13 Day Egypt Travel Itinerary - Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Dendara, Nile Cruise and Abu Simbel

After the long flight from Australia, your journey begins gently — a smooth

• welcome to Egypt and time to settle in.
• Greeted at Cairo International Airport, assisted through arrival procedures and escorted to your private air-conditioned vehicle
• Transfer to your Cairo hotel for check-in
• Rest of the day at leisure to relax or start exploring the capital at your own pace

Overnight: Cairo ·

Meals: None

The day you've flown around the world for — the last surviving wonder of the ancient world, plus a rarely seen underground marvel.

• Giza Plateau — the Great Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Mykerinus
• The Great Sphinx and the Valley Temple, where mummification rituals once took place
• Saqqara — the Step Pyramid of King Djoser, the world's first monumental stone structure by the architect Imhotep
• Serapeum of Saqqara — the underground burial complex of the sacred Apis Bulls, in enormous single-block granite sarcophagi
• Lunch at a quality local restaurant, then return to Cairo

Overnight: Cairo ·

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch ·

Visits: Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Saqqara (including Serapeum)

Swap the desert for the Mediterranean in the city founded by Alexander the Great.

• Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa — a striking blend of Pharaonic, Greek and Roman art
• Pompey's Pillar — the largest Roman triumphal column outside Rome
• Bibliotheca Alexandrina — the modern revival of the legendary ancient Library, overlooking the sea
• Lunch during the tour, then check in to your hotel

Overnight: Alexandria ·

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch ·

Visits: Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, Pompey's Pillar, Bibliotheca Alexandrina

A meaningful day for Australian travellers, tracing the North African campaign along the Mediterranean coast.

• Photo stop outside the magnificent Qaitbay Fort
• El Alamein Military Museum — compelling exhibits on one of WWII's most decisive battles
• Commonwealth War Cemetery — a beautifully kept memorial to the soldiers who fell in the North African campaign
• Lunch, then drive back to Cairo for your final evening before the Nile

Overnight: Cairo ·

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch ·

Visits: Qaitbay Fort (photo stop), Commonwealth War Cemetery and Military Museum

Step straight into the largest religious complex ever built, glowing in the afternoon sun.

• Morning flight from Cairo to Luxor
• Karnak Temple — built and expanded by generations of pharaohs over nearly 2,000 years
• Luxor Temple — linked to Karnak by the famous Avenue of Sphinxes
• Transfer to your hotel for check-in
• Optional: Sound and Light Show at Karnak, where Egypt's history comes alive through narration, music and lighting

Overnight: Luxor ·

Meals: Breakfast ·

Visits: Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple ·

Optional: Sound and Light Show at Karnak

One of Egypt's best-preserved temples, then board your ship for the most relaxing stretch of the trip.

• Temple of Dendara — dedicated to the goddess Hathor, with its magnificent astronomical ceiling, preserved reliefs and Roman Mammisi
• Return to Luxor and board your luxurious Nile cruise before lunch
• Afternoon free to relax on board, or an optional West Bank II tour to additional sites not in the standard itinerary
• Dinner on board

Overnight: On board Nile cruise ·

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner ·
Visits: Dendara Temple

Into the Valley of the Kings, then a gentle afternoon sail south.

• Valley of the Kings — the royal burial ground of the New Kingdom pharaohs, with beautifully preserved tombs
• Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir El Bahari, carved into the limestone cliffs
• Colossi of Memnon
• Return to the cruise and sail toward Edfu with lunch on board; relax on the sun deck as the Nile Valley drifts by

Overnight: On board in Edfu ·

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner ·
Visits: Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon

Two of the Nile's finest temples, reached by river.

• Temple of Horus at Edfu — the best-preserved temple from the Ptolemaic period
• Sail toward Kom Ombo
• Temple of Kom Ombo — the unique double temple dedicated to Sobek the crocodile god and Horus the Elder
• Continue sailing toward Aswan with dinner on board

Overnight: On board ·

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner ·

Visits: Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo Temple

The gentlest, prettiest part of the Nile, with an optional Nubian afternoon.

• High Dam — the engineering feat that reshaped modern Egypt
• Unfinished Obelisk — insight into ancient stone-working techniques
• Boat ride to the Temple of Philae, dedicated to the goddess Isis, on Agilkia Island
• Afternoon free, or an optional visit to a traditional Nubian village for local culture, colourful houses and warm hospitality
• Dinner on board

Overnight: On board ·

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner ·

Visits: Unfinished Obelisk, High Dam, Philae Temple

Save one of Egypt's most jaw-dropping sights for the trip's second half.

• Disembark after breakfast
• Shared coach excursion to Abu Simbel — the colossal temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari, relocated during UNESCO's famous rescue project to save them from Lake Nasser
• Return to Aswan in the afternoon and check in to your hotel

Overnight: Aswan ·

Meals: Breakfast ·
Visits: Abu Simbel Temples

Back to the capital for medieval Cairo and its most famous bazaar.

• Flight from Aswan to Cairo
• Citadel of Salah El Din and the Mosque of Mohamed Ali, with panoramic views across the city
• Lunch at a local restaurant
• Khan El Khalili Bazaar — colourful alleys of handcrafted souvenirs, spices, jewellery and local cafés
• Return to your hotel

Overnight: Cairo ·

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch ·

Visits: Citadel and Mohamed Ali Mosque, Khan El Khalili

A full day with the world's greatest collection of Egyptian treasures.

• Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) — the largest museum dedicated to a single civilisation, with the complete treasures of King Tutankhamun, colossal statues and royal collections
• Lunch at a local restaurant, then return to your hotel

Overnight: Cairo ·

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch ·

Visits: Grand Egyptian Museum

An easy final morning before your onward journey home.

• Breakfast at your hotel
• Private transfer to Cairo International Airport, with assistance through departure procedures

Meals: Breakfast