Grand Egypt in 14 days
Everything in one journey: Cairo, Saqqara, Alexandria, Aswan and Abu Simbel, a Nile cruise, a Luxor balloon at sunrise and the Red Sea.
Overview
Our fullest itinerary: Cairo, Saqqara and Dahshur, a day in Alexandria, Aswan and Abu Simbel, three nights on the Nile, Luxor’s West Bank with an optional sunrise balloon, and the Red Sea at the end.
Fourteen days leaves room to rest between the early starts. Every section can be shortened or upgraded, and the order can change around flight schedules.
Day by day
- 1
Day 1 · Arrival in Cairo
ArrivalAirport welcome and transfer.
Cairo airport welcome · Cairo
- 2
Day 2 · Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum
By roadGiza, the Sphinx and the Tutankhamun galleries.
Pyramids of Giza · Great Sphinx · Grand Egyptian Museum
- 3
Day 3 · Saqqara and Dahshur
By roadThe Step Pyramid and the Bent and Red Pyramids — some of Egypt’s earliest pyramids.
Saqqara · Dahshur
- 4
Day 4 · Alexandria
By roadA day on the Mediterranean: the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the Qaitbay Citadel.
Alexandria · Bibliotheca Alexandrina · Qaitbay Citadel
- 5
Day 5 · Historic Cairo
On footThe Royal Mummies Hall, Coptic Cairo, the Citadel and Khan el-Khalili.
National Museum of Egyptian Civilization · Coptic Cairo · Citadel of Saladin · Khan el-Khalili
- 6
Day 6 · Fly to Aswan
Domestic flightPhilae Temple and a felucca at sunset.
Aswan · Philae Temple · Felucca on the Nile
- 7
Day 7 · Abu Simbel
By roadAn early road trip to the temples of Ramesses II and Nefertari.
Abu Simbel
- 8
Day 8 · Board the cruise
On the cruiseEmbarkation in Aswan and sailing to Kom Ombo.
Nile cruise · Kom Ombo
- 9
Day 9 · Edfu and Esna
On the cruiseThe Temple of Horus and the passage of the Esna lock.
Edfu · Esna lock
- 10
Day 10 · Arrival in Luxor
On the cruiseKarnak and Luxor Temple.
Karnak · Luxor Temple
- 11
Day 11 · Balloon and West Bank
By roadOptional sunrise balloon, the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Hatshepsut.
Sunrise balloon (optional) · Valley of the Kings · Temple of Hatshepsut
- 12
Day 12 · To the Red Sea
By roadRoad transfer to Hurghada, about four hours.
Hurghada · Red Sea
- 13
Day 13 · Red Sea day
On footSea, sun and rest — or a boat day with a licensed operator.
Red Sea
- 14
Day 14 · Return
DepartureAirport transfer for your flight.
Cairo airport welcome
At a glance
- Duration
- 14 days
- Cities
- Cairo & Giza · Alexandria · Aswan & Abu Simbel · Luxor · Red Sea
- Pace
- Full
- Best for
- Once-in-a-lifetime trips
Licensed guide in your language, subject to availability
Included in this program
- Domestic flight to Aswan and all planned road transfers
- Three nights on a Nile cruise, with meals as stated by the ship
- Licensed Egyptologist guides on sightseeing days
- Hotel nights in Cairo, Aswan, Luxor and Hurghada as stated in your quote
Not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Personal expenses and tips
- Optional activities not in your quote
Road reality
- Cairo ⇄ Alexandria: about 3 h each way by road (≈220 km)
- Cairo → Aswan: domestic flight about 1 h 25 min (road 12 h+, not recommended)
- Aswan ⇄ Abu Simbel: about 3.5 h each way by road (≈280 km), early start
- Aswan → Luxor: 3–4 nights by Nile cruise, or about 3.5 h by road with Kom Ombo and Edfu
- Luxor → Hurghada: about 4 h by road (≈290 km)
- Hurghada → Cairo: domestic flight about 1 h (road 5–6 h)
Times are approximate and depend on traffic, season and schedules.
Good to know
- Balloon flights depend on the wind and are confirmed the evening before.
- Alexandria is a long day trip; an overnight stay there is possible on request.
- Keep an open afternoon in Aswan — it is the calmest stop on the route.
Gallery
You may also like
11 daysEgypt in 11 days: private Nile cruise & Red Sea
The length travellers choose most: Cairo, four nights on the Nile from Luxor to Aswan, Abu Simbel, then three days by the Red Sea.
Cairo & Giza · Luxor · Aswan & Abu Simbel · Red Sea
8 daysClassic Egypt in 8 days with a Nile cruise
Cairo and the pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum, then three nights on the Nile from Aswan to Luxor with Abu Simbel as an option.
Cairo & Giza · Aswan & Abu Simbel · Luxor
21 daysEgypt in 21 days — Nile, desert and Red Sea
Three weeks across Egypt: Cairo, Alexandria, Fayoum and the White Desert, Aswan and Abu Simbel, a Nile cruise, Luxor, Dendera and Abydos, and the Red Sea.
Cairo & Giza · Alexandria · Desert & oases · Aswan & Abu Simbel · Luxor · Red Sea
Useful for this trip
Written itinerary
Every day in writing before you pay anything.
Reference: WF-0000 · Grand Egypt in 14 days
| Day 1 | Cairo airport welcome · Cairo Arrival |
| Day 2 | Pyramids of Giza · Great Sphinx · Grand Egyptian Museum By road |
| Day 3 | Saqqara · Dahshur By road |
| Day 4 | Alexandria · Bibliotheca Alexandrina · Qaitbay Citadel By road |
| … | |
Relationship: named licensed Egyptian tourism company
Usually included / Not included · cancellation terms stated in writing
Contact us for a quote
Tell us the basics; you receive a WF reference.