14 Days · In-Depth · 5 Regional Bases

14 Days in Egypt: The Grand Panorama (Cairo & Grand Egyptian Museum to Aswan, Nile Cruise & Abu Simbel & Alexandria (Pearl of the Mediterranean))

A two-week grand tour spanning Cairo & Grand Egyptian Museum, Hurghada, El Gouna & Red Sea, Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & Saqqara, Alexandria (Pearl of the Mediterranean), Luxor & Valley of the Kings, and Aswan, Nile Cruise & Abu Simbel.

Route Overview: Cairo & Grand Egyptian Museum (3N) → Hurghada, El Gouna & Red Sea (1N) → Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & Saqqara (3N) → Alexandria (Pearl of the Mediterranean) (2N) → Luxor & Valley of the Kings (2N) → Aswan, Nile Cruise & Abu Simbel (2N)
Budget Estimate: E£112240–E£190320 ($2,300–$3,900 USD per person)

Day 1 (Cairo & Grand Egyptian Museum) — Arrival in Cairo & Grand Egyptian Museum:

Arrive at Cairo International Airport (CAI) & Ramses / Bashtil Upper Egypt Rail Stations and explore Cairo & Grand Egyptian Museum Historic Center & Old Quarter.

Day 2 (Cairo & Grand Egyptian Museum) — Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM — Giza Plateau) — The world's largest archaeological museum featuring the Grand Staircase of 60+ royal statues, the Hanging Obelisk, and 12 main galleries overlooking the Pyramids (E£1,200 / ~$25 foreign adult admission; 100% card-only payment). & Islamic Cairo: Al-Muizz Street, Khan el-Khalili Bazaar & Mosque-Madrasa of Sultan Hassan — Walk the 10th-century walled Fatimid spine from Bab al-Futuh to Al-Azhar Mosque and sip mint tea at historic El Fishawy Cafe (1773).:

Full day in historic Cairo & Grand Egyptian Museum.

Day 3 (Cairo & Grand Egyptian Museum) — Citadel of Saladin & Mosque of Muhammad Ali (Alabaster Mosque) — Ottoman domes crowning Mokattam Hill with sweeping views across Cairo out to the Giza Pyramids (E£550). & Local Markets:

Market tasting tour featuring Koshary (Abou Tarek Lentil-Pasta-Crispy Onion Bowl) and Hamam Mahshi.

Day 4 (Hurghada, El Gouna & Red Sea) — Overnight in Hurghada, El Gouna & Red Sea:

Short hop to Hurghada, El Gouna & Red Sea to experience Giftun Island National Park (Orange Bay / Mahmya) Snorkeling Cruise — Full-day boat excursion over shallow turquoise sandbars and coral heads teeming with clownfish and blue-spotted rays. after day-trippers leave.

Day 5 (Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & Saqqara) — Rail to Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & Saqqara:

Ride Egyptian National Railways (ENR) Talgo High-Speed Day Trains (Cairo–Alexandria–Luxor) & Abela Egypt Sleeping Trains (#86/#87) to Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & Saqqara Central Station and settle into Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & Saqqara Historic Center & Old Quarter.

Day 6 (Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & Saqqara) — Pyramids of Giza (Khufu, Khafre & Menkaure) & The Great Sphinx — Enter at 07:00 sharp via the Mena House / Sphinx Gate before tour coaches arrive (Plateau Area Ticket E£700; Interior of Great Pyramid of Khufu E£1,500 extra; Visa/Mastercard only). & Panorama Point & Nine Pyramids Lounge — Look across all six main and queen pyramids aligned against the desert horizon without aggressive camel touts.:

Explore Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & Saqqara's signature monuments and museums.

Day 7 (Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & Saqqara) — Dahshur: The Red Pyramid & The Bent Pyramid of Sneferu (45–75 mins by regional transit):

Scenic day excursion from Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & Saqqara.

Day 8 (Alexandria (Pearl of the Mediterranean)) — Transfer to Alexandria (Pearl of the Mediterranean):

Head to Alexandria (Pearl of the Mediterranean) (1–2 days · E£2,800–E£6,500 ($57–$133) / day) and explore Bibliotheca Alexandrina (New Library of Alexandria) — Snøhetta's tilted granite sun-disc reading room seating 2,000 readers plus four underground antiquities and manuscript museums (E£150)..

Day 9 (Alexandria (Pearl of the Mediterranean)) — Citadel of Qaitbay (1477 CE) — Mamluk sea fortress built on the exact foundation stones of the ancient Pharos Lighthouse of Alexandria (E£200). & Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa & Pompey's Pillar (Serapeum) — Three-tiered 2nd-century subterranean tomb blending Pharaonic, Greek, and Roman relief art (E£200).:

Full day in Alexandria (Pearl of the Mediterranean) with regional dining (Tagine Bamia bil Lahma (Baked Okra).

Day 10 (Luxor & Valley of the Kings) — Onward to Luxor & Valley of the Kings:

Arrive in Luxor & Valley of the Kings and check into Luxor & Valley of the Kings Historic Center & Old Quarter.

Day 11 (Luxor & Valley of the Kings) — Valley of the Kings (West Bank) — Standard ticket (E£750 + E£20 electric taf-taf tram) includes 3 royal tombs (don't miss Ramesses IV, Ramesses III & Merenptah); add the breathtaking vaulted astronomical tomb of Seti I (E£2,000), Ramesses V & VI (E£220), and Tutankhamun (E£700)—or unlock every single open tomb with the Luxor Premium Pass ($250)! & Karnak Temple Complex & Avenue of Sphinxes — Walk among the 134 towering sandstone columns of the Great Hypostyle Hall at 06:30 opening (E£600).:

Signature day in Luxor & Valley of the Kings.

Day 12 (Aswan, Nile Cruise & Abu Simbel) — Continue to Aswan, Nile Cruise & Abu Simbel:

Travel to Aswan, Nile Cruise & Abu Simbel (3–4 days · E£3,900–E£9,800 ($80–$200) / day) via Aswan International Airport (ASW) & Abu Simbel Airport (ABS) or Aswan, Nile Cruise & Abu Simbel Central Station.

Day 13 (Aswan, Nile Cruise & Abu Simbel) — Great Temples of Abu Simbel (Ramesses II & Queen Nefertari) — Four 20-meter colossi carved into the Nubian sandstone cliff above Lake Nasser (E£750 / E£1,200 on Feb 22 & Oct 22 Sun Festival days; fly 45m from Aswan or take the 3-hour morning highway convoy). & Temple of Isis on Agilkia Island (Philae — UNESCO) — Board a Nubian motorboat across the reservoir to Egypt's most romantic island temple (E£550 temple + ~E£400–600 private boat).:

Explore Great Temples of Abu Simbel (Ramesses II & Queen Nefertari) — Four 20-meter colossi carved into the Nubian sandstone cliff above Lake Nasser (E£750 / E£1,200 on Feb 22 & Oct 22 Sun Festival days; fly 45m from Aswan or take the 3-hour morning highway convoy). and celebrate your final night with Lamb Claypot).

Day 14 (Aswan, Nile Cruise & Abu Simbel) — Departure:

Fly home from Aswan International Airport (ASW) & Abu Simbel Airport (ABS) or connect back to Cairo International Airport (CAI) & Ramses / Bashtil Upper Egypt Rail Stations.