Cairo, Nile Cruise, Luxor and the Oases in 12 Days
fully guided
Larger groups: price on request
tour guide
3 nights
included
About This Tour
Twelve days from Cairo to the far south and out into the Western Desert. The classic route through the Nile valley, extended by two days in the oases of Kharga and Dakhla that almost no standard tour includes.
Pyramids and Saqqara in Cairo, then a flight to Aswan for Philae, the High Dam and the temples of Abu Simbel. A three-night Nile cruise via Kom Ombo and Edfu brings you to Luxor, with a full day on each bank.
The last two days lead west into the desert. Kharga is the largest of Egypt's western oases, with the well preserved Hibis Temple, wide date palm groves and Roman era desert fortresses. Dakhla is considered by many travellers the most beautiful oasis in the country: the medieval mud brick old town of Al-Qasr, lush orchards, hot springs and a backdrop of pink cliffs and sand dunes.
Highlights
What's Included and Not Included
Included
Not Included
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1
Welcome to Cairo
Pickup at Cairo airport, transfer to your hotel.
Day 2
Giza, Saqqara and the Egyptian Museum
Visit of the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, the Valley Temple, the Step Pyramid of Djoser and the Egyptian Museum.
Day 3
Fly to Aswan, Philae, High Dam and Unfinished Obelisk
Morning flight to Aswan. Motor boat to the Temple of Philae, then the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk in the ancient granite quarry.
Day 4
Aswan, Botanical Garden and Nubian Village
A second day in Aswan at a slower pace: a boat on the Nile to the botanical garden and a walking visit to a Nubian village.
Day 5
Abu Simbel
Early start for the two temples of Abu Simbel on the shore of Lake Nasser, built by Ramses II and dedicated to himself and to Queen Nefertari. Return to Aswan in the afternoon.
Day 6
Nile Cruise, Embarkation and Kom Ombo
Check-in on the Nile cruise ship. In the afternoon the double temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to Sobek and Horus. Sailing onward overnight.
Day 7
Nile Cruise, Edfu and Esna
Horse carriage to the Temple of Horus at Edfu, one of the best preserved temples in Egypt. Sailing through the lock at Esna.
Day 8
Nile Cruise, Arrival in Luxor
Last stretch on the river and arrival in Luxor. Disembarkation and transfer to your hotel.
Day 9
Luxor West Bank
Valley of the Kings, the mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon.
Day 10
Luxor East Bank
Karnak, the largest temple complex in Egypt, and Luxor Temple with the Avenue of Sphinxes.
Day 11
Kharga Oasis
Drive west into the desert to Kharga, the largest of Egypt's western oases. The well preserved Hibis Temple, wide date palm groves and the Roman era desert fortresses.
Day 12
Dakhla Oasis and Flight to Cairo
On to Dakhla, for many travellers the most beautiful oasis in Egypt: the medieval mud brick old town of Al-Qasr, lush orchards, hot springs and a backdrop of pink cliffs and sand dunes. Afterwards back to Luxor and the flight to Cairo.
Meeting Point
Cairo airport pickup
We pick you up at Cairo airport on day 1. The tour ends with the flight from Luxor to Cairo on day 12.
