Private Egypt tour

Egypt Civilisation Discovery: 10-Day Private Journey

Private 10-day Egypt tour from Cairo through Middle Egypt, Luxor and Aswan to Abu Simbel. Explore pyramids, ancient temples and local culture on a tailored trip.

10 days / 9 nights or longer · Flexible arrangements

Painted walls in the tomb of Ramesses IX; accessible tombs depend on opening and tickets

ABOUT THIS TOUR

About this journey

Private 10-day Egypt tour from Cairo through Middle Egypt, Luxor and Aswan to Abu Simbel. Explore pyramids, ancient temples and local culture on a tailored trip.

Highlights

Why you'll love this tour

✓Day 1: arrival in Cairo, Grand Egyptian Museum and local evening.
✓Day 2: Meidum Pyramid, Beni Hasan and overnight in Minya.
✓Day 3: Tell el-Amarna and Tuna el-Gebel.
✓Day 4: travel to Abydos and visit Seti I's temple.
✓Day 5: Dendera Temple, Luxor and cruise embarkation.

Tour photographs

The Giza pyramids from the panoramic viewpoint — Slyronit · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

The Grand Staircase at the Grand Egyptian Museum — NileReference · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Historic Islamic architecture along Al-Muizz Street after dark; reference atmosphere

The distinctive stepped profile of the Meidum Pyramid

Ancient wall paintings in the Beni Hasan tombs — Leon petrosyan · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Ruins of the ancient city at Tell El Amarna

Relief from the Amarna area; only visited if listed in your confirmed route

The tomb of Petosiris at Tuna El Gebel — Einsamer Schütze · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Decorated interior of the Temple of Seti I at Abydos

More photographs from the original itinerary (17)

Columns and decorated ceiling of the Temple of Hathor at Dendera

The illuminated Avenue of Sphinxes in Luxor

The mortuary temple of Hatshepsut on Luxor’s west bank

A Nile cruise vessel; the actual ship is confirmed in your written quotation

A Nile cruise cabin example; the actual cabin is confirmed separately

A Nile cruise sun deck and pool; reference vessel, not a guaranteed ship

A lounge aboard a Nile cruise vessel; reference accommodation image

The monumental pylon of the Temple of Horus at Edfu

Philae Temple on Agilkia Island and the surrounding Nile

The Nile and rocky banks near Aswan High Dam

Colossal statues on the façade of the Great Temple at Abu Simbel

Abu Simbel illuminated at night; the sound-and-light show is a separate optional arrangement

Accommodation near Abu Simbel; example only, the actual hotel is confirmed in writing

Gallery

Tour photos

Your journey

Detailed itinerary

10 days / 9 nights or longer

Suggested order of visits; timing depends on conditions and your confirmed arrangements.

01Day 1

On arrivalGrand Egyptian Museum＋

A same-day GEM visit requires an arrival that leaves time for airport procedures, the hotel transfer and a confirmed museum entry slot. If arrival is too late, the museum must move to an additional day agreed before booking.

Early arrivals onlyGiza Pyramids and Sphinx＋

If arrival time allows, see Giza's pyramids and the Sphinx; otherwise this can be arranged as an additional day.

EveningCairo local dinner＋

Discover Egyptian breads, vegetables, stews and home-style flavours over dinner.

After dinner, if practicalCairo Night Discovery＋

Take a short walk through the historic or modern city, depending on arrival time and energy.

02Day 2

MorningMeidum Pyramid＋

Explore a key stage in the development from step pyramids to true pyramids.

AfternoonBeni Hasan rock-cut tombs＋

Discover wall paintings of daily life, crafts, hunting and wrestling.

EveningMinya Night Discovery＋

Walk along the Nile and enjoy the local café atmosphere in Minya.

03Day 3

MorningTell el-Amarna＋

Explore Akhenaten's former capital and the history behind his religious reforms.

AfternoonTuna el-Gebel＋

Visit historic tombs including Petosiris and explore Middle Egypt's layered history.

EveningMinya Night Discovery II＋

Enjoy a relaxed local evening depending on conditions and your energy.

04Day 4

MorningTravel from Minya to Abydos＋

Head south with breaks on this long travel day.

AfternoonTemple of Seti I at Abydos＋

Discover beautifully preserved reliefs, seven chapels and the Abydos King List.

EveningAbydos local dinner＋

Enjoy a quieter evening and a local meal after the drive.

05Day 5

Early morningDendera Temple of Hathor＋

See its richly decorated ceilings, Hathor columns and reliefs of Cleopatra VII and Caesarion.

MiddayLuxor cruise check-in＋

Board a five-star standard Nile cruise in a twin or double standard cabin, subject to the confirmed ship schedule.

AfternoonKarnak Temple＋

Explore the vast sanctuary and hypostyle hall.

Late afternoon if sailing allowsLuxor Temple＋

Visit the temple according to docking and sailing times.

Evening if time permitsLuxor Night Discovery＋

Experience an evening horse-carriage ride through Luxor if the cruise schedule allows.

06Day 6

MorningValley of the Kings＋

Explore New Kingdom royal tombs, including Tutankhamun's tomb (KV62) according to the agreed ticket arrangements.

MorningHatshepsut Temple and Colossi of Memnon＋

Explore the cliffside mortuary temple and colossal statues.

EveningNile cruise dinner＋

Return to the ship for dinner and enjoy the river at night.

07Day 7

MorningEdfu Temple of Horus＋

Explore the remarkably preserved temple and its mythological reliefs.

Late afternoonKom Ombo Temple＋

Discover the double temple dedicated to Sobek and Haroeris.

EveningCruise Night Discovery＋

Enjoy dinner and the Nile views from the deck or lounge.

08Day 8

MorningPhilae Temple＋

Take a boat to the island temple and explore the story of Isis and its relocation.

AfternoonAswan High Dam and town＋

Learn about the modern Nile and its impact on Egypt.

EveningAswan Night Discovery＋

Explore the souk, spices, karkadeh and local life.

09Day 9

MorningDisembark and travel to Abu Simbel＋

After checkout, drive around 280 km south towards Lake Nasser.

On arrivalHotel check-in and lunch＋

Rest at your Abu Simbel hotel before the evening programme.

Afternoon if requiredGreat and Small Temples of Abu Simbel＋

If the following day's flight is early, visit both rock-cut temples this afternoon.

EveningAbu Simbel Sound and Light Show＋

Experience the dramatic night show, followed by dinner and an overnight stay in Abu Simbel.

10Day 10

Around sunrise if flight allowsMorning visit to Abu Simbel Temples＋

If the flight schedule permits, explore the temples in the quiet morning light; otherwise the visit takes place the previous afternoon.

Morning–afternoonAbu Simbel to Aswan Airport and Cairo＋

Drive back to Aswan for your domestic flight to Cairo and onward arrangements.

FAQ

Questions before you travel

Is ten days enough for Cairo, Middle Egypt, Luxor and Aswan?

It can be, but expect some long travel days. Ask for a day-by-day plan that separates road time, sightseeing hours and relaxation.

What makes a Middle Egypt tour different from a typical Nile cruise?

It adds sites such as Beni Hasan and Amarna, making a deeper historical journey. The trade-off is additional road travel and access planning.

Are flights, hotels, tickets and tips always included in a ten-day package?

No. Inclusion varies by quote. Ask for a written breakdown covering accommodation category, transport, guides, tickets, meals and optional visits.

What if an itinerary has to change due to access restrictions?

Check how route changes, alternatives and any refund or extra cost are handled in your booking terms before paying.

Will this journey be too tiring for older travellers?

Several long transfers and ancient sites can be demanding. Discuss walking distances, breaks and hotel changes before choosing the route.

Is the trip private?

Yes, we arrange an itinerary for your own travelling party.

Can the schedule change?

Yes, subject to site hours, safety and the arrangements agreed in writing.

Book / Enquire

What to bring and plan

Middle Egypt road access, the Nile sailing, Abu Simbel road transfer and domestic flight must fit the same dated plan. A late Cairo arrival cannot guarantee a full GEM visit, and any change must be agreed before payment.

Passport details, domestic baggage allowance confirmation and a small overnight bag for road and cruise transfers.
Bring any regular medication and tell us about mobility or health needs before the itinerary is confirmed.

Additional page information & links

Plan a trip 日本語

Map & meeting area

The map is an area reference. Your exact meeting point and pickup time are confirmed in your written itinerary.

Open the map

Before you book

Important details

This is a sample itinerary. If you arrive later in the morning, an 11-day / 10-night version may be more comfortable. Hotels, cruise cabin, flights and entry fees are individually confirmed.

Ask for an individual quote in USD. We will confirm what is included — guide arrangements, transport, entrance fees, activities, meals and accommodation, if applicable — before any booking becomes final.

Services & quotation scope

Proposed services

The day-by-day visits and private ground-service arrangements listed in the confirmed itinerary.
Hotels, flights, rail tickets and cruise cabins are included only when the property, service and dates are named in the written quotation.

Not included unless confirmed

Personal purchases, gratuities and optional activities not listed in the quotation.
Any transport, tickets, meals, visas, insurance or accommodation not expressly included.

Indicative per adult · 2 adults

Book / Enquire