12-Day Egypt Budget Escape: Cairo, Alexandria, Siwa Oasis & 3-Night Nile Cruise Experience

5 Reviews
Top Rated
Duration
12 Days / 11 Nights
Availability
Everyday
Destinations
01 Country /07 Cities
Tour Type
Private Tour
English Speaking Guide

Included

💧 Bottled water during the tour
🍽️ Meals – Provided as mentioned in the itinerary
✈️ Domestic Flights – Cairo / Aswan / Luxor / Cairo included
✈️ Meet and assist service upon arrival and departure at Egyptian airports.
🚢 03 nights onboard a Nile Cruise on a Full Board basis, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
🚗 All transfers and transportation as per the itinerary in a private, deluxe, air-conditioned vehicle.
🎓 Private, professional English-speaking Egyptologist guide throughout the tour
🎟️ All entrance fees to the included sightseeing attractions.
🧾 All applicable taxes and service charges.
🏛️02 nights’ accommodation in Siwa on Bed and breakfast basis
🏛️05 nights’ accommodation in Budget-friendly hotel in Cairo on Bed and breakfast basis.
🏛️01 nights’ accommodation in Alexandria on Bed and breakfast basis.

Excluded

🍹 Drinks on board
✈️ International Airfares – Not included
🛂 Egypt Entry Visa – Traveler’s responsibility
💵 Personal Expenses – Laundry, telephone calls, and other incidentals
🙏 Tipping – For guides, drivers, and Nile Cruise crew
🍹 Beverages – Drinks on board the cruise and during meals
🧳 Travel insurance

Itinerary

1

Day 1: Welcome to Egypt

Arrival to Egypt   

Welcome to Cairo. Your tour begins when you are greeted by our representative who will assist you. After you have collected your luggage, he will then take you, in our deluxe vehicle, to your Cairo hotel.

Overnight in Cairo

Meals: Welcome drink

2

Day 2: 🏺✨ Ancient Pyramids & Modern Wonders 👑🌍

Included Activities: The Pyramid Complex – The Valley Temple – The Great Sphinx - The Grand Egyptian Museum

At 09 am you will meet your tour Guide and start your day to the great Pyramids area which includes:

Giza Pyramids Complex

The three main pyramids of Giza (Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure) are sufficient enough to build a 2-meter-long wall and span 100,000 square kilometers around the globe along with the equator.

The Great Pyramid (Extra Ticket to go inside)

The Great Pyramid of King Khufu is considered largely represents the spirit of ancient Egypt, King Khufu who built this Pyramid as a cemetery has left little information about his reign. Khufu ruled for about twenty-four years. Ironically, despite the enormity of his pyramid, the only statue of King Khufu himself is really small statue carved from ivory.

The Magical Sphinx

Who among us when mentioning the name of the Sphinx does not think about this stone sculpture that carved in the form of the human head and lion body, which is located in the Giza plateau in Egypt the Sphinx is one of the oldest and the largest sculptures in the world, it’s about 73.5 meters long and 6 meters wide.

The Valley Temple

It was used as a place for the embalming process. This temple constructed definitely for two functions: First, it was used for the purification of the mummy before its burial. Second, it was used for making the Mummification process of the king.

The Grand Egyptian Museum

The museum houses a collection of the most valuable Egyptian artifacts ever from various periods of the Egyptian civilization, from the Predynastic Period to Coptic Egypt, with an estimated total of over 100,000 artifacts, including at least 20,000 that will be displayed for the first time ever, including the complete King Tutankhamun collection comprising 5,398 pieces. The Tut collection is on display in a 7,500 m2 section of the museum. Rare pieces that have been restored will be displayed for the first time, such as the second solar ship of Khufu, the restoration of which cost $5 million, the collection of Queen Hetepheres (mother of King Khufu), and the collection of Yuya and Thuyu (parents of Queen Tiye).

Overnight in Cairo

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

3

Day 3: 🌊✨ Alexandria Discovery Day Tour | Mediterranean History & Coastal Charm 🏛️📸

Included Activites: Qaitbay Citadel – Catacombs – Pompai Pillar & Bibliotheca Tour

Your day starts with breakfast in your hotel followed by a 2.5-hour drive, in our air-conditioned vehicle, to Alexandria where you will check-in at your hotel upon arrival.

The Catacombs of Kom Alshaqafa

The Catacombs of Alexandria are the largest and most important burial site in Egypt that has a mixture of Roman, Hellenistic, and ancient Egyptian decorative art and elements that were all common during this period in Alexandria.

The Pompai`s Pillar

It’s a column that stands on a rocky hilltop in the middle of Alexandria. Pompey Pillar is a triumphal monument erected around 300 AD for the Roman Emperor Diocletian.

Qait Bay Citadel

Qaitbay Citadel has been built during the 14th century by (Sultan Qaitbay) to defend Alexandria from the attacks of The Ottoman Empire. You can enjoy the Sea views, wonderful restaurants, and unforgettable touristic items while visiting it.

Lunch will be served during the day tour in a sea view restaurant in Alexandria and then we will drive back to the hotel and overnight in Alexandria.

Library of Alexandria

Alexandria’s ancient library was one of the greatest of all classical institutions, and while replacing it might seem a Herculean task, the new Bibliotheca Alexandrina manages this with aplomb. Opened in 2002, this impressive piece of modern architecture is a deliberate attempt to rekindle the brilliance of the original center of learning and culture. The complex has become one of Egypt’s major cultural venues and a stage for numerous international performers.

Finally, we will transfer you in a private air-conditioned car to back to your hotel.

Overnight in Alexandria

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

4

Day 4: El Alamein (El Alamein War Museum – Commonwealth War Cemetery - Siwa)

El Alamein (El Alamein War Museum – Commonwealth War Cemetery - Siwa)

An early wake up and have breakfast followed by check out at 6 am you will be transported to Alamein on the North Coast of Egypt for approximately 3 hours of driving including coffee breaks to enjoy your informative El Alamein tour by visiting

El Alamein War Museum

This museum is an excellent introduction to the North African campaigns of WWII, including the Battle of El Alamein. The museum has separate halls dedicated to the four main countries involved in the war: Great Britain, Italy, Germany and Egypt.

Another hall contains collections of memorabilia, uniforms, photos and maps. On display outside is a range of tanks and artillery from the battlefield.

Commonwealth War Cemetery

The Commonwealth War Cemetery is a haunting place where more than 7240 tombstones stand in regimented rows between beautifully tended desert plants. Most of the Commonwealth soldiers who lie here died in the Battle of El Alamein at the end of October 1942 and in the period immediately before that. As you enter, a separate memorial commemorating the Australian contingent is to your right. The cemetery is about 1km east of El Alamein's War Museum.

We will take our lunch at a unique restaurant before resuming our road trip to Siwa Oasis. Upon arrival, we will leave our baggage in the eco-lodge and transfer to one of the many natural hot water springs in Siwa Oasis to take a dip that will relax our muscles after a long day's drive. Back to the hotel and overnight.

Overnight in Siwa

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

5

Day 5: Siwa Sightseeing Tours

Siwa Sightseeing Tours

Breakfast in the Eco-lodge then you will continue your Siwa Oasis tour from Cairo, enjoy visiting the ruins of the old town of Siwa (Shali). then, you will be transferred to see the Temple of Alexander the Great ( the temple of The Oracle ) at the Aghurmi village dates back to the 26th dynasty and visit the temple of Amun Ra known as the Temple of Um Ubeyda, then experience the priceless Siwan heritage through the Siwa House Museum and lunch will be introduced at the Oasis famous square overlooking Shali at Abdo restaurant you will also visit the Mountain of the Dead ( Jabal el Mawta ) visit the tremendous tombs of the rulers of Siwa Oasis during the 26th dynasty like the tombs of SI Amon, MSW Isis, crocodile tomb, then you will enjoy relaxing afternoon at Cleopatra Spring (Ein Guba) swimming and dipping into the glittering water after that you will be transferred Fitnas Island to enjoy once in the lifetime Sunset view.

Overnight in Siwa

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

6

Day 6: Siwa and Back to Cairo

Siwa and Back to Cairo

Today is the last day of your Siwa trip. Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel, then you will move back to Cairo hotel to check in & overnight.

Overnight in Cairo

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

7

Day 7: ✈️🌊 Cairo to Aswan Escape | Flight, Day Tour 🚢✨

Included Activities: Aswan High Dam – Philae Island Temples – the Unfinished Obelisk

A new day starts with breakfast, and then you will be driven catch your flight to Aswan where your guide will take you to see the High Dam, the Temples of Philae, the unfinished Obelisk, check in your Nile cruise and have lunch and then visit The Nubian village and the Botanical Island. Your visit includes:

Aswan High Dam

At Aswan High Dam, you’ll hear from your tour guide the whole story of its construction and how it helped the Egyptians a lot to improve their economic and social state. Then, you’ll move to witness the miraculous.

The Unfinished Obelisk

The Unfinished Obelisk was supposed to be standing in front of Hatshepsut Temple but some cracks happened to it which leads Queen Hatshepsut to order her men to move it to Aswan and it is characterized with its majestic size.

Philae Temples

Philae Temple was constructed in 690 B.C and it had been relocated with the help of the UNESCO because it was in great danger from the High & Low Dams of Aswan. It was dedicated to goddess Isis.

Optional Tour to the Nubian Village & The Botanical Island

Discover the colorful culture of Nubia, one of Africa's oldest civilizations, traveling by felucca sailboat or modern motorboat, you'll meet locals, visit a traditional house, drink tea, and have free time to explore villages independently while Kitchener’s Island, to the west of Elephantine Island, was given to Lord Horatio Kitchener in the 1890s when he was commander of the Egyptian army. Kitchener turned the entire island into the stunning Aswan Botanical Gardens, importing plants from the Far East, India and parts of Africa.

After the end of the tour, you will be driven to your 5 stars Nile Cruise where you will have your lunch meal and make your check in then the rest of the day is yours. Dinner will be served onboard and overnight in Aswan.

Overnight in Nile Cruise

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch & Dinner

8

Day 8: 🐊Kom Ombo Discovery: Crocodile God Temple & Return to Nile Cruise 🐊

Included Activities ( The Temple Of Kom Ombo)

Enjoy sun bathing and tea time on the deck of the Cruise. Once a shore you will visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to the gods Horus and Sobek. After this great visit you will return back to the cruise for your dinner being served as it sails majestically towards Edfu.

The temple of Sobek in Kom Ombo

The Temple of Kom Ombo is an unusual double temple in the town of Kom Ombo in Aswan Governorate, Upper Egypt. It was constructed during the Ptolemaic dynasty, 180–47 BC. Some additions to it were later made during the Roman period. The building is unique because its 'double' design meant that there were courts, halls, sanctuaries and rooms duplicated for two sets of gods.

After the visit, you will be taken back to the boat for your dinner while it sails onward to Edfu, home of the best-preserved temple in Egypt: The Temple of Horus.

Overnight in Nile Cruise

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch & Dinner

Optional Tour Abu Simbel Temples

Abu Simbel temple complex includes 2 individual temples that were built during the reign of Pharaoh Ramses II. The great temple was built for the king himself to commemorate his coronation and his birthday and it has been built in a very impressive accurate way which makes the whole world await the Sun Festival that occurs only twice a year in the great temple of the Pharaoh to witness the miracle that occurs there. The smaller temple was built as a sign of love & appreciation from the king to his beloved queen Nefertari and she was the only wife of the king for whom he has built a temple.

9

Day 9: 🏛️✨ Temples of the Nile Day Tour 🌊🚢

Included Activities ( The Temple Of Horus – The Temple of Luxor)

You can enjoy an early breakfast. Once the boat is moored you will visit the best-preserved temple in Egypt: The Temple of Horus. After your visit to this superb temple you will be taken back to the boat for your lunch while the cruise boat crosses the Esna lock to the city of Esna and continue sailing to Luxor.

Edfu Temple

Edfu temple which was dedicated to Horus, the son of Isis and Osiris and its walls are really impressive with its inscriptions and pictures showing Horus having his revenge from Seth the brother of his father Osiris. It is the best preserved and most complete in Egypt temple and second largest after Karnak.

After your visit to this superb temple, you will be taken back to the boat in plenty of time before it departs Edfu and sets sail for Esna. Once you reach Esna you will watch as it sails through the Esna locks. Once through the locks, the boat continues on its course towards Luxor, once the boat is moored you will visit the Temple of Luxor. Then return back to the cruise for dinner and overnight in Luxor.

The temple of Luxor

The Temple of Luxor was the center of the most important festivals and one of the best temples which you will visit. It’s one of the most important and famous ancient Egyptian temples, located in the city of Luxor, which is about 700 km from Cairo, it’s an important tourist destination for its monuments and its distinctive weather, which makes it a wonderful destination for tourists from all over the world.

After the visit, you will be taken back to the boat for your dinner while after dinner you can go out or you can rest in the cruise.

Overnight in Nile Cruise

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch & Dinner

10

Day 10: 🏺✨ Luxor Royal Treasures Tour 👑🌄

Included Activities: Hatshepsut Temple – Colossi of Memnon – 3 tombs in the Valley of the Kings tombs of (Merenptah – Ramses III – Tausert and Seth Nakht – Karnak & Luxor Temples)

Morning time, we will pick you up from your hotel in Aswan after having your breakfast, then drive you to Luxor hotel to check in and have some rest then take the chance to enjoy the exploration of the ancient city of Luxor and its impressive architectural heritage monuments, starting with:

The Complex of Karnak Temples

Built over two millennia between the years of around 2200 and 360 BCE, Karnak is a massive Ancient Egyptian temple complex that was one of the country's most important places of worship under the rules of Hatshepsut, Seti I, Ramesses II and Ramesses III.

The Valley of the Kings

The rulers of the Eighteenth, Nineteenth, and Twentieth Dynasties of Egypt’s prosperous New Kingdom (c.1550–1069 BC) were buried in a desolate dry river valley across the river from the ancient city of Thebes (modern Luxor), hence its modern name of the Valley of the Kings. This moniker is not entirely accurate, however, since some members of the royal family aside from the king were buried here as well, as were a few non-royal, albeit very high-ranking, individuals.

The Tomb of King Merenptah

 The second-largest tomb in the valley, Merenptah’s tomb has been open since antiquity and has its share of Greek and Coptic graffiti. Floods have damaged the lower part of the walls of the long tunnel-like tomb, but the upper parts have well-preserved reliefs. The corridors are decorated with the Book of the Dead, the Book of Gates and the Book of Amduat. Beyond a shaft is a false burial chamber with two pillars decorated with the Book of Gates.

The Tomb of King Ramses III

One of the most popular tombs in the valley, KV 11 is also one of the most interesting and best preserved. Originally started by Sethnakht (1186–1184 BC), the project was abandoned when workers hit the shaft of another tomb (KV10). Work resumed under Ramses III (1184–1153 BC), the last of Egypt’s warrior pharaohs, with the corridor turning to the right, then left. It continues deep (125m overall) into the mountain and opens into a magnificent eight-pillared burial chamber.

The Tomb of King Ramses IV

 Originally intended to be much larger, KV 2 was cut short at 89m on the early death of the pharaoh (1147 BC) and a pillared hall was converted to be the burial chamber. The sarcophagus is in place with a magnificent goddess Nut filling the ceiling above it. Close to the entrance of the valley, this tomb was opened in antiquity and inhabited (there is Greek, Roman and Coptic graffiti), and used as a hotel by many 18th- and 19th-century visitors.

The Temple of Hatshepsut

Hatshepsut (c.1473–1458 BC), the queen who became Pharaoh, built a magnificent temple at Deir al-Bahari, on the west back of Luxor. It lies directly across the Nile from Karnak Temple, the main sanctuary of the god Amun. Hatshepsut’s temple, Djeser-djeseru “the Holy of Holies” was designed by the chief steward of Amun, Senenmut.

The Colossi of Memnon

These two faceless colossi (the plural of colossus, which just means larger-than-life statue) are the first thing visitors see when they reach the west bank of the Nile opposite Luxor. This isn't surprising when you hear their dimensions: they tower 60 feet (18 m) above the plains and are estimated to weigh an enormous 720 tons each.

Lunch will be served at a high-quality restaurant then proceed driving back to your Luxor airport to catch your flight back to Cairo and overnight

Overnight in Cairo Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

11

Day 11:  Cairo City Tour: Cairo Street Walking Experience 🌍

Included Activities: Muizz st & Khan El Khalili

Around 10 am our guide will pick you up from your hotel to start your Cairo streets tour Visit Bab Zuwayla which is an ancient gate of Cairo. Outside the gate, you can see the mosque of Al-Saleh Talai’e. You will get the chance to climb up the stairs and reach it’s top to see a fascinating view of the minarets of a wide range of Cairo.

Al Muizz ST & Khan Khalili

Immerse yourself in the vibrant heart of Old Cairo on this unforgettable street tour. From ancient city gates to lively bazaars, this experience brings Egypt’s Islamic heritage to life. As you walk through historic streets, you will discover centuries of architecture, culture, and daily life—still thriving today.

Bab Zuwayla & Panoramic Minaret Views

Your Cairo city tour begins with a convenient hotel pickup. First, you arrive at Bab Zuwayla, one of Cairo’s last remaining medieval gates. From here, you can climb to the top and enjoy breathtaking views of countless minarets stretching across the city skyline.

Just outside the gate, admire the elegant Mosque of Al-Saleh Tala’i, one of Cairo’s earliest suspended mosques.

Sultan Al-Mo’ayyad Mosque & Ghouri Street

Next, step inside the impressive Sultan Al-Mo’ayyad Mosque, uniquely built beside the ancient gate. Afterward, stroll through the lively cloth market near Ghouri Street, where colorful textiles, pure cotton garments, and local fruits fill the air with energy.

Soon after, visit the remarkable Sultan Al Ghouri Complex, located near Al-Azhar Mosque and rich with Mamluk architectural beauty.

Al Muizz Street & Qalawun Complex

As you continue, walk along Al Muizz Street, one of the oldest streets in Cairo. Here, you’ll admire extraordinary Islamic architecture dating from the 13th to 15th centuries.

Additionally, explore the magnificent Qalawun Complex, a masterpiece from the Mamluk era. Along the way, pass traditional copper, silver, and gold workshops, where artisans still practice centuries-old crafts.

Souhaimy House & Khan El Khalili Bazaar

Later, visit the historic Souhaimy House, once home to hundreds of Al-Azhar students. This beautifully preserved residence offers a glimpse into daily life in old Islamic Cairo.

Finally, arrive at the legendary Khan El Khalili Bazaar. Relax at a traditional café, sip tea or coffee, and soak in the atmosphere before returning comfortably to your hotel.

Enjoy your lunch and it will be served at a local restaurant after the day tour. Then return to your hotel and overnight in Cairo.

Overnight in Cairo Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

12

Day 12: We will miss you

Cairo (Final Departure)

Your final day starts with breakfast at the hotel followed by check-out. You will then be transferred to the airport for your final departure.

Meals: Breakfast

Prices & Accommodation

Silver

MAY - SEP

Per Person in a Single Room $3,597.98
Per Person in a Double Room $2,426.00
Per Person in a Triple Room $2,248.00

Optional Extras

Tour to Abu Simbel / person $125.00

Nubia Village / person $50.00

Hot Air Balloon / person $65.00

Pyramids Camel Ride / person $20.00

Great Pyramid entry ticket / person $32.00