Giza, then a flight to Aswan for the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk, a drive north to Luxor calling at Edfu, and a full day among the tombs of the West Bank.
The route3 cities, joined by flight.
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6 days, 5 nightsDuration
3 citiesWhere you sleep
Breakfast includedMeals
Twin share · land only, flights extra
Why this journey
This covers the same ground as a Nile cruise but on land, which suits travellers who would rather not be on a boat and who want the time ashore rather than sailing.
Aswan comes first: the High Dam, finished in 1960 and holding some eighteen times the material of the Great Pyramid, and the Unfinished Obelisk lying in its quarry, cracked and abandoned and still joined to the bedrock. It is the single best illustration anywhere of how the Egyptians actually cut stone.
The drive north to Luxor stops at Edfu, the most completely preserved temple in the country, before Luxor Temple that evening. The last full day is the West Bank — the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's terraces and the Colossi of Memnon — before flying back to Cairo for the final night.
It is a moving itinerary with three hotels in five nights, so expect to pack more than once.
Trip highlights
01The High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk at Aswan
02Edfu, the best-preserved temple in Egypt
03Luxor Temple and the West Bank tombs
04The Giza pyramids and the Sphinx
05Three ancient capitals without boarding a cruise
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.
Attractions we visit
5 go inside0 walk through0 exterior only
On the route5 places
CairoEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
GizaEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
AswanEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
EdfuEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
LuxorEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
When to Go
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
Before you go
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
Why choose this over a Nile cruise?
You spend the time ashore rather than sailing, and the hotels are on land throughout. A cruise gives you the river itself and unpacks once; this gives you more hours at the sites and a shorter trip overall.
How many hotels are there in five nights?
Three — Cairo, Aswan and Luxor, with the last night back in Cairo. It is a moving itinerary, so you pack more than once.
Are the domestic flights included?
No. Cairo–Aswan and Luxor–Cairo are excluded from the rate. We can quote them so they match the transfer times.
How long is the drive from Aswan to Luxor?
Around three to four hours with the Edfu stop built in, by private air-conditioned vehicle.
Is Abu Simbel included?
No. It is a long excursion south of Aswan and this itinerary does not have the day for it. Our Nile cruise packages offer it as an optional extra.
Policies & booking terms
Booking terms
Full payment must be completed 30 days prior to departure, unless otherwise specified.
All bookings are subject to availability at the time of confirmation.
Travel insurance is mandatory and must be purchased prior to departure.
Prices are subject to change due to fluctuations in currency exchange rates, taxes, or supplier costs.
Guests are responsible for obtaining valid passports, visas, and any required vaccinations.
Cancellations or amendments are subject to the applicable cancellation policy outlined in the package.
The company is not liable for delays, cancellations, or changes due to unforeseen circumstances such as weather, strikes, or other force majeure events.
All travelers must adhere to the local laws and customs of the destinations visited.
No refunds will be issued for unused services, including but not limited to meals, accommodations, or activities.
The company reserves the right to modify the itinerary or substitute hotels of similar standards if necessary.
All special requests (e.g., room preferences, dietary requirements) are subject to availability and not guaranteed.
Guests are responsible for any additional costs incurred due to personal expenses, such as phone calls, laundry, or minibar charges.
Check-in and check-out times are subject to hotel policies and may vary by property.
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