Overview

This 10-day private tour is the most thorough Egypt itinerary available in this duration: three days in Cairo covering the Giza Plateau, Saqqara, and both the Egyptian Museum and the Grand Egyptian Museum, a complete 4-night Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan, a full day in Aswan with the option to add Abu Simbel, and two nights in Hurghada to end the journey at the Red Sea. Every site is covered without rushing. Private Egyptologist guides are with you throughout.

Tour Highlights

◆ Three days in Cairo: Giza, GEM, Saqqara, Memphis & Khan el-Khalili 

◆ 4-night Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan — full-board included 

◆ Valley of the Kings with 2 royal tomb entries 

◆ Five temple stops on the cruise: Karnak, Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae 

◆ Aswan full day — High Dam, Philae, Unfinished Obelisk & felucca sail 

◆ Optional Abu Simbel add-on from Aswan 

◆ Two nights in Hurghada: Giftun Island snorkelling & glass-bottom boat 

◆ Eastern Desert scenic drive: Aswan to Hurghada (~6 hours)

Day-by-Day Itinerary 

Day 1: Arrive in Cairo 

Private VIP airport transfer. Hotel check-in. Itinerary briefing with your Egyptologist. Overnight: Cairo (4-star+, Kempinski Nile Hotel or similar). 

Day 2 Cairo — Giza Plateau & Grand Egyptian Museum Giza Plateau: 

Great Pyramid of Khufu (exterior), Pyramid of Khafre, Pyramid of Menkaure, Great Sphinx, Valley Temple. Afternoon: Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), Giza — Tutankhamun Galleries, Royal Mummies Hall, Ramesses Corridor. Overnight: Cairo.

 Day 3 Cairo — Saqqara, Memphis & Khan el-Khalili 

Morning: Saqqara Necropolis — Step Pyramid of Djoser (the world's oldest monumental stone structure), Pyramid of Teti, Mastaba of Ti. Afternoon: Memphis, the ancient capital — colossal statue of Ramesses II, Alabaster Sphinx. Evening: Khan el-Khalili bazaar at leisure. Overnight: Cairo. 

Day 4: Fly to Luxor — Valley of the Kings & Board Cruise 

Morning flight Cairo → Luxor (1 hr). West Bank: Valley of the Kings (2 tombs), Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, Colossi of Memnon. Board the Nile cruise. Welcome lunch on board. Overnight: cruise ship, moored in Luxor. 

Day 5 Luxor — Karnak & Luxor Temple 

East Bank: Karnak Temple Complex (Great Hypostyle Hall, Sacred Lake). Afternoon: Luxor Temple at dusk — best light of the day. Cruise sails south overnight. Overnight: cruise ship (underway). 

Day 6 Edfu & Kom Ombo 

Morning: Edfu Temple of Horus — horse carriage from the Nile bank to the entrance. Afternoon: Kom Ombo double temple overlooking the river. Continue sailing south to Aswan. Overnight: cruise ship.

 Day 7 Aswan — High Dam, Philae & Felucca

 Aswan High Dam — engineering overview and Lake Nasser views. Philae Temple of Isis — reached by motorboat to Agilkia Island. Unfinished Obelisk — reveals ancient quarrying technique. Afternoon: felucca sails around Elephantine Island. Optional Nubian village (extra). Overnight: cruise ship. 

Day 8 Aswan → Hurghada Transfer

Disembarkthe cruise. Optional early departure (05:30) for Abu Simbel day trip (+USD 120 pp) — return before midday for transfer. Private vehicle Aswan → Hurghada (~6 hours via Luxor and Safaga road). Arrive in Hurghada late afternoon. Check in at the beach resort. Overnight: Hurghada (4-star+). 

Day 9 Hurghada — Red Sea Day 

Full-day snorkelling trip to Giftun Island Marine Protected Area. Glass-bottom boat section. Option (own cost): jeep safari at sunset into the Eastern Desert with Bedouin tea ceremony. Overnight: Hurghada. 

Day 10 Hurghada → Departure 

Morning at leisure. Transfer to Hurghada Airport. Fly Cairo. International departure. Day room available in Cairo on request.

Best Time to Visit: October to April is optimal. November–February is peak season for the Red Sea and monument sites combined. Book 6–8 weeks ahead during peak periods.

Note: If Abu Simbel is selected, the Day 8 departure from Aswan is at 05:30. Abu Simbel adds approximately 4 hours to the day and is entirely feasible before the Hurghada transfer. Recommend confirming this at booking.