13-Day Egypt Tour with Sharm El Sheikh

A private experience shaped around your time and interests.


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8-Hour Private Tour of the Pyramids, Sphinx, Grand Egyptian Museum

13 days

Easy


Overview 

For travellers who want to see all of Egypt without compromise and close the journey at the Red Sea, this 13-day itinerary is the definitive circuit. Cairo receives three days: Giza, the Grand Egyptian Museum, Saqqara, and Old Cairo. A 4-night Nile cruise covers Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Aswan. Aswan itself gets a full day, including the option to visit Abu Simbel. The tour then transitions by air to Sharm El Sheikh for four nights at Stella Di Mare Beach Hotel & Spa, with snorkelling, a jeep safari, and genuine decompression time after the cultural intensity of the first nine days.

Tour Highlights

◆ Three full days in Cairo — Giza, GEM, Saqqara, Old Cairo, Khan el-Khalili 

◆ 3 nights at a 5-star hotel in Cairo

◆ 4-night Nile cruise: all five major temple stops 

◆ one night at a hotel in Aswan

◆ Full day in Aswan with optional Abu Simbel excursion 

◆ Four nights at Stella Di Mare Beach Hotel & Spa, Sharm El Sheikh 

◆ Snorkelling + glass-bottom boat trip 

◆ Sinai jeep safari — Coloured Canyon, Bedouin tea 

◆ All domestic flights, transfers, and entrance fees 

◆ Private Egyptologist throughout the cultural sections


Hotels & Resorts: Sharm standard: Stella Di Mare Beach Hotel & Spa. Upgrade to Rixos Premium Seagate or Four Seasons available on request.


A Note on Itinerary Sequencing

Nile cruise ships operate on fixed embarkation and disembarkation schedules that are set by the cruise company and may change depending on your travel dates. This means the sequence of days shown above — specifically, which site is visited on which cruise day — may be adjusted to align with the ship's sailing schedule when we book your departure.

What does not change: all sites listed are covered. Every temple, every guided visit, and every day of the cruise is included, regardless of the sequence your particular departure follows. Your Egyptologist remains with you for every site visit, in whatever order the cruise runs

In practice, the common sequencing variations are:

  • Southbound (Luxor to Aswan): West Bank → Edfu → Kom Ombo → Aswan. This is the most common direction.
  • Northbound (Aswan to Luxor): Aswan → Kom Ombo → Edfu → West Bank. Less common but operated by some cruise lines.

We confirm the exact daily sequence with you before departure, once the cruise departure dates are set. If the direction or sequencing matters to you specifically, tell us when you enquire and we will match you to the right cruise departure.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arriving in Cairo

 Airport transfer, hotel check-in. Welcome briefing. Overnight: Cairo (4-star). 

Day 2 Cairo — Giza & GEM 

Giza Plateau: three royal pyramids, the Great Sphinx, and the Valley Temple. Grand Egyptian Museum: Tutankhamun collection, Royal Mummies Hall. Evening: optional Sound & Light Show (own cost). Overnight: Cairo. 

Day 3 Cairo — Saqqara, Memphis & Old Cairo 

Saqqara: Step Pyramid of Djoser, Pyramid of Teti, mastaba tombs. Memphis: Ramesses II colossus, Alabaster Sphinx. Afternoon: Coptic Cairo (Hanging Church, Coptic Museum), Khan el-Khalili. Overnight: Cairo. 

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

Morning flight Cairo → Luxor. West Bank: Valley of the Kings (2 tombs), Hatshepsut Temple, Colossi of Memnon. Board the Nile cruise. Dinner on board. Overnight: cruise ship. 

Day 5 Luxor — Karnak & Luxor Temple 

Karnak Temple Complex. Luxor Temple in late afternoon. Sail south. Overnight: cruise

Day 6 Edfu & Kom Ombo 

Edfu Temple of Horus. Kom Ombo double temple. Sail to Aswan. Overnight: cruise.

 Day 7 Aswan — High Dam, Philae & Felucca 

Aswan High Dam. Philae Temple (motorboat). Unfinished Obelisk. Felucca sail. Overnight: cruise or Aswan hotel. 

Day 8 Aswan — Optional Abu Simbel 

Optional Abu Simbel day trip by private vehicle (05:30 departure, +USD 120 pp) or charter aircraft (+USD 280 pp). Guests not taking Abu Simbel: free morning in Aswan — Nubian Museum, local souq, Elephantine Island. Afternoon: free. Overnight: Aswan hotel. 

Day 9 Fly Aswan → Cairo → Sharm El Sheikh 

Fly Aswan → Cairo (1 hr 20 min). Connection to Sharm El Sheikh (55 min). Check in Stella Di Mare Beach Hotel & Spa. First Red Sea swim. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight: Stella Di Mare, Sharm. 

Day 10 Sharm — Snorkelling & Glass-Bottom Boat 

Full-day Red Sea excursion: snorkelling at prime sites (coral gardens, reef fish, sea turtles)—glass-bottom boat section. Return mid-afternoon. Evening at leisure. Overnight: Stella Di Mare. 

Day 11 Sharm — Sinai Jeep Safari 

Morning: private 4WD jeep safari into Sinai — Coloured Canyon, Bedouin tea ceremony. Return to the resort by midday. Afternoon at the beach/pool. Overnight: Stella Di Mare.

 Day 12 Sharm — Free Day 

Full day at leisure. Options (own cost): scuba diving intro at Naama Bay, horse riding along the beach, massage at the hotel spa, Naama Bay restaurants, and walking. Overnight: Stella Di Mare. 

Day 13 Sharm → Departure 

Transfer to Sharm airport. Fly Cairo—international connection. Allow at least 2.5 hours of transit time in Cairo.



What's included?

    ✓ 12 nights accommodation (Cairo 3 nights + 4-night Nile cruise + Aswan 1 night + 4 nights Stella Di Mare Sharm)

    ✓ All domestic flights: Cairo→Luxor, Aswan→Cairo→Sharm, Sharm→Cairo

    ✓ All private transfers

    ✓ Private Egyptologist guide (Cairo + all Luxor/Aswan sites)

    ✓ All entrance fees listed

    ✓ Daily breakfast; full board on Nile cruise

    ✓ Snorkelling excursion with equipment + glass-bottom boat

    ✓ Sinai jeep safari

    Exclusions

      ✗ International flights

      ✗ Egypt visa (~USD 25)

      ✗ Travel insurance

      ✗ Tips and gratuities

      ✗ Optional Abu Simbel

      ✗ Scuba diving, spa, personal activities (Sharm)

      ✗ Meals beyond breakfast; beverages

      ✗ Personal expenses

      Please note

        Before You Arrive We send your final itinerary — with confirmed hotel names, flight times, guide contact details, and daily schedule — at least 7 days before your trip. Review it and contact us with any questions via WhatsApp or email. Your guide's WhatsApp number is included — you can message them directly before arrival.

        Visa Most nationalities can obtain an Egypt entry visa on arrival at the airport ($25 USD, paid by card or cash). Eligible nationalities include USA, Canada, EU, UK, Australia, and New Zealand. The process takes approximately 15–30 minutes. Your airport meet & greet assistant helps you through the visa queue on arrival. Check your specific nationality's requirements before travel at the Egyptian e-Visa portal (visa2egypt.gov.eg) — some nationalities must apply in advance.

        Airport Arrival Your driver meets you in the arrivals hall holding a sign with your name. They assist with luggage and escort you directly to your vehicle. If your flight is delayed, we track it — your driver adjusts. If you cannot find your driver, contact us on WhatsApp immediately (our support line is monitored 24/7 during your trip).

        Hotels You will stay in 5-star hotels throughout. Specific properties are confirmed in your final itinerary. If you have a preference for a particular hotel or hotel chain, tell us when booking and we'll accommodate where possible. Check-in is typically from 2:00 PM; early check-in is arranged when available but cannot be guaranteed for early-morning arrivals. We always arrange luggage storage if your room is not ready.

        Domestic Flights All domestic flights listed in your itinerary are included and booked by us. You receive e-tickets in your final itinerary. Domestic flights in Egypt require a valid passport. Arrive at the domestic terminal approximately 90 minutes before departure — your driver handles the timing.

        What You'll Pay On-Site All entry fees listed in the itinerary are included and handled by your guide. Optional upgrades — such as the Tutankhamun tomb ($15), the Seti I tomb ($45), the Great Pyramid interior ($31), or Sound & Light shows — are paid on-site by credit or debit card. Your guide advises whether each upgrade is worthwhile before you decide. Cash is no longer accepted at most major sites.

        Meals Breakfast is included daily at your hotel. Lunch is included on all touring days. Dinners are not included (except on Nile cruise nights — see ⛵ below). Your guide recommends restaurants each evening based on your preferences and location. Expect $15–30 per person for a good dinner in Cairo, Luxor, or Aswan.

        If your package includes a Nile cruise: All meals on board (breakfast, lunch, dinner) are included. Alcoholic beverages on the cruise are not included and are purchased separately from the ship's bar.

        Weather & Sun Egypt is hot and dry for most of the year. Peak season (October–April) is the most comfortable: 18–28°C (65–82°F) during the day, cool evenings. Low season (May–September) brings intense heat: 35–45°C (95–113°F) at open-air sites. Aswan and Luxor are consistently hotter than Cairo. Your guide adjusts timing to avoid the worst midday heat. Sun protection is essential year-round.

        Dress Code Dress comfortably and modestly. At mosques, shoulders and knees must be covered (all genders). At archaeological sites, there is no formal dress code, but lightweight long sleeves and long trousers are practical for both sun protection and cultural respect. Comfortable closed-toe shoes with good grip are essential — you will walk on sand, uneven stone, and rough terrain across multiple sites.

        Photography Photography is permitted at most outdoor sites. Inside tombs, photography is generally prohibited unless you purchase a photography ticket. Inside the Grand Egyptian Museum, rules vary by gallery. Drone photography requires permits that are extremely difficult to obtain — do not fly a drone without confirmed authorization.

        Payments & Currency Egypt's currency is the Egyptian Pound (EGP). Credit/debit cards are widely accepted at hotels, museums, and restaurants. ATMs are available in all cities on your itinerary. Your guide and driver accept tips in EGP, USD, or EUR. Recommended tipping: $10–15 per person per day for your guide, $5 per day for your driver.

        Health & Safety Drink only bottled water (provided daily on your tour). Tap water is not safe for tourists. Bring any personal medications — pharmacies exist but may not stock your specific brands. Sunscreen, a refillable water bottle, and a small daypack are your most useful daily items. Travel insurance is required and not provided by Pyramids Land — we recommend coverage for trip cancellation, medical emergencies, and evacuation.

        Communication Your guide is reachable by WhatsApp throughout your trip. Our support line is monitored 24/7 during your travel dates. Wi-Fi is available at all hotels and on Nile cruise ships. If you need a local SIM card or eSIM, your guide can help you arrange one on arrival — Egyptian eSIMs cost approximately $10–15 for a week of data.

        Cultural Notes Egyptians are genuinely welcoming. Basic Arabic — "Shukran" (thank you), "Salaam alaikum" (peace be upon you) — is appreciated. At tourist sites, you may be approached by vendors or people offering unsolicited assistance. Your guide manages these interactions. Bargaining is expected at markets (Khan el-Khalili, Aswan souk) but not at shops with fixed prices. Your guide advises.

        What to bring

          Daily essentials (carry with you each touring day):

          • Comfortable closed-toe shoes with good grip — you will walk on sand, stone, and uneven surfaces daily
          • Hat with a brim
          • Sunscreen (SPF 30+ minimum — reapply every 2 hours at outdoor sites)
          • Sunglasses
          • Camera or smartphone (plus charger — charge every night at your hotel)
          • Light scarf or shawl for mosque visits
          • Small daypack for water, camera, sunscreen, and a light layer
          • Any personal medications

          For the trip:

          • Passport (valid for at least 6 months from entry date) — required for domestic flights, hotel check-ins, and visa on arrival
          • Travel insurance documents (digital or printed)
          • Comfortable evening clothes for dinners (smart casual — no dress code at most Egyptian restaurants)
          • A light jacket or sweater for air-conditioned vehicles, hotels, and cool evenings (October–March)
          • Layers for early morning departures (Abu Simbel at 3 AM can be cold even in Egypt)
          • Swimwear if your package includes Hurghada, Sharm, or a Nile cruise with a sundeck pool
          • Power adapter — Egypt uses Type C (European 2-pin) outlets, 220V. Most hotels have universal outlets, but carry an adapter as backup.

          We provide bottled water daily throughout your trip. You do not need to bring your own.

          Explore the tours above. Read the details. Ask questions if needed. Book only when it feels right.

          How pricing works

          Prices are based on:

          • Group size
          • Duration
          • Inclusions listed on the tour page

          You will always know what is included before booking. There are no surprise additions.

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