10 Day Egypt Itinerary – Cairo, Alex and Cruise with Abu Simbel

• Welcome to Egypt! Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, meet our friendly representative for a warm greeting and smooth visa assistance.
• Enjoy a comfortable private transfer to your hotel and check-in.
• Take the rest of the day to relax, explore your hotel, or meet with our tour manager to go over your exciting itinerary.

✅ Overnight in Cairo | 🍹 Meals: Welcome Drink

• After breakfast, meet your private Egyptologist guide and set off on an unforgettable journey to the Giza Pyramids.
• Stand in awe before the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure, each a marvel of ancient engineering.
• Get up close to the legendary Great Sphinx, with its mysterious expression, and visit the Valley Temple, where royal mummification rituals took place.
• Enjoy a delicious Egyptian lunch at a local restaurant.
• Continue to the Grand Egyptian Museum, home to over 25,000 artifacts, including the golden treasures of King Tutankhamun.
• End your day at Khan el-Khalili Bazaar, Cairo’s oldest market, filled with colorful stalls, local crafts, and traditional cafés.

✅ Overnight in Cairo
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

🎭 Optional Tour:

• Sound & Light Show at the Pyramids – Witness the history of Egypt unfold in a spectacular sound and light display against the illuminated Giza Pyramids and Sphinx.

• Transfer to Cairo Airport for a short domestic flight to Luxor, the world’s greatest open-air museum.
• Upon arrival, our representative will assist you and take you to board your luxury Nile cruise.
• Begin your exploration at Karnak Temple, the largest temple complex in Egypt, featuring the grand Hypostyle Hall with its towering columns.
• Visit Luxor Temple, a magnificent structure built by Amenhotep III and later expanded by Ramses II, showcasing a blend of Pharaonic, Greek, and Roman influences.
• Return to your cruise to unwind and enjoy a freshly prepared dinner as you sail along the Nile River.

✅ Overnight on Nile Cruise
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

• Start your day with a visit to the famous Valley of the Kings, the burial site of over 60 Pharaohs, including the tomb of Tutankhamun.
• Explore the Temple of Hatshepsut, an architectural masterpiece dedicated to Egypt’s most powerful female pharaoh.
• Stop at the Colossi of Memnon, two giant seated statues of Amenhotep III, which have stood for over 3,400 years.
• Return to the cruise for lunch and relaxation as you sail toward Edfu.

✅ Overnight on Nile Cruise
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

• Visit the Temple of Edfu, one of Egypt’s best-preserved temples, dedicated to Horus, the falcon god.
• Sail to Kom Ombo and explore its unique double temple, dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Haroeris, the falcon-headed god.
• Learn about the ancient medical practices and see the mummified crocodiles inside the temple’s small museum.
• Enjoy a peaceful evening onboard as you continue sailing toward Aswan.

✅ Overnight on Nile Cruise
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

• Take a private transfer to the breathtaking Abu Simbel Temples, one of Egypt’s most iconic sites.
• Marvel at the two massive rock-cut temples built by Ramses II, featuring colossal statues and stunning carvings.
• Explore the Temple of Queen Nefertari, dedicated to the goddess Hathor, and admire the intricate reliefs.
• Return to your cruise for lunch, relaxation, and a final scenic sail on the Nile.

✅ Overnight on Nile Cruise
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

• Visit the Aswan High Dam, an engineering marvel controlling the Nile’s floodwaters.
• See the Unfinished Obelisk, an enormous granite monument that reveals the stone-cutting techniques of ancient Egyptians.
• Discover the Philae Temple, dedicated to Isis, the goddess of love and magic, set on a beautiful island.
• Fly back to Cairo and transfer to your hotel for a relaxing evening.

✅ Overnight in Cairo
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

• Travel to Alexandria, Egypt’s stunning Mediterranean city filled with historical treasures.
• Descend into the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, an underground burial site blending Egyptian, Greek, and Roman art.
• Visit the Library of Alexandria, one of the world’s greatest cultural landmarks.
• Explore the Citadel of Qaitbay, a 15th-century fortress built on the ruins of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria.
• Enjoy a delicious seafood lunch at a local restaurant.
• Stop at Pompey’s Pillar, a towering Roman column and a symbol of Alexandria’s rich history.
• Return to Cairo for a restful evening.

✅ Overnight in Cairo
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

• Enjoy a free day in Cairo to explore at your own pace or relax at your hotel.
• Optional Tours:
  🕌 Islamic & Coptic Cairo Tour – Discover the spiritual heart of Cairo, visiting the Hanging Church, Ben Ezra Synagogue, and the historic Mosque of Amr Ibn Al-Aas.
  ⛵ Nile Felucca Ride – Sail on a traditional wooden Felucca for a peaceful 1-hour journey along the Nile.
  🌆 Cairo Tower Visit – Enjoy 360-degree panoramic views of the city from Cairo’s tallest structure.

✅ Overnight in Cairo
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast

• After breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to Cairo International Airport.
• Depart with unforgettable memories and a deep appreciation for Egypt’s incredible history and culture.

🍽️ Meals: Breakfast

Tipping is not included in your package — but it’s an important part of Egyptian hospitality. While not mandatory, it is appreciated by drivers, guides, cruise staff, and service workers.

Suggested Guidelines:

• Guide: $10–15 per day per traveler
• Driver: $3–5 per day
• Cruise Crew (shared tip box): ~$5–10/day

We’ll provide a detailed tipping guide in your welcome packet to make it stress-free.

Not included but available on request:

• Entry to special sites: Inside the Great Pyramid, Tomb of Tutankhamun, Mummies Room at Egyptian Museum.
• Optional upgrades: Hot air balloon ride, Nubian village visit, sound & light shows, spa treatments.
• Alcoholic beverages, personal snacks, souvenirs.
• Extra accommodation due to unforeseen weather or flight delays (rare, but not covered).

💡 Ask your tour manager to help arrange optional experiences locally.

We understand plans change. Here’s our straightforward cancellation structure:

💡 Need to cancel due to emergencies? We’re happy to provide documentation for your travel insurance claim.

👶 Children Policy

• 0–2 years: FREE
• 2–5 years: 25% of adult price
• 6–11 years: 50% of adult price
• 12+ years: Full adult price

Note: Children rates apply when sharing a room with parents (max 1 child per room). Additional charges may apply for child airfare.

🧥 Clothing:

• Lightweight, breathable fabrics like cotton or linen
• Long sleeves and loose trousers or skirts for modesty
• A light jacket or scarf for cooler nights and conservative sites
• Modest swimwear for hotels or cruise pools

👟 Footwear:

• Comfortable closed-toe walking shoes for ruins and temples
• Sandals for relaxing or short strolls
• Consider water shoes if you plan to swim in the Nile or Red Sea

🧢 Essentials:

• Sunglasses, wide-brimmed hat or scarf for sun protection
• SPF 50+ sunscreen (Egyptian sun is intense!)
• Travel-sized hand sanitizer and tissue packs
• A refillable water bottle or hydration pack
• Daypack for carrying snacks, camera, documents

🎒 Bonus: Bring a universal adapter, a power bank, and copies of your passport and travel insurance.

Egyptians are known for their warmth and hospitality, and visitors who show cultural awareness are always appreciated. Here’s how to engage respectfully:

Dress Modestly (Especially for Women):

• At mosques and rural areas, cover shoulders and knees.
• Avoid revealing tops, shorts, or tight clothes — especially in Upper Egypt.
• Men should avoid going shirtless except at beaches.

Greetings & Communication:

• A warm “Salam Alaikum” (Peace be upon you) is a respectful hello.
• Right hand is preferred for handshakes and giving/taking items.
• Public displays of affection are frowned upon.

Photography:

• Always ask before photographing locals, especially women.
• Respect signs at historic sites — some areas prohibit photography or require an extra ticket.
• Be mindful of children, military areas, and security zones.

Tipping Culture (“Baksheesh”):

• Tipping is customary and appreciated — not pushy.
• Small tips ($1–$5) for hotel porters, drivers, waiters, and bathroom attendants go a long way.
• Guides and cruise staff appreciate end-of-tour gratuities. We’ll provide a full tipping guide in your welcome pack.

The official currency is the Egyptian Pound (EGP). While credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, major restaurants, and tourist shops, cash is often preferred for small purchases.

Tips to Manage Money Wisely:

• Exchange some USD or EUR at the airport or use a currency exchange with good rates.
• Keep small denominations on hand for tipping, taxis, and snacks.
• ATMs are easy to find in cities — especially near hotels and banks.
• Avoid exchanging money on the street or with unofficial vendors.
• Major cards (Visa/MasterCard) are accepted — Amex less so.

💳 Tip: Inform your bank of travel dates to avoid card blocks.

Egypt is generally safe for tourists, especially in guided or private tours. Here’s how to stay healthy and comfortable:

Health Tips:

• Water: Always drink bottled or sealed water. Avoid tap water even in hotels.
• Food: Choose restaurants with good hygiene standards. We’ll guide you to the best spots.
• Street Food: Stick to hot, freshly cooked items (e.g., falafel, koshari). Avoid raw salads or ice from unknown sources.
• Medications: Bring your own — pharmacies exist but may not stock familiar brands.

Personal Safety:

• Keep valuables secure and use hotel safes when available.
• Avoid political discussions and large public demonstrations.
• Be polite but firm when declining street vendors — “La, shukran” (No, thank you) works well.

Transportation Safety:

• Use private cars, Uber, or taxis arranged by your hotel or guide.
• Avoid unlicensed taxis or touts offering rides in tourist hotspots.
• Public buses and microbuses are not recommended for travelers on a schedule.

🚨 Emergency tip: Save your tour manager’s number and the local emergency hotline (122 for police, 123 for medical help).

All our tours, including this 10-day Egypt itinerary, are 100% private. That means you’ll have your own vehicle, private Egyptologist guide, and flexible scheduling — no strangers, no waiting.

Yes. Roundtrip domestic flights — Cairo ↔ Luxor and Aswan ↔ Cairo — are fully included in all package tiers (Affordable, Golden, Platinum).

The best time to visit Egypt is October through April, when temperatures are mild and ideal for exploring ancient sites. Summer (May–September) is hotter but suitable for budget-conscious or seasoned travelers who don’t mind early starts and afternoon rest.

Expect a moderate level of walking each day, especially at large archaeological sites like the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings, and Karnak Temple. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water. Your private guide will always adjust the pace to your comfort.

Yes — a 4-night luxury Nile cruise is included from Luxor to Aswan.

Depending on your selected package, we use top-rated ships like:

• 🥉 Affordable: Radamis, Princess Sarah or similar
• 🥈 Golden: Blue Shadow, Nile Paradise or similar
• 🥇 Platinum: Movenpick Lotus or Lily, Acamar, Serenity or similar

All cabins include full-board meals and en-suite rooms.

Each package includes carefully selected 4★, 5★, or ultra-luxury hotels in Cairo and Alexandria. We only partner with properties that offer excellent service, guest safety, and comfort.

Sample hotels:

• Affordable: Swiss Inn Golf, Barcelo Cairo Pyramids
• Golden: Steigenberger, Hilton Dreamland
• Platinum: Sofitel El Gezirah, Kempinski Nile, Hyatt Regency

Absolutely. You can add:

• Extra nights in Cairo or Luxor
• A beach extension to the Red Sea (Hurghada or Sharm el-Sheik)
• Desert safaris or Alexandria overnight stays

✏️ Let us tailor this itinerary around your timeline and travel style.

Children are welcome! Discounts apply:

• Ages 0–2: Free
• Ages 2–5: 25% of adult price
• Ages 6–11: 50% of adult price

👨‍👩‍👧 Let us adjust the pace, hotel room types, and activities for families with children.