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Travel/Study
A Custom Journey for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Members

Egypt

Explore Egypt’s historical and cultural riches with awe-inspiring tours of its temples, tombs, mystifying pyramids, and great cities.

Overview

A totally immersive experience

A journey to Egypt is an adventure for both the mind and body! We’ll explore not only the great pyramids at Giza and the royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings, but also wander the gigantic temples of Karnak and Luxor. Our travels will include monuments, museums, and souks, including an exclusive, up-close visit to the foot of the Great Sphinx of Giza. This is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the history and mystery of Egypt together with your fellow fraternity brothers. Along the way, we’ll learn about this amazing country’s historical and cultural milestones from our private Egyptologist guide who will accompany us throughout our journey. We hope you’ll join us!

Dates

January 26–February 1, 2026

Duration

7 days

Price

From $7,995 per person

Trip size

30 participants

Minimum age

18 years

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Itinerary

Treasures of ancient Egypt

Immerse yourself in the history and mystery of Egypt with visits to monuments, museums, and souks, including an exclusive, up-close visit to the foot of the Great Sphinx of Giza. Explore the Great Pyramids of Giza, then fly to Luxor for two nights on the banks of the Nile River, exploring ancient tombs and temples.

  • Cairo, Egypt

    Arrive on independently arranged international flights into Cairo. A private transfer will meet you at the airport and take you to your deluxe hotel, located on the banks of the Nile River and overlooking this bustling city. Gather this evening with your fellow travelers for a private welcome reception at the hotel.

    Accommodations:

    Fairmont Nile City

  • Saqqara / Dahshur

    Journey to Saqqara, the Necropolis of Memphis renowned for its roughly 5,000-year-old step pyramid and mastabas (tombs), which reveal the architectural origins of the pyramid. After lunch at a local restaurant, travel to nearby Dahshur with its early-era Red and Bent Pyamids that provide insight into the trial-and-error process of pyramid building. Return to Cairo and enjoy dinner together at the hotel.

    Accommodations:

    Fairmont Nile City

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • Cairo / Giza

    Travel into the heart of Cairo to tour the city’s culturally diverse landmarks, including the Cairo Citadel and Coptic Cairo. Enjoy lunch and time to explore the dizzying array of shops at the famous Khan el-Khalili Bazaar. Then travel to nearby Giza to visit the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM). Over 20 years in the making, this impressive postmodern project will be the world’s largest archaeological museum. Dinner this evening is on your own.

    Accommodations:

    Fairmont Nile City

    Included meals: Breakfast and lunch

  • Cairo / Luxor

    After breakfast check out of the hotel and transfer to Cairo airport. Hop on a flight from Cairo to Luxor, where we enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, we begin our exploration of the Nile Valley with a guided tour of the East Bank of Luxor, including the Temples of Karnak and Luxor. Luxor’s graceful cluster columns, designed to look like papyrus, were built by Amenhotep III and later embellished by Ramesses II, Tutankhamun and Alexander the Great. Dinner is served at the hotel.

    Accommodations:

    Hilton Luxor

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • Luxor

    Today we explore the West Bank of the Nile, starting with the Valley of the Queens. Next, visit Deir el-Bahri, whose highlight is the magnificent mortuary temple of Hatshepsut, the queen who declared herself king and whose mummy was discovered in 2007. After lunch at a local restaurant, wander through the Valley of the Kings, with its stunningly painted royal tombs—including those of Tutankhamun, Ramesses III, Ramesses V & VI, and Seti I. Finally, stop to admire the Colossi of Memnon, two massive sandstone statues of Pharaoh Amehnotep III. This evening, board a local wooden sailboat, known as a dahabiya, and enjoy a sunset cocktail and dinner while sailing along the Nile River.

    Accommodations:

    Hilton Luxor

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • Luxor / Cairo / Giza

    Transfer to the airport to board our flight back to Cairo. Upon arrival, transfer directly to visit the awe-inspiring monuments of Giza—the quintessential symbols of ancient Egypt. Explore the massive pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Menkaure, and be treated to special private access at the foot of the enigmatic Sphinx. This evening enjoy a festive farewell dinner at a local restaurant and toast the end of a special journey.

    Accommodations:

    Hilton Luxor

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • Cairo / Home

    After breakfast, transfers will be provided to the airport for flights home.

    Included meal: Breakfast

Trip details

Start preparing for the trip of a lifetime

From top to bottom, we’ve taken care of all the details, so you can enjoy a no-stress, worry-free travel experience.

Faculty Advisor

An important feature of your Stanford Custom Journey is access to our world-renowned professors and researchers who will provide insight into some of the places you’ll be visiting on your journey. You’ll receive custom reading recommendations and have an opportunity to meet with your advisor, either on campus or using video conference, for a personalized pre-trip discussion and lecture presentation to prepare you for your journey.

Trip Leaders

You will be accompanied on your journey by an expert Egyptologist guide, dedicated exclusively to your group, who will provide insight into the many historical monuments and sites you’ll be visiting on the program, as well as our professional Stanford tour manager who will manage all the travel logistics, leaving you free to enjoy your trip.

Traveling in Egypt

We have chosen the best time to visit Egypt—in the winter when it is still sunny, but considerably cooler and the air in Cairo is at its cleanest. Traveling in Egypt is not without its challenges. Restrooms outside the hotels are sometimes quite rustic; even at museums and restaurants, sometimes the only toilet available is a squat toilet. Nonetheless, the learning opportunity provided by our highly informed Egyptologist guide, the beauty of the ancient sites we visit, the comfort of our accommodations, and the warmth and hospitality of our hosts make the effort well worth it. 

Egypt takes the safety and security of its visitors very seriously, as does Stanford Travel/Study. Per Egyptian government policy for all foreign tour groups, a plain-clothes armed escort accompanies us on our motor coach for all excursions.

Activity Level

We have a very full schedule of excursions, meals, and gatherings, and some days will require early-morning starts. Daily excursions in Cairo and from our riverboat involve one to three miles of walking, with tours lasting as long as three hours. Much of the walking takes place at ancient sites covering a large area, where paths can be rocky and uneven and involve high thresholds and steps without handrails. Some spaces, such as ancient tombs, are enclosed and accessed via a steep staircase within a tunnel. Many buildings do not have elevators, and some sites and museums do not allow buses to pull up in front, thus requiring a walk of several minutes to reach the entrance.

Meals

All meals are included during your program with the exception of one dinner in Cairo. A welcome reception will be provided on arrival day. Water, soft drinks, tea and coffee are included at group meals. Local beer and wine are also included at group dinners and the welcome reception. Premium alcoholic beverages and those consumed outside group meals and receptions will be at additional cost and are the responsibility of the traveler.

Accommodations

Fairmont Nile City

Located on the banks of the legendary Nile River, the five-star Fairmont Nile City reflects the delightful series of contrasts for which Cairo itself is famous – combining advanced technology and modern design with local flavors and flair. Elements of Art Deco and contemporary design combine to provide timeless elegance and refinement throughout all guest rooms, all of which include 100% Egyptian cotton bedding, luxury bath amenities, and breathtaking city or river views. Hotel amenities include  several restaurants and bars, a world-class spa and fitness center, and a Sky Pool located on the 25th floor with a pool lounge and bar.

Hilton Luxor

This deluxe resort located on the banks of the Nile River offers refined accommodation within a few miles of the temple sites of Karnak and Luxor. Rooms feature modern design with marble appointed bathrooms, complimentary WiFi, minibar, air conditioning, and flatscreen TV. Hotel amenities include a holistic spa, two infinity pools, a fitness center, and numerous bars and restaurants.

Pricing

Secure your spot today

The price of your trip covers a comprehensive program including meals, accommodations, guided tours, and excursions. Continue reading for a full list of what’s included.

Price

Double occupancy: $7,995 per person
Single occupancy: $8,995 per person

Based on a minimum of 15 participants. If the total number of participants is less than 15, the trip price will need to be adjusted.

What’s included?

  • All meals, tours, excursions, and transportation as described in the itinerary

  • 6 nights hotel accommodations in Cairo and Luxor

  • On-tour scheduled flights as described in the itinerary

  • Gratuities to guides, drivers, and ship crew for all group activities

  • Private English-speaking Egyptologist guide throughout

  • Services of our professional tour manager to assist you throughout the program

  • Pre-trip educational program with Stanford faculty advisor, pre-trip lecture and pre-departure materials, including an educational resource list and travel information

  • Transfers and baggage handling throughout the program

  • General medical, accident, and evacuation insurance

You are responsible for your personal travel expenses, including international flights to/from the program, meals and beverages not included in the itinerary, internet access, laundry, and souvenir purchases.

Deposits, payments, and cancellations

A $2,000-per-person deposit is required to reserve space on this program. Final payment is due 120 days prior to program start. Deposits and any payments are refundable, less a $500-per-person cancellation fee, until 120 days prior to program start. After that date, refunds can be made only if the program is sold out and we resell your place(s), in which case a $1,000-per-person cancellation fee will apply.

Join us in Egypt!

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