10-Day Cairo, Alexandria, Aswan, Abu Simbel & Luxor Tour

On arrival at Cairo International Airport your chauffeur meets you in the arrivals hall and transfers you to your included hotel, typically 20–30 km depending on traffic (30–50 minutes). After time to refresh, your Egyptologist escorts you to the Nile dinner cruise for a scheduled evening boarding, usually around 20:00, with views of Gezira Island and the Cairo skyline.

As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we arrange the transfer and guide; unlike large coach arrivals, we meet you one-to-one at passport control to speed the process.

Morning visit to the Giza Pyramids Complex, including the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Sphinx and the Valley Temple. Your Egyptologist explains construction techniques and funerary layout while you walk the plateau (allow 2–3 hours for Giza).

After lunch, a guided visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum in the afternoon, where the Tutankhamun collection and artefacts from across the New Kingdom are displayed. Late afternoon transfer to Saqqara for the Step Pyramid of Djoser, built in the 27th century BCE, then return to your Cairo hotel for the overnight stay.

We do not bundle the Khufu interior ticket, most travelers prefer to decide on site.

Morning transfer to Alexandria, arriving for a guided visit to Qaitbay Citadel, built on the eastern harbour of the Pharos site in 1477 CE. Your Egyptologist explains the Mediterranean trade history before a mid-morning walk to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, opened in 2002 with over eight million printed works and specialized collections.

After lunch you see Pompey's Pillar, a 29.6-meter granite monument from the late Roman period, then the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, a 2nd-century funerary complex combining Egyptian, Greek and Roman motifs. The day ends with an overnight stay in Alexandria.

Morning starts with a short drive to the Aswan High Dam, completed in 1970 and 111 meters tall, where your Egyptologist explains its role in Nile management. Continue to the northern quarry for the Unfinished Obelisk, the largest known ancient obelisk, showing ancient quarrying techniques.

In the afternoon you cross by motorboat to Philae Temple on Agilkia Island, part of the Nubian Monuments UNESCO listing, for a guided tour of the Isis sanctuary. We schedule Philae later in the day to avoid the busiest boat traffic.

Pre-dawn departure from Aswan to Abu Simbel, a 280 km drive taking about three hours each way. You visit the rock-cut Great Temple of Ramses II and the small temple of Queen Nefertari, both relocated during the UNESCO-led campaign completed in 1968. We schedule the visit before mid-morning to avoid the busiest hours and the strongest sun.

After returning to Aswan around midday, you transfer north by private vehicle to Luxor, a road journey of about 225 km and 3.5 hours, arriving late afternoon for your overnight stay.

Morning visit to Karnak Temple, where your Egyptologist leads you through the Great Hypostyle Hall and explains Seti I and Ramesses II inscriptions. After a relaxed lunch, return to central Luxor for an afternoon and early-evening visit to Luxor Temple, including the Avenue of Sphinxes and Ramses II colonnade. Visits are timed to avoid midday heat when possible.

Our Egyptologists prefer morning Karnak access, which gives more time at each monument than typical quick-stop tours.

Morning visit to the Valley of the Kings with your Egyptologist, exploring selected royal tombs such as Ramesses IV and Seti I. After a short transfer, you walk the ramped terraces of Hatshepsut Temple at Deir el-Bahari in the afternoon. Finish with a photo stop at the Colossi of Memnon near the west-bank necropolis. We schedule the Valley visit in the cool morning, before day-tour buses arrive.

Unlike cruise-based shore excursions, this day gives you time to move between tombs at a steady pace.

Morning begins at the Egyptian Museum, where your Egyptologist highlights the Tutankhamun collection and selected New Kingdom objects. Continue to Old Cairo for visits to the Hanging Church on Muqattam hill, the 7th-century Amr Ibn Al-Aas Mosque founded in 642 AD, and the Ben Ezra Synagogue.

After lunch transfer to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, opened for the 2017 royal mummies transfer, then walk Al Muizz Street to see Fatimid-era architecture. Finish with an afternoon visit to Khan El Khalili bazaar, the 14th-century souk built in 1382. Our Egyptologists schedule Khan El Khalili later to avoid the market's peak heat.

Morning visit to the Salah El-Din Citadel, where your Egyptologist explains the 12th-century fortress complex and the 19-meter high Muhammad Ali Mosque dome. Continue to a short walk at Sultan Hassan Mosque, completed in 1359, then cross to Al Rifai Mosque to see 19th-century royal funerary chapels.

In the late afternoon you visit Ibn Tulun Mosque, founded in 879 and notable for its vast courtyard and original spiral minaret. Visits are guided, with short walking sections on uneven stone and a mid-afternoon break for rest or coffee.