12 Days Egypt Budget Tour to Cairo, Aswan, Luxor & Alexandria – Ancient Wonders & Timeless Adventures

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Top Rated
Duration
12 Days / 11 Nights
Availability
Everyday except the Peak Periods
Destinations
Cairo / Alexandria / Aswan / Luxor / Giza
Tour Type
Private Tour
English SPeaking Guide

Included

✈️ Meet and assist service upon arrival and departure at Egyptian airports.
🎓 Private, professional English-speaking Egyptologist guide throughout the tour
🎟️ All entrance fees to the included sightseeing attractions.
🚗 All transfers and transportation as per the itinerary in a private, deluxe, air-conditioned vehicle.
🍽️ Meals – Provided as mentioned in the itinerary
💧 Bottled water during the tour
✈️ Domestic flight ticket Cairo / Aswan/ Luxor /Cairo.
🏛️06 nights’ accommodation in Cairo on Bed and breakfast basis.
🏛️02 nights` accommodation in Aswan on Bed and breakfast basis.
🏛️03 nights’ accommodation in in Luxor on Bed and breakfast basis.
🧾 Taxes – All applicable taxes included

Excluded

✈️ 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
🎟️ Optional Tours – Not included in the package
🧳 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: ✈️Aswan Day Tour from Cairo by Flight

Included Activities: High Dam & Philae Temple Adventure

Fly from Cairo to Aswan and discover the beauty of southern Egypt in one unforgettable day. Visit the impressive High Dam and explore the stunning Philae Temple, beautifully located on an island in the Nile, while enjoying breathtaking views and ancient history.

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.

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. After having Lunch drive towards Luxor. Upon arrival I will then take you, in our deluxe vehicle, to your Aswan hotel to check in and over night.

Overnight in Aswan

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

4

Day 4: 🌴 Aswan Cultural Day Tour

Included Activities: Nubia Village – Botanical Island – Nubia Museum – Old Aswan Market

Discover the colorful soul of Aswan on a fascinating cultural tour to the traditional Nubian Village, the peaceful Botanical Island, the remarkable Nubia Museum, and the lively Old Aswan Market. Enjoy authentic Nubian culture, beautiful Nile scenery, and unforgettable local experiences.

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.

Exploring the Vibrant Traditions of the Old Aswan Market​​

Nestled in the heart of Aswan and a stone's throw away from Basma Hotel, the Old Aswan Market, affectionately known as the souk, beckons visitors with its alluring charm and authentic ambiance. For travelers seeking an extraordinary shopping experience that embraces local culture and traditions, the Aswan Market stands as an essential destination.

The Nubian Museum

Opened in 1997, the Nubian Museum is a belated, but well-executed, tribute to the culture and influence of Nubia and the Nubian people on the history of Egypt. This ancient culture, every bit as old as that of Ancient Egypt, existed along the banks of the Nile for millennia in the areas we call southern Egypt and northern Sudan today. After the end of the tour, you will be driven to your hotel and overnight in Aswan.

Overnight in Aswan hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

5

Day 5:  🚗 Scenic Journey from Aswan to Luxor | Optional Abu Simbel Temple Adventure

 🚗 Scenic Journey from Aswan to Luxor | Optional Abu Simbel Temple Adventure

Travel from Aswan to Luxor through the heart of Upper Egypt while enjoying beautiful desert and Nile landscapes. Enhance your journey with an optional tour to the magnificent Abu Simbel Temples, one of Egypt’s most breathtaking ancient wonders carved into the mountainside.

Optional Tour to Abu Simbel Temples

[[[You may choose to visit Abu Simbel to see these marvelous temples, which were originally carved out of a rocky mountainside by Ramses II.

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.

Overnight in Luxor hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

6

Day 6: 🏺✨ 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)

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

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 Tausert & Seth Nakht

Tomb KV14 is a joint tomb, used originally by Tausert and then reused and extended by Setnakhte. It has been open since antiquity, but was not properly recorded until Hartwig Altenmüller excavated it from 1983 to 1987. Located in the main body of the Valley of the Kings, it has two burial chambers, the later extensions making the tomb one of the largest of the Royal Tombs, at over 112 meters long.

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 Luxor Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

7

Day 7: 🎈🏛️ Luxor in a Day: Karnak & Luxor Temples with Optional Hot Air Balloon & Flight to Cairo ✈️✨

Included Activities: Karnak & Luxor Temples

Discover the highlights of Luxor in one unforgettable day. Begin with an optional hot air balloon ride at sunrise over the Nile. Then, explore the grandeur of Karnak Temple and the beauty of Luxor Temple. After lunch, transfer to the airport for your return flight to Cairo, ending your journey with lasting memories.

Optional Tour Hot air Balloon Ride

Early morning, Egypt Tours representative will pick you up from your hotel in Luxor to the West Bank to enjoy Egypt Hot Air Balloon. Transfer to marine enjoy soft drinks before you take the motor boat to the west bank, then you will be transferred to the take-off area where you are going to start your balloon ride in the sky of the biggest open-air museum Luxor. The "Balloon Ride" trip departs every day, however confirmation in advance is still highly recommended. The balloon ride takes 45 minutes then you will be transferred back to your hotel.

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 Temple of Luxor

Luxor Temple, Ipet‑resyt “Southern Sanctuary” to the ancient Egyptians, was so called because of its location within ancient Thebes (modern Luxor). It is located around three kilometers to the south of Karnak Temple, to which it was once linked with a processional way bordered with sphinxes. The oldest evidence for this temple dates to the Eighteenth Dynasty (c.1550–1295 BC). Then you will transfer to Luxor Airport to catch your flight back to Cairo. Once you arrive you will be taken to your hotel and the rest of the day is yours to relax.

Overnight in Cairo hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

8

Day 8: ✈️  Fly Back to Cairo from Luxor | Relaxing Leisure Day in the Capital

✈️  Fly Back to Cairo from Luxor | Relaxing Leisure Day in the Capital

Fly from Luxor back to Cairo and enjoy a relaxing day at your own pace. Discover the city’s vibrant atmosphere, explore local cafés and markets, or simply unwind after your unforgettable journey through the wonders of Upper Egypt.

Optional Tour: Cairo Tower

The Cairo Tower or El Gezira tower or (Borg El Qahira) in Arabic language is consider one of the most prominent features of the Egyptian capital. Its partially open lattice-work design is intended to evoke a lotus plant. Cairo tower was built from 1956 to 1961 during the presidency of Gamal Abdel Nasser with Soviet assistance. 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

9

Day 9: 🏺 Cairo Heritage Day Tour

Included Activities: National Museum of Egyptian Civilization & Historic Coptic Cairo

Discover the spiritual and historical heart of Cairo on this fascinating cultural day tour. Explore the remarkable National Museum of Egyptian Civilization and admire its priceless royal mummies and ancient treasures before wandering through the peaceful streets of Historic Coptic Cairo, home to some of Egypt’s oldest churches and sacred landmarks. Experience a perfect blend of ancient history, religion, and authentic Egyptian heritage in one unforgettable journey.

The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization.

The first museum of civilization in the Arab world, the NMEC will present a comprehensive view of Egyptian civilization from prehistory to the present day, taking a multidisciplinary thematic approach designed to highlight Egypt’s tangible and intangible heritage. A museum of a new kind, unknown so far in Egypt and the entire Middle East region, the NMEC’s main goal is to “share knowledge”, to connect with the surrounding Egyptian society and to offer international visitors a richer and deeper insight into the meaning of Egyptian culture through the ages.

 Coptic Cairo Old Churches

Coptic Cairo is unique area with Old Cairo that has a concentration of Christian churches and other sites that date from the centuries between the decline of the pharaonic religion and the arrival of Islam when Egypt had a Christian majority. Coptic Cairo is largely built around the fort of Babylon on upon the remains of its walls.

Hanging Church

The Hanging Church is named for its location above a gatehouse of Babylon Fortress, the Roman fortress in Coptic Cairo (Old Cairo); its nave is suspended over a passage. The church is approached by twenty-nine steps; early travelers to Cairo dubbed it "the Staircase Church".The land surface has risen by some six meters since the Roman period, so the Roman tower is mostly buried below ground, reducing the visual impact of the church's elevated position.

Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church

Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church is traditionally believed to have been built on the spot where the Holy Family, Joseph, Mary and the infant Jesus Christ, rested at the end of their journey into Egypt. They may have lived here while Joseph worked at the fortress.

Church of St. George (Cairo)

The Church of St. George is a Greek Orthodox Church within the Babylon Fortress in Coptic Cairo. It is part of the Holy Patriarchal Monastery of St George under the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and all Africa. The church dates back to the 10th century (or earlier). The current structure was rebuilt following a 1904 fire, construction was finished in 1909. Since 2009, the monastery's hegumen has had the rank of bishop with title Bishop Babylonos ("Bishop of Babylon").

Overnight in Cairo

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

10

Day 10:  🌊✨ Alexandria Discovery Day Tour | Mediterranean History & Coastal Charm 🏛️📸

Included Activites: Qaitbay Citadel – Catacombs – Pompai Pillar

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 Cairo.

Overnight in Cairo

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

Fly back home

Breakfast at hotel. Check out and transfer to Cairo International Airport for final departure.

Meals: Breakfast

Prices & Accommodation

Silver

MAY – SEP

Per Person in a Single Room $2,908.00
Per Person in a Double Room $1,937.00
Per Person in a Triple Room $1,780.00

OCT - APR

Per Person in a Single Room $3,345.00
Per Person in a Double Room $2,227.00
Per Person in a Triple Room $2,047.00

Optional Extras

Pyramids Camel Ride / person $20.00

Karnak Sound & Light Show / person $0.00

Great Pyramid entry ticket / person $32.00

Hot Air Balloon / person $65.00