Cairo, Luxor & Abu Simbel Tour from Cairo – 5 Days
Description
This 5-day Cairo, Luxor and Abu Simbel tour from Cairo puts several of Egypt’s major ancient sites into one well-organised trip. You start at the Giza Pyramid Complex, where the pyramids rise beyond the city, then travel to Aswan and the Abu Simbel temples before visiting Luxor’s tombs and temples. Our team arranges the transfers, accommodation and sightseeing, leaving you to focus on each place rather than the logistics between them.
Your Cairo sightseeing begins at the Giza Pyramid Complex. Walk close to the pyramids, hear how the royal tombs were built and notice how their scale shifts as you cross the plateau. The Great Sphinx is nearby, carved with a lion’s body and human head, and the Valley Temple has finely dressed stone and formal spaces once used by the pyramid complex. Your guide explains the setting and history without turning the visit into a rushed lecture.
The Egyptian Museum gives you a different look at ancient Egypt. Its galleries contain statues, coffins, jewellery and everyday objects collected from sites across the country. If you enjoy detail, there is time to look closely at smaller pieces as well as the larger royal sculptures. The visit also helps make sense of the temples and tombs later in the tour, where many of the same symbols and burial customs appear.
Aswan changes the pace of the trip. The journey to Abu Simbel takes you beyond the main Nile Valley, to two rock-cut sanctuaries facing the open desert. The larger temple was built for Ramesses II; the smaller honours Queen Nefertari and the goddess Hathor. Inside, painted reliefs and deep chambers deserve a slow look. We arrange the transport, and the visit includes time for photographs and a guided explanation of the temple scenes.
Luxor brings you to the centre of ancient Thebes. On the west bank, the Valley of the Kings has decorated burial chambers cut into the desert hills. The open tombs change, and the number available to enter can vary, but your guide explains the layout and helps you use the visit well. The Queen Hatsheput temple, correctly known as Hatshepsut Temple, rises in terraces beneath the cliffs. Beside the road, the Colossi of Memnon appear as two large seated figures of Amenhotep III.
On Luxor’s east bank, Karnak temple is a vast group of sanctuaries, pylons, courts and columns built over many centuries. Many travellers remember the Hypostyle Hall, with its closely packed rows of tall columns and traces of colour on the stone. The complex takes time to walk through, so comfortable shoes and a steady pace help. Our guide keeps the route practical and allows time to stop instead of moving you straight from one monument to the next.
- See the Giza Pyramid Complex, the Great Sphinx and the Valley Temple with a guide
- Visit the Egyptian Museum and the Abu Simbel temples
- Explore the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, the Colossi of Memnon and Karnak temple
- Travel with planned transfers, accommodation and support from our Egypt-based team
This tour suits travellers who want a focused introduction to Egypt’s ancient sites and are comfortable with several long sightseeing days and internal travel. It is less suitable if you want a slow beach break or an easy, unhurried schedule. Site surfaces can be uneven, and the Valley of the Kings has slopes and steps; tell us about mobility needs before travel so we can advise on the route. We also recommend modest clothing for temple visits, sun protection and water for time outdoors.
Before you travel, we set out the arrangements clearly, including pickup details, transport between destinations and the order of guided visits. Meals and hotel arrangements follow the selected package; personal purchases and gratuities remain your responsibility. The pace is active, but planned transfers mean you do not have to navigate stations, airports or local transport alone. Keep your passport, medication and daily essentials in your hand luggage on internal travel days.
Included
Transport for the Abu Simbel excursion
Entrance fees for the listed sightseeing visits
Transfers between airports, hotels and sightseeing sites
Accommodation for 4 nights as arranged in the selected package
Assistance from our Egypt-based tour team
Meals specified in the selected package
Guided sightseeing with a qualified English-speaking Egyptologist
Excluded
Gratuities for guides and drivers
International flights
Entrance fees for additional tombs or sites not listed in the itinerary
Egypt entry visa and travel insurance
Personal expenses, drinks and optional activities
Don't forget
Small cash amount for personal expenses and gratuities
Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen
Light, breathable clothing that covers shoulders and knees for temple visits
Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
Reusable water bottle
Passport and a copy of its details page
Any personal medication and essential items in hand luggage
Frequently Asked Questions
The 5-day tour includes guided sightseeing at the Giza Pyramid Complex, the Great Sphinx, the Valley Temple, the Egyptian Museum, the Abu Simbel temples and the main ancient sites in Luxor. Our team also arranges the planned transfers between destinations and sightseeing stops included in your itinerary.
Accommodation, meals, entrance fees and internal travel can depend on the selected package, so check the inclusions shown with your booking before you confirm. We provide the final arrangements clearly in your booking details.
The 5-day itinerary has a full sightseeing pace, with Cairo visits followed by Abu Simbel and Luxor’s principal temples and tombs. In Cairo, you see the Giza Pyramid Complex, the Great Sphinx, the Valley Temple and the Egyptian Museum; in Luxor, the route includes the Valley of the Kings, Karnak temple, Queen Hatshepsut Temple and the Colossi of Memnon.
Expect early starts on some touring days, particularly for the visit to the Abu Simbel temples. We keep the schedule practical, with time for guided visits, walking and transfers between sites.
Pickup and transfers are arranged around your Cairo accommodation and the transport plan for the 5-day tour, with our team confirming the meeting details before travel. You are transferred between the scheduled airports, stations or sightseeing areas and your accommodation or next destination as stated in your itinerary.
Pickup times can vary by hotel location and travel arrangements. Please provide accurate accommodation details when booking so we can coordinate the transfer and send you the correct instructions.
The tour can suit families and many travellers with average fitness, but it includes walking across open archaeological sites, uneven ground, steps and time spent outdoors. The Giza Pyramid Complex, the Valley of the Kings, Karnak temple and the Abu Simbel temples may be challenging for travellers using wheelchairs or who tire easily.
Children should be comfortable with early starts and long sightseeing days. Tell us about mobility needs, medical concerns or travelling with young children before booking so our team can explain the practical options for your itinerary.
Wear light, modest clothing, comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses and a hat for visits to the Giza Pyramid Complex, the Valley of the Kings and the Abu Simbel temples. Shoulders and knees should generally be covered when entering religious or culturally important places.
Bring sunscreen, a refillable water bottle, any required medication, identification and a small day bag. A light layer is useful for air-conditioned transport and cooler early mornings; conditions can vary by season.
You can request the 5-day Cairo, Luxor and Abu Simbel tour by sending us your preferred travel dates, accommodation details and traveller information. Our team then confirms the itinerary, transport arrangements, inclusions and booking requirements before you proceed.
Cancellation terms depend on how far in advance you cancel and on any accommodation or transport services already secured. Review the cancellation policy provided with your booking, and contact us as soon as your plans change so we can explain the available options.
Reviews
Why travelers choose A1Toureg
- Transparent pricing with no unexpected fees.
- Reserve today and pay on the day of your tour on most excursions.
- Free cancellation on selected tours.
- Organized with trusted licensed Egyptian partners.
- Fast confirmation and personal assistance.
- Comfortable transportation for every journey.
- Support in English, German, French, Italian, Russian & more.
- We're with you every step of the way.
Your unforgettable Egypt journey starts with a booking you can trust.
* Available on selected tours. Flights, cruises and special bookings may have different cancellation policies.
Keep things flexible!
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before activity starts
Ways You Can Pay!
If you choose to pay online, a secure payment link can be provided after booking. For assistance or alternative payment options, please contact us via WhatsApp.
Your Itinerary
On arrival in Cairo, our team meets you at the airport and arranges your transfer to the hotel. After check-in and time to settle in, begin your sightseeing with the Egyptian Museum, where galleries hold statues, jewellery, funerary objects and everyday items from several periods of ancient Egyptian history. Your guide explains the main pieces and helps you focus on the collections rather than trying to see everything at once.
The rest of the day remains flexible around your arrival time. You may have time for a relaxed walk or an early evening meal, while travellers arriving later can visit the museum on the next suitable part of the schedule. Your guide confirms the following day's arrangements and helps with any practical questions before you rest in Cairo.
After breakfast, travel to the Giza Pyramid Complex for a guided visit around the ancient royal monuments. Your guide explains how the pyramids were planned, built and used, then allows time for photographs from the main viewpoints. The route continues to the Great Sphinx, where the human-headed guardian faces the plateau, followed by the Valley Temple, built from large limestone and granite blocks for the royal funerary rituals.
After sightseeing, return to Cairo for time to eat and prepare for the overnight journey towards Aswan. Depending on the confirmed transport arrangement, this may be by sleeper train or another scheduled connection. The transfer takes much of the night, so keep travel documents, medication and a light layer close at hand. Our team coordinates the handover and confirms where you will be met in Aswan.
Meet our representative in Aswan and travel by road to the Abu Simbel temples. The journey crosses the desert and takes several hours each way, but the arrival is well timed for a focused visit. Inside the larger temple, carved figures, halls and decorated chambers tell the story of Ramesses II; the neighbouring temple honours Queen Nefertari and has its own detailed reliefs. Your guide explains the relocation of the monuments and the importance of the lake setting.
After the visit, return to Aswan for a rest and continue by road towards Luxor. The transfer usually takes around three to four hours, depending on road conditions and stops. On arrival, check in and keep the evening quiet after the long day. Your guide reviews the next morning's west-bank route, including the appropriate clothing and footwear for uneven ground.
Begin with a drive across the Nile to Luxor's west bank and enter the Valley of the Kings. Your guide leads you among the royal tombs open for the day, pointing out painted scenes, burial texts and the different layouts cut into the rock. The visit involves walking on sloped and uneven paths, with some tomb interiors reached by steps.
Continue to the Queen Hatsheput temple, a series of terraces set against the cliffs. The reliefs and colonnades explain the queen's rule and the trading expedition shown on the walls. Before returning across the river, stop at the Colossi of Memnon, two large seated figures that once guarded the entrance to a much larger temple. Return to your hotel for a quieter evening and time to prepare for departure.
After breakfast and check-out, visit Karnak temple, Luxor's vast religious complex on the east bank. Walk through the remaining gateways and courtyards with your guide, then enter the Great Hypostyle Hall, where rows of massive columns carry carved inscriptions and traces of colour. The visit follows a manageable route, with time to pause while your guide explains how successive rulers added to the sanctuary over many centuries.
After Karnak, return for your luggage and begin the departure transfer. Depending on your onward travel plans, our team takes you to Luxor airport or the railway station, allowing time for the usual check-in and security procedures. If your departure is later, we can arrange a suitable place to wait between the tour and transfer. Keep travel documents and valuables with you until the final drop-off.