11-Day Cairo, Luxor, Aswan & Abu Simbel Land Tour
The Giza Pyramids, Karnak and the Valley of the Kings, Philae and a flight to Abu Simbel. Hotels, three domestic flights, guides and entrance fees are included.
The short answer
11-Day Cairo, Luxor, Aswan & Abu Simbel Land Tour is an 11-day, 10-night trip to Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel: 4 nights in Cairo, 3 in Luxor and 3 in Aswan. It includes domestic flights, an Egyptologist guide, entrance fees and transfers. Prices start at $2,831 per person, two sharing (Essential, October–April).
02Overview
A first look
This is Egypt's classic route done by hotel and private vehicle, with no cruise. You start in Cairo with a day at the Giza Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum, then Saqqara and Memphis. On day 4 you walk Islamic Cairo in the morning and fly to Luxor for Karnak.
You stay in Luxor for three nights, with the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's temple and Dendera, and then travel south to Aswan by road, stopping at Edfu and Kom Ombo. Aswan has the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk and Philae, and a day flying to Abu Simbel. A last flight takes you back to Cairo for a final night before you leave. You choose the standard of hotel when you book, and the sightseeing stays the same.
What lingers
- 01Giza Pyramids, the Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum, then Saqqara and Memphis
- 02Islamic Cairo on foot, then a flight to Luxor and Karnak the same day
- 03Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's temple, the Colossi of Memnon and Dendera
- 04A road journey from Luxor to Aswan with stops at Edfu and Kom Ombo
- 05High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk and Philae Temple in Aswan
- 06Abu Simbel in a day, with a short flight each way
- 07A final night in Cairo after the last domestic flight
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 $2,8313★ hotels | Luxor · 3 nightsEl Mesala Hotel Luxor Aswan · 3 nightsHapi Hotel Aswan | $2,831May–Sep: from $2,703 | |
| Comfortfrom $3,1344★ hotels | Cairo · 4 nightsJewel Sport City Luxor · 3 nightsIberotel Luxor by JAZ | $3,134May–Sep: from $2,987 | |
| Classicfrom $3,3085★ hotels | $3,308May–Sep: from $3,075 | ||
| Prestigefrom $3,7355★ deluxe hotels | Luxor · 3 nightsSteigenberger Nile Palace Luxor Aswan · 3 nightsTolip Aswan | $3,735May–Sep: from $3,611 | |
| Luxuryfrom $5,0395★ luxury hotels | Cairo · 4 nightsSt. Regis Cairo Luxor · 3 nightsHilton Luxor Resort & Spa Aswan · 3 nightsThe Zen Wellness Resort Aswan | $5,039May–Sep: from $4,892 |
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
- Private
Day by day
Detailed itinerary
11 Days / 10 Nights · Cairo · Giza Plateau · Grand Egyptian Museum · Saqqara · Luxor · Karnak Temple
- 1
A private representative meets you in the arrivals hall at Cairo Airport and drives you to your hotel. Nothing else is planned for today, so you can rest after your flight and get your bearings. Your Egyptologist takes over tomorrow morning.
- 2
Today you meet your private Egyptologist for the Giza Plateau, with the three pyramids and the Great Sphinx (the Giza visit takes four to six hours). You have lunch with a view of the plateau and then visit the Grand Egyptian Museum. The guide, the entrance fees and the transport are included.
- 3
- 4
The morning is a guided walk of three to four hours along Al-Muizz Street and through the Khan el-Khalili bazaar. You are then taken to Cairo Airport for the flight to Luxor, and in Luxor you visit Karnak and Luxor Temple with an Egyptologist. The timing is arranged around the flight, and it is a full day. The guide, the entrance fees and the transport are included.
- 5
A morning and early afternoon of about six hours on the west bank of the Nile. You visit the Valley of the Kings, with entry to three tombs, the terraced Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari and the Colossi of Memnon. Your Egyptologist guide, the entrance fees and the transport are included.
- 6
A day trip of about six hours from Luxor to Dendera, the temple of the goddess Hathor, with its carved columns and painted ceilings. Lunch is at a local restaurant. Your private Egyptologist guide, the entrance fee and the vehicle are included. The afternoon is free.
- 7
You leave Luxor by air-conditioned vehicle and travel south to Aswan, where you stay for three nights. On the way you stop at the Temple of Horus at Edfu, one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt, and at Kom Ombo, the double temple of the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Horus. Your Egyptologist guides you, and the entrance fees and the transport are included.
- 8
With a local Egyptologist you visit the Aswan High Dam, then the Unfinished Obelisk in the northern quarries, where an obelisk still lies in the rock. After that a short motorboat ride takes you to Agilkia Island and the Temple of Isis at Philae. The guide, the entrance fees and the transport are included.
- 9
A full day trip with a short flight each way. After a private transfer to Aswan Airport you fly to Abu Simbel, where your Egyptologist takes you through the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the smaller temple of Hathor and Queen Nefertari. Then you fly back to Aswan. The return flights, the entrance fees and the guide are included.
- 10
After breakfast you are taken to Aswan Airport for the flight to Cairo, and a driver drives you to your hotel. No sightseeing is planned, so the rest of the day is yours. Your last night is in Cairo on purpose: it leaves a safety margin if a domestic flight runs late.
- 11
After breakfast your private driver takes you to Cairo Airport for your flight home, and a representative can help you at the terminal. Your last domestic flight was on day 10, so nothing today depends on one.
Bundled in
- Domestic flights
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Ten hotel nights with breakfast in Cairo, Luxor and Aswan
- Domestic flights Cairo to Luxor, Aswan to Abu Simbel and back, and Aswan to Cairo
- All airport, hotel and intercity transfers by air-conditioned vehicle, including Luxor to Aswan by road
- Entrance fees to every site in the itinerary, including three tombs in the Valley of the Kings
- Lunch on the Giza, West Bank, Dendera, Luxor to Aswan, Aswan and Abu Simbel days
- Licensed Egyptologist guide on all sightseeing days
- Airport handling and domestic flight taxes for the Abu Simbel day
- Meet-and-assist at the airport
Not included
- International flights to and from Egypt
- Egypt entry visa
- Gratuities for guides and drivers
- Meals and drinks other than those stated
- Khufu pyramid interior and premium tombs such as Tutankhamun and Seti I
- Travel insurance and personal expenses
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
At the Grand Egyptian Museum, ask your guide to start at the Grand Staircase while it is quiet, then work down through the galleries.
- 02
At Saqqara, stand at the foot of the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the oldest large stone building, and give it a slow look.
- 03
At Dendera, look straight up in the main hall: the painted ceiling carvings are the highlight, so steady your camera for the dim light.
- 04
Carry your passport and a brimmed hat on the Abu Simbel flight day, because the temple forecourt has little shade.
Tailor it
Make it yours
Choose your hotel standard when you book. Ask us about adding a Nile cruise, extra nights in Luxor or Cairo, or a hot-air balloon flight in Luxor.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- First-time visitors who want the classic route of Egypt on land. Suited to couples, friends and solo travelers who are comfortable with three flights and several hours of walking on sightseeing days.
Maybe not, if
- Travelers who need step-free access to every site, or who prefer a slow pace. Day 4 is long.
Honest assessment
Real trade-offs from our experience managing this tour.
Highlights
- Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel in eleven days
- Abu Simbel by air, so no long road trip
- Hotels throughout, so no ship schedule
Things to Consider
- Day 4 is full: a walking tour, a flight and Karnak
- Uneven stone, steps and little shade at the major sites
- No Nile cruise on this itinerary
Where it fits
A good fit for a first trip to Egypt if you prefer hotels to a ship and want Abu Simbel without the long road journey.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Many operators put Luxor and Aswan on a Nile cruise. This itinerary does the same route by hotel and private road transfer, and flies to Abu Simbel instead of driving. 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 Multi-Day Land Tour, No Cruise
- Accommodation
- Hotels in Cairo, Luxor and Aswan, standard chosen at booking
- Destinations
- Cairo · Giza Plateau · Grand Egyptian Museum · Saqqara · Luxor · Karnak Temple · Valley of the Kings · Dendera Temple · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan · Abu Simbel
- Includes
- 10 hotel nights with breakfast · 3 domestic flights, including Abu Simbel by air · Entrance fees to every listed site · Licensed Egyptologist on sightseeing days · Luxor to Aswan by private road transfer · All transfers by air-conditioned vehicle
- Best for
- First-time visitors · Travelers who want hotels rather than a cruise · Travelers who prefer to fly to Abu Simbel
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
- Light layer for flights and evenings
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable clothing for sun and heat
- Closed shoes for temples and uneven ground
- Clothing that covers shoulders and knees at mosques and temples
- A hat and sunglasses
- A light jacket for winter evenings
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 and flight 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.
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 and the West Bank have long outdoor stretches with little shade, and day 4 includes a walking tour of Islamic Cairo. Abu Simbel is reached by a small domestic flight. 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 tour uses three domestic flights, including the short hop to Abu Simbel, and private road transfers, and vehicle types vary, so we do not claim a carbon saving. Sightseeing is guided by local Egyptologists and arranged through local suppliers in Cairo, Luxor and Aswan, so much of what you spend stays in the places you visit. We ask guests to bring a refillable water bottle and not to touch painted walls in tombs.
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
01Which domestic flights are included?
Three: Cairo to Luxor on day 4, the return flight from Aswan to Abu Simbel on day 9, and Aswan to Cairo on day 10. All are booked for you and included in the price. International flights are not.02Is there a Nile cruise on this tour?
No. It is a land tour with hotels in Cairo, Luxor and Aswan. You go from Luxor to Aswan by road, with Edfu and Kom Ombo on the way. Ask us if you would like a ship added.03How do we get to Abu Simbel?
By air. On day 9 you fly from Aswan to Abu Simbel and back, with private transfers, a guide and the entrance fees included, so you avoid the long road trip.04Is day 4 too much?
It is a full day: a guided walk of three to four hours in Islamic Cairo, a flight to Luxor, then Karnak and Luxor Temple. The timing is arranged around the flight. If you would like a gentler first Luxor day, tell us and we will talk it through.05Which hotels will we have?
You choose a standard when you book, from budget to luxury, and we confirm the hotels for your dates. The itinerary and sightseeing are identical at every standard.06Will I make my international flight?
Domestic and international tickets are separate bookings, so a delayed domestic flight can cost you the connection. That is why this tour ends with a night in Cairo after the last internal flight on day 10. If you add flights of your own and must connect the same day, choose a late-evening or night international flight, and take travel insurance that covers missed connections.07What is not included?
International flights, the Egypt visa, tips for guides and drivers, drinks and meals other than those stated, the inside of the Khufu pyramid and premium tombs such as Tutankhamun's.08When is the best time to go?
October to April is cooler and the most comfortable for walking around the sites. Summers are very hot, especially in Luxor and Aswan, so days start early.
Last updated Product ID: TOU-CAI-613873
At a glance
- Length
- 11 days · 10 nights
- Starts
- Daily
- Route
- Cairo → Luxor → Aswan → Abu Simbel → Cairo
- Nights
- 4 Cairo · 3 Luxor · 3 Aswan
- Includes
- Domestic flights, Egyptologist guide, entrance fees, transfers