Tour Details
| Duration |
12 Days / 11 Nights
|
|---|---|
| Tour Location |
Cairo / Bahariya Oasis (White Desert) / Aswan / Abu Simbel / Kom Ombo / Edfu / Luxor / Hurghada
|
| Tour Type |
Daily Tour
|
| Pickup |
Cairo Airport
|
One Epic Desert Odyssey: White Desert, Nile Cruise & Red Sea in 12 Days
This 12-day Egypt tour covers Cairo, Bahariya Oasis, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor, and Hurghada across 11 nights. It is the only 12-day itinerary that combines White Desert 4x4 off-roading in Bahariya Oasis, a full Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor, and Red Sea activities in Hurghada in a single, continuous route. The three zones, desert, river, and coast, are each given dedicated days rather than brief stop-overs, making it an ideal choice for travelers looking for a complete Egypt adventure journey that combines culture, landscapes, and outdoor experiences in one route.
The tour opens in Cairo with a Nile dinner cruise on Day 1, followed by the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, and the Grand Egyptian Museum on Day 2. Days 3 and 4 move into the Western Desert: a desert camp overnight in Bahariya Oasis, then a full Bahariya Safari covering the Black Desert, Crystal Mountain, and the White Desert on Day 4 before returning to Cairo. Day 5 flies to Aswan for the Aswan High Dam, Philae Temple, and the Unfinished Obelisk, then boards the Nile cruise ship. Day 6 is dedicated to Abu Simbel Temples. Day 7 covers Kom Ombo Temple and Edfu Temple while sailing north. Day 8 disembarks in Luxor for Karnak Temple Complex, the Valley of the Kings including the Tomb of Tutankhamun, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, and the Colossi of Memnon, before transferring to Hurghada. Days 9 and 10 are free days on the Red Sea coast, with an optional Hurghada desert safari available on Day 10. Day 11 returns to Cairo for the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, Salah El Din Citadel, Muhammad Ali Mosque, the Hanging Church, Amr Ibn Al Aas Mosque, Ben Ezra Synagogue, Al Muizz Street, and Khan El-Khalili Bazaar. Day 12 is the departure.
Why Book This Tour
- Bahariya Oasis is included as a two-day overnight segment, not a day trip from Cairo.
- Full Bahariya 4x4 safari circuit: Black Desert, Crystal Mountain, and White Desert on Day 4
- Four-night Nile cruise covering Abu Simbel, Kom Ombo, Edfu, and all Luxor sites
- Two domestic flights included: Cairo to Aswan (Day 5) and Hurghada to Cairo (Day 11)
- Three full days allocated to Hurghada, not a single beach night added as a finale
- Licensed Egyptologist guide for all site visits in Cairo, Aswan, and Luxor
- Private air-conditioned vehicle for every road transfer, including Luxor to Hurghada
Included
- Meet and assist with the Tripidays representative at the airport.
- All intercity road transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle
- Egyptologist guide for all site visits in Cairo, Aswan, and Luxor
- Domestic flight: Cairo to Aswan
- Domestic flight: Hurghada to Cairo
- 4 nights at a 5-star hotel in Cairo
- 3 nights on a Nile cruise ship ( Full board )
- 3 nights at a 5-star hotel in Hurghada
- 1 night desert camp in Bahariya Oasis
- Daily breakfast throughout the tour
- Motorboat transfer to Philae Temple
- All entrance fees for every site listed in the itinerary
- One bottled water during all touring days
- All applicable taxes and service charges
- Full assistance during your stay in Egypt
Excluded
- International flights to and from Cairo
- Egypt entry visa
- Travel insurance
- Personal spending and shopping expenses
- Tips and gratuities for guides, drivers, and cruise staff
- Day 10 optional Hurghada desert safari (available to book as an add-on)
Highlights
Giza Attractions
- Pyramids of Giza
- Great Sphinx
- The Valley Temple
- Grand Egyptian Museum
Aswan Attractions
- Aswan High Dam
- Unfinished Obelisk
- Philae Temple
- Abu Simbel Temples
- Kom Ombo temple
- Edfu Temple
Luxor Attractions
- Karnak Temple
- Valley of the Kings
- Hatshepsut Temple
- Colossi of Memnon
Cairo Attractions
- Salah El Din Citadel
- Muhammad Ali Mosque
- The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization
- The Hanging Church
- Amr Ibn Al Aas Mosque
- The Ben Ezra Synagogue
- Al Muizz Street
- Khan El-Khalili Bazaar
Itinerary
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A Tripidays representative meets you at Cairo International Airport, handles your transfer, and gets you checked in. Your first evening on this Egypt adventure tour is spent on the Nile as the city lights up around you. Travelers who want to compare similar routes, durations, and travel styles can also explore more Egypt sightseeing packages and curated multi-destination trips for additional inspiration before choosing the ideal itinerary.

Evening Activity Nile Dinner Cruise
You'll float past Cairo's illuminated skyline while a live Tanoura and belly dancing performance plays out on deck. It is a low-key orientation to the city before the active days ahead.
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, and Dinner
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After breakfast, your guide takes you on a full-day tour through Cairo’s most iconic ancient sites before the journey continues into the desert adventure phase on Day 3.

The Great Giza Pyramids
You'll stand at the base of the last surviving wonder of the ancient world, built to a scale that photographs don't fully prepare you for. Your guide covers the construction theories still debated by Egyptologists today.

The Valley Temple
Explore the Valley Temple of Pharaoh Khafre, an integral part of his majestic funerary complex, constructed around 2570 BCE during Egypt's Old Kingdom. Serving as a site for sacred rituals to prepare the pharaoh for the afterlife, the temple embodies both spiritual reverence and architectural mastery

The Sphinx
Carved from a single limestone outcrop, the Sphinx faces due east and is thought to predate the surrounding plateau monuments. You'll get the clearest views from the eastern enclosure, where the full profile is unobstructed.

Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)
Your guide will orient you inside a building holding over 100,000 artifacts, flagging which halls to prioritize given the scale. The Tutankhamun treasure occupies a dedicated wing and includes objects never previously displayed.
Meals
Breakfast and Lunch
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The drive from Cairo to Bahariya Oasis takes roughly three and a half hours through the Western Desert, the start of the Egyptian desert adventure segment that separates this itinerary from any standard Nile cruise package.

Baharia Oasis Exploration
You arrive in a desert depression dotted with palm groves, natural hot springs, and mud-brick villages that have changed little in centuries. The contrast with Cairo hits the moment the car stops. Your guide sets you up at a desert camp with no light pollution and a direct line of sight to the White Desert formations on the horizon. Meals are prepared on site by local staff around an open fire.
Meals
Breakfast and Lunch
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After an early start, your desert guide loads you into a 4x4 for the full Bahariya Safari loop, the active Egypt holiday highlight that no other 12-day Egypt adventure tour replicates as a standalone day. The return drive to Cairo follows in the afternoon.

Black Desert
Volcanic hills coated in black powder rise sharply from the flat desert floor, giving the landscape a texture unlike anything on the Nile corridor. You'll stop on the ridge for a short walk and unobstructed views in every direction.

Crystal Mountain
Stand at the base of this narrow quartz ridge, and you'll understand why it doesn't show up in standard Egypt tour photography. The crystals only catch the light at one specific angle and distance. It is one of the most distinctive stops on any off-road Egypt tour circuit.

White Desert
Wind erosion has carved chalk-white rock into mushroom, arch, and animal formations across a wide plateau that feels like a different planet. The formations are sharpest in morning light before heat haze sets in, which is why the safari starts early.
Meals
Breakfast and Lunch
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An early morning flight connects Cairo to Aswan to begin the Nile cruise in Egypt segment of the itinerary. Your guide meets you at Aswan Airport, covers the three east bank sites, and then boards you onto the cruise ship in the afternoon.

Aswan High Dam
Built between 1960 and 1970, the dam created Lake Nasser, one of the world's largest artificial reservoirs, permanently altering the Nile's seasonal flood cycle. You'll get the clearest sense of its scale from the viewing platform on the western side.

Unfinished Obelisk
Lying in its granite quarry exactly where it was abandoned 3,500 years ago after a crack halted extraction, it gives you the clearest picture of how obelisks were hewn directly from bedrock. At 42 meters, it would have been the largest ever cut.

Philae Temple
Your guide takes you across by motorboat to Agilkia Island, where the entire temple complex was relocated stone by stone after the dam's reservoir began flooding its original site. It is dedicated to the goddess Isis and remains one of the most complete temple complexes in Egypt.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
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An early excursion from the cruise takes you 280 kilometers south to Abu Simbel before the heat peaks. The site sits on the western shore of Lake Nasser, and the scale only registers properly when you are standing directly in front of it.

Abu Simbel Temples
Explore the magnificent Abu Simbel Temples, masterpieces of ancient Egyptian architecture and engineering. Built during the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses II around 1264 BCE, these rock-cut temples were dedicated to the gods and to the pharaoh himself. Admire the colossal statues guarding the entrance and step inside to witness beautifully carved reliefs that have survived for over 3,000 years. This remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site stands as a symbol of Egypt’s enduring greatness.
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, and Dinner
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The cruise sails north through the morning while you have time on deck before docking at Kom Ombo. The active Egypt adventure itinerary shifts into a slower river rhythm today, and both temples are reachable directly from the riverbank.

Kom Ombo Temple
From the outside, it looks like a standard riverside ruin. Inside, the double symmetry reveals itself: every hall, column, and carving is exactly mirrored, with one half dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and the other to Horus.

Edfu Temple
The best-preserved temple in Egypt, built during the Ptolemaic period and still standing almost entirely intact. Your guide will take you in through the monumental pylon, where a pair of black granite Horus falcons flank the entrance at a scale most visitors don't anticipate.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
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After breakfast, the cruise disembarks, and your guide takes you directly to the west bank sites. This is the most site-dense day of the active Egypt holiday, with four major stops before the afternoon road transfer east to the Red Sea coast. After exploring, travel comfortably to the beautiful Red Sea resort town of Hurghada. Check in at your hotel and relax by the sparkling coastline, where golden sands meet crystal clear waters.

Karnak Temple Tour
Your guide will walk you into the Great Hypostyle Hall, where 134 columns rise to 23 meters, and the sky almost disappears. It took over 2,000 years and successive pharaohs building over each other's work to produce what you're standing inside.

Valley of the Kings Visit
You'll enter the limestone cliffs of the Theban necropolis, where Egypt's New Kingdom pharaohs were buried across 500 years, with the Tomb of Tutankhamun included in the visit. The painted walls inside are in sharper condition than most travelers expect from tombs sealed for over 3,000 years.

Discover Hatshepsut Temple
Three colonnaded terraces rise directly against a sheer cliff face at Deir el-Bahari, built for one of Egypt's few female pharaohs who held power for more than 20 years. The geometry is unlike any other temple on this route, more horizontal than vertical, more architectural than decorative.

Colossi of Memnon
Two quartzite statues at 18 meters each are the first thing you pass entering the West Bank, and they stand without the mortuary temple they once guarded, which has entirely disappeared. Your guide explains why they drew visitors from across the ancient world.
Meals
Breakfast and Lunch
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The day is entirely unscheduled, no guide, no transfers, no sites. After eight consecutive days of active Egypt adventure travel, this is a built-in recovery day on the Red Sea coast.

Free Day to Enjoy Hurghada
On this day, you can take a break from all the sightseeing and simply enjoy the beautiful beaches of Hurghada. This popular tourist destination is known for its crystal-clear waters and vibrant marine life, making it a perfect spot for snorkeling or diving. You can also choose to go on a boat trip to explore nearby islands or relax by the pool at your hotel.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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The day is free by default. The optional desert safari is available for active Egypt holiday travelers who want one more off-road experience before the itinerary returns to Cairo.

Free Day to explore Hurghada
It's time to take a break and unwind on the beautiful shores of Hurghada. With its crystal-clear waters and vibrant marine life, this coastal city is a popular destination for beach lovers.

Hurghada Desert Safari (Optional)
A jeep takes you into the Eastern Desert for dune driving, camel riding, and a Bedouin camp stop with Arabic tea. The evening ends with a barbecue dinner and fire performers under an open sky, a different terrain from Bahariya but a familiar pace for anyone who has already done the Day 4 desert circuit.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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An early flight returns you to Cairo for a full final day across the city's ancient, Coptic, and Islamic sites. Your guide meets you at the airport, and the day moves through eight sites before the overnight hotel.

The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC)
Begin your day heading to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, a modern gem showcasing Egypt’s rich history from prehistoric times to the present. The highlight is the Royal Mummies Hall, where you’ll come face to face with ancient rulers like Ramses II and Seti I.

Salah El Din Citadel
Your guide takes you up to this 12th-century hilltop fortress that served as Egypt's seat of government for 700 years, with views from the ramparts that cover the full Cairo skyline — and the pyramids on a clear day. It was built by Saladin to defend the city against Crusader incursion.

Muhammad Ali Mosque
Inside the Citadel, visit the elegant Mosque of Muhammad Ali, famous for its shining alabaster domes and grand Ottoman design. This masterpiece reflects both faith and artistry, dominating Cairo’s skyline with timeless beauty.

The Hanging Church
You'll enter one of Egypt's oldest Coptic churches, built over a Roman gatehouse so that the nave appears to float above the street below. Your guide places it in the context of the Holy Family's route through Egypt, which the church has marked for over 1,600 years.

Amr Ibn Al Aas Mosque
Continue to the Amr Ibn Al Aas Mosque, the first mosque ever built in Africa. Its simplicity and historic importance represent the roots of Islamic architecture in Egypt.

The Ben Ezra Synagogue
Next, visit the Ben Ezra Synagogue, a sacred Jewish site believed to be where baby Moses was found. It stands as a symbol of Egypt’s deep religious harmony and history.

Al Muizz Street
The moment you step inside the original Fatimid city gates, a one-kilometer stretch of intact medieval Cairo unfolds in both directions, lined with monuments from the 10th through the 19th centuries. It holds the densest concentration of medieval Islamic architecture anywhere in the world.

Khan El-Khalili Bazaar
End your day at the colorful Khan El-Khalili Bazaar, where you can shop for handcrafted souvenirs, brass lamps, spices, and traditional jewelry, a perfect way to capture the spirit of Cairo before returning to your hotel.
Meals
Breakfast and Lunch
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Your guide transfers you to Cairo International Airport for your outbound flight. No sites are scheduled; timing is arranged around your departure.
Meals
Breakfast
* You can let us know if you'd like to customize your tour itinerary to meet your needs. We value your input and aim to accommodate your requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
This tour includes 11 nights of accommodation across Cairo hotels, a Bahariya desert camp, a 5-star Nile cruise, and a Hurghada hotel, plus two domestic flights, all entrance fees, a licensed Egyptologist guide, and daily breakfast. Full board is provided on the Nile cruise for four nights, and all road transfers are run by private air-conditioned vehicle. International flights, Egypt visa, travel insurance, and tips are not included.
This is the only 12-day Egypt itinerary that packages three geographic zones as dedicated legs: an overnight desert camp and full 4x4 safari in Bahariya Oasis, a four-night Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor, and three full days on the Red Sea in Hurghada. Most multi-destination Egypt tours treat Hurghada as a single beach night rather than a standalone segment, and none include Bahariya Oasis as an overnight stop.
The Bahariya segment runs across Days 3 and 4: an overnight desert camp on Day 3, followed by a full 4x4 safari on Day 4 covering the Black Desert, Crystal Mountain, and the White Desert chalk formations before returning to Cairo. The safari is a dedicated full-day off-road Egypt tour circuit, not a brief stop between sites. Travelers looking for a more desert-focused route without the Red Sea beach stay can explore the Bahariya Oasis discovery for a journey centered on safari experiences, remote landscapes, and off-road exploration.
The Nile cruise runs for four nights from Aswan to Luxor, covering the Aswan High Dam, Philae Temple, and the Unfinished Obelisk on Day 5, Abu Simbel on Day 6, Kom Ombo Temple and Edfu Temple on Day 7, and Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, and the Colossi of Memnon on Day 8. Full board is included on the cruise for all four nights. The cruise disembarks in Luxor on Day 8 before the road transfer to Hurghada.
Yes, two domestic flights are included: Cairo to Aswan on Day 5 and Hurghada to Cairo on Day 11. International flights to and from Cairo are not included and must be arranged separately.
What to Pack
Tour Locations
Tour Prices
- Solo $6520
- 2 - 4 Pax $4345
- 5 - 8 Pax $4055
- 9 - 16 Pax $3765
- Solo $6520
- 2 - 4 Pax $4345
- 5 - 8 Pax $4055
- 9 - 16 Pax $3765
- Solo $7245
- 2 - 4 Pax $5070
- 5 - 8 Pax $4780
- 9 - 16 Pax $4490
- Solo $7965
- 2 - 4 Pax $5795
- 5 - 8 Pax $5505
- 9 - 16 Pax $5215
- Solo $7965
- 2 - 4 Pax $5795
- 5 - 8 Pax $5505
- 9 - 16 Pax $5215
- Solo $7965
- 2 - 4 Pax $5795
- 5 - 8 Pax $5505
- 9 - 16 Pax $5215
- Solo $8690
- 2 - 4 Pax $6520
- 5 - 8 Pax $6230
- 9 - 16 Pax $5940
- Solo $9415
- 2 - 4 Pax $7245
- 5 - 8 Pax $6955
- 9 - 16 Pax $6665
- Solo $10140
- 2 - 4 Pax $6520
- 5 - 8 Pax $6230
- 9 - 16 Pax $5940
- Solo $10140
- 2 - 4 Pax $6520
- 5 - 8 Pax $6230
- 9 - 16 Pax $5940
- Solo $11590
- 2 - 4 Pax $7965
- 5 - 8 Pax $7675
- 9 - 16 Pax $7385
- Solo $10865
- 2 - 4 Pax $8690
- 5 - 8 Pax $8400
- 9 - 16 Pax $8110
- Solo $11590
- 2 - 4 Pax $7965
- 5 - 8 Pax $7675
- 9 - 16 Pax $7385
- Solo $11590
- 2 - 4 Pax $7965
- 5 - 8 Pax $7675
- 9 - 16 Pax $7385
- Solo $13035
- 2 - 4 Pax $9415
- 5 - 8 Pax $9125
- 9 - 16 Pax $8835
- Solo $14485
- 2 - 4 Pax $8690
- 5 - 8 Pax $8400
- 9 - 16 Pax $8110
