12-Day Egypt Itinerary – Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Dahabiya & Abu Simbel

12-Day Egypt Itinerary – Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Dahabiya & Abu Simbel

12 Days Private Tour Egypt
Destination Egypt Expertly Curated Tours to Egypt from Australia
Type Private Tour
Duration 12 Days 11 Nights

A 12-day Egypt itinerary combining a Cairo, Alexandria, and Luxor tour with a four-night traditional Dahabiya sailing cruise through Upper Egypt — covering the Pyramids, Greco-Roman Alexandria, the Valley of the Kings, Abu Simbel, and Aswan's ancient monuments...

This 12-day Egypt itinerary combining Cairo, Luxor, and Alexandria stands apart from standard Egypt packages by offering two experiences most visitors never have — a full day in Alexandria exploring its Greco-Roman heritage, and a four-night traditional Dahabiya sailing cruise through the quieter stretches of the Upper Egyptian Nile.The first four days cover Cairo and Alexandria in depth. The Great Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, and a full day at the Grand Egyptian Museum lay the foundations before day four takes you north to Alexandria — one of the ancient world's most legendary cities — for the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, Pompey's Pillar, Qaitbay Citadel, and the remarkable Bibliotheca Alexandrina.Day five flies south to Luxor, covering Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple on the East Bank, followed by the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, and the Colossi of Memnon on the West Bank. After lunch you board your Dahabiya — a traditional Egyptian sailing vessel — and your four-night river journey begins.Rather than the standard Nile cruise route, the Dahabiya sails at a slower, more intimate pace through lesser-visited stretches of the Upper Egyptian Nile, stopping at El Kab, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, the ancient quarry site of Gebel El Silsila, and Kom Ombo before reaching Aswan. The journey concludes with Abu Simbel's colossal temples, Philae Temple, and the Aswan High Dam before a final flight back to Cairo.

Day by day

The plan as the operator publishes it. Exact timings are confirmed with your booking.

  1. Day 1 Arrive Cairo
    Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport you'll be met by your tour manager, assisted through arrival procedures, and transferred to your hotel in a private air-conditioned vehicle.
  2. Day 2 Pyramids of Giza & Saqqara
    After breakfast, your private Egyptologist guide meets you for the first full day — beginning at the most iconic archaeological site on earth. Stand before the Great Pyramids of Giza — the last surviving wonder of the ancient world Admire the iconic Great Sphinx and visit the Valley Temple where…
  3. Day 3 Grand Egyptian Museum
    A full day dedicated to one of the world's greatest collections of ancient civilisation. Visit the Grand Egyptian Museum — the largest archaeological museum in the world Explore thousands of priceless artefacts spanning thousands of years of Egyptian civilisation Admire the complete treasures of…
  4. Day 4 Alexandria Day Tour
    After breakfast, the tour heads north to Alexandria — Egypt's Pearl of the Mediterranean and one of the ancient world's most legendary cities. Travel to Alexandria and begin with the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa — one of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages and the largest Roman burial site in Egypt…
  5. Day 5 Fly to Luxor & East Bank Tour
    After breakfast, the journey south to Upper Egypt begins — flying to Luxor for an afternoon of extraordinary temple architecture. Transfer to Cairo Airport for your domestic flight to Luxor Upon arrival, meet your guide and head directly to the East Bank Visit the vast Karnak Temple Complex — the…
  6. Day 6 Luxor West Bank & Dahabiya Embarkation
    After breakfast, the legendary burial monuments of the West Bank await — followed by the beginning of your Dahabiya sailing adventure along the Nile. Visit the Valley of the Kings — the royal burial ground where generations of pharaohs were laid to rest in richly decorated underground tombs…
  7. Day 7 El Kab & Edfu Temple
    A day of lesser-visited ancient sites and one of Egypt's finest temples — experienced at the unhurried pace of traditional Nile sailing. Enjoy breakfast on board as the Dahabiya sails peacefully along the Nile Visit the ancient city of El Kab — once the capital of Upper Egypt, home to remarkable…
  8. Day 8 Gebel El Silsila
    One of the most distinctive stops on this 12-day Egypt itinerary — a site that reveals the ancient mechanics behind Egypt's greatest monuments. Sail to Gebel El Silsila — one of ancient Egypt's most important sandstone quarry sites, where stone for temples across the country was extracted for…
  9. Day 9 Kom Ombo Temple & Sail to Aswan
    After breakfast, a final temple visit before the Dahabiya completes its journey to the beautiful city of Aswan. Visit the remarkable Temple of Kom Ombo — uniquely dedicated to both Sobek the crocodile god and Horus the Elder Explore its perfectly symmetrical double design with two identical…
  10. Day 10 Abu Simbel Excursion & Dahabiya Disembarkation
    The most dramatic day of this 12-day Egypt itinerary — visiting Egypt's most remote and awe-inspiring ancient temples. After breakfast, disembark from your Dahabiya and travel by road to Abu Simbel Marvel at the colossal temples of Ramses II — dedicated to Ptah, Re-Her-Akhtey, Amun-Re, and Ramses…
  11. Day 11 Aswan Sightseeing & Fly to Cairo
    After breakfast, Aswan's own remarkable ancient monuments take centre stage before the journey back to Cairo. Visit the beautiful Philae Temple — dedicated to the goddess Isis and dramatically situated on Agilkia Island in the Nile A short motorboat ride delivers you to one of Egypt's most…
  12. Day 12 Depart Cairo
    After a final Egyptian breakfast, your 12-day Egypt itinerary concludes with a transfer to Cairo International Airport. Enjoy breakfast and any remaining free time depending on your flight schedule Private transfer to Cairo International Airport for your departure Twelve days of ancient monuments…

What this holiday includes

Everything the price covers, and what to budget for separately.

Included

16
  • Meet and greet service at airports
  • Assistance from guest relations throughout your stay
  • All transfers by private air-conditioned deluxe vehicle
  • Domestic flights: Cairo to Luxor and Aswan to Cairo
  • 5 nights accommodation in Cairo with breakfast
  • 1 night accommodation in Luxor with breakfast
  • 4 nights aboard a Dahabiya Nile Cruise with full board
  • 1 night accommodation in Aswan with breakfast
  • Private sightseeing in Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, and Aswan
  • Shared sightseeing aboard the Dahabiya as per cruise schedule
  • Professional English-speaking Egyptologist guide
  • Entrance fees to all listed attractions
  • Meals as specified in the itinerary
  • Bottled water during sightseeing
  • Porterage where required
  • All service charges and taxes

Not included

5
  • International flights
  • Egypt entry visa
  • Optional tours
  • Personal expenses
  • Tipping

Prices

Per person, by hotel standard and travel season. The operator publishes these rates; we confirm the exact cost for your dates before anything is booked.

Hotels used Asharanda Nuun / Nuut Dahabiya 5 Golden Tolip Aswan 5 Hilton Pyramids Golf Resort 5 Sonesta St. George Hotel Luxor 5 Steigenberger Luxor Hotel 5 Triumph Luxury Hotel 5
Prices per person in USD
Occupancy Summer (MAY-SEP) Winter (OCT-APR)
Per Person in Triple USD 4,169 USD 4,594
Per person in Double USD 3,897 USD 4,335
Per Solo Traveler USD 6,017 USD 6,765
Hotels used Asharanda Nuun / Nuut Dahabiya 5 Hilton Luxor Resort and Spa 5 Hyatt Regency Cairo West Hotel 5 Le Riad Hotel de Charme Cairo 5 Mövenpick Resort & Marine Spa Sousse 5 Sheraton Cairo Hotel & Casino 5 Sonesta Nuba Aswan Hotel 4
Prices per person in USD
Occupancy Summer (MAY-SEP) Winter (OCT-APR)
Per Person in Triple USD 4,629 USD 5,194
Per Person in Double room USD 4,359 USD 4,925
Per Solo Traveler USD 6,950 USD 7,895

Photos

12-Day Egypt Itinerary – Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Dahabiya & Abu Simbel
12-Day Egypt Itinerary – Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Dahabiya & Abu Simbel
12-Day Egypt Itinerary – Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Dahabiya & Abu Simbel
12-Day Egypt Itinerary – Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Dahabiya & Abu Simbel
12-Day Egypt Itinerary – Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Dahabiya & Abu Simbel
12-Day Egypt Itinerary – Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Dahabiya & Abu Simbel