Day
01
Arrival in Cairo
Met at the airport with visa and customs handled, then to your hotel to rest.
Cairo to Hurghada by road, then the river · 12 Days
The Red Sea and the Nile
12 days
Red Sea & family
Cairo → Hurghada → Luxor → Aswan
Scroll for the days
The coast first, the river second. We drive east from Cairo to the Red Sea, cross to Luxor overland, and then take the Nile the other way round, which puts the quietest temples at the start of the day and adds a night on the water.
Length
12 days · 11 nights
Route
- Cairo
- Hurghada
- Luxor
- Aswan
Style
Red Sea & family
, private
Starting at
$3,380 per person
- Giza
- St Anthony’s Monastery
- Hurghada
- Karnak
- Valley of the Kings
- Edfu
- Kom Ombo
- Philae
Day by day
The days, as they’ll unfold
01
/ 12
Day
02
Giza and the museum
The pyramids and the Sphinx in the morning, the Grand Egyptian Museum in the afternoon.
Tutankhamun’s full collection, finally under one roof
Day
03
East to the Red Sea
Out through the Eastern Desert, stopping at St Anthony’s Monastery, among the oldest Christian houses anywhere and still lived in. On to Hurghada by evening.
Day
04
A day on the reef
A private boat with two snorkelling stops over the coral and a quiet island for lunch. Afternoon free.
Bring a hat and reef-safe sun cream
Day
05
The coast at your own pace
Nothing scheduled. Diving, kitesurfing, a desert afternoon or the sun lounger.
Day
06
Across to Luxor
The overland road to Luxor through the desert, arriving in time for Luxor Temple in the evening when it is lit and half empty.
Day
07
Karnak and the West Bank
Karnak first thing. Across the river for the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, and the Colossi of Memnon. Aboard your ship for dinner.
Day
08
Upstream to Edfu
Sail south through the Esna lock. Afternoon at the Temple of Horus, then back aboard as the light goes.
Day
09
Kom Ombo
The double temple in the golden hour and the crocodile museum beside it. The extra night on the river means no rush.
Day
10
Aswan
Philae, the High Dam and the unfinished obelisk, then a felucca around Elephantine Island in the late afternoon.
Day
11
Abu Simbel
Before dawn to Abu Simbel and the four colossi. Return to Aswan and fly to Cairo.
An early start. Worth every minute.
Day
12
Khan el-Khalili and home
A last morning in the bazaar if your flight allows, then transfer to the airport.
Every day can move. Tell us where you’d like more time.
Included, and not
Prices are per person and vary with dates, group size and hotel choice. Your quote lists everything line by line.
Included
- Private Egyptologist guide throughout
- Four-star hotels and a Red Sea resort
- Five-night Nile cruise, full board
- Return flight Aswan to Cairo
- All entrance fees to sites and temples
- Airport meet and assist with visa support
- Private air-conditioned transport, including both overland legs
- Daily breakfast and all meals aboard
Not included
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Tipping and personal expenses
- Diving courses and equipment hire
- Optional sunrise balloon over the West Bank
Plan your visit
The practical things travellers ask us most. Your trip designer covers the rest before you fly.
What to wear
Churches, monasteries and mosques ask for covered shoulders and knees. A light scarf does both jobs and helps in the sun.
When to go
October to April is the comfortable season. In summer, Luxor and Aswan are very hot, so we start early and rest at midday.
Arriving
We meet you as you land, or at the Taba border for Sinai trips, and walk you through visa and customs.
Pace
Early starts are flagged ahead of time. Tell us where you’d rather slow down and we’ll rebalance the days.
Make it yours
Talk to a trip designer about The Red Sea and the Nile
Change the dates, add a day in Sinai, swap the cruise for a dahabiya. We’ll send back a revised day-by-day plan.
