9 Day Cairo, Aswan, Luxor and Alexandria Overland Tour

The short answer

The 9 Day Cairo, Aswan, Luxor and Alexandria Overland Tour is a nine-day multi-city tour in Egypt, operated by Discovery Tours Egypt.

• ★Editor’s Pick
• ◈Private

• Archaeology & history
• Cultural

Snapshot

Good to know

Duration

Nine days and eight nights

Travel style

Private overland tour with a guide

Accommodation

Included hotels in Cairo, Alexandria, Aswan and Luxor

Operated by

Tours to discover Egypt

Destinations

Cairo · Alexandria · Aswan · Luxor · Giza Plateau · Old Cairo

Includes

8 nights' accommodation · Private Egyptologist guide · Airport meet-and-assist · Private air-conditioned transfers · Domestic flight Cairo to Aswan · Domestic flight Luxor to Cairo · First-class train Aswan to Luxor · Entrance fees to listed attractions · Meals as mentioned in itinerary · Nile-side dinner experience on arrival night

Best for

History enthusiasts · First-time visitors to Egypt · Travellers who prefer private touring · Couples and small groups · Families with older children

Guide languages

Arabic · English · French · German · Italian · Spanish

Background

The facts

Suited to

Is this for you?

What lingers

• 01See the Giza Plateau and the Grand Egyptian Museum with a private Egyptologist guide.
• 02Visit Alexandria’s Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, Bibliotheca Alexandrina and Qaitbay Citadel.
• 03Explore Philae Temple, the Unfinished Obelisk and Aswan High Dam.
• 04Visit Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings across Luxor’s East and West Banks.
• 05Travel between Cairo and Aswan, and Luxor and Cairo, by domestic flight.
• 06Take the first-class train from Aswan to Luxor.

Worth knowing

How this compares

Unlike a fixed coach itinerary, this tour uses private transfers and a private Egyptologist for the major sightseeing days, which allows more flexibility in timing and pacing. It also combines domestic flights and rail to reduce long road journeys between Cairo, Aswan and Luxor. Compared with a Nile cruise-based programme, this is a land-only route with hotels in multiple cities and no continuous river journey.

Bundled in

• 🚖Airport transfer
• 🚖Private transfer
• ✈Domestic flights
• ◈Private Egyptologist
• 🎟All entry tickets

The fine print

What's included – and what is left out

1. 01

   At Qaitbay Citadel, look back towards the harbour for views that place the fortress beside the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria site.

2. 02

   Ask your Egyptologist about Philae’s relocation to Agilkia Island before entering, so the temple’s present setting has context.

3. 03

   Keep a light layer handy for air-conditioned vehicles and trains, even during Egypt’s warmer months.

4. 04

   At the Valley of the Kings, choose any additional tomb ticket before joining the queue; premium tombs are not included.

Tailor it

Make it yours

The itinerary can be arranged as a private tour, with timing adjusted where site access and flight schedules allow. Optional additions may include a Nubian Village visit in Aswan, Kitchener’s Island Botanical Garden, or extra nights in Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, or Aswan. Meal plans and hotel category can also be tailored, subject to availability and budget.

Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.

Accessibility

Who can join this

Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we provide meet-and-assist at Cairo arrivals. This 9-day overland tour involves substantial walking on uneven ancient stone, cobbles and short sandy sections, with steps at the Giza Plateau, Luxor West Bank and Philae Temple. Many temples and tombs have staircases and narrow passages that limit independent wheelchair access. Modern museums such as the Bibliotheca Alexandrina have ramps and accessible toilets, but access and facilities vary by site. Domestic flights and first-class trains usually require aircraft or carriage steps; some stations have limited level access. We can arrange additional local mobility assistance and a porter at airports or stations, subject to advance notice and supplier availability. Please tell us your exact mobility needs when you book so we can advise which itinerary elements are likely to be comfortable and what realistic alternatives we can secure.

Before you go

What to pack & wear

The morning of

Meeting point & timing

Where

Cairo International Airport (CAI), the arrivals hallMap

On the ground

Your route

While you're here

Worth pairing

• Giza Plateau14 km
• The Grand Egyptian Museum8 km
• Khan El-Khalili3 km
• Old Cairo6 km
• Cairo Citadel6 km

Why book this with us

Three reasons, stated plainly

1. 01

   Private Egyptologist visits at Cairo and Luxor's major sites

2. 02

   A first-class train links Aswan and Luxor overland

3. 03

   Alexandria sightseeing includes Kom el Shoqafa and Qaitbay Citadel

– Responsible travel

How we travel here

We use modern private air-conditioned vehicles for all road transfers, domestic scheduled flights for Cairo–Aswan and Luxor–Cairo, and first-class rail between Aswan and Luxor to reduce long night road journeys. Local Egyptologists, drivers and suppliers deliver guiding, hotels, restaurants and boat services, which keeps tourism income within the communities visited. We avoid large coach groups for this itinerary, favouring private transfers for flexibility and lower visitor density at sites, a trade-off that increases vehicle kilometres but reduces waiting time and crowding. On tours we offer one reusable water bottle option, prioritise locally owned restaurants for included meals, and ask suppliers to minimise single-use plastics where possible; if you require fully plastic-free provisioning, tell us at booking and we will try to accommodate that request.

• 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 Cairo, Aswan, Luxor, and Alexandria Overland Tour last?

   This tour spans 9 days and 8 nights, encompassing visits to Cairo, Alexandria, Aswan, and Luxor. We arrange all ground logistics, including private transfers, domestic flights, and a first-class train journey.
2. 02What type of transportation is used for transfers and sightseeing on this tour?

   We utilise modern, air-conditioned private vehicles for all transfers and sightseeing. You will travel with your private Egyptologist, ensuring a personalised pace and experience, unlike larger group coach programmes.
3. 03What is included in the price of this overland tour?

   Included in the tour price are 8 nights’ accommodation, private Egyptologist guides at all major attractions, private transfers, domestic flights, a first-class train ticket and entrance fees to every site listed. Airport meet-and-assist and some meals are included too.
4. 04What does the tour price exclude?

   The package excludes international flights to and from Egypt, personal expenses, any meals not specified, gratuities for guides and drivers, travel insurance and the Egypt entry visa. Travellers generally arrange these themselves.
5. 05Is this tour suitable for families travelling with children?

   Yes, this private tour can be adapted for families. The itinerary's pace can be adjusted, and private vehicles offer comfort. We recommend discussing your children's ages and interests with us to help tailor the experience.
6. 06What should I wear and bring for this 9-day tour?

   Pack light, comfortable clothes, sturdy shoes for walking, a hat, sunglasses and high-factor sun cream. Modest clothing is recommended at religious sites; women should bring a scarf to cover their heads when entering mosques.
7. 07What are the photography rules at the archaeological sites and museums?

   Photography is generally allowed at most outdoor sites. However, some indoor areas, such as specific tombs or museum exhibits, may prohibit photography or require a separate ticket. Your Egyptologist will provide guidance at each location.
8. 08What is the best time of year to undertake this overland tour?

   The cooler months from October to April are generally ideal for this tour, offering more comfortable temperatures for sightseeing. Summers, from May to September, can be very hot, particularly in Luxor and Aswan.
9. 09How does the train journey from Aswan to Luxor operate?

   Your journey from Aswan to Luxor is by first-class train, offering a comfortable way to take in the Nile Valley scenery. We arrange the tickets and transfers to and from the railway stations.
10. 10Are visits inside the Giza Pyramids covered by the entrance fees?

    No. Entry to the interiors of pyramids such as Khufu or Khafre, and premium tombs including Tutankhamun’s or Seti I’s, is not covered. Separate tickets are required and can be added to your itinerary on request.

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