SK Travel · Egypt Stays & Tours
Egypt In-Depth 12-Day Journey
ClassicLuxury

12 days · 11 nights · Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel

Egypt In-Depth 12-Day Journey

Comprehensive Egypt with Alexandria & Abu Simbel

4.9 · 384 reviewsPrivate journey

All tours are private. Your group only — no strangers, no shared coaches, no fixed departures.

Journey highlights

  • Stand before the Great Pyramid of Giza, last surviving ancient wonder
  • Encounter the Sphinx face-to-face on the Giza Plateau
  • Discover Tutankhamun's treasures at the Egyptian Museum
  • Walk the colossal hypostyle hall of Karnak Temple in Luxor
  • Witness sunrise over the Valley of the Kings

About this journey

This 12-day luxury classic introduces you to the very best of Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel, crafted by Egypt Stay & Tours' specialists with over 20 years of Egypt expertise. From the moment your private chauffeur greets you at the airport to your final farewell, every detail has been considered. You'll travel with an expert Egyptologist (or local equivalent) who brings ancient history to life, stay in carefully selected luxury accommodations, and experience moments most travellers miss.

Unlike generic group tours, this itinerary is fully customisable. Add experiences, extend stays, upgrade hotels, or adjust the pace — we tailor every journey to suit your style. With 24/7 in-country support, transparent pricing, and direct relationships with all suppliers (including our own seven hotels in Egypt), you'll experience Egypt the way it should be experienced: seamlessly, authentically, and without compromise.

Egyptologist's note

What this trip really shows you

Twelve days adds Alexandria — and Alexandria adds an entirely different Egypt. After ten days of pharaonic and Ptolemaic content, the Mediterranean coast introduces the Greco-Roman city of Alexander, the Ptolemies, and Cleopatra: Pompey's Pillar, the catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa, and the modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina built on the symbolic site of the lost ancient library. Most first-time itineraries skip Alexandria because it is a 3-hour drive each way from Cairo; the in-depth length builds it in properly with an overnight on the Corniche.

The rest of the itinerary covers the spine — Giza, Saqqara/Memphis, Egyptian Museum, four-night Nile cruise, Abu Simbel — at a calmer pace than the standard 8-day, with breathing room between sites.

Historical context

Alexandria was Egypt's capital for nearly a thousand years, from Alexander's foundation in 331 BCE through the Ptolemies, the Roman period, and the early Byzantine era — until the Arab conquest of 642 CE shifted the centre of gravity south to Fustat (later Cairo). For most of antiquity 'Egypt' meant Alexandria first, the Nile valley second.

What you'll experience

  • Walk the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and stand on the symbolic site of the ancient library
  • Descend into the Roman-period catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa (2nd century CE)
  • See Pompey's Pillar — the tallest standing ancient column in Egypt
  • Eat fresh seafood on the Corniche the way Cairenes do on summer weekends
  • Compare Alexandria's Greco-Roman remains with Karnak's pharaonic core in one trip
  • Take the slower 4-night cruise rather than the short 3-night cabin sprint

Insider tip from your guide

If you can stretch one extra night in Alexandria, ask to add the Royal Jewellery Museum and a sunset visit to Qaitbay Citadel — built in 1477 on the foundations of the Pharos lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Best for

Repeat visitors who already saw the Cairo-Luxor-Aswan classicsFirst-timers with two weeks who refuse to skip AlexandriaGreco-Roman history enthusiastsTravellers who prefer pace over speed

Day-by-day itinerary

Meet your representative at Cairo Airport, private transfer to hotel. Welcome briefing with your Egyptologist guide. Evening at leisure.

What's included

  • Private airport transfers (arrival & departure)
  • All accommodation (11 nights) on bed & breakfast basis
  • All sightseeing and excursions per itinerary
  • Expert local guide
  • All entry fees to monuments and sites
  • All transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle
  • Bottled water during tours
  • All taxes and service charges
  • 24/7 emergency support during your trip
  • Lunch on touring days
  • Welcome dinner on day 1
  • Domestic flights (where included in itinerary)
  • VIP fast-track at airports

What's not included

  • International flights to/from your home country
  • Egypt entry visa (USD $25 on arrival or e-visa available)
  • Travel insurance (mandatory — we can recommend providers)
  • Personal expenses (laundry, phone calls, minibar)
  • Optional excursions and activities
  • Tips and gratuities for guides, drivers, and hotel staff (USD $8–12 per person per day suggested)
  • Drinks with meals (unless specifically stated)
  • Anything not specified in 'Inclusions'

Practical information

Practical Information

Best Time to Visit
October to April (cooler weather, peak season)
Departure Dates
Daily departures · Year-round
Languages Available
English, Arabic, German, French, Italian, Spanish (on request)
Physical Rating
Moderate — extensive sightseeing with significant walking, some uneven surfaces
Cancellation Policy
Free cancellation up to 60 days before departure. 50% refund 30-59 days. No refund within 30 days. (Christmas/NYE/peak holiday departures: 90 days for full refund.)
Deposit Required
20% at booking, balance 30 days before departure

Frequently Asked Questions