13-Day Cairo, Alexandria, Nile Cruise, Abu Simbel & Hurghada Tour
Three-night Aswan–Luxor Nile cruise, private Egyptologist throughout, domestic flights Cairo–Aswan and Hurghada–Cairo arranged, and a Red Sea snorkelling excursion.
The short answer
13-Day Cairo, Alexandria, Nile Cruise, Abu Simbel & Hurghada Tour is a 13-day, 12-night trip to Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan and Hurghada: 4 nights in Cairo, 3 on a Nile cruise, 1 in Luxor and 4 in Hurghada. Starts on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays or Sundays. It includes domestic flights, an Egyptologist guide, entrance fees and transfers. Prices start at $2,875 per person, two sharing (Essential, October–April).
02Overview
A first look
You step onto Alexandria’s corniche and smell the sea; later you will walk the cool marble floors of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and move inland to hear Cairo’s layered traffic and call to prayer. Expect guided city walks, museum time with space to study artefacts, and quiet moments on the Nile deck as villages slide past the rail — each day paced so you can look, ask, and rest.
We don’t run large coach-group day trips: one of our Egyptologists stays with your party throughout, and we arrange the intercity transfers and internal flights so you change hotels and vessels smoothly.
What lingers
- 01Three-night Nile cruise sailing the Aswan to Luxor corridor with guided visits ashore to Edfu and Kom Ombo
- 02Guided exploration of Alexandria’s and Cairo’s principal sites with a private Egyptologist throughout
- 03Domestic flights organized Cairo to Aswan and Hurghada to Cairo to reduce road time on long sectors
- 04Four nights on the Red Sea at Hurghada including a guided snorkelling excursion
- 05Meet-and-assist at Cairo airport and private modern-car transfers between destinations
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 $2,8753★ hotels · well-priced Nile cruises | Cairo · 4 nightsKemet Pyramids View Hotel Nile Cruise · 3 nightsNephtis Luxor · 1 nightEl Mesala Hotel Luxor Hurghada · 4 nightsSunny Days Mirette Family Resort | $2,875May–Sep: on request | |
| Comfortfrom $3,1424★ hotels · 5★ Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 3 nightsEmilio · Tower Prestige Luxor · 1 nightIberotel Luxor by JAZ Hurghada · 4 nightsSeagull Beach Resort Hurghada | $3,142May–Sep: from $3,214 | |
| Classicfrom $3,4085★ hotels · 5★ Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 3 nightsSun Times · Nile Dolphin Hurghada · 4 nightsSwiss Inn Resort Hurghada | $3,408May–Sep: from $3,214 | |
| Prestigefrom $4,2305★ deluxe hotels · 5★ deluxe Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 3 nightsSonesta Moon Goddess Luxor · 1 nightSteigenberger Nile Palace Luxor Hurghada · 4 nightsHilton Hurghada Plaza | $4,230May–Sep: from $4,327 | |
| Luxuryfrom $6,3465★ luxury hotels · 5★ luxury Nile cruises | Cairo · 4 nightsSt. Regis Cairo Nile Cruise · 3 nightsSonesta St. George I · Esmeralda Luxor · 1 nightHilton Luxor Resort & Spa | $6,346May–Sep: from $5,447 |
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
13 Days / 12 Nights · Alexandria · Cairo · Aswan · Luxor · Hurghada · Nile (Aswan–Luxor)
- 1
Your representative meets you in the arrivals hall at Cairo International Airport, helps with your luggage and takes you by private car to your hotel. Rest after the flight. In the evening you are collected for a dinner cruise on the Nile, with a buffet meal and a live show as the lights of the city pass by, then driven back to your hotel for the night.
- 2
With your English-speaking Egyptologist you visit the Giza Plateau and the Great Sphinx, then head south to Saqqara and the ruins of ancient Memphis. Lunch, entrance fees and transport are included. Pyramid interiors are not included, though you can walk around the base of each monument. Your guide keeps the pace relaxed so there is time to look properly. Overnight in Cairo.
- 3
A private car and your Egyptologist take you north from Cairo to Alexandria, Egypt's Mediterranean port, for a day of sightseeing in the city Alexander the Great founded. Expect a few hours on the road each way and time to look at the harbor front. You return to Cairo in the evening and spend a third night at your hotel.
- 4
You spend the morning at the Grand Egyptian Museum, about four hours with your guide, with entry and transport included. From there you transfer to Cairo airport and fly south to Aswan, with the flight arranged around the airline schedule. In Aswan you are met and taken to your cruise ship.
Once aboard you go ashore with your guide to the Temple of Philae on its island, the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk in the old granite quarries. Dinner and the night are on board.
- 5
Before dawn you leave Aswan by road for Abu Simbel, about three hours each way across the desert. Your guide takes you through the two rock-cut temples of Ramesses II and Nefertari, moved to higher ground when the High Dam raised the lake. Back in Aswan in the afternoon, you rejoin your ship, which stays moored here overnight.
- 6
The ship casts off and heads north up the river. Your guide leads you through the Temple of Kom Ombo, shared by the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Horus, and later the Temple of Edfu, among the best preserved in Egypt. Between visits you can relax on deck as fields and villages pass by. The night is on board.
- 7
After breakfast on board you disembark in Luxor. Your Egyptologist shows you Luxor Temple and the Karnak complex, including the Sacred Lake. You are then driven from the ship to your hotel in Luxor, where you spend the night. This ends the three-night cruise, so pack your cabin bags in the morning and leave plenty of time for the two big sites. Entrance fees are included.
- 8
Cross the river to the Valley of the Kings, where your ticket covers three tombs, then visit Hatshepsut's terraced temple at Deir el-Bahari and the Colossi of Memnon. In the afternoon a private car drives you east through the desert to the Red Sea at Hurghada, roughly four to five hours. You check in and stay in Hurghada.
- 9
Today has no set program. Spend it by the pool or on the beach, swim, or wander around Hurghada. If you want an extra outing, such as a desert safari or a dive, ask us and we can arrange it as an optional extra at additional cost. Overnight in Hurghada.
- 10
A boat takes you out to Giftun Island for a day of snorkeling in clear water over the reef, with time on the white sand of Orange Bay. Bring swimwear, a towel and reef-safe sunscreen. You return to Hurghada in the afternoon for another night at your hotel. Lunch and drinks on the day are not included in the price.
- 11
This last day by the sea is yours to spend as you like. Sleep in, swim, read, or take a walk along the shore. Optional extras can be arranged on request at additional cost. Tomorrow you fly back to Cairo, so it is a good moment to pack. Overnight in Hurghada.
- 12
A private car takes you to Hurghada airport for the flight to Cairo, where you are met and driven to your hotel. Then your Egyptologist guides you through Old Cairo, the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square, Islamic Cairo and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar. Allow for a long, full day. Overnight in Cairo.
- 13
After breakfast you are driven to Cairo International Airport in a private car, in time for your flight home. Allow plenty of time at the airport for check-in and security. If your flight is later in the day, ask us about a late check-out at the hotel. Thank you for traveling with us, and safe travels home.
Bundled in
- Domestic flights
- Airport transfer
- Group Egyptologist
- All entry tickets
- Abu Simbel extension
- Hot-air balloon
- Felucca ride
- Camel ride
- Sound & light show
- Red Sea extension
- Private transfer
- Private Egyptologist
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- 4 nights accommodation in Cairo at 4-star or 5-star hotels
- 3 nights Nile cruise (4-star or 5-star) between Aswan and Luxor
- 1 night hotel accommodation in Luxor
- 4 nights hotel accommodation in Hurghada
- Domestic flights: Cairo–Aswan and Hurghada–Cairo
- Meet and assist service at Cairo airport and all destinations
- All tours and excursions by private air-conditioned vehicle
- Private Egyptologist guide throughout the 13-day itinerary
- All transfers by private modern cars
- Snorkelling excursion in Hurghada
- Entrance fees to all sights in the itinerary
- All service charges and taxes
Not included
- Tipping (local guide, drivers, cruise staff)
- Egypt entry visa
- International airfare to/from Egypt
- Any items not mentioned in inclusions
Tailor it
Make it yours
The itinerary can be adjusted to private or semi-private travel depending on availability and preference. Common changes include upgrading hotel category, adding extra time in Cairo or Hurghada, or extending the Nile cruise segment with additional guided visits. Meal plans, flight routing, and sightseeing order can also be modified to suit flight schedules and personal pace.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This itinerary suits travelers who want a broad first visit to Egypt and prefer a private guided schedule rather than independent planning. It is also suitable for adults and older children who are comfortable with several hotel changes, domestic flights, and full sightseeing days.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike a point-to-point Egypt trip, this itinerary combines Mediterranean city sightseeing, Nile Valley monuments, and Red Sea downtime in one sequence. Compared with a standard land-only tour, the domestic flights and three-night Nile cruise reduce overland travel and make the schedule more manageable. Compared with a cruise-only vacation, it includes both Alexandria and Cairo, which adds the major urban and museum sites often missed on river-only programs.
Compare
Similar tours to compare
On the ground
Your route
Snapshot
Good to know
- Travel style
- Private Guided Tour
- Accommodation
- 4-Star or 5-Star Hotels & 4-Star or 5-Star Nile Cruise
- Destinations
- Alexandria · Cairo · Aswan · Luxor · Hurghada · Nile (Aswan–Luxor)
- Includes
- 4 nights Cairo hotel · 3 nights Nile cruise · 1 night Luxor hotel · 4 nights Hurghada hotel · Domestic flights Cairo–Aswan and Hurghada–Cairo · Private Egyptologist guide · Private air-conditioned transfers · Entrance fees to itinerary sights · Snorkelling excursion in Hurghada
- Best for
- First-time visitors to Egypt · History enthusiasts · Travelers wanting both sightseeing and beach time · Families with school-age children · Private tour travelers
- Guide languages
- Arabic · English · French · German · Italian · Spanish
The morning of
Meeting point & timing
- Where
- Hotel lobby (central Cairo)Map
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport (minimum six months) and photocopy
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Sunscreen SPF30 or higher and lip balm
- Wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses
- Light rain jacket (seasonal)
- Swimwear and reef-safe sunscreen for Hurghada snorkelling
- Small daypack and refillable water bottle
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing for heat
- Covered shoulders and knees for temples and mosques
- Sturdy closed shoes for uneven ancient stone
- A warmer layer for early mornings and late evenings
- Swimwear and a quick-dry cover-up for Red Sea activities
Children & families
Minimum age is 6 years for this itinerary due to Nile cruise embarkation rules and the snorkelling excursion. Child pricing applies for children sharing a room with two adults; infants under 2 may travel at reduced rates but must be accompanied by a paying adult. Strollers are practical in hotel areas but not at many archaeological sites or on small launch boats; parents should expect to carry children over short stepped sections. Please tell us the child’s age and any special requirements when you book so we can confirm suitability and cot/high-chair availability with suppliers.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This 13-day itinerary involves significant walking on uneven stone, sand and cobbles at archaeological sites and on Nile temple quays. Expect stepped access at the Great Pyramid plateau, the Egyptian Museum and Luxor West Bank tombs; many temple entrances have 10–20 low stone steps and no handrails. Nile cruise shore visits and Hurghada snorkelling require transfers between boats and shore with short ramps or ladders. Our modern vehicles have limited wheelchair space; fully folding wheelchairs are manageable but standard wheelchairs cannot be carried in smaller launches. If you use a mobility scooter, contact us before booking so we can advise on feasibility for tomb interiors and boat transfers. We provide meet-and-assist at airports and help with ramps and lifting where local facilities allow, but some sites cannot be made step-free.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
Transfers use modern, air‑conditioned minivans and coaches that meet Egyptian local safety standards; vehicle size matches group numbers to avoid half-empty buses. Domestic flights are economy class on scheduled carriers and booked only for long sectors to reduce road miles. We contract local guides, hotel and cruise suppliers in Cairo, Aswan, Luxor and Hurghada and pay suppliers directly; this keeps tour revenue local and supports jobs for Egyptologists, drivers and boat crews. For the Red Sea snorkelling trip we use licensed dive operators based in Hurghada who follow no‑anchor procedures over coral where mooring buoys exist. We do not run large coach group sightseeing; instead, private vehicles limit group sizes and reduce idle time. If you have specific sustainability concerns—carbon offsets, single-use plastic reduction, or community projects—we will share current partner details on request.
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
01How long is this 13-day Alexandria, Cairo, Aswan–Luxor Nile cruise and Hurghada vacation?
The tour runs for 13 days from arrival in Cairo to departure from Cairo. It combines city sightseeing in Alexandria and Cairo, a three-night Nile cruise between Aswan and Luxor, and four nights in Hurghada on the Red Sea. This paced itinerary suits guests who want museums, temple visits, a short cruise segment, and beach time without rushed transfers.02What time are airport pickups and how will transfers be arranged?
We meet you at Cairo airport with meet-and-assist and arrange private transfers throughout. The two internal flights are Cairo to Aswan (day 4) and Hurghada to Cairo (day 12); the journey from Luxor to Hurghada on day 8 is by private car, around four to five hours. Pick-up times depend on your flight schedules and are confirmed before you travel.03Which entrance fees and excursions are included and what is excluded?
Entrance fees to all sights on the itinerary are included, with three tombs in the Valley of the Kings, as is the Hurghada boat trip with snorkeling. Not included: pyramid interiors, premium tombs such as Tutankhamun and Seti I, tipping, the Egypt visa, international flights, drinks, and lunches except on the Nile cruise.04Are the Nile cruise and hotels run by you or by third parties?
We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator who arranges and books the hotels and the three-night Nile cruise with local suppliers. The cruise and hotels are operated by third-party companies; we coordinate timings, cabins and room allocations but do not own or operate the cruise vessel or hotels. We choose suppliers we have worked with repeatedly in Cairo, Aswan, Luxor and Hurghada.05Is this itinerary suitable for people with limited mobility or specific accessibility needs?
Sites include uneven ancient stone, stairs and soft sand; many temple approaches involve steps. Some Nile cruise decks and Aswan/Luxor sites have limited ramp access. Tell us your exact mobility requirements before booking; we can suggest adjustments or replacement visits. We do not claim full accessibility at all historic sites.06What level of fitness is required and how much walking should I expect?
Expect several hours of walking on most sightseeing days, often on uneven stone, steps and loose sand. Days at temples and the Valley of the Kings involve standing and climbing short flights of stairs. If you have reduced stamina, we can adapt the pace, add more vehicle time, or recommend skipping interior tomb visits.07Are children welcome and are there age-related considerations?
Children are welcome, but consider early starts, long days and the Valley of the Kings' narrow tomb passages. The cruise and hotel rooms can usually accommodate families; inform us of ages at booking for appropriate rooming. For safety, supervise children around Nile quays, cruise decks and beaches; some sites restrict infant carriers or strollers due to steps.08What should I bring and what clothes are appropriate for temples, mosques and the Red Sea?
Bring sturdy walking shoes, sunhat, high-SPF sunscreen, sunglasses, a refillable water bottle and light layers for variable days. For temples and mosques, wear modest clothing covering shoulders and knees; avoid sleeveless tops and short shorts. Pack swimwear and reef-safe sunscreen for Hurghada snorkeling, and a light jacket for cooler desert evenings.09Can I take photos at the main sites and are any sites restricted?
Photography is allowed at most sites, but flash and tripods are sometimes prohibited inside museums and tombs. The Tutankhamun tomb (if visited) and some museum galleries restrict photos; staff will advise on-site. For Abu Simbel, photography is permitted outside; drone use is prohibited at archaeological sites without prior permits.10When is the best time of year for this combined itinerary (Alexandria, Nile cruise, Hurghada)?
Optimal months are October–April when daytime temperatures in Cairo, Luxor and Aswan are milder, and sea conditions in Hurghada are pleasant for snorkeling. Summer (June–August) brings high heat in Upper Egypt and stronger sea thermals. Unlike short bus day trips, this multi-center itinerary spaces travel so you avoid back-to-back long drives.11Do I need an early start for Abu Simbel and how is it arranged?
Yes. Abu Simbel is about three hours by road from Aswan, so on day 5 you leave before sunrise with your Egyptologist and a private vehicle, then return to the ship, which stays moored in Aswan. The cruise does not sail to Abu Simbel.
Last updated Product ID: TOU-CAI-931667
At a glance
- Length
- 13 days · 12 nights
- Starts
- Mon, Tue, Fri or Sun
- Route
- Cairo → Alexandria → Aswan → Abu Simbel → Kom Ombo → Edfu → Luxor → Hurghada → Cairo
- Nights
- 4 Cairo · 3 Nile cruise · 1 Luxor · 4 Hurghada
- Includes
- Domestic flights, Egyptologist guide, entrance fees, transfers