12 Day Egypt Overland: Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel & Alexandria

From: $1760
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Tour Details

Duration
12 Days / 11 Nights
Tour Location
Cairo / Luxor / Aswan / Abu Simbel / Alexandria / Fayoum
Tour Type
Daily Tour
Pickup
Cairo Airport

Egypt's Classic Route in 12 Days: Cairo, the Nile & the Mediterranean

This 12-day Egypt overland cultural journey connects Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Alexandria, and Fayoum in one seamless route guided by private Egyptologists from arrival to departure. Designed for travellers who want to experience Egypt beyond a single city or cruise itinerary, this journey is part of a wider collection of Egypt overland travel packages that connect the country’s most important historical and cultural destinations in one seamless route. It is one of the few routes that links all six destinations together in a continuous cultural experience with expert-guided sightseeing throughout.

Day 1 opens with a Nile dinner cruise in Cairo. Day 2 covers the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, the Valley Temple of Khafre, and the Grand Egyptian Museum. Day 3 flies south to Luxor for the Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple on the East Bank. Day 4 crosses to the West Bank for the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, and the Colossi of Memnon. Day 5: Transfers overland to Aswan via the Edfu Temple and the Kom Ombo Temple.

Why Book This Tour

  • Egypt’s ultimate first-timer overland journey across Egypt’s top historic cities and landmarks
  • A private Egyptologist guide is assigned for every site visit across all 12 days.
  • All overland transfers are operated in modern private air-conditioned vehicles
  • Two domestic flights included: Cairo to Luxor and Aswan to Cairo
  • 5-star hotel accommodation included in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and Alexandria
  • Flexible itinerary customisation available based on your travel dates, pace, and interests
  • 24/7 local support from Tripidays throughout your stay in Egypt

Included

  • Meet and assist with the Tripidays representative at the airport
  • All transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle
  • An expert Egyptologist guide for all site visits
  • Domestic flight: Cairo to Luxor
  • Domestic flight: Aswan to Cairo
  • 6 nights hotel accommodation in Cairo
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation in Luxor
  • 2 nights' hotel accommodation in Aswan
  • 1 night desert camping in Fayoum
  • Daily breakfast and meals are mentioned in the itenrary.
  • Entrance fees to all attractions listed in the itinerary
  • Motorboat transfer to Philae Temple
  • One bottle of water during the tours
  • All applicable taxes and service charges

Excluded

  • International flights to Egypt.
  • Personal expenses (souvenirs, extra meals, etc.)
  • Tips for guides and drivers.
  • Travel Insurance.
  • Egypt Entry Visa.

Highlights

Giza Attractions

  • Pyramids of Giza
  • Temple of Khafre
  • The Great Sphinx
  • Grand Egyptian Museum

Cairo Attractions

  • Salah El Din Citadel
  • Al Rifai Mosque
  • Sultan Hassan Mosque
  • Al Muizz Street
  • Khan El-Khalili Bazaar
  • National Museum of Egyptian Civilization

Luxor Attractions

  • The Valley of the Kings
  • Temple of Hatshepsut
  • Colossi of Memnon
  • Karnak Temple
  • Luxor Temple

Aswan Attractions

  • Abu Simbel Temple
  • The High Dam
  • Philae Temple
  • Unfinished Obelisk
  • Edfu temple
  • Temple of Kom Ombo

Fayoum Attractions

  • Wadi El Rayan
  • Wadi El Hitan
  • Lake Qarun

Itinerary

  • Day 1: Arrive in Cairo and Start Your 12-Day Overland Journey

    Your Tripidays representative meets you at Cairo Airport and transfers you directly to your hotel, where the rest of the evening belongs to the Nile. Your 12-day Egypt overland cultural tour begins not with a briefing room but with a dinner cruise, the city lit up on both banks, feluccas passing in the dark.

    Evening Activity - Nile Dinner Cruise

    You'll board in the early evening as Cairo's skyline shifts from gold to amber around you, the water carrying the sound of traditional music up from the lower deck. It is the quietest introduction to a city of 20 million people you will find.


    Meals

    Dinner 

  • Day 2: Exploring the Pyramids of Giza & GEM

    After breakfast, your Egyptologist guide picks you up for a full day on the Giza Plateau and inside the world's newest major museum. The morning belongs to the monuments; the afternoon belongs to the treasures pulled from inside them.

    The Giza Pyramids Complex

    Stand at the base of the Great Pyramid and you'll understand immediately why no written description has ever been adequate — it covers 13 acres of ground and rises 138 metres above the plateau. Your guide will walk you around all three pyramids, explaining the engineering logic that has kept them standing for 4,500 years.

    The Great Sphinx

    You'll approach it from the east, which is the angle that reveals its true scale: a lion's body stretching 73 metres from paw to tail, carved directly from the bedrock rather than assembled from blocks. Most travelers are surprised to learn the face was likely never finished to the original design.

    Valley Temple of Khafre

    Your guide will take you inside one of the best-preserved Old Kingdom structures on the plateau, where polished red granite walls still hold the geometry of 2500 BCE without a single restoration brick. Look at the floor, the original alabaster is still underfoot.

    Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)

    You'll enter a building that took 20 years to construct, specifically to house the 100,000-piece collection it now holds, including the complete treasures of Tutankhamun's tomb displayed together for the first time in history. The scale of the atrium, along with a 12-metre statue of Ramses II at its center, resets your sense of what a museum can be.


    Meals

    Breakfast and Lunch 

  • Day 3: Discover Luxor's East Bank

    After breakfast, your domestic flight takes you south to Luxor — a city built directly on top of ancient Thebes, the most powerful capital in the ancient world. Your Egyptologist guide meets you on arrival; the East Bank fills the afternoon.

    Karnak Temple

    Upon arriving in Luxor, you'll explore the magnificent Karnak Temple, one of the largest and most awe-inspiring religious complexes in the world. Constructed over an astonishing 2,000 years, beginning around 2000 BCE, this sacred site was devoted to the god Amun-Ra, his consort Mut, and their son Khonsu. 

    Luxor Temple 

    You'll enter at dusk if the schedule allows, which is when the floodlights turn this 3,400-year-old structure into something between a ruin and a living building. Notice the mosque built directly into the temple's upper levels — it was constructed before anyone realised the structure beneath it.


    Meals

    Breakfast and Lunch 

  • Day 4:  Discover the Wonders of Luxor's West Bank

    Your guide crosses the Nile with you at first light, when the West Bank cliffs are still orange, and the Valley of the Kings has not yet filled with the day's crowds. Three of the most significant sites in Egyptian archaeology sit within a few kilometres of each other on this side of the river.

    Valley of the Kings

    You'll descend into tombs carved 60 metres into the limestone, where the walls are covered in the complete text of the Book of the Dead in colours that have not faded in three thousand years. There are 63 known tombs in the valley; your guide will take you into the ones that best reward a first visit.

    Hatshepsut Temple

    Next, you’ll visit the breathtaking Hatshepsut Temple, an architectural marvel constructed between 1479 and 1458 BC during the reign of Queen Hatshepsut, one of ancient Egypt's most extraordinary pharaohs. Located at Deir el-Bahari near Luxor, this temple is renowned for its striking terrace-style design, masterfully crafted by the architect Senenmut.

    Colossi of Memnon 

    You'll pass them on the road, and it will take a moment to register the true scale: two seated figures, each 18 metres tall, rising from open farmland with no temple around them because the temple they once guarded was dismantled by later pharaohs for building material. Travellers who want to slow down along this corridor and spend time in Dendera, Abydos, and the rock tombs of Beni Hassan can deepen the experience - a temple circuit dedicated entirely to Upper Egypt's lesser-visited pharaonic sites.


    Meals

    Breakfast and Lunch 

  • Day 5: Discover Edfu & Kom Ombo Temples

    After breakfast, your guide transfers you overland from Luxor toward Aswan, a journey that in the 12-day Egypt overland passes through two of the Nile Valley's most intact temple sites rather than bypassing them on the motorway. The road south is the itinerary.

    temple of edfu

    Edfu Temple

    Upon arriving in Aswan, your journey continues with a visit to the Edfu Temple, one of ancient Egypt's best-preserved monuments. Located on the west bank of the Nile, this stunning temple was built during the Ptolemaic period (237–57 BC) and dedicated to Horus, the falcon god. Construction began under Pharaoh Ptolemy III and was completed by Pharaoh Ptolemy XII. Its towering columns, intricate carvings, and hieroglyphs depict key tales from Egyptian mythology, including the battle between Horus and Seth. 

    temple kom ombo

    Kom Ombo Temple

    In the afternoon, visit Kom Ombo Temple, built during the Ptolemaic period (180–47 BC). This unique temple is dedicated to two gods: Horus, the falcon god, and Sobek, the crocodile god. Discover its detailed reliefs depicting ancient rituals and daily life, an ancient calendar, and carved surgical tools that reveal early medical practices. 


    Meals

    Breakfast and Lunch

  • Day 6: Abu Simbel Temples Tour

    An early departure takes you south from Aswan to Abu Simbel — a site 280 kilometres from the nearest major city, which is precisely why most classic Egypt itineraries skip it. The 12-day overland format builds in the time to make it the day's sole focus.

    Abu Simbel Temples 

    Start your day exploring the awe-inspiring Abu Simbel temples, carved into a mountainside during Pharaoh Ramesses II's reign in the 13th century BC. The larger temple is dedicated to Amun, Ra-Horakhty, Ptah, and Ramesses himself, while the smaller honors Queen Nefertari and Hathor. In the 1960s, these monuments were at risk of submersion due to the Aswan High Dam. To save them, UNESCO led a relocation project, cutting the temples into blocks and reconstructing them on higher ground. 


    Meals

    Breakfast and Lunch

  • Day 7: Explore Philae Temple and the Aswan Monuments

    Your final morning in Aswan covers the three sites that anchor the city's ancient identity before your afternoon flight returns you to Cairo. Your guide moves efficiently — this is a full morning.

    Temple of Philae

    You'll reach it by motorboat across a reservoir, which means your first view is the temple rising from the water — the same approach its ancient worshippers would have made. It was dismantled stone by stone and rebuilt on this island in the 1970s to save it from the rising waters of Lake Nasser, one of the largest archaeological rescue operations ever conducted.

    The High Dam

    Explore the iconic High Dam, a remarkable feat of Egyptian engineering completed in 1970 with Soviet collaboration. Designed to regulate the Nile’s flow, mitigate flooding, and provide electricity to millions, the dam reshaped Egypt's future. Its construction gave rise to Lake Nasser, one of the largest man-made lakes in the world, revolutionizing the nation’s agriculture and economy.

    Unfinished Obelisk

    Next, explore the Unfinished Obelisk in Aswan, a remarkable testament to ancient Egypt's advanced stoneworking techniques. Thought to have been commissioned during the reign of Queen Hatshepsut (1507–1458 BCE), the obelisk was abandoned when cracks emerged during its carving. Had it been completed, it would have soared over 40 meters high, making it the largest obelisk ever constructed.


    Meals

    Breakfast and Lunch

  • Day 8: Discover Salah El Din Citadel & NMEC

    Your flight from Aswan returns you to Cairo by mid-morning, and your guide takes you directly into the historic Islamic city — a UNESCO World Heritage district that most overland itineraries treat as a transfer day. This one does not.

    The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) 

    Begin your journey at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, which showcases 7,000 years of Egypt’s history. From prehistoric artifacts to modern treasures, the museum highlights the Pharaonic, Greco-Roman, Coptic, and Islamic periods. Don’t miss the royal mummies of Ramses II and Seti I, offering a rare glimpse into ancient royalty. 

    Salah El Din Citadel

    Your journey takes you to the iconic Salah El Din Citadel, a formidable fortress constructed in 1176 by Sultan Saladin to protect Egypt from the Crusaders. For more than 700 years, this historic landmark stood as the heart of Egypt's leadership during the Ayyubid, Mamluk, and Ottoman eras. 

    Al Rifai Mosque

    While exploring Cairo, you'll find the stunning Al-Rifai Mosque, a masterpiece of Islamic architecture and one of Egypt's largest mosques. Built between 1869 and 1912 by Khoshiar Hanim, mother of Khedive Ismail, it was designed as a royal mausoleum. The mosque houses the tombs of notable figures, including King Farouk, Egypt’s last monarch, and Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran. With its intricate decorations and towering minarets, Al-Rifai Mosque is a remarkable blend of history and culture, making it a must-visit landmark.

    Sultan Hassan Mosque

    Your next stop is the Sultan Hassan Mosque, a stunning example of Egypt's rich heritage. Built between 1356 and 1363 during Sultan Hassan's rule, it showcases the grandeur of Mamluk architecture. Serving as both a mosque and a madrasa for teaching Sunni schools of thought, it blends function with artistry. Its massive size, towering minarets, and intricate carvings reflect the exceptional craftsmanship of its time. 

    Al Muizz Street 

    After visiting the mosques, take a walk down Al Muizz Street, the heart of "Islamic Cairo." Dating back to the 10th century, this historic street is one of Cairo's oldest. It's lined with Islamic landmarks like the Al-Hakim Mosque (1013) and the Qalawun Complex (1285). Stroll through and admire the beautiful architecture, and don't miss the local shops and cafes for traditional Egyptian food and culture.

    Khan El Khalili Bazaar

    No trip to Cairo is complete without visiting the historic Khan el-Khalili bazaar. Established in 1382 by Emir Dajaharks Al-Khalili, this market has been a center of trade and culture for over 600 years. Once a caravanserai for merchants, it thrived during the Mamluk era. Today, it’s a lively spot where locals and tourists meet.


    Meals

    Breakfast and Lunch

  • Day 9: Explore Alexandria's Mediterranean Coast

    Your guide transfers you overland from Cairo to Alexandria — a two-hour drive that crosses the Delta and arrives at a city that looks, smells, and sounds nothing like the capital. Alexandria is Egypt's second city and its European face, built on the site of one of antiquity's greatest ports.

    Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa

    Start your journey in Alexandria at the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, one of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages. Discovered in 1900 when a donkey fell into a hidden shaft, this 2nd-century AD burial site blends Roman, Greek, and Egyptian styles. Explore its tunnels and chambers filled with carved sarcophagi, statues, and ancient artifacts. Your guide will share its history as a burial site for a wealthy Alexandrian family, offering a glimpse into the ancient world.

    Bibliotheca Alexandria

    The Bibliotheca Alexandrina stands as a tribute to the legendary Library of Alexandria, one of the greatest centers of knowledge in ancient history. Established around 300 BCE during the reign of Pharaoh Ptolemy II, the original library was a beacon for brilliant minds like Euclid and Archimedes. Though it was likely destroyed by fire, its profound legacy endures. 

    Qaitbay Citadel

    Discover the Qaitbay Citadel, a magnificent fortress erected in 1477 by Sultan Al-Ashraf Qa'it Bay during Egypt’s Mamluk era. Built to safeguard Alexandria from naval attacks following the fall of Constantinople in 1453, this historic stronghold stands as a testament to strategic ingenuity. 

    Pompey's Pillar

    Discover Pompey’s Pillar, an iconic landmark in Alexandria and a testament to the grandeur of ancient Rome. Rising 25 meters tall, this impressive red granite column was erected in 297 AD to honor Emperor Diocletian. Interestingly, despite its name, the monument has no connection to Pompey, a misnomer rooted in historical error. Carved from Aswan granite, it stands as the largest Roman column outside of Rome.


    Meals

    Breakfast and Lunch

  • Day 10: A Journey to Fayoum

    After breakfast, your guide drives you southwest from Alexandria into the Fayoum — Egypt's largest natural oasis and the only stop on this 12-day overland tour where you leave the Nile Valley entirely.

    Qarun Lake

    Upon arriving in Fayoum, the journey leads to Qarun Lake, one of Egypt's oldest and most historic lakes. This serene oasis, rich in birdlife, is Egypt's third-largest lake, with a history of over 4,000 years. Once called Lake Moeris, it was a vital water source during the Middle Kingdom (2050–1710 BCE). Under Pharaoh Amenemhat III, advanced irrigation systems helped the region thrive.

    Wadi El Rayan

    Your guide will take you into the protected reserve where Egypt's only inland waterfalls drop between two artificial lakes created in the 1970s from agricultural runoff. The surrounding rock formations are the colour of rust, and the contrast with the water below them is the kind of landscape that takes a moment to accept as real.


    Meals

    Breakfast and Lunch

  • Day 11: Discover the wonders of Wadi El Hitan

    After sunrise at the desert camp, your guide takes you into Fayoum's archaeological and natural landscape for a full morning that moves between ancient ruins, an open desert valley, and the living centre of the oasis city before the drive back to Cairo in the afternoon.

    Wadi El Hitan

    Start your journey at Wadi El Hitan, or the Valley of the Whales, a stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site in Egypt. Dating back 40 to 50 million years, it showcases the evolution of whales from land mammals to ocean giants. Discovered in the late 19th century, Wadi El Hitan features well-preserved fossils of species like Basilosaurus and Dorudon. After exploring this prehistoric site, end your adventure sandboarding on the dunes of the Western Sahara.


    Meals

    Breakfast and Lunch

  • Day 12: Farewell and Departure From Cairo

    After breakfast at the hotel, your guide transfers you from Fayoum back to Cairo International Airport. Journey time is approximately 90 minutes, depending on traffic. Your representative assists with check-in formalities, and your 12-day Egypt overland cultural tour closes where it began at the airport, with the full length of the country behind you.


    Meals

    Breakfast 

Frequently Asked Questions

This 12-day Egypt overland cultural tour includes a private Egyptologist guide for all 12 days, 5-star accommodation in Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan, one night in a Fayoum desert camp, domestic flights on the Cairo–Luxor and Aswan–Cairo routes, entrance fees to every listed attraction across six destinations, daily breakfast, a Nile dinner cruise on Day 1, and a Bedouin lunch on Day 10. All road transfers in private air-conditioned vehicles, and all taxes are included. International flights, visa, travel insurance, and tips are not included.

No other 12-day overland itinerary combines Abu Simbel as a dedicated full day, an overnight desert camp in Fayoum rather than a day trip, and a private Egyptologist guide covering all six destinations without handoffs between local guides. 

Abu Simbel is a dedicated full day on Day 6, not an optional add-on and not a rushed morning excursion. The site sits 280 kilometres south of Aswan, which is why most shorter itineraries skip it entirely; the 12-day overland format builds in the travel time to make it the day's sole focus, covering both the Great Temple of Ramses II and the smaller Temple of Nefertari. To see how other routes handle Abu Simbel, add a beach to your cultural tour with a version that combines Nile sightseeing and Red Sea time.

Yes, this itinerary is specifically designed for first-time visitors who want to cover Egypt's essential cultural sites in one continuous, guided journey without researching logistics between cities themselves. For travellers considering a more premium version of the same classic Egypt experience, the luxury version of the classic Egypt tour covers similar ground with upgraded family-specific programming.

October through April is the most comfortable window for this itinerary. Temperatures across Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and Fayoum are manageable for full days of outdoor sightseeing, and Abu Simbel is at its most visited and best-staffed during this period. May through September is possible, but Aswan and Abu Simbel regularly exceed 40°C, which affects the pace of the Abu Simbel and Fayoum days in particular.

What to Pack

Hat Backpack Comfy Shoes
Powerbank Medical Kit Comfy Clothes
Sunglasses & Sunscreen Personal Hygiene Products Valid Passport For 6 Months

Tour Locations

Tour Prices

From Jan 2026 to Apr 2026
  • Solo $3970
  • 2 - 4 Pax $2430
  • 5 - 8 Pax $1910
  • 9 - 10 Pax $1830
From May 2026 to Sep 2026
  • Solo $3840
  • 2 - 4 Pax $2340
  • 5 - 8 Pax $1840
  • 9 - 16 Pax $1760
From Oct 2026 to Dec 2026
  • Solo $4180
  • 2 - 4 Pax $2540
  • 5 - 8 Pax $2030
  • 9 - 16 Pax $1950
Xmas 21 Dec - 7 Jan Easter 29 Mar - 11 Apr
  • Solo $4400
  • 2 - 4 Pax $2640
  • 5 - 8 Pax $2120
  • 9 - 16 Pax $2040
Cairo: Cleopatra Hotel – Cosmopolitan Hotel – Pyramids Park Resort or similar
Luxor: Aracan Eatabe – Ibrotel or similar
Aswan: Citymax – Basma or similar
From Jan 2026 to Apr 2026
  • Solo $4560
  • 2 - 4 Pax $2720
  • 5 - 8 Pax $2200
  • 9 - 16 Pax $2120
From May 2026 to Sep 2026
  • Solo $4320
  • 2 - 4 Pax $2590
  • 5 - 8 Pax $2080
  • 9 - 16 Pax $2000
From Oct 2026 to Dec 2026
  • Solo $4750
  • 2 - 4 Pax $2820
  • 5 - 8 Pax $2300
  • 9 - 16 Pax $2220
Xmas 21 Dec - 7 Jan Easter 29 Mar - 11 Apr
  • Solo $5360
  • 2 - 4 Pax $3140
  • 5 - 8 Pax $2620
  • 9 - 16 Pax $2540
Cairo: Hilton Pyramids Golf – Mövenpick Media City – Helnan Dreamland Hotel or similar
Luxor: Sonesta St. George – Steigenberger Nile Palace – Jolie Ville Luxor Hotel or similar
Aswan: Tolip Hotel Aswan or similar
From Jan 2026 to Apr 2026
  • Solo $5490
  • 2 - 4 Pax $3190
  • 5 - 8 Pax $2660
  • 9 - 16 Pax $2580
From May 2026 to Sep 2026
  • Solo $4660
  • 2 - 4 Pax $2760
  • 5 - 8 Pax $2250
  • 9 - 16 Pax $2170
From Oct 2026 to Dec 2026
  • Solo $5440
  • 2 - 4 Pax $3180
  • 5 - 8 Pax $2660
  • 9 - 16 Pax $2580
Xmas 21 Dec - 7 Jan Easter 29 Mar - 11 Apr
  • Solo $6150
  • 2 - 4 Pax $3560
  • 5 - 8 Pax $3030
  • 9 - 16 Pax $2950
Cairo: Hilton Heliopolis – Hyatt Regency – Triumph Luxury or similar
Luxor: Hilton Luxor or similar
Aswan: The Zen Wellness Resort – Mövenpick Aswan or similar
From Jan 2026 to Apr 2026
  • Solo $10390
  • 2 - 4 Pax $5680
  • 5 - 8 Pax $5130
  • 9 - 16 Pax $5050
From May 2026 to Sep 2026
  • Solo $8290
  • 2 - 4 Pax $4620
  • 5 - 8 Pax $4090
  • 9 - 16 Pax $4020
From Oct 2026 to Dec 2026
  • Solo $11790
  • 2 - 4 Pax $6400
  • 5 - 8 Pax $5850
  • 9 - 16 Pax $5770
Xmas 21 Dec - 7 Jan Easter 29 Mar - 11 Apr
  • Solo $12480
  • 2 - 4 Pax $6780
  • 5 - 8 Pax $6220
  • 9 - 16 Pax $6140
Cairo: Four Seasons Nile Plaza – St. Regis Cairo – Nile Ritz – Marriott Mena House or similar
Luxor: Sofitel Winter Palace or similar
Aswan: Sofitel Legend Old Cataract or similar
From:
$1760
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Email

info@tripidaysegytours.com

Phone

+20 010-666-78782

+1 (310) 817-0099

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