SMALL GROUP JOURNEYOFFERS

The Secret Oasis & Hidden Tombs

2026▾
10
Days
3
Private Charter Flights
9
Nights Luxury
1
Hot Air Balloon

Salt-rock desert lodges, hyper-saline lakes, and a premium Nile cruise

See Pricing & Inclusions ↓
10 Days
Small Group
from $10,900 pp
Home  ›  Journeys  ›  Egypt  ›  The Secret Oasis & Hidden Tombs

OverviewCrafted specifically for sophisticated world travelers and history enthusiasts who crave raw desert isolation alongside classic river luxury. This circuit ventures off the beaten path to contrast the newly excavated tomb chambers of Saqqara with the remote, salt-rock architecture of the far western Siwa Oasis, before joining a premium cruise to explore the ancient river temples of Upper Egypt.

Best ForDiscerning travelers seeking the extraordinary — places where history, isolation, and natural beauty converge
Duration10 Days / 9 Nights
RouteCairo → Saqqara → Siwa Oasis → Luxor → Nile Cruise → Aswan → Cairo
Group SizePrivate or small group — your party, or join a small departure
Price From$12,800 per person sharing (estimated)
✦

Private access into newly excavated noble tombs at Saqqara, not open to the general public, with extraordinarily preserved wall paintings

✦

Single malt whiskies served at sunset on a private platform overlooking the Step Pyramid of Djoser — the oldest colossal stone building in history

✦

Private charter flight deep into the Western Desert to the remote, salt-rock eco-lodge of Adrère Amellal in Siwa Oasis

✦

Floating effortlessly in a crystal-clear, hyper-saline desert lake beside a luxury breakfast spread of fresh olives, dates and Siwan bread

✦

Standing at the Oracle Temple of Alexander the Great, where the conqueror was declared the son of Amun in 331 BC

✦

Hot air balloon flight over the Siwa basin's olive groves and shimmering salt pans at dawn

✦

Ultra-luxury Nile cruise aboard the Sonesta Star Goddess through Luxor, Kom Ombo, and Aswan

✦

Open-air dinner around a fire pit on a panoramic terrace overlooking the First Cataract of the Nile

The Secret Oasis & Hidden Tombs
Route Map

Interactive Route Map

Cairo → Saqqara → Siwa Oasis → Luxor → Nile Cruise → Aswan → Cairo. Day-by-day scrollspy markers to follow.

Itinerary

Cairo

Day 1 | Arrival in Cairo & Cosmopolitan Grandeur

VIP tarmac handling at Cairo International Airport, then a private guide transfer to Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza. If arriving before 4:00 PM, a private guided tour of Islamic Cairo, the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, and the bustling Khan el-Khalili bazaar.

The day culminates in an exclusive welcome dinner overlooking the illuminated Nile, where you meet your private Egyptologist guide and pilot for a briefing on the journey ahead.

Day 2 | Saqqara Necropolis Exploration

A dedicated day exploring the Saqqara Necropolis, standing before the Step Pyramid of Djoser — the oldest colossal stone building in history, designed by Imhotep over 4,600 years ago. Private access into newly excavated noble tombs not open to the general public, their wall paintings preserved in extraordinary condition.

In the late afternoon, single malt whiskies and premium wines are served on a private platform overlooking the desert dunes of Saqqara, with the Step Pyramid silhouetted against the setting sun.

Day 2 | Saqqara Necropolis Exploration
Siwa Oasis

Day 3 | Charter Flight to the Secret Oasis

A private charter flight west to the remote Siwa Oasis near the Libyan border, with dramatic aerial views of the Sahara's shifting dunes before descending into lush green palm groves. You check into the ultra-luxury eco-lodge Adrère Amellal, carved entirely from salt-rock and clay.

The afternoon is yours to relax in profound isolation — a refreshing dip in a natural spring or a walk through the palm groves. Dinner at the lodge features traditional Siwan cuisine.

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4 | Shali Fortress & Cleo's Spring

You explore the ancient ruins of the Shali Fortress, a mud-brick citadel built from kershef, eroded over centuries into hauntingly beautiful sculptural forms. You also visit the Oracle Temple of Alexander the Great, where he was declared the son of Amun in 331 BC.

A luxury breakfast spread with fresh olives, dates and Siwan bread is set up on the shores of a crystal-clear, hyper-saline desert lake, where you float effortlessly in the mineral-rich waters surrounded by the Great Sand Sea.

Day 4 | Shali Fortress & Cleo's Spring
Breakfast, Dinner
Luxor

Day 5 | Desert Flight to Upper Egypt

Rising before dawn, you board a hot air balloon or private scenic charter to glide silently over the olive groves, palm canopies, and shimmering salt pans of the Siwa basin. After landing, a celebratory champagne toast and gourmet brunch follow.

In the afternoon, a private charter flight carries you directly across the country to Luxor. Upon arrival, you board your luxury Nile cruise ship, the Sonesta Star Goddess, welcomed with chilled champagne.

Day 6 | The West Bank & Luxor Temple

You cross to the West Bank to explore the Temple of Hatshepsut, carved into the cliffs of Deir el-Bahri, and the towering Colossi of Memnon. You also visit the Valley of the Kings, exploring the royal tombs of the New Kingdom pharaohs.

In the evening, you visit Luxor Temple, dedicated to Amun-Ra, beautifully illuminated at night with its grand columns glowing in golden light.

Kom Ombo

Day 7 | Sailing to Kom Ombo

You relax on the sun deck as the ship sails upriver, watching the timeless landscape of feluccas, water buffalo, and farmers along the banks. In the afternoon, you dock for a private tour of the Kom Ombo Temple, dedicated to Sobek and Haroeris.

You explore the fascinating collection of mummified crocodiles and the ancient medical instruments depicted on the temple walls. Dinner is served as you continue sailing toward Aswan.

Aswan

Day 8 | The Cataracts of Aswan

You arrive in Aswan, set against the dramatic backdrop of the Nile cataracts. In the afternoon, a private sailing cruise on a traditional felucca around Kitchener's Island, gliding past lush botanical gardens.

The day culminates in a majestic open-air dinner around a central fire pit on a panoramic stone terrace overlooking the First Cataract of the Nile, the sound of rushing water and brilliant desert stars above.

Day 8 | The Cataracts of Aswan

Day 9 | Exclusive Siwan Amazigh Heritage Tour

A deeply respectful cultural immersion day spent privately with elders of the indigenous Amazigh (Siwan) heritage, learning about the Siwi Berber language and traditional silver jewelry crafting passed down through generations of desert nomads.

The highlight is a private performance of historic desert folk music. The day concludes with a celebratory multi-course farewell dinner on board paired with vintage wines.

Day 10 | Return to Cairo & Complementary Spa Day

A relaxed luxury breakfast on deck watching the Nile flow gently by. You check out and board your private charter aircraft back to Cairo, where you are transferred to your city hotel for a complementary spa session.

Your airport transfer for the connecting international flight home is timed precisely to your departure schedule.

Want to adjust the pace, swap a lodge, or extend this journey?

We are here for that. Every Finders & Keepers Safaris itinerary is a starting point, not a fixed departure — the pace, the lodges, the length, the dates and the party travelling can all be reshaped around you. Tell us what you would change and a specialist will rebuild the journey and price it honestly, before you commit to anything.

Tailor This Journey →
The Secret Oasis & Hidden Tombs
Your Accommodation

3 Exceptional Properties

Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza
NIGHTS 1–2
Cairo, Egypt

Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza

View
Adrère Amellal Eco-Lodge
NIGHTS 3–4
Siwa Oasis, Egypt

Adrère Amellal Eco-Lodge

View
Sonesta Star Goddess Nile Cruise
NIGHTS 5–9
Luxor → Aswan, Egypt

Sonesta Star Goddess Nile Cruise

View
Why This Journey

What sets this journey apart

The Egypt most visitors miss: newly excavated tombs at Saqqara and a private flight to the salt-rock lodge at Siwa Oasis.

01

Tombs closed to the public

Private access to newly excavated noble tombs at Saqqara, then single malt whisky at sunset on a platform overlooking the Step Pyramid of Djoser.

02

Siwa, by private charter

A charter flight deep into the Western Desert to Adrère Amellal Eco-Lodge, a float in a hyper-saline desert lake, the Oracle Temple of Alexander the Great and a dawn balloon over the salt pans.

03

Then the Nile

Luxor, Kom Ombo and Aswan, sailing aboard the Sonesta Star Goddess.

Shoulder SeasonJan – MayCool, comfortable touring weather
Best ValueMay – SepSummer heat — lowest rates of the year
Peak SeasonSep – DecCooling down, peak touring season returns
Best forReturn Egypt visitorsHistory loversAdventurous travellers
Plan this journey with us →

Inclusions & Price

Deposit Offer

Hold 2027 for half the usual deposit

Confirm any 2027 departure with a 15% deposit instead of the usual 30%, booked before 31 December 2026.

  • Your balance is not due until 60 days before departure.
  • The reduced deposit holds your camps, permits and internal flights at today’s rates, so a mid-year price movement does not reach you.
  • Applies to new 2027 bookings only and cannot be combined with a group discount on the same booking.
Solo Travellers

30% off the single supplement

Travelling on your own? We cut the single traveller supplement by 30% across selected 2027 departures.

  • The supplement covers the sole-occupancy cost a camp charges when a room sleeps one rather than two.
  • Available on selected camps and dates — your specialist will tell you which of your nights qualify before you commit.
  • Nothing changes about the journey itself: same guide, same vehicle, same rooms.
Group Offer

Bring three, the fourth travels free

Book four guests on a 2027 group departure and the fourth guest’s safari cost is on us.

  • The waiver covers the land portion — camps, meals, guiding and game drives.
  • International flights, visas, gorilla and chimpanzee permits and personal spending are excluded, as those are paid to third parties per head.
  • All four guests must travel on the same departure date and book together.
What's Included
  • VIP tarmac reception & private guide transfers
  • 9 nights luxury accommodation
  • All meals — Full Board throughout
  • Private internal charter flights (Cairo–Siwa–Luxor–Aswan)
  • Private Egyptologist guide throughout
  • Private access to newly excavated Saqqara tombs
  • Hyper-saline desert lake experience, Siwa
  • Hot air balloon flight over Siwa basin
  • All sundowner & open-air dining experiences
  • Complementary spa session, Cairo
  • All park & site entry fees
  • ✓Travel insurance facilitated on your behalf (adjusted in your quote if you are already covered)
  • Visa processing assistance & fees
What's Not Included
  • International flights to/from Cairo
  • Gratuities for guides & staff
  • Premium imported alcohol brands
  • Items of a personal nature

Per Person Pricing

Per Person Sharing$12,800
Single Traveller SupplementOn Request
ⓘ Pricing is an estimate and subject to confirmation based on season, group size, and final accommodation selection. Speak to a Finders & Keepers Safaris specialist for an accurate quote.

2027 Season Pricing

The same unforgettable journey, priced by season.

Jan – May Shoulder SeasonCool, comfortable touring weather
$13,450
May – Sep Best ValueSummer heat — lowest rates of the year
$10,900
Sep – Dec Peak SeasonCooling down, peak touring season returns
$14,100

Flexible Payment Plan

1

Reserve today with a low early deposit to lock in your 2027 dates and pricing.

2

Spread the rest across convenient instalments, at a pace that suits you.

3

Final balance due one month before departure — nothing more to pay once you fly.

Speak To Us

Journey Details

Minimum Age

No fixed minimum — varies by activity

  • No formal minimum — These touring itineraries carry no fixed minimum age. Hotels and riads across Morocco and Egypt welcome children, and several of our properties have connecting family rooms.
  • Hot-air balloon flights — Balloon operators over the Valley of the Kings and Marrakech generally require children to be at least seven, and tall enough to brace unaided in the basket on landing.
  • Inside the tombs and kasbahs — Some tomb chambers and kasbah towers are reached by steep ladders and low, unlit passages, and are unsuitable for very young children or anyone unsteady on their feet. Your guide will always offer an alternative.
  • Desert nights — Camel treks and desert camps are usually set at six years and above, largely because of the cold and the distance from a clinic.
  • Talk to us first — Limits vary from property to property and from activity to activity. Speak to our experts before you book, and we will pre-arrange the details with each hotel and riad around the ages of the children travelling with you.

Safari Duffel

Duffel, safari hat, vest and hooded jumper

  • Your duffel — A soft-sided Finders & Keepers Safaris duffel, sized for the 15 kg limit on the light aircraft that move you between camps. Rigid suitcases cannot be carried on those flights at all.
  • What is inside it — A branded Finders & Keepers Safaris safari hat, a safari vest, and a hooded jumper for cold dawn starts and balloon mornings.
  • Yours to keep — The bag and everything in it is a gift, not a loan. Nothing is returned at the end of your journey.
  • Packing around it — Soft luggage, neutral colours, and layers. Laundry is included at nearly every camp, which is why 15 kg goes further than it sounds.

Note

Nile cruise schedules are fixed by the operator

River cruise itineraries between Luxor and Aswan run to fixed weekly schedules set by the cruise operator, so touring days are set in advance rather than fully flexible. Modest dress is appreciated at religious and cultural sites.

  • Early starts — Touring days begin very early in the morning. Your guide will confirm what time you will be collected from your hotel.
  • Tailoring this journey — If you would like this package with more or fewer days, arranged for a group, a family or a solo traveller, or with add-ons, reach out and we will tailor it for you.
  • Route changes — Your guide or driver may alter the route in certain circumstances, but every destination set out in the itinerary will be covered.

Documents

Visa on arrival or e-Visa, from $25

  • Passport — Valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date, with at least one blank page.
  • Visa — Most visitors, including UK, EU, US, Canadian and Australian passport holders, take either the US$25 single-entry eVisa online (about three working days) or a visa on arrival at Cairo and the other main airports. Both allow a 30-day stay.
  • Handled for you on group arrivals — Where we meet your group through our licensed ground agent, entry formalities are completed on your behalf while you clear the terminal.
  • Camera permits — Several tombs and museums charge separately for photography, and a few interiors prohibit it outright. Your guide carries the permits your itinerary needs.
  • Dress at religious sites — Shoulders and knees covered at mosques, churches and monasteries, and a scarf for women entering a mosque.
  • We file it for you — Whether you are flying in from overseas or travelling from elsewhere on the continent, we complete and submit your visa application on your behalf. You hand us your documents once. We do the filing, chase the approval, and carry the confirmations in your travel pack so nothing rests on you remembering a reference number at a counter.
  • Most of Africa is open to you — The great majority of our African destinations are now either visa-free or issue a visa on arrival, so an embassy queue is rarely in your future at all. Where a visa on arrival does apply, we prepare and lodge the paperwork ahead of you — you reach the desk with a finished file rather than a blank form and a biro.
  • Before you travel — Entry rules change frequently and without much notice. Your specialist confirms the current requirements for every passport in your party at the time of booking, and checks them again before you fly.

Guaranteed Departures

Private, tailor-made departures on your dates, or join a small group

  • Once confirmed, you travel — When your departure date is confirmed, it is guaranteed. We do not cancel, merge or reschedule a confirmed departure for commercial reasons, however the final numbers fall.
  • What confirms a departure — A departure becomes confirmed once the agreed number of travellers has been reached and paid for in line with the agreed payment schedule. Places held without payment do not count towards it.
  • If the minimum is not reached — Where a group departure has not reached its agreed numbers, we tell you early rather than late, and you choose: move to the next available date, continue at a revised small-group rate, or take a full refund of everything you have paid.
  • Solo journeys — Solo and tailor-made itineraries carry no group minimum at all. Your dates are confirmed the moment your deposit is received.
  • Visas — We prepare and submit your visa application on your behalf. Please note that the granting of a visa rests solely with the immigration authority of the country concerned, and is never guaranteed by us.
  • Medication — Anti-nausea and anti-anxiety tablets can be arranged for your journey. This is not a malaria-risk destination, so prophylaxis is not required. Any prescription medicine should be confirmed with your own doctor before you travel.
  • Not always hot — Despite the stereotype, North Africa moves through distinct seasons. Desert nights, mountain passes and pre-dawn starts can be genuinely cold. A hooded jumper is provided for cold conditions, and for guests joining a sunrise hot-air balloon flight.
  • Dietary requirements — If you have strict dietary needs, please tell us at the time of booking. This includes vegans, guests in recovery, non-drinkers, and anyone following a prescription from their doctor.
  • Travel insurance — We facilitate travel insurance for our clients. If you are already covered, please say so during booking so we can take it into account in your final quote.
  • Tailoring your quote — Some of our inclusions — a sunrise hot-air balloon flight, for example — may not be what you want. Point these out and we will adjust your final offer accordingly.
  • What to pack — Modest, breathable layers. Shoulders and knees covered at mosques, churches and through the older medinas, with a scarf for women entering a mosque. Desert nights and mountain passes turn genuinely cold even in summer, so pack a warm layer whatever the forecast says. Closed, broken-in shoes matter more than you would expect: medina lanes and tomb interiors are uneven, and often unlit.
  • Your travel duffel & kit — A Finders & Keepers Safaris duffel is provided ahead of departure, sized for charter and light-aircraft transfers where luggage is often limited to 15 kg per person. Inside it you will find a branded sun hat, a safari vest and a hooded jumper for cold desert mornings.

More Egypt Journeys

The Royal Volcanoes & Primates
FAMILY SAFARI

The Royal Volcanoes & Primates

10 Days · Min 4
Itinerary Kigali → Volcanoes National Park (Bisate Lodge) → Twin Lakes → Kigali
The Primates of the Great Rift
SMALL GROUP JOURNEY

The Primates of the Great Rift

10 Days · Min 7
Itinerary Kigali → Nyungwe National Park → Lake Kivu (Karongi) → Kigali
The Serengeti Grandeur
SMALL GROUP JOURNEY

The Serengeti Grandeur

11 Days · Min 7
Itinerary Dar es Salaam → Serengeti Private Concession (Mwiba Lodge) → Central Serengeti (Serengeti Explorer Elewana) → Dar es Salaam
The Great East African Rift
SMALL GROUP JOURNEY

The Great East African Rift

11 Days · Min 7
Itinerary Nairobi → Maasai Mara (Kenya) → Entebbe → Jinja → Lemala Wildwaters → Nairobi