Egypt Tour: Cairo, Cruise & Red Sea

Arrive at Cairo International Airport and meet with a local representative for immigration assistance. Transfer to the hotel in a modern, air-conditioned vehicle. Check in at the hotel offering standard 5-star comfort near the city’s main roads.

Settle in and prepare for the journey ahead.

Start the day with breakfast before joining a guided tour to Giza. Visit the Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren, and Mycerinus—massive stone structures built over 4,500 years ago. Walk near the Great Sphinx, carved from limestone and known for its pharaoh’s head and lion’s body. Stop briefly at a papyrus institute or perfume shop nearby.

Continue to Memphis, the first capital of ancient Egypt, to see the large statue of Ramses II. Travel next to Saqqara to view the Step Pyramid of Djoser, one of the oldest pyramids in the world. End the tour at Dashour, where the Bent Pyramid offers insight into early pyramid design.

Return to the hotel in the late afternoon. Optional sound and light show at the Pyramids is available in the evening. 

Begin the day with a visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum near the Giza Plateau. Known as the largest archaeological museum in the world, it showcases artifacts from ancient Egypt through to the Greco-Roman era. Though not all sections are open, the visit offers a strong overview of Egypt’s historical timeline and views of the nearby pyramids.

In the afternoon, transfer to Cairo Airport for a domestic flight to Aswan in Upper Egypt. Upon arrival, meet with a local representative and transfer to your hotel.

We are very excited to share that the Grand Egyptian Museum has opened and a visit can be arranged. Please note that at this time, visitors are only allowed to visit for short periods and only a few displays are open. While King Tut's artifacts still remain at the original Egyptian Museum, we recommend keeping this visit. 

Start the morning with views of the Nile, where small islands and feluccas line the river. Walk through a nearby Nubian village before checking out of the guesthouse. Travel by traditional felucca sailboat to explore Elephantine and Kitchener Islands, known for their gardens and peaceful setting.

Cross the Nile and board a 5-star deluxe ship offering standard cabins and full-board service. After lunch onboard, join a guided visit to Philae Temple. Located on an island, this ancient site is dedicated to the goddess Isis and was relocated to avoid flooding from Lake Nasser. Reach the temple by motorboat, then return to the cruise ship in the early evening. Dinner is served onboard as the cruise begins its journey down the Nile.

*Please note that cruise itineraries are subject to change without notice. Cruise routes vary depending on your travel dates. 

Begin the day with an optional early morning trip to Abu Simbel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by Ramses II. These rock temples were relocated to avoid submersion during the creation of Lake Nasser. For those not joining the excursion, free time is available to walk along the Nile Corniche or visit the Unfinished Obelisk and the Nubian Museum.

In the afternoon, continue the journey by sailing south on the Nile. Spend time on the sun deck observing riverside life and farmland. Stop at Kom Ombo to explore a unique double temple dedicated to Sobek and Horus, located right by the water’s edge. After the visit, return to the ship and sail onward to Edfu. Dinner and overnight stay on board.

Start the day with a guided visit to the Temple of Horus at Edfu, one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt. This Ptolemaic temple is dedicated to the falcon god Horus and features detailed wall carvings and well-preserved inscriptions.

After the visit, return to the ship and sail toward Luxor, passing through the lock at Esna. Enjoy views of the Nile and local life from the sun deck during the journey.

Arrive in Luxor, a city built on the site of ancient Thebes, known for its high concentration of temples and tombs. In the evening, take a guided walking tour of Luxor Temple. Located in the center of town, this site is especially atmospheric when lit up at night. 

After breakfast, check out of the Nile cruise and begin a guided tour of Luxor’s West Bank. First stop is the Colossi of Memnon, two large seated statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III that have stood for over 3,000 years. Continue to the Valley of the Kings, home to the tombs of New Kingdom pharaohs, including the tomb of Tutankhamun. Explore the richly decorated burial chambers carved into the rock.

Next, visit the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, an impressive structure built into limestone cliffs. The final stop on the West Bank is Medinat Habu, the mortuary temple of Ramesses III, known for its preserved reliefs and colorful wall art.

An early morning hot air balloon ride over the Nile’s West Bank is available as an optional activity.

In the afternoon, transfer to your next hotel. Later, explore Karnak Temple, one of the largest religious complexes in the ancient world. Walk through sphinx-lined avenues, vast courtyards, and the Hypostyle Hall with 134 massive columns. Return to the hotel for overnight.

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and travel north along the Nile to visit the Temple of Dendarah. This well-preserved complex is dedicated to Hathor, the goddess of joy and healing. The temple features detailed ceilings, underground crypts, and vibrant carvings that offer insight into late Pharaonic and Greco-Roman architecture.

After exploring the site, continue the journey east through desert terrain toward the Red Sea coast. Arrive in Hurghada by late afternoon after approximately 4.5 hours of driving.

Check in at the hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure enjoying the beach or hotel amenities.

Spend two full days at leisure in Hurghada, a well-known resort town on the Red Sea coast. The area is popular for its coral reefs, water sports, and clear waters ideal for diving and snorkeling. Activities include boat trips, desert quad biking, camel rides, and visits to local markets and the Hurghada Marina.

These days offer a chance to unwind by the sea or explore more of Hurghada’s local culture before continuing the trip.

Start the day with a morning flight from Hurghada to Cairo (subject to airline schedules). A ground transfer by road is also available as an alternative, taking approximately six hours. On arrival in Cairo, transfer to the hotel.

In the afternoon, join a guided walking tour through Old Cairo. Enter the historic district through Bab al-Futuh, a large stone gateway, and walk through narrow lanes lined with shops selling metalwork, spices, ceramics, fabrics, and jewelry. Continue to Khan el-Khalili Bazaar, one of Cairo’s oldest marketplaces, known for its busy alleys and traditional cafes. Pause for mint tea or a shisha before returning to the hotel for the final overnight stay in the capital.

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the international airport for your departure home. Alternatively, talk to your Adventure Life Trip planner about extending your trip to Egypt or visiting nearby countries like Jordan.