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From per person$2,615
Tour Cairo

10 Days Classical Tour of Egypt

Ten days visiting the Giza Plateau, Saqqara, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Philae and Abu Simbel, with entrance fees and an Egyptologist guide included.

At a glance

Length
10 days · 9 nights
Departs
Daily

The short answer

10 Days Classical Tour of Egypt is a 10-day multi-day tour covering Cairo, Alexandria, Aswan, Abu Simbel, and Luxor in Egypt, operated by Discovery Tours Egypt.
  • New
Best for

Snapshot

Good to know

Duration
10 Days / 9 Nights
Travel style
Private Guided Multi-Day Tour
Accommodation
5-Star Hotels
Operated by
Discovery Tours Egypt
Destinations
Cairo · Giza Plateau · Saqqara · Alexandria · Aswan · Abu Simbel · Luxor · Karnak Temple · Valley of the Kings · Old Cairo
Includes
5 nights in Cairo · 1 night in Aswan · 3 nights in Luxor · Domestic flights Cairo to Aswan and Luxor to Cairo · First-class train Aswan to Luxor · Airport pickup in Cairo · Private air-conditioned transport · Egyptologist guide · Entrance fees to listed sites · All service charges and taxes · Included Nile dinner cruise on Day 1
Best for
First-time visitors · History enthusiasts · Couples · Families with older children · Travelers wanting a structured Egypt itinerary
Guide languages
English

Best time to go

The most comfortable time for this itinerary is usually October to April, when daytime temperatures in Cairo, Alexandria, and Luxor are cooler and more suitable for walking outdoors. May to September can be very hot in Upper Egypt, especially at Aswan, Abu Simbel, and Luxor, so early departures are important. During Ramadan and major public holidays, opening hours and crowd patterns can change, so timings may need adjustment.

  • Licensed Egyptian tour operator
  • Experienced Egyptologist guides throughout the itinerary
  • Private air-conditioned transport for touring days
  • Domestic flights and rail arranged as part of the package
  • Hotel nights included and coordinated as part of the booking
  • Entrance fees to the listed sites included unless noted otherwise
  • 24/7 on-the-ground support during the trip
  • Limited daily group sizes compared with mass coach programs

02 Overview

A first look

By 7 am the limestone on the Giza Plateau is still cool underfoot, and the silence holds the soft scrape of guidebooks and camera straps. Morning light falls across Khufu's faces, the Nile smells faintly of river reeds in Aswan, and Alexandria brings a salt wind off the Mediterranean—these are the first impressions that shape the days.

We keep daily groups small, we favour guided walking so there is time to study carvings and architecture, and we do not run large coach tours. Your Egyptologist meets you on day one and accompanies the itinerary, advising on pacing, dress for religious sites, and the best times to avoid the midday heat.

Background

The facts

This 10-day classical Egypt tour links Cairo, Alexandria, Aswan, Abu Simbel, and Luxor by domestic flights, private road transfers, and a first-class train segment between Aswan and Luxor. The itinerary covers major Pharaonic, Coptic, and Islamic monuments and uses hotel stays in Cairo, Aswan, and Luxor as the base for day-by-day sightseeing.

In Cairo, the tour visits the Giza Plateau, including the pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure, the Great Sphinx, and the Valley Temple. It also includes Saqqara’s Step Pyramid complex, the Grand Egyptian Museum, the Egyptian Museum, and Old Cairo landmarks such as the Hanging Church, Amr Ibn Al-Aas Mosque, Ben Ezra Synagogue, Al Muizz Street, and Khan El Khalili. Alexandria adds the Qaitbay Citadel, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Pompey’s Pillar, and the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa.

In Upper Egypt, the itinerary includes Aswan High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk, Philae Temple, and an excursion to Abu Simbel for the rock-cut temples of Ramses II and Nefertari. In Luxor, the tour covers Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, and the Colossi of Memnon. Site visits are typically arranged early in the day where practical, which helps reduce exposure to midday heat and improves viewing conditions at open-air monuments.

Named in this entry

Giza Plateau · Great Pyramid of Khufu · Khafre Pyramid · Menkaure Pyramid · Great Sphinx · Valley Temple · Saqqara Step Pyramid · Grand Egyptian Museum · Egyptian Museum · Qaitbay Citadel · Bibliotheca Alexandrina · Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa · Pompey’s Pillar · Aswan High Dam · Unfinished Obelisk · Philae Temple · Abu Simbel Temples · Temple of Ramses II · Temple of Nefertari · Karnak Temple · Luxor Temple · Valley of the Kings · Temple of Hatshepsut · Colossi of Memnon · Hanging Church · Ben Ezra Synagogue · Sultan Hassan Mosque · Ibn Tulun Mosque · Salah El-Din Citadel

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • This tour suits first-time visitors to Egypt who want a structured overview of the country’s major ancient, Coptic, and Islamic sites in one trip. It also fits history-focused travelers, couples, and families who are comfortable with early starts, full sightseeing days, and moderate walking at large archaeological sites.

What lingers

  • 01 Stand on the Giza Plateau to view Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure pyramids plus the Sphinx and the Valley Temple
  • 02 Explore Saqqara's Step Pyramid complex and see key monuments at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo
  • 03 Visit Alexandria's Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Qaitbay Citadel and the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa
  • 04 See Philae Temple and the Unfinished Obelisk in Aswan, then travel to Abu Simbel to visit Ramses II's temples
  • 05 Discover Luxor West Bank: Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple and the Colossi of Memnon
  • 06 Walk the vast precinct of Karnak Temple and visit Luxor Temple after dusk

Worth knowing

How this compares

Unlike a short Cairo-only package, this itinerary combines northern, central, and Upper Egypt in one route and adds both Pharaonic and historic city landmarks. Compared with large coach programs, it uses private air-conditioned transport, guided sightseeing, and a limited group size for more time at monuments. It also includes a first-class train transfer between Aswan and Luxor, which reduces backtracking and keeps the route efficient.

Day by day

Detailed itinerary

10 Days / 9 Nights · Cairo · Giza Plateau · Saqqara · Alexandria · Aswan · Abu Simbel

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Choose your comfort level

Prices are per person in USD, from 2 people sharing a double room, including accommodation. Prefer to arrange your own hotels? See the land-only option below.

Comfort

from $3,375 pp
Low season (May–Sep) from $3,375

Classic

from $3,625 pp
Low season (May–Sep) from $3,625

Prestige

from $4,545 pp
Low season (May–Sep) from $4,545

Luxury

from $8,090 pp
Low season (May–Sep) from $8,090
Land only — no accommodationfrom $2,615 pp
Low season (May–Sep) from $2,615

Tour, transfers and guiding only; you arrange your own hotels and the Nile cruise.

Indicative rates only – pricing and departure fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.

Bundled in

  • Domestic flight
  • Airport transfer
  • Private transfer
  • Group Egyptologist
  • All entry tickets
  • Abu Simbel extension
  • All meals

The fine print

What's included – and what isn't

Included

  • 5 nights' accommodation in a 5-star hotel in Cairo
  • 1 night's accommodation in a 5-star hotel in Aswan
  • 3 nights' accommodation in a 5-star hotel in Luxor
  • Domestic flight tickets, Cairo to Aswan and Luxor to Cairo
  • First-class train ticket from Aswan to Luxor
  • Airport pickup service at Cairo Airport
  • Private air-conditioned transport during the tour
  • Egyptologist guide throughout the tour
  • Entrance fees to the listed sites in the itinerary
  • All service charges and taxes

Not included

  • Tipping
  • Egypt entry visa
  • International airfare
  • Optional tours

Tailor it

Make it yours

The itinerary can be adjusted as a private tour with more flexible pacing at each site, or as a small-group format with limited numbers. Common modifications include adding extra nights in Cairo, Alexandria, or Luxor, upgrading meals, or including additional visits such as extra tombs, museums, or a longer Old Cairo program.

All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.

Accessibility

Who can join this

This 10-day tour involves extended walking on uneven surfaces, loose sand, and narrow stone steps at archaeological sites such as the Giza Plateau, Saqqara, the Valley of the Kings and Karnak Temple. Visitors should be able to climb short flights of stairs and walk up to 3 kilometres in a day on mixed terrain. Most vehicles have high step entrances and no wheelchair lifts. Wheelchair users can access some sites by vehicle or ramped routes, but many tombs and temples have stairs or low doorways that prevent full access. If you require a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, close-contact assistance, or reduced walking options, tell us before booking so we can advise which parts of the itinerary are feasible and arrange additional support where possible. Our staff meet you on arrival and can assist at airports and hotels, but site-level accessibility varies and cannot be guaranteed.

Before you go

What to pack & wear

What to bring

  • Valid passport and a photocopy
  • Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
  • Sun protection: SPF30+ sunscreen, wide-brim hat, sunglasses
  • Lightweight daypack for water and personal items
  • Reusable water bottle (empty for security checks)
  • Small medical kit and any personal medication
  • Power adapter type C or F and spare phone battery

What to wear

  • Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing for heat management
  • Covered shoulders and knees for mosques and some temples
  • A light fleece or thin jacket for early mornings and Sinai nights
  • Sturdy closed-toe shoes for uneven stone and sand
  • Comfortable trousers or long skirt for archaeological sites

Children & families

Minimum age for independent travellers on this itinerary is 6 years. Children under 12 receive a child rate when sharing a room with two adults; full adult price applies for single-parent or single-room occupancy. Infant seats are not provided in standard tour minibuses, and strollers are generally impractical at archaeological sites because of steps and uneven ground; a compact umbrella stroller may be usable at hotel areas. Please tell us ages and any special needs at booking so we can advise on pacing, room bedding, and whether additional transport with child restraints is advisable.

The morning of

Meeting point & timing

Where
Cairo International Airport (CAI) — Arrivals Hall Map

On the ground

Your route

1Cairo2Giza3Alexandria4Aswan5Luxor6Abu Simbel

Responsible travel

How we travel here

Transport on this itinerary uses air-conditioned minibuses for road transfers, domestic flights for Cairo to Aswan and Luxor to Cairo, and a first-class intercity train from Aswan to Luxor. We contract local coach companies and licensed drivers based in Cairo, Aswan and Luxor; vehicles are modern models typically under seven years old and maintained by local garages. Egyptologists and site guides are locally employed professionals; fees for guiding and site entry go directly to local suppliers and national site authorities. We encourage reduced single-use plastic by providing water refill stops and asking hotels to offer refillable bottles where possible. When visiting communities and market areas we follow a photography and buying etiquette that supports small vendors by encouraging direct payment and small-group timings to avoid peak congestion.

  • Licensed local Egyptologists

    ETAA-credentialed, on payroll

  • Fair wages on the ground

    Drivers + guides paid above market

  • Site preservation

    We follow MoTA visitor caps and no-touch protocols

  • Carbon-aware itineraries

    Domestic flights only when train/road is impractical

· In summary

This 10-day Egypt tour includes guided visits to Cairo, Alexandria, Aswan, Abu Simbel, and Luxor with an Egyptologist guide. It includes hotel accommodation, domestic flights, a first-class train from Aswan to Luxor, private air-conditioned transport, entrance fees to listed sites, and airport transfer in Cairo.

The itinerary covers the Giza Pyramids, Saqqara, the Grand Egyptian Museum, Alexandria’s main monuments, Philae Temple, Abu Simbel, Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, and key Old Cairo and Islamic Cairo landmarks.

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01 What is the duration of the Classical Tour of Egypt?
    This Classical Tour of Egypt is 10 days in duration, beginning and ending in Cairo. It includes nine nights of hotel accommodation across Cairo, Aswan, and Luxor, along with domestic flights and a first-class train journey.
  2. 02 What is included in the tour price?
    The tour price includes five-star hotel accommodation, domestic flights between Cairo, Aswan, and Luxor, a first-class train ticket from Aswan to Luxor, private air-conditioned transport, an Egyptologist guide, and entrance fees to all listed sites. Airport pickup in Cairo and all service charges are also covered.
  3. 03 What is not included in the tour price?
    The tour price does not include gratuities for your guide and drivers, your Egypt entry visa, international airfare to and from Egypt, or any optional tours you might choose to add. Personal expenses and drinks are also excluded.
  4. 04 What are the physical demands and accessibility considerations for this tour?
    This tour involves moderate walking on uneven ancient stone surfaces at archaeological sites and some stairs, particularly in tombs and temples. While generally accessible, some sites may present challenges for those with limited mobility. Our team can advise on specific site conditions.
  5. 05 Is this tour suitable for families with children?
    Yes, this tour is suitable for families with children, offering a comprehensive overview of Egypt's history. The pace includes early starts and full days of sightseeing, which may be more suitable for older children or those accustomed to travel. We can discuss specific family needs.
  6. 06 What should I wear and bring for this tour?
    We recommend light, comfortable clothing suitable for warm weather, sturdy walking shoes, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and high-factor sunscreen. Modest dress, covering shoulders and knees, is advised for religious sites such as mosques and churches.
  7. 07 What is the photography policy at the sites visited?
    Photography is generally permitted at most outdoor sites, though some museums and tomb interiors may prohibit flash photography or require a separate photography ticket. Your Egyptologist guide will provide specific guidance at each location to ensure compliance with local rules.
  8. 08 What is the best time of year to take this tour?
    The best time to take this tour is during Egypt's cooler months, from October to April, when temperatures are more comfortable for sightseeing. Summers, from May to September, can be very hot, especially in Upper Egypt, requiring earlier starts to avoid midday heat.
  9. 09 How are transfers and logistics handled during the tour?
    All transfers, including airport pickups, inter-city travel by domestic flight and first-class train, and daily sightseeing transport, are handled by private, air-conditioned vehicles. Our drivers and team coordinate all logistics, ensuring a seamless experience between destinations and sites.
  10. 10 What is the difference between the Egyptian Museum and the Grand Egyptian Museum on the itinerary?
    The itinerary includes visits to both the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square and the new Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) near the Giza Pyramids. The GEM is now the primary repository for many major artefacts, including the full Tutankhamun collection, while the Tahrir museum still houses significant collections.

If plans change

Cancellation

More than 30 days
Full refund less a £50 admin fee
15–30 days
50% refund
Within 14 days
No refund – date changes considered case by case

Last updated 4 July 2026 Product ID: TOU-CAI-336003

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