This 8-day private Egypt itinerary covers everything that makes Egypt worth the journey: three days in Cairo unlocking the Pyramids, the GEM, and 1,000 years of Islamic history; two days in Aswan by the Nile’s first cataract; two days in Luxor’s open-air museum of temples and royal tombs; and a final day in Alexandria on the Mediterranean. You cover roughly 1,200 km of Egypt in eight days without wasting a single day in transit.
The transport mix is what sets this itinerary apart. A domestic flight gets you from Cairo to Aswan in one hour. You then work northwards at a slower Nile pace, before boarding an overnight sleeper train from Luxor back to Cairo in time for a morning arrival and departure to Alexandria. Four cities, two modes of travel, one private Egyptologist guide throughout.
Best for: First-time visitors to Egypt who want a comprehensive multi-city experience. Pace: Standard, with full days and comfortable travel between cities.
Your Egyptologist guide meets you at Cairo International Airport and transfers you to your hotel. After checking in, you visit the Egyptian Museum at Tahrir Square — 120 years of Egyptian antiquities including the original golden mask of Tutankhamun and the Royal Mummies room. The evening begins with a walk along the Nile Corniche and continues into the medieval alleyways of Khan El Khalili Bazaar, one of the oldest markets in the Islamic world. Welcome dinner included.
Early start to the Giza Plateau before the main crowds. Your guide walks you through the engineering reality of the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Khafre still wearing its original limestone cap at the summit, and the Pyramid of Menkaure. The Great Sphinx sits at the plateau edge. Drive south to Saqqara, where the Step Pyramid of Djoser (built ca. 2670 BC) is the world’s oldest large-scale stone structure still standing. Continue to the ruins of Memphis, Egypt’s first capital. Breakfast included.
Morning at the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), which holds the complete original treasures of Tutankhamun across 20 display cases. Plan two hours minimum for the Tutankhamun galleries alone. The museum sits on the Giza Plateau within sight of the Pyramids. Afternoon in Islamic Cairo: the Citadel of Saladin on Mokattam Hill and the Muhammad Ali Mosque, built in Ottoman style and offering the best panoramic view over Cairo. Transfer to Cairo Airport for your domestic flight south to Aswan. Check in to your Nile-view hotel. Breakfast included.
Start at Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis and relocated stone by stone from its original island to save it from the rising reservoir. The boat approach across the water is one of the most atmospheric moments on the entire itinerary. Continue to the Aswan High Dam, completed in 1971, and the Unfinished Obelisk, still lying in its granite quarry with the chisel marks of 3,500 years ago visible in the stone. Late afternoon: a traditional felucca sailboat drifts around Elephantine Island as the sun drops behind the Nubian west bank. Breakfast included.
Two options depending on your preferences. Option A (Abu Simbel): An early flight or drive through the desert brings you to the twin temples of Ramesses II and Nefertari, carved directly into the sandstone cliffs around 1265 BC and relocated 65 metres uphill during the Aswan High Dam project. The scale and the desert setting are extraordinary. Option B (Nile Cruise): Board a private Nile cruise from Aswan heading north, stopping at Kom Ombo Temple (dedicated to both Sobek and Horus) and the Ptolemaic Temple of Horus at Edfu before mooring near Luxor. Breakfast included.
Cross to the West Bank by private ferry. The Valley of the Kings: 63 royal tombs carved into the pale limestone cliffs, final resting place of pharaohs from Thutmose I to Ramesses XI. Your ticket covers three tombs; your guide selects the best currently open. Tutankhamun’s tomb is an optional add-on. Continue to Hatshepsut’s mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahri, one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt, built for the woman pharaoh who ruled for 22 years. Then the Colossi of Memnon, two 18-metre statues still standing at their original site. Evening return to Luxor. Breakfast included.
Karnak Temple in the morning: the Great Hypostyle Hall with its 134 columns up to 24 metres tall, the Avenue of Sphinxes, the Sacred Lake, and the obelisks of Hatshepsut and Thutmose I. Afternoon at Luxor Temple at the far end of the same avenue, and the Luxor Museum if time allows. Dinner in Luxor, then transfer to Luxor Railway Station. Board the overnight sleeper train to Cairo (departs ca. 10pm, arrives ca. 7am) in a private two-berth cabin. Basic dinner and breakfast service included onboard. Breakfast and dinner included.
The train arrives at Cairo Ramses Station. Brief stop to freshen up, then a private vehicle north to Alexandria (2.5 hours on the desert highway). Afternoon in Alexandria: the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, Egypt’s largest known ancient funeral monument blending Greek, Roman, and Egyptian traditions; Pompey’s Pillar, a 30-metre Roman column on the site of the ancient Serapeum; and the Citadel of Qaitbay on the exact site of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria. Seafood lunch on the Corniche, then drive back to Cairo for your international departure or a final night. Breakfast and lunch included.
Cairo (Days 1-3): Giza Plateau, Saqqara, Memphis, Grand Egyptian Museum, Islamic Cairo.
Aswan (Days 3-5): Fly from Cairo (1 hour). Philae Temple, Aswan High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk, Abu Simbel day trip or Nile cruise north.
Luxor (Days 5-7): Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Colossi of Memnon, Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple.
Cairo via overnight train (Day 8): Board in Luxor at 10pm, arrive Cairo at 7am. Then drive to Alexandria (2.5 hours) for the Catacombs, Pompey’s Pillar, Citadel of Qaitbay, and a seafood lunch.
Total distance covered: Roughly 1,200 km from Cairo south to Aswan and back. Transport: 1 domestic flight (Cairo to Aswan), 1 overnight sleeper train (Luxor to Cairo), private air-conditioned road transfers throughout.
See our full inclusions and exclusions guide for details.
This 8-day private Egypt itinerary starts from $1,100 per person in double occupancy at 3-star hotels.
| Hotel Tier | Per Person (Double Occupancy) |
|---|---|
| 3-star hotels | From $1,100 |
| 4-star hotels | From $1,200 |
| 5-star hotels | From $1,400 |
All prices include your private Egyptologist guide, private air-conditioned transport, the domestic flight from Cairo to Aswan, the overnight sleeper train from Luxor to Cairo, and all site entry tickets. International flights and Egypt visa are not included. Final pricing depends on travel season, group size, and exact hotel selection. WhatsApp Attarious for an exact tailored quote.
Most 8-day Egypt tours cover Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan but skip the overnight train back to Cairo and the Alexandria day trip. This itinerary adds the sleeper train (a genuinely memorable way to travel) and Alexandria (Egypt’s second city and the site of the ancient world’s great library) without adding extra days. It is the most complete 8-day Egypt circuit EDT operates.
If you have never seen Abu Simbel and are not planning a separate trip south, yes. The temples are among the most dramatic monuments in Egypt, built by Ramesses II and relocated stone by stone to save them from the rising Nile reservoir. The flight from Aswan takes about 40 minutes each way and is the most practical option. Attarious will advise on the best approach for your travel dates and budget.
Yes. If you want extra time in Cairo for a final walk through Islamic Cairo, the Cairo Tower, or more shopping in Khan El Khalili, Day 8 can be redesigned as a Cairo day. Just mention this when you WhatsApp Attarious to discuss the itinerary.
The Luxor-Cairo sleeper train runs in private two-berth cabins with fold-down beds, fresh linens, and a basic dinner and breakfast service. It is not a luxury hotel room, but most guests find it comfortable and enjoy waking up in Cairo after a full day in Luxor. If you prefer, the sleeper train can be swapped for a domestic flight from Luxor to Cairo.
October through April is the most comfortable window. November to February is peak season with mild temperatures in Cairo (around 20 degrees Celsius) and cool mornings in Luxor and Aswan. June through August is very hot in Upper Egypt but manageable with early starts and private air-conditioned transport. Prices are typically lower in summer. Attarious can advise on current conditions for any travel month.
Yes, and many guests choose this. Common extensions: one extra night in Aswan for a more relaxed Abu Simbel day trip without a 4am start, or one extra day in Luxor to visit Medinet Habu, the Ramesseum, and the Luxor Museum without rushing. WhatsApp Attarious and he will adjust the route and pricing for your exact dates.