Tour overview

This 12-day trip travels the length of Egypt by van, sleeper train and Nile riverboat. A local leader travels with the group, which numbers no more than twelve. You stay eleven nights in hotels, a sleeper train and a riverboat, with breakfast daily and full board on the cruise.

You start at the Pyramids of Giza and the Egyptian Museum, then drive to Alexandria on the Mediterranean and visit the desert monasteries of Wadi El Natrun before the overnight train to Aswan.

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In Aswan you share dinner with a Nubian family, visit Abu Simbel and board a riverboat for three nights on the Nile past Kom Ombo and Edfu. You finish in Luxor with the Valley of the Kings and Karnak before returning to Cairo.

The physical rating is low. This trip suits first-time visitors who want Egypt's highlights plus Alexandria.

Trip highlights

  • The Pyramids of Giza (Day 2)
  • Alexandria (Day 3)
  • A Nubian family dinner (Day 5)
  • Abu Simbel (Day 6)
  • A Nile cruise (Days 6–8)
  • The Valley of the Kings (Day 10)

Your route

7 stops from Cairo to Luxor

12-day route: Cairo – Giza – Alexandria – Aswan – Abu Simbel – Kom Ombo – Edfu – Luxor – Cairo
  1. Cairo Days 1–2, 4 & 11–12
  2. Alexandria Day 3
  3. Aswan Days 5–6
  4. Abu Simbel Day 6
  5. Kom Ombo Day 7
  6. Edfu Day 7
  7. Luxor Days 8–10

Why choose this tour

Egypt's classics plus Alexandria. Three nights on the Nile.

Best suited to

  • First-time visitors to Egypt
  • History lovers
  • Solo travellers
  • Culture lovers
The colossal statues of Ramses II at Abu Simbel, Egypt

Day-by-day itinerary

12 days from Cairo, Egypt to Cairo, Egypt

  1. Day 1 · Cairo Cairo

    Welcome to Egypt.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  2. Day 2 · Pyramids of Giza, Egyptian Museum Giza

    The Pyramids.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  3. Day 3 · Alexandria Alexandria

    The Mediterranean.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  4. Day 4 · Wadi El Natrun, Alexandria Wadi El Natrun

    Desert monasteries.

    Hotel
    Overnight sleeper train
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  5. Day 5 · Aswan, Elephantine Island Aswan

    A Nubian dinner.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  6. Day 6 · Abu Simbel, Aswan Nile cruise

    Abu Simbel.

    Hotel
    Cruise boat
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  7. Day 7 · Kom Ombo Kom Ombo

    A temple by the river.

    Hotel
    Cruise boat
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  8. Day 8 · Edfu Edfu

    The Temple of Horus.

    Hotel
    Cruise boat
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  9. Day 9 · Luxor, Karnak Luxor

    The cruise ends.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  10. Day 10 · Valley of the Kings Luxor

    Royal tombs.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  11. Day 11 · Cairo Cairo

    Back to Cairo.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  12. Day 12 · Cairo Cairo

    The trip ends.

    Meals
    Breakfast
The Pyramids of Giza under a clear blue sky

Where you stay

  • Cairo (2 nights) Hotel
  • Alexandria (1 night) Hotel
  • Alexandria to Aswan (1 night) Overnight sleeper train
  • Aswan (1 night) Hotel
  • Nile (3 nights) Cruise boat
  • Luxor (2 nights) Hotel
  • Cairo (1 night) Hotel

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 11 nights in hotels, a sleeper train and a riverboat
  • Meals 11 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 5 dinners
  • Private vans, sleeper train and riverboat
  • Pyramids, Egyptian Museum and Alexandria
  • Nubian family dinner and Abu Simbel
  • Valley of the Kings and Karnak
  • Local leader throughout

Not included

  • Flights
  • Meals not included 7 lunches and 6 dinners
  • Egypt visa
  • Travel insurance and personal spending
A painted Nubian house near Aswan

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want luxury hotels
  • You dislike overnight trains
  • You want a beach holiday
  • You want flights included — they are not

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 2–12 · Lunch: Days 6–8 · Dinner: Days 4–8
FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for Egypt
A felucca on the Nile at sunset

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £2,206 per person, twin share, tour only. 288 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

Do I need a visa for Egypt?

Yes, UK citizens need a visa, available as an e-visa or on arrival.

What is the Nile riverboat like?

A riverboat with en-suite cabins and a sun deck, with full board.

What is the sleeper train like?

Two-berth cabins with bedding, dinner and breakfast.

Which meals are included?

Breakfast daily, full board on the cruise and a Nubian dinner.

Can I have my own room?

A single supplement may be available; otherwise solo travellers share with someone of the same gender.

How many people travel together?

No more than twelve travellers, with a local leader.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary

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