This 12-day Egypt vacation combines Cairo’s major archaeological sites, the temples of Upper Egypt, a three-night Nile cruise, and a Red Sea stay in Hurghada. The itinerary covers eight cities across 11 nights, with scheduled departures every Saturday, Monday, and Thursday.
The first part of the trip is based in Cairo. Private sightseeing includes the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, Valley Temple, the Grand Egyptian Museum, the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, Old Cairo, Salah El-Din Citadel, and the Mohammed Ali Mosque. Lunch is included on both full sightseeing days.
A domestic flight then takes you to Aswan, where Philae Temple and the Unfinished Obelisk introduce the monuments of southern Egypt. The following morning brings one of the itinerary’s defining visits: Abu Simbel. The excursion is included and operates by modern air-conditioned coach with a small group before returning to Aswan to board the Nile cruise.
Three nights on a five-star superior cruise take you north through Kom Ombo and Edfu to Luxor. The river section includes Kom Ombo Temple, Edfu Temple, Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, and the Colossi of Memnon. From Luxor, the journey continues by road to Hurghada for three nights on a Soft All Inclusive basis, with optional snorkeling and desert activities available during the free days.
OFT Travel arranges the scheduled private transfers, domestic flights from Cairo to Aswan and Hurghada to Cairo, accommodation, cruise cabin, guiding, entrance fees, and meals listed in the program. Cairo tours are private, while cruise excursions and the Luxor-to-Hurghada transfer are shared with an OFT Travel group.
Meet-and-greet service by OFT Travel representatives at all airports
Guest-relations assistance throughout the stay
All scheduled transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle
Shared air-conditioned vehicle transfer from Luxor to Hurghada
Economy-class domestic flight from Cairo to Aswan
Economy-class domestic flight from Hurghada to Cairo
Four nights of accommodation in Cairo with breakfast
One night of accommodation in Aswan with breakfast
Three nights aboard a five-star superior Nile cruise on a full-board basis
Three nights of accommodation in Hurghada on a Soft All Inclusive basis
Local English-speaking Egyptologist guide
Private guided sightseeing in Cairo
Cruise sightseeing shared with an OFT Travel group
Sightseeing in Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan as specified in the itinerary
Included road excursion to Abu Simbel
Entrance fees for all sites named in the itinerary
Meals listed in the day-by-day program
Bottled water during outings outside the hotels or cruise
Portage when required
All service charges and taxes
International airfare
Egyptian entry visa
Optional tours and activities
Personal spending, including drinks not covered by the meal plan, laundry, and souvenirs
Tipping
Arrive at Cairo International Airport, where an OFT Travel representative meets you before immigration and assists with the arrival formalities.
A private air-conditioned vehicle transfers you to the hotel. Once check-in is complete, your representative reviews the itinerary and confirms the scheduled collection times for the coming days.
No sightseeing is planned on arrival day.
Breakfast at the hotel is followed by a meeting with your private Egyptologist guide and a drive to the Giza Plateau.
Walk through the pyramid complex to see the Great Pyramids of Giza before continuing to the Sphinx and Valley Temple. Your guide provides the historical context that connects these monuments rather than treating them as separate stops.
Lunch is served at a local Egyptian restaurant. The afternoon visit is the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, situated close to the pyramids and displaying collections drawn from different periods of ancient Egyptian history.
Return to the hotel after the museum visit.
A second privately guided Cairo day begins at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, where the scheduled visit includes Egypt’s Royal Mummies.
The route continues through Old Cairo, including some of the city’s oldest churches and surrounding historic streets. This gives the day a different perspective from the pharaonic monuments visited at Giza.
Lunch is served at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit Salah El-Din Citadel and the Mosque of Mohammed Ali, with elevated views across Cairo from the citadel complex.
Return to the hotel for the evening.
Meet your tour manager in the morning for the private transfer to Cairo Airport and the included domestic flight to Aswan.
On arrival, travel by private air-conditioned vehicle to Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis. The visit continues at the Unfinished Obelisk, where the unfinished monument remains within the ancient quarry and shows part of the process used to carve large stone monuments.
Transfer to the Aswan hotel when sightseeing is complete.
Have breakfast at the hotel before joining a small group for the road journey to Abu Simbel in a modern air-conditioned coach.
The twin temples were built by Ramses II. The source identifies their dedication with deities including Amun-Re and Hathor and notes that UNESCO relocated the complex to protect it from rising waters.
Unlike many itineraries where Abu Simbel appears as an optional addition, this excursion is included in the standard package.
Return to Aswan and board the Nile cruise. Settle into your cabin, with lunch and dinner included as the three-night river program begins.
Breakfast is served on board. The morning can be spent relaxing on the ship, or you may join an optional motorboat excursion to a Nubian Village to meet local families and see the distinctive homes described in the source.
The optional visit carries an additional charge and is not part of the standard package.
Later, the ship sails to Kom Ombo. Visit Kom Ombo Temple, dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile-headed god, and Horus the Elder. Its dual religious dedication gives the complex an unusual structure among the temples visited on this route.
Return to the cruise for dinner and continue sailing toward Edfu.
The morning begins with a visit to Edfu Temple, dedicated to Horus and described by the source as one of Egypt’s best-preserved temples.
Return to the ship for lunch as the cruise continues through Esna Lock toward Luxor.
Once in Luxor, the archaeological program moves to the East Bank. Walk through the extensive Karnak Temple Complex before continuing to Luxor Temple.
An optional Sound and Light Show at Karnak is available at an additional cost. Return to the cruise for dinner and the final night aboard.
Breakfast is followed by disembarkation and a guided visit to Luxor’s West Bank.
At the Valley of the Kings, admission to three standard tombs is included. Continue to the Temple of Hatshepsut at El Deir El Bahari, whose terraces rise against the cliffs, then stop at the Colossi of Memnon.
When the sightseeing ends, travel to Hurghada by air-conditioned vehicle. This transfer is shared with an OFT Travel group and takes approximately five hours according to the source.
Check into the Red Sea resort and begin the beach portion of the cairo nile cruise and hurghada itinerary.
Spend the day at the Soft All Inclusive resort or choose the optional Giftun Island snorkeling excursion.
The boat trip visits several snorkeling areas known for coral reefs and fish. Depending on conditions, there may also be opportunities to see dolphins and take part in watersports.
The Giftun Island excursion is not included in the standard tour cost.
A second free day allows more time at the resort, including the option simply to relax beside the pool.
Travelers looking for a land-based excursion can join an optional 4×4 Jeep safari into the desert. The source describes the program as including a drive to a Bedouin village, a short camel ride, quad biking, a barbecue dinner with soft drinks, a simple show, and stargazing.
Return to the hotel for the night.
Have breakfast at the resort and spend the available time at leisure before the airport transfer.
Fly from Hurghada to Cairo in economy class. An OFT Travel representative meets you after landing and arranges the transfer to your hotel, which may be near the airport or elsewhere in the city.
No scheduled sightseeing is included on this day.
Breakfast is served at the hotel, followed by free time if the international flight schedule allows.
Check out and transfer by private vehicle to Cairo International Airport for the departure flight home.
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Real Experience
We had already booked our hotels, so we only needed a few day tours. The website made it simple to choose the right dates and complete each reserva...
We had already booked our hotels, so we only needed a few day tours. The website made it simple to choose the right dates and complete each reservation separately.
Read MoreI usually prefer arranging my travel independently, so the booking format suited me. I chose the activity I wanted and handled the reservation dire...
I usually prefer arranging my travel independently, so the booking format suited me. I chose the activity I wanted and handled the reservation directly through the website.
Read MoreOur Egypt itinerary had several stops, and I wanted to keep each day organized. The tour information helped me decide which activity fitted each de...
Our Egypt itinerary had several stops, and I wanted to keep each day organized. The tour information helped me decide which activity fitted each destination before booking.
Read MoreI appreciated that I could take my time reading the tour details instead of having to make a decision during a phone call. Once I was ready, comple...
I appreciated that I could take my time reading the tour details instead of having to make a decision during a phone call. Once I was ready, completing the booking online was straightforward.
Read MoreWe were traveling as a couple and already knew exactly which dates we had free. Finding an activity for the right day and making the reservation on...
We were traveling as a couple and already knew exactly which dates we had free. Finding an activity for the right day and making the reservation online made it easy to complete our plans.
Read MoreI booked before leaving home because I wanted the main parts of our itinerary arranged in advance. Having the reservation details together made it ...
I booked before leaving home because I wanted the main parts of our itinerary arranged in advance. Having the reservation details together made it easier to keep track of our plans.
Read MoreI found the website useful for comparing what we could do during our time in Egypt. I especially appreciated being able to read the details first a...
I found the website useful for comparing what we could do during our time in Egypt. I especially appreciated being able to read the details first and decide without feeling rushed.
Read MoreWe had only a few open days left in our itinerary and wanted to use them well. I found a suitable activity, checked the details against our schedul...
We had only a few open days left in our itinerary and wanted to use them well. I found a suitable activity, checked the details against our schedule, and completed the booking online.
Read MoreI liked being able to read all the tour details before making a decision. The booking steps were clear, and it was easy to fit the activity into th...
I liked being able to read all the tour details before making a decision. The booking steps were clear, and it was easy to fit the activity into the rest of our Egypt itinerary.
Read MoreWe booked while we were already traveling in Egypt. The online process was useful because we could choose an available activity for the date that f...
We booked while we were already traveling in Egypt. The online process was useful because we could choose an available activity for the date that fitted the rest of our plans.
Read MoreThe itinerary information was easy to follow and helped us understand exactly what we were booking. The online reservation process was straightforw...
The itinerary information was easy to follow and helped us understand exactly what we were booking. The online reservation process was straightforward from start to finish.
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I prefer organizing trips online rather than waiting for email confirmations. Being able to select an available date and complete the booking directly worked very well for me.
Read MoreWe used the website while planning our first trip to Egypt. Having the main details, inclusions, and schedule in one place made comparing the diffe...
We used the website while planning our first trip to Egypt. Having the main details, inclusions, and schedule in one place made comparing the different options much easier.
Read MoreI booked an activity only a few days before we needed it. The process was simple, and having the reservation details available online made the plan...
I booked an activity only a few days before we needed it. The process was simple, and having the reservation details available online made the planning much more organized.
Read MoreWhat I appreciated most was being able to review everything without feeling rushed. Once we were sure about the date, completing the booking was qu...
What I appreciated most was being able to review everything without feeling rushed. Once we were sure about the date, completing the booking was quick and clear.
Read MoreWe were traveling between Cairo and Luxor and wanted to add activities around our existing plans. Booking individual services online gave us the fl...
We were traveling between Cairo and Luxor and wanted to add activities around our existing plans. Booking individual services online gave us the flexibility we needed.
Read MoreThe website was practical and easy to navigate. I could check the tour information, choose the date that worked for us, and complete the reservatio...
The website was practical and easy to navigate. I could check the tour information, choose the date that worked for us, and complete the reservation without unnecessary steps.
Read MoreOur trip included several destinations, so keeping the schedule organized was important. The booking process made it easy to reserve activities one...
Our trip included several destinations, so keeping the schedule organized was important. The booking process made it easy to reserve activities one by one and keep track of our plans.
Read MoreI booked an activity while planning our stay in Egypt and appreciated how simple the process was. Selecting the date and completing the reservation...
I booked an activity while planning our stay in Egypt and appreciated how simple the process was. Selecting the date and completing the reservation online was very convenient.
Read MoreI liked being able to review the itinerary and included services before booking. Everything was organized clearly, which made planning much easier.
I liked being able to review the itinerary and included services before booking. Everything was organized clearly, which made planning much easier.
Being able to book instantly online saved a lot of time. I selected the service and date I wanted and completed everything directly through the web...
Being able to book instantly online saved a lot of time. I selected the service and date I wanted and completed everything directly through the website.
Read MoreThe booking steps were easy to follow, and the information I needed was available before I confirmed. A very convenient way to arrange the trip onl...
The booking steps were easy to follow, and the information I needed was available before I confirmed. A very convenient way to arrange the trip online.
Read MoreFrom choosing the travel service to completing the reservation, the website made the process straightforward. Having the details organized in one p...
From choosing the travel service to completing the reservation, the website made the process straightforward. Having the details organized in one place was especially useful.
Read MoreThe booking process was easy to understand. I found the Egypt tour I wanted, checked the itinerary and available date, and completed everything onl...
The booking process was easy to understand. I found the Egypt tour I wanted, checked the itinerary and available date, and completed everything online without a long reservation process.
Read MoreI liked having the important tour details available before booking. It was simple to compare the options, choose the right date, and confirm the re...
I liked having the important tour details available before booking. It was simple to compare the options, choose the right date, and confirm the reservation online.
Read MoreWe were organizing several activities for our Egypt trip, and the instant booking system made planning much easier. The steps were clear and took v...
We were organizing several activities for our Egypt trip, and the instant booking system made planning much easier. The steps were clear and took very little time.
Read MoreThe website was straightforward to use from the beginning. I could check the itinerary and booking information first, which made me more comfortabl...
The website was straightforward to use from the beginning. I could check the itinerary and booking information first, which made me more comfortable confirming everything online.
Read MoreThe website was simple to navigate, and I could see the booking details clearly before confirming. The whole reservation process was quick and stra...
The website was simple to navigate, and I could see the booking details clearly before confirming. The whole reservation process was quick and straightforward.
Read MoreThe tour information was organized clearly, so I knew what was included before making the reservation. Booking online was quick and easy to follow.
The tour information was organized clearly, so I knew what was included before making the reservation. Booking online was quick and easy to follow.
I wanted a simple way to arrange activities before arriving in Egypt. Being able to choose an available service and book it directly online made th...
I wanted a simple way to arrange activities before arriving in Egypt. Being able to choose an available service and book it directly online made the planning process much more practical.
Read MoreWe used the website while putting together our Egypt itinerary. I especially liked being able to review the details before confirming each reservat...
We used the website while putting together our Egypt itinerary. I especially liked being able to review the details before confirming each reservation.
Read MoreThe instant booking process worked well for the way I travel. I already knew my dates, so being able to select an activity and reserve it online wa...
The instant booking process worked well for the way I travel. I already knew my dates, so being able to select an activity and reserve it online was very useful.
Read MorePlanning our Egypt activities felt much more organized because the booking information was available in one place. The reservation steps were clear...
Planning our Egypt activities felt much more organized because the booking information was available in one place. The reservation steps were clear from selection through confirmation.
Read MoreI already had my hotels arranged and only needed to add a few activities to our Egypt itinerary. Being able to book the tours individually online w...
I already had my hotels arranged and only needed to add a few activities to our Egypt itinerary. Being able to book the tours individually online worked really well for the way we planned the trip.
Read MoreWhat I appreciated most was seeing the itinerary before making a decision. I could understand what the day included, check my date, and make the re...
What I appreciated most was seeing the itinerary before making a decision. I could understand what the day included, check my date, and make the reservation without exchanging several messages.
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