10-Day Egypt Archaeology Tour: Cairo, Luxor & Aswan
Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum, Saqqara, a full day at Dendera and Abydos, Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Abu Simbel and Philae. Hotels, internal flights, fees and your Egyptologist guide are included.
The short answer
10-Day Egypt Archaeology Tour: Cairo, Luxor & Aswan is a 10-day, 9-night trip to Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel: 3 nights in Cairo, 4 in Luxor and 2 in Aswan. It includes domestic flights, an Egyptologist guide, entrance fees and transfers. Prices start at $2,537 per person, two sharing (Essential, October–April).
02Overview
A first look
Most Egypt trips skim the surface. This one goes deeper into the sites that archaeologists care about. You begin in Cairo with the Giza Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum, then spend a day among the early pyramids at Saqqara, Memphis and Dahshur. A short flight takes you to Luxor, where four nights give the Theban sites room to breathe: the Luxor Museum, the West Bank, a full day at Dendera and Abydos, Karnak, Luxor Temple and the workmen's village at Deir el-Medina. You then travel south by road to Aswan, with Edfu and Kom Ombo on the way, and finish with Abu Simbel and Philae. An English-speaking Egyptologist guide, the entrance fees and the transport are included on every sightseeing day.
What lingers
- 01Giza Pyramids, the Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum in one guided day
- 02Saqqara's Step Pyramid, the ruins of Memphis and the Bent and Red Pyramids at Dahshur
- 03A full day at the temples of Dendera and Abydos, away from the Luxor crowds
- 04Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's temple, Karnak and Luxor Temple with an Egyptologist
- 05Deir el-Medina, the village of the tomb builders, and the Tombs of the Nobles
- 06Edfu and Kom Ombo on the road to Aswan, then Abu Simbel and Philae
Choose your comfort level
Prices are per person in USD, from 2 people sharing a double room, including accommodation at the properties listed or similar.
| Comfort level | Where you stay or similar | Per personfrom, Oct–Apr | Choose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essentialfrom $2,5373★ hotels | Luxor · 4 nightsEl Mesala Hotel Luxor Aswan · 2 nightsHapi Hotel Aswan | $2,537May–Sep: from $2,415 | |
| Comfortfrom $2,8164★ hotels | Cairo · 3 nightsJewel Sport City Luxor · 4 nightsIberotel Luxor by JAZ | $2,816May–Sep: from $2,690 | |
| Classicfrom $2,9545★ hotels | $2,954May–Sep: from $2,791 | ||
| Prestigefrom $3,2555★ deluxe hotels | Luxor · 4 nightsSteigenberger Nile Palace Luxor Aswan · 2 nightsTolip Aswan | $3,255May–Sep: from $3,177 | |
| Luxuryfrom $4,4155★ luxury hotels | Cairo · 3 nightsSt. Regis Cairo Luxor · 4 nightsHilton Luxor Resort & Spa Aswan · 2 nightsThe Zen Wellness Resort Aswan | $4,415May–Sep: from $4,308 |
Hotels on bed & breakfast. You'll stay in these properties, or a similar choice of the same quality. Choose your date in the booking panel for the exact price.
- New
Day by day
Detailed itinerary
10 Days / 9 Nights · Cairo · Giza Plateau · Saqqara · Dahshur · Luxor · Valley of the Kings
- 1
Your driver meets you in the arrivals hall at Cairo Airport, helps with your bags and takes you to your hotel, about an hour away. There is nothing planned for the rest of the day, so you can rest after the flight and get ready for the pyramids tomorrow. If you land late, the transfer is arranged around your flight.
- 2
A full day with your Egyptologist, picked up at your hotel. On the Giza Plateau you see the pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure and the Great Sphinx; allow four to six hours here, and take your time. Lunch comes with a view, then you go on to the Grand Egyptian Museum for its Tutankhamun galleries and the great royal statues.
The museum is visited once, today, so the days ahead can go deeper elsewhere. The guide, entrance fees, lunch and transport are included.
- 3
Today you go back to the beginning of pyramid building, in a private vehicle with your Egyptologist. Saqqara has the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the first great stone monument. Memphis was the capital of the Old Kingdom, and little is left standing, so your guide's explanations matter here. At Dahshur you see the Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid, where the builders worked out the true pyramid shape.
The guide, entrance fees and transport are included. Lunch is not part of the tour today.
- 4
After breakfast a private driver takes you from your Cairo hotel to the airport for the short domestic flight to Luxor; the flight time is set by the airline schedule. A driver meets you at Luxor Airport and takes you into town. Later you visit the Luxor Museum with your Egyptologist.
It is small and well lit, so it is a calm way to meet the Theban kings and their statues before you see where they were buried. The domestic flight, guide, entrance fee and transfers are included.
- 5
Cross to the west bank, where Thebes buried its kings. You enter the Valley of the Kings, then visit the terraced temple of Queen Hatshepsut and stop at the Colossi of Memnon. The day ends at Medinet Habu, the temple of Ramesses III, whose walls carry long carved battle scenes. Your Egyptologist explains the tomb art as you go. The guide, entrance fees and transport are included.
Ask about the extra ticket needed for the most famous tombs.
- 6
A full day out of Luxor by road. Dendera is the temple of Hathor, with a famous painted ceiling, and it is among the best preserved in Egypt. Abydos was the sacred city of Osiris, and its temple of Seti I holds some of the finest reliefs from the New Kingdom. Both sites are quieter than Luxor, which gives you time to read the walls with your guide.
Lunch at a local restaurant, water, entrance fees and transport are included. You return to Luxor in the evening.
- 7
Spend today on the east bank with your Egyptologist. Karnak is the largest temple complex in Egypt, and it took about 2,000 years to build; the hall of columns is the high point. Luxor Temple sits in the middle of town and is worth seeing again as the light changes. After that you visit Deir el-Medina and the Tombs of the Nobles on the west bank.
Deir el-Medina was home to the artists who decorated the royal tombs, so the paintings are lively and personal. The guide, entrance fees and transport are included.
- 8
A private vehicle takes you from Luxor to Aswan, with your Egyptologist, and the day is a sightseeing drive along the Nile. You stop at the temple of Horus at Edfu and the double temple of Kom Ombo, which stands right on the riverbank. The driving is long, so take water and a layer for the car. You arrive at your Aswan hotel in the evening. The guide, entrance fees and transport are included.
We will confirm the exact order of stops before you travel.
- 9
A full day devoted to Abu Simbel, the rock temples of Ramesses II and Queen Nefertari, reached by road from Aswan. The start is early and the drive is long, so it is a tiring day, but there is nothing else on the plan and you can take your time at the temples. Your Egyptologist explains how the temples were moved to higher ground when the High Dam was built.
The guide, entrance fees to Abu Simbel and the transport are included. You are back in Aswan for the night.
- 10
Your last morning is at Philae, the island temple of Isis, reached by a short boat ride. Your Egyptologist walks you through it, and the guide, entrance fee and transport are included. A private driver then takes you to Aswan Airport for the domestic flight to Cairo, and another transfer takes you to Cairo Airport for your flight home. The sightseeing is arranged around your flight schedule.
There is no hotel night in Cairo on this day.
Bundled in
- Domestic flights
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Three nights in a Cairo hotel, four in Luxor and two in Aswan, all with breakfast
- Domestic flights Cairo to Luxor and Aswan to Cairo
- All airport and hotel transfers, and the private road transfer from Luxor to Aswan, by air-conditioned vehicle
- Entrance fees to every site in the itinerary, including Abu Simbel and the Grand Egyptian Museum
- Lunch on the Giza and the Dendera and Abydos days
- English-speaking Egyptologist guide on all sightseeing days
- Meet-and-assist at Cairo Airport
- Bottled water on the touring days that list it
- All service charges and taxes
Not included
- International flights to and from Egypt
- Egypt entry visa
- Gratuities for guides and drivers
- Drinks and meals other than those stated
- Extra tickets for premium tombs in the Valley of the Kings
- Travel insurance and personal expenses
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
See the Bent and Red Pyramids at Dahshur with your guide first, as the crowds there are far thinner than at Giza.
- 02
Look up at the zodiac ceiling and the crypts at Dendera; a phone torch helps you pick out carved detail in dim corners.
- 03
Visit Deir el-Medina with a guide, as the village tombs show everyday workers' scenes that the royal valleys rarely do.
- 04
Start the Abu Simbel road day rested, since the drive south is long and the temple rewards a clear head.
Tailor it
Make it yours
Choose your hotel standard when you book. Ask us about adding a night in Cairo before your flight home, extra nights in Luxor, or a hot-air balloon flight over Luxor.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- History lovers and repeat visitors who want to understand the sites, not just see them. Suited to couples, friends and solo travelers who are comfortable with early starts, long drives and several hours of walking on sightseeing days.
Maybe not, if
- Travelers who need step-free access to every site, or who want a slow, relaxed pace. Days 8 and 9 involve long road journeys.
Honest assessment
Real trade-offs from our experience managing this tour.
Highlights
- Covers Saqqara, Dahshur, Dendera, Abydos and Deir el-Medina, not just the famous highlights
- Four nights in Luxor, so the Theban sites are not rushed
- Abu Simbel has a full day to itself
Things to Consider
- Long days, especially days 6, 8 and 9, with road travel
- No spare night in Cairo before the flight home
- Uneven stone, steps and little shade at many sites
Where it fits
A good second trip to Egypt, or a first trip for people who care about archaeology. Ask about a spare night in Cairo at the end if you have a tight international connection.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Many Egypt itineraries run Cairo, Luxor and Aswan at speed. This one adds Saqqara, Memphis, Dahshur, Dendera, Abydos and Deir el-Medina, and gives Abu Simbel a whole day. Hotel standard is your choice; the sightseeing does not change.
Compare
Similar tours to compare
On the ground
Your route
Snapshot
Good to know
- Travel style
- Guided archaeology tour with domestic flights
- Accommodation
- Hotels in Cairo, Luxor and Aswan, standard chosen at booking
- Destinations
- Cairo · Giza Plateau · Saqqara · Dahshur · Luxor · Valley of the Kings · Dendera · Abydos · Karnak Temple · Aswan · Abu Simbel · Philae Temple
- Includes
- 3 nights in Cairo, 4 in Luxor and 2 in Aswan, with breakfast · Domestic flights Cairo to Luxor and Aswan to Cairo · Entrance fees including Abu Simbel and the Grand Egyptian Museum · English-speaking Egyptologist guide on all sightseeing days · All airport, hotel and intercity transfers · Lunch on the Giza and Dendera and Abydos days
- Best for
- History and archaeology enthusiasts · Repeat visitors who want depth · Travelers who enjoy long days of sightseeing
The morning of
Meeting point & timing
- Where
- Cairo International Airport (CAI), Arrivals HallMap
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Passport and any required travel documents
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Refillable water bottle
- Any personal medication
- Small day bag
- A small torch for dim tomb passages
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable clothing for sun and heat
- Closed shoes for temples and uneven ground
- Clothing that covers shoulders and knees at temples and mosques
- A hat and sunglasses
- A light jacket for cool early mornings in winter
Children & families
Children are welcome. Every child takes a seat in the vehicle, so transport, guiding and meals are charged at the adult rate at any age. Entrance tickets are free for children under 6 and full price from 6. Hotel prices depend on the child's age and the room used, so we give you the exact figure when you tell us the age at booking. This is a detailed, site-heavy tour with long days, so it suits older children best.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This tour involves a lot of walking on large archaeological sites, with uneven stone, sand, steps and some narrow tomb passages. Karnak, the West Bank and Abydos have long outdoor stretches with little shade. Days 8 and 9 include long drives by road. The vehicles are private and air-conditioned, but we cannot promise wheelchair access at every site. Tell us your needs when you book and we will tell you honestly which parts are suitable.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The itinerary uses two domestic flights and private road transfers, and the vehicle type can vary, so we do not claim a carbon saving. Sightseeing is guided by local Egyptologists and arranged through suppliers in Cairo, Luxor and Aswan, so most of the money you spend stays in the places you visit. We ask guests to carry refillable water bottles and not to touch painted walls in tombs, where the pigment is easily damaged.
Licensed Egyptologist guides
State-licensed, and people we have worked with for years
Fair wages on the ground
Drivers + guides paid above market
Site preservation
We follow the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities' site rules: marked paths, no touching reliefs
Local teams, real help
Our own offices in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh
If plans change
Cancellation and refunds
If you cancel, your refund depends on how early you tell us and on the type of trip. Read our current cancellation and refund policy
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01Are the domestic flights included?
Yes. The flights from Cairo to Luxor on day 4 and from Aswan to Cairo on day 10 are booked for you and included in the price. International flights are not. Flight times are set by the airline schedule.02What makes this an archaeology tour?
It spends more time at fewer places and covers sites that quick itineraries leave out: Saqqara, Memphis and Dahshur, a full day at Dendera and Abydos, Deir el-Medina and the Luxor Museum. An English-speaking Egyptologist guide is with you on every sightseeing day.03Will I make my international flight?
Domestic and international tickets are separate bookings, so a delayed domestic flight can cost you the connection. On day 10 you fly from Aswan to Cairo and go straight to the airport, with no spare night in Cairo. We prefer one last night there. If you must connect the same day, choose a late-evening or night international flight, and take travel insurance that covers missed connections.04Which hotels will we stay in?
Three nights in Cairo, four in Luxor and two in Aswan. You choose the standard, from budget to luxury, and we tell you the name of the hotel for your dates. Hotel nights include breakfast.05Is Abu Simbel included?
Yes. Day 9 is a full day at Abu Simbel by road from Aswan. It starts early and has a long drive each way. The guide, the entrance fees and the transport are included.06Do we visit the Grand Egyptian Museum more than once?
No. The Grand Egyptian Museum is visited once, on day 2, together with the Giza Pyramids. That leaves day 3 free for Saqqara, Memphis and Dahshur.07Is day 8 a long day?
Yes. You travel by road from Luxor to Aswan and stop at Edfu and Kom Ombo on the way. It is a sightseeing drive and not a quick transfer. Bring water and a light layer for the car.08What is not included?
International flights, the Egypt entry visa, tips for guides and drivers, meals not listed in the itinerary, drinks, the extra tickets for premium tombs in the Valley of the Kings, travel insurance and personal spending.09Is this tour private?
Yes. Your Egyptologist and driver are private for you and your group on the sightseeing days, and the airport and hotel transfers are private too.
Last updated Product ID: TOU-CAI-202761
At a glance
- Length
- 10 days · 9 nights
- Starts
- Daily
- Route
- Cairo → Luxor → Aswan → Edfu → Kom Ombo → Abu Simbel → Cairo
- Nights
- 3 Cairo · 4 Luxor · 2 Aswan
- Includes
- Domestic flights, Egyptologist guide, entrance fees, transfers