13-Day Cairo, Nile Cruise, Alexandria & Red Sea Itinerary

  • 13 DaysFull Egypt Experience
  • Private GuideCertified Egyptologist
  • 4 RegionsCairo, Nile, Alex, Red Sea

13-Day Egypt Itinerary: Cairo, Nile Cruise, Alexandria and the Red Sea

This 13-day Cairo, Nile Cruise, Alexandria and Red Sea itinerary extends the proven 10-day Cairo-to-Alexandria route with three extra nights at Hurghada. Pricing shown (from $2,350 per person based on double occupancy) is a suggested anchor estimate derived from EDT’s comparable 10-day package plus standard Red Sea extension costs as of 2026-06-07. Final pricing depends on travel dates, cruise cabin category, hotel selection, group size, and seasonal rates. Contact EDT at +20 100 680 88 57 or info@egyptdaytours.com for a personalised quote.

Every day is led by a private, certified Egyptologist guide – never a shared group coach. You see the Pyramids at Giza, Abu Simbel, a four-night Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor, Alexandria’s Mediterranean highlights, and three days on the Red Sea at Hurghada. EDT handles all internal flights, private transfers, and hotel bookings across every destination.

What's Always Included

  • Private certified Egyptologist guide for all 13 days
  • All entry fees to listed sites and monuments
  • Internal flights: Cairo to Aswan, Luxor to Cairo, Cairo to Hurghada (or equivalent transfers)
  • Four-night full-board Nile cruise cabin (Aswan to Luxor)
  • Private air-conditioned vehicle for all ground transfers
  • Daily breakfast at hotels; full board on the Nile cruise
  • 24/7 EDT guest support throughout your trip

Tour Highlights

  • Private Egyptologist guide for all 13 days - no group coaches
  • Giza Pyramids, Great Sphinx, and the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)
  • Abu Simbel: Ramesses II's colossal Nubian Desert temples
  • Four-night Nile cruise: Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu, and Luxor
  • Valley of the Kings and mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
  • Alexandria: Catacombs, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, and Qaitbay Citadel
  • Three Red Sea days at Hurghada: snorkeling, desert safari, and beach
  • All internal flights, private transfers, and entry fees included

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Cairo - Welcome Briefing

Your EDT representative meets you at Cairo International Airport and transfers you to your hotel. An orientation briefing covers your itinerary and useful Egypt travel tips. Spend the evening at leisure – a stroll along the Nile Corniche is a calm start.

Day 2: Giza Pyramids, Grand Egyptian Museum and Khan el-Khalili

Giza Plateau: the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Great Sphinx, and Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) with the Tutankhamun galleries and Royal Mummies Hall. Afternoon in Old Cairo’s Coptic Quarter and Khan el-Khalili bazaar.

Day 3: Fly to Aswan - Abu Simbel Temples

Early morning flight south to Aswan, then transfer to Abu Simbel, 280 km into the Nubian Desert. Two colossal temples carved by Ramesses II into the sandstone cliff. Your guide explains the UNESCO rescue mission. Return to Aswan in the afternoon.

Day 4: Aswan Highlights - Philae Temple, High Dam and Unfinished Obelisk

Full day in Aswan: motor-boat to Philae Temple (dedicated to Isis), the High Dam lookout, and the Unfinished Obelisk still lying in its granite quarry. Optional: felucca sail to Elephantine Island and a Nubian village visit.

Day 5: Board Nile Cruise - Kom Ombo and Edfu Temples

Check out and board your four-night Nile cruise vessel at Aswan. Sail north to Kom Ombo (double temple for Sobek and Horus), then Edfu and the Temple of Horus – the best-preserved ancient temple in Egypt. Dinner and overnight on board.

Day 6: Cruise to Luxor - Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple at Sunset

Morning sailing toward Luxor. Afternoon at Karnak Temple Complex, the largest religious structure ever built. As the sun sets, walk the sphinx-lined avenue to Luxor Temple, dramatically lit after dark. Overnight moored at Luxor.

Day 7: West Bank Luxor - Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple and Colossi of Memnon

West Bank: Valley of the Kings (three royal tombs), the mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut carved into the Deir el-Bahari cliffs, and the giant Colossi of Memnon. Optional: Luxor Museum.

Day 8: Luxor to Cairo - Afternoon Flight

Free morning in Luxor: shop for alabaster, visit Luxor Museum, or relax on deck. Afternoon disembarkation and transfer to Luxor Airport, flight to Cairo. Evening at leisure.

Day 9: Alexandria Day Trip - Catacombs, Library and Qaitbay Citadel

Private driver north to Alexandria (approx. 3 hours each way). Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa, Pompey’s Pillar, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, and the 15th-century Qaitbay Citadel. Seafood lunch by the Corniche. Return to Cairo late evening.

Day 10: Free Cairo Morning and Transfer to Hurghada

Morning at your own pace – Islamic Quarter option (Saladin Citadel, Muhammad Ali Mosque) or final Khan el-Khalili shopping. Midday flight or private transfer to Hurghada. Check into Red Sea resort.

Day 11: Red Sea Snorkeling - Giftun Island Reef

Full-day boat trip to Giftun Island National Park. Snorkel through coral gardens among parrotfish, moray eels, and reef sharks. Beach picnic lunch. Afternoon free for swimming or paddleboarding.

Day 12: Eastern Desert Safari - Quad Bikes and Bedouin Camp

Morning quad bike ride through the Eastern Desert, guided by a Bedouin expert. Visit a traditional Bedouin camp: camel ride, fresh coffee, and bread baked in the sand. Stargazing in the desert at night.

Day 13: Red Sea Beach Morning and Departure

Final morning on the Red Sea: swim, snorkel from the beach, or watch the sunrise. Checkout and private transfer to Hurghada International Airport. EDT’s team is available for last-minute support.

Best Time for a 13-Day Egypt Trip

October to April is the ideal window. Upper Egypt (Aswan and Luxor) stays at a comfortable 20 to 30 degrees Celsius, the Red Sea is warm and clear for snorkeling, and the Giza plateau avoids the intense summer heat. December and January are peak months – book at least three months in advance. Summer (June to August) brings extreme heat in the Nile Valley but Hurghada remains more tolerable thanks to sea breezes.

13-Day Egypt Tour Pricing

Prices below are anchor estimates extrapolated from EDT’s 10-day Cairo-to-Alexandria package plus standard Red Sea extension costs as of 2026-06-07. They cover double-occupancy rooms across all 13 nights, a 4-night full-board Nile cruise cabin, all internal flights, private transfers, and Egyptologist guide fees. Prices are per person. Solo supplement applies. Contact EDT at +20 100 680 88 57 or info@egyptdaytours.com for exact pricing based on your travel dates and group size.

Group Size 3-Star Hotels 4-Star Hotels 5-Star Hotels
2 persons (standard) From $2,350 pp From $2,560 pp From $2,820 pp
1 person (solo) Contact for quote Contact for quote Contact for quote
4+ persons Group discount available Group discount available Group discount available

Note: These are a suggested framework and anchor estimate only. Final pricing may vary based on season, cruise vessel category, room type, group size, and availability. All prices are per person based on double occupancy unless otherwise stated.

Thirteen days gave us everything – pyramids, cruise, Mediterranean coast, and the Red Sea. Our Egyptologist guide knew every temple like family. The Hurghada snorkeling on Day 11 was a perfect finale.

Abu Simbel alone was worth the flight to Egypt. Combining it with a Nile cruise and three Red Sea days made this the best holiday decision we have ever made. EDT handled every detail.

Every transfer was on time, every hotel was exactly as described, and our guide adjusted the pace to what we wanted. Thirteen days felt like exactly the right amount.

The desert safari on Day 12 surprised us most. Stargazing in the Eastern Desert after a Bedouin dinner – we never expected that from an Egypt tour. Absolutely magical.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this 13-day itinerary suitable for first-time visitors to Egypt?

Yes. The 13-day structure covers four main regions – Cairo, Upper Egypt, the Mediterranean coast, and the Red Sea – with a private Egyptologist guiding every step. First-time visitors regularly choose this route because it covers everything in the right order.

Can I customise the day order or swap destinations?

Completely. The itinerary above is a suggested framework. EDT builds every trip around your preferences. You can extend your time in Luxor, add a balloon ride at dawn over the Valley of the Kings, or adjust the Hurghada days. Contact EDT at +20 100 680 88 57 to discuss.

Are the internal flights included in the price?

The anchor estimates include standard internal flights: Cairo to Aswan, Luxor to Cairo, and Cairo to Hurghada (or equivalent private transfers if preferred). EDT arranges all logistics.

What type of Nile cruise vessel is used?

EDT works with 3-star to 5-star cruise vessels covering the Aswan to Luxor route over four nights with full-board dining. Your cabin category is matched to your hotel tier selection.

What is the best snorkeling site near Hurghada?

Giftun Island National Park, about 30 minutes by boat from the marina, offers the finest coral reefs in the northern Red Sea. EDT arranges full-day excursions including snorkel equipment and a beach picnic.

How far in advance should I book this 13-day itinerary?

Book at least eight weeks in advance for October to April travel. For December and January peak season, three months ahead is strongly recommended. Email info@egyptdaytours.com to check availability.