10-Day Cairo, Alexandria, Aswan, Abu Simbel & Luxor Holiday
Ten days from Cairo to Luxor via Alexandria and Aswan, visits include Giza, Saqqara, Philae and Abu Simbel, entrance fees and an Egyptologist provided.
The short answer
10-Day Cairo, Alexandria, Aswan, Abu Simbel & Luxor Holiday is a 10-day, 9-night trip to Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel: 4 nights in Cairo, 1 in Alexandria, 2 in Aswan and 2 in Luxor. It includes domestic flights, an Egyptologist guide, entrance fees and transfers. Prices start at £1,951 per person, two sharing (Essential, October–April).
Choose your comfort level
Prices are per person in GBP, 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 £1,9513★ hotels | Aswan · 1 nightHapi Hotel Aswan Luxor · 3 nightsEl Mesala Hotel Luxor | £1,951May–Sep: from £1,846 | |
| Comfortfrom £2,1184★ hotels | Cairo · 5 nightsJewel Sport City Luxor · 3 nightsIberotel Luxor by JAZ | £2,118May–Sep: from £2,042 | |
| Classicfrom £2,2385★ hotels | £2,238May–Sep: from £2,112 | ||
| Prestigefrom £2,5325★ deluxe hotels | Aswan · 1 nightTolip Aswan Luxor · 3 nightsSteigenberger Nile Palace Luxor | £2,532May–Sep: from £2,489 |
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.
- Private
Day by day
Detailed itinerary
A 10-day, 9-night trip · Cairo · Giza Plateau · Saqqara · Alexandria · Aswan · Abu Simbel
- 1
On arrival at Cairo International Airport a chauffeur meets you in the arrivals hall and transfers you to your included hotel, a drive of approximately 20–30 km depending on traffic (30–50 minutes). After time to refresh, one of our Egyptologists escorts you to the scheduled Nile dinner cruise, with boarding usually around 20:00 and views of Gezira Island and the Cairo skyline.
As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we organise a personal meet-and-greet at immigration to avoid large coach queues; note evening traffic can make the transfer longer than planned.
- 2
Morning on the Giza Plateau, where you walk among the Great Pyramid of Khufu and the Sphinx, while your Egyptologist explains construction methods and funerary layout (allow 2–3 hours for the plateau visit). After lunch, a guided afternoon at the Grand Egyptian Museum to see the Tutankhamun collection and other New Kingdom artefacts.
Late afternoon transfer to Saqqara to view Djoser’s Step Pyramid, constructed in the 27th century BCE. We do not bundle the Khufu interior ticket; most travellers choose it on site after they see the plateau.
- 3
Early morning transfer to Alexandria, arriving for a guided visit to Qaitbay Citadel, built in 1477 CE on the eastern harbour of the ancient Pharos site. Mid-morning you walk to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, opened in 2002 and holding specialised collections alongside its modern reading halls.
After lunch your Egyptologist leads visits to Pompey's Pillar, a 29.6 metre granite column from the late Roman period, and the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, a 2nd-century funerary complex with Egyptian, Greek and Roman motifs. Unlike rushed Cairo day trips, this schedule allows full visits at each site.
- 4
Morning begins with a short drive to the Aswan High Dam, completed in 1970 and 111 metres tall. Your Egyptologist explains the dam's role in Nile regulation and post-1950s development. Continue to the northern quarry to see the Unfinished Obelisk, the largest known ancient obelisk and a clear demonstration of Pharaonic stoneworking.
In the afternoon you cross by motorboat to Philae Temple on Agilkia Island, part of the Nubian Monuments UNESCO listing, for a guided tour timed to avoid the busiest boat traffic.
- 5
You depart Aswan pre-dawn for Abu Simbel, a road transfer of about three hours each way covering roughly 280 km each way. You visit the rock-cut Great Temple of Ramses II and the small temple of Queen Nefertari. Both temples were moved during a UNESCO-led relocation completed in 1968. The morning schedule reduces crowds and the midday heat.
After returning to Aswan around midday, you continue by private vehicle to Luxor, a northbound drive of about 225 km taking approximately 3.5 hours, arriving late afternoon for your overnight stay.
- 6
Morning visit to Karnak Temple, where our Egyptologists guide you through the Great Hypostyle Hall and point out Seti I and Ramesses II inscriptions. After a relaxed lunch in central Luxor, the afternoon and early-evening is reserved for Luxor Temple, including the Avenue of Sphinxes and Ramses II colonnade.
Visits are scheduled to avoid the hottest part of the day, and this morning-first approach allows more time at each monument than typical quick-stop tours.
- 7
Morning visit to the Valley of the Kings with your Egyptologist, exploring selected tombs such as Seti I and Ramesses IV. We time the Valley visit for the cooler morning hours, before the larger day groups arrive, so you can move between tombs at a steadier pace. After a short transfer, walk the ramped terraces of Hatshepsut Temple at Deir el-Bahari in the afternoon.
Finish with a photo stop at the Colossi of Memnon on the west-bank plain.
- 8
Morning begins at the Egyptian Museum, where your Egyptologist focuses on the Tutankhamun collection and selected New Kingdom objects. After the museum, visit Old Cairo to see the Hanging Church on Muqattam hill, the 7th-century Amr Ibn Al-Aas Mosque founded in 642 AD, and the Ben Ezra Synagogue.
After lunch, transfer to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, opened for the 2017 royal mummies transfer, then walk Al Muizz Street to view Fatimid-era architecture. We time Khan El Khalili for the late afternoon to avoid peak heat and the busiest crowds; unlike many shorter city walks, this itinerary includes the NMEC visit.
- 9
Morning visit to the Salah El-Din Citadel, where your Egyptologist explains the 12th-century fortress and the 19-metre-high dome of the Muhammad Ali Mosque. You then walk a short distance to Sultan Hassan Mosque, completed in 1359, and cross to Al Rifai Mosque to view the 19th-century royal funerary chapels.
In the late afternoon you visit Ibn Tulun Mosque, founded in 879, noted for its large courtyard and original spiral minaret. Expect short sections on uneven stone and a mid-afternoon rest break for coffee or shade. We schedule the Citadel in the morning to avoid the midday heat, unlike many operators who visit later in the day.
- 10
After breakfast you will check out from your Cairo hotel and a private driver collects you for transfer to Cairo International Airport. The distance from central Cairo to Cairo International Airport is about 20 km, typically a 30 to 60 minute journey depending on traffic. Plan to arrive at the airport at least three hours before an international departure for check-in and security.
As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we arrange the transfer; your Egyptologist will confirm the exact pickup time the evening before. If your flight departs later in the day, ask about storing luggage at the hotel.
02Overview
A first look
Before sunrise on the Giza Plateau the stone still feels cool underfoot and the light sharpens Khufu's faces, Khafre's slope and the Sphinx's profile. In Alexandria the air brings a faint salt tang, and in Aswan the Nile carries the scent of reed and river mud; these are the small, first impressions that structure the days ahead.
We keep daily groups small and favour guided walking so there is time to study inscriptions and architecture rather than rush from coach to coach. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we arrange domestic flights and the first-class train between Aswan and Luxor, and your Egyptologist meets you on day one to advise on pacing, modest dress and early starts to avoid the midday heat.
What lingers
- 01See the pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, along with the Sphinx, on the Giza Plateau
- 02Visit Saqqara’s Step Pyramid complex and see monuments at the Egyptian Museum
- 03Explore Alexandria’s Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Qaitbay Citadel and Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa
- 04See Philae Temple and the Unfinished Obelisk in Aswan, with a visit to Abu Simbel
- 05Walk through Karnak Temple and visit Luxor Temple
- 06Visit the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple and the Colossi of Memnon on Luxor’s West Bank
Bundled in
- Domestic flights
- Airport transfer
- Private transfer
- Group Egyptologist
- All entry tickets
- Abu Simbel extension
- All meals
The fine print
What's included – and what is left out
Included
- Five nights' stay at a 5-star hotel in Cairo
- Two nights' stay at a 5-star hotel in Aswan
- Two nights' stay at a 5-star hotel in Luxor
- Domestic flights, Cairo to Aswan and Luxor to Cairo
- First-class train ticket from Aswan to Luxor
- Airport pickup on arrival at Cairo Airport
- Private air-conditioned transport for all transfers and sightseeing
- Egyptologist guide for the duration of the tour
- Entrance fees for the sites listed in the itinerary
- All service charges and government taxes
Not included
- Tipping
- Egypt entry visa
- International airfare
- Optional excursions or activities
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
At Giza, photograph the pyramids from the panoramic viewpoint for a frame that includes all three main structures.
- 02
At Philae, look for reliefs in the inner courts as well as the better-known scenes on the temple walls.
- 03
Take small-denomination Egyptian pounds for Khan El Khalili purchases; agree the price before accepting goods or services.
- 04
Bring a light layer for early starts in winter, when temperatures can be cool before the sun reaches the monuments.
Tailor it
Make it yours
The itinerary can usually be adjusted as a private tour or adapted for a smaller travelling party, depending on availability. Common changes include adding extra time in Cairo, substituting museum visits, or extending the programme with additional nights in Luxor or Aswan. Meal upgrades, optional experiences and alternative transfer arrangements can also be requested.
Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This tour suits travellers who want a structured introduction to Egypt’s major ancient, Christian and Islamic sites in one itinerary. It is a good fit for first-time visitors, history-focused couples, and adult families who are comfortable with early starts, site walking and several city-to-city transfers.
Maybe not, if
- It is not a good fit for travellers who need step-free access or want a slow-paced holiday with few transfers. Families with very young children may find the consecutive sightseeing days and uneven ground demanding.
Honest assessment
The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.
Highlights
- Covers major Pharaonic, Coptic and Islamic sites across four cities.
- Guided visits leave time to study inscriptions and architecture.
- Includes both Alexandria’s classical sites and Cairo’s ancient monuments.
- The small-group approach avoids the scale of mass coach tours.
Things to Consider
- Early starts are needed at major temples and outdoor sites.
- Uneven ground and steps feature at many archaeological monuments.
- Long sightseeing days involve several transfers between destinations.
- Summer heat can be severe in Aswan, Abu Simbel and Luxor.
Where it fits
This 10-day land itinerary links Cairo and Alexandria with Aswan, Abu Simbel and Luxor, making it a standalone route through several regions of Egypt. It suits travellers who want ancient, Coptic and Islamic sites in one holiday rather than a Cairo-only stay.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike a standard coach programme, this itinerary is built around guided sightseeing with shorter walking transfers at each site and limited group sizes. It also covers a broader historical arc than a pyramids-only trip, combining ancient monuments with Coptic and Islamic Cairo, plus Alexandria and Upper Egypt. Compared with a Nile cruise holiday, this is a land-only tour with hotel stays in Cairo, Aswan and Luxor and overland plus flight connections between destinations. It is designed for travellers who want to see several regions in ten days without relying on a cruise segment.
Compare
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On the ground
Your route
Snapshot
Good to know
- Travel style
- Private guided tour over several days
- Accommodation
- 5-Star Hotels
- Destinations
- Cairo · Giza Plateau · Saqqara · Alexandria · Aswan · Abu Simbel · Luxor · Karnak Temple · Valley of the Kings · Old Cairo
- Includes
- 5 nights' accommodation in Cairo · 1 night's accommodation in Aswan · 3 nights' accommodation in Luxor · Domestic flights from Cairo to Aswan and Luxor to Cairo · First-class train from Aswan to Luxor · Cairo Airport pickup · Air-conditioned transport for your private use · Egyptologist guide and entrance fees to listed sites
- Best for
- First-time visitors to Egypt · History enthusiasts · Couples · Adult families · Travellers wanting multiple regions in one trip
- Guide languages
- Arabic · English · French · German · Italian · Spanish
The morning of
Meeting point & timing
- Where
- Cairo International Airport (CAI), Arrivals HallMap
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- A valid passport and a photocopy
- Walking shoes with a firm grip
- Sun protection: high-factor sunscreen, hat and sunglasses
- Water bottle
- Light day bag for water and personal items
- Personal medication and a small first-aid kit
- Phone charger and UK-to-Egypt plug adaptor
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing for daytime heat
- Wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees when visiting mosques and some temples
- Bring robust shoes with closed toes for walking over sand and uneven stone
- A light fleece or thin jacket for early mornings and cooler evenings
- A sun scarf or shawl for extra sun protection
Children & families
The minimum age for independent travellers on this itinerary is 6. Children under 12 may qualify for a child rate; the price depends on the arrangements requested and will be confirmed before booking. Strollers are generally impractical at archaeological sites because of steps, sand and uneven ground. A compact umbrella stroller may be useful in smoother areas. Tell us each child’s age and any support needs when enquiring so we can advise on pacing and transport arrangements.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This 10-day itinerary requires sustained walking on uneven stone, loose sand and narrow steps at sites such as the Giza Plateau, Saqqara, Valley of the Kings and Karnak Temple. Expect to walk up to 3 kilometres on mixed terrain on some days and to climb short flights of stairs; some tombs have low doorways and steep steps. Most minibuses have a high step entrance and do not have wheelchair lifts. Wheelchair users can access some open-air precincts by vehicle or ramped routes, but many tombs and interior spaces are not reachable. If you need a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, close-contact assistance, or reduced-walking alternatives, tell us before booking so we can advise which parts of the itinerary are feasible and arrange extra support where possible. Our staff meet you on arrival and can assist at airports and hotels, but site-level accessibility varies and cannot be guaranteed.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
Road transfers use air-conditioned minibuses, and domestic sectors are flown on scheduled carriers; the Aswan to Luxor transfer is by first-class intercity train. We work with locally based coach companies and licensed drivers in Cairo, Aswan and Luxor; vehicles are typically modern and maintained by local garages. Egyptologists and site guides are locally employed professionals, and fees for guiding and site entry are paid directly to local suppliers and national authorities. We encourage reduced single-use plastic by scheduling regular water refill stops and asking hotels to offer refillable bottles. When visiting markets and local communities we follow a payment and photography etiquette that supports small vendors by encouraging direct payment and small-group timings to avoid peak congestion. We do not run mass coach group tours, this itinerary runs with private vehicles to reduce group density at sites.
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 soon you let us know and on the kind of holiday. See our current cancellation and refund terms
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01How long is the 10 Days Classical Tour of Egypt?
The itinerary lasts 10 days and begins and ends in Cairo. It includes nine hotel nights across Cairo, Aswan and Luxor, with Alexandria and Abu Simbel among the other destinations. The day-by-day pace includes several early starts, especially for the visit to Abu Simbel.02How are transport and transfers arranged on the tour?
The tour includes Cairo airport transfers, private air-conditioned transport for sightseeing and domestic flights between Cairo and Aswan and Luxor and Cairo. The Aswan to Luxor journey is by first-class train. We coordinate the arrangements, and your Egyptologist confirms the airport departure time with you.03What is included in the 10 Days Classical Tour of Egypt?
The package includes hotel accommodation, domestic flights, the first-class train journey, private transport, an Egyptologist guide and entrance fees to listed sites. Service charges and taxes are also included. International flights, an Egypt entry visa, gratuities and optional tours are not included.04How much walking is involved, and is the tour accessible?
Expect regular walking over uneven stone, sand and archaeological ground, with steps and sloping paths at some sites. Hatshepsut Temple has terraced levels, while Karnak Temple covers a large area. This itinerary may be difficult for travellers with limited mobility; contact us before booking to discuss specific access needs.05Is the tour suitable for children?
Children can join, but the sightseeing days may suit older children better than very young ones. The itinerary includes early departures, long visits and a pre-dawn journey to Abu Simbel. Tell us the children’s ages when enquiring so we can discuss pacing and any practical arrangements.06What should I wear and bring on the tour?
Pack comfortable walking shoes, a sun hat, sunglasses, high-factor sunscreen and a refillable water bottle. Lightweight clothing helps in warm weather. For mosques and churches, choose modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees; a light layer can be useful in cooler winter mornings.07Can I take photographs at the sites and museums?
Photography rules vary between outdoor monuments, museums and tomb interiors. Some locations restrict flash or require separate permission for photography, and rules can change. Ask your Egyptologist before taking pictures, particularly inside the Valley of the Kings tombs or museum galleries.08When is the best time to take this Egypt tour?
The cooler months, roughly October to April, are generally more comfortable for sightseeing in Cairo, Luxor and Aswan. Summer brings stronger heat, particularly in Upper Egypt, and early starts become more important. Even in winter, expect sun exposure during outdoor visits.09What happens at Abu Simbel on this tour?
The Abu Simbel visit includes the rock-cut Great Temple of Ramses II and the smaller temple dedicated to Queen Nefertari. The temples were relocated during an international preservation campaign completed in 1968. The visit begins before dawn from Aswan, so allow for an early start and a long travel day.10Which museums and historic areas are visited in Cairo?
The Cairo sightseeing includes the Grand Egyptian Museum and the Egyptian Museum, as well as Old Cairo and Khan El Khalili. Visits also cover historic mosques and churches, including the Hanging Church, Sultan Hassan Mosque and Ibn Tulun Mosque. Unlike a museum-only itinerary, this one combines collections with city streets and religious architecture.
Last updated Product ID: TOU-CAI-336003
At a glance
- Length
- 10 days · 9 nights
- Starts
- Daily
- Route
- Cairo → Alexandria → Aswan → Abu Simbel → Luxor → Cairo
- Nights
- 4 Cairo · 1 Alexandria · 2 Aswan · 2 Luxor
- Includes
- Domestic flights, Egyptologist guide, entrance fees, transfers