Egypt Itinerary 12 Days: Pyramids, Nile & Red Sea

Egypt Itinerary 12 Days: A Grand Journey Through Ancient Marvels and Red Sea Bliss

Open your eyes to the natural beauty of the land of the Pharaohs through a comprehensive Egypt Itinerary 12 Days to Cairo, a majestic Nile Cruise, and the coastal paradise of Hurghada. See the extraordinary beauty of the Pyramids of Giza and explore the phenomena, destinations, and artifacts of the capital. This Egypt Itinerary 12 Days allows you to discover the monuments of Luxor and Aswan while on board majestic cruises, followed by relaxation in the clear waters of the Red Sea.

Discover the charm of the country with our suggested Egypt Itinerary 12 Days options:

12 Days Pyramids, Nile Cruise & Sharm El Sheikh
12 Days to Cairo and Alexandria with Nile Cruise Package
12 Days Cairo and Hurghada with Nile Cruise

Day 1: Welcome to the Capital on Your Egypt Itinerary 12 Days

Upon your arrival at Cairo International Airport, our professional assistant will be waiting to transport you to your hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle. During this first stage of your Egypt Itinerary 12 Days, he will facilitate all check-in procedures and review your scheduled pick-up times and any optional activities you may want to reserve. Spend the night and prepare for your upcoming adventure.

Day 2: The Wonders of Giza, Saqqara, and Memphis

Enjoy a delicious breakfast to begin your Egypt Itinerary 12 Days adventure at the Giza Plateau. You will see the greatest of the seven wonders of the world, built thousands of years ago to memorize the names of Cheops, Khafre, and Menkaure, along with the Great Sphinx.

The journey continues to the Step Pyramid of Djoser in Saqqara, built by Imhotep. It is the oldest primary stone structure in Egypt, standing 60 meters high with six receding steps. You will then move to Memphis, the first capital of the ancient kingdom and a famous cemetery. Its ruins at Mit Rahina house the giant statue of King Ramses II and the alabaster sphinx of Queen Hatshepsut. Enhance your Egypt Itinerary 12 Days with a half-day pyramids tour, a camel ride, or a visit to the pyramids of Dahshur.

Day 3: Exploring the Cairo Citadel and Museums

Your Egypt Itinerary 12 Days continues at the Egyptian Museum, housing over 120,000 pieces of gold, silver, and precious stones, including the solid gold mask of Pharaoh Tutankhamun and royal mummies. Next, visit Saladin’s Citadel, a medieval Islamic fortress housing the Mosque of Muhammad Ali. Built between 1830 and 1848, this "Alabaster Mosque" features a 52-meter high dome and minarets rising to 85 meters, sheltering the marble tomb of its founder. Conclude the day at Khan el Khalili Bazaar, a picturesque market filled with herbs, spices, essences, and local artisan crafts.

Day 4: Flight to Luxor and the Art of Mummification

Fly from Cairo to Luxor to continue your Egypt Itinerary 12 Days. Visit the Luxor Museum, which displays a well-chosen collection of antiquities from the Old Kingdom to the Mamluk period. Afterward, explore the Mummification Museum to see the well-preserved mummy of the high priest Maserharti and various mummified animals. You will see the tools used to scrape the brain from the skull and the statue of Anubis, the jackal god of embalming who helped Isis turn Osiris into the first mummy.

Day 5: The East Bank Temples of Amun Ra

On the fifth day of your Egypt Itinerary 12 Days, visit the Karnak Temple complex, dedicated mainly to Amun and dating from 2000 BC. Follow this with a visit to the Luxor Temple, a large complex built approximately 1400 BC on the east bank. For a unique experience, consider a hot air balloon tour or a Sound and Light show.

Day 6: The Valley of the Kings and Queen Hatshepsut

The Egypt Itinerary 12 Days takes you to the West Bank to explore the Valley of the Kings, the burial ground for New Kingdom pharaohs. You will find the tombs of Tutankhamun and Ramses IV. To protect the pigments from humidity and sweat, the Ministry of Antiquities has installed dehumidifiers and glass screens. Continue to the three-story Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahari and the Colossi of Memnon, two massive statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III that have stood for 3,400 years.

Day 7: Sailing to Edfu and Kom Ombo

Enjoy the scenery on your Nile Cruise as you reach the Temple of Edfu. Dedicated to Horus, the son of Isis and Osiris, this Ptolemaic temple was built between 237 and 57 BC and was perfectly preserved by desert sand. Your Egypt Itinerary 12 Days then leads to the unusual double Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek, Hathor, and Khonsu.

Day 8: The Majestic Abu Simbel and Hurghada

Visit the Abu Simbel Temple Complex, featuring two massive rock temples built by Ramses II near the border with Sudan on Lake Nasser. After exploring these monuments, you will transfer to Hurghada to check in at your Red Sea hotel for the night.

Day 9: Red Sea Relaxation and Desert Safaris

Use this free day in your Egypt Itinerary 12 Days to experience exquisite diving and snorkeling among coral reefs. Optional activities include windsurfing, deep-sea fishing, or a quad bike safari in the desert at sunset. You can also visit Mahmya Island or enjoy the Alf Leila Wa Leila show.

Day 10: Returning to the Heart of Cairo

Leave Hurghada for Cairo. This day of your Egypt Itinerary 12 Days is designed for rest. We suggest a simple tour of popular neighborhoods to eat traditional Egyptian food, such as Kushari or Falafel, from our recommended culinary guides.

Day 11: Alexandria—The Greco-Roman Pearl

Your Egypt Itinerary 12 Days visits Alexandria, built by Alexander the Great in 332 BC. Explore the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, Pompey’s Pillar, and the 15th-century Citadel of Qaitbay, which stands on the site of the ancient Pharos Lighthouse.

Day 12: Concluding Your Egypt Itinerary 12 Days

Today marks the final day of your journey. We hope this Egypt Itinerary 12 Days has helped you cover the most significant Cairo Tours and Egypt tour packages. Booking with a professional travel agency ensures total security, expert guides, and seamless transportation via plane or sleeper train. Egypt is safe in every way, and we look forward to welcoming you back to the "cradle of civilization."