Essential Egypt & Red Sea
From Cairo and the awe-inspiring Pyramids of Giza, to Luxor and the Valley of the Kings, discover the wonders of ancient Egypt. End your adventure with three nights in Hurghada, enjoying rest and relaxation by the Red Sea, on this value-packed 11-day Egyptian escapade.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more download our Trip Notes
Tour overview
Itinerary
Day 1 Cairo
Day 1 Cairo
You will be met upon arrival at Cairo Airport and transferred to our start hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax or those arriving early can opt to join our optional Backstreets of Cairo tour which departs the hotel at 10am.
If you'd like to extend your stay in Egypt we also offer a pre or post tour Day Trip to Alexandria.
Day 2 Pyramids of Giza & Egyptian Museum
Day 2 Pyramids of Giza & Egyptian Museum
Cairo - Aswan. Our tour begins with a visit to one of the world's most famous sights this morning - the legendary Pyramids of Giza and the iconic Sphinx. Built over 4500 years ago, the three great pyramids are sole survivors of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World.
This afternoon we take a guided tour of the new Grand Egyptian Museum, which contains an incredible array of relics and antiquities including the treasures of King Tutankhamun and his spectacular gold funerary mask. We will also visit a government supervised Papyrus Museum. This evening we board the overnight train to Aswan.
Please Note: the Grand Egyptian Museum is scheduled to open in late 2024, though an official opening date has yet to be released. If travelling prior to the opening of the new facility we'll visit the Egyptian Museum instead.
Day 3 Aswan & the Philae Temple
Day 3 Aswan & the Philae Temple
Our train pulls into Aswan early this morning and we check into our hotel. Then we take a scenic boat ride out to Agilika Island for a guided tour of the beautiful Philae Temple, which is dedicated to the goddess Isis. Travelling back to Aswan we visit a perfume oil emporium before spending the rest of the day at leisure. Relax by the hotel pool, explore Aswan's colourful souks and watch a beautiful sunset over the Nile.
Day 4 Optional Abu Simbel
Day 4 Optional Abu Simbel
Consider booking our optional early morning excursion by road to visit the spectacular Temples of Ramses II at Abu Simbel. Alternatively enjoy a leisurely morning in Aswan. This afternoon offers free time for you to explore Egypt’s most southern city.
Day 5 Kom Ombo & Luxor
Day 5 Kom Ombo & Luxor
Aswan - Kom Ombo - Luxor. This morning we drive to Kom Ombo, to explore this ancient temple which is dedicated to the crocodile headed god - Sobek. After our visit we travel on to Luxor. Home of the legendary Valley of the Kings and Temple of Karnak, 4000 year-old Luxor is ancient Egypt at its best! Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 6 Karnak Temple
Day 6 Karnak Temple
This morning is free to relax by the pool or independently explore the ancient city of Luxor, which is often referred to as the world's greatest open-air museum. This afternoon we enjoy a guided tour of the Temple of Karnak, a magnificent religious complex, dedicated to the Theban gods and built on a gigantic scale. In evening there's an optional tour of the beautiful Temple of Luxor (book and pay locally). This remarkable temple and the Avenue of Sphinxes which leads to it, are most spectacular at night when they're illuminated by hundreds of atmospheric lights.
Day 7 Valley of the Kings & Hurghada
Day 7 Valley of the Kings & Hurghada
Luxor - Hurghada. Early this morning we travel to Luxor's West Bank for a guided tour of the legendary Valley of the Kings, which is home to an array of beautifully decorated pharaohs' tombs, three of which you can enter. Arriving at the West Bank we will be greeted by the towering 18m-high Colossi of Memnon and after the Valley of the Kings we enjoy a tour of the beautiful Temple of Queen Hatshepsut.
This afternoon we bid farewell to Luxor and travel east to Hurghada for three nights of R&R by the Red Sea. drive east to Hurghada, on Egypt's beautiful Red Sea Riviera. We spend three nights in Hurghada, where there's free time to relax by the beach.
Days 8-9 Sun, Sea & Sand
Days 8-9 Sun, Sea & Sand
Spend the next two days at leisure. Soak up the sunshine on the beach and swim in the sea, enjoy the hotel facilities and stroll around Hurghada. There's also an optional day trip to Giftun Island for swimming and snorkelling, which can be booked locally.
Hurghada is one of the Red Sea's most popular resorts and it offers a wonderful range of aquatic activities, from sail boarding and deep-sea fishing to SCUBA diving and snorkelling around the incredible offshore reefs, which are some of the finest in the world.
Day 10 Cairo - your way
Day 10 Cairo - your way
Hurghada - Cairo. This morning we drive back to Cairo. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore Egypt’s capital at leisure. If you'd like to do some last minute souvenir shopping we offer an optional visit to Cairo's bustling Khan el Khalili bazaar (book and pay locally)
Day 11 Cairo
Day 11 Cairo
Cairo. After breakfast, hotel check-out. Make your own way to the airport or contact us to book a departure transfer.
Tour Highlights
Included
Not Included
Prices & Dates
Hotels
When travelling on an overnight train in Egypt, sleeper carriages offer the highest level of comfort. Cabins are equipped with two beds (one above the other), a basin, electric points and air conditioning. Freshly laundered bedding is provided and in the early evening an attendant will come round and make up your bed for you. The carriages have toilets at each end and there is a club car which serves snacks and beverages. In the morning a very basic breakfast is provided.
Just a stone's throw from the Pyramids, the Pyramids Resort (formerly the Oasis Hotel) is a classic Egyptian hotel with beautiful expansive gardens. Rooms are very spacious with comfortable beds and fantastic en suite facilities. Wi-Fi is available and the buffet breakfast offers a good spread. In the evening the outdoor pool and fountains are lit up making the restaurant and bar the perfect place to spend an evening sipping on a cold glass of beer.
Located close to the pyramids, the expansive Pyramids Park Hotel is a beautiful hotel set around a stunning outdoor pool. Rooms are modern and bright with excellent facilities. Balconies and terraces look out onto the gardens and pool area. Wi-Fi is available throughout and there is excellent poolside dining. In the evening why not relax by the pool and enjoy a few cold ones after a long days sightseeing.
Located right on the banks of the river Nile, the Citymax Aswan offers an outdoor pool with fantastic views across the water. Connected to a nearby shopping centre, you're also just a short walk from the beautiful Feryal Gardens. All rooms are spacious with private bathrooms and modern amenities including a television and air conditioning. Free WiFi is available in the public areas and a restaurant serves meals throughout the day.
Offering a prime location in the centre of Luxor, this 4-star hotel is close to top attractions including the Luxor Museum and Luxor Temple. Surrounded by manicured gardens, the contemporary-style guestrooms are well-equipped with air conditioning, a minibar and a balcony overlooking the garden or River Nile. Guests can enjoy a rich breakfast, lunch and dinner in the sun-lit restaurant or outdoors by the resort style pool. There you’ll also find a poolside bar and sun deck, so you can enjoy a cocktail or two as you soak up the rays.
Set in tropical gardens, the Swiss Inn Resort makes for a comfortable and relaxing stay. The property is equipped with large swimming pools and a private beach. All rooms have a balcony or terrace with views of the garden, pools or sea. Guests can work out in the onsite fitness centre, get active at the watersports centre, enjoy a game of tennis or simply relax with a drink in one of the many bars or lounges.
Tucked into Hurghada Bay, right on its scenic promenade, the Continental is a delightful beachfront resort boasting fantastic terraced rooms (many with seaviews) and excellent facilities. Watersports are in abundance here with swimming pools, scuba diving and snorkelling all readily available. A leisure club offers a sauna and spa treatments to relax after the day's activities. You can also wine and dine at one of the many great restaurants and bars.
The Marriott Beach Resort is a luxurious beachfront hotel, with every room enjoying a view of the Red Sea and Hurghada city centre just a few minutes drive away. There is a choice of 8 restaurants and bars for hungry travellers, and a health club, tennis & squash courts, and fitness centre to stay in shape. During the day, soak in the heated outdoor pool or book a watersport activity. The hotel even has its own private island if you fancy a massage among the palm trees.
Tour Reviews
Extras and add-ons
Abu Simbel by Road
Possibly the most awe-inspiring temple of all ancient Egypt, with its gargantuan rock-cut facade is the magnificent Abu Simbel. Guarding the entrance to the temple are 4 colossal seated statues of the pharaoh himself, staring out across Lake Nasser.
Cairo Departure Airport Transfer
Tour Upgrades
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