7-Day Cairo & Hurghada Holiday
Seven days: Giza Plateau, Grand Egyptian Museum and Saqqara, then three nights on the Red Sea with snorkelling and quad safari, transfers and hotels included.
The short answer
7-Day Cairo & Hurghada Holiday is a 7-day, 6-night trip to Cairo and Hurghada: 4 nights in Cairo and 2 in Hurghada. It includes domestic flights, an Egyptologist guide and transfers. Prices start at £991 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 £9913★ hotels | Cairo · 4 nightsKemet Pyramids View Hotel Hurghada · 2 nightsSunny Days Mirette Family Resort | £991May–Sep: on request | |
| Comfortfrom £1,0784★ hotels | Cairo · 4 nightsJewel Sport City Hurghada · 2 nightsSwiss Inn Resort Hurghada | £1,078May–Sep: from £1,075 | |
| Classicfrom £1,1265★ hotels | Hurghada · 2 nightsAMC Royal Hotel & Spa | £1,126May–Sep: from £1,075 | |
| Prestigefrom £1,4565★ deluxe hotels | Hurghada · 2 nightsHilton Hurghada Plaza | £1,456May–Sep: from £1,523 | |
| Luxuryfrom £2,2145★ luxury hotels | Cairo · 4 nightsSt. Regis Cairo | £2,214May–Sep: from £2,189 |
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
6 Nights / 7 Days · Cairo · Giza Pyramids Complex · Grand Egyptian Museum · Saqqara · Egyptian Museum (Tahrir) · Salah El Din Citadel
- 1
You arrive in Cairo and, after an included private transfer from your hotel, board an evening Nile dinner cruise on the Corniche. Your Egyptologist gives a short introduction to Cairo's 19th and 20th century development before boarding. The cruise includes a plated dinner and a short Tanoura dance with live Arabic music while lights from Giza appear on the skyline.
As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we schedule the quay transfer after 19:00 to avoid central Cairo peak traffic.
- 2
You start in the morning at the Giza Pyramids Complex where your Egyptologist explains Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure and the nearby Sphinx. Midday you transfer to the Grand Egyptian Museum for a guided visit of the Tutankhamun galleries and modern exhibition spaces. In the late afternoon you drive to Saqqara to see the Step Pyramid of Djoser, attributed to Imhotep around 2670 BCE.
We do not include Khufu pyramid interior tickets by default; many travellers prefer to decide on the day. Unlike express city tours, we allow uninterrupted time at each site.
- 3
Morning begins at the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square, where your Egyptologist outlines the collection of more than 120,000 objects and the museum's exhibition history. Midday we visit the Salah El Din Citadel and enter the 19th-century Mohamed Ali Mosque to view its alabaster interior. After lunch you see the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, including the Royal Mummies Hall.
Late afternoon is a guided walk along Al Muizz Street among medieval monuments, finishing with free time in Khan El Khalili bazaar. We keep visit lengths relaxed rather than rushing each site.
- 4
Morning transfer from your Hurghada hotel takes about 30 minutes to the Eastern Desert launch point on the Red Sea coast. After a safety briefing and helmets from the local team, you'll ride on marked desert tracks for approximately three hours with short stops at a Bedouin wadi and coastal viewpoints for photos. Return to Hurghada by mid-afternoon for free time on the Corniche or at your hotel.
We schedule morning starts to avoid the midday heat, a practice many operators do not follow.
- 5
In the morning you transfer to Hurghada Marina for a two-hour crossing to Giftun Island, where you spend late morning snorkelling above coral gardens and shallow reef. Your guide discusses reef ecology and points out common species such as clownfish and parrotfish. Snorkelling equipment and a safety briefing are provided by the licensed boat crew.
As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we arrange the transfer and boat with vetted partners. We schedule an early departure to avoid the busiest mid-afternoon boats.
- 6
This morning you take a domestic flight from Hurghada to Cairo, the scheduled sector lasting about one hour. On arrival at Cairo International Airport our Egyptologist meets you and we arrange a private transfer to your included hotel in central Cairo, leaving the afternoon free to rest or explore. We normally book mid-morning flights to avoid pre-dawn departures.
Unlike overnight coach journeys, the short flight returns you to Cairo quickly, so you keep most of the day for optional sightseeing or hotel check-in.
- 7
Morning visit to the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square focuses on the Tutankhamun funerary collection and the New Kingdom galleries. Your Egyptologist will explain provenance and dating while pointing out catalogued finds from KV62.
After a relaxed lunch break, walk the alleys of Khan el-Khalili, founded in the 14th century, with time to view Al-Hussein Mosque from the outside and pause for photography. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we plan this day for small groups rather than large coach arrivals, so pacing allows short rests between sites.
02Overview
A first look
Early light throws a thin shadow from Khufu's pyramid across the Giza Plateau, the limestone still cool underfoot while the city's traffic becomes a distant hum. A walk along Al Muizz Street moves from carved wooden doors to spice-scented stalls in Khan El Khalili, moments that feel lived-in rather than staged, and the sea breeze of the Red Sea is a clear contrast when you reach Hurghada a few days later.
Our Egyptologists talk through construction techniques, urban layers and museum displays as we move between sites, and we arrange all transfers and meet-and-assist services. We do not run large coach-group departures, so every booking is private and timed to reduce queuing.
What lingers
- 01Giza Pyramids Complex and the Great Sphinx, with views across the plateau
- 02Grand Egyptian Museum, modern galleries housing Tutankhamun material
- 03Saqqara Step Pyramid and the Old Kingdom necropolis
- 04Historic Cairo walk on Al Muizz Street and shopping in Khan El Khalili Bazaar
- 05Three nights at Hurghada on the Red Sea, with a snorkelling excursion
- 06Quad safari in the desert around Hurghada
Bundled in
- Domestic flights
- Private transfer
- Full board
- Private Egyptologist
The fine print
What's included – and what is left out
Included
- Accommodation in Cairo for 3 nights
- Accommodation in Hurghada for 3 nights
- Domestic return flight from Cairo to Hurghada
- Meet-and-assist service on arrival and departure
- Admission fees for the sites named in the itinerary
- All tours and excursions by private, air-conditioned vehicle
- Quad-biking safari
- Snorkelling excursion
- A qualified Egyptologist guide for the tours
- Taxes and all service charges
Not included
- International flights
- Egyptian entry visa
- Tips
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
At Giza, ask your Egyptologist where the plateau’s changing light gives the clearest view of Khufu’s pyramid and the Sphinx.
- 02
Carry water and sun protection at Saqqara; shade is limited across the archaeological site.
- 03
At Khan El Khalili, agree a price before buying and compare a few stalls before settling on an item.
- 04
Bring swimwear, a hat and sun protection for the Hurghada snorkelling and quad safari excursions.
- 05
Choose comfortable closed shoes for the quad safari and secure loose items before riding.
Tailor it
Make it yours
The itinerary can usually be adjusted as a private tour with more time at selected sites, upgraded hotel categories, or optional add-on visits in Cairo. It can also be tailored with different meal plans, extra nights in Cairo or Hurghada, or changes to the order of sightseeing around flight schedules.
Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This tour suits first-time visitors who want to combine major Cairo monuments with a short Red Sea break without changing hotels every day. It is also suitable for adults and older children who are comfortable with several sightseeing days and one domestic flight.
Maybe not, if
- Choose a slower, single-region holiday if you want little sightseeing or dislike changing locations. Uneven ground at Saqqara, the Giza Plateau and historic Cairo may not suit travellers who need step-free access.
Honest assessment
The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.
Highlights
- Private touring avoids large coach-group departures.
- Covers Khufu's pyramid, the Great Sphinx and Saqqara.
- Combines Cairo museums and historic streets with Red Sea time.
- Hurghada activities include snorkelling and a quad safari.
- Domestic flights avoid a long Cairo to Hurghada road journey.
Things to Consider
- Several major Cairo sights make the first days busy.
- Uneven stone and sandy ground can make walking tiring.
- Summer heat can make Cairo sightseeing uncomfortable.
- Snorkelling and quad safaris depend on weather and sea conditions.
Where it fits
This seven-day itinerary combines Cairo’s archaeological sites and historic streets with time on the Red Sea in Hurghada. It can sit within a longer Egypt holiday before or after time in Luxor, but those visits are not part of this tour.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike standard coach departures, this is a private itinerary with timed sightseeing and dedicated transfers, which helps reduce waiting at busy monuments. Compared with a Cairo-only tour, it adds time on the Red Sea in Hurghada and includes both a desert quad safari and snorkelling. Compared with a beach-only holiday, it keeps the main focus on archaeological and historic sites in Cairo.
Compare
Similar tours to compare
On the ground
Your route
Snapshot
Good to know
- Travel style
- Privately guided excursion
- Accommodation
- Hotels Included
- Destinations
- Cairo · Giza Pyramids Complex · Grand Egyptian Museum · Saqqara · Egyptian Museum (Tahrir) · Salah El Din Citadel · Mohamed Ali Mosque · National Museum of Egyptian Civilization · Al Muizz Street · Khan El Khalili Bazaar · Hurghada · Red Sea
- Includes
- Cairo accommodation for 3 nights · Hurghada accommodation for 3 nights · Return domestic flights between Cairo and Hurghada · Arrival and departure meet-and-assist service · Admission charges for the sites listed · Tours by private, air-conditioned vehicle · Guide who is a professional Egyptologist · Quad safari and snorkelling excursion
- Best for
- First-time visitors · History enthusiasts · Families with children · Private travel couples · Travellers wanting sightseeing plus beach time
- 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 any visas required
- SPF30+ sun cream and a broad-brimmed hat
- A lightweight, refillable reusable water bottle
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- A compact day bag for your camera, water and documents
- Swimwear and reef-safe sun cream for snorkelling
- Compact manual wheelchair if you use a mobility scooter
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing for the heat
- Long sleeves and trousers for sun protection
- Clothing covering shoulders and knees for mosques and religious sites
- Closed-toe shoes for Saqqara, the Giza Plateau and the quad safari
- Light windproof layer for evening boat trips
Children & families
Children aged five and above may join this seven-day tour, sharing a room with parents at the per-person sharing rate. Child pricing and any reductions vary by hotel and supplier, so please give ages at booking and we will confirm the exact quote. The quad safari operator requires vehicle drivers to be at least 16 years old; younger children may travel as passengers with an accompanying adult. The snorkelling excursion accepts children but requires competent swimmers or an adult companion; life vests are provided. Strollers work well in hotels and marina areas but are difficult to use at archaeological sites because of steps and uneven surfaces. Advise us of ages and any special requirements when you book so we can confirm activity permissions and safety rules.
Accessibility
Who can join this
We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we arrange meet-and-assist on arrival, transfers and Egyptologist-led sightseeing. Expect uneven ancient stone, loose sand, cobbled streets and steep steps at key sites such as the Giza Plateau and Saqqara; these require brisk walking and careful footing. Vehicles are standard-height, air-conditioned minibuses with step-up entry; they are not low-floor coaches. The Hurghada snorkelling excursion and the quad safari include short boat transfers and moving over sandy tracks. Wheelchairs can be used for hotel transfers and many hotel areas, but access at archaeological sites is limited: Khufu pyramid interior and many tombs have narrow passages and stairs, and some temple approaches have steps without ramps. If you use a mobility scooter, bring a compact manual wheelchair for site visits. Please contact us at booking with details of mobility needs and flight arrival time; we will confirm what assistance we can provide on the ground and which sites are feasible for your party.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
We arrange ground transport in modern, air-conditioned minibuses that typically seat 16 passengers or fewer, leased from local transport companies. The Cairo to Hurghada sector is flown on scheduled domestic carriers to reduce total travel time on this seven-day itinerary. Snorkelling excursions use small motorboats run by licensed Hurghada boat operators; the quad safari uses petrol ATVs operated by a local desert tour company. We contract local Egyptologists, drivers and activity teams so income stays in the communities visited. Where possible we ask hotels to provide reusable water-bottle refill points, and we request waste separation on boats and at picnic stops. If you want the names of the specific suppliers we plan to use on your dates, request the supplier list at booking and we will share it.
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 7 Days Cairo and Hurghada Tour?
The itinerary lasts seven days and includes six hotel nights, split between Cairo and Hurghada. A domestic flight connects the two cities. The first three days focus on Cairo and its nearby archaeological sites, followed by time in Hurghada before the return to Cairo.02How do transfers and transport work on the Cairo and Hurghada tour?
Transfers and sightseeing transport are arranged in a private, air-conditioned vehicle, with domestic flights between Cairo and Hurghada. Meet-and-assist service is included on arrival and departure. We do not run large coach-group departures, so the sightseeing arrangements are private to your booking.03What is included in the 7 Days Cairo and Hurghada Tour?
The package includes six hotel nights, domestic flights between Cairo and Hurghada, listed-site entrance fees, private vehicle transport, an Egyptologist guide during tours, the quad safari and the Giftun Island snorkelling excursion. Service charges and taxes are also included. The Nile evening cruise and plated dinner are part of the Cairo itinerary.04What is not included in the Cairo and Hurghada tour?
International flights, the Egypt entry visa and tips are excluded. Personal spending and any items not specified in the inclusions should be treated as extra; ask us to confirm a particular meal, drink or activity before booking. Entrance fees for sites named in the itinerary are included.05How much walking is involved, and is the tour accessible?
Expect walking over uneven ground at the Giza Plateau, Saqqara and historic Cairo, as well as museum visits and time on your feet. The itinerary includes a quad ride and boat excursion. Step-free access and assistance can vary by site and supplier, so tell us about mobility needs before confirming arrangements.06Is the 7 Days Cairo and Hurghada Tour suitable for children?
Families can take this private tour, but the activities need to suit each child’s age and confidence. The quad safari may have supplier-set age or passenger rules, and snorkelling at Giftun Island requires comfort in the water. Share children’s ages when enquiring so we can check the activity arrangements.07What should I wear and bring on the Cairo and Hurghada tour?
Bring comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sun cream and a refillable water bottle for Cairo’s outdoor sites. Choose light clothing for the heat, with shoulders and knees covered when visiting the Mohamed Ali Mosque and other religious sites. For Hurghada, pack swimwear and a cover-up for public areas.08Can I take photographs during the tour?
Photography rules differ between the Giza Plateau, museums, religious buildings and the snorkelling excursion. Follow signs and instructions from site staff, and ask before photographing people. Some museum displays or interiors may restrict photography, and flash or commercial photography may require permission.09When is the best time to take the Cairo and Hurghada tour?
October to April generally brings cooler conditions for Cairo sightseeing, while the Red Sea remains part of the itinerary in every season. Winter sun from November to March is a useful UK travel window. Summer heat can make outdoor visits at Giza and Saqqara more demanding, so carry water and sun protection.10Does the tour visit Giftun Island and the Step Pyramid of Djoser?
Yes, the Cairo itinerary includes the Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara, and the Hurghada programme includes snorkelling near Giftun Island. Saqqara is an ancient necropolis south of Cairo, while Giftun is an island in the Red Sea reached by boat from Hurghada Marina.
Last updated Product ID: TOU-CAI-797379
At a glance
- Length
- 7 days · 6 nights
- Starts
- Daily
- Route
- Cairo → Hurghada → Cairo
- Nights
- 4 Cairo · 2 Hurghada
- Includes
- Domestic flights, Egyptologist guide, transfers