Valley Temple, Middle and Great Pyramids, Public Entry to 2nd or 3rd Pyramid. Optional Special Permission access into Osiris Shaft!
After an early breakfast, we depart for the Giza Plateau for opening hours. It's worth getting here early! For those who are feeling adventurous, we have the chance for an optional special permission access into the underground Osiris Shaft - 3 levels and more than 150 feet underground. We will visit the beautiful Valley Temple, and the viewing platform for the Great Sphinx, walk up the Khafre causeway to the megalithic Middle Pyramid, and explore the site around both the Great and Middle Pyramids. Public Entry to the second or third pyramid included, depending which is open. Then a late lunch at a nearby restaurant.
Overnight at 5* Hyatt Regency Cairo West
B | L
DAY 3: TUE, March 3, 2026 Cairo Private Visit to Abu Rawash, then to the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum!
After breakfast, we will depart for the northern most of the Old Kingdom pyramid sites, Abu Rawash. Closed to the public and only accessible via special permission, the remnants of the pyramid here give unique insight into the construction techniques used to create these massive monuments. Abu Rawash is also home to some of the most impressive examples of advanced machining into granite. After our special permission access, we will visit the impressive Grand Egyptian Museum before having a late lunch.
Overnight at the 5* Hyatt Regency Cairo West
B | L
DAY 4: Wed, March 4, 2026 Cairo Saqqara, the Serapeum, and Private Visit to the Step Pyramid
After breakfast we will depart for our visit to Saqqara, where we will have the opportunity to enter the Unas Pyramid, before our special private entry inside the Step Pyramid and its many passages and chambers below the structure. We will then continue to the incredible Serapeum where we see the mysterious 70 to 100 ton boxes made of granite and basalt. We will then enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, before returning to the hotel.
Overnight at the 5* Hyatt Regency Cairo West
B | L
DAY 5: THU, March 5, 2026 Cairo and flight to Luxor Museums and Flight to Luxor
After breakfast, we will check out of the hotel and visit the amazing Cairo Museum, still one of the greatest Ancient Egyptian museums in the world, and full of examples of remarkable ancient technology. We will stop for lunch en-route to the airport for the short flight to Luxor in Upper Egypt, and the 5-star Steigenburger Nile Palace hotel. We will visit the small but fascinating Luxor Museum in the afternoon/early evening.
Overnight at the Steigenburger Nile Palace
B | L
DAY 6: FRI, March 6, 2026 Abydos and Luxor Temple of Seti I, and Private Visit into the Osirion
After breakfast we will board our luxury coaches for the drive to Abydos, home to the incredible Temple of Seti I, and something even more remarkable behind it. We will enter the megalithic Osirion, for our special private 2 hour visit. The Osirion was flooded for many years and permanently closed to the public, but we will have special permission access to go down into the site on this trip. We will have lunch at House of Life, before driving back to Luxor.
Overnight at 5* Steigenberger Nile Palace
B | L
DAY 7: SAT, March 7, 2026 Luxor Dendera
After breakfast we will drive to Dendera to visit the Temple of Hathor. This temple has some amazing vividly colored ceilings with zodiacal depictions, that will be explained by your hosts. It is also home to many 'crypts' between and beneath the walls, several of which that can be explored – including the crypt that includes the “Dendera Lightbulbs”. We will then drive back to Luxor for a late lunch.
Overnight at 5* Steigenberger Nile Palace
B | L
DAY 8: SUN, March 8, 2026 Luxor Luxor Temple, Shopping
OPTIONAL ACTIVIY: Sunrise Balloon ride (price TBD)
Guests who wish to participate in a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the West Bank of Luxor will depart the hotel before breakfast. Snacks and breakfast boxes will be supplied, and you will return to the hotel in time for the full breakfast buffet. All other guests can enjoy breakfast at their leisure, and afterwards we will leave to visit the incredible Luxor Temple - home to some of the best examples of huge granite statues and artifacts in Egypt. Then have lunch, and the afternoon will be free to relax, go shopping, or even re-visit the Luxor temple in the evening under lights.
Overnight at 5* Steigenberger Nile Palace
B | L
DAY 9: MON, March 9, 2026 Luxor & Nile Cruise West Bank, Valley of the Kings, Ramesseum, Tombs of the Nobles, check into Nile Cruise
After breakfast, we will depart for the West bank of the Nile river, to visit the Valley of the Kings, where you will have the opportunity to visit 3 of the beautiful royal tombs. Guests will have the opportunity to purchase tickets for specific tombs of interest, and our guides will make recommendations. Afterwards we will visit the amazing Ramesseum, a beautiful temple structure home to the remnants of a gigantic, 1000+ ton single piece granite statue. We will also visit the nearby tombs of the Nobles for a look at some unique Ancient Egyptian scenes. After Lunch, We will stop at the Colossi of Memnon, on our way to check into the Nile Cruise.
Overnight on 5* Nile Cruise
B | L | D
DAY 10: TUE, March 10, 2026 Karnak and Nile Cruise Karnak Temple and Sailing
After breakfast, we will visit Karnak Temple – the largest known religious complex in the world. Here you will find some incredible megalithic structures and statues, as well as evidence for ancient technology. We return to the Nile Cruise ship for Lunch, and the afternoon will be free to enjoy the journey along the Nile and the amenities of the Cruise Ship.
Overnight on the 5* Nile Cruise
B | L | D
DAY 11: WED, March 11, 2026 Nile Cruise Edfu and Kom Ombo
Before breakfast we will visit Edfu – the Temple of Horus, an impressive temple that is one of the best preserved temples for the ancient Egyptian period, and the inscriptions on its walls provide important information on language, myth and religion. We will then return to the cruise ship for breakfast and sail towards Kom Ombo. You can enjoy lunch and afternoon tea onboard, before the cruise ship docks in Kom Ombo. We will have a late afternoon visit in Kom Ombo – a unique temple that is dedicated to two Gods – Horus and Sobek. We will then return to the cruise ship and continue sailing, arriving in Aswan in the evening.
Overnight on 5* Nile Cruise
B | L | D
DAY 12: THU, March 12, 2026 Nile Cruise Elephantine Island
OPTIONAL ACTIVITY: Early Morning visit to Abu Simbel (price TBD) or Nubian Museum
Guests who wish to visit Abu Simbel will depart at 4 AM, and return to Aswan to meet the rest of the group by lunch time. Other guests will have the chance to visit the Nubian Museum in the morning. Remaining guests will have the morning free to enjoy the amenities of the cruise ship. In the afternoon we will take a motorboat to Elephantine Island – a wonderful ancient site that is less frequently visited by tourists, and home to some remarkable artifacts. We will then return to the cruise ship at sunset.
Overnight on 5* Nile Cruise
B | L | D
DAY 13: FRI, March 13, 2026 Aswan, fly to Cairo Aswan Quarry, Isis Temple, Flight to Cairo
After breakfast we will check out of the Nile cruise and visit Aswan Quarry where you will have the opportunity to see some quarrying techniques, as well as the Unfinished Obelisk which would have weighed nearly 1,200 tons once completed. We will then continue on to visit Philae Island – the Temple of Isis. After Lunch, we will transfer to Aswan airport for our evening flight back to Cairo.
Overnight at 5* Hyatt Regency Cairo West
B | L
DAY 14: SAT, March 14, 2026 Cairo Private Visits to Abu Sir, Abu Ghorub
After breakfast we will travel to Abu Ghorab & Abu Sir on our private permission visits. These sites are active archaeological sites and permanently closed to the public, so it is a special treat to have the opportunity to see them! After our visit, we will have a sunset dinner at a local restaurant overlooking the Abu Sir pyramids.
Overnight at the 5* Hyatt Regency Cairo West
B | D
DAY 15: SUN, March 15, 2026 Cairo Giza Plateau, Private Visit to Great Pyramid, Airport Transfer
We will have a morning free for guests to enjoy breakfast at their own leisure. We will have the opportunity to visit the amazing Osiris Shaft, and perhaps other areas of the plateau, depending on what the group wants to do. We will explore the Giza plateau. At the appointed time we will enter the Great Pyramid of Giza for our private, 2 hour access to this incredible monument. We will have access to all three chambers, two of which (Queens Chamber and Subterranean Chamber) are always closed to the public - it's a huge highlight to this trip, and always saved for last! Farewell Dinner at the Pyramids Restaurant, and Return to the Hyatt Regency West for our last night in Cairo.
Overnight at the 5* Hyatt Regency Cairo West
B | L | D
DAY 16 (Extension Day 1): MON, March 16, 2026 Departure and Extension Departure flights from Cairo, and the 'More Pyramids' Extension begins!
Guests leaving the tour will have transfers arranged to the airport to catch their international flights home.
Guests participating in the extension will leave for Dashur after breakfast. We will have the whole day to explore and enter both of the incredible and massive stone pyramids on this site, the Bent Pyramid, and the Red Pyramid. It will be a real 'pyramid legs' day! Lunch at a local restaurant, then back to the Hyatt.
Overnight Hyatt Regency West
B | D
Extension Day 2: TUE, March 17, 2026 Meidum and Lahun, Tunis Village
Check out and early departure for Meidum, about 2 hours drive from Cairo. We will explore and enter the Pyramid on the site, and adventurous guests will have the opportunity to crawl into Mastaba 17 to see the incredible megalithic chamber and box housed beneath it.
After that we will visit Lahun (access subject to seasonal availability) and go beneath the mud brick pyramid of Senusret II, to see an incredible out of place artifact - a single piece granite box, housed in a granite room, that is one of the most precise artifacts in all of Ancient Egypt, discovered (and measured) by Flinders Petrie.
Lunch at a local restaurant and check into our lodge in the charming Tunis village in the Fayoum
Overnight Tunis
B | L
Extension Day 3: WED, March 18, 2026 Qasr el-Saga and Magic Lake
After breakfast in Tunis we will depart in 4WD vehicles into the desert, and first visit the mysterious ruins of Qasr el-Saga. A megalithic structure that is attributed to the Middle Kingdom, it has many architectural ties to older ruins, and the area it's built on has been occupied continuously since the Stone ages, with caves, midden and flint tools.
We will then visit 'Magic Lake,' which is a scenic desert lake that changes colors, and provides a beautiful desert location for lunch. Return to Tunis Village.
Overnight Tunis
B | L
Extension Day 4: THU, March 19, 2026 Western Desert, Quarry, Petrified Forest
After breakfast we will head out into the Western Desert in 4WDs for a day of exploring remote and interesting sites, including the rarely seen Basalt Quarry that was the source for the Basalt stone used in Ancient Egyptian sites. On the way there and back we stop and see the oldest known constructed road in the world, that connects to the quarry. It's made from basalt blocks as well as entire logs of petrified wood, as the desert was once a verdent forest.
Nearby to this area is the petrified forest, where we can see entire trees that have been petrified, as well as the fossilized remains of creatures that lived in this area millions of years ago. Enjoy a traditional bedouin lunch in the desert before returning to Tunis. Optional shopping or pottery workshop in Tunis Village.
Overnight Tunis
B | L
Extension Day 5: FRI, March 20, 2026 UNESCO Valley of the Whales
After breakfast we will drive to Wadi el-Hitan, the Valley of the Whales, which is a unique and spectacular paleontological site in the Western Desert. It is renowned for its fossils of early whales, which provide crucial evidence for the evolution of whales from land-dwelling animals to marine mammals around 37 million years ago. The site has over 400 skeletons of various species making it the most concentrated location of whale skeletons in the world. We will have the day to explore the site, before returning to Tunis for a late lunch.
Overnight Tunis
B | L
Extension Day 6: SAT, March 21, 2026 Cairo
After a late breakfast, we check out of Tunis Village and return back the couple of hours drive to Cairo to the Novotel or El Passage hotels, conveniently located on Cairo International Airport, to catch our international flights home!
Overnight Cairo Airport Hotel 4-5 star (TBD)
B | L
Egypt Tour / Select Egypt Terms and Conditions
Tour Waitlist link here: https://forms.gle/xCaLUAHBfbMExTuc9
Fayoum ‘More Pyramids’ Extension registration link here: https://forms.gle/F5Sx4bqX5sPkydrv9
NOTE: separate registration is required for both the Egypt trip and the Fayoum extension.
Egypt Tour Price: $7,950.00 per person in a double room.
Optional Single Room Supplement: $1,480.00
NOTE: This is the additional amount you will pay if you choose to have your own private room throughout the journey.
Optional Fayoum Extension Price: $3,200 per person in a double room. Optional Single Supplement (for a single room) $530
DEPOSIT
Non-refundable Deposit of $1,000.00 per person is required to secure your place on this tour. The deposit will be used to make non-refundable reservations on your behalf.
For Fayoum Extension: Non-refundable deposit of $400 per person is required to secure your place on the extension. This deposit will be used to make non-refundable reservations on your behalf.
Registering for the tour or extension alone does not hold your place – your place is ONLY secured with payment of the deposit, on a first come, first served basis. Once you register, we will contact you via email, and you will have 2 weeks to pay the deposit, after which your place will offered to others who have registered.
ROOMMATE MATCHING:
If you’re not traveling with anyone you know, we would be happy to assist by pairing you with a fellow traveler. Roommate matching is done a first come, first serve basis.
Per our Terms and Conditions, we will hold the registration open until 15 days before the tour begins (or later if possible) in order to try to match you with someone. If by that date we have not been able to do so, you will be responsible to pay for the single supplement. Please try to register early if you would like to be matched with a roommate.
Your reservation is confirmed when you send your $1,000 Non-refundable Deposit.
Payment in full is required 45 days prior to the departure date from your Country.
Your Land Package Includes:
1. Airport ‘Meet & Greet’ and assistance with transfer to our Hotel
2. Domestic flights in Egypt: Cairo/Luxor and Aswan/Cairo
3. 5-Star hotels in Giza and Luxor, including daily buffet breakfast, hotel taxes and service charges
4. Five-Star Cruise ship, including shore excursions, and all meals while on board
5. Meals included when not on the cruise as indicated in the detailed itinerary
6. Baggage handling at airport and hotels
7. Pre-paid gratuities for your cruise staff
8. Visits to temples and monument sites, including transportation and entrance fees
9. Ben van Kerkwyk, Kyle and Russ Allen, and Yousef Awyan as your Hosts and Speakers
10. English Speaking Egyptologist and Tour Guide
11. Water and Snacks during road trips
NOT INCLUDED:
- Roundtrip international airfares
- $25 Egypt Tourist Visa to be obtained upon your arrival at the airport in Cairo. Citizens of the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Schengen zone and a list of other nationalities (with certain conditions), are eligible for a tourist visa on arrival. Please check with the Egyptian Embassy in your country to check if your nationality is eligible for an on arrival tourist visa. It is ultimately your responsibility to determine what your country of nationality requires in order to obtain your entry visa into Egypt.
- Travel & Health Insurance (highly recommended)
- Meals not included (As indicated in the itinerary)
- Personal items (Such as laundry, beverages during meals, internet service on the cruise ship, telephone calls or any item not listed on the itinerary)
- Tipping for Tour Guides and Hosts
Fayoum Extension Includes:
- 1 night at Hyatt regency on bed & breakfast basis.
- 4 nights at Kom el Dika Lodge in Tunis or similar. On half board basis.
- 1 night at either the Novotel or Le Passage Airport Hotels on bed & breakfast basis.
- All local transfers by A/C private minibus.
- 4×4 vehicle for qasr el Sagha, Western Desert and Wadi el-Hitan tours.
- Every day Lunches on local restaurants.
- Entry tickets to all the mentioned sightseeing.
- English speaking guide.
- Ben, Yousef, Kyle and Russ as hosts
- Water and Snacks
- Tips for drivers
NOT INCLUDED:
- Personal Expenses (Laundry, Beverages, Internet, Phone etc)
- Tips for hosts
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
All travelers need a passport valid for at least six months after the date of entering the country.
BAGGAGE
You are only permitted to travel with one checked bag, up to 50 lbs and 2 small bags on Domestic flights within Egypt.
Reservation and Cancellation Policies
A non-refundable deposit of $1,000.00 USD per person will be required at the time of booking to secure your place on this tour. To ensure your reservation, final payment will be due 45 days prior the departure dates from your Country. It is the responsibility of the traveler (or agent) to determine that final payment reaches us by the due date.
Bookings made within 30 days of departure date, will require full and final payment immediately upon booking. No booking will be considered until the final payment is received by the Tour Operator.
Payments can be made via Credit Card or Bank Transfer. Payments made with credit cards via Select Egypt’s online portal will be subject to a 3% fee to cover bank changes, which will be added to your payment total. The Tour Operator will need to create a digital invoice and unique payment link for each guest and payment made by credit card.
Any fees charged for payments made via Bank transfers or credit card will be the responsibility of the sender. Please inquire about this before you make your bank transfer.
CANCELLATION AND REFUNDS
Due to high preparation costs, cancellations must be received in writing within 45 days of travel date. Cancellations received more than 30 days prior to departure will have a penalty of $1,000.00 per person (the non-refundable deposit); those received between 30 and 25 days will have a penalty of 50% per person on any other amounts paid; those received between 25 and 20 days will have a penalty of 75% per person on any other amounts paid. Cancellations received 20 days or less before departure will receive no refund. No refund will be made for transfers, city tours or any other services (including meals, accommodations, or transportation) voluntarily not taken. It is highly recommended to purchase travel insurance.
CHANGES
This itinerary is subject to changes in sequence, to adapt to possible alterations in domestic flight times or other unforeseen circumstances. The content will remain the same, barring any unanticipated complications, and will include many delightful “extras” and surprises.
INSURANCE
We highly recommend purchasing a good travel insurance policy that can cover you for any changes, cancellations of flights, delays or to cover you in case you are not able to/continue to participate in the tour. A good policy also covers you for any unforeseen circumstances as well as damaged or lost luggage and last-minute flight changes, and medical expenses in case of accident or illness.
We are not responsible for any scenarios that are out of our control, including, but not limited to if you cancel the trip due to illness, if your international flight is delayed or rescheduled and you miss a day of the activities, or if you choose to not participate in any activity. Guests must have a good travel insurance policy to cover them for these instances.
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS
Your international flights are not included in the main tour price. You are responsible for organizing your international flights from your place of departure to Cairo International Airport. We recommend purchasing non-restricted flight tickets – which allows for cancellations and changes.
WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY:
This tour is arranged and operated by Select Egypt Travel Agency. By signing up to the tour you agree to our terms, deposit conditions and waiver. Select Egypt, its agents and our Tour Facilitators have worked diligently to make all of the arrangements for our journey together in Egypt, however, Select Egypt, its agents and our Tour Facilitators will not be held liable for delays, theft, damage, injury, or any other irregularities that may occur during the course of the journey. We will not be held liable for any changes or delays in airline schedules or missed connections; injury, loss, or damage to persons or property; additional expenses resulting from changes in exchange rates, tariffs, or itinerary; any transportation issues or problems with vehicles utilized on the tour; additional expenses incurred due to illness, weather conditions, protests, war, terrorism, quarantine, or other causes; and losses due to cancellations not subject to our terms and conditions.
Please contact Sandy at Select Egypt info@selectegypt.com with any questions.