12-Day Cairo, Nile Cruise, Abu Simbel & Hurghada Tour
The pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum, three nights on the Nile from Aswan to Luxor with Abu Simbel, and five nights on the Red Sea. Flights, hotels, transfers and your cruise cabin are included.
The short answer
12-Day Cairo, Nile Cruise, Abu Simbel & Hurghada Tour is a 12-day, 11-night trip to Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel and Hurghada: 3 nights in Cairo, 3 on a Nile cruise and 5 in Hurghada. Starts on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Saturdays. It includes domestic flights, an Egyptologist guide, entrance fees and transfers. Prices start at $3,021 per person, two sharing (Comfort, October–April).
02Overview
A first look
This tour does the big sights first and keeps the second half easy. You start in Cairo with a Nile dinner cruise, then spend a full day at the Giza Pyramids, the Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum. A flight takes you to Aswan, where you board your Nile cruise ship for three nights. You see Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor Temple, Karnak and the West Bank, and make an early-morning road trip to Abu Simbel.
From Luxor you drive to Hurghada on the Red Sea for five nights. There is an island snorkeling day, a quad bike safari with a Bedouin dinner and two free days. A flight returns you to Cairo for a final afternoon of Islamic Cairo and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. You choose your hotel and ship standard when you book, and the sightseeing stays the same.
What lingers
- 01A Nile dinner cruise with a live show on your first evening in Cairo
- 02Giza Pyramids, the Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum in one guided day
- 03Three nights on a Nile cruise ship from Aswan to Luxor, full board
- 04An early-morning road trip from your ship to the temples of Abu Simbel
- 05Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Karnak, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings
- 06Orange Bay snorkeling, a quad bike safari with a Bedouin dinner and two free days in Hurghada
- 07The Citadel, Khan el-Khalili and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization on your last day in Cairo
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comfortfrom $3,0214★ hotels · 5★ Nile cruises | Cairo · 3 nightsJewel Sport City Nile Cruise · 3 nightsRoyal Elite · Emilio Hurghada · 5 nightsSwiss Inn Resort Hurghada | $3,021May–Sep: from $2,947 | |
| Classicfrom $3,2055★ hotels · 5★ Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 3 nightsRoyal Liberty · Stephanie Hurghada · 5 nightsAMC Royal Hotel & Spa | $3,205May–Sep: from $2,947 | |
| Prestigefrom $4,0195★ deluxe hotels · 5★ deluxe Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 3 nightsNile Serenity Hurghada · 5 nightsHilton Hurghada Plaza | $4,019May–Sep: from $4,091 | |
| Luxuryfrom $5,5805★ luxury hotels · 5★ luxury Nile cruises | Cairo · 3 nightsSt. Regis Cairo Nile Cruise · 3 nightsSonesta Star Goddess · Esmeralda | $5,580May–Sep: from $5,096 |
Nile cruise on full board. 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.
Day by day
Detailed itinerary
12 Days / 11 Nights · Cairo · Aswan · Abu Simbel · Kom Ombo · Edfu · Luxor
- 1
Your driver meets you in the arrivals hall at Cairo Airport, with meet-and-assist, and takes you to your hotel. In the evening you are collected for a Nile dinner cruise: about two hours on the river with a buffet dinner, a live show and a seat for the performance. A private transfer returns you to your hotel.
- 2
A full day with your private Egyptologist, starting with an early pickup. You spend the first part on the Giza Plateau with the pyramids and the Great Sphinx; the Giza visit takes 4 to 6 hours. After lunch you visit the Grand Egyptian Museum. The guide, the entrance fees, the air-conditioned vehicle and lunch are all included.
- 3
A private transfer takes you to Cairo Airport for the flight to Aswan, about an hour. Flight times are set by the airline schedule, so we arrange the rest of the day around yours. A driver meets you in Aswan and your cruise sightseeing begins with Philae Temple, the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk. Your English-speaking Egyptologist guide, the entrance fees and the transport are included.
You join your Nile cruise ship, settle into your cabin and have dinner on board.
- 4
The ship is moored in Aswan, and you set off early by road for Abu Simbel, the two rock temples of Ramesses II. Your English-speaking Egyptologist guide, the entrance fees and the transport are included. You are back on board for lunch, and then the ship sails north.
On the way you go ashore at the Temple of Kom Ombo, which stands right on the riverbank, and at the Temple of Edfu, one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt, with the guide, tickets and transport again included. Dinner and your second night are on board.
- 5
The ship reaches Luxor. Your Egyptologist guide takes you to Luxor Temple and to Karnak, the largest temple complex in Egypt, including its Sacred Lake. Entrance fees and transport are included. Your third and last night is on board.
- 6
After breakfast you leave the ship for the West Bank with your Egyptologist guide: the Valley of the Kings, with three tombs included, Hatshepsut's mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahari and the Colossi of Memnon. Entrance fees and transport are included. A private, air-conditioned transfer then takes you to Hurghada on the Red Sea, about five hours by road.
- 7
You are collected from your hotel and cross by motorboat from Hurghada to Orange Bay on Giftun Island. There are two guided snorkeling sessions, with snorkel equipment and life jackets provided. You can use a sunbed on the beach. A hot lunch and bottled water are included, and the boat brings you back.
- 8
A five-hour desert safari from your hotel. You ride a quad bike, one per rider, or share one if you prefer, with a safari guide and a helmet. At the camp there is a short camel ride, a barbecue dinner with soft drinks, tea and water, and a folklore show. You return to your hotel afterwards.
- 9
Today is free. No sightseeing is planned, so you can sleep late, swim and rest by the Red Sea. Breakfast is at your hotel. If you want to add something, tell us before you travel and we will say what is possible.
- 10
Another free day on the Red Sea, with nothing to book. Spend it at the hotel pool or on the beach, or take a slow walk. Breakfast is at your hotel. This is your last night in Hurghada, ahead of tomorrow's flight to Cairo.
- 11
You transfer to Hurghada Airport for the one-hour flight to Cairo, with 23 kg of luggage allowed. The airline sets the flight time, so the afternoon is arranged around it, and a driver takes you to your hotel. Expect a full afternoon with a licensed Egyptologist, entrance fees and transport included.
One visit is the Citadel of Saladin, the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, Islamic Cairo and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar. The other is the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, including the Royal Mummies Hall. This last night in Cairo is deliberate: it is a safety window in case a domestic flight is delayed, so you reach your flight home without stress.
- 12
The tour wraps up after breakfast. Once you've checked out, your private driver loads the luggage and takes you to Cairo Airport for the flight home. Plan on about two hours for the pickup window, and share your departure time with us in advance so the car is there when you need it.
Bundled in
- Domestic flights
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Two nights in a Cairo hotel, three nights on a Nile cruise ship, five nights in a Hurghada hotel and one more night in a Cairo hotel
- Breakfast at the hotels, full board on the ship and the lunches listed in the itinerary
- Domestic flights Cairo to Aswan and Hurghada to Cairo
- Private transfer from Luxor to Hurghada, and all airport and hotel transfers
- Nile dinner cruise with a live show in Cairo
- Nile cruise sightseeing package: Philae, the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor Temple, Karnak and the West Bank
- Early-morning Abu Simbel trip by road from the moored ship, with guide and entrance fees
- Orange Bay Island snorkeling day, with equipment, sunbed, lunch and water
- Quad bike desert safari with a Bedouin dinner
- English-speaking Egyptologist guide on every sightseeing day, with entrance fees and transport, including the Nile cruise sightseeing package and Abu Simbel
- Meet-and-assist at Cairo Airport
Not included
- International flights to and from Egypt
- Egypt entry visa
- Gratuities for guides, drivers and ship staff
- Drinks on board and meals other than those stated
- Optional extras on the free days
- Travel insurance and personal expenses
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Arrive at Giza before 8:00 AM to avoid the strongest sun and the largest coach arrivals.
- 02
Abu Simbel works best at first light, when the temple facade faces softer side lighting.
- 03
The Valley of the Kings has steep entry paths and uneven steps, so wear grippy shoes.
- 04
Khan El Khalili is calmer on weekday mornings before lunch crowds and guided groups.
- 05
Carry small cash for drinks, restrooms, and optional extras in Hurghada and Upper Egypt.
Tailor it
Make it yours
Choose your hotel and ship standard when you book. Ask us about changing the number of nights in Hurghada or adding extra time in Luxor or Cairo.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- Travelers who want a compact first trip to Egypt with a rest at the end: Cairo, a Nile cruise, Abu Simbel and the Red Sea. Suited to couples, friends and solo travelers who are comfortable with flights, road days and several hours of walking.
Maybe not, if
- Travelers who need step-free access to every site, or who want a slow pace from the start. Days 2, 4 and 6 are the longest.
Honest assessment
Real trade-offs from our experience managing this tour.
Highlights
- Pyramids, Grand Egyptian Museum, Abu Simbel and the main Nile temples in one trip
- Five nights on the Red Sea, with two free days
- Domestic flights, transfers and the cruise sightseeing package arranged for you
Things to Consider
- A full first sightseeing day and an early start for Abu Simbel
- A five-hour road transfer from Luxor to Hurghada on day 6
- A busy day 11 with a flight and two Cairo visits
Where it fits
A good fit for a first trip to Egypt that ends with beach days. Abu Simbel is included, and two Hurghada days are free.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Many operators sell the Nile and the Red Sea as separate trips. This itinerary joins Cairo, the Nile, Abu Simbel and Hurghada in 12 days, with both flights and every transfer booked for you. Hotel and ship 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 Tour with Nile Cruise and Red Sea Stay
- Accommodation
- Cairo and Hurghada hotels and a Nile cruise ship, standard chosen at booking
- Destinations
- Cairo · Aswan · Abu Simbel · Kom Ombo · Edfu · Luxor · Hurghada
- Includes
- 3 nights in Cairo hotels and 5 nights in Hurghada, with breakfast · 3 nights on a Nile cruise ship, full board · Flights Cairo to Aswan and Hurghada to Cairo · Abu Simbel by road, Orange Bay snorkeling and a quad bike safari · Egyptologist guide on every sightseeing day · All transfers by air-conditioned vehicle
- Best for
- First-time visitors · Travelers who want sightseeing followed by beach days · Travelers who want Abu Simbel and a Nile cruise
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
- Swimsuit, towel and a snorkeling mask if you have your own
- Sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Refillable water bottle
- Any personal medication
- Scarf or bandana for the desert safari
- Small day bag
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable clothing for sun and heat
- Closed shoes for temples, tombs and uneven ground
- Clothing that covers shoulders and knees at mosques and temples
- Beachwear for the Red Sea days
- Old clothes you do not mind getting dusty for the quad bikes
- A light jacket for evenings on the river 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. Cabin and hotel prices depend on the child's age and the room or cabin used, so we give you the exact figure when you tell us the age at booking. The quad bike safari is run by a specialist operator with its own rules, so ask us about your children before you book.
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. Giza, Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and Abu Simbel have long outdoor stretches with little shade. Boarding the ship, the boat to Philae and the boat to Orange Bay involve steps and a gangway, and the quad bike safari is on rough desert ground. 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, a Nile cruise ship, a boat to Giftun Island, quad bikes and long 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, Aswan, Luxor and Hurghada, so most of the money you spend stays in the places you visit. We ask guests to bring refillable water bottles, to stay on marked routes in the desert and to leave coral and shells where they are.
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 Aswan on day 3 and from Hurghada to Cairo on day 11 are booked for you and included in the price. The airline sets the flight times. International flights are not. The trip from Luxor to Hurghada on day 6 is a private road transfer of about five hours.02How many nights are on the Nile cruise?
Three nights on board, from Aswan to Luxor, on full board: breakfast, lunch and dinner each day. The other nights are in hotels with breakfast: two in Cairo, five in Hurghada and one more in Cairo.03Which hotels and cruise ship will we have?
You choose a standard when you book, from budget to luxury, and we name the hotels and the ship for your dates. The itinerary and sightseeing are the same at every standard.04Is Abu Simbel included?
Yes. On day 4 you leave the moored ship early in the morning for Abu Simbel by road, with an English-speaking Egyptologist guide, entrance fees and transport included. You are back on board for lunch, and then the ship sails north.05How long is day 2 in Cairo?
It is a full day with an early pickup. You visit the Giza Plateau and the Sphinx (allow 4 to 6 hours for the Giza visit), have lunch, then see the Grand Egyptian Museum. Wear comfortable shoes and take water.06What is not included?
International flights, the Egypt visa, tips for guides, drivers and ship staff, drinks and meals other than those stated, travel insurance and personal expenses.07Is the sightseeing private?
Every sightseeing day has an English-speaking Egyptologist guide and an air-conditioned vehicle, private in Cairo. On the ship you are with the other guests on board. The snorkeling day uses a boat shared with other guests.08How much free time is there?
Days 9 and 10 in Hurghada are completely free, and the other Hurghada days are half-day activities. Ask us if you would like to change the pace.09When is the best time to go?
October to April is cooler and the most comfortable for sightseeing. Summers are very hot in Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel, so days start early. The Red Sea is warm for swimming for most of the year.10Will I make my international flight?
Plan it carefully. 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 last night in Cairo, which we prefer. If you fly into Cairo and connect the same day, choose a late-evening or night international flight. Travel insurance that covers missed connections is a good idea.
Last updated Product ID: TOU-CAI-284847
At a glance
- Length
- 12 days · 11 nights
- Starts
- Mon, Tue, Wed or Sat
- Route
- Cairo → Aswan → Abu Simbel → Kom Ombo → Edfu → Luxor → Hurghada → Cairo
- Nights
- 3 Cairo · 3 Nile cruise · 5 Hurghada
- Includes
- Domestic flights, Egyptologist guide, entrance fees, transfers