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Day Tours

Tell el-Amarna & Beni Hassan Private Tour from Cairo

1 days$0/ per person
  • Tell Amarna
  • Beni Hassan
  • Archaeology Tour
  • Egypt History
  • Cairo DayTrip
  • Akhenaten
  • Middle Kingdom
  • Cultural Heritage
  • Ancient Egypt
Explore Akhenaten's Ancient Capital and the Remarkable Tombs of Beni Hassan Step away from the usual Cairo sightseeing route and discover two of Middle Egypt's most fascinating archaeological treasures on a private Tell el-Amarna and Beni Hassan tour from Cairo. This tour takes you into the heart of Egypt's Middle and New Kingdom history, from the revolutionary religious ideas of Pharaoh Akhenaten at Tell el-Amarna to the beautifully decorated rock-cut tombs of Beni Hassan. Travel south through the Nile Valley to Minya, a region rich in ancient Egyptian history. Visit Tell el-Amarna, the extraordinary city founded by Pharaoh Akhenaten as his royal capital and the center of his revolutionary Aten religion. Continue to Beni Hassan, where beautifully decorated rock-cut tombs reveal fascinating scenes of everyday life during Egypt's Middle Kingdom. This full-day private excursion is ideal for travelers who want to go beyond the Giza Pyramids and explore a less-visited but historically important part of Egypt with a knowledgeable private Egyptologist.
Book Your Tell el-Amarna & Beni Hassan Tour Step beyond the famous pyramids and discover one of Egypt's most fascinating historical regions. Explore the extraordinary world of Akhenaten and Nefertiti at Tell el-Amarna, then discover the beautifully decorated tombs of Beni Hassan with your own private Egyptologist. Book your private Tell el-Amarna and Beni Hassan day tour from Cairo and discover a different side of ancient Egypt.

Tour Overview

Country

Egypt

Duration

1 days

Starts

Hotel

Ends

Hotel

Age Range

6 – 99

Arrival Transfer

Yes

Departure Transfer

Yes

Tour Guide

English speaking Guide

Hotel Rating

Meals Included

Optional Lunch

Tour Style

Tour Style

Adventure

Trip Type

Private

Guiding Style

Fully Guided

Tour Pace3/5
Physical Rating4/5

Who Is This Tour Perfect For?

  • Ancient Egypt enthusiasts
  • Travelers looking for lesser-known archaeological sites
  • Visitors staying longer in Cairo
  • Archaeology lovers
  • History students
  • Families interested in Egyptian history

Trip Map

Route line appearance

Tour Highlights

• Explore Tell el-Amarna, the ancient capital of Pharaoh Akhenaten • Learn about Akhenaten's revolutionary worship of the Aten • Discover the history of Queen Nefertiti • See archaeological remains of the ancient Amarna city • Explore the fascinating tombs of Beni Hassan • Admire Middle Kingdom paintings and inscriptions • Discover scenes depicting ancient Egyptian daily life • Travel through the beautiful Nile Valley countryside • Enjoy a completely private sightseeing experience • Travel with a professional Egyptologist

Itinerary

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  1. Middle Egypt in a Day — Tell el-Amarna & Beni Hassan
    Tour Overview
    • Discover the ancient city of Akhetaten at Tell el-Amarna and the magnificent tombs of Beni Hassan on a private day trip from Cairo to Minya.
    • Your private Egyptologist will bring the history of these remarkable sites to life, explaining the story of Akhenaten, Queen Nefertiti, the worship of the Aten, the Amarna Period and the development of Middle Kingdom art and architecture.
    Tour Details• Duration: Full Day • Departure: Cairo or Giza • Destination: Minya, Middle Egypt • Tour Type: Private • Transportation: Private air-conditioned vehicle • Guide: Private English-speaking Egyptologist • Meals: Lunch available upon request • Pickup: Cairo or Giza hotel • Return: Cairo or Giza hotel • Suitable For: History lovers, archaeology enthusiasts, photographers and repeat visitors to Egypt
    Detailed ItineraryEarly Morning – Pickup from Cairo Your private driver and Egyptologist will meet you at your hotel in Cairo or Giza in the early morning. Because Tell el-Amarna and Beni Hassan are located in Middle Egypt, this is a full-day excursion with an early departure. Travel south through the Nile Valley toward Minya, passing agricultural land, villages and rural landscapes along the way. The journey gives you an opportunity to see a quieter and more traditional side of Egypt away from the busy streets of Cairo.
    Tell el-AmarnaDiscover the Lost Capital of Akhenaten Your first major stop is Tell el-Amarna, the archaeological remains of the ancient city of Akhetaten. The city was established by Pharaoh Akhenaten during Egypt's 18th Dynasty and served as his royal capital. Akhenaten is one of the most fascinating and controversial pharaohs in Egyptian history because of his dramatic religious reforms. Instead of following the traditional Egyptian religious system centered around many gods, Akhenaten promoted the worship of the Aten, represented by the sun disk. He created a completely new capital dedicated to the Aten and moved the royal court away from Thebes.
    The Amarna PeriodYour Egyptologist will explain the remarkable history of the Amarna Period and how it changed Egyptian art, religion and royal representation. During this period, artistic styles became noticeably different from earlier Egyptian traditions. Royal representations became more naturalistic, while Akhenaten and his family were frequently shown with their daughters in intimate family scenes. You will learn about: • Pharaoh Akhenaten • Queen Nefertiti • The Aten religion • The creation of Akhetaten • The Amarna artistic style • Ancient Egyptian temples and palaces • The abandonment of the city • The restoration of traditional religion after Akhenaten's death
    The Great Aten Temple AreaExplore the remains associated with the ancient city's religious center. The temples of Akhetaten were designed around the worship of the Aten and differed considerably from the traditional enclosed temple architecture found elsewhere in Egypt. Your Egyptologist will explain how the religious architecture reflected Akhenaten's new beliefs. The archaeological remains help visitors understand how different this period was from the traditional pharaonic religious system.
    Royal Tombs and Amarna LandscapeDepending on site access and the day's conditions, your guide will explain the surrounding archaeological areas and the tombs associated with the ancient city. The Amarna landscape is particularly interesting because the city was deliberately established in a previously undeveloped area. This makes the archaeological remains an important source for understanding how an ancient Egyptian royal city was planned and developed.
    Beni HassanExplore the Rock-Cut Tombs of the Middle Kingdom Continue to Beni Hassan, one of the most important archaeological sites in Middle Egypt. Beni Hassan is famous for its series of rock-cut tombs belonging primarily to powerful officials and nobles from the Middle Kingdom. Unlike royal monuments, these tombs provide an extraordinary insight into the lives, occupations and activities of ancient Egyptian officials.
    Ancient Egyptian Daily LifeInside the decorated tombs, visitors can see representations of activities such as: • Agriculture • Hunting • Fishing • Wrestling • Sports • Music • Dancing • Animal husbandry • Craftsmanship • Military activities These scenes are particularly valuable because they provide historians with information about ancient Egyptian society beyond the lives of pharaohs. Your Egyptologist will explain the symbolism of the tomb paintings and the importance of the people buried at Beni Hassan.
    The Tombs of Beni HassanSeveral important tombs are associated with provincial governors and officials. The architectural style and beautifully preserved decorations demonstrate the artistic quality achieved during the Middle Kingdom. Your guide will point out important inscriptions and explain how the tombs were connected with ancient Egyptian beliefs concerning death, the afterlife and the continued existence of the deceased.
    Optional LunchAfter sightseeing, enjoy an optional lunch at a local restaurant. You can request Egyptian, oriental or vegetarian dishes depending on your preference.
    Optional Services The following services can be arranged at additional cost: • Private lunch • Professional photography assistance • Guide in another language • Special entrance tickets where available • Private vehicle upgrade • Additional sightseeing in Minya • Hotel pickup outside central Cairo or Giza
    Return Journey to CairoAfter completing your sightseeing in Minya, begin the journey back to Cairo. Relax in your private air-conditioned vehicle while traveling through the Nile Valley. You will be dropped off at your Cairo or Giza hotel at the end of the tour.
    Suggested Tour Schedule A typical schedule may look like: 05:30 — Cairo hotel pickup 05:30–09:30 — Drive south to Minya 09:45 — Beni Hassan - Khnumhotep II (Tomb 3) - Amenemhat (Tomb 2) - Baqet III (Tomb 15) - Kheti (Tomb 17) Duration: 90 minutes. Guides should be briefed to prioritise Khnumhotep II and Baqet III if time is short. Optional 20-minute extension: Speos Artemidos, Hatshepsut's rock-cut temple to the lioness goddess Pakhet, about 2 km south, carrying her famous inscription denouncing the Hyksos. 11:30 — Drive south to Amarna Roughly 50 km, about an hour, past Mallawi and down to el-Till. 12:30 — Lunch 13:15 — Amarna Visitor Centre 13:45 — The North Tombs - Huya and Meryre II - royal family scenes, - Ahmose and Panehesy - Aten worship - Meryre I 14:45 — The Central City - the Great Aten Temple platform, the Small Aten Temple, the King's House and the record office where the Amarna Letters 15:30 — Departure The site closes at 16:00 15:30–19:45 — Return to Cairo Comfort stop en route. 20:00–21:00 Hotel drop-off around depending on traffic entering Cairo.
    Overnight:
    Your Hotel
    Meals:
    Optional Lunch
    Visit:
    Beni Hassan The North Tombs
    Entrance Fees:
    $40

    Arrival flight for Day 1

    Book to land in time for the first day of the tour.

    TLV → CAI · pick your date

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  2. Additional Info
    Cost Build (per adult, 2026) Entrance fees are the smallest part of this product. Published rates for Minya sites are inconsistent across sources and have been revised repeatedly, Beni Hassan, foreign adult 150–200 EGP site open 08:00, last entry 16:00 (Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities) Tell el-Amarna main ticket ~200 EGP Royal Tomb (add-on) ~120 EGP Separate ticket Tuna el-Gebel (two-day version) ~200 EGP Guard tips, both sites 300–500 EGP per group Vehicle + driver, 15 hours negotiated Total tickets land at roughly $8–12 per person. Add-on Guest price guide Royal Tomb of Akhenaten $35 Speos Artemidos $20 Upgrade to two-day version with Minya overnight from $180 Guest Brief
    • Very early start, long driving day, minimal facilities at the sites
    • Sturdy closed shoes — there is a cliff-terrace climb at Beni Hassan and uneven ground at Amarna
    • Hat, sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen, and a torch or a well-charged phone
    • Modest dress; this is conservative rural Middle Egypt, not a resort area
    • Passport must be carried — there will be multiple police checkpoints
    • A tourist police officer will accompany the group; this is standard procedure in Minya
    • Mobile-phone photography is free at ministry sites; professional cameras may require a pass
    • Bring small EGP notes; there are no card facilities away from the ticket offices
    Season October to April only. Middle Egypt in summer is brutally hot, the sites are unshaded, and there is nowhere to retreat to. Consider closing sales for this product from June through August entirely — a heat-exhaustion incident four hours from Cairo with a 15-hour day already underway is a risk not worth the booking.

    Return flight after Day 2

    Departure flights for the last day of your itinerary.

    CAI → TLV · pick your date

    Skyscanner Kayak Refine on our Flights page

Nights You Will Stay

Extended your tour stayIf you wish to enjoy more time at your destination, extending your hotel stay or add hotel in Luxor or Aswan is easy. Notify Us Early. Inform us so we can check availability and secure your room for the additional nights with extra payment.

Meals

Optional Egyptian LunchBetween your sightseeing, enjoy an optional lunch at a local restaurant. Choose from traditional Egyptian and oriental cuisine, international dishes or vegetarian options. Your guide can recommend a restaurant according to your preferences. You can sample traditional dishes such as: • Koshari • Grilled meats • Falafel • Egyptian salads • Fresh bread • Traditional desserts Vegetarian meals can also be arranged. Lunch is optional unless specifically included in your selected package

What Makes This Tour Special?

Combine Tel el Amarna with Beni HassanMany visitors to Egypt focus on Cairo, Luxor and Aswan, but Middle Egypt offers a completely different historical experience. Tell el-Amarna →Tell el-Amarna provides an opportunity to explore one of the most unusual chapters in ancient Egyptian history — the reign of Akhenaten and his attempt to transform Egyptian religion. Beni Hassan →Beni Hassan offers a rare opportunity to see detailed scenes of ordinary activities and the lives of powerful officials during the Middle Kingdom. Together → the two sites allow you to compare two very different periods of ancient Egyptian civilization. Tell el-Amarna and Beni Hassan are located a considerable distance from Cairo. The tour requires an early departure and involves several hours of road travel.

What's included & what's not

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Included (3/3)

Not included (0 added)

Pricing

Essentials

  • Group departure

Signature

  • Small group (max 8)

Luxury

  • Private Guide & Driver

Additional Extras

Sound and light show

in Egypt are night events held at famous historical sites like the Giza Pyramids, Karnak Temple, and Philae Island

A Nile River dinner cruise

in Egypt is a 2 to 3 hour evening excursion featuring an open buffet, live music, cultural performances belly dancing and Tanoura shows

An optional lunch buffet

Usually features local or traditional dishes, side items, and fruits, though specialized diets (like strict vegan or allergen-free)

Good To Know

What does this Day Tour to Tell Amarna & Beni Hassan include?
+
Private air-conditioned transport, a guide, and lunch at a local restaurant near Minya. Entrance fees to Tell Amarna and Beni Hassan are not confirmed.
How long is the drive from Cairo to Tell Amarna and Beni Hassan?+
Approximately 4 to 4.5 hours each way, with scenic views of Egypt’s agricultural heartland, river villages, and desert landscapes along the Nile Valley.
What is the best time of year for this tour?+
The cooler months from October through April are most comfortable for outdoor visits to Middle Kingdom and Amarna-period archaeology,
Is this tour suitable for history and archaeology travelers?
+
Yes, ideal for those interested in Middle Kingdom and Amarna-period archaeology, with a unique combination not offered on other Cairo tours.
What makes Tell Amarna historically important?+
Tell Amarna was Pharaoh Akhenaten’s capital dedicated to the sun god Aten, marking Egypt’s only true religious revolution with a distinctive artistic style and royal life changes
What makes this different from other full-day tours from Cairo?
+
It uniquely pairs Akhenaten's abandoned capital at Tell Amarna with the Middle Kingdom tombs of Beni Hassan in one day.

How long is this tour and when does it start?
+
The tour lasts 12 hours round trip, with early morning pickup and evening drop-off at Cairo hotels.


Send Inquiry

About this tour

Additional information

Confirmation

You receive written confirmation by email once your booking is accepted, usually within 24 hours.

Documents

A valid passport with at least 6 months' validity is required. We advise on visas for Egypt and Jordan before travel.

Pick-up

Hotel pick-up and drop-off in the tour city is included; we confirm your exact pick-up time the evening before.

Group size

Private departures run for your party only. Small-group departures are capped so everyone hears the guide.

Accessibility

Some archaeological sites involve uneven ground, steps and heat. Tell us about mobility needs and we adapt the pace.

Children

Family friendly. Child rates and car seats are available on request; infants usually travel free.

What to bring

Comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, water, modest clothing for religious sites and cash for tips.

Insurance

Travel insurance covering medical care and cancellation is strongly recommended and is not included in the tour price.

Cancellation & refund policy

30 days or more before departure

100% refund

15 – 29 days before departure

50% refund

14 days or less before departure

No refund

  • • Cancellations must be sent in writing to explore@exploreplus.net; the date we receive your email is the cancellation date.
  • • Approved refunds are returned to the original payment method within 14 working days.
  • • Third-party costs already paid on your behalf (domestic flights, Nile cruise cabins, special-event tickets, visas) are non-refundable once issued.
  • • Date changes requested 15 days or more before departure are free of charge, subject to availability; inside 14 days they are treated as a cancellation.
  • • If we have to cancel your tour for reasons within our control, you receive a full refund or a free date change — your choice.

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