Home13 Day Egypt Travel Itinerary - Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Dendara, Nile Cruise and Abu Simbel
Trade the long flight from Australia for thirteen unforgettable days along the Nile — this Egypt travel itinerary takes you from the Great Pyramids of Giza to Mediterranean Alexandria, the war memorials of El Alamein, the temple of Dendara, and a full Nile cruise through Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan, finishing at the colossal temples of Abu Simbel. It's a private journey (with a small-group Nile cruise) built for Australian travellers who want to see Egypt properly, in comfort and without the crowds.
This Egypt vacation tour package opens in Cairo with the Pyramids, the Sphinx, Saqqara's Step Pyramid and the underground Serapeum, then heads to Alexandria for its catacombs, Pompey's Pillar and the modern Library. You'll pause at El Alamein — a place of real meaning for Australian visitors, where the Commonwealth War Cemetery honours those who fell in the North African campaign — before flying to Luxor for Karnak, Luxor Temple and the beautifully preserved Temple of Dendara. From there you'll cruise the Nile through the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan, visit Abu Simbel, and finish back in Cairo with the Citadel, Khan El Khalili and the Grand Egyptian Museum.
Because we know you've flown more than 20 hours to get here, your first day is kept relaxed, and every domestic flight, transfer, entrance fee and expert Egyptologist guide is arranged for you. You'll travel in a private air-conditioned vehicle, stay in hand-picked hotels, cruise full-board on a five-star ship, and enjoy meals throughout as listed.
Why book with us?
We've been crafting Egypt journeys since 1955, our team is available around the clock across Australian time zones, and every itinerary is tailor-made — add nights, upgrade hotels or adjust the pace to suit you. No pressure, no obligation, and a price with no hidden extras.
The best time to travel is during the Australian summer, when Egypt enjoys its cooler peak season — perfect for escaping the heat back home over the Christmas break.
Ready to make it happen? Enquire now and we'll send you a tailor-made Egypt travel itinerary quote in AUD, with flexible dates and free-cancellation options available.
- Meet-and-assist service on arrival and departure
- Airport transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle
- 4 nights in Cairo on a bed-and-breakfast basis
- 1 night in Alexandria on a bed-and-breakfast basis
- 1 night in Luxor on a bed-and-breakfast basis
- 4 nights aboard a 5-star Nile cruise on a full-board basis
- 1 night in Aswan on a bed-and-breakfast basis
- Domestic flights (Cairo to Luxor and Aswan to Cairo)
- Private sightseeing tours in Cairo, Alexandria, El Alamein and Dendara
- All cruise sightseeing tours (sharing the Memphis Tours group)
- English-speaking Egyptologist guide throughout all sightseeing
- Entrance fees to all sites listed in the itinerary
- Meals as specified
- All service charges and taxes
- International airfares
- Egypt entry visa
- Optional tours and excursions
- Personal expenses
- Drinks during meals
- Tipping
- Any items not mentioned in the itinerary
After the long flight from Australia, your journey begins gently — a smooth
- welcome to Egypt and time to settle in.
- Greeted at Cairo International Airport, assisted through arrival procedures and escorted to your private air-conditioned vehicle
- Transfer to your Cairo hotel for check-in
- Rest of the day at leisure to relax or start exploring the capital at your own pace
Overnight: Cairo ·
Meals: None
The day you've flown around the world for — the last surviving wonder of the ancient world, plus a rarely seen underground marvel.
- Giza Plateau — the Great Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Mykerinus
- The Great Sphinx and the Valley Temple, where mummification rituals once took place
- Saqqara — the Step Pyramid of King Djoser, the world's first monumental stone structure by the architect Imhotep
- Serapeum of Saqqara — the underground burial complex of the sacred Apis Bulls, in enormous single-block granite sarcophagi
- Lunch at a quality local restaurant, then return to Cairo
Overnight: Cairo ·
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch ·
Visits: Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Saqqara (including Serapeum)
Swap the desert for the Mediterranean in the city founded by Alexander the Great.
- Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa — a striking blend of Pharaonic, Greek and Roman art
- Pompey's Pillar — the largest Roman triumphal column outside Rome
- Bibliotheca Alexandrina — the modern revival of the legendary ancient Library, overlooking the sea
- Lunch during the tour, then check in to your hotel
Overnight: Alexandria ·
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch ·
Visits: Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, Pompey's Pillar, Bibliotheca Alexandrina
A meaningful day for Australian travellers, tracing the North African campaign along the Mediterranean coast.
- Photo stop outside the magnificent Qaitbay Fort
- El Alamein Military Museum — compelling exhibits on one of WWII's most decisive battles
- Commonwealth War Cemetery — a beautifully kept memorial to the soldiers who fell in the North African campaign
- Lunch, then drive back to Cairo for your final evening before the Nile
Overnight: Cairo ·
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch ·
Visits: Qaitbay Fort (photo stop), Commonwealth War Cemetery and Military Museum
Step straight into the largest religious complex ever built, glowing in the afternoon sun.
- Morning flight from Cairo to Luxor
- Karnak Temple — built and expanded by generations of pharaohs over nearly 2,000 years
- Luxor Temple — linked to Karnak by the famous Avenue of Sphinxes
- Transfer to your hotel for check-in
- Optional: Sound and Light Show at Karnak, where Egypt's history comes alive through narration, music and lighting
Overnight: Luxor ·
Meals: Breakfast ·
Visits: Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple ·
Optional: Sound and Light Show at Karnak
One of Egypt's best-preserved temples, then board your ship for the most relaxing stretch of the trip.
- Temple of Dendara — dedicated to the goddess Hathor, with its magnificent astronomical ceiling, preserved reliefs and Roman Mammisi
- Return to Luxor and board your luxurious Nile cruise before lunch
- Afternoon free to relax on board, or an optional West Bank II tour to additional sites not in the standard itinerary
- Dinner on board
Overnight: On board Nile cruise ·
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner ·
Visits: Dendara Temple
Into the Valley of the Kings, then a gentle afternoon sail south.
- Valley of the Kings — the royal burial ground of the New Kingdom pharaohs, with beautifully preserved tombs
- Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir El Bahari, carved into the limestone cliffs
- Colossi of Memnon
- Return to the cruise and sail toward Edfu with lunch on board; relax on the sun deck as the Nile Valley drifts by
Overnight: On board in Edfu ·
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner ·
Visits: Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon
Two of the Nile's finest temples, reached by river.
- Temple of Horus at Edfu — the best-preserved temple from the Ptolemaic period
- Sail toward Kom Ombo
- Temple of Kom Ombo — the unique double temple dedicated to Sobek the crocodile god and Horus the Elder
- Continue sailing toward Aswan with dinner on board
Overnight: On board ·
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner ·
Visits: Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo Temple
The gentlest, prettiest part of the Nile, with an optional Nubian afternoon.
- High Dam — the engineering feat that reshaped modern Egypt
- Unfinished Obelisk — insight into ancient stone-working techniques
- Boat ride to the Temple of Philae, dedicated to the goddess Isis, on Agilkia Island
- Afternoon free, or an optional visit to a traditional Nubian village for local culture, colourful houses and warm hospitality
- Dinner on board
Overnight: On board ·
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner ·
Visits: Unfinished Obelisk, High Dam, Philae Temple
Save one of Egypt's most jaw-dropping sights for the trip's second half.
- Disembark after breakfast
- Shared coach excursion to Abu Simbel — the colossal temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari, relocated during UNESCO's famous rescue project to save them from Lake Nasser
- Return to Aswan in the afternoon and check in to your hotel
Overnight: Aswan ·
Meals: Breakfast ·
Visits: Abu Simbel Temples
Back to the capital for medieval Cairo and its most famous bazaar.
- Flight from Aswan to Cairo
- Citadel of Salah El Din and the Mosque of Mohamed Ali, with panoramic views across the city
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- Khan El Khalili Bazaar — colourful alleys of handcrafted souvenirs, spices, jewellery and local cafés
- Return to your hotel
Overnight: Cairo ·
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch ·
Visits: Citadel and Mohamed Ali Mosque, Khan El Khalili
A full day with the world's greatest collection of Egyptian treasures.
- Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) — the largest museum dedicated to a single civilisation, with the complete treasures of King Tutankhamun, colossal statues and royal collections
- Lunch at a local restaurant, then return to your hotel
Overnight: Cairo ·
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch ·
Visits: Grand Egyptian Museum
An easy final morning before your onward journey home.
- Breakfast at your hotel
- Private transfer to Cairo International Airport, with assistance through departure procedures
Meals: Breakfast
$
5089
$
5117
$
8299
$
5679
$
5679
$
9399
$
6299
$
6327
$
10399
$
7149
$
7179
$
11970
Our Travelers Testimonials
See how we’ve made every journey exceptional — straight from those who’ve traveled with us.
1737 Reviews
