12-Day Egypt Holiday: Cairo, Aswan, Luxor & Fayoum
Giza, Aswan, Abu Simbel and Luxor, then Saqqara, the Fayoum oasis and Islamic Cairo. Hotels, both internal flights, guides and entrance fees are included.
The short answer
12-Day Egypt Holiday: 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 £2,206 per person, two sharing (Essential, October–April).
02Overview
A first look
This holiday is based in hotels throughout, with no cruise. You land in Cairo and spend your first evening at the Sound & Light show at the Giza Pyramids. The following day is given over to the Pyramids, the Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum. You then fly to Aswan for Philae Temple, with a day trip by road to Abu Simbel.
From Aswan you drive to Luxor, calling at Kom Ombo and Edfu, and stay three nights for the Valley of the Kings and Queens, Dendera, Abydos, Karnak and Luxor Temple. A second flight returns you to Cairo for four nights, with a day in the Fayoum oasis, Saqqara, Memphis and Dahshur, and Islamic and Coptic Cairo. You pick the standard of hotel when you book; the sightseeing is the same whichever you choose.
What lingers
- 01The Giza Pyramids floodlit at the Sound & Light show on your first evening
- 02The Pyramids, the Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum in a single guided day
- 03Philae Temple, the High Dam and a full day by road to Abu Simbel
- 04The Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens, Hatshepsut's temple and the Colossi of Memnon
- 05Dendera and Abydos temples, followed by Karnak and Luxor Temple
- 06A day in the Fayoum oasis: Lake Qarun, pottery workshops in Tunis village 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 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 £2,2063★ hotels | Aswan · 2 nightsHapi Hotel Aswan Luxor · 3 nightsEl Mesala Hotel Luxor | £2,206May–Sep: from £2,084 | |
| Comfortfrom £2,4174★ hotels | Cairo · 6 nightsJewel Sport City Luxor · 3 nightsIberotel Luxor by JAZ | £2,417May–Sep: from £2,316 | |
| Classicfrom £2,5695★ hotels | £2,569May–Sep: from £2,391 | ||
| Prestigefrom £2,9075★ deluxe hotels | Aswan · 2 nightsTolip Aswan Luxor · 3 nightsSteigenberger Nile Palace Luxor | £2,907May–Sep: from £2,878 | |
| Luxuryfrom £4,2325★ luxury hotels | Cairo · 6 nightsSt. Regis Cairo Aswan · 2 nightsThe Zen Wellness Resort Aswan Luxor · 3 nightsHilton Luxor Resort & Spa | £4,232May–Sep: from £4,094 |
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
A driver meets you in the arrivals hall at Cairo Airport and takes you to your hotel, where you can rest after the flight. In the evening you are taken to Giza for the Pyramids Sound & Light show: the Sphinx and the three great pyramids are floodlit while the story of the plateau is told. Dinner is not included, so plan to eat before or after the show.
- 2
A full day with your Egyptologist, picked up from and returned to your hotel. You spend 4 to 6 hours on the Giza Plateau, among the pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure and the Great Sphinx. Lunch is at a restaurant with a view. In the afternoon you visit the Grand Egyptian Museum, home to the Tutankhamun collection and the monumental statues of the Old and New Kingdoms.
Guide, entrance fees and transport are all included.
- 3
You transfer to Cairo Airport for the flight to Aswan, where a driver takes you to the river. The airline sets the flight times, and your sightseeing is arranged around them. Your Egyptologist shows you the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk and Philae, the temple of Isis, which you reach by motor boat. Guide, entrance fees and transport are included.
- 4
A full day by road from Aswan to Abu Simbel, where Ramesses II had two temples cut into the cliff. You see the Great Temple and the smaller Temple of Hathor. Much of the day is spent in the vehicle, so an early night on day 3 is wise. 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 and stop on 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, among the best-preserved temples in Egypt. You arrive in Luxor in time to settle into your hotel, which is your base for three nights. Guide, entrance fees and transport are included.
- 6
Today you cross to the West Bank with your Egyptologist. You enter the Valley of the Kings, with three tombs included, then visit Hatshepsut's mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahari and the Colossi of Memnon. The Valley of the Queens, where the wives and children of pharaohs were laid to rest, is also on the programme. Guide, entrance fees and transport are included.
- 7
A day out from Luxor, collected from and returned to your hotel. You see the Temple of Hathor at Dendera, famous for its painted ceilings, and the Temple of Seti I at Abydos, with some of the finest carved reliefs in Egypt. Lunch is at a local restaurant. An Egyptologist leads both visits, and entrance fees, water and transport are included.
- 8
Your Egyptologist collects you from your hotel for Karnak, Egypt's largest temple complex, and Luxor Temple. You are then taken to Luxor Airport for the flight to Cairo and on to your hotel. The airline sets the flight times and the sightseeing is arranged around them. Guide, entrance fees and transport are included. This is the first of four nights in Cairo.
- 9
A private day out of about 10 hours from your Cairo hotel, with your own English-speaking guide, a driver and an air-conditioned vehicle. You look over Lake Qarun, visit the pottery workshops of Tunis village and continue to the lakes and waterfalls of Wadi El Rayan. Lunch is at a local restaurant. It is a full day with long drives, best for those who enjoy the countryside.
- 10
- 11
Your last day of sightseeing is spent in the old city with your Egyptologist. In Islamic Cairo you go up to the Citadel and the Muhammad Ali Mosque and see the Sultan Hassan Mosque. In Coptic Cairo you visit the Hanging Church. Shoulders and knees should be covered in the mosques. Guide, entrance fees and transport are included. Tonight 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. The drive is planned at about 90 minutes, and you will want time for check-in. Both internal flights are done by day 8, so there is nothing between you and your international flight but a short drive.
Bundled in
- Domestic flights
The fine print
What's included – and what is left out
Included
- Eleven hotel nights with breakfast: two in Cairo, two in Aswan, three in Luxor and four in Cairo
- Internal flights from Cairo to Aswan and from Luxor to Cairo
- All airport and hotel transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle
- The Pyramids Sound & Light show at Giza
- A licensed Egyptologist 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
- Egyptian entry visa
- Tips for guides and drivers
- Dinners, drinks and meals other than those stated
- The inside of the Khufu pyramid and premium tombs such as Tutankhamun's and Seti I's
- Travel insurance and personal spending
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Abu Simbel is best in the early morning, before coach groups arrive from Aswan.
- 02
At Karnak, photograph the hypostyle hall when side light reaches the columns.
- 03
Saqqara is quieter in 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
At Kom El Shoqafa, wear shoes with grip, because the stair sections can be damp.
Tailor it
Make it yours
You choose the standard of hotel when you book. Ask us about extra nights in Luxor or Cairo, a hot-air balloon flight over Luxor, or a cruise for part of the route.
Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- First-time visitors who want a full tour of Egypt based in hotels: Cairo, Aswan, Luxor and Abu Simbel, plus Saqqara and the Fayoum. Suits couples, friends and solo travellers who are happy with two flights and several hours of walking on sightseeing days.
Maybe not, if
- Travellers who need step-free access to every site, or who prefer a slow pace in one place. Days 4 and 9 are long.
Honest assessment
The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.
Highlights
- The pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum, Aswan, Abu Simbel and Luxor in twelve days
- Both internal flights and all transfers arranged for you
- Four closing nights in Cairo, with Saqqara, the Fayoum and Islamic Cairo
Things to Consider
- Full days on day 4 (Abu Simbel by road) and day 9 (the Fayoum)
- Uneven stone, steps and little shade at the major sites
- No Nile cruise: every night is in a hotel
Where it fits
A good choice for a first visit to Egypt if you want the major sites at an unhurried pace and a few closing days around Cairo. Pick a cruise holiday instead if you want to sleep on the Nile.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Many 12-day Egypt holidays include a Nile cruise. This one keeps you in hotels, which leaves room for Abu Simbel by road, a full West Bank day with the Valley of the Queens and a day in the Fayoum that few itineraries offer. The standard of hotel is your choice; the sightseeing does not change.
Compare
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On the ground
Your route
Snapshot
Good to know
- Travel style
- Guided multi-day land holiday 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 from Cairo to Aswan and Luxor to Cairo · The Pyramids Sound & Light show at Giza · Entrance fees on the sightseeing days · Licensed Egyptologist on temple and museum days · All transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Best for
- First-time visitors · Travellers interested in history · Those wanting 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 visa or travel documents
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Sun cream, SPF 30 or higher
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Refillable water bottle
- Any regular medication
- Small day bag
- A light layer for the flights and winter evenings
What to wear
- Light, 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 has 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 once you tell us the age at booking. Day 4 (Abu Simbel) and day 9 (the Fayoum) mean long drives, which young children may find tiring.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This holiday involves a good deal of walking around large archaeological sites, on uneven stone and sand, with steps and some narrow tomb passages. The Valley of the Kings, Karnak and Saqqara have long, open stretches with little shade. The boat to Philae and the paths and boat trips around Lake Qarun involve steps or uneven ground. Abu Simbel and the Fayoum are long days by road. Vehicles are private and air-conditioned, but we cannot promise wheelchair access at every site. Tell us what you need when you book and we will say honestly which parts suit you.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The holiday uses two internal flights and private road transfers, and vehicle types vary, so we make no claim about carbon savings. Sightseeing is led by local Egyptologists and arranged through local suppliers in Cairo, Aswan, Luxor and the Fayoum, so much of what you spend stays in the places you visit, including the potters of Tunis village. We ask guests to bring a refillable water bottle and to keep their hands off the 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 soon you let us know and on the kind of holiday. See our current cancellation and refund terms
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01Are the internal 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 are included. International flights are not. The airline sets the flight times.02Is there a Nile cruise on this holiday?
No. This is a land holiday 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 holidays.03Which hotels will we stay in?
You choose a standard when you book, from budget to luxury, and we confirm the hotels for your dates. The itinerary and sightseeing are identical at every standard.04How demanding is the Abu Simbel day?
It is a full day by road from Aswan, with a good deal of time in the vehicle. Abu Simbel is on day 4 and the entrance fee is included. An early night beforehand helps.05What will we see in the Fayoum?
On day 9 you spend about 10 hours out, there and back, seeing 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 home?
Domestic and international tickets are separate bookings, so a delayed internal flight can cost you a connection. Here your last internal flight is on day 8 and you spend your final four nights in Cairo, so the risk is very small. Book your flight home for day 12 and take travel insurance that covers missed connections.07What is not included?
International flights, the Egyptian visa, tips for guides and drivers, dinners and drinks other than those stated, the inside of the Khufu pyramid 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 the sites. Summers are very hot, especially in Luxor and Aswan, so days start 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