13-Day Alexandria, Cairo, Aswan–Luxor Nile Cruise & Hurghada Tour

The short answer

The 13-day Alexandria, Cairo, Hurghada and Nile Cruise Tour is a multi-region Egypt tour covering Alexandria, Cairo, Aswan, Luxor and Hurghada, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.

• Budget
• Diving & snorkelling
• Archaeology & history
• Cultural

Snapshot

Good to know

Duration

13-day / 12-night itinerary

Travel style

Private tour with a guide

Accommodation

4- or 5-star hotels and a 4- or 5-star Nile cruise

Operated by

Organised by Discovery Tours Egypt

Destinations

Alexandria · Cairo · Aswan · Luxor · Hurghada · Nile (Aswan–Luxor)

Includes

Four nights at hotels in Cairo · 3 nights aboard a Nile cruise · One night at a hotel in Luxor · Four nights at hotels in Hurghada · Flights from Cairo to Aswan and from Hurghada to Cairo · A private Egyptologist guide · Private transfers in air-conditioned vehicles · Entrance fees for sites on the itinerary and a Hurghada snorkelling trip

Best for

First-time visitors to Egypt · History enthusiasts · Travellers wanting both sightseeing and beach time · Couples and families seeking a private itinerary

Guide languages

Arabic · English · French · German · Italian · Spanish

Background

The facts

Suited to

Is this for you?

What lingers

• 01Three-night Nile cruise sailing the Aswan–Luxor corridor, with guided visits ashore
• 02A private Egyptologist guide for the full 13-day itinerary
• 03Explore Alexandria and Cairo’s principal sites with guided city touring
• 04Snorkelling excursion on the Red Sea at Hurghada
• 05Domestic flights between Cairo–Aswan and Hurghada–Cairo arranged for you

Worth knowing

How this compares

Unlike a single-city Cairo break, this itinerary combines Mediterranean, Nile Valley and Red Sea destinations in one trip, so it suits travellers who want a fuller overview of Egypt. Compared with a standard coach package, it is arranged with private transfers and a dedicated Egyptologist guide, which allows more controlled timing at monuments and less time spent coordinating transport. The included domestic flights also reduce overland distance between Cairo, Aswan and Hurghada.

Bundled in

• ✈Domestic flights
• 🚖Airport transfer
• ◈Group Egyptologist
• 🎟All entry tickets
• ✦Abu Simbel extension
• 🎈Hot-air balloon
• ⛵Felucca ride
• 🐪Camel ride
• ✨Sound & light show
• ✦Red Sea extension
• 🚖Private transfer
• ◈Private Egyptologist

The fine print

What's included – and what is left out

1. 01

   At Qaitbay Citadel, look back towards the harbour for views that help explain its position on the ancient Lighthouse site.

2. 02

   At Giza, carry water and sun protection; shade is limited around the plateau’s principal monuments.

3. 03

   Allow time for uneven surfaces at the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa and follow site staff guidance underground.

4. 04

   Bring modest clothing for visits to religious sites, including clothing that covers shoulders and knees.

Tailor it

Make it yours

The itinerary can usually be adjusted as a private tour with changes to hotel category, pacing and visit order. Common customisations include adding extra nights in Cairo, Alexandria or Hurghada, upgrading room or meal arrangements, or extending time at selected sites such as the Pyramids, the Egyptian Museum area, Abu Simbel or the Valley of the Kings if requested in advance.

Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.

Accessibility

Who can join this

This 13-day itinerary involves substantial walking on uneven ancient stone, cobbles and sand at archaeological sites and on Nile temple quays. Expect low stone steps (10–20 steps) and steep short flights at the Giza Plateau, Luxor West Bank tombs and many temple entrances; handrails are often absent. Shore visits from the Nile cruise and the Hurghada snorkelling trip require short ladders or ramps between boats and shore. Our modern private vehicles have limited space for wheelchairs; fully folding wheelchairs can usually be carried, but standard rigid chairs and mobility scooters are not practicable on small launches and many tomb interiors. We provide meet-and-assist at airports and help with ramps and lifting where local staff and site rules allow, but some sites cannot be made step-free. If you use a mobility aid or have reduced mobility, contact us before booking so we can advise which parts of the itinerary are feasible and request supplier confirmations in advance.

Before you go

What to pack & wear

The morning of

Meeting point & timing

Where

Cairo International Airport (CAI) — Arrivals Hall (meet-and-assist)Map

On the ground

Your route

While you're here

Worth pairing

• The Egyptian MuseumRight here
• Giza PlateauRight here
• Cairo CitadelRight here

Why book this with us

Three reasons, stated plainly

1. 01

   Three cruise nights allow guided visits to Edfu and Kom Ombo

2. 02

   Combines Alexandria, ancient sites and four Hurghada beach nights

3. 03

   Private Egyptologist touring across the itinerary

– Responsible travel

How we travel here

Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we publish supplier arrangements openly. Transfers use modern, air-conditioned minivans and Mercedes‑style coaches sized to group numbers to avoid half-empty vehicles. Domestic flights are scheduled economy sectors used only for longer distances to reduce road miles. We contract local Egyptologists, drivers, hotels and a three-night Nile cruise operator in Aswan–Luxor, and we pay suppliers directly so more revenue remains with local crews and guides. For the Red Sea snorkelling we use licensed Hurghada dive operators who use mooring buoys or no-anchor procedures where available to protect coral. We do not run large coach sightseeing; private vehicles and small cruise groups reduce idle time. If you want carbon-offset options, fewer single-use plastics, or details of community projects we support, tell us at booking and we will share current partner documentation.

• Licensed Egyptologist guides

  State-licensed, and people we have worked with for years

• Fair wages on the ground

  Drivers + guides paid above market

• Site preservation

  We follow the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities' site rules: marked paths, no touching reliefs

• Local teams, real help

  Our own offices in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh

·In summary

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

1. 01How long does the 13-day holiday covering Alexandria, Cairo, the Aswan–Luxor Nile cruise and Hurghada last?

   The tour runs for 13 days from arrival in Cairo to departure from Cairo. It combines Alexandria and Cairo city sightseeing, a three-night Nile cruise between Aswan and Luxor, and four nights in Hurghada on the Red Sea. The pace mixes museum and city visits with a short cruise segment and beach time; we provide a private Egyptologist throughout and arrange domestic flights and transfers so you move between cities comfortably.
2. 02At what times are airport pick-ups scheduled, and how will the transfers be organised?

   A representative meets you at Cairo International Airport and we arrange private transfers throughout. There are two internal flights, Cairo to Aswan on day 4 and Hurghada to Cairo on day 12. The journey from Luxor to Hurghada on day 8 is by private car and takes about four to five hours. Exact times depend on your flights and are confirmed before you travel.
3. 03Which entrance fees and excursions are included, and what is excluded?

   Entrance fees for every sight on the itinerary are included, with three tombs in the Valley of the Kings, as is the boat trip and snorkelling from Hurghada. Pyramid interiors, premium tombs such as Tutankhamun's and Seti I's, tips, the visa, international flights, drinks and lunches (other than on the Nile cruise) are not.
4. 04Would this itinerary work for anyone with limited mobility or particular accessibility requirements?

   Many sites include uneven ancient stone, steps and soft sand, so accessibility varies by site. Tell us your exact mobility needs before booking. We can suggest adjustments, replace certain visits, and coordinate vehicles; however some temple approaches, tomb interiors and older cruise decks have limited ramp access and cannot accommodate full wheelchair access.
5. 05What fitness level is needed, and how much walking is involved?

   Expect several hours of walking on most sightseeing days, often on uneven stone, steps and loose sand. Temple complexes, Karnak and the Valley of the Kings involve standing, climbing short flights of stairs and sometimes long paved approaches. If you have reduced stamina we can adapt the pace, add vehicle time, or advise which days to rest.
6. 06Are children welcome, and are there any age-specific considerations?

   Children are welcome but note the itinerary includes early starts, long days and narrow tomb passages. Let us know ages at booking so we can advise suitable rooming and child-friendly options. Supervise children at Nile quays, cruise decks and Hurghada beaches; some museum galleries and tombs may be unsuitable for very young children.
7. 07What should I pack, and what clothing is suitable for visits to temples, mosques and the Red Sea?

   Bring sturdy walking shoes, a sunhat, high-SPF sunscreen, sunglasses, a refillable water bottle and light layers for cooler evenings. For temples and mosques wear modest clothing covering shoulders and knees; avoid sleeveless tops and short shorts. Pack swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen and a towel for Hurghada; a small daypack is useful for museums and temple visits.
8. 08May I take photographs at the main sites, and are any areas off limits?

   Photography is allowed at most sites, but restrictions apply in some museum galleries and tombs. Flash, tripods and video equipment are sometimes prohibited inside museums and tombs; on-site staff will advise. Photography is permitted outside Abu Simbel; drone use is prohibited at most archaeological sites and requires prior authorisation which we can help clarify.
9. 09Which time of year is best for this combined trip to Alexandria, a Nile cruise and Hurghada?

   October to April is generally the best period, with milder daytime temperatures in Cairo, Luxor and Aswan and pleasant sea conditions for snorkelling. Summers (June–August) bring high heat in Upper Egypt and stronger sea thermals. Unlike short coach day trips, this itinerary spaces visits so you can rest during the hottest hours.
10. 10Do I need an early start for Abu Simbel and how is that visit arranged?

    Yes. Abu Simbel is about three hours by road from Aswan, so you leave before sunrise on day 5, with a private vehicle and your Egyptologist, and return to the ship, which stays moored in Aswan, in the afternoon. The temples are part of the Nubian Monuments UNESCO listing. Expect time for photographs and the site itself; the long journey is the demanding part.

If plans change

Cancellation and refunds

What you receive back if you cancel depends on how far ahead of your holiday you let us know and the kind of holiday you book. See our current cancellation and refund terms