Give Egypt a full twelve days and it repays you with everything it has. Cairo comes first: the pyramids rising sharp against the desert light, the Sphinx keeping its long watch, and the halls of the Grand Egyptian Museum stacked with treasures freshly staged for a new era. Then the pace slows. A cruise between Luxor and Aswan carries you past palm groves and mud-brick villages while Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and Philae unfold at an unhurried rhythm, sundeck coffee never far away. To finish, Alexandria opens onto the Mediterranean with its great modern library, its layered catacombs and a corniche that has been welcoming travellers since antiquity. Private guides, characterful hotels and every transfer arranged in the background, all of it planned end-to-end by Daily Pyramids Tours.
This twelve-day journey stitches together Egypt’s greatest chapters and then adds a wilder one. You begin with the pyramids, the Sphinx and the golden hoard of Tutankhamun, drift down the Nile between temple towns, breathe the sea air of Alexandria and end deep in the Western Desert, where the White and Black Deserts spread out like another planet altogether. History, hospitality and horizonless landscapes in a single itinerary.
Marhaba, and welcome to Egypt. As you step out into the arrivals hall at Cairo International Airport, our representative will be waiting with a sign carrying your name so you can spot us straight away.
From there we walk you to a private, air-conditioned vehicle for a relaxed transfer to your hotel, with time to settle in and shake off the flight.
Meals: None
Overnight: Cairo
After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, your certified Egyptologist joins you to open the story of ancient Giza.
First stop is the Giza Plateau itself, where the Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure rise from the sand as they have for more than four thousand years. You will stand at the foot of the Great Pyramid, the last of the Seven Wonders still standing, and face the Sphinx with its lion’s body and pharaoh’s gaze. A visit to the Valley Temple, once part of the mummification rituals for the kings buried nearby, rounds out the morning.
Lunch follows at a well-regarded local restaurant.
In the afternoon you continue to the Grand Egyptian Museum, one of the largest archaeological museums on earth. Purpose-built galleries display thousands of pieces spanning the Old, Middle and New Kingdoms, from towering royal statues down to small, tender objects of daily life.
Afterwards you are returned to your hotel for the evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: Cairo
Optional: Return to Giza after dark for the Sound & Light Show, which brings pharaonic history alive against the illuminated silhouettes of the pyramids.
After breakfast we transfer you to Cairo Airport for the short flight south to Luxor, the city the ancients called Thebes and the seat of the New Kingdom.
On landing you meet your Luxor guide and head straight to the East Bank. Karnak Temple opens the day, a vast complex raised to Amun-Ra with forests of columns, sacred lakes and walls thick with hieroglyphs.
From there you continue to Luxor Temple on the riverbank, famous for its monumental pylons and the Avenue of Sphinxes that once linked it directly to Karnak.
By late afternoon you board your Nile cruise ship, unpack in your cabin and settle in for the first night on the river.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Nile Cruise
You cross the Nile in the cool of the morning to explore Luxor’s West Bank, beginning in the Valley of the Kings. Here the pharaohs of the New Kingdom were laid to rest in painted tombs cut deep into the hills, including the celebrated burial of Tutankhamun.
Next comes the Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, a terraced masterpiece rising in graceful colonnades against a wall of golden cliffs.
The morning closes at the Colossi of Memnon, two seated giants that once flanked the mortuary temple of Amenhotep III.
You return to the ship for lunch and a slow afternoon of sailing.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Nile Cruise
Optional: Beat the sunrise with a hot air balloon flight over Luxor, drifting silently above the temples, tombs and green ribbon of the Nile.
The day opens at Edfu, where the Temple of Horus stands almost intact, one of the best-preserved sanctuaries from the Ptolemaic period and dedicated to the falcon god.
You then sail on to Kom Ombo, a rare double temple divided perfectly between the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Horus.
The mirrored plan and its unusual reliefs are fascinating up close, and the adjacent Crocodile Museum displays mummified reptiles and votive offerings unearthed nearby.
Back on board the evening turns festive with a Galabeya Party, complete with music, traditional dress and dancing.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Nile Cruise
After breakfast you head out to see the best of Aswan, starting with the High Dam, the twentieth-century feat of engineering that tames the Nile floods and powers much of the south.
A short boat ride then carries you across to the Temple of Philae, rescued stone by stone from rising waters and rebuilt on Agilkia Island. Dedicated to Isis, goddess of magic and motherhood, its columns still catch the light beautifully from the water.
You return to the ship for lunch and a free afternoon on board.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Nile Cruise
You enjoy a last breakfast on the water before transferring to Aswan Airport for your flight back to Cairo. On arrival, a driver meets you and delivers you to your hotel, where the rest of the day is yours to rest or wander the capital at your own pace.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Cairo
Optional: Add a day trip to Abu Simbel to see the colossal rock-cut temples of Ramses II, among the most awe-inspiring monuments in all of Egypt.
An early breakfast sets you up for the drive north to Alexandria, Egypt’s Mediterranean city with a distinctly Hellenistic soul.
You begin at the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, a hushed underground necropolis where Pharaonic, Greek and Roman styles meet on the same walls. From there it is on to Pompey’s Pillar, a towering Roman column, and the ruins of the Serapeum Temple that once stood beside it.
Lunch follows at a favourite local restaurant.
The afternoon is given to the Citadel of Qaitbay, a medieval sea fortress built on the very foundations of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria, and to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the sweeping modern library and cultural centre that echoes its legendary ancestor.
You then return to Cairo in the evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: Cairo
Note: The Alexandria Library is closed on Fridays and public holidays.
The morning begins at the Salah El-Din Citadel, the great hilltop fortress that commands one of the finest panoramas of Cairo. Inside its walls stands the Alabaster Mosque of Mohamed Ali, a jewel of Ottoman architecture with slender minarets and a soaring central dome.
You then descend into Old Cairo to walk its narrow lanes of layered faith. The Church of Abu Serga, said to have sheltered the Holy Family during their time in Egypt, sits close to the Hanging Church, its nave raised above the gate of a Roman fortress.
The day closes at the Ben Ezra Synagogue, one of the oldest in the country and a quiet reminder of Cairo’s long-standing plurality of faiths.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: Cairo
Today you strike west into the desert and drop down into El Bahariya Oasis, a fertile bowl of palms and hot springs cradled by golden dunes.
You visit a traditional oasis village of mud-brick houses, stretch your legs at a natural spring, and stop at archaeological sites including the Valley of the Golden Mummies and a Greco-Roman necropolis that opens a window on desert life two thousand years ago.
A hearty local dinner and a night in a desert camp await, with a canopy of stars for a ceiling.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Desert Camp
You set off early into the White Desert, a landscape of wind-sculpted chalk formations shaped like mushrooms, sails and slumbering animals scattered across a pale plain.
From there you cross into the Black Desert, where dark volcanic cones and scatters of basalt turn the ground almost lunar.
You linger for a sunset over the sands before making the drive back to Cairo in the evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: Cairo
Enjoy a final breakfast at the hotel before your private transfer to Cairo International Airport in time for your onward flight.
Thank you for travelling with us, we hope to welcome you back to Egypt again soon.
Meals: Breakfast
| Room Type | |
|---|---|
| 👤 Double Room | $4650 Per Person |
| 🚶 Single Room | $6670 |
| Room Type | |
|---|---|
| 👤 Double Room | $5880 Per Person |
| 🚶 Single Room | $8280 |
| Room Type | |
|---|---|
| 👤 Double Room | $5400 Per Person |
| 🚶 Single Room | $7660 |
| Room Type | |
|---|---|
| 👤 Double Room | $6870 Per Person |
| 🚶 Single Room | $9550 |
All Daily Pyramids Tours prices are published in US Dollars (USD) unless we note otherwise. We are happy to accept payment in other major currencies as well, including Euros (EUR) and British Pounds (GBP), converted at the official daily exchange rate on the day you pay.
Because our rates reflect current market conditions, seasonality and live availability, they can move without notice. Once your deposit or full payment reaches us, however, the price on your booking is locked in and guaranteed.
What’s Included in Our Packages:
Please refer to your specific booking confirmation and itinerary for the exact list of what is and isn’t included.
Holiday Supplement:
A 25% surcharge applies to all Nile Cruises and tour packages booked during Christmas, New Year, and Easter holidays due to peak demand.
To keep the booking process straightforward, Daily Pyramids Tours applies the following payment terms based on the type of service:
Once your payment reaches us, we will email you a written confirmation, your tailored itinerary and all relevant travel documents. Formal receipts are issued for every payment.
Plans change, we understand. Our cancellation terms are as follows:
Where a refund is due, we process it within 14 business days of receiving your written cancellation. Please note that certain cruises and hotels apply stricter cancellation rules of their own, and these will be flagged clearly in your itinerary before you book.
Families are very welcome at Daily Pyramids Tours, and our children’s pricing works as follows:
Child discounts apply when children share a room with two full-paying adults. A few Nile Cruises and luxury hotels operate their own policies or age limits for younger children, and where that applies we will make it clear in your itinerary.
Some of Egypt’s most memorable moments are optional add-ons rather than package inclusions. You can arrange them in advance with us or on the spot subject to availability. Popular choices include:
Optional experiences can be paid in USD or in local currency (EGP). We recommend booking these ahead in high season, when demand tends to outrun availability.
Our packages are designed to be comprehensive, but a few personal costs are worth budgeting for:
It is a good idea to carry a modest amount of local currency (EGP) for day-to-day ease, particularly for tipping and for shopping in local markets.
Tipping, known locally as “baksheesh”, is a customary way to thank people for good service in Egypt. It is not compulsory, but it is genuinely appreciated:
Tipping is generally not included in your package price. Keeping a stash of small USD or EGP notes on hand will make things much easier.
Egypt is at its best in the cooler months from November to February, when daytime temperatures are pleasant for wandering the pyramids, temples and open-air sites. High summer, roughly June to August, is worth avoiding for outdoor sightseeing as temperatures often climb above 40°C (104°F), particularly in Upper Egypt and the deserts.
Before you travel to Egypt, most visitors will want to have the following in place:
Passport: Valid for at least six months from the date of entry.
Visa: Depending on your nationality, you may need to obtain a visa in advance or upon arrival. Some nationalities are eligible for e-visas.
Travel Insurance: Recommended to cover medical emergencies and other unforeseen circumstances.
Vaccinations: While no specific vaccinations are required for entry, it’s advisable to check with your healthcare provider for any recommended vaccinations.
Egypt is, on the whole, a safe country to visit. Considerable investment has gone into protecting the main tourist sites and the cities that surround them, and visible tourism police are a normal part of the landscape. That said, it is always sensible to check your own government’s current travel advice and to keep an eye on local news in the days before you fly.
Decide Your Travel Dates and Budget
Start by pinning down when you want to travel and how much you are comfortable spending. This shapes every other decision, from flights and hotels to the style of tour that suits you.
Choose Your Itinerary and Destinations
Egypt offers many popular spots such as Cairo, the Pyramids of Giza, Luxor, Aswan, the Nile Cruise, Alexandria, and the Red Sea resorts. Decide which places you most want to see and how long to give each.
Find a Reliable Tour Operator or Travel Agency
You can book with a local Egyptian operator, an international agency or a specialist online platform. Read recent reviews and check ratings to make sure your operator is well established and trustworthy.
Select a Tour Package or Customize Your Trip
Many companies offer ready-made packages bundling flights, hotels, transport and guided tours. If you prefer, you can also tailor a trip around your own interests, pace and budget.
Make a Reservation
Once your package or itinerary is chosen, contact the operator to confirm availability. You will be asked for your personal details along with a deposit or the full amount, depending on their booking terms.
Prepare Your Travel Documents
Check that your passport is valid, apply for your Egyptian visa if one is required, and gather printed or digital copies of your bookings, hotel vouchers and tour confirmations.
Pack and Get Ready
Pack for the season and for the activities on your plan. Comfortable walking shoes, sun protection and a travel adapter are non-negotiable staples.
Enjoy Your Trip!
Once you arrive, follow your itinerary, stay in easy contact with your guide or agency and let Egypt’s history and warmth do the rest.
Tipping, or “baksheesh”, is woven into daily life in Egypt and is not usually built into the tour price. It is customary to tip the people who look after you, including guides, drivers and hotel staff. A useful rule of thumb is to tip in line with the service you received, roughly 10-15% of the bill or service cost.
