15 Days Experience Egypt Tour: Cairo, Nile Cruise and Red Sea
Fifteen days through Cairo, Alexandria, a three-night Nile cruise Aswan to Luxor and Hurghada, with a private Egyptologist and arranged by a licensed Egyptian operator.
At a glance
- Length
- 15 days · 14 nights
- Departs
- Daily
The short answer
15 Days Experience Egypt Tour is a 15-day multi-day tour covering Cairo, Alexandria, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor and Hurghada in Egypt, operated by Discovery Tours Egypt.
- Private
- Couples·
- Groups·
- Solo traveller·
- Seniors
Snapshot
Good to know
- Duration
- 14 nights / 15 days
- Travel style
- A multi-day tour with a private guide
- Accommodation
- Five-star hotels and a five-star deluxe Nile cruise
- Operated by
- Explore Egypt Tours
- Destinations
- Cairo · Giza Plateau · Saqqara · Alexandria · Aswan · Abu Simbel · Kom Ombo · Edfu · Luxor · Hurghada · Red Sea
- Includes
- Meet-and-greet assistance · Transfers in a private, air-conditioned vehicle · Flights from Cairo to Aswan and Hurghada to Cairo · Egyptologist guides for scheduled sightseeing · Admission to the sights listed · Hotel stays in Cairo, Luxor and Hurghada · Three-night Nile cruise and Red Sea snorkelling excursion · Hurghada quad safari, service charges and local taxes
- Best for
- First-time visitors · History enthusiasts · Private travel clients · Families with older children · Travellers wanting Cairo, Nile and Red Sea in one trip
- Guide languages
- Arabic · English · French · German · Italian · Spanish
Best time to go
The most comfortable months are typically October to April, when daytime temperatures in Cairo, Luxor and Aswan are milder and site visits are easier. May to September can be very hot in Upper Egypt, especially around Luxor and Aswan, while Hurghada stays warmer year-round. Ramadan and major public holidays may affect opening hours, traffic and restaurant service, so schedules should be checked in advance.
- Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator
- Private Egyptologist-guided sightseeing on scheduled touring days
- Domestic flights and private transfers are arranged as part of the itinerary
- 24/7 on-the-ground support during the trip
- Entrance fees for the listed sites are included unless stated otherwise
- Accommodation is arranged in carefully selected third-party hotels and a third-party Nile cruise supplier
02Overview
A first look
Morning light sharpens the silhouettes of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure while the limestone underfoot is still cool, and the sound of the city feels distant. Later in the trip, coral-coloured reef flats replace Nile dust and the last light falls over Luxor temple façades; between those moments you will study tomb reliefs at a measured pace and step into Alexandria's seaside breeze.
We arrange all on-the-ground logistics and domestic flights, and our Egyptologists lead the scheduled visits; unlike short packaged cruises, this itinerary gives full calls at Kom Ombo and Edfu, and we are a licensed Egyptian tour operator organising every transfer and excursion.
Background
The facts
This 15-day Egypt itinerary starts in Cairo and combines the Giza Plateau, Saqqara, Alexandria, Aswan, a three-night Nile cruise between Aswan and Luxor, Luxor, and Hurghada before returning to Cairo. It is a multi-destination land tour with hotel stays and arranged domestic flights, guided sightseeing, and private transfers between scheduled sites and cities.
In Cairo, the route includes the Giza pyramids complex, the Great Sphinx, the Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara, and later Old Cairo landmarks such as the Egyptian Museum, the Cairo Citadel, Al Muizz Street and Khan El Khalili. Alexandria adds the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, Pompey’s Pillar, Qaitbay Citadel and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, showing the city’s Greco-Roman and modern cultural layers.
The Aswan section includes the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk and Philae Temple, with an optional excursion to Abu Simbel. The Nile cruise segment includes scheduled stops at Kom Ombo and Edfu before continuing to Luxor, where both the East Bank temples at Karnak and Luxor Temple and the West Bank necropolis, including the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple and the Colossi of Memnon, are visited.
The final part of the itinerary is in Hurghada on the Red Sea coast, with a snorkelling excursion and a desert quad safari before flying back to Cairo. Distances on this route are substantial: Cairo to Alexandria is about 220 km by road, Cairo to Aswan is covered by domestic flight, Luxor to Hurghada is roughly 290 km by road, and Hurghada to Cairo is also flown.
Named in this entry
Giza Plateau·Pyramid of Khufu·Pyramid of Khafre·Pyramid of Menkaure·The Step Pyramid at Saqqara·Alexandria·Kom El Shoqafa·Pompey's Pillar·Qaitbay Citadel·Bibliotheca Alexandrina·Philae Temple·Temples of Abu Simbel·Temple at Kom Ombo·Edfu Temple
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This tour suits travellers who want a broad first visit to Egypt and prefer a private, guided itinerary rather than a large coach group. It is also suitable for history-focused adults and older children who are comfortable with early starts, full sightseeing days, and several hotel changes.
Maybe not, if
- Choose a slower, single-region holiday if you want few transfers or unstructured days. It is not ideal for families with very young children or travellers who need step-free access at archaeological sites.
What lingers
- 01Explore the Giza Plateau’s pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, followed by the Step Pyramid at Saqqara.
- 02Visit Alexandria landmarks including Kom El Shoqafa, Pompey’s Pillar, Qaitbay Citadel and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.
- 03Visit Philae Temple, the Unfinished Obelisk and Aswan High Dam; you can also choose an excursion to Abu Simbel.
- 04Cruise the Nile between Aswan and Luxor, with scheduled visits to Kom Ombo and Edfu.
- 05Explore Luxor’s East Bank temples and West Bank sites, including the Valley of the Kings.
- 06Take a Red Sea snorkelling excursion and a quad safari in Hurghada.
Honest assessment
Real trade-offs from our experience managing this tour.
Highlights
- Covers Cairo, Alexandria, Upper Egypt and the Red Sea in one itinerary.
- Includes full calls at Kom Ombo and Edfu, not brief pass-throughs.
- Combines Luxor East Bank temples with West Bank tombs.
- Balances archaeological sightseeing with two full Red Sea days.
- Private car transfers avoid large coach-group excursions.
Things to Consider
- Several city changes make this a busy 15-day schedule.
- Early starts may be needed for long excursions such as Abu Simbel.
- Uneven stone, steps and sand limit access at many ancient sites.
- Luxor and Aswan can be very hot from June to August.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike a short Nile cruise-only holiday, this itinerary combines the Nile Valley with Cairo, Alexandria and the Red Sea coast, giving a wider view of Egypt in one trip. Unlike large coach packages, it uses private air-conditioned transfers and scheduled Egyptologist-led sightseeing, with domestic flights to reduce long road journeys. It also includes both Luxor banks and full visits to Kom Ombo and Edfu rather than brief port calls.
Day by day
Detailed itinerary
14 nights / 15 days · Cairo · Giza Plateau · Saqqara · Alexandria · Aswan · Abu Simbel
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
Bundled in
- Domestic flight
- Private transfer
- Group Egyptologist
- All entry tickets
- Abu Simbel extension
- Red Sea extension
- Full board
- Soft drinks
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Meet and assist service on arrival and at each destination
- Five nights' accommodation at a 5-star hotel in Cairo
- Three nights’ stay aboard a 5-star deluxe Nile cruise sailing between Aswan and Luxor
- Two nights' accommodation at a 5-star hotel in Luxor
- Four nights' accommodation at a 5-star hotel in Hurghada
- Domestic flights, Cairo to Aswan and Hurghada to Cairo
- All transfers by private air-conditioned cars
- Egyptologist guides for all scheduled tours
- Entrance fees to the sites named in the itinerary
- Quad-bike safari in Hurghada
- Snorkelling trip on the Red Sea
- All local service charges and taxes
Not included
- Flights to and from Egypt are not included
- Optional tours and activities not included in the itinerary
- Visa for entry into Egypt
- Tips and gratuities for guides and drivers
- Tickets for the interiors of the Khufu and Khafre pyramids, and premium tombs such as Tutankhamun’s or Seti I’s, unless requested
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
At the Giza Plateau, ask your Egyptologist where the three main pyramids align most clearly in one photograph.
- 02
Bring water and sun protection for Saqqara, where much of the archaeological area is exposed.
- 03
At Philae, allow time to view the temple setting from the water as well as on the island.
- 04
For Red Sea snorkelling, confirm whether the excursion supplies masks and fins before departure.
Tailor it
Make it yours
The itinerary can usually be adjusted as a private tour, including changes to hotel category, pacing, and the order of certain sightseeing days. Optional add-ons may include Abu Simbel, extra time in Cairo or Luxor, or alternative Red Sea activities in place of the snorkelling and quad safari days. Meal plans and room arrangements can also be tailored where availability allows.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Where it fits
Cairo works as the opening base for this 15-day itinerary, before the route continues south to Aswan and Luxor, then west to Hurghada and back to Cairo. It combines ancient sites with Alexandria and Red Sea time, unlike shorter Cairo-and-cruise itineraries.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This 15-day itinerary requires extended walking on uneven ancient stone, loose sand at archaeological sites, and stairways with no handrails. Transfers use private air-conditioned cars, and the Nile cruise and Philae visits involve short boat tenders that require stepping up and down. Many tombs, including several in the Valley of the Kings, have narrow passageways and steep steps unsuitable for standard wheelchairs. We can arrange wheelchair-accessible vehicles for road transfers where local roads permit, but site access may still be limited. Please tell us about mobility needs when you book so we can plan alternatives, allow extra time, and arrange assistance where possible. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we recommend bringing a collapsible travel wheelchair or mobility aid if you rely on wheeled assistance over cobbles and sand.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Passport and copies of travel documents
- Sunscreen SPF 50+, sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip
- Reusable water bottle and a small daypack
- Any regular medication and basic first-aid items
- Swimwear and reef-safe sunscreen
- Emergency contact details
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable clothing for hot days
- Wear long sleeves and trousers to protect yourself from the sun
- Clothing covering shoulders and knees at temples and mosques
- Sturdy, closed walking shoes for archaeological sites
- A warm layer for cooler evenings and early starts
Children & families
Minimum age for this itinerary is six years. Child pricing is available for ages six to 11 on request, usually at a reduced rate when sharing with two adults; infants under two are priced separately. Strollers work in modern hotel lobbies and along paved Cairo streets, but many archaeological sites have uneven ground and steps where a stroller is impractical. Hotels we arrange can request cots or high chairs, but those items are supplied by the hotel and cannot be guaranteed until confirmed; advise us of child requirements at booking so we can request them early.
The morning of
Meeting point & timing
- Where
- Cairo International Airport (CAI) — Arrivals HallMap
On the ground
Your route
While you're here
Worth pairing
- Giza Plateau15 km
- Saqqara30 km
- Egyptian Museum, Tahrir Square2 km
- Citadel of Salah al-Din6 km
Why book this with us
Three reasons, stated plainly
01
Private sightseeing rather than large coach-group tours
02
Full calls at Kom Ombo and Edfu during the cruise
03
Combines Cairo, Alexandria, ancient sites and Red Sea activities
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
This tour uses private air-conditioned cars for road transfers, scheduled domestic flights (Cairo to Aswan, Hurghada to Cairo), and a three-night Nile cruise between Aswan and Luxor with programmed calls at Kom Ombo and Edfu. We work with regularly contracted local suppliers and Egyptologists to maintain steady local employment on every itinerary. Where possible we choose smaller-group transfers rather than large coaches to reduce fuel per guest on shorter road sectors. For Red Sea snorkelling we contract partners who use moorings where available and enforce a no-touch coral policy. Guests can help by carrying a reusable water bottle, declining single-use plastics, and using reef-safe sunscreen.
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
This 15-day tour includes hotel accommodation in Cairo, a three-night Nile cruise between Aswan and Luxor, hotel stays in Luxor and Hurghada, domestic flights, private transfers and Egyptologist-guided sightseeing. It covers Cairo, Alexandria, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor and Hurghada, with entrance fees for the listed sights included.
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01How long is the 15 Days Experience Egypt Tour, and which places does it visit?
The itinerary lasts 15 days and visits Cairo, Alexandria, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Luxor and Hurghada. It also includes stops at the Giza Plateau, Saqqara, Kom Ombo and Edfu. The route begins and ends in Cairo, with a three-night Nile cruise between Aswan and Luxor. The cruise includes scheduled visits at Kom Ombo and Edfu rather than brief calls alone.02How are transfers and sightseeing arranged on this Egypt tour?
Transfers are by private, air-conditioned car, and scheduled sightseeing is led by Egyptologist guides. Domestic flights connect Cairo with Aswan and Hurghada with Cairo. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and arrange the trip on the ground. We do not run large coach-group tours, so you travel between visits in a private car rather than on a shared sightseeing coach.03What is included in the 15 Days Experience Egypt Tour?
The tour includes 14 nights of accommodation, two domestic flights, private transfers, Egyptologist guides and entrance fees for the sights listed in the itinerary. A Red Sea snorkelling excursion and a Hurghada quad safari are also included. The itinerary combines hotel stays in Cairo, Luxor and Hurghada with a Nile cruise between Aswan and Luxor.04What is not included in this Cairo, Nile cruise and Red Sea tour?
International flights, an Egypt entry visa, gratuities and optional activities are not included. Entry to the interiors of Khufu and Khafre’s pyramids is extra, as are premium tombs such as Tutankhamun’s or Seti I’s unless requested. Standard entrance fees for the scheduled sights are included, so check before adding any extra visits.05How much walking is involved, and is the tour accessible for travellers with limited mobility?
The tour involves walking over uneven stone at sites including Saqqara, Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings. Temples and tombs may have steps, and the quad safari requires getting on and off a quad bike. Some sites have limited wheelchair access. Tell us about mobility needs before booking so we can discuss which visits may be difficult.06Is the 15-day Egypt tour suitable for children?
Children can join the itinerary, but the long sightseeing days and early starts may be tiring for younger travellers. The route includes museums, ancient sites, a Nile cruise and snorkelling at Giftun Island, so activities vary. Share each child’s age when enquiring; we can then discuss the pace and whether the snorkelling and quad safari suit your family.07What should I wear and bring on this Egypt tour?
Bring comfortable walking shoes, light clothing, a hat, sunglasses and high-factor sun cream for days at Giza, Saqqara and Luxor. Carry water, especially for outdoor visits. Choose modest clothing covering shoulders and knees for religious sites such as the Mosque of Muhammad Ali. Swimwear and a towel are useful for the Red Sea excursion.08Can I take photographs at the sites on this tour?
Photography rules vary between sites and can change, so check the signs and ask your Egyptologist before taking pictures. Camera or video restrictions may apply inside museums, tombs and religious buildings; flash may also be prohibited. At the Valley of the Kings and the Egyptian Museum, confirm the current rules on arrival, as some areas require a separate photography permission.09When is the best time to take this Egypt tour?
The cooler months from October to April are generally more comfortable for sightseeing in Cairo, Aswan and Luxor. Summer heat can make outdoor visits, particularly in Upper Egypt, more demanding. Hurghada’s Red Sea activities are available year-round, but conditions vary. The itinerary includes open-air sites, so plan for sun and heat whatever the season.10Does this itinerary include Abu Simbel, and what should I expect there?
Yes, the itinerary includes a visit to Abu Simbel, about 280 km south of Aswan. You visit the Great Temple of Ramses II and the nearby Temple of Nefertari, with the relocation of both monuments explained by your Egyptologist. The road journey takes several hours each way, so expect an early start and a substantial day of travel.
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
Last updated 8 March 2025Product ID: TOU-CAI-991532
You Might Also Like
Cairo10 Days
10 Days Classical Tour of Egypt
This 10-day land tour links Cairo, Giza, Saqqara, Alexandria, Aswan, Abu Simbel and Luxor, with visits to major ancient sites and museums. In Cairo, see the Giza Plateau, the Egyptian Museum and Khan El Khalili; in Alexandria, visit the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Qaitbay Citadel and the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa. Aswan’s itinerary includes Philae Temple and the Unfinished Obelisk, while Luxor brings visits to Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings. Our Egyptologist guide accompanies the sightseeing. Unlike mass coach programmes, the supplied itinerary specifies limited daily group sizes and guided walking at sites. Expect early starts, particularly for temple visits.
Cairo3 Days
3-Day Cairo: Giza, Egyptian Museum & Historic Cairo
A three-day private Cairo itinerary visiting the Giza Pyramids, the Egyptian Museum and Old Cairo with private transport and an English-speaking Egyptologist. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we don't run group-bus tours; all site visits and transfers are private. Day one focuses on the Giza Plateau (Khufu, Khafre, Menkaure) with a sunrise or early-morning option to avoid crowds. Day two covers the Egyptian Museum and Tahrir area; day three visits Coptic and Islamic Cairo including the Citadel and Khan el-Khalili bazaar. Unlike cruise-ship day trips, two nights in Cairo let you schedule Giza at dawn and a calmer afternoon for the Museum. Standard site fees are included; the Khufu pyramid interior, premium tombs (Tutankhamun/Seti I) and gratuities are excluded. Expect early starts, busy sites and limited shade at Giza; modest dress is required for mosques.
From £245
Cairo3 Days
2 Nights in Cairo Before Your Nile Cruise: Pyramids and Sphinx Stopover
Use Cairo as a two-night stop before continuing to a Nile cruise, with sightseeing at the Giza Plateau and the Great Sphinx of Giza. The Great Pyramid of Khufu was built during Egypt’s Fourth Dynasty, around 2560 BC, and is the largest of the three main pyramids at Giza. The Sphinx is a limestone monument near the Pyramid of Khafre. We arrange the Cairo accommodation, sightseeing and related transfers as a licensed Egyptian tour operator; cruise arrangements are separate unless confirmed. Unlike a brief airport visit, this stopover allows time for a fuller Giza visit. Expect uneven stone underfoot and limited shade at the plateau. Entry to pyramid interiors is not included.
From £305