Egypt's temples are rewarding but tiring: early starts, lots of walking and plenty of sun. So many of our Australian clients now end their trip on the Red Sea, where the water is clear, the reefs are a short boat ride from shore and the winter sun is warmer than in Cairo.
This itinerary does the sightseeing first. You get three nights in Cairo for Giza, the Grand Egyptian Museum and Saqqara, then fly to Aswan for Philae, Abu Simbel and a three-night cruise north to Luxor, taking in Kom Ombo, Edfu, Karnak and the Valley of the Kings.
From Luxor it is about a four-hour drive across the Eastern Desert to El Gouna, a car-free lagoon resort town north of Hurghada. Spend five nights snorkelling, diving, kitesurfing or doing very little, then fly to Cairo for your connection home.
Journey highlights
- Giza pyramids, the Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum
- Saqqara's Step Pyramid and the Dahshur pyramids
- 3-night five-star Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor
- Abu Simbel, Philae and a sunset felucca in Aswan
- Valley of the Kings, Karnak and Luxor Temple
- Five nights on the Red Sea at El Gouna
- Full-day boat trip snorkelling the Giftun Islands reefs
Day-by-day itinerary
- Day1
Arrive in Cairo
You are met at Cairo airport, helped with visa formalities and driven privately to your Giza hotel. The rest of the day is free.
- Day2
Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum
Explore the Giza Plateau and the Sphinx with your Egyptologist at opening time, then spend the afternoon in the Grand Egyptian Museum's Tutankhamun galleries and the Solar Boat of Khufu museum.
- Day3
Saqqara, Dahshur and Khan el-Khalili
Visit Djoser's Step Pyramid and the painted tombs of Saqqara, then the Red and Bent Pyramids of Dahshur. Return for the Citadel of Saladin and an evening in Khan el-Khalili.
- Day4
Fly to Aswan, embark your Nile cruise
Take the morning flight to Aswan (about 1 hour 20 minutes) and board your ship. In the afternoon, visit Philae Temple by motorboat and the High Dam, then sail by felucca around Elephantine Island at sunset.
- Day5
Abu Simbel and Kom Ombo
Make an early road trip (about 3 hours each way) or a short flight to Abu Simbel to see the temples of Ramses II and Nefertari, and be back on board for lunch. The ship sails north to Kom Ombo for an evening visit to the floodlit double temple.
- Day6
Edfu, Esna lock and Luxor
Visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu in the morning, then sail north through the Esna lock to Luxor. In the late afternoon, explore Karnak and see Luxor Temple after dark.
- Day7
Valley of the Kings, disembark
Disembark after breakfast and cross to the West Bank for the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's temple and the Colossi of Memnon. Check in to your Luxor hotel for the night.
- Day8
Drive to El Gouna
Start with an optional dawn balloon flight, then drive about 4 hours through the Eastern Desert mountains to the Red Sea. Check in to your El Gouna resort in time for a swim.
- Day9
Giftun Islands snorkelling
Take a full-day boat trip from Hurghada to the reefs of the Giftun Islands marine park, with two or three snorkelling stops for coral gardens, reef fish and sometimes turtles. Lunch is served on board.
- Days10–12
Red Sea at leisure
Three free days to enjoy El Gouna at your own pace. Options include a discover-scuba session, a kitesurfing lesson, a desert quad-bike sunset or simply the beach and the lagoon. We can book any activity in advance or once you are there.
- Day13
Fly to Cairo
Transfer to Hurghada airport (about 30 minutes) for the roughly one-hour flight to Cairo. Overnight near the airport or by the Nile, ready for your departure.
- Day14
Depart Cairo
A private transfer takes you to Cairo International Airport for your flight home.
Where you’ll stay
| Location | Accommodation |
|---|---|
| Cairo (Giza), 3 nights | Steigenberger Pyramids Cairo or similar |
| Nile cruise, 3 nights | Sonesta Star Goddess or similar five-star ship |
| Luxor, 1 night | Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa or similar |
| El Gouna, 5 nights | Steigenberger Golf Resort El Gouna or similar |
| Cairo, 1 night | Kempinski Nile Hotel Garden City or similar |
What’s included
- 10 nights in hotels and resorts with daily breakfast
- 3-night five-star Nile cruise Aswan to Luxor with full board
- Domestic flights Cairo–Aswan and Hurghada–Cairo
- Private Egyptologist guide on every sightseeing day
- Private air-conditioned vehicle for all transfers, including Luxor to El Gouna
- Standard entry fees for the sites in the itinerary, including Abu Simbel by road
- Full-day Giftun Islands snorkelling trip with lunch
- Airport meet-and-assist service and 24/7 local support
Not included
- International flights from Australia (we can quote and book these)
- Egypt visa fee
- Travel insurance (compulsory)
- Diving, kitesurfing and other optional Red Sea activities
- Luxor balloon flight, Tutankhamun's tomb and the Abu Simbel flight upgrade
- Drinks, meals not listed and tips
Destinations on this journey
Cairo & Giza · Aswan · Abu Simbel · Luxor · Red Sea Coast
Egypt & Red Sea in 14 Days: Pyramids, Nile Cruise and El Gouna: FAQs
How far is the Red Sea from Luxor?
El Gouna is about 4 hours by road from Luxor, and Hurghada about 3.5–4 hours. The drive crosses the Eastern Desert mountains and is a comfortable private transfer. See our Red Sea guide.
Is the Red Sea good for snorkelling in winter?
Yes. Visibility is usually excellent all year, and the water is around 22–24°C in January and February, so a thin wetsuit or rash vest helps. Air temperatures are warm in the middle of the day but cooler in the evening.
Why El Gouna rather than Hurghada?
El Gouna is a planned lagoon town with good restaurants, a marina and a quieter, more polished feel. Hurghada is better value and has more large all-inclusive resorts. We can book either, or Sharm el-Sheikh if you prefer.
Can I fly home from Hurghada?
Some Gulf carriers fly directly from Hurghada, which can save a night in Cairo. Routes change seasonally, so we check the best option when we quote. See our flights guide.
Can I learn to dive?
Yes. El Gouna and Hurghada have many PADI dive centres offering discover-scuba sessions and full open-water courses, which take about 3–4 days. Remember not to fly within 18–24 hours of diving.
