6-Day Cairo, Luxor, Aswan & Abu Simbel Private Tour
Five hotel nights, two internal flights and your own Egyptologist, from the Giza pyramids to Abu Simbel. No ship, and no cabin to unpack.
At a glance
- Length
- 6 days · 5 nights
- Departs
- Daily
The short answer
This is a six-day private tour of Egypt run by Discovery Tours Egypt. You sleep in hotels in Cairo, Luxor and Aswan, fly between the cities and visit Abu Simbel by road.
- Archaeology & history
- Cultural
- Solo traveller·
- Seniors·
- Couples
Snapshot
Good to know
- Duration
- 6 Days / 5 Nights
- Travel style
- Private guided holiday
- Accommodation
- Hotels
- Operated by
- Discovery Tours Egypt
- Destinations
- Cairo · Giza · Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan · Abu Simbel
- Includes
- Five nights in hotels, breakfast included · Internal flight Cairo to Luxor · Internal flight Aswan to Cairo · Private transfers at the airports and hotels · Private drive from Luxor to Aswan by way of Edfu and Kom Ombo · Private road trip to Abu Simbel · A licensed Egyptologist for every sightseeing day · Entry fees for listed sites
- Best for
- First visit to Egypt · Private touring · Ancient history · Short on time
- Guide languages
- English
Best time to go
October to April is the comfortable season for walking, with daytime highs of around 20 to 30°C. From May to September it is much hotter, particularly at Aswan and Abu Simbel, so plan for strong sun and ask us to confirm opening times.
- Discovery Tours Egypt holds an Egyptian Ministry of Tourism licence and arranges every day of this tour itself
- A licensed Egyptologist guides each day of sightseeing
- Airport and hotel transfers are private and listed in the itinerary
- The Luxor to Aswan leg is a private drive with guided visits to Edfu and Kom Ombo
- Entry fees for the sites on the itinerary are covered
02Overview
A first look
Egypt rewards a longer stay, but six days can still take in the great sites if the days are planned carefully. This holiday is built around hotels alone: two nights in Cairo, one in Luxor and two in Aswan, with internal flights covering the long stretches so that the time goes on seeing things rather than sitting in a car. The second day is given to the pyramids at Giza, the Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum. On the third you fly to Luxor and see both banks of the Nile in a single day: Karnak and Luxor Temple, then the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's temple and the Colossi of Memnon. The fourth is a private drive south, calling at Edfu and Kom Ombo on the way to Aswan. On the fifth you rise early for Abu Simbel and spend the afternoon at Philae. The last morning takes in the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk before you fly back to Cairo. Prefer to sleep afloat? Our Nile cruises follow the same river; this holiday keeps to hotels throughout.
Background
The facts
This six-day holiday travels from Cairo to Abu Simbel and sleeps in hotels throughout, so there is no Nile cruise. Discovery Tours Egypt plans the route, provides a licensed Egyptologist for every sightseeing day and books the hotels through local partners.
The pyramids and the Sphinx stand on the Giza plateau on the western edge of Cairo, close to the Grand Egyptian Museum. You then fly south to Luxor, where Karnak and Luxor Temple lie on the east bank and the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut's temple on the west. From Luxor a private car follows the river to Aswan, stopping at the temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo. Abu Simbel lies about 280 km south-west of Aswan and is reached by a desert road, returning to Aswan the same day.
The pyramids belong to Egypt's Old Kingdom, built in the third millennium BC. Thebes, the ancient city around modern Luxor, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as are the Nubian monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae, which were moved to higher ground when the High Dam was built.
Opening times differ by site and season, so ask us to confirm them for your dates. The Valley of the Kings ticket covers three tombs; a few tombs, among them Tutankhamun's, cost extra. Expect uneven ground, steps and a very early start for Abu Simbel.
Named in this entry
Giza plateau·The Sphinx·Grand Egyptian Museum·Karnak·Luxor Temple·Valley of the Kings tombs·Hatshepsut's temple at Deir el-Bahari·Edfu·Kom Ombo·The High Dam at Aswan·Philae·Abu Simbel·Ramesses II·Nefertari
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- Made for adults and teenagers from about 13 who want a private, history-led holiday and do not mind early mornings, long days of sightseeing, a road journey and walking on rough stone at places like Karnak and the Valley of the Kings.
Maybe not, if
- Not ideal for anyone who needs step-free access, an unhurried pace or little time in vehicles. Families with small children may find a shorter, gentler route easier.
What lingers
- 01The pyramids at Giza, the Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum, all in a single guided day
- 02Both banks of Luxor in a day: the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's temple, Karnak and Luxor Temple
- 03A private drive from Luxor to Aswan, stopping at the temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo
- 04Abu Simbel by road from Aswan, with Philae Temple in the afternoon
- 05The High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk before the flight back to Cairo
- 06Hotels for all five nights, with no cruise ship involved
Honest assessment
The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.
Highlights
- A private Egyptologist links the main sites across four destinations
- Edfu and Kom Ombo break up the road between Luxor and Aswan
- Abu Simbel's two temples, those of Ramesses II and Nefertari, are on the route
- Entry fees and hotel breakfasts are covered
- The Grand Egyptian Museum is paired with the pyramids on one day
Things to Consider
- Abu Simbel means a pre-dawn start and a long drive
- Several days involve a lot of walking over uneven ground
- You change city almost every day
- Entry to the inside of the pyramids and to special tombs is extra
Worth knowing
How this compares
Group tours usually move between sites by shared coach. Here the sightseeing and road journeys are private, and the route runs on from Cairo through Luxor and Aswan to Abu Simbel, which means long days and one very early start.
Day by day
Detailed itinerary
6 Days / 5 Nights · Cairo · Giza · Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Choose your comfort level
Prices are per person in GBP, from 2 people sharing a double room, including accommodation.
| Comfort level | Where you stay | October – Aprilcurrent season | May – September |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comfort | Cairo Jewel Sport City Luxor Iberotel Luxor by JAZ Aswan Obelisk Nile Towers Hotel – Aswan | October – April: from £1,526 | May – September: from £1,491 |
| Classic | Cairo Sonesta Hotel Tower & Casino – Cairo Luxor Steigenberger Resort Achti Luxor Aswan Basma Executive Club Hotel -Aswan | October – April: from £1,595 | May – September: from £1,710 |
| Prestige | Cairo Steigenberger Cairo Pyramids Luxor Steigenberger Nile Palace Luxor Aswan Tolip Aswan | October – April: from £1,799 | May – September: from £1,710 |
You'll stay in these properties, or a similar choice of the same quality. Choose your date in the booking panel for the exact price.
Bundled in
- Domestic flights
- Airport transfer
- Private transfer
- Private Egyptologist
- All entry tickets
- Breakfast
The fine print
What's included – and what is left out
Included
- Five nights in hotels with breakfast: two in Cairo, one in Luxor, two in Aswan
- Internal flights from Cairo to Luxor and from Aswan back to Cairo
- Private transfers to and from the airports and hotels named in the itinerary
- Day 2 at Giza: the pyramids, the Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum, lunch included
- Day 3 in Luxor: Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's temple and the Colossi of Memnon
- Day 4 by private car from Luxor to Aswan, calling at the temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo
- Day 5 at Abu Simbel by road, then Philae Temple
- Day 6 at the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk
- A licensed Egyptologist for each day of sightseeing
- Entry fees for every site on the itinerary
Not included
- Flights between the UK and Egypt
- Your Egyptian visa
- Tips for guides and drivers
- Meals other than those listed
- Entry inside the pyramids and to special tombs such as Tutankhamun's and Seti I's
- Travel insurance and spending money
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
At Giza, ask your guide which hour gives the best light on the pyramid faces for photographs.
- 02
There is little shade at Abu Simbel, so take a hat, sun cream and water.
- 03
Wear shoes with a good grip for the stone paths at Karnak and the Valley of the Kings.
- 04
Ask your guide to talk you through the carved scenes at Kom Ombo, which are easy to walk past.
Tailor it
Make it yours
Ask about hotel upgrades, tickets for special tombs such as Tutankhamun's, or a gentler pace, for example a second night in Luxor. This is a private tour, so tell us what you would like and we will confirm what is possible on your dates.
Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.
Where it fits
Six days is enough to see Egypt's headline sites in one sweep. The route runs south from Cairo to Aswan and Abu Simbel and replaces a cruise with hotels and flights, which suits a short break or the first leg of a longer visit.
Accessibility
Who can join this
Most sites involve walking over rough ancient paving, loose sand and flights of steps, notably at Giza, Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and Philae. Expect walks of 20 to 45 minutes at a time with pauses to rest. The Abu Simbel road is long and the day starts early. Tell us about mobility needs when you book and we will say what is realistic.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Passport and a photocopy
- Hat and sunglasses
- Sun cream
- A water bottle you can top up
- Small daypack
- Some Egyptian pounds in small notes for tips
- Camera and a spare battery
What to wear
- Light, loose clothing for the heat
- Shoulders and knees covered at temples
- A thin layer for cool winter evenings
- Closed shoes with a firm grip
- A wide-brimmed hat
Children & families
We recommend a minimum age of five because of the early start and the long road to Abu Simbel. Reduced child rates depend on age and the hotel, so ask us for a quote for your family. Anyone aged 12 or over pays the adult rate.
On the ground
Your route
While you're here
Worth pairing
- The Giza Plateau of the PyramidsRight here
- Great Sphinx5 min walk
- The Grand Egyptian Museum3 km
Why book this with us
Three reasons, stated plainly
01
Abu Simbel reached by road from Aswan
02
Edfu and Kom Ombo seen between Luxor and Aswan
03
Cairo's museums paired with the temples of Upper Egypt
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
Private cars and minibuses are shared between guests wherever the timings allow, which cuts empty journeys. Our guides and drivers live in Egypt and are paid fairly for each day. We ask guests to carry a refillable water bottle and to keep to the marked paths at the sites.
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
Abu Simbel is roughly 280 km from Aswan, so the day starts before dawn and returns around lunchtime. This six-day holiday builds it into a route that also takes in Giza, Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae.
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01Does this six-day tour include a Nile cruise?
It does not. Every night is spent in a hotel, two in Cairo, one in Luxor and two in Aswan. The journey from Luxor to Aswan is made by private car rather than by boat, which allows time at the temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo. Should you wish to sleep on the river, our Nile cruise holidays are the better choice.02How do you get from one city to the next?
Two internal flights cover the long distances: Cairo to Luxor on the third day and Aswan to Cairo on the sixth. From Luxor to Aswan on the fourth day you go by private car with your guide, stopping at Edfu and Kom Ombo.03Is one day enough for Luxor?
It is enough for the principal sights: Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's temple and the Colossi of Memnon. The day is full and begins with a flight from Cairo. If you would like a gentler pace, we can add a second night in Luxor.04What time do we set off for Abu Simbel?
The road from Aswan takes about three and a half hours each way, so the start is early, normally before sunrise, and you are back in Aswan around lunchtime. Philae Temple fills the afternoon.05How does the final day work?
In the morning you see the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk, then go to Aswan airport for the flight to Cairo. The tour finishes when you land, so book your flight home for the evening or later.06What kind of hotel will we stay in?
You pick the standard at the time of booking, anywhere from comfortable to luxury, and we choose hotels to suit your dates. The sightseeing is the same whichever standard you take.
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
Continue reading
From the archives
Last updated 1 January 2026Product ID: TOU-CAI-429253
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