10-Day Egypt Tour: Cairo, Nile Cruise & Hurghada

After breakfast, travel to Giza for a guided visit to the Pyramids of Giza. You will have time to see the pyramid complex from its main viewpoints, hear how the royal tombs were built and take photographs across the desert plateau. The visit continues to the Sphinx, where the human-headed, lion-bodied monument faces the ancient funerary complex.

After a break for lunch, continue into central Cairo for the Cairo Museum. Its galleries place statues, jewellery, coffins and everyday objects in the wider story of ancient Egypt, with your guide explaining the pieces that matter most during the visit. The order may change with traffic or museum access, but the day combines the country’s best-known monument with a quieter, more detailed look at its archaeology. Return to the hotel in the afternoon or evening for another night in Cairo.

After an early breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Aswan. On arrival, continue by road to Abu Simbel, a journey of several hours each way across the desert. The temples were carved into the rock for Ramesses II and Queen Nefertari, and their huge seated figures make a clear first impression before you enter the decorated chambers.

Return to Aswan and board your 5-star Nile Cruise. Once settled in, the boat becomes your base for the next three nights, with meals and time to rest between excursions. Depending on the sailing schedule, you may have a short period on deck to watch the river landscape change from city streets to fields and villages. Our team explains the onboard routine, excursion times and meeting points before the cruise begins its south-to-north route.

Begin with the High Dam, the major Aswan project that changed irrigation, electricity production and the seasonal flow of the Nile. Your guide will explain how its construction led to the relocation of several ancient monuments. From there, take a short boat ride across the reservoir to Philae Temple, sometimes written as Phiala temple in tour listings. The sanctuary, dedicated mainly to Isis, now stands on Agilkia Island after being moved to protect it from rising water.

Later, enjoy a relaxed sailing trip around Aswan. The boat may pass small islands, riverbank villages and traditional feluccas, with the pace depending on the day’s conditions and the cruise schedule. This is a quieter part of the itinerary: sit on deck, watch the changing light and return to the cruise for dinner and an overnight stay in Aswan.

As the cruise continues north, spend time on deck watching farmland, palm groves and desert edges pass on opposite sides of the Nile. The river gives you a different view of Egypt from the road: small agricultural plots sit close to the water, while settlements appear in short stretches between wider open areas. Your guide will keep you informed about the next shore visit and any changes to the sailing plan.

Later, go ashore at Kom Ombo temple, a distinctive double sanctuary dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus the Elder. Its two sets of courts, halls and sanctuaries reflect the unusual shared design. Look for the carved reliefs and the museum display of mummified crocodiles before returning to the ship. The evening is free for a meal, a rest on deck or time with fellow travellers while the cruise remains overnight on the Nile.

Visit Edfu temple in the morning, usually reached from the river by a short local transfer. The well-preserved sanctuary was dedicated to Horus and retains its monumental entrance, columned halls and inner rooms. Your guide will lead you through the main route and explain the scenes showing the conflict between Horus and Seth. Return to the cruise for breakfast or a later meal according to the sailing schedule.

After disembarkation in Luxor, meet our team for the road transfer to Hurghada. The drive crosses the Eastern Desert and normally takes several hours, with a rest stop arranged when appropriate. On arrival, check in at the Red Sea resort and settle into your room. The evening is unstructured, giving you time to eat, use the resort facilities or rest after a full day of temple visits and travel.

Today is set aside to discover the Red Sea at a comfortable pace. After breakfast, enjoy the resort beach or join an optional boat outing arranged locally, depending on the conditions and the activities selected for your group. Clear water, reef areas and open sea views make Hurghada a natural change of pace after the ancient sites. Snorkelling and other water activities require basic safety instructions, and equipment arrangements are confirmed locally.

You do not need to fill every hour. Spend time swimming, reading beside the water or relaxing at the resort between activities. Our team can help with transfers and practical arrangements, but the exact programme may depend on sea conditions and local availability. Return to the resort for dinner and another night in Hurghada, with the next day kept available for more coast time rather than another long overland transfer.

Enjoy another full day beside the Red Sea. You may choose a further boat excursion, snorkelling session or another water sport offered for the day, or simply use the resort beach and facilities. The guide or local activity team will explain the route, equipment and safety procedure before any time on the water. Travellers who prefer a slower day can remain at the resort without joining an excursion.

Hurghada’s coast is well suited to a flexible day because the main experience is close to your accommodation. Keep sun protection, drinking water and suitable footwear with you, especially if you take a boat to a reef or step onto a rocky landing area. Activities can be adjusted when sea conditions change, and our team will help with the practical arrangements. Spend the evening at leisure and prepare for your final relaxed day on the coast.

Your final full day in Hurghada is free for rest and personal plans. Take a morning swim, return to a favourite beach spot or arrange another Red Sea activity through the resort and our team. If you prefer to explore on land, Hurghada has a long coastal area with cafés, shops and places to sit near the water, although the day does not require a separate sightseeing programme.

This slower finish gives you time to enjoy the contrast between Egypt’s desert coast and the Nile Valley before returning home. Keep any valuables secure, follow local instructions for swimming and water sports, and confirm your departure transfer details before the evening. Our team will also advise you about luggage collection and the next day’s airport journey. The night is spent at the Hurghada resort.

After breakfast, check out according to the resort’s arrangements and meet our team for your transfer to the airport. The departure airport and transfer time depend on your flight details, so we confirm the plan with you in advance and allow practical time for the road journey and airport procedures.

Keep your passport, travel documents and any fragile purchases in your hand luggage, and check your room carefully before leaving. Your 10-day Egypt tour ends today after Cairo’s ancient monuments, the Nile Cruise, Aswan and Luxor’s temples, Abu Simbel and the Red Sea coast. If your flight leaves later, our team can advise how to use any available free time without risking the airport transfer.