Help
← All Holidays

Private, on your own dates · Egypt

Cairo and Luxor

Two nights in Cairo for the pyramids and three in Luxor, with a full day on each bank — Karnak and Luxor Temple, then the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon.

The route2 cities.
Loading map…
6 days, 5 nightsDuration
2 citiesWhere you sleep
Breakfast includedMeals

Twin share · land only, flights extra

Why this journey

Cairo gives you the Old Kingdom; Luxor gives you the New. Doing both is the shortest honest introduction to ancient Egypt, and three nights in Luxor is enough to take each bank at its own pace rather than compressing them into one exhausting day.

The east bank is the city of the living: Karnak, worked on for two thousand years, and Luxor Temple, built for the renewal of kingship rather than daily worship. The west bank is the city of the dead: the royal tombs, Hatshepsut's terraces against the cliff, and the two colossi left standing in the fields.

Entry to three tombs in the Valley of the Kings is included, which is the standard allowance — Ramses I, Ramses IX and Merenptah. Flights between Cairo and Luxor are not in the rate; we can quote them with the package.

Trip highlights

  • 01Three nights in Luxor, a bank a day
  • 02Karnak and Luxor Temple on the east
  • 03Three tombs in the Valley of the Kings
  • 04Hatshepsut’s terraces and the Colossi of Memnon
  • 05The Giza pyramids and the Sphinx

Day-by-day itinerary

What's included

Included in your trip6 items covered in this fare
Hotels1
  • Accommodation as named in the itinerary
Transport2
  • All transfers as named in the itinerary
  • All tours and transfers by private vehicle
Entrance Fees1
  • Tours and entrance fees as named in the itinerary
Guide1
  • An English-speaking Egyptologist guide
Meals1
  • One bottle of water per person during the tours
Plan and pay separately8 items not covered by this fare
Not included8
  • International flights
  • Domestic flights
  • Egyptian entry visa
  • All tipping for guides, drivers, representatives, restaurants and cruise staff (the supplier suggests about USD 7 per person per day)
  • Beverages of any kind
  • Personal items such as laundry, telephone calls and drinks
  • Bank transmitting fees
  • Anything not listed under the inclusions

Your hotels

Hotels are named on your confirmation — all are of the stated category.

3 go inside0 walk through0 exterior only
On the route3 places
CairoEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
GizaEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
LuxorEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside

Egypt

IdealGoodFairAvoid
OctGood

Oct–Apr is the best time — comfortable temperatures for sightseeing. Avoid summer heat exceeding 40°C.

Cairo
Average High
30°C
Rainfall
0mm
Luxor
Average High
34°C
Rainfall
0mm
Hurghada
Average High
30°C
Rainfall
0mm
Sharm el-Sheikh
Average High
30°C
Rainfall
0mm

Everything is private

  • All transfers throughout the trip are private, in air-conditioned deluxe vehicles.
  • All sightseeing is on a private basis and includes the entrance fees named in the itinerary.
  • Guiding is by a qualified English-speaking Egyptologist.

Tipping

  • Tipping is customary in Egypt and is not included in the package.
  • The supplier suggests budgeting around USD 7 per person per day to cover guides, drivers, representatives, restaurants and cruise staff.
  • What you give is at your discretion.

Documents and flights

  • International and domestic flights are not included unless stated otherwise on the tour.
  • The Egyptian entry visa is not included and is arranged by the traveller.
  • Carry a passport valid for the whole of your stay.

Meals on board

  • International menus are served on the Nile cruises and in the hotels.
  • Meals outside those named in the day-by-day plan are not included.
  • Drinks of any kind are not included, on board or ashore.

Common questions

Are the Cairo–Luxor flights included?

No. Domestic flights are excluded from the package rate. We can quote and book them alongside the tour so the timings match the transfers.

How many tombs do we enter in the Valley of the Kings?

Three, and they are named: Ramses I, Ramses IX and Merenptah. Tutankhamun’s tomb carries a separate ticket bought at the site if you want it.

Why three nights in Luxor rather than two?

Because each bank deserves its own day. Compressing Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut into one day is possible and not enjoyable.

How hot does Luxor get?

Very, from late spring through summer. This rate covers October to December, when the days are warm and the mornings genuinely pleasant — the best months for the west bank.

Is there time to see anything independently?

Yes. The arrival afternoon is free and the touring days finish by late afternoon. The corniche, the souk and Luxor Temple lit at night are all easy on your own.

Policies & booking terms
Booking terms
  1. Full payment must be completed 30 days prior to departure, unless otherwise specified.
  2. All bookings are subject to availability at the time of confirmation.
  3. Travel insurance is mandatory and must be purchased prior to departure.
  4. Prices are subject to change due to fluctuations in currency exchange rates, taxes, or supplier costs.
  5. Guests are responsible for obtaining valid passports, visas, and any required vaccinations.
  6. Cancellations or amendments are subject to the applicable cancellation policy outlined in the package.
  7. The company is not liable for delays, cancellations, or changes due to unforeseen circumstances such as weather, strikes, or other force majeure events.
  8. All travelers must adhere to the local laws and customs of the destinations visited.
  9. No refunds will be issued for unused services, including but not limited to meals, accommodations, or activities.
  10. The company reserves the right to modify the itinerary or substitute hotels of similar standards if necessary.
  11. All special requests (e.g., room preferences, dietary requirements) are subject to availability and not guaranteed.
  12. Guests are responsible for any additional costs incurred due to personal expenses, such as phone calls, laundry, or minibar charges.
  13. Check-in and check-out times are subject to hotel policies and may vary by property.
✦AI trip designer

Want this trip a little different?

Tell Tulli what you'd change — hotels, dates, an extra city — and she'll price it with our team and come back to you.

You Might Also Like

All tours →