History, culture and Red Sea relaxation · KT-SEA-12
Finish Five Thousand Years of History With Your Feet in the Red Sea
Cairo, Nile Cruise and Hurghada
Twelve days that front-load the temples and tombs, then hand you four nights of coral reefs, sea air and nothing scheduled.
- 12 days / 11 nights
- Cairo · Giza · Aswan · Kom Ombo
- Private or Group
About this journey
Most Egypt itineraries end at the airport exhausted. This one ends on a beach. The cultural half is uncompromised: Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum, a full day in historic Cairo, Philae in Aswan, a Nile cruise through Kom Ombo and Edfu, and both banks of Luxor. Then the road turns east to Hurghada, and the pace changes completely. The order matters. Putting the Red Sea last means you decompress after the walking rather than before it, and you fly home rested. Beach days are genuinely free; snorkeling, diving, desert safaris and island trips are offered as choices rather than obligations. Families use this itinerary to balance temple fatigue with pool time, and honeymooners use it to end the trip somewhere quiet.
Why travellers choose this itinerary
- The beach comes after the temples, so you recover before the flight home rather than after it.
- Four Red Sea nights with genuinely unstructured days, not a packed resort program.
- Marine activities are selectable by ability, from glass-bottom boats to certified dives.
- One air-conditioned road transfer replaces an extra internal flight on the Luxor–Hurghada leg.
- A strong option for mixed groups where not everyone wants a temple every morning.
- Departure from Hurghada, Cairo or by private road transfer, chosen to fit your airline.
Quick facts
- Duration
- 12 days / 11 nights
- Starts / ends
- Cairo → Hurghada
- Destinations
- Cairo, Giza, Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor, Hurghada
- Trip format
- Private or Group
- Group size
- Up to 16 travellers
- Activity level
- Moderate
- Recommended ages
- Suitable for all ages from around 4 upward; a strong family and honeymoon choice
- Best months
- October, November, March, April, May, September
- Languages
- English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Portuguese
- Accommodation
- 4-star hotels and resort (Comfort) · 5-star hotels and resort (Superior) · Luxury resort and premium cruise
- Room types
- Single, Double, Twin, Family room, Sea-view room on request, Standard and deluxe cabins
- Meals
- Daily breakfast; full board on the Nile cruise; resort half board or all-inclusive available
Trip highlights
- Full classic sightseeing programme
- Nile cruise between Aswan and Luxor
- Red Sea resort stay with snorkeling or diving options
- Optional desert safari
Best for: Couples and families who want history plus real downtime
Day-by-day itinerary
Every day below can be reordered, shortened or extended on a private departure.
Airport meet and assist and private transfer to your hotel.
Meals: Dinner. Overnight: Cairo.
What is included
Not included
Choose your accommodation level
The same itinerary, three levels of comfort. Pick a tier when you request your booking and we confirm the exact properties in writing before any payment.
Comfort
4-star hotels and resort (Comfort)
Well-located 4-star properties and standard cabins where a cruise is included. Everything essential is covered: private guiding, private transfers and daily breakfast. Chosen for travelers who would rather spend on experiences than on suites.
Standard double or twin rooms, air conditioned, with private bathroom
- Private licensed guide
- Private air-conditioned transfers
- Daily breakfast
- All listed entrance fees
- Standard room or cabin
Superior
5-star hotels and resort (Superior)
Our most-booked tier. 5-star hotels in prime locations, deluxe cabins on the river, and upgraded vehicles. Selected lunches and a few extras are folded in so fewer decisions are needed on the road.
Superior or upgraded rooms, upper-deck cabins where available
- Private licensed Egyptologist
- Upgraded private vehicle
- Daily breakfast and selected lunches
- All listed entrance fees
- Superior room or upper-deck cabin
- Priority check-in assistance
Luxury
Luxury resort and premium cruise
Landmark and boutique properties, suites or view rooms where available, premium or charter river accommodation, and a senior Egyptologist. Airport meet-and-greet, lounge access and special-occasion requests are handled personally.
Suites, view rooms or premium cabins, subject to availability
- Senior private Egyptologist
- Luxury vehicle with dedicated driver
- Daily breakfast, lunches and selected dinners
- All listed entrance fees
- Suite or premium cabin where available
- Airport meet-and-greet and fast-track assistance
- 24/7 direct contact with your trip manager
Transport
Airport transfers · private
Private arrival and departure transfers with a representative meeting you inside the terminal.
Ground transport · private
Modern air-conditioned private vehicle sized to your group, with a dedicated English-speaking driver and bottled water on board.
Domestic flights
Economy-class domestic flights on scheduled Egyptian carriers, including luggage assistance and airport escort at both ends.
Nile cruise vessel
Full-board accommodation aboard a licensed Nile cruise ship, with your cabin serving as your hotel between Aswan and Luxor.
Long-distance road transfer · private
Air-conditioned private transfer on the intercity route, with comfort stops arranged along the way.
Guide services
- Private licensed Egyptologist
- Cruise Egyptologist
- Certified marine activity instructor
- Desert guide for safaris
Suitability and accessibility
- Physical requirements
- Moderate during the cultural half and easy on the coast. Expect 2 to 4 miles walking on touring days, one road transfer of roughly 4 hours to Hurghada, and optional water activities with their own fitness and medical requirements.
- Recommended ages
- Suitable for all ages from around 4 upward; a strong family and honeymoon choice. Child pricing and reduced-pace alternatives are available on request.
- Mobility and accessibility
- Many ancient sites have uneven paving, sand, steps and no handrails, and some interiors cannot be adapted. We can arrange wheelchair-friendly vehicles, extra assistance and alternative viewing points at most locations, but a small number of tombs and interiors remain inaccessible. Tell us your requirements before booking and we will confirm in writing what is and is not possible on this route.
- Medical and pregnancy notes
- Heat, dust and long days can affect travelers with cardiac, respiratory or mobility conditions. Bring your own medication in original packaging. Pregnant travelers should seek medical advice before booking, and adventure, diving and balloon activities are generally not suitable during pregnancy.
- Dietary requirements
- Vegetarian, vegan, halal, kosher-style, gluten-free and allergy-related requirements can be catered for at hotels, on the river and on private meals when notified in advance. Severe allergies should be declared at the time of booking so we can brief every supplier.
- Weather and seasonality
- Best travel months for this route are October, November, March, April, May, September. Summer daytime temperatures in Upper Egypt and the desert can exceed 40C, so summer departures are re-timed to start earlier and rest through the afternoon.
- Dress and cultural notes
- Egypt is a conservative country outside beach resorts. Lightweight clothing covering shoulders and knees is appropriate at religious sites, and closed walking shoes are strongly recommended for temples and desert ground. Your guide will brief you on photography rules at each site.
Optional experiences and upgrades
Add any of these to your enquiry. Each is confirmed in writing with a price before you pay anything.
Introductory dive or PADI course
Available on request. Confirmed in writing with a price before you pay anything.
Price on request
Glass-bottom boat or island snorkelling trip
Available on request. Confirmed in writing with a price before you pay anything.
Price on request
Desert quad safari from Hurghada
Available on request. Confirmed in writing with a price before you pay anything.
Price on request
Hot-air balloon over Luxor
Available on request. Confirmed in writing with a price before you pay anything.
Price on request
Extra Red Sea nights
Available on request. Confirmed in writing with a price before you pay anything.
Price on request
Sea-view room upgrade
Available on request. Confirmed in writing with a price before you pay anything.
Price on request
Upcoming dates
Private departures run on any date you choose. The dates below are currently held open for shared departures.
- 10 Sept 202610 places left
- 10 Oct 20268 places left
- 10 Nov 20266 places left
- 10 Dec 20264 places left
- 10 Jan 202711 places left
- 10 Feb 20279 places left
Questions about this tour
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Demo content notice: Sample hotels, departure dates, reviews and prices shown on this page are demo content. Final pricing and named suppliers are confirmed in writing before any payment.