Trip highlights
- • Visit the Great Pyramids, Great Sphinx, Valley Temple & the Grand Egyptian Museum
- • Explore Alexandria’s Library, Qaitbay Citadel, Montazah Palace, and historic churches
- • Cruise the Nile and visit Luxor East & West Banks, Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple & Philae Temple
- • Explore Aswan’s High Dam and the Nubian landscapes along the Nile
- • Travel to Bahariya Oasis: Roman Mummies, Greco-Roman Cemetery, natural hot springs & ancient temples
- • Experience the Black Desert & White Desert with an unforgettable overnight camp
- • Enjoy domestic flights, private transportation, expert guides, and comfortable hotels throughout
Overview
Experience the ultimate Egyptian journey on this 12 Days Cairo, Alexandria, Nile Cruise & El Bahariya Oasis adventure designed to reveal the country’s greatest treasures—from the Great Pyramids and Grand Egyptian Museum to the temples of Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Aswan. Cruise along the Nile aboard a comfortable ship, explore the Mediterranean beauty of Alexandria, and walk through the heart of Old Cairo’s religious heritage.
Your journey then takes a dramatic turn toward nature as you travel into the Bahariya Oasis, where ancient tombs, Roman mummies, natural springs, and desert landscapes await. Spend a magical night camping under the stars before venturing into the surreal formations of the White Desert.
With expert guides, seamless transportation, carefully selected accommodations, and immersive itineraries, this 12-day tour offers the perfect balance of culture, archaeology, and natural wonder—ideal for travelers longing for a deep and unforgettable Egyptian experience.
Itinerary
Day 01Welcome to Egypt
Your adventure begins at Cairo International Airport, where our representative welcomes you and ensures a smooth arrival. You are transferred in a private A/C vehicle to your hotel to relax and prepare for the days ahead.
Overnight in Cairo
Meals: No Meals
Day 02Cairo: Great Pyramids & Grand Egyptian Museum
Start your day at the Grand Egyptian Museum, home to monumental statues, royal treasures, and thousands of artefacts displayed in breathtaking galleries that tell the story of Egypt’s ancient civilization.
Continue to the Giza Plateau to stand before the Great Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure. Walk to the Great Sphinx and visit the Valley Temple, absorbing the history, architecture and desert atmosphere.
Return to your Cairo hotel afterward.
Overnight in Cairo
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 03Fly to Luxor & Nile Cruise: East Bank Temples
Fly from Cairo to Luxor, where your guide greets you and escorts you to begin East Bank sightseeing.
Visit Karnak Temple, a vast complex featuring the Avenue of Sphinxes, the Hypostyle Hall with its towering 134 columns, and the sacred Temple of Amun.
Continue to Luxor Temple, admired for its elegant courtyard, granite statues of Ramses II, and inscriptions illuminated beautifully in the afternoon sun.
Board your Nile Cruise and enjoy dinner as you settle in.
Overnight on Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 04Nile Cruise: Luxor West Bank
Begin at the Valley of the Kings, entering impressive royal tombs decorated with vibrant wall paintings depicting sacred rituals.
Continue to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, a marvel built into the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari.
Stop at the Colossi of Memnon, two towering statues of Amenhotep III facing the Nile.
Return to your cruise for lunch and relaxation.
Overnight on Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 05Nile Cruise: Edfu & Kom Ombo Temples
Sail to Edfu to visit the Temple of Horus, one of Egypt’s best-preserved temples with colossal columns, carved reliefs, and mythological scenes.
Then cruise to Kom Ombo, where you explore the twin temple dedicated to Sobek and Haroeris, featuring symmetrical architecture and unique medical inscriptions.
Enjoy your galabiya party onboard before sailing toward Aswan.
Overnight on Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 06Nile Cruise: Aswan Highlights
Visit the High Dam, an engineering marvel offering panoramic views of Lake Nasser.
Continue to the Temple of Philae, dedicated to Goddess Isis, relocated stone by stone to preserve it from flooding.
Return to the cruise and enjoy your evening in Aswan.
Overnight on Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 07Flight to Cairo & Free Day
Transfer from the cruise to Aswan Airport for your flight back to Cairo. Upon arrival, settle into your hotel and enjoy a relaxing free day.
Overnight in Cairo
Meals: Breakfast
Day 08Alexandria Full-Day Tour
Travel to Alexandria to explore the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a modern tribute to the ancient library.
Continue to the Qaitbay Citadel, built on the site of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria.
Visit the Montazah Palace Gardens, home to royal palaces and Mediterranean views.
Explore historic churches, mosques, and Alexandria’s ancient port before returning to Cairo.
Overnight in Cairo
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 09Cairo Citadel & Old Cairo
Visit the Citadel of Salah El-Din, one of Cairo’s most iconic medieval fortresses.
Enter the Muhammad Ali Alabaster Mosque, known for its Ottoman architecture and panoramic views of Cairo.
Continue to Old Cairo to explore the Hanging Church, Abu Serga Church, and the Ben Ezra Synagogue.
Return to your hotel.
Overnight in Cairo
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 10El Bahariya Oasis Tour
Travel to Bahariya Oasis to explore its old village, natural hot springs, and sunset viewpoints.
Visit remarkable archaeological sites including the Valley of the Golden Mummies, the Greco-Roman Cemetery, Ain Al-Muftilis Temple, and the Tomb of Bannentu.
Enjoy dinner and overnight desert camping under the stars.
Overnight in Bahariya Oasis (camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11Black Desert & White Desert Tour
Embark on a safari into the Black Desert with its volcanic formations, followed by the surreal chalk rock formations of the White Desert, shaped by centuries of wind erosion.
After an unforgettable day, return to Cairo for your final night.
Overnight in Cairo
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 12Departure from Cairo
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before your private transfer takes you to Cairo International Airport for your onward flight.
Meals: Breakfast
What is included
Included
- 5 nights in Cairo with breakfast
- • 1 night in Alexandria with breakfast
- • 1 night desert camping
- • 4 nights Nile Cruise with all meals
- • 4 days sightseeing in Luxor & Aswan
- • 1 day sightseeing in Alexandria
- • 2 days sightseeing in Cairo
- • 2 days sightseeing in Bahariya Oasis & White Desert
- • Domestic flights Cairo → Luxor & Aswan → Cairo
- • Expert Egyptologist tour guide
- • Air-conditioned private transportation
Not included
- • Entry visa to Egypt
- • Tips
- • Optional tours
- • Anything not mentioned in itinerary
- • Entrance fees to all sites
Questions about this trip
Does the oasis section replace the Nile cruise?
No. This twelve-day journey combines a four-night Nile cruise with separate visits to Cairo, Alexandria, Bahariya Oasis and the Black and White Deserts.
Is there an overnight desert stay?
Yes. One night of desert camping is included alongside the hotel and cruise nights. Ask for the campsite arrangements and equipment details when confirming the desert section.
Which flights are included for the cruise section?
The listed domestic flights are Cairo to Luxor and Aswan to Cairo. The oasis excursion is a separate overland part of the journey, after the Nile cruise.
