10 day Egypt tour with Cairo, Alexandria, Nile cruise, Abu Simbel and Hurghada

The short answer

The assigned Nile cruise vessel is a deluxe cruise ship operating on the Aswan–Luxor itinerary, arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.

• Budget
• Adventure
• Cultural
• Archaeology & history
• Diving & snorkelling
• Family

Snapshot

Good to know

Duration

A 10-day, 9-night trip

Travel style

Private Guided Tour with Nile Cruise

Accommodation

Cairo Hotel and Nile Cruise Cabin

Operated by

Arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt

Destinations

Cairo · Giza Plateau · Alexandria · Aswan · Abu Simbel · Kom Ombo · Edfu · Luxor · Hurghada · Giftun Island

Includes

Cairo hotel accommodation · Hurghada hotel accommodation · Assigned Nile cruise cabin · Meals as stated in the itinerary · Private Egyptologist guide · Private air-conditioned transfers · Domestic flights between Cairo, Aswan, Luxor and Cairo/Hurghada as stated · Entrance fees to listed attractions · Airport meet-and-assist service · Assistance during the stay · Taxes and service charges

Best for

First-time Egypt visitors · Ancient-history enthusiasts · Couples and families with older children · Travellers wanting a Nile cruise and Red Sea stay · Private-tour travellers · Guests seeking Cairo, Luxor, Abu Simbel and Alexandria in one itinerary

Guide languages

Arabic · English · French · German · Italian · Spanish

Background

The facts

Suited to

Is this for you?

What lingers

• 01See Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure at the Giza Plateau, with the Sphinx and the Valley Temple of Khafre.
• 02Explore Luxor West Bank, including the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple and the Colossi of Memnon.
• 03Sail the Nile route between Luxor and Aswan, stopping at Karnak Temple, Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple and Philae Temple.
• 04Visit Abu Simbel and the Temple of Nefertari on an excursion from Aswan.
• 05Compare Cairo’s Coptic, Islamic and Jewish heritage at the Hanging Church, Amr Ibn Al-Aas Mosque, Ben Ezra Synagogue and Al Muizz Street.
• 06Finish in Hurghada on Egypt’s Red Sea coast, with time for seaside relaxation after the sightseeing programme.

Worth knowing

How this compares

Unlike a standard Cairo-only holiday, this itinerary links Lower Egypt, Upper Egypt, Abu Simbel and the Red Sea in one journey. Unlike group bus touring, private air-conditioned transport provides a dedicated vehicle and more flexible sightseeing logistics, while the Nile cabin and hotels are arranged through third-party suppliers. The programme includes both a cruise section and hotel stays, rather than a cruise-only package.

Bundled in

• 🚖Airport transfer
• 🚖Private transfer
• ◈Private Egyptologist
• 🎟All entry tickets
• ✈Domestic flight
• ✦Abu Simbel extension
• ✦Red Sea extension
• 🛎Hotel pickup

The fine print

What's included – and what isn't

1. 01

   Book the Abu Simbel excursion early; road departures commonly leave before sunrise.

2. 02

   At Giza, morning light often gives clearer pyramid photographs before desert haze builds.

3. 03

   Wear shoes with good grip on Luxor’s West Bank, where paths can be dusty and uneven.

4. 04

   At Khan El Khalili, compare prices at two stalls and negotiate calmly before buying.

5. 05

   Visit Philae earlier in the day for softer light and typically lighter boat traffic.

Tailor it

Make it yours

The itinerary can be arranged as a private or selected small-group experience, subject to availability, with accommodation choices ranging from comfort to luxury. Travellers may request a domestic flight upgrade to Abu Simbel instead of the road transfer, additional pyramid or premium tomb access where available, extra Cairo or Red Sea nights, and alternative hotel or cruise-cabin categories.

All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.

Accessibility

Who can join this

This tour involves uneven ground, sand, ancient stone surfaces, steps and extended walking at the Giza Plateau, Alexandria, Luxor’s West Bank, Karnak Temple, Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple, Philae Temple and Abu Simbel. Some monuments have narrow entrances and no lifts. Boarding the private vehicle and reaching a Nile cruise cabin may also involve steps. The vehicle reduces walking between sites but cannot remove these physical demands. Wheelchair users and guests with limited mobility should contact us before booking so we can check vehicle access, guide support and arrangements at each stop.

Before you go

What to pack & wear

The morning of

Meeting point & timing

Where

Cairo International Airport (CAI), Arrivals HallMap

On the ground

Your route

While you're here

Worth pairing

• Great Pyramid of Khufu, Giza Plateau19 km
• The Grand Egyptian Museum17 km
• The Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square14 min walk
• The Hanging Church in Coptic Cairo7 km
• The Khan El Khalili Bazaar28 min walk

Why book this with us

Three reasons, stated plainly

1. 01

   Private Egyptologist throughout the route

2. 02

   Abu Simbel included alongside the Nile cruise

3. 03

   Cairo hotel and cruise arrangements coordinated together

– Responsible travel

How we travel here

We arrange sightseeing and transfers in private air-conditioned vehicles with locally based Egyptian drivers and Egyptologists who know the roads and sites. Visits to Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel and Hurghada direct spending towards local transport, guiding, food and visitor-service providers. Supplier names and vehicle models depend on availability, so we do not claim a fixed fleet. One bottled water is provided during sightseeing. Carrying a refillable bottle can reduce plastic use where safe refill facilities are available. We review practical arrangements locally rather than selling an interchangeable package.

• 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

·In summary

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

1. 01How long is the Cairo, Alexandria, Nile cruise and Hurghada tour?

   The tour lasts 10 days and links Cairo, Alexandria, the Nile, Abu Simbel and Hurghada. The pace is full, with archaeological visits, travel between regions and time on the Red Sea. Hotel accommodation and a Nile cruise cabin are arranged as part of the package; the final itinerary confirms the night-by-night plan.
2. 02What transport and pick-up arrangements are included on this Egypt tour?

   Private, air-conditioned vehicle transfers and an airport meet-and-assist service in Cairo are included. A driver meets you for the scheduled airport and sightseeing transfers, while an Egyptologist guides the visits. The itinerary also includes domestic flights, but the exact flight sectors and meeting details should be checked in the final travel plan.
3. 03Which entrance fees, meals and accommodation are included?

   Entrance fees for the attractions listed in the itinerary, accommodation, meals as specified and an Egyptologist guide are included. The arrangements combine Cairo hotel accommodation with a Nile cruise cabin. The itinerary states which meals are provided, so check it for each day rather than assuming every meal is covered.
4. 04What is excluded from the tour price?

   International flights, an Egypt entry visa, travel insurance, gratuities and personal spending are excluded. Entry to the interiors of Khufu and Khafre’s pyramids, and premium tombs such as Tutankhamun’s or Seti I’s, also costs extra unless your confirmed itinerary says otherwise. Abu Simbel can involve an optional domestic flight upgrade.
5. 05How much walking is involved, and is the tour accessible?

   Expect substantial walking over uneven stone, steps and archaeological ground, with limited access for visitors with significant mobility needs. Temple routes and tomb entrances can involve stairs or narrow passages, while cruise gangways may be steep. Private transport helps between sites, but it does not remove the physical demands of sightseeing.
6. 06Can children join this 10-day Egypt tour?

   Children can travel on the tour, but the itinerary includes early starts, long drives and extended visits at archaeological sites. Abu Simbel involves a lengthy road journey if you take the road option. Families should consider how children manage heat, walking and changes of accommodation before confirming the trip.
7. 07What should I wear and bring for the temples, mosques and Red Sea?

   Pack comfortable closed walking shoes, a hat, high-factor sun protection and a refillable water bottle for Egypt’s heat. Cover shoulders and knees at religious sites, including mosques in Cairo; light, modest clothing is practical at temples too. For Giftun Island, bring swimwear, a cover-up and footwear suitable for wet or sandy ground.
8. 08Can I take photographs at the sites and inside the tombs?

   Photography rules vary between sites and may differ for tomb interiors, so check posted signs and ask your Egyptologist before taking pictures. Some areas may restrict photography or require permission. Avoid flash where it is prohibited, and be considerate of other visitors and worshippers at religious sites.
9. 09What time of year is best for this Cairo, Nile and Red Sea tour?

   October to April is generally more comfortable for sightseeing than the hotter summer months, particularly in Luxor and Aswan. Winter sun runs from November to March, though evenings can feel cooler. The Red Sea portion remains part of the route in every season, so bring sun protection even in winter.
10. 10How does the Abu Simbel visit work, and what is there to see?

    Abu Simbel’s rock-cut temples were commissioned by Ramesses II and include the Temple of Nefertari. The itinerary describes a road excursion from Aswan, while an optional domestic flight upgrade may be available. A road visit means an early start and considerable time travelling, so confirm the transport arrangement in your final itinerary.

If plans change

Cancellation

More than 30 days

75% back, or 100% kept as credit towards a future holiday

15–30 days

50% back, or 75% kept as credit

7–14 days

25% back, or 50% kept as credit

2–6 days

Nothing back; 25% kept as credit

Under 48 hours, or if you don't turn up

No refund and no credit

Notice is counted from the day you arrive in Egypt. A few vessels have their own terms; where that's so, we'll let you know before any payment is taken.Read our full cancellation and refund policy