Exotic 13 Days Egypt Tour

Egypt rewards a well-planned route. This 13-day private trip links Cairo, Alexandria, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Luxor, and Hurghada, giving you ancient monuments, a Nile cruise, desert scenery, and Red Sea downtime in one package. I especially like the private air-conditioned transport and the Egyptology-trained guides, since both can make a big country easier to manage. I also like that entrance fees and domestic flights are included. The main caution is pace: several days run from early morning into the evening, so this is a sightseeing holiday rather than a restful one.

At $3,580 per person, the price is substantial, but it covers hotels, a three-night Nile cruise, guides, private transportation, entrance fees, and the Cairo to Aswan and Hurghada to Cairo flights. I would consider it good value for someone who wants nearly every major Egyptian stop arranged in advance. You should still allow extra money for tips, optional activities, and international flights.

Key points at a glance

• Cairo to the Red Sea in one route: You visit the Pyramids, ancient Memphis and Saqqara, Alexandria, Islamic and Coptic Cairo, the southern temples, Luxor, and Hurghada.
• Abu Simbel starts at 4:30 AM: This is one of Egypt’s great sights, but the early departure and long day require stamina.
• Three nights on the Nile: The cruise connects Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu, and Luxor while giving you a moving base between temple visits.
• Private transportation throughout: Airport transfers and the 13-day touring schedule use private, air-conditioned vehicles.
• Guides are central to the experience: The company assigns Egyptology-qualified guides, with Ashraf, Ash, Mohamed, Osama, and Ramma praised in the supplied feedback.
• Two flexible Hurghada days: You can rest by the Red Sea or arrange local activities such as Giftun Island snorkeling.

Why this route works for a first Egypt trip

Egypt is not a compact sightseeing destination. Cairo is far from Aswan, Luxor is far from Alexandria, and Hurghada sits on the Red Sea coast. This itinerary solves that problem with two domestic flights, a Nile cruise, and private road transfers.

I like the route because it gives you both famous sights and less obvious stops. The Pyramids and Valley of the Kings are essential, but Memphis, Saqqara, Abydos, Dendera, and Kom Ombo add useful depth. You get a sense of how Egyptian civilization changed over thousands of years rather than seeing one isolated monument after another.

The private format also matters. Only your group participates, so the schedule can be handled with more flexibility than a large coach trip. The company’s team is praised for staying available when plans become difficult, including helping with flight problems and last-minute arrangements. That kind of support is valuable in Egypt, where transport changes and busy sightseeing days can test even confident independent visitors.

Still, you need to be comfortable with early starts, long drives, heat, and frequent hotel changes. The Alexandria day is listed at about 12 hours, Abu Simbel takes about 10 hours, and the Abydos and Dendera excursion takes about 10 hours. If you want slow mornings and long afternoons at one resort, this is not the right style of trip.

Cairo arrival and the first night

Your tour begins with a pickup at Cairo International Airport in a company-maintained vehicle. A representative transfers you to your hotel, helps with check-in, and provides the schedule for the days ahead. A welcome drink is also offered at the hotel.

That first evening is intentionally simple. You sleep in Cairo and recover from your flight rather than rushing to a monument. I appreciate this practical start because Cairo traffic and international arrival formalities can be tiring enough without adding a late sightseeing stop.

Before you leave home, confirm the hotel names and room arrangements. The package states four nights in a five-star Cairo hotel with breakfast, but the supplied schedule does not name the property. That detail can affect the value of the package, especially at a price of $3,580 per person.

Giza, Saqqara, and dinner in the desert

Day two brings the classic Cairo experience: the Giza Pyramids Complex, the Great Sphinx, and the Valley Temple. You see the pyramids of Cheops, Chephren, and Mykerinus, then continue to Saqqara to see the Step Pyramid of Djoser, described as Egypt’s oldest major stone structure.

This is a strong opening sightseeing day. Giza gives you the instantly recognizable monuments, while Saqqara helps explain how pyramid building developed. The two sites are not interchangeable. Giza is grand and monumental; Saqqara feels more like an archaeological area where several periods and structures come together.

The scheduled touring portion is about six hours, followed by a restaurant stop. At night, you ride a camel or horse and have dinner in the desert. That evening adds a more relaxed, atmospheric moment after a day spent looking closely at stone, tombs, and temple remains.

I would clarify exactly what the desert dinner includes before booking, especially the transport, meal, and riding duration. The description gives the main activity but not the detailed menu or location. Also, camel and horse riding are optional-feeling additions for some people, so ask if you prefer to watch rather than ride.

Alexandria and the modern library

The Alexandria excursion is a full-day outing of about 12 hours. Its main named stop is the Library of Alexandria, a modern institution connected to the memory of the ancient library founded during the Hellenistic period.

This is an important change of pace from pharaonic monuments. Alexandria gives you a Mediterranean city with a different historical character, and the library offers a chance to think about Egypt as a center of scholarship as well as royal power.

The drawback is the length of the day. A road trip from Cairo to Alexandria and back can be tiring, particularly after the pyramid day. I would choose this excursion if the library and Alexandria’s history are priorities. If you are already feeling worn out, this is the first day I would discuss carefully with the tour operator.

The listed description is cut short, so ask for the complete Alexandria stop list before departure. The supplied plan clearly identifies the library, but it does not provide enough detail to confirm every other attraction included that day.

Egyptian Museum, Islamic Cairo, and Khan El Khalili

Day four shifts from ancient royal monuments to Cairo’s religious and urban heritage. You visit the Egyptian Museum, known here for the treasures of Tutankhamun, then continue through Islamic Cairo and Coptic Cairo before ending at Khan El Khalili bazaar.

This is one of the most useful days for understanding Cairo as a living city. The museum provides the objects and royal stories. Islamic Cairo adds mosques, old streets, and historic architecture. Coptic Cairo presents another part of Egypt’s religious past. Khan El Khalili then brings you into the city’s commercial life, where browsing is part of the experience.

The schedule allows around six hours, with private vehicle transfers between areas. That is helpful because Cairo’s districts are spread out and traffic can be slow. Your guide is especially important here. A good Egyptology guide can explain connections between periods instead of treating each stop as a separate photo opportunity.

You will probably encounter shopkeepers and sales pitches at the bazaar. Keep your expectations realistic and treat the market as a place for atmosphere, small purchases, and people-watching rather than a quiet museum.

Aswan and the Temple of Philae

On day five, you take a domestic flight from Cairo to Aswan. A representative meets you at Aswan airport and transfers you to the Nile cruise for check-in and lunch.

After lunch, a boat trip takes you to Agilika Island and the Temple of Philae. The temple was dedicated to Isis and dates largely to the Greco-Roman era. Its island setting makes the visit different from the desert temples and tombs elsewhere on the route.

You also have an Aswan city tour in the evening and sleep aboard the cruise. This is where the itinerary begins to feel less like a series of road transfers. The ship becomes your base, and the Nile links the southern sights.

The package includes three nights of full-board Nile cruising. Confirm the exact ship and cabin category because those details are not supplied. Full board is convenient, but drinks, gratuities, and personal purchases may still cost extra.

Abu Simbel, Kom Ombo, and the long sixth day

Day six begins with a 4:30 AM pickup for Abu Simbel. You return to the boat around 2:00 PM, have lunch, and continue to Kom Ombo before sailing onward to Edfu.

Abu Simbel is one of the strongest reasons to choose this itinerary. The temples of Ramses II are known for their enormous scale and carefully planned relocation during the creation of Lake Nasser. The supplied schedule emphasizes their connection with Egypt’s New Kingdom and the power of royal temple building.

The practical price is the early alarm. By the time you return to the ship, you will have spent many hours on the road and on foot. Plan for water, sun protection, and simple clothing that works for a pre-dawn departure and hot temple grounds.

Kom Ombo offers a different type of visit. Its twin temple design honors Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus, the falcon-headed god. The divided layout gives your guide a useful way to explain how different deities and religious traditions could share one sacred complex.

This is a rewarding but demanding day. It is not the best fit if you need a late start or find long vehicle journeys difficult.

Edfu and Luxor by night

At Edfu, you visit the Temple of Horus, described as one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt. It was dedicated to the falcon-headed Horus and preserves a strong sense of the structure’s original scale.

After lunch aboard the ship, you continue toward Luxor and arrive around 3:00 PM. The plan then includes Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple at night before your final dinner on the cruise.

The evening timing is a good choice. Karnak is vast, and Luxor Temple has a different mood after dark. Seeing both in one afternoon and evening gives you a memorable final cruise day, but it also leaves little spare time.

The schedule says the last night is on board, followed by the west-bank sightseeing day and a hotel stay in Luxor. Confirm the precise transfer and hotel arrangements, since the accommodation wording is abbreviated.

The Valley of the Kings and Luxor’s west bank

Day eight covers Luxor’s most famous west-bank sights. You visit the Valley of the Kings, where rulers of the New Kingdom were buried in rock-cut tombs, then Hatshepsut Temple and the Colossi of Memnon.

The Valley of the Kings is more than a quick stop. Tomb access can vary, and the standard entry does not necessarily include every tomb. Ask your guide which tombs are included and what extra tickets may be available. The walk from the visitor area and the heat can also make this a tiring morning.

Hatshepsut Temple has broad terraces and a striking setting beneath the cliffs. The description calls it the only female temple in Egypt, but that wording is not precise. Hatshepsut was a female pharaoh, and the temple was built for her mortuary cult, yet Egypt has other temples connected with female rulers and goddesses. Your guide can provide the clearer context.

The Colossi of Memnon are a brief but worthwhile stop. These huge statues once guarded the mortuary temple of Amenhotep III. The day also includes an alabaster workshop before returning to the hotel, where you can use the swimming pool.

That pool time is welcome. After several intense temple days, a few quiet hours can make the rest of the trip more enjoyable.

Abydos and Dendera in one very long day

Day nine leaves Luxor for Abydos, about 260 kilometers away, then continues to Dendera before returning to Luxor. The total excursion is listed at about 10 hours and includes a picnic lunch.

Abydos is associated with Osiris and contains the temple built by Seti I. The walls include scenes connected with Seti I and Ramses II, the famous king lists, and depictions of the Osiris mysteries. For visitors interested in religion and royal succession, Abydos can be one of the most rewarding stops on the whole route.

Dendera is dedicated to Hathor. Its temple began under Nectanebo I and reflects a later period of Egyptian temple construction. The plan also mentions a Temple of Isis in the area.

The value here is access. These sites are less likely to fit into a basic Cairo and Nile cruise package, yet they add important context. The cost is time on the road. I would take this day if you want a fuller archaeological route and do not mind a long excursion. If you prefer a slower Luxor stay, consider asking whether the schedule can be adjusted.

Hurghada and two days by the Red Sea

After breakfast on day ten, you leave Luxor for Hurghada. The plan refers to the Hurghada Grand Aquarium and to reaching the coral reefs for activities such as fishing and snorkeling, with an overnight stay in Hurghada.

The description is not fully consistent about day ten. It names the aquarium as the stop, then shifts to coral reef activities. Ask the operator to confirm whether the aquarium is included on that day or simply offered as an optional Hurghada activity.

Days eleven and twelve are free for Hurghada. You can relax or arrange a Giftun Island trip for swimming and snorkeling. Other listed choices include the Hurghada Museum, the Grand Aquarium, Safaga’s abandoned ghost city, and shopping malls.

This open time is a useful counterweight to the packed historical schedule. Giftun Island activities are booked locally and are not included in the stated package, so check prices and departure times before committing. The same applies to other optional tours.

Hurghada is best treated as recovery time, not another forced sightseeing circuit. After the early Abu Simbel morning and the long Abydos day, I would keep at least one of these days light.

What the $3,580 price includes

The stated price is $3,580 per person. It includes:

• Four nights in a five-star Cairo hotel with breakfast
• Three nights on a full-board Nile cruise
• Two listed Luxor hotel nights with breakfast
• Private, air-conditioned transportation for the itinerary
• Airport arrival and departure transfers
• Domestic flights from Cairo to Aswan and Hurghada to Cairo
• Entrance fees for the listed itinerary
• An Egyptology-qualified guide
• Fees and taxes

That is a broad package. The included entrance fees are especially useful because they remove repeated ticket purchases at major sites. Private vehicles also add value for a route with many transfers, and the domestic flights save long road journeys.

The price does not include international flights, tips, or optional activities. Christmas, New Year, and Easter holiday pricing may also differ. I would ask for the exact hotel names, cruise ship, cabin details, meal arrangements, and optional-tour prices before making a final comparison.

Who will enjoy this Egypt itinerary most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a single coordinated plan and your main goal is to see as much of Egypt as possible. It suits first-time visitors, families wanting private logistics, history enthusiasts, and anyone who values having a local contact available throughout the trip.

The company’s strongest praised qualities are organization, fast communication, clean vehicles, personal attention, and guide quality. Ashraf and Ash are repeatedly singled out for taking responsibility when plans go wrong. Mohamed is praised as a welcoming guide, while Osama and Ramma are also named positively.

I would be more cautious if you dislike early starts, long road days, shopping stops, or scheduled touring. Independent visitors who prefer spontaneous travel may find the structure restrictive. Children aged three to eleven pay 50 percent of the service price, and most people can participate, but the schedule still requires plenty of walking and patience.

Booking can be canceled for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Weather-related cancellations offer a different date or a full refund. Service animals are allowed.

Should you book the Exotic 13 Days Egypt Tour?

Book it if you want maximum coverage with minimum transport planning. The route reaches nearly every major region a first-time visitor hopes to see, and the private format gives you a dedicated support team rather than a large group schedule.

Before paying, confirm the hotels, cruise ship, exact Alexandria stops, Hurghada day-ten activities, and the full list of optional costs. If those details suit you and you can handle the fast pace, $3,580 can be a fair price for the amount of transport, guiding, lodging, and admission included.

If your ideal Egypt holiday means lingering in Luxor, sleeping late, and spending several days at the Red Sea, choose a slower custom plan instead. This tour is for seeing Egypt thoroughly, not quietly.

FAQ

How long is the Egypt tour?

The tour lasts approximately 13 days, from arrival in Cairo to departure from Hurghada airport through Cairo.

What cities and regions does the tour visit?

The route includes Cairo, Giza, Saqqara, Alexandria, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor, Abydos, Dendera, and Hurghada.

Is airport pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is offered, including arrival at Cairo International Airport and transfers at the relevant domestic airports.

Are domestic flights included?

Yes. The package includes a flight from Cairo to Aswan on day five and a flight from Hurghada to Cairo on day thirteen.

Is the international flight included?

No. International flights are not included.

Are entrance fees included?

Yes. Entrance fees for the stated 13-day itinerary are included.

How many nights are spent on the Nile cruise?

The package includes three nights on a full-board Nile cruise.

Is a tour guide included?

Yes. The tour is escorted by an Egyptian guide with a degree qualification in Egyptology.

Are optional Hurghada activities included?

No. Optional tours, including locally booked Giftun Island trips, are not included.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.

Are children allowed on the tour?

Yes. Children aged three to eleven pay 50 percent of the service price, and most people can participate.