12 Days Cairo & Nile Cruise and Bahariya Oasis

Your trip at a glance

Duration

12 days

Route

Cairo → Giza → Luxor → Aswan → Abu Simbel → White Desert & Bahariya Oasis

Accommodation

3★ Hotel · 4★ Hotel · 5★ Hotel · Luxury Hotel · Standard cruise · Deluxe cruise · Luxury cruise · Dahabiya cruise

Price

From $1,950 per person

Travel style

Private: just your group, guide and driver

Explore Egypt on a 12-day journey through Cairo’s iconic pyramids, Luxor’s ancient temples, Abu Simbel, and a memorable Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan. Discover the breathtaking landscapes of Bahariya Oasis, the Black Desert, Crystal Mountain, and the White Desert on an unforgettable adventure combining history, culture, and nature.

• Cairo and Giza in depth
• The Egyptian Museum of Antiquities
• Saqqara
• Khan el-Khalili Bazaar
• Mohamed Ali Mosque
• Saladin Citadel
• Nile cruise Luxor to Aswan
• Abu Simbel
• Crystal Mountain
• White Desert
• Black Desert
• Valley of the Golden Mummies & Tomb of Bannantiu
• English House

Day-by-day programme

1. Day 1Arrival in Cairo

   Location:

   Cairo

   Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, meet your representative, who will assist you with arrival formalities and transfer you to your hotel. Check in, relax after your journey, and meet your tour manager to review the itinerary.

   Included today: * Meals: Welcome drink * Overnight: Cairo

2. Day 2Giza Pyramids, Saqqara & Memphis

   Location:

   Giza

   After breakfast, meet your private Egyptologist guide and travel in an air-conditioned vehicle to explore the highlights of ancient Egypt. * Visit the Great Pyramids of Giza, including the Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure. * See the Great Sphinx and learn about its history and symbolism. * Explore the Valley Temple of Khafre, associated with the ancient royal mummification rituals. * Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. * Visit Saqqara to discover the Step Pyramid of Djoser and the surrounding archaeological complex. * Continue to Memphis, the ancient Egyptian capital, to see its archaeological remains and the colossal statue of Ramesses II. Return to your hotel after the tour.

   Included today: * Meals: Breakfast and lunch * Overnight: Cairo

3. Day 3Egyptian Museum, Citadel of Saladin & Khan El Khalili

   Location:

   Cairo

   After breakfast, discover Cairo's historical and cultural landmarks with your private Egyptologist guide. * Visit the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities to explore its collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts. * Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. * Explore the Citadel of Saladin, a historic fortress overlooking Cairo. * Visit the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, famous for its Ottoman-inspired architecture and impressive domes. * Wander through Khan El Khalili Bazaar, one of Cairo's most famous traditional markets, where you can browse souvenirs, handicrafts, and local products. Return to your hotel for the evening.

   Included today: * Meals: Breakfast and lunch * Overnight: Cairo

4. Day 4Fly to Luxor – East Bank Tour

   Location:

   Luxor

   After breakfast, transfer to Cairo Airport for your domestic flight to Luxor. Upon arrival, meet your representative and transfer to your Nile cruise ship for check-in. Later, visit Luxor's famous East Bank monuments. * Explore Karnak Temple, an extensive religious complex renowned for its monumental columns and historic sanctuaries. * Visit Luxor Temple, an impressive ancient temple associated with the reigns of Amenhotep III and Ramesses II. Return to the cruise ship for lunch and dinner while enjoying your first evening on the Nile.

   Included today: * Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner * Overnight: Nile cruise

5. Day 5Luxor West Bank Tour

   Location:

   Luxor

   After breakfast on board, explore the remarkable monuments on Luxor's West Bank. * Visit the Valley of the Kings, the royal burial ground of many New Kingdom pharaohs. * Discover the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, an impressive terraced monument built against dramatic limestone cliffs. * Stop at the Colossi of Memnon, two monumental statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III. Return to the cruise ship for lunch, relaxation, and dinner while sailing along the Nile.

   Included today: * Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner * Overnight: Nile cruise

6. Day 6Edfu & Kom Ombo Temples

   Location:

   Edfu & Kom Ombo

   Enjoy breakfast on board as your Nile cruise continues through Upper Egypt. * Visit Kom Ombo Temple, a unique double temple dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Haroeris, an aspect of Horus. * Explore Edfu Temple, one of Egypt's best-preserved ancient temples, dedicated to Horus, the falcon-headed god. Return to the cruise ship to enjoy the scenery, lunch, and leisure time on board.

   Included today: * Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner * Overnight: Nile cruise

7. Day 7Abu Simbel Temples

   Location:

   Aswan

   After breakfast, travel by private vehicle to Abu Simbel, located in southern Egypt near Lake Nasser. * Explore the Great Temple of Ramesses II, famous for its colossal statues carved into the mountainside. * Visit the Temple of Queen Nefertari, dedicated to the queen and the goddess Hathor. * Learn about the temples' religious significance, monumental architecture, and relocation to protect them from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. After the excursion, return to your Nile cruise for meals and relaxation.

   Included today: * Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner * Overnight: Nile cruise

8. Day 8Aswan City Tour & Flight to Cairo

   Location:

   Cairo

   After breakfast, check out from the Nile cruise and discover Aswan's most important landmarks. * Visit the Aswan High Dam, a major engineering achievement that transformed Egypt's water management. * Explore the Unfinished Obelisk in the ancient granite quarries and learn about the techniques used by Egyptian stoneworkers. * Take a boat to Agilkia Island to visit Philae Temple, dedicated primarily to the goddess Isis. After the tour, transfer to Aswan Airport for your domestic flight to Cairo. Upon arrival, meet your representative and transfer to your hotel.

   Included today: * Meals: Breakfast and lunch * Overnight: Cairo

9. Day 9Cairo to Alexandria optional tour

   Location:

   Alexandria

   Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, followed by a free day in Cairo to relax or explore independently. Optional full-day excursion to Alexandria: * Visit the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, known for their blend of ancient Egyptian and Greco-Roman artistic influences. * Explore the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a modern cultural landmark inspired by the ancient Library of Alexandria. * Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. * Visit the Citadel of Qaitbay, a historic coastal fortress overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. * See Pompey's Pillar, one of Alexandria's most recognizable ancient monuments. Return to Cairo in the evening.

   Included today: * Meals: Breakfast; lunch on the optional Alexandria tour * Overnight: Cairo

10. Day 10Cairo to Bahariya Oasis

    Location:

    Bahariya Oasis

    After breakfast, depart Cairo by private air-conditioned vehicle for Bahariya Oasis in the Western Desert. Explore its striking desert landscapes and archaeological heritage. * Discover the Black Desert, known for its dark volcanic hills and black basalt formations. * Visit English Mountain, associated with the presence of British forces during World War II and offering panoramic desert views. * Explore the Tomb of Bannantiu, an elaborately decorated ancient tomb in the Bahariya region. * Visit the Valley of the Golden Mummies, an important archaeological site containing mummies dating to the Greco-Roman period. After the sightseeing tour, check in to your accommodation in Bahariya Oasis and relax.

    Included today: * Meals: Breakfast and lunch * Overnight: Bahariya Oasis

11. Day 11White Desert, Crystal Mountain & Return to Cairo

    Location:

    Cairo

    After breakfast, continue your desert adventure with a visit to some of the Western Desert's most remarkable natural landscapes. * Stop at Crystal Mountain, famous for its sparkling quartz and crystal formations. * Explore the Valley of Agabat, renowned for its unusual limestone formations and spectacular desert scenery. * Discover the White Desert National Park, famous for its chalk-white rock formations sculpted by wind erosion into extraordinary shapes. After the excursion, travel back to Cairo and transfer to your hotel.

    Included today: * Meals: Breakfast and lunch * Overnight: Cairo

12. Day 12Departure from Egypt

    Location:

    Cairo

    Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before checking out. At the scheduled time, transfer to Cairo International Airport for your departure flight, concluding your Egyptian adventure.

    Included today: * Meals: Breakfast * Overnight: None