Home / Egypt Private Tours / 12 Day Egypt Itinerary – Cairo & Nile Cruise with Hurghada
This 12 Day Egypt Itinerary is a carefully balanced journey designed for travelers who want to experience Egypt’s most iconic sights without rushing, while also enjoying time to relax by the Red Sea. Ideal for first-time visitors, couples, and families, the tour blends ancient history, cultural immersion, and coastal leisure into one seamless experience.
Your journey begins in Cairo, where you’ll explore the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, and world-class museums alongside a private licensed Egyptologist. You’ll then cruise the timeless Nile River Cruise between Luxor and Aswan, discovering Egypt’s most celebrated temples at a relaxed, comfortable pace. The tour concludes in Hurghada, offering the perfect contrast with beach time, Red Sea activities, and well-earned rest.
This is a 100% private Egypt tour, fully customizable to your pace, interests, and accommodation level — with every detail handled by our local Egypt-based travel team.
Welcome to Egypt! Upon landing at Cairo Airport, you’ll be greeted by our representative, who will assist with the formalities and take you to your hotel for some rest after your flight. Spend the evening relaxing and familiarizing yourself with your itinerary.
Overnight in Cairo
Meals: Welcome Drink
After breakfast, you’ll embark on a guided tour to visit the Giza Pyramids, the Great Sphinx, and the Valley Temple of Khafra. After a lunch break, you’ll continue to Saqqara to see the Step Pyramid, and then to Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt.
Optional Evening: Sound & Light Show at the Pyramids
Overnight in Cairo
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Following breakfast, your tour includes the Egyptian Museum, where you’ll see ancient artifacts. You’ll then visit the Saladin Citadel and the Mohamed Ali Mosque. After lunch, you’ll stroll through Khan el-Khalili Bazaar, the oldest market in Cairo.
Overnight Optional: 1-hour Nile Felucca ride or Cairo Tower Tour.
Overnight in Cairo
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
After breakfast, you’ll fly to Aswan, where you’ll board your Nile cruise. The day includes visits to the Aswan High Dam, Philae Temple, and the Unfinished Obelisk.
Overnight on Cruise
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch & Dinner
Today, after breakfast, you’ll visit Kom Ombo Temple, dedicated to Sobek and Haroeris. Enjoy the rest of the day on board, with lunch, dinner, and free time as you sail to Luxor.
Overnight on Cruise
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, you’ll explore Edfu Temple, dedicated to Horus, and then sail to Luxor to visit the West Bank, including the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, and the Colossi of Memnon
Overnight on Cruise
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch & Dinner
After checking out, you’ll visit Karnak and Luxor Temples before heading to Hurghada by private vehicle. Once you arrive, you’ll check into your hotel and relax.
Overnight in Hurghada
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Enjoy a free day in Hurghada, with optional activities such as a Bedouin Village Desert Safari.
Overnight in Hurghada
Meals: Breakfast
Enjoy a free day in Hurghada.
Overnight in Hurghada
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, enjoy a relaxed day in Hurghada. In the evening, you’ll return to Cairo for an overnight stay.
Overnight in Hurghada
Meals: Breakfast
Today, we explored the vibrant district of Old Cairo, visiting the Fortress of Babylon, the Church of St. Barbara, and the Hanging Church. We also delved into Coptic history at the Coptic Museum.
After a delicious lunch, we ventured into Islamic Cairo, admiring the Sultan Hassan Mosque and Al-Rifai Mosque. We concluded the day with a relaxing felucca ride on the Nile River.
Overnight in Cairo
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Enjoy your final breakfast in Egypt before heading to Cairo International Airport for your departure flight, taking with you wonderful memories of your trip.
Meals: Breakfast
| October – April | |
|---|---|
| Double Room | $2000 |
| Single Room | $3220 |
Prices are per person & Not valid during the Christmas and New Year Holidays.
| October – April | |
|---|---|
| Double Room | $2300 |
| Single Room | $3800 |
Prices are per person & Not valid during the Christmas and New Year Holidays.
| October – April | |
|---|---|
| Double Room | $4500 |
| Single Room | $7700 |
Prices are per person & Not valid during the Christmas and New Year Holidays.
💡 Tip: Ask us for price-lock options or to reserve your package at current rates.
🤝 Easy Booking Terms
✅ No hidden fees. No surprise charges.
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:
We’ll provide a detailed tipping guide in your welcome packet to make it stress-free.
Not included but available on request:
💡 Ask your tour manager to help arrange optional experiences locally.
We understand plans change. Here’s our straightforward cancellation structure:
| Notice Period Before Tour | Refundable Amount |
|---|---|
| ≥ 30 days | 90% refund (10% fee) |
| 20–29 days | 75% refund |
| 15–19 days | 50% refund |
| 11–14 days | 25% refund |
| ≤ 10 days | Non-refundable |
💡 Need to cancel due to emergencies? We’re happy to provide documentation for your travel insurance claim.
👶 Children Policy
Note: Children rates apply when sharing a room with parents (max 1 child per room). Additional charges may apply for child airfare.
Egypt is a welcoming country with deep-rooted traditions. While tourists are not expected to dress like locals, modest and practical clothing is highly recommended during sightseeing days — especially in mosques, churches, and traditional neighborhoods.
✔️ Lightweight clothes that cover shoulders and knees are ideal
✔️ Comfortable walking shoes are essential for temple visits
✔️ Swimwear is perfectly acceptable at resorts and beaches in Hurghada
Dressing respectfully not only shows cultural awareness but also helps you feel more at ease while exploring local areas.
Egyptian food is hearty, flavorful, and surprisingly diverse. During your tour, you’ll enjoy carefully selected restaurants known for cleanliness and quality, especially on guided sightseeing days.
🥙 Popular local dishes include koshari, grilled meats, fresh salads, and warm flatbreads
🥗 Vegetarian options are widely available
💧 Bottled water is always provided during tours
Your guide is happy to recommend safe local spots if you want to try something new — or stick with familiar options if you prefer.
Arabic is the official language, but English is widely spoken in hotels, tourist sites, and major cities. That said, learning a few simple Arabic words (like hello or thank you) is always appreciated and often rewarded with a smile 😊.
🧑🏫 Your private guide handles:
You’re never left navigating things on your own.
Egypt is home to both Muslim and Christian communities, and religion plays an important role in daily life. Visitors are always welcome at religious sites, provided basic etiquette is followed.
🙏 Shoes may need to be removed in mosques
📸 Photography can be restricted in certain religious areas
🤝 Friendly greetings and polite behavior are highly valued
Your guide will always explain what’s appropriate, so you can relax and enjoy each visit with confidence.
The local currency is the Egyptian Pound, and small cash amounts are useful for tips and markets.
💰 Tipping is customary but never obligatory
🛍️ Bargaining in souks and bazaars is normal and often fun
😊 A friendly attitude goes a long way — it’s part of the experience
Clear tipping guidance is provided before and during the tour, so you’ll never feel awkward or unsure.
Egypt enjoys sunshine most of the year, making it a fantastic destination in all seasons.
🧢 Essentials to pack:
Staying comfortable helps you enjoy long sightseeing days without fatigue.
Egypt is one of the most visited destinations in the world, with a long-standing tourism infrastructure. Traveling on a private guided tour adds an extra layer of comfort and security.
🚗 Private transportation throughout
🧑🏫 Licensed Egyptologist guides
📞 Local support available 24/7
This structure allows you to focus fully on the experience — not the logistics.
This is a 100% private Egypt tour. You will not be joined by other travelers at any point. All transfers, sightseeing, and Nile cruise excursions are arranged exclusively for you and your party, with your own licensed Egyptologist guide and private vehicle throughout the journey.
Absolutely ✅
This itinerary is fully customizable. Before confirmation, you can adjust hotel categories, Nile cruise level, sightseeing pace, optional excursions (such as Abu Simbel), and even travel dates — all at no extra planning cost.
Yes 👍
All required domestic flights within Egypt are included in the tour price. This typically covers routes such as Cairo–Luxor or Aswan–Hurghada, ensuring smooth and time-efficient travel between destinations.
You can choose from carefully selected 4★, 5★, or deluxe luxury accommodations, depending on your preference and budget. The Nile cruise is also selected for comfort, safety, and service quality, with upgrade options available upon request.
Yes. Egypt is a well-established travel destination with strong tourism infrastructure. Traveling on a private guided tour with licensed guides and private transportation adds an extra level of comfort, safety, and peace of mind — especially for first-time visitors.
Yes 😊
This itinerary is ideal for families, couples, and mature travelers. The pacing is comfortable, accommodations are handpicked, and private guiding allows flexibility to adjust daily schedules when needed.
Tipping in Egypt is customary but never mandatory. We provide clear guidance on suggested amounts for guides, drivers, and cruise staff, so you’ll always feel comfortable and informed.
You’ll have 24/7 local on-ground support from our Egypt-based team, in addition to your private guide and drivers. Assistance is always just a phone call or message away.
Booking is simple and transparent. A small deposit secures your reservation, with final payment due before arrival. All payment terms, inclusions, and cancellation policies are clearly explained before any payment is made.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what’s included – pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure, and more.
Read Essential Trip InformationThis journey gave us memories we’ll cherish forever. The history, the people, the scenery — everything came together beautifully. The team’s attention to detail and local knowledge truly elevated the experience.
From start to finish, the experience felt personal and well thought out. The private tour setup made all the difference, especially during busy sites. I would highly recommend this itinerary to anyone visiting Egypt for the first time.
This was a beautifully paced itinerary that allowed us to truly enjoy Egypt instead of rushing through it. The guide’s explanations added so much depth to each site. Hurghada was the perfect place to recharge.
We were looking for a premium, private experience, and this tour delivered. From airport pickup to the final transfer, everything ran smoothly. Egypt is incredible, and this itinerary showcased it perfectly.
I appreciated how transparent and responsive the team was before and during the trip. Everything matched what was promised. The Nile cruise was serene, and the cultural experiences felt authentic, not touristy.
Book & Get FREE Extras Today: Hot Air Balloon+Camel Ride or Abu Simbel Tour+Felucca Ride