12-Day Egypt Tour: Cairo, Aswan, Luxor & Fayoum
Giza, Aswan, Abu Simbel and Luxor, then Saqqara, the Fayoum oasis and Islamic Cairo. Hotels, two domestic flights, guides and entrance fees are included.
The short answer
12-Day Egypt Tour: Cairo, Aswan, Luxor & Fayoum is a 12-day, 11-night trip to Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel: 6 nights in Cairo, 2 in Aswan and 3 in Luxor. It includes domestic flights, an Egyptologist guide, entrance fees and transfers. Prices start at $2,984 per person, two sharing (Essential, October–April).
02Overview
A first look
This is a land tour, with hotels all the way and no cruise. You arrive in Cairo and see the Giza Pyramids lit up at the evening Sound & Light show. The next day is a full day at the Pyramids, the Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum. A flight takes you south to Aswan for Philae Temple, and a day trip by road takes you to Abu Simbel.
From Aswan you travel to Luxor by road, stopping at Kom Ombo and Edfu, and stay three nights for the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens, Dendera, Abydos, Karnak and Luxor Temple. A second flight brings you back to Cairo for four nights. There you take a day trip to the Fayoum oasis, explore Saqqara, Memphis and Dahshur, and finish in Islamic and Coptic Cairo. You choose the standard of hotel when you book, and the sightseeing stays the same.
What lingers
- 01The Giza Pyramids lit up at the Sound & Light show on your first evening
- 02Giza Pyramids, the Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum in one guided day
- 03Philae Temple, the High Dam and a full day by road to Abu Simbel
- 04Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, Hatshepsut's temple and the Colossi of Memnon
- 05Dendera and Abydos temples, then Karnak and Luxor Temple
- 06A day in the Fayoum oasis: Lake Qarun, Tunis village pottery workshops and the Wadi El Rayan waterfalls
- 07Saqqara, Memphis and Dahshur, then the Citadel and the Hanging Church in Islamic and Coptic 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essentialfrom $2,9843★ hotels | Aswan · 2 nightsHapi Hotel Aswan Luxor · 3 nightsEl Mesala Hotel Luxor | $2,984May–Sep: from $2,820 | |
| Comfortfrom $3,2704★ hotels | Cairo · 6 nightsJewel Sport City Luxor · 3 nightsIberotel Luxor by JAZ | $3,270May–Sep: from $3,134 | |
| Classicfrom $3,4765★ hotels | $3,476May–Sep: from $3,235 | ||
| Prestigefrom $3,9335★ deluxe hotels | Aswan · 2 nightsTolip Aswan Luxor · 3 nightsSteigenberger Nile Palace Luxor | $3,933May–Sep: from $3,894 | |
| Luxuryfrom $5,7265★ luxury hotels | Cairo · 6 nightsSt. Regis Cairo Aswan · 2 nightsThe Zen Wellness Resort Aswan Luxor · 3 nightsHilton Luxor Resort & Spa | $5,726May–Sep: from $5,539 |
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.
Day by day
Detailed itinerary
12 Days / 11 Nights · Cairo · Aswan · Abu Simbel · Luxor · Dendera · Abydos
- 1
Your driver meets you in the arrivals hall at Cairo Airport and takes you to your hotel. Rest after your flight. In the evening you go to Giza for the Pyramids Sound & Light show, where the Sphinx and the three great pyramids are lit and the story of Giza is told in sound. Dinner is not included, so eat before or after the show.
- 2
A full day with your Egyptologist, with hotel pickup and drop-off. Allow 4 to 6 hours at Giza for the pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure and the Great Sphinx. Lunch is at a restaurant with a view. In the afternoon you go to the Grand Egyptian Museum for the Tutankhamun collection and the great statues of the Old and New Kingdoms. Guide, entrance fees and transport are included.
- 3
Transfer to Cairo Airport for the flight to Aswan, where a driver takes you to the river. Flight times are set by the airline, and the sightseeing is arranged around them. Your Egyptologist shows you the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk and Philae Temple, the temple of Isis, which you reach by motor boat. Guide, entrance fees and transport are included.
- 4
A full day trip by road from Aswan to Abu Simbel, where Ramesses II cut two great temples into the cliff. You see the Great Temple and the smaller Temple of Hathor. It is a long day with a lot of time in the vehicle, so go to bed early on day 3. Guide, entrance fees and transport are included. You return to your Aswan hotel for a second night.
- 5
You leave Aswan by road for Luxor, with stops along the way at Kom Ombo, the double temple of the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Horus, and at the Temple of Horus at Edfu, one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt. You reach Luxor in time to check in to your hotel for three nights. Guide, entrance fees and transport are included.
- 6
A day on the West Bank with your Egyptologist. You visit the Valley of the Kings, with three tombs included, Hatshepsut's mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahari and the Colossi of Memnon. You add the Valley of the Queens, where the wives and children of the pharaohs were buried. Guide, entrance fees and transport are included.
- 7
A day trip north of Luxor with hotel pickup and drop-off. You visit the Temple of Hathor at Dendera, known for its painted ceilings, and the Temple of Seti I at Abydos, with its fine carved reliefs. Lunch is at a local restaurant. Your Egyptologist guides both visits, and entrance fees, water and transport are included.
- 8
Your Egyptologist takes you to Karnak, the largest temple complex in Egypt, and to Luxor Temple, with hotel pickup. A transfer then takes you to Luxor Airport for the flight to Cairo, and a driver takes you to your hotel. Flight times are set by the airline, and the sightseeing is arranged around them. Guide, entrance fees and transport are included. This begins four nights in Cairo.
- 9
A private day trip of about 10 hours from your Cairo hotel with a private English-speaking guide, driver and air-conditioned vehicle. You see Lake Qarun, visit the pottery workshops in Tunis village and go on to the lakes and waterfalls of Wadi El Rayan. Lunch is at a local restaurant. It is a full day with long drives, so it suits those who enjoy the countryside.
- 10
- 11
A day in old Cairo with your Egyptologist. In Islamic Cairo you visit the Citadel and the Muhammad Ali Mosque, and the Sultan Hassan Mosque. In Coptic Cairo you see the Hanging Church. Cover shoulders and knees in the mosques. Guide, entrance fees and transport are included. This is your last night in Egypt.
- 12
After breakfast you check out and a private driver takes you to Cairo Airport for your flight home. Allow about 90 minutes for the drive and leave time for check-in. Both domestic flights are behind you by day 8, so the way to your international flight is short and simple.
Bundled in
- Domestic flights
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Eleven hotel nights: two in Cairo, two in Aswan, three in Luxor and four in Cairo, with breakfast
- Domestic flights Cairo to Aswan and Luxor to Cairo
- All airport and hotel transfers by air-conditioned vehicle
- Pyramids Sound & Light show at Giza
- Licensed Egyptologist guide on the temple and museum days, and a private English-speaking guide in the Fayoum
- Entrance fees to the sites on the sightseeing days, including Abu Simbel and three tombs in the Valley of the Kings
- Lunch on days 2, 7 and 9
- Meet-and-assist at the airport
- All service charges and taxes
Not included
- International flights to and from Egypt
- Egypt entry visa
- Gratuities for guides and drivers
- Dinners, drinks and meals 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
Abu Simbel is best in the early morning, before the coach groups arrive from Aswan.
- 02
At Karnak, photograph the hypostyle hall when side light reaches the columns.
- 03
Saqqara is quieter late afternoon, when day tours start returning to Cairo.
- 04
For desert camping, bring a light fleece, even after a hot day in Cairo.
- 05
Alexandria's Kom El Shoqafa is easier on the knees than some tomb sites, but stairs are steep.
Tailor it
Make it yours
Choose your hotel standard when you book. Ask us about extra nights in Luxor or Cairo, a hot-air balloon flight in Luxor, or a cruise for part of the route.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- First-time visitors who want a full Egypt tour built on hotels: Cairo, Aswan, Luxor and Abu Simbel, plus Saqqara and the Fayoum. Suited to couples, friends and solo travelers who are comfortable with two flights 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 pace in one place. Days 4 and 9 are long.
Honest assessment
Real trade-offs from our experience managing this tour.
Highlights
- Pyramids, Grand Egyptian Museum, Aswan, Abu Simbel and Luxor in twelve days
- Both domestic flights and all transfers handled for you
- Four nights in Cairo at the end, with Saqqara, Fayoum and Islamic Cairo
Things to Consider
- Full days on day 4 (Abu Simbel by road) and day 9 (Fayoum)
- Uneven stone, steps and little shade at the major sites
- No Nile cruise: all nights are in hotels
Where it fits
A good fit for a first trip to Egypt where you want to see the main sites at an unhurried pace and finish with a few days around Cairo. Choose a cruise tour instead if you want to sleep on the Nile.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Many 12-day Egypt tours include a Nile cruise. This one keeps you in hotels, which gives you Abu Simbel by road, a full West Bank day with the Valley of the Queens, and a Fayoum day trip that few tours offer. 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 by Hotel, Flight and Road
- Accommodation
- Hotels in Cairo, Aswan and Luxor, standard chosen at booking
- Destinations
- Cairo · Aswan · Abu Simbel · Luxor · Dendera · Abydos · Alexandria · Bahariya Oasis · Black Desert · White Desert · Ain Sokhna
- Includes
- 11 hotel nights with breakfast · Flights Cairo to Aswan and Luxor to Cairo · Pyramids Sound & Light show at Giza · Entrance fees on the sightseeing days · Licensed Egyptologist on temple and museum days · All transfers by air-conditioned vehicle
- Best for
- First-time visitors · History-focused travelers · Travelers who want Abu Simbel and a Fayoum day without a 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
- Sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Refillable water bottle
- Any personal medication
- Small day bag
- Light layer for the flights and winter evenings
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
- A hat and sunglasses
- A light jacket for winter evenings, including the Sound & Light show
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. Day 4 (Abu Simbel) and day 9 (Fayoum) involve long drives that young children may find tiring.
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. The Valley of the Kings, Karnak and Saqqara have long outdoor stretches with little shade. The boat to Philae and the boat trips and paths at Lake Qarun involve steps or uneven ground. Abu Simbel and Fayoum are long days 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 local suppliers in Cairo, Aswan, Luxor and the Fayoum, so most of the money you spend stays in the places you visit, including the pottery workshops in Tunis village. We ask guests to take water bottles that can be refilled 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
01Are the domestic flights included?
Yes. The flights from Cairo to Aswan on day 3 and from Luxor to Cairo on day 8 are booked for you and included. International flights are not. Flight times are set by the airline schedule.02Is there a Nile cruise on this tour?
No. This is a land tour with eleven hotel nights: two in Cairo, two in Aswan, three in Luxor and four in Cairo. If you would like a ship for part of the trip, ask us about our cruise tours.03Which hotels will we have?
You choose a standard when you book, from budget to luxury, and we name the hotels for your dates. The itinerary and sightseeing are the same at every standard.04How long is the Abu Simbel day?
It is a full day by road from Aswan, with a lot of time in the vehicle. Abu Simbel is on day 4, and the entrance fee is included. Go to bed early the night before.05What do we see in the Fayoum?
On day 9 you drive about 10 hours in total, there and back, to Lake Qarun, the pottery workshops in Tunis village and the lakes and waterfalls of Wadi El Rayan, with lunch at a local restaurant. Your guide is private and speaks English.06Will I make my international flight?
Domestic and international tickets are separate bookings, so a delayed domestic flight can cost you a connection. On this tour your last domestic flight is on day 8 and you spend the final four nights in Cairo, so the risk is very small. Book your flight home for day 12. Take travel insurance that covers missed connections.07What is not included?
International flights, the Egypt visa, tips for guides and drivers, dinners and drinks other than those stated, the Khufu pyramid interior 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 temples. Summers are hot, especially in Luxor and Aswan, so sightseeing starts early.
Last updated Product ID: TOU-CAI-647259
At a glance
- Length
- 12 days · 11 nights
- Starts
- Daily
- Route
- Cairo → Aswan → Abu Simbel → Luxor → Kom Ombo → Edfu → Fayoum → Cairo
- Nights
- 6 Cairo · 2 Aswan · 3 Luxor
- Includes
- Domestic flights, Egyptologist guide, entrance fees, transfers