The first rays of sun are just touching the limestone of the Great Pyramid. The Giza Plateau is completely empty. No tour buses, no crowds, no shouting guides. In this silence, you walk towards the Great Sphinx – not to the public terrace like everyone else, but directly into the enclosure, right between its colossal paws. There, waiting to greet you, is Dr. Zahi Hawass, the world’s most famous archaeologist, ready to tell you the secrets of this place.

This is not a typical sightseeing tour. This is the Royal Egypt Tour by Archaeological Paths – a 14-day luxury Egypt tour limited to just 27 guests in a group, designed in cooperation with Dr. Hawass and joined by the leading figures of modern Egyptology. If you are searching for a once-in-a-lifetime, small-group, luxury trip to Egypt with access that other travelers simply do not get, this is the tour.

Below are the three defining highlights that make the Royal Egypt Tour the most exclusive way to experience the Land of the Pharaohs.

1. Private Access to the Giza Plateau, the Great Pyramid and the Sphinx

For most visitors, Giza means crowds, long lines and a quick walk around the pyramids. On the Royal Egypt Tour, the experience is completely different. Early in the morning, before the gates open to the public, the entire Giza Plateau is reserved just for your group. You explore the site in complete calm and privacy, able to take in the scale and atmosphere of the pyramids without being surrounded by hundreds of people.

The experience deepens as you enter the Great Pyramid of Khufu. This is already one of the most coveted travel moments in the world, but on this tour it becomes even more special. In addition to exploring the main passageways, you are granted access to chambers that are normally closed to tourists. Guided by your Egyptology expert, you hear the latest theories about the pyramid’s construction and the secrets still hidden within.

The highlight of the morning, however, is your special access to the Sphinx Enclosure. While regular visitors must remain on a distant viewing terrace, you walk right up to the Great Sphinx, one of the most iconic monuments on Earth. Here, between its paws, Dr. Zahi Hawass meets you in person and shares insights from decades of excavation and research. He talks about tunnels beneath the plateau, hidden chambers that may still be undiscovered, and the myths and facts that surround this enigmatic colossus. It is an intimate, almost surreal encounter that few people in the world will ever experience.

2. VIP Entry to the Lost Golden City in Luxor with Dr. Zahi Hawass

The Royal Egypt Tour is not only about legendary sites; it is also about the very latest discoveries. One of the most exciting moments of the journey is your exclusive visit to the Lost Golden City in Luxor, considered one of the most important archaeological finds since the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb.

Built around 3,400 years ago by Pharaoh Amenhotep III and dedicated to the sun god Aten, this city was once a thriving royal and religious center. Today, it remains an active excavation site and is closed to the general public. Thanks to special permission from the Egyptian authorities, the gates of this extraordinary discovery open for Archaeological Paths’ guests.

You do not simply walk through the ruins; you explore them in the company of the man who brought the city back to light. Dr. Zahi Hawass personally leads you through streets, workshops and houses frozen in time, explaining how the city functioned and what its discovery means for our understanding of ancient Egypt. Many of the stories, details and finds he shares with you are so new that they have not yet appeared in guidebooks. It is a rare chance to stand where history is literally being rewritten and to hear about it directly from the archaeologist responsible.

3. VIP Tour of the Grand Egyptian Museum with One of Its Directors

For anyone passionate about ancient Egypt, the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) is the ultimate dream: the world’s largest archaeological museum, dedicated entirely to the civilization of the Nile. The Royal Egypt Tour turns a simple museum visit into a true insider experience.

You explore the museum in the company of Dr. Tarek Tawfik, one of the Directors of the Grand Egyptian Museum Project. He has been deeply involved in the creation of the museum, including the monumental task of transporting tens of thousands of artifacts from other institutions to their new home. As you move through the galleries, Dr. Tawfik explains not only the history behind the objects, but also the enormous logistical and scientific effort required to conserve and display them.

The Grand Egyptian Museum houses the greatest collection of pharaonic treasures in the world, including the spectacular collection of Tutankhamun, shown in its entirety for the very first time. The story of the young king’s golden mask and treasures takes on a new dimension when told by someone who knows every step of their journey into this modern, world-class museum. 

For travelers who have dreamed for years of coming face to face with Egypt’s most iconic artifacts, this VIP museum experience is both educational and deeply emotional.

Why This Is the Ultimate Luxury Egypt Tour

The Royal Egypt Tour is designed for travelers who want more than just ticking off pyramids and temples. It is for those who want privileged access, comfort at every step and direct contact with the people who have dedicated their lives to uncovering Egypt’s past.

You stay in carefully selected, prestigious hotels in Giza, such as the iconic Marriott Mena House or the elegant Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at the First Residence, and you cruise the Nile on a top-class 5-star ship. All domestic flights, transfers, sightseeing, entrances and three meals a day are included. You are met at the airport, assisted with your visa, and accompanied from the moment you arrive in Cairo until you depart home.

In other words, you can focus entirely on living your dream journey through Egypt, while Archaeological Paths takes care of every detail in the background.