12-Day Egypt Tour Itinerary

1st day: Welcome to the Pharaohs’ Homeland

Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, one of our employees will greet you and assist with the immigration process. Then your tour guide will escort you to a modern, air-conditioned hotel in Cairo for check-in.

In the evening, let’s embark on a high-quality Nile cruise for an unforgettable nighttime dinner experience. Enjoy traditional Egyptian performances, including belly dancing, folklore, and musical acts, while your tour guide provides an overview of Egypt’s history before returning to your hotel.

2nd day: Explore the Giza Pyramids and Cairo Museum

After a delicious breakfast, your tour guide will pick you up in a private, air-conditioned car to begin your 12-day journey to Cairo and Upper Egypt. You’ll visit the must-see sites in Giza and Cairo, including:

• The Giza Pyramids Complex, built during the 4th dynasty, features the Valley Temple, the Sphinx, and six smaller pyramids in addition to the three major pyramids.
• The Great Pyramid of Khufu, the oldest and largest pyramid on the Giza Plateau, stands an impressive 147 meters tall and consists of 2.3 million stone blocks.
• The Great Sphinx guards the Giza Plateau and belongs to King Khafre.
• The Valley Temple, where deceased monarchs’ remains were mummified in ancient Egypt.

After a great lunch at a high-quality restaurant, we’ll transport you to the Grand Egyptian Museum, which houses more than 250,000 magnificent items, including the incredible collection of King Tutankhamun and a wealth of priceless treasures. Finally, we’ll take you back to your hotel in Cairo.

3rd day: Discover the Highlights of Aswan

In the morning, you’ll have breakfast before being escorted to the airport for your flight to Aswan. Upon arrival, you’ll meet up with one of our knowledgeable Egyptologists to explore the most well-known sites:

• The Aswan High Dam is a remarkable contemporary achievement that has played a significant role in protecting the nation from devastating floods and producing massive quantities of water and energy.
• The Unfinished Obelisk, the largest obelisk ever constructed in Ancient Egypt, was built on the orders of Queen Hatshepsut.

We’ll have lunch at a restaurant with a view of the Nile before visiting the Philae Temple, which was relocated to Agilkia Island to protect it from floods after the construction of the High Dam. Your tour guide will then transport you to a 5-star hotel in Aswan for check-in and overnight.

Day 4: Discover the Temples of Abu Simbel

In the early morning, you’ll have your breakfast boxes before being driven in a modern, air-conditioned vehicle to the remarkable Abu Simbel Temples, one of the historical wonders of ancient Egypt. These temples were hewn out of the rock during the reign of King Ramses II around 1200 B.C. and include the larger temple dedicated to Ramses II and the smaller one for his wife, Queen Nefertari.

After lunch at a respected restaurant, we’ll bring you back to Aswan and take you to your accommodation.

5th day: Explore the East Bank of Luxor

Your expert tour guide will be waiting for you at the Luxor train station when you arrive after being transferred to board a first-class train there in the morning. They will drive you to see the most well-known sights on the East Bank, including:

• The Karnak Temple is one of the most spectacular temples in the world and the largest temple ever built by man, with a highly distinctive style of artwork and ornamentation.

After a Nile-view lunch, we’ll drive you to a 5-star hotel in Luxor for check-in and relaxation. In the evening, we’ll take you to explore the Luxor Temple, which served as the epicenter of Ancient Egypt’s most well-known personalities and religious atmosphere.

6th day: Discover the West Bank of Luxor

After breakfast at the hotel, your guided day tour of the West Bank’s historical sites will begin, including:

• The Valley of the Kings is a historic burial ground for Egyptian kings from the 18th to the 20th dynasties, including the tombs of King Tutankhamun and Ramses II.
• The Hatshepsut Temple is an impressively beautiful temple constructed to honor Queen Hatshepsut and highlight her significant accomplishments.

After lunch at one of Egypt’s top-notch eateries, you’ll visit the Colossi of Memnon, two seated stone statues built by Amenhotep III to protect the monarch. We will then transport you to your hotel in Aswan for the night.

7th day: Explore the Temples of Dendera and Abydos

After breakfast, your knowledgeable tour guide will transport you in an air-conditioned vehicle to the Dendera Temple, one of the top must-visit historical sites that unite the magnificent accomplishments of three eras in Egypt’s history: the Pharaonic, the Roman, and the Greek.

Next, your guide will take you to the Abydos Temple, where Seti I began construction and his son Ramses II completed it. This temple features well-preserved embellishments and painted reliefs from the 18th dynasty.

After a leisurely lunch at a high-quality restaurant, we’ll transport you back to Luxor, where you may spend the night at your hotel.

8th day: Explore the Sights of Old Cairo

After breakfast, you’ll take a flight back to Cairo, where you’ll meet your knowledgeable Egyptologist to continue your 12-day tour. In Cairo, you’ll explore the following highlights:

• The Citadel of Salah El Din: This Islamic fortification, built in 1176 A.C. under Salah El Din’s rule, features massive gates and high defensive walls.
• The Mosque of Mohamed Ali: Also known as the “Alabaster Mosque,” this stunning structure was constructed between 1830 and 1848.
• The Hanging Church: One of the most well-known Coptic landmarks in Egypt, dating back to the third century A.D.
• The Mosque of Amr Ibn Al Aas: Established in 641 AD, this is regarded as the earliest mosque ever constructed in Africa.
• The Synagogue of Ben Ezra: A treasure trove of abandoned Hebrew and Aramaic, located where baby Moses was discovered.
• The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization: A gateway to Egypt’s eternal legacy, showcasing amazing artifacts and monuments dating back over 4,000 years.

After lunch at a fine dining establishment, you’ll visit the famous Khan El Khalili market, the oldest in Africa, where you can have an amazing shopping experience. Finally, we’ll transport you to a five-star hotel in Cairo for check-in and overnight.

Day 9: Discover the Landmarks of Alexandria

After breakfast at your Cairo hotel, your tour guide will take you on a private, air-conditioned vehicle excursion to Alexandria to see:

• The Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa: A Roman burial ground exhibiting a fusion of Egyptian and Roman art, culture, and architecture.
• Pompey’s Pillar: A granite monument built to commemorate Emperor Diocletian.
• The Citadel of Qaitbay: A magnificent castle built in 1477 AD to defend the city against Ottoman Empire invasions.

You’ll enjoy a seafood lunch before visiting the renowned Library of Alexandria, one of the most important scientific institutions in the world. Afterward, we’ll take you back to your hotel in Cairo for the night.

10th day: Explore the Bahariya Oasis

Early in the morning, we’ll travel to the Bahariya Oasis (385 km/4 hours), where you’ll have lunch, Afterward, travel in a Toyota Land Cruiser to the Black Desert and the Bedouin village of El Hez Shower. You’ll then explore Crystal Mountain, the Agabat Area (or “The Wonders Area”) for sandboarding, and the Old White Desert to see the Flower Stone, Tents Valley, Mushroom, and Panorama. Enjoy Bedouin entertainment, tea, and a barbecue dinner before an overnight desert camping trip.

Day 11: Continue Your Desert Adventure

Start your day by capturing priceless images of the dawn, then enjoy breakfast and visit a hot spring before returning to Cairo. You’ll have lunch at a fine restaurant, and we’ll take you to a 5-star hotel for your final night.

Last day: Depart Egypt

On the last day of your 12-day Cairo and Upper Egypt Tour, check out and we’ll transfer you to the airport for your final departure. This concludes your incredible journey through the wonders of ancient and modern Egypt.