- Duration6 Days / 5 Nights
- Tour typePrivate tour
- StartsMeet and assist at Cairo International Airport
- PriceFrom $1,090 per person based on 6+ travellers
OverviewItineraryWhat’s includedPricesFAQ
Tour Overview
If you would rather sleep in hotels than on a boat, this private Cairo Aswan Abu Simbel Luxor tour covers the same headline sights as a Nile cruise in less time. Two flights cut out the long journeys, so you can see the Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo, then head south to Aswan, the great temples of Abu Simbel and the open-air treasures of Luxor, all within six days and with your own Egyptologist guide throughout.
Aswan is a relaxed town of granite islands and Nubian villages. You will visit Philae Temple by boat, sail on a felucca and make the trip to Abu Simbel, where Ramses II carved four giant statues of himself into a cliff above Lake Nasser. It is a long morning by road with an early start, but most travellers say it is worth every minute.
From Aswan you travel north by private car, stopping at the temples of Kom Ombo and Edfu, or take the train if you prefer. Luxor brings Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut’s temple before an evening flight back to Cairo. This is a full itinerary with some early starts, best suited to travellers who want to see a lot in a short time.
Highlights
- Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx and the fully open Grand Egyptian Museum
- Domestic flights Cairo–Aswan and Luxor–Cairo to save travel time
- Philae Temple, the High Dam and a felucca sail in Aswan
- The colossal temples of Ramses II and Nefertari at Abu Simbel
- Edfu and Kom Ombo on the road to Luxor, then Karnak and Luxor Temple
- Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple on the West Bank
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrive in Cairo
Our representative meets you inside Cairo International Airport, helps with the visa counter if needed and walks you to your private car for the transfer to your 4★ hotel, around 45 minutes away depending on traffic. The rest of the day is free to rest or explore nearby. In the evening your guide will call to welcome you, go over the plan for the week and confirm tomorrow’s pick-up time. If you land early, ask us about adding a short evening visit.
Meals: None
Day 2 – Pyramids, Sphinx & Grand Egyptian Museum
Your Egyptologist collects you after breakfast for the Giza Plateau. See the Great Pyramid of Khufu up close, enjoy the classic view of all three pyramids from the panoramic point, and stand before the Great Sphinx. Entering a pyramid needs an extra ticket. After lunch, spend the afternoon at the Grand Egyptian Museum, which is now fully open. Its Tutankhamun galleries bring together thousands of the king’s treasures, from the golden mask to his chariots and jewellery.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3 – Fly to Aswan, High Dam, Philae & Felucca
Take a morning flight from Cairo to Aswan, about an hour and a quarter. Your guide meets you and takes you to the High Dam for views over Lake Nasser, then by motorboat to Philae Temple, the island sanctuary of Isis, rescued from the floodwaters and rebuilt on higher ground. Check in to your 4★ hotel, then in the late afternoon sail around Elephantine Island and the Botanical Gardens on a traditional felucca as the sun sets over the West Bank dunes.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4 – Abu Simbel by Road
Leave very early, usually around 4am, for the drive south to Abu Simbel, about three and a half hours each way. Road convoy times are set by the authorities and can change, so we confirm your pick-up the evening before. At Abu Simbel, explore the Great Temple of Ramses II with its four colossal seated statues, and the smaller temple dedicated to Queen Nefertari. Return to Aswan by early afternoon, with the rest of the day free to rest by the river or stroll through the souk.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5 – Kom Ombo & Edfu to Luxor, Karnak & Luxor Temple
Drive north by private car towards Luxor, a trip of around four hours of driving plus stops. Visit the double temple at Kom Ombo, shared by the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Haroeris, then the remarkably complete Temple of Horus at Edfu. If you would rather take the train from Aswan to Luxor, we can book it instead and skip those stops. In Luxor, walk the Great Hypostyle Hall at Karnak, then visit Luxor Temple as its lights come on.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6 – Valley of the Kings & Fly to Cairo
Cross to the West Bank early to beat the heat. Your standard Valley of the Kings ticket includes three tombs; Tutankhamun’s tomb can be added with an extra ticket. Visit the terraced Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. A dawn balloon flight can be added, though flights depend on the weather and can be cancelled. In the afternoon, fly from Luxor to Cairo, about one hour, where our representative meets you and helps you connect with your international flight; an extra night in Cairo can be added if you prefer to fly home the next day.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Good to know: Abu Simbel road convoy times are set by the authorities and can change at short notice; we confirm your pick-up the evening before.
What’s Included
Included
- Meet and assist at Cairo airport and all airport and hotel transfers
- 2 nights in a 4★ hotel in Cairo with breakfast
- 2 nights in a 4★ hotel in Aswan with breakfast
- 1 night in a 4★ hotel in Luxor with breakfast
- Domestic flights Cairo–Aswan and Luxor–Cairo
- Private road trip to Abu Simbel and back
- Private car from Aswan to Luxor with stops at Kom Ombo and Edfu (or train if you prefer)
- Private Egyptologist guide throughout
- Entry fees to all sites in the itinerary, including three tombs in the Valley of the Kings
- Motorboat to Philae and a felucca sail in Aswan
- Lunch daily from day 2 to day 6
- Private air-conditioned transport and bottled water
Not included
- International flights
- Egypt visa
- Tutankhamun’s tomb and pyramid interior tickets
- Hot-air balloon flight in Luxor (optional)
- Dinners and drinks
- Tips for guides and drivers
- Travel insurance and personal expenses
Prices
| Group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| Single traveller | $1,940 |
| 2 travellers | $1,250 |
| 3–5 travellers | $1,150 |
| 6+ travellers | $1,090 |
Per person in USD. Child prices depend on age and the services included – ask us for a child price before you book. Prices can be higher over Christmas, New Year and Easter; we confirm the exact price in writing before you pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why choose hotels instead of a Nile cruise?
Some travellers prefer more space, a choice of restaurants, or simply sleeping on dry land. This trip also fits into six days, while a cruise itinerary of similar scope usually needs eight. You still see the main temples between Aswan and Luxor, travelling by road or train between them. If you would like to spend a night or two on the river, ask us about our cruise tours.
How early is the start for Abu Simbel?
Pick-up is usually around 4am, though the exact time depends on the road convoy schedule, which the authorities set and can change at short notice. We confirm the time the evening before. You can sleep in the car on the way, and we pack a breakfast box for you. You are normally back in Aswan by early afternoon.
Can we take the train from Aswan to Luxor?
Yes. The train takes around three hours and is a pleasant way to watch the countryside go by. If you choose it, you will miss the stops at Kom Ombo and Edfu, which are easier to visit by car. Let us know your preference when you book and we will arrange first-class seats.
How do I pay for this tour?
Because the package includes hotels and two domestic flights, we ask for a deposit when you confirm so we can secure those bookings. The balance is then paid on arrival in Egypt. We will send you a clear written summary of what has been paid and what is still due before you travel.
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Want to combine tours or change anything? Contact us or message us on WhatsApp and we will tailor it for you.
