8-Day Cairo, Abu Simbel, Luxor & Hurghada Tour
The pyramids and the Egyptian Museum, the temples of Abu Simbel, Kom Ombo and Edfu, Luxor's West Bank and a snorkeling day on the Red Sea. Flights, hotels, entrance fees and guiding are included.
The short answer
8-Day Cairo, Abu Simbel, Luxor & Hurghada Tour is an 8-day, 7-night trip to Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and Hurghada: 2 nights in Cairo, 2 in Aswan, 1 in Luxor and 2 in Hurghada. It includes domestic flights, an Egyptologist guide, entrance fees and transfers. Prices start at $2,183 per person, two sharing (Comfort, October–April).
02Overview
A first look
This week covers the biggest names in Egypt and ends by the sea. You land in Cairo and have the evening free. Day 2 is a day with your Egyptologist at the Giza Pyramids, the Sphinx and the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square, and then you fly south to Aswan the same day.
Day 3 is given to Abu Simbel, the colossal temples of Ramesses II, by road from Aswan. Day 4 takes you from Aswan to Luxor with stops at Kom Ombo and Edfu, and day 5 is Luxor's West Bank before a drive to Hurghada. Day 6 is a snorkeling trip to Orange Bay, and day 7 is a flight to Cairo and a half-day in Coptic Cairo. We book the flights, the transfers, your hotels and the entrance fees. You choose the hotel standard when you book.
What lingers
- 01Giza Pyramids, the Sphinx and the Egyptian Museum in one guided day
- 02Abu Simbel, the rock temples of Ramesses II, on a full day by road from Aswan
- 03Kom Ombo and Edfu temples on the day tour from Aswan to Luxor
- 04Luxor's West Bank: the Valley of the Kings with three tombs, Hatshepsut's temple and the Colossi of Memnon
- 05A snorkeling day at Orange Bay on Giftun Island, with lunch
- 06Coptic Cairo: the Babylon Fortress, the Hanging Church and the Ben Ezra Synagogue
- 07Two domestic flights and every transfer booked for you
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 $2,1834★ hotels | Cairo · 2 nightsJewel Sport City Luxor · 1 nightIberotel Luxor by JAZ Hurghada · 2 nightsSwiss Inn Resort Hurghada | $2,183May–Sep: from $2,129 | |
| Classicfrom $2,2425★ hotels | Hurghada · 2 nightsAMC Royal Hotel & Spa | $2,242May–Sep: from $2,137 | |
| Prestigefrom $2,6775★ deluxe hotels | Aswan · 2 nightsTolip Aswan Luxor · 1 nightSteigenberger Nile Palace Luxor Hurghada · 2 nightsHilton Hurghada Plaza | $2,677May–Sep: from $2,677 | |
| Luxuryfrom $3,3745★ luxury hotels | Cairo · 2 nightsSt. Regis Cairo Aswan · 2 nightsThe Zen Wellness Resort Aswan Luxor · 1 nightHilton Luxor Resort & Spa | $3,374May–Sep: from $3,367 |
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
8 Days / 7 Nights · Cairo · Aswan · Luxor · Hurghada
- 1
A representative meets you in the arrivals hall at Cairo Airport and drives you to your hotel in a private, air-conditioned vehicle. The rest of the day is yours. Rest after your flight, stretch your legs near the hotel or have dinner wherever you like. Tomorrow starts early, so an easy evening is the right plan.
- 2
This is a long travel day. Your private Egyptologist picks you up from your hotel for about eight hours of sightseeing. You start on the Giza Plateau with the pyramids and the Great Sphinx; allow 4 to 6 hours for the Giza visit. After a lunch with a view you visit the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square, then have a short tea or coffee break.
The guide, the entrance fees and the air-conditioned transport are included. A private transfer then takes you to Cairo Airport for the domestic flight to Aswan, where a driver takes you to your hotel. Flight times are set by the airline, so we arrange the sightseeing around them.
- 3
Abu Simbel has a day to itself. You leave Aswan very early by road for the two rock temples of Ramesses II beside Lake Nasser, guarded by colossal statues. It is a full day, with long hours in the vehicle and time at the site, and you return to Aswan in the afternoon or evening. The transport, the Abu Simbel entrance fees and a guide are included.
There is no flight today, and you sleep in Aswan for a second night. Bring a hat, water and a light layer for the early start.
- 4
A full day of travel and temples. You leave Aswan by air-conditioned vehicle with a local Egyptologist and visit the temples of Kom Ombo and Edfu on the way to Luxor. Kom Ombo stands right on the riverbank, and the Temple of Horus at Edfu is one of the best preserved in Egypt. The transport, the entrance fees for the listed temples and the guide are included.
You reach Luxor later in the day and spend the night there.
- 5
The morning is for Luxor's West Bank. With your Egyptologist you visit the Valley of the Kings, where three tombs are included, Hatshepsut's temple and the Colossi of Memnon; the tour takes about six hours. The guide, the entrance fees and the air-conditioned transport are included. Karnak and Luxor Temple are not on this tour.
After the sightseeing you leave on a private, air-conditioned transfer to Hurghada on the Red Sea, about five hours by road. It is a long day.
- 6
You are collected from your Hurghada hotel for a motorboat crossing to Orange Bay on Giftun Island. There are two guided snorkeling sessions, with snorkeling equipment and life jackets provided, and time on the beach with a sunbed. A hot lunch and bottled water are included, and the boat brings you back to Hurghada in the afternoon.
After the temples and the long road days, this is the rest day of the trip.
- 7
A transfer takes you to Hurghada Airport for the flight to Cairo, where a driver meets you and takes you to your hotel. Then you set out with a private Egyptologist for a half-day of about four hours in Coptic Cairo, arranged around the airline's flight time. You visit the Babylon Fortress and the Hanging Church, St.
George's Greek Orthodox Church, the Church of Abu Serga with its Holy Crypt and the Ben Ezra Synagogue, with a mint tea and pastry break. The guide, the entrance fees and the transport are included. This is your last night in Cairo.
- 8
Have breakfast at your hotel and check out. A private transfer takes you to Cairo Airport, allowing about 90 minutes for the drive. Staying the last night in Cairo gives a safety window if the domestic flight on day 7 runs late, so you reach your international flight calmly.
Bundled in
- Domestic flights
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Seven nights in hotels with breakfast: one in Cairo, two in Aswan, one in Luxor, two in Hurghada and one in Cairo
- Domestic flights Cairo to Aswan and Hurghada to Cairo
- Road journeys Aswan to Abu Simbel and back, Aswan to Luxor via Kom Ombo and Edfu, and a private Luxor to Hurghada transfer
- All airport and hotel transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle
- Egyptologist guiding on the Giza and Egyptian Museum day, the Aswan to Luxor day, the West Bank and Coptic Cairo, and a guide at Abu Simbel
- Entrance fees to every site in the itinerary, including three tombs in the Valley of the Kings
- Orange Bay snorkeling trip with equipment, life jackets, sunbed and hot lunch
- Lunch on the Giza and Egyptian Museum day, and bottled water on the Orange Bay trip
- Meet-and-assist at the airport
Not included
- International flights to and from Egypt
- Egypt entry visa
- Gratuities for guides and drivers
- 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
Visit Abu Simbel early, before the sun reaches the facade and before larger coach arrivals.
- 02
On the Giza Plateau, the Khufu pyramid exterior is best photographed from the early-morning approach road.
- 03
Karnak's Great Hypostyle Hall photographs better with a wider lens and a guide who can explain the column rows.
- 04
For Old Cairo, dress modestly, especially for the Hanging Church and Amr Ibn Al-Aas Mosque.
- 05
If you want a quieter Red Sea outing, ask for the earliest marina departure time available.
Tailor it
Make it yours
Choose your hotel standard when you book. Ask us about adding Philae and the High Dam, a Nile cruise instead of the road journey, Karnak and Luxor Temple, extra nights in Hurghada 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
- Travelers who want the major sites of Egypt and a taste of the Red Sea in eight days. Suited to couples, friends and solo travelers who are comfortable with early starts, two flights and plenty of walking.
Maybe not, if
- Travelers who need step-free access to every site, or who want a slow pace. Days 2 to 5 are long.
Honest assessment
Real trade-offs from our experience managing this tour.
Highlights
- Giza, the Egyptian Museum, Abu Simbel, Kom Ombo, Edfu and Luxor's West Bank in eight days, plus a snorkeling day
- Both domestic flights and all transfers handled for you
- A last night in Cairo protects your flight home
Things to Consider
- Days 2, 3, 4 and 5 are long, with early starts and a lot of travel
- Uneven stone, steps and little shade at the major sites
- No Nile cruise, and Karnak and Luxor Temple are not on this tour
Where it fits
A good fit if Abu Simbel and a day on the Red Sea are on your list. If you want to sleep on the Nile, or see Karnak, choose a tour that includes them.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Many operators sell Abu Simbel, Luxor and a beach stay as separate trips. This tour joins them with two flights and every transfer booked for you, and ends with a night in Cairo so a late domestic flight does not threaten your flight home.
Compare
Similar tours to compare
On the ground
Your route
Snapshot
Good to know
- Travel style
- Guided multi-day tour, land only, with Red Sea extension
- Accommodation
- Cairo, Aswan, Luxor and Hurghada hotels, standard chosen at booking
- Destinations
- Cairo · Aswan · Luxor · Hurghada
- Includes
- 7 hotel nights with breakfast · Flights Cairo to Aswan and Hurghada to Cairo · Road journeys to Abu Simbel, Luxor and Hurghada · Egyptologist guiding on sightseeing days · Entrance fees to every listed site · Orange Bay snorkeling trip with lunch
- Best for
- First-time visitors who want Abu Simbel and the temples of Upper Egypt · Travelers who want temples plus a day on the Red Sea · History lovers who do not mind long road days
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
- Swimsuit and towel for the snorkeling day
- Light layer for flights and early mornings
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable clothing for sun and heat
- Closed shoes for temples and uneven ground
- Clothing that covers shoulders and knees at temples and churches
- A hat and sunglasses
- A light jacket for early starts and evenings in winter
Children & families
Children are welcome. Every child takes a seat in the vehicle, so transport and guiding 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 2 (sightseeing plus a flight) and day 3 (an early start and a full day on the road to Abu Simbel) are tiring for young children.
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 and Abu Simbel have long outdoor stretches with little shade. Several days include long road journeys, and day 2 combines a full sightseeing day with a flight. The Orange Bay trip uses a motorboat and snorkeling needs you to be comfortable in the water. Vehicles are 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 long 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 Hurghada, so most of the money you spend stays in the places you visit. We ask guests to bring a refillable water bottle, not to touch painted walls in tombs and not to stand on or touch coral when snorkeling.
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 2 and from Hurghada to Cairo on day 7 are booked for you and included in the price. Between Aswan, Luxor and Hurghada you travel by private transfer or tour vehicle. Flight times are set by the airline. International flights are not included.02Will 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 before you leave. If you ever fly to Cairo and connect on the same day, choose a late-evening or night international flight, and take travel insurance that covers missed connections.03Is day 2 too much, with sightseeing and a flight?
It is a long travel day. You see Giza, the Sphinx and the Egyptian Museum with your Egyptologist, then fly to Aswan in the evening. We arrange the sightseeing around the airline's flight time. Wear comfortable shoes and keep a light layer for the flight.04How do we get to Abu Simbel?
By road from Aswan on day 3, which is a full day by itself with an early start. There is no flight that day. The transport and entrance fees are included, and you sleep in Aswan afterwards.05Does the tour include Karnak or Luxor Temple?
No. In Luxor you visit the West Bank: the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's temple and the Colossi of Memnon. Karnak and Luxor Temple are not on this tour. Ask us if you want to add them.06Does the tour include Philae and the High Dam in Aswan?
No. In Aswan you visit Abu Simbel on day 3 and leave for Luxor on day 4. If you want Philae, the High Dam or a Nile cruise, ask us.07What happens on the snorkeling day?
A motorboat takes you to Orange Bay on Giftun Island. You have two guided snorkeling sessions with equipment and life jackets provided, time on the beach with a sunbed, and a hot lunch. You should be comfortable in the water.08Which hotels will we have?
You choose a standard when you book, from budget to luxury, and we name the hotels for your dates. There are seven hotel nights with breakfast: one in Cairo, two in Aswan, one in Luxor, two in Hurghada and one in Cairo. The sightseeing is the same at every standard.09What is not included?
International flights, the Egypt visa, tips for guides and drivers, drinks, meals other than those stated, the interior of the Khufu pyramid, premium tombs such as Tutankhamun's, and travel insurance.
Last updated Product ID: TOU-CAI-412415
At a glance
- Length
- 8 days · 7 nights
- Starts
- Daily
- Route
- Cairo → Aswan → Abu Simbel → Luxor → Kom Ombo → Edfu → Hurghada → Cairo
- Nights
- 2 Cairo · 2 Aswan · 1 Luxor · 2 Hurghada
- Includes
- Domestic flights, Egyptologist guide, entrance fees, transfers