Egypt 14-Day Tour: Nile Cruise & Red Sea

Your guide begins the day with a visit to the Cairo museum, where the collection places Egypt's long history in context. Allow time for the major galleries, including royal statues, funerary objects and pieces connected with ancient burial customs. Your guide explains the objects as you move through the rooms, so the visit feels focused rather than like a quick walk past crowded cases.

After lunch, continue into historic Cairo for a closer look at its medieval streets, mosques and traditional architecture. The walking section takes place at an unhurried pace, with time to pause for photographs and local observations. Comfortable shoes help on uneven paving. We then return you to the hotel, leaving the evening free for dinner and an early rest before the next day's pyramid visit.

After breakfast, travel to the Giza plateau for the day's main visit. The Giza Pyramids rise across the desert edge west of Cairo, and your guide explains how the complexes were planned, built and used as royal burial grounds. You see the pyramids from several viewpoints, with time to appreciate their scale away from the main access areas. Entry inside a pyramid can be arranged separately where available and is not suitable for every traveller because of narrow passages.

Continue to the Great Sphinx and the surrounding temple area before taking a break for lunch. The plateau involves walking over sand, stone and gently sloping ground, so a hat, water and comfortable footwear are useful. The return transfer brings you back to Cairo in the afternoon, while the rest of the day remains open for rest or a relaxed meal near your hotel.

Leave Cairo after breakfast for Alexandria, travelling north through the Nile Delta. The journey takes several hours each way, so this is a full day, but it gives you a different view of Egypt beyond the capital. On arrival, your guide takes you through the city's historic waterfront districts and explains its Greek, Roman and later Mediterranean connections.

Visits typically include the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, the Roman-era theatre area and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina from the outside, subject to the day's opening arrangements. You also see the Citadel of Qaitbay area beside the harbour, where the sea and the city's layered history meet. Lunch is usually taken locally, then you return to Cairo by road in the evening. Keep the day practical: carry water, wear walking shoes and expect traffic on the return journey.

After breakfast, transfer to Cairo Airport for the flight to Luxor. On arrival, our representative meets you and takes you to the cruise vessel for check-in. Once you have settled into your cabin, there is time for lunch and a first look at the ship's shared areas, including the sun deck and lounge. Cruise schedules can vary, so the exact order of the afternoon visits is confirmed locally.

Later, visit Karnak, the vast temple complex on Luxor's east bank. Walk through the entrance avenue and the great columned spaces while your guide explains the different building periods and the religious role of the site. Return to the vessel for dinner and an overnight stay on board. The ship remains in the Luxor area, ready for the next stage of the five-day sailing programme.

Begin with the west bank of Luxor, where the landscape changes from modern neighbourhoods to cultivated fields and desert foothills. Visit the Valley of Kings, entering selected tombs according to the site's current access arrangements. Painted walls, descending corridors and burial chambers show how carefully the royal tombs were prepared. Your guide helps you read the scenes without rushing through the details.

Continue to the Hatshpsut temple, set against the cliffs at Deir el-Bahari. Its broad terraces and long approach differ sharply from the nearby tombs, and the guide explains the ruler's place in Egypt's history. Return to the vessel for lunch, then watch the riverbanks as the ship begins sailing south. The afternoon is quieter, with time on deck, and the vessel spends the night moving along the Nile or moored according to the navigation schedule.

The ship continues south through a changing Nile landscape of fields, villages and palm groves. After breakfast, disembark for a visit to Edfu Temple, usually reached by a short local transfer from the river. The well-preserved entrance, courtyard and inner halls are dedicated to Horus, and the inscriptions give your guide plenty of material to explain ancient temple ritual and royal imagery.

Return to the vessel for lunch and spend the afternoon sailing. Life on board is deliberately unhurried: you can sit on the shaded deck, read, or watch farmers and river traffic pass the banks. Bring sun protection for the open deck and keep your cabin key and daily programme with you when leaving the ship. In the evening, the vessel continues towards Kom Ombo, with dinner and overnight accommodation on board.

Visit Kom Ombo Temple after breakfast, when the light is generally comfortable for exploring the riverside ruins. The complex has a distinctive double design, with areas dedicated to two different deities. Your guide points out the carved reliefs and the temple's practical connection with medicine, calendars and the Nile. The visit is on foot over uneven stone, so take care on steps and exposed surfaces.

After returning to the vessel, sail towards Aswan and enjoy lunch on board. Later, the ship reaches the Aswan area, where the pace becomes quieter and the river opens into broad views around the cataract region. Depending on the vessel's schedule, there may be time for a short felucca ride or a rest on deck. Dinner and the overnight stay are on board, with the next morning reserved for Aswan's island temple.

Disembark after breakfast and begin the Aswan sightseeing programme. A short boat crossing takes you to the island site known in the itinerary as Phiala temple, reached by water rather than directly by road. Your guide explains the temple's island setting, its later religious use and the relocation work that protected it from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. Allow time for the boat ride, photographs and a calm walk around the complex.

Continue by road to Abu Simbel, usually a very early start because the journey from Aswan takes several hours each way. The two rock-cut temples are viewed from the approach before you enter to see the carved halls and decorated chambers. After the visit, travel back to Aswan for a hotel check-in and rest. This is a long day, so carry breakfast or snacks arranged through your accommodation and keep water with you.

After breakfast, leave Aswan for the transfer towards Hurghada. The journey crosses the Eastern Desert and takes much of the day by road, so settle in with water, light snacks and comfortable clothing. Our team plans practical rest stops where appropriate and keeps you informed about the route. The scenery changes steadily from the Nile Valley to wide desert plains and mountain-backed roads.

On arrival, check in and take time to settle into your accommodation. There is no demanding sightseeing scheduled, allowing you to recover after the long transfer and the previous day's excursion. You can walk along the nearby resort area or sit by the water, depending on local conditions and your energy. Our team confirms the following day's arrangements before leaving you to enjoy a quiet evening and dinner.

Today is set aside for time beside the Red Sea. After breakfast, you can choose a relaxed morning at the beach or join an optional boat outing arranged locally. Snorkelling trips generally include a safety briefing, equipment guidance and stops selected according to sea conditions and the crew's instructions. You do not need to be an experienced swimmer to enjoy the coastline, but tell the crew about your comfort level before entering the water.

Return to shore for lunch and keep the afternoon free. Some travellers prefer another swim, while others use the time for a massage, a walk or a shaded rest. Keep valuables secure, use sun protection and follow the beach or boat team's advice. The evening is open for dinner near the hotel, with no late transfer planned.

After breakfast, transfer to the marina for a boat excursion along the coast. The crew explains the day's route, boarding procedures and equipment before the boat leaves the harbour. There may be time for swimming or snorkelling at a suitable stop, where clear instructions and a flotation aid help less confident swimmers take part at their own pace. Sea conditions determine the exact route and length of each stop.

Lunch is normally served on board, followed by a quieter period on deck as the boat returns towards shore. Bring a towel, swimwear, a cover-up and any prescribed medication you need during the day. Travellers who prefer to stay dry can enjoy the views from the deck rather than entering the water. After the marina transfer back to the hotel, the evening remains free.

Keep the final full day flexible. After breakfast, you can spend the morning at the beach, return to a favourite café or arrange an additional activity through our team. A glass-bottom boat or a short coastal outing may suit travellers who want to see marine life without a full snorkelling session, while a quiet hotel day works well after two active weeks.

Use the afternoon to organise luggage and check that passports, travel documents and personal belongings are ready for departure. Our team reviews the next day's transfer arrangements and confirms the expected collection window based on your onward travel. The evening gives you one last chance to enjoy dinner by the coast. Keep important items in your hand luggage and leave space for any small purchases made during the tour.

After breakfast, check out according to the accommodation's instructions and meet our representative for the transfer to Hurghada International Airport. The collection time is set around your flight details, allowing for the drive, airport procedures and the time needed to check in. Keep your passport, tickets and essential medication accessible rather than packed in checked luggage.

Our team assists with the departure transfer and helps you reach the correct terminal area. Any remaining time before check-in can be used for a final coffee or a review of your bags, subject to airport access and operating arrangements. The tour ends at the airport, with the Nile, Cairo's historic districts and the coastal days now behind you.