Twelve days across four unmistakable sides of Egypt. Start in Cairo, where the Giza pyramids and the Sphinx sit alongside the treasure-packed Egyptian Museum, then trace the coast road to Alexandria for salt-air corniches, layered catacombs and Graeco-Roman fragments still hiding in plain sight. From there, drift between Luxor and Aswan on a Nile cruise, waking to temples at Karnak, Edfu and Kom Ombo as palm-fringed banks glide past your window. The finale swaps green river valley for the honeyed dunes of El Bahariya Oasis, where the desert nights turn quiet, starlit and lit by a low campfire. Air-conditioned transfers, well-appointed cruise cabins and expert local guides thread every leg together. Ready to see the full picture? Plan the trip with Daily Pyramids Tours.
Give yourself twelve unhurried days to travel through the icons and the outliers of Egypt in one sweep. Stand at the Great Pyramids, come face to face with Tutankhamun’s gilded world, then step aboard a Nile cruiser for slow river days between the greatest temples of the New Kingdom. Wander Alexandria’s Mediterranean streets and finish under the surreal chalk sculptures of the White Desert and the black basalt cones nearby – history, culture and raw landscape stitched into a single itinerary.
Ahlan wa sahlan – welcome to Egypt. As you clear the arrivals hall at Cairo International Airport, look for our representative holding a name board so you can be greeted without any guesswork.
From there, you will be walked to a private air-conditioned car for an easy transfer straight to your hotel, where check-in is arranged for you.
Meals: None
Overnight: Cairo
After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, your licensed Egyptologist meets you in the lobby to begin a full day on the Giza plateau.
The plateau is dominated by the three great pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure. You will stand before the Great Pyramid – the last surviving wonder of the ancient world – and meet the enigmatic Sphinx, half lion, half pharaoh, still keeping watch after four and a half millennia. You will also step inside the Valley Temple, once used in the rituals of royal mummification.
Lunch follows at a well-regarded local restaurant nearby.
In the afternoon, drive across to the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), one of the largest archaeological museums on earth. Its galleries display monumental royal statues, everyday objects and ceremonial treasures spanning the Old, Middle and New Kingdoms, all shown in a purpose-built setting on the edge of the plateau.
You will be dropped back at the hotel afterwards for a quiet evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: Cairo
Optional: Return in the evening for the Sound & Light Show at the Pyramids, where the monuments are lit up and their story narrated beneath the stars.
After breakfast you are driven to Cairo Airport for the short flight south to Luxor, ancient Thebes, once the ceremonial capital of the New Kingdom.
Your local guide meets you on arrival and you head straight into the East Bank. First stop is Karnak Temple, a vast religious city built for Amun-Ra, with hypostyle halls, sacred lakes and forests of columns still carved with painted hieroglyphs.
From there it is a short drive to Luxor Temple, where great pylons rise beside the corniche and the Avenue of Sphinxes points back towards Karnak.
Later in the day you board your Nile cruise ship, settle into your cabin and let the river take over.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Nile Cruise
Cross to the West Bank of the Nile for a morning among the royal necropolises, starting in the Valley of the Kings. Its rock-cut tombs still glow with painted ceilings and hieroglyphic prayers, including the famous burial chamber of Tutankhamun.
From there you continue to Deir el-Bahari and the terraced Temple of Hatshepsut, which sits back into the cliffs as if it grew from them.
The morning closes with a stop at the Colossi of Memnon, two seated giants that once flanked the vanished mortuary temple of Amenhotep III.
You return to the cruise for lunch, then spend the afternoon sailing gently along the Nile.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Nile Cruise
Optional: Add a sunrise hot air balloon ride over Luxor – one of the most spectacular ways to see the temples and tombs from above.
The morning begins at the Temple of Horus at Edfu, one of the best-preserved sanctuaries left from the Ptolemaic era and dedicated to the falcon-headed god.
Back on board, you sail on to Kom Ombo, where a rare double temple honours the crocodile god Sobek on one side and Horus on the other.
Its symmetrical plan and finely cut reliefs reward a slow walk. Next door, the small Crocodile Museum displays mummified crocodiles and votive artefacts pulled from the sanctuary.
In the evening, the crew hosts a Galabeya Party on the ship – traditional dress, Egyptian music and dancing well into the night.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Nile Cruise
After breakfast on board you set out around Aswan, starting at the High Dam – a modern engineering feat that controls the Nile flood and powers much of southern Egypt.
From the dam a short boat ride takes you to the Temple of Philae, once flooded by the rising waters behind the dam and painstakingly moved stone by stone to Agilkia Island. The complex is dedicated to Isis, goddess of motherhood and magic, and remains one of the loveliest riverside sanctuaries in Egypt.
Return to the ship for lunch and a free afternoon on the sundeck.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Nile Cruise
Enjoy your last breakfast on board, then transfer to Aswan Airport for the flight back to Cairo. On arrival you are driven to your hotel, with the rest of the day free to rest or head out into the city on your own.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Cairo
Optional: Add a day trip to Abu Simbel to stand beneath the four colossal statues of Ramses II carved into the cliff at the edge of Lake Nasser.
An early breakfast, then a drive north through the Delta to Alexandria – Egypt’s Mediterranean city, founded by Alexander the Great and shaped by centuries of Hellenistic and Roman rule.
Begin at the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, an underground necropolis where Pharaonic, Greek and Roman motifs are carved into a single tomb complex. Continue to Pompey’s Pillar, a soaring Roman column, and the surrounding ruins of the Serapeum Temple.
Break for lunch at a trusted local restaurant along the way.
The afternoon takes you to the seafront Citadel of Qaitbay, a 15th-century fortress raised on the stones of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria. Finish at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the modern reimagining of the Great Library of antiquity, before returning to Cairo in the evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: Cairo
Note: The Alexandria Library is closed on Fridays and public holidays.
Begin the day at the Salah El-Din Citadel, a medieval fortress perched above the city with wide views over Cairo’s rooftops and minarets. Inside its walls stands the Alabaster Mosque of Mohamed Ali, a masterpiece of Ottoman-era architecture with a soaring central dome and slender pencil minarets.
From the Citadel you descend into Old Cairo to trace its layered religious heritage. Visit the Church of Abu Serga, said to shelter the Holy Family during their flight into Egypt, and the elegant Hanging Church, suspended above the gate towers of a Roman fort.
The day closes at the Ben Ezra Synagogue, one of the oldest in the country and a quiet reminder of the city’s long Jewish presence.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: Cairo
Today you leave the river valley behind and drive deep into Egypt’s Western Desert to El Bahariya Oasis, a green pocket cradled by golden dunes.
Explore a traditional oasis village of mud-brick homes, unwind at natural hot springs, and visit archaeological sites including the Valley of the Golden Mummies and a Greek-Roman necropolis that reveal how communities lived at the desert’s edge.
Dinner is served around the fire at a desert camp, followed by an overnight beneath a sky thick with stars.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Desert Camp
An early start takes you into the White Desert, a strange, wind-sculpted plain where chalk pinnacles rise from the sand in the shapes of mushrooms, sails and crouching animals.
From there you drive on through the Black Desert, its low volcanic cones scattering dark basalt across the pale sands.
You catch the desert sunset before continuing back to Cairo, arriving in the evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: Cairo
Enjoy one last breakfast at your hotel before your private transfer to Cairo International Airport in time for your onward flight.
Thank you for travelling through Egypt with us – we hope to welcome you back soon.
Meals: Breakfast
| Room Type | |
|---|---|
| 👤 Double Room | $2533 Per Person |
| 🚶 Single Room | $3660 |
| Room Type | |
|---|---|
| 👤 Double Room | $3080 Per Person |
| 🚶 Single Room | $4465 |
| Room Type | |
|---|---|
| 👤 Double Room | $3216 Per Person |
| 🚶 Single Room | $4620 |
| Room Type | |
|---|---|
| 👤 Double Room | $4010 Per Person |
| 🚶 Single Room | $5705 |
| Room Type | |
|---|---|
| 👤 Double Room | $4650 Per Person |
| 🚶 Single Room | $6670 |
| Room Type | |
|---|---|
| 👤 Double Room | $5880 Per Person |
| 🚶 Single Room | $8280 |
All Daily Pyramids Tours prices are quoted in US Dollars (USD) unless a different currency is noted on your quote. We are happy to accept payment in other major currencies too, including Euros (EUR) and British Pounds (GBP), converted at the official daily exchange rate on the day the payment is made.
Rates reflect current market conditions, seasonal demand and service availability, so published prices can shift at short notice. The moment we receive your deposit or full payment, however, your booking price is locked in.
What is included in our packages:
Please refer to your booking confirmation and itinerary for the exact list of inclusions and exclusions for your trip.
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, our payment terms depend on the type of service you are reserving:
Once payment is received you will get written confirmation by email, together with your personalised itinerary and travel documents. Receipts are issued for every payment made.
Plans change – we understand. Our cancellation terms are as follows:
Where a refund is due, it is processed within 14 business days of receiving your written cancellation. Some cruise ships and hotels operate stricter cancellation rules of their own, and any such terms will be spelled out clearly in your itinerary.
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 handful of Nile Cruise vessels and luxury hotels apply their own age policies or restrictions for younger children; any such rules will be highlighted in your itinerary before booking.
A few standout experiences sit outside our standard packages as optional add-ons. You can add them at the time of booking or arrange them on the ground, subject to availability. Popular choices include:
Optional experiences can be paid for in USD or in local currency (EGP). Booking in advance is strongly recommended, especially during peak travel months.
Our packages cover the main costs, but you should budget separately for a few personal items:
It helps to carry small amounts of local currency (EGP) for day-to-day convenience – especially for tipping and buying at local markets and bazaars.
Tipping – or baksheesh – is a long-standing way of thanking people for good service in Egypt. It is never obligatory, but it is very much appreciated. As a guide:
Tips are not included in your package price, so we suggest keeping small USD or EGP notes handy throughout the trip for tipping as you go.
The sweet spot for visiting Egypt is the winter window from November to February, when the days are mild and the light is kind for long hours around the pyramids, the temples and the desert. Try to avoid the heart of summer, June to August, when temperatures in much of the country can climb well past 40°C (104°F) and outdoor sightseeing becomes hard work.
To enter Egypt as a tourist, you will typically need:
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 generally a safe destination for travellers. The authorities have invested heavily in security around the main sightseeing areas and the big cities, and visible tourist police are common at all major sites. As with any trip, it is still worth checking your own government’s latest travel advice and keeping an eye on local news in the days leading up to your journey.
Decide Your Travel Dates and Budget
Pin down the window you can travel in and roughly what you want to spend. That gives you a realistic frame for choosing flights, hotels and tours.
Choose Your Itinerary and Destinations
Egypt is full of options – Cairo, the Pyramids of Giza, Luxor, Aswan, a Nile Cruise, Alexandria and the Red Sea coast among them. Decide which places matter most and how long you want in each.
Find a Reliable Tour Operator or Travel Agency
You can book through a local Egyptian operator, an international agency or an online platform that specialises in Egypt. Whichever route you take, read genuine reviews and confirm the company is properly licensed before you commit.
Select a Tour Package or Customize Your Trip
Many operators offer ready-made packages covering flights, hotels, transport and guided sightseeing. If you prefer, most will happily tailor an itinerary around your interests and budget.
Make a Reservation
Once you have chosen your package or plan, contact the operator to confirm availability. You will typically be asked for your traveller details and either a deposit or full payment, depending on the policy that applies.
Prepare Your Travel Documents
Check your passport validity, apply for an Egyptian visa if your nationality requires one, and print out your itinerary, hotel vouchers and tour confirmations to carry with you.
Pack and Get Ready
Pack for the season and the type of activities on your plan. Comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen and a universal travel adapter are almost always worth their weight.
Enjoy Your Trip!
Once you arrive, follow the itinerary at your own pace, stay in touch with your guide or agent, and give yourself space to soak up the history and culture around you.
Tipping – known locally as baksheesh – is a normal part of daily life in Egypt and is not built into the tour price. It is customary to tip guides, drivers, cruise crew and hotel staff, and a reasonable rule of thumb is to tip in line with the service you have received, roughly 10-15% of the bill or of the service cost.
