The Grand Tour of Egypt
Fourteen days, every register of the country — Cairo, Alexandria, the Nile by cruise, Abu Simbel and the Red Sea to finish.
Overview
This is the itinerary for travellers who intend to come once and see it whole. The first week belongs to history: Cairo's two great museums and medieval quarters, Alexandria on the Mediterranean, then a flight south for Abu Simbel — the mountain temple of Ramesses II above Lake Nasser — before a three-night cruise carries you down the Nile from Aswan to Luxor. The second week changes key entirely: after Luxor's tombs and temples you fly to Sharm El Sheikh, where the desert meets some of the clearest water on earth. Four Red Sea days close the journey with snorkelling over the reefs of Ras Mohammed and nothing on the schedule that cannot be cancelled in favour of the pool. All domestic flights are included; every guided day is private.
Itinerary
Arrival in Cairo
- Private airport welcome and transfer to your 5-star hotel
- Evening orientation with your planner
Giza & the Grand Egyptian Museum
- The pyramids, panorama and Sphinx in the morning cool
- Tutankhamun's complete treasure at the GEM
Islamic & Coptic Cairo
- The Citadel and the alabaster Mosque of Muhammad Ali
- The Hanging Church and Old Cairo's lanes
- Khan el-Khalili at dusk
Alexandria day
- Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa and Pompey's Pillar
- The Citadel of Qaitbay on the Pharos site
- Seafood lunch on the corniche; return to Cairo
Fly south — Aswan
- Morning flight to Aswan
- Philae by motorboat and the Unfinished Obelisk
- Evening free on the corniche
Abu Simbel
- Dawn road journey to Abu Simbel
- The Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Temple of Nefertari
- Return to Aswan; felucca at golden hour
Embark your Nile cruise
- Morning at leisure; board before lunch
- Sail-away afternoon on the river
Kom Ombo & Edfu
- The twin temple of Sobek and Horus the Elder
- Edfu — the best-preserved temple in Egypt
Arrival in Luxor
- Through the Esna lock to Thebes
- Luxor Temple illuminated in the evening (optional)
Luxor — both banks
- Karnak with your Egyptologist at opening
- Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut's temple
- Disembark to your Luxor hotel
Fly to the Red Sea
- Morning flight to Sharm El Sheikh
- Check in; the schedule ends here on purpose
Reefs of Ras Mohammed
- Boat day in the national park — two snorkelling stops over coral walls
- Deck lunch on board
Red Sea at leisure
- A free day — dive, spa or simply the sea
- Farewell dinner in Old Market Sharm
Departure
- Fly to Cairo connecting to your international departure
Included & not included
Included
- Private Egyptologist guide throughout
- 13 nights — 5-star hotels, a 3-night full-board Nile cruise and a Red Sea resort
- All domestic flights (Cairo–Aswan, Luxor–Sharm El Sheikh, Sharm–Cairo)
- Abu Simbel excursion by private vehicle
- Ras Mohammed boat day with snorkelling equipment
- All entrance fees to sites and monuments
- Lunch on each touring day
- Private air-conditioned transfers
- Hotel pickup & drop-off
- Bottled water every day
Not included
- International flights to and from Egypt
- Egypt entry visa
- Tipping (gratuities)
- Personal expenses
- Optional extras — Abu Simbel, camel rides, dinner cruise, drinks
Good to know
Is fourteen days too long for a first visit?
It is the length most returning guests wish they had booked the first time. The Red Sea days at the end are what make the history week sustainable — the trip breathes instead of accumulating fatigue.
How much of this journey is flying?
Three internal flights, each about an hour, replacing what would otherwise be twelve-hour road or rail legs. The one long drive we keep — Aswan to Abu Simbel — is itself part of the experience, crossing open desert at dawn.
Can the Red Sea leg be swapped or extended?
Freely. Some guests trade it for extra Luxor nights or Siwa; others extend Sharm to a full week. The first ten days form the spine and the final act is yours to shape.
Is this journey right for you?
- Travellers who prefer a private, guided experience
- Those with a deep interest in ancient history and culture
- Visitors who want a curated itinerary rather than self-guided travel
- Anyone seeking high-quality, professionally managed logistics
- Travellers seeking large group or coach tours
- Budget-focused independent backpackers
- Visitors looking primarily for nightlife or beach holidays
Preparation reading
Guides to help you prepare for this journey.
Egypt Travel Guide
Everything you need to plan a trip to Egypt — visa requirements, the best time to go, getting around, top destinations, culture and practical essentials.
Best Time to Visit Egypt
Egypt's best travel season is October to April, when Nile Valley temperatures are mild and monuments are comfortable to explore. Here is what to expect season by season and destination by destination.
Getting Around Egypt
How to travel between Egypt's cities and sites — domestic flights, high-speed trains, Nile cruises, the Cairo Metro, taxis and private transfers explained.
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