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Highlights of Egypt, Nubia & Red Sea

Cairo to Hurghada — 12 days, 11 nights

Pyramids, temples, a Nile Dahabiya, Abu Simbel and the Red Sea — Egypt’s full story in one journey. From Saqqara’s Step Pyramid to a moonlit barbeque on the river, then west to Hurghada’s reefs before a final walk through medieval Cairo.

12

Days in Egypt

6

Destinations

4

Nights on the Dahabiya

€1,195

From per person

Saqqara, Dahshur & Giza

Visit Saqqara, including the Step Pyramid and the Nobles’ tombs, then Dahshur to see the Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid. After lunch, head to Giza for the Great Pyramid, the Sphinx, the Khafra and Menkaura pyramids, and the tomb of priest Kar. Tour duration 9–10 hours. Overnight in Cairo.

Optional tours & activities
  • Camel ride in Giza
  • Going inside the Great Pyramid
  • Giza sound and light show in the evening

Grand Egyptian Museum & Coptic Cairo

Visit the Grand Egyptian Museum, including the Tutankhamun collection. After lunch, explore Coptic / Old Cairo, including the Hanging Church and Abu Serga Church. Tour duration 9–10 hours. Overnight in Cairo.

Fly to Aswan — High Dam, Philae & felucca

Transfer to Cairo airport for a 1.5-hour flight to Aswan. Visit the High Dam, Philae Temple and the Unfinished Obelisk. After lunch, take an afternoon felucca ride on the Nile past the Nobles’ tombs, the Agha Khan Mausoleum, Plantation Island and the Old Cataract Hotel. Dressing code: normal. Overnight in Aswan.

Optional activities (please notify us in advance)
  • Elephantine archaeological site · The Nubian Village · The Nubian Museum
  • Camel ride to Saint Simon Monastery · Plantation Island
  • Motor boat ride through the Nile Cataract · Philae sound and light show

Abu Simbel & boarding the Dahabiya

Early morning drive to Abu Simbel (3–4 hours each way) to see the temples of Ramses and Nefertari, then drive back to Aswan. Tour duration 9–10 hours. At noon, check into the Dahabiya for lunch and sailing. Dinner and overnight on board in Daraw.

Daraw market, Kom Ombo & moonlit barbeque

Breakfast on board. In Daraw, shop like a local at the market, visit a barn to meet camels and learn about the camel trade, and visit a Nubian town. Visit Kom Ombo Temple, then lunch on board while sailing to El Selsela, an ancient sandstone quarry with riverside shrines. Special barbeque dinner by moonlight; overnight near Bisaw.

Bisaw Island & the Temple of Horus

Breakfast in a local home or on board. Explore Bisaw Island on foot through the farms, meet villagers, and join local fishermen on their boats to experience Nile fishing. Sail to Edfu and ride to the Temple of Horus. Lunch on board; dinner and overnight in El Hegz.

Esna, Karnak & Luxor by sunset

Breakfast on board, sail to Esna and check out of the Dahabiya. Visit Esna Temple, the restored caravanserai and the market, then drive about an hour to Luxor and check into the hotel. In the afternoon, visit Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple by sunset. Tour duration 3–4 hours. Overnight in Luxor.

Optional activities
  • Walk the Alley of the Sphinx between Karnak and Luxor temples
  • Horse carriage ride · Felucca ride · Luxor Museum · Karnak sound and light show

Valley of the Kings & a local farmer's home

Optionally start with a sunrise hot-air balloon ride (~50 minutes flight, ~2 hours with transfers). After breakfast, stop at the Colossi of Memnon, then explore the Valley of the Kings — your guide leads you to 3 of the more than 10 currently open tombs. After snacks, visit Hatshepsut Temple and the Ancient Workmen’s Village (Deir el-Medina), finishing with a late lunch or dinner at a local farmer’s house. Tour duration 7–8 hours. Dressing code: conservative, for the family visit. Overnight in Luxor.

Optional activities
  • Tutankhamun tomb · Ramses VI tomb · Seti I tomb (Nefertari’s tomb currently closed)
  • Horse carriage ride · Felucca ride · Luxor Museum · Karnak sound and light show

Transfer to Hurghada

Check out and transfer overland to the Red Sea (about 4 hours). Arrive in Hurghada and check into the hotel, followed by a half-day city tour in the afternoon. Overnight in Hurghada.

Free day in Hurghada

A free day to relax, with a range of optional activities available — book 24–48 hours ahead.

Optional activities
  • Private sailboat snorkelling tour (6–7 hrs) · Group snorkelling tour by yacht with lunch
  • Paradise Island day (group, 6–7 hrs, lunch included) · Desert safari by quad bike with Bedouin dinner & folk show
  • Swim with dolphins (group boat day) · Scuba diving, including intro dives for non-licensed divers

Return to Cairo

Check out and transfer overland to Cairo (about 6 hours; domestic flights available on request, ~1 hour). Overnight in Cairo.

The Citadel & medieval Cairo

Visit the Citadel, including the Mohamed Ali Mosque, then lunch at Al-Azhar Park, a hilltop park overlooking the city. Take a walking tour through Al-Muizz Street in medieval Cairo, among its mosques, historic houses and markets, before browsing Khan el-Khalili market. Tour duration 7–8 hours.

Optional tours
  • Folk show at Al-Ghouri Caravansary (Saturdays, Mondays & Wednesdays)
Group of 6

Land only · before accommodation

€1,195

Per person

Tours, transfers, guide fees, meals as mentioned, 4 nights on the Dahabiya in a private double cabin, boat rides, bottled water & entry fees (€198).

+ Accommodation

3 nights Cairo · 2 nights Luxor · 1 night Aswan · 2 nights Hurghada, breakfast & taxes included. High season supplement €103pp.

€846

Per person, double room
Grand total (group of 6)

Single supplement €1,025. Domestic flights, drinks with meals, optional tours and tipping not included.

€2,238

+ accommodation, per person

Includes

  • Airport transfers and assist as mentioned.
  • Tours.
  • Transfers.
  • Tour Guide fees.
  • Meals (as mentioned)
  • Dahabiya 3 nights 4 days with all meals included. private double cabin in a shared Dahabiya.
  • upgrade to suite is available when requested for an extra charge (subject to availability).
  • For Christmas & Easter Periods: Supplement 105 EUR Per Person in Double Cabin
  • Boat rides
  • Bottled water during the trip

Excludes

  • Domestic flights. (Available upon request and subject to dates and availability)
  • Drinks during included meals
  • Optional tours
  • Tipping
  • Any other thing not mentioned in the included section.

Important Notes & Terms

  • Breakfast and all taxes included..
  • Cairo : 3 Nights in Holiday Inn Maadi in Double Standard room
  • Luxor : 2 Nights in Embrace Luxor Hotel in Double Superior room
  • Aswan : 1 Night in Artika Wadi Kiki in Double Deluxe Chalet
  • Hurghada :2 Nights in Tropital Sahl Hashees in Double Classic room HB
  • Supplement for High Season is : 103 EUR Per Person for all accommodation or Similar according to availability,
  • Rooms upgrades are available for an extra charge.
  • Other hotels are available – ask for.
  • Our accommodation prices are less than the online price. In case you found less price online, let us know to amend
  • These prices might change when booking (notification will be sent to you)
  • Single Supplement  1025 EUR
  • Other Languages Guide Supplement (French,Spanish & German) Subject to availability
  • Land Tours before or after Dahabiya, per group 91 EUR
  • Other Languages Guide Supplement (French,Spanish & German) Subject to availability
  • Dahabiya Tour, per group of 1 to 5 People 236 EUR
  • Other Languages Guide Supplement (French,Spanish & German) Subject to availability
  • Dahabiya Tour, per group of 6 to 10 People 253 EUR
  • Other Languages Guide Supplement (French,Spanish & German) Subject to availability
  • Dahabiya Tour, per group of 11 to 15 People 275 EUR
  • Pick up times are estimate times (to be confirmed by our local operator)
  • Above quotation is based on hotels located in Central areas, to be updated once we have your accommodation details
  • The dress code is conservative while visiting Mosques, Churches, villages or areas with mainly local communities.
  • The order of the tour days might change according to availability when booking.
  • There’s flights available from Aswan to Abu Simbel and return for an extra cost. Ask for the upgrade to flight option instead of traveling overland.
  • In case of any complication in sailing, some changes in the itinerary might happen.
  • If there are any unforeseen circumstances and the boat assigned for your tour is unable to sail, Real
  • Egypt is responsible for arranging a similar boat for your tour.
  • Transfers in Sedan cars for 1 or 2 People. (in case a van requested extra cost is added). Note: using
  • a Sedan car in Cairo requires an extra short walk in 2 attractions, the Citadel and the Museum of
  • Civilization. If big size luggage included Van in all destinations by default.
  • The above prices are subject to change; if a high inflation rate happens as a result of government practices, currency rate change or economic problems.

Ready to book this journey?

Secure your spot now — departures fill up months in advance.

Quick facts

Duration: 12 days · 11 nights

Route: Cairo → Aswan → Abu Simbel → Dahabiya → Luxor → Hurghada → Cairo

Group size: 4 nights, double cabin

Guide: English (others on request)

Meals: As mentioned per day

Flights: Cairo–Aswan included