Egypt Holidays · Style
A classic Egypt holiday is the itinerary British travellers have been booking for a century and still the right answer for a first visit: Cairo for the Pyramids of Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum, Luxor for Karnak and the Valley of the Kings, then a Nile cruise south to Aswan via the perfectly preserved temple of Edfu and the twin-deity sanctuary of Kom Ombo, finishing with Abu Simbel. Our classic Egypt holidays run at 4-star, with a private Egyptologist guide throughout, all internal flights, and all temple admissions included. The itinerary runs 7 to 10 days and is fully tailor-made from there.
11 matching holidays
The hallmarks
A classic Egypt holiday is the route British travellers have been booking for a century – and still the right answer for a first visit. Picture standing before the Great Pyramid of Giza at 7am before the coach groups arrive, listening to your Egyptologist explain how the limestone casing stones once shone in the Nile sun. Then flying south to Luxor for Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut.
The Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan is the experience most clients remember most – temple visits in the morning, sundowner on deck in the afternoon, Edfu and Kom Ombo as you sail. Whether you want the standard 7-day shape or a longer 10-day version with a Red Sea decompression, every day on the classic circuit is built around private guiding, all admissions, and the rhythm Egypt rewards.
How to choose
Choosing the right classic Egypt holiday comes down to how long you have and which segments matter most. Three pillars usually decide the shape.
Seven days is the most-booked length – Cairo + a 3-night Nile cruise + Abu Simbel. Eight to ten days lets you slow the cruise pace, add Alexandria, or finish at the Red Sea. Twelve to fourteen days unlocks the White Desert or a longer cultural sweep. Most British clients land on 7 or 10 days for a first visit.
Classic runs from 4-star to 5-star. 4-star is the entry tier – Steigenberger Pyramids, Sonesta St. George Luxor, M.S. Concerto cruise. 5-star adds the Marriott Mena House, Sofitel Old Cataract, and a Sanctuary or Oberoi-class cruise. Suite tiers are covered under our luxury slice.
October through April is peak – comfortable daytime temperatures, dry, low humidity. October half-term and February half-term sell out six months ahead, as do Christmas and New Year. Easter lines up with one of the prettiest weather windows in Upper Egypt. We don't run 7-day southern itineraries in late July or August by default.
MidCairo
This 8-day itinerary combines Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel with two hotel nights in Cairo, one in Luxor and a four-night Nile cruise segment between Luxor and Aswan. You see the Giza Plateau, the Grand Egyptian Museum, Luxor East and West Bank sites, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Abu Simbel, with guided visits and site entrance fees included as stated. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we arrange domestic flights, transfers and English-speaking Egyptologists. Unlike short packaged cruises that rush river sites, this programme allows longer visits at Edfu and Kom Ombo, and a scheduled morning entry to Abu Simbel.
BudgetCairo
This guided Cairo holiday focuses on the Egyptian Pyramids and Cairo’s historic attractions, with sightseeing arranged by a licensed Egyptian tour operator. Our Egyptologist guide accompanies you throughout, explaining the sites and placing Cairo’s ancient and Islamic heritage in context. Private air-conditioned vehicle transfers keep the programme straightforward between visits, while entrance fees to the sites listed in the itinerary are included. Accommodation is arranged for five nights at a 5-star Cairo hotel. Unlike a short Cairo stopover, this package allows more time for guided visits and a measured pace between major sights. The itinerary is operated daily. International flights, the Egypt entry visa and gratuities are not included.
BudgetCairo
Discover the very best of Egypt on this 4-day private guided tour. Starting in Cairo, the itinerary combines Cairo — with all domestic flights, private Egyptologist guide and handpicked accommodation included in every tier from Comfort to Luxury.
BudgetCairo
This 15-day itinerary links Cairo, Alexandria, Aswan, a Nile cruise between Aswan and Luxor, Luxor and Hurghada, finishing in Cairo. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we arrange all transfers, domestic flights and Egyptologist-led sightseeing. We do not run large coach-group itineraries; transfers and excursions are by private air-conditioned car with local guides. Unlike short packaged cruises, this trip includes full calls at Kom Ombo and Edfu and time on both Luxor East Bank and West Bank, plus two full days at the Red Sea for snorkeling and a desert quad safari.
BudgetCairo
This 10-day itinerary visits Cairo, Alexandria, Aswan, Abu Simbel and Luxor, focusing on Pharaonic, Coptic and Islamic sites. It is led by experienced Egyptologists and includes guided visits to major monuments and museums. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we arrange domestic flights and the first-class train transfer between Aswan and Luxor. Unlike mass coach programmes, we limit daily group sizes and favour guided walking at each site so you have time to study inscriptions and architecture. Expect early starts at major temples and a pace tuned to avoiding midday heat where possible.
MidCairo
This six-day tour combines Cairo sightseeing with a three-night Nile cruise between Aswan and Luxor. It includes visits to the Giza pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum, Aswan’s major monuments, temples along the Nile, and Luxor’s East and West Bank sites. The itinerary also includes domestic flights between Cairo, Aswan, and Luxor.
BudgetCairo
This 6-day Cairo and Alexandria holiday combines Cairo’s pharaonic and medieval sites with a full-day visit to Alexandria. You travel with an expert Egyptologist and private air-conditioned transfers. Highlights include the Giza Pyramids Complex and Great Sphinx, the new Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), Saqqara’s Step Pyramid and a day in Alexandria to see Qaitbay Citadel and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. We run departures daily and use private vehicles rather than coach-style group transfers, which gives flexibility on pickup times and pacing. Entrance fees listed in the itinerary are included; international flights, the Egypt entry visa and tipping are not included in the price.
BudgetThis seven-day private tour blends Cairo sightseeing with leisure time on the Red Sea at Hurghada. In Cairo you visit the Giza Pyramids Complex, Saqqara and the new Grand Egyptian Museum, then walk Al Muizz Street and browse Khan El Khalili with a professional Egyptologist. After a few days in the capital you transfer to Hurghada for relaxation, a quad safari and a snorkelling excursion. We arrange all transfers, local guides and service on the ground, and we do not run large coach-group departures: every booking is private and timed to reduce queueing at popular sites.
MidAswan
A 9-day, land-based tour that visits Cairo, Alexandria, Aswan and Luxor with private Egyptologists and a combination of domestic flights and a first-class train. We arrange all airport meet-and-assist, modern private transfers and guides for the major sites named in the itinerary. Unlike large coach programmes, every major visit is private and paced to avoid peak crowds whenever possible. We do not run fixed-seat group buses; instead you travel in air-conditioned cars with your Egyptologist. Entrance fees for the listed monuments are included, while pyramid interiors and premium tombs are excluded unless requested.
BudgetNile (cruise route)
This 8-day, 7-night Luxor round-trip by Nile visits major temples and river towns between Luxor and Aswan. You will see Karnak Temple, Luxor West Bank including the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut, and make calls at Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we coordinate transfers, Egyptologists and accommodation on the ground. Unlike rushed one-way cruises, this round-trip schedule allows fuller visits to Edfu and Kom Ombo and morning access at key temples before the busiest hours.
BudgetLuxor
A 5-day, 4-night Nile voyage from Luxor to Aswan with guided visits to major temples and sites along the river. Daily departures, paced sightseeing and included transfers make the route straightforward. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and provide an Egyptologist for all guided visits. We do not run large coach-bus day trips, so the itinerary allows full visits to Edfu and Kom Ombo rather than abbreviated stopovers. Unlike shorter 3-night cruises, this four-night programme includes both Edfu and Kom Ombo with time ashore at each site.
Practical questions
A classic Egypt holiday covers three regions: Cairo (Pyramids of Giza, Sphinx, Grand Egyptian Museum, Khan el-Khalili bazaar), Luxor (Karnak Temple, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's temple, Colossi of Memnon), and a Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan (Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae Temple) with Abu Simbel as a day trip. Included: private Egyptologist guide, all internal flights, all admissions, hotel transfers and accommodation.
Seven to ten days is the standard range. Seven days covers Cairo + a 3-night Nile cruise + Abu Simbel – the most-booked first-trip length. Eight to ten days lets you slow the cruise pace, add Alexandria, or insert a Red Sea decompression at the end. 'Classic' refers to the temple-and-cruise circuit, not the duration – we run it at lengths from 5 to 15 days depending on what you'd like to fit in.
Classic Egypt holidays start around £1,075 per person for 7 days at 5-star with the Nile cruise included. Mid-range (4-star hotels, 5-star ship) runs £1,800–£2,800 per person. Premium classic (suite hotels, Sanctuary or Oberoi ships) is £3,200–£5,200. Add 25–35% for Christmas, New Year and the school half-terms. UK flights £450–£700 from London or the regional hubs are separate.
Classic is the broadest umbrella – most first-time British visitors book classic at 5-star with a standard 5-star Nile cruise ship. Pick 'luxury' if you specifically want suite-only ships (Oberoi, Sanctuary) or sunrise Pyramids access; pick 'family' if you're travelling with children under 16 and need pace-adjustment and family rooms. For a couple or solo client doing Egypt for the first time at 4–5 star, classic is the right entry shape.
On 7-day and longer classic Egypt holidays, yes – the Nile cruise is the defining southern segment. We offer two cruise lengths: a 3-night sailing Aswan → Luxor (matches the 7-day shape) or a 4-night sailing Luxor → Aswan (matches the 8-day shape and longer). Land-only classic variants exist (Cairo + Luxor + Aswan in hotels, no ship) – see our /egypt-tours/land-only/ slice for those. The cruise is the default for first-time visitors.
From the Cairo desk
Every Egypt holiday we sell is tailor-made – your dates, your party, your pace. Send a short brief or talk to the Cairo desk direct. Replies inside one working day.
– Suhaila & the Cairo team · 38 years · 6 offices · IATA #90255546
