Tour Overview
Sail the full length of the Nile from Aswan to Cairo aboard the Movenpick MS Darakum on this immersive 15-day, 14-night journey, one of the longest and most comprehensive Nile cruise itineraries available in Egypt. Rather than rushing between the handful of well-known sites covered on shorter 4- or 7-night cruises, this extended voyage traces the river's course through more than a dozen destinations spanning over three thousand years of history, from the pyramid fields of Memphis and Sakkara near Cairo to the temples of Nubia near Aswan. Along the way, you'll stop at lesser-visited sites rarely included on standard itineraries, such as Tel El Amarna, Beni Hassan, and Tuna El Gebel, alongside iconic landmarks like the Pyramids of Giza, Karnak Temple, and the Valley of the Kings. Life on board is equally rich, with themed buffet dinners rotating through Lebanese, Italian, Indian, Moroccan, and Mexican cuisine, nightly entertainment ranging from Nubian and folklore parties to belly dancing shows, and a Manager's Welcome Cocktail Reception to meet the crew. This is a cruise built for travelers who want to move beyond the highlights reel and experience the Nile Valley in its full depth.
Why You'll Love This Trip
Experience the ultimate Nile adventure aboard the Movenpick MS Darakum on a 15-day, 14-night cruise from Aswan to Cairo. Explore Egypt's most iconic landmarks, including the Pyramids of Giza, Karnak Temple, and the Valley of the Kings, while discovering hidden gems such as Tel El Amarna, Beni Hassan, and Tuna El Gebel. With elegant accommodations, full-board dining, nightly entertainment, and expertly guided excursions, this extraordinary journey offers the most comprehensive way to experience the wonders of the Nile.
- Sail the entire navigable stretch of the Nile between Aswan and Cairo, covering more ground than any standard cruise itinerary
- Visit world-famous sites including the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, Karnak and Luxor Temples, and the Valley of the Kings
- Explore rarely visited destinations such as Tel El Amarna, Beni Hassan, Tuna El Gebel, and Abydos Temple, most of them without the crowds
- Tour the Grand Egyptian Museum, home to the most extensive collection of pharaonic artifacts anywhere in the world
- Discover Nubian heritage at the Aswan High Dam, Philae Temple, and the Nubian Museum
- Enjoy nightly onboard entertainment, including a Galabia Party, Folklore Party, Nubian Party, and belly dancing performances
- Savor a rotating lineup of themed buffet dinners spanning Lebanese, Italian, Moroccan, Indian, and Mexican cuisine
- Experience a scenic river crossing in front of Prince Tawdrous Monastery with onboard guide commentary
- Wake up in a different historic city almost every morning, with the ship itself serving as a floating hotel throughout
Movenpick MS Darakum Nile Cruise Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Cairo and Embarkation
Upon landing at Cairo Airport, our representative will be waiting to assist you through the passport control formalities and help identify and collect your luggage before greeting you personally at the arrivals hall.
From there, you'll be transferred in a private, air-conditioned car or mini-bus directly to your Nile cruise ship, docked in Cairo, where the crew will welcome you aboard for check-in. This first day is your introduction to life on the Nile, giving you time to settle into your cabin, familiarize yourself with the ship's facilities, and unwind after your journey before the excursions begin the following morning.
Overnight in Cairo.
Meals: Lunch - Dinner
Day 2: Coptic Cairo, the Pyramids, and the Sphinx
After breakfast on board, the day begins with a visit to Coptic Cairo, one of the oldest parts of the city and a district rich in early Christian heritage. Here you'll explore the Hanging Church, suspended above the gatehouse of a Roman fortress, the Coptic Museum with its collection of Coptic art and manuscripts, and the historic Ben Ezra Synagogue.
Following lunch back on the ship, the afternoon shifts dramatically in theme with a visit to the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx, Egypt's most iconic ancient wonders and among the last surviving monuments of the classical world. The contrast between the morning's Coptic sites and the afternoon's pharaonic monuments offers a striking overview of Egypt's layered history in a single day. The evening winds down with tea service back on board before dinner.
Overnight in Cairo.
Meals: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner
Day 3: Memphis, Sakkara, and the Grand Egyptian Museum
Following an early breakfast, you'll travel to Memphis, once the capital of ancient Egypt and a major administrative and religious center, and nearby Sakkara, home to the Step Pyramid of Djoser, widely regarded as the earliest large-scale stone building in history. After lunch on board, the afternoon is dedicated to the Grand Egyptian Museum, one of the largest archaeological museums in the world, housing an extensive collection of pharaonic artifacts including treasures from the tomb of Tutankhamun.
The evening brings a warm welcome from the ship's management with a cocktail reception, giving guests the chance to meet the crew's department heads, followed by a festive gala dinner and an Oriental Tkht musical performance to close out the night.
Overnight in Cairo.
Meals: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner
Day 4: Sailing to Beni Suef
This is a day of leisurely cruising as the ship sails a full day toward Beni Suef, giving guests ample time to relax on board, enjoy the ship's facilities, and take in the changing scenery of rural Egypt along the Nile's banks.
It's a welcome pause between the busy sightseeing days in Cairo and the temple visits still to come further south.
Overnight in Cruise.
Meals: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner
Day 5: Sailing to Minya
The ship departs early for Minya, with the morning spent cruising and breakfast served along the way as the Nile scenery drifts past.
After a French-themed lunch, the afternoon remains unstructured, giving guests time to rest, read, or simply enjoy the deck, and the evening comes alive with a spirited folklore party following dinner, featuring traditional Egyptian music and dance.
Overnight in Cruise.
Meals: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner
Day 6: Tuna El Gebel, Ashmunein, and the Beni Hassan Tombs
The day starts early with a visit to Tuna El Gebel, a vast necropolis associated with the worship of the god Thoth, and nearby Ashmunein, site of ancient Hermopolis. After a light lunch back on board, you'll head to the Beni Hassan tombs, roughly an hour's drive from the Minya dock, for an approximately two-hour visit exploring rock-cut tombs carved into the limestone cliffs.
Highlights include the Tomb of Baqet III (BH15), the Tomb of Khety (BH17), the Tomb of Amenemhet (BH2), and the Tomb of Khnumhotep II (BH3), each adorned with vivid wall paintings depicting daily life, hunting scenes, and wrestling matches from ancient Egypt.
You'll return to the boat in the late afternoon in time for tea and dinner.
Overnight in Cruise.
Meals: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner
Day 7: Tel El Amarna
The ship sails early toward Tel El Amarna, the short-lived capital city built by the pharaoh Akhenaten during his radical religious revolution, when he broke from Egypt's traditional pantheon to worship the sun disk Aten alone.
After breakfast, you'll explore the northern tombs, the Royal Tomb of Akhenaten, the Northern Palace, and the Small Temples of Aten, gaining insight into one of the most unusual and fascinating episodes in ancient Egyptian history.
As the ship continues sailing toward Assyut in the early evening, it passes in front of Prince Tawdrous Monastery, with your guide offering commentary on its religious significance as you take in the view from the water. The night closes with a festive Galabia Party, where guests are invited to dress in traditional Egyptian attire.
Overnight in Cruise.
Meals: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner
Day 8: Sailing to Sohag
A relaxed day of cruising as the ship makes its way to Sohag, giving guests further time to enjoy the onboard amenities, catch up on rest, and watch the riverside villages and palm groves pass by from the comfort of the sundeck.
Overnight in Cruise.
Meals: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner
Day 9: Abydos Temple
An early sail takes the ship to El Balyana, from where you'll visit Abydos Temple, one of ancient Egypt's most sacred sites, revered as the holy city of Osiris, God of the Dead and of resurrection, and home to the beautifully preserved New Kingdom temple built by Seti I, renowned for its fine relief carvings.
After returning to the boat, the ship sails onward to Naga Hammadi, passing through the Naga Hammadi lock and bridges along the way, a notable feat of modern river engineering.
Overnight in Cruise.
Meals: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner
Day 10: Dendera Temple
The ship sails to Qena, where a short 20-minute drive brings you to the Temple of Dendera, one of the best-preserved temple complexes in all of Egypt, dedicated to the goddess Hathor and notable for its richly decorated ceiling depicting an ancient zodiac.
After the visit, you'll return to the boat as it continues on toward Luxor. The evening features an Oriental Show with a belly dancer performance, a lively cultural highlight of the cruise.
Overnight in Cruise.
Meals: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner
Day 11: Luxor's West Bank
After breakfast, the day is dedicated to Luxor's West Bank, encompassing the Valley of the Kings, the burial ground of Egypt's New Kingdom pharaohs including Tutankhamun, and the striking mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, built into the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari for Egypt's most famous female pharaoh.
The rest of the afternoon is free for relaxation on board, and an evening belly dancing show rounds out the day.
Overnight in Cruise.
Meals: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner
Day 12: Luxor's East Bank
The morning is spent exploring Luxor's East Bank, home to the vast Karnak Temple complex, the largest religious building ever constructed, and the elegantly proportioned Luxor Temple, connected to Karnak by the ancient Avenue of Sphinxes.
Together, these two sites represent the heart of religious worship in ancient Thebes. After lunch, the ship departs for Edfu, passing through the Esna lock en route, another example of the engineering that allows cruise ships to navigate the Nile's varying water levels.
Overnight in Cruise.
Meals: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner
Day 13: Edfu Temple and Kom Ombo Temple
Following breakfast, you'll visit the Temple of Edfu, one of the best-preserved temples in all of Egypt thanks to its burial under desert sand for centuries, dedicated to the falcon god Horus.
The ship then sails to Kom Ombo, where you'll explore a unique double temple dedicated jointly to the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Horus, its symmetrical design allowing two parallel sets of halls, sanctuaries, and courts.
The ship continues on toward Aswan for the overnight stay.
Overnight in Cruise.
Meals: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner
Day 14: The High Dam, Philae Temple, and the Nubian Museum
The day begins with a visit to the Aswan High Dam, one of the great engineering achievements of the 20th century and the structure responsible for creating Lake Nasser.
From there, you'll visit the Temple of Philae, dedicated to the goddess Isis, which was carefully relocated to Agilkia Island in a major international rescue effort to save it from the rising waters of the dam.
In the afternoon, you'll tour the Nubian Museum, an award-winning museum showcasing the history, art, and culture of Nubia, a region whose heritage stretches along the Nile into modern-day Sudan. The evening closes with a lively Nubian-themed party following a flambé dinner, a fitting finale before the cruise draws to a close.
Overnight in Cruise.
Meals: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner
Day 15: Disembarkation
After a final breakfast on board, guests disembark, bringing the 15-day journey along the Nile from Aswan to Cairo to a close, having traced the river's path through more than three thousand years of Egyptian history.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 1: Arrival in Cairo
Upon arrival at Cairo Airport, our representative will assist you through passport control and help identify and collect your luggage before greeting you personally.
From there, you'll be transferred in a private, air-conditioned car or mini-bus to your hotel in Cairo, giving you a comfortable first night in the city to rest and adjust before flying south the following day to begin the cruise portion of your journey.
Overnight in your hotel in Cairo.
Meals: No meals
Day 2: Flight to Aswan and Embarkation
After breakfast at your hotel, you'll fly south to Aswan, Egypt's southernmost major city and gateway to Nubia, where you'll be transferred directly to your Nile cruise ship for embarkation.
The remainder of the day is yours to settle into your cabin, explore the ship's facilities, and relax as the crew welcomes you aboard for the journey ahead.
Overnight in your cabin aboard the ship, docked in Aswan.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: The High Dam, Philae Temple, and the Nubian Museum
After an early breakfast, the day begins with a visit to the Aswan High Dam, one of the great engineering achievements of the 20th century and the structure responsible for creating Lake Nasser.
From there, you'll visit the Temple of Philae, dedicated to the goddess Isis, which was carefully relocated to Agilkia Island in a major international rescue effort to save it from the rising waters of the dam.
In the afternoon, you'll tour the Nubian Museum, an award-winning museum showcasing the history, art, and culture of Nubia. The evening closes with a festive Nubian Party following dinner, a lively celebration of the region's traditions.
Overnight in your cabin aboard the ship, docked in Aswan.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Kom Ombo Temple
After breakfast and lunch on board, the ship sails toward Kom Ombo, where you'll explore a unique double temple dedicated jointly to the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Horus, its symmetrical design allowing two parallel sets of halls, sanctuaries, and courts.
Following the visit, dinner on board is served as a festive gala dinner as the ship continues sailing onward toward Edfu for the overnight stay.
Overnight in your cabin aboard the ship, docked in Edfu.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Edfu Temple
An early breakfast is followed by a visit to the Temple of Edfu, one of the best-preserved temples in all of Egypt thanks to its burial under desert sand for centuries, dedicated to the falcon god Horus.
Afterward, the ship sails toward Luxor via the Esna Lock, a notable feat of engineering that allows vessels to navigate the Nile's varying water levels. The remainder of the day is spent cruising, with lunch and dinner served on board.
Overnight in your cabin aboard the ship, docked in Luxor.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Luxor's West Bank and East Bank
After breakfast, the morning is dedicated to Luxor's West Bank, encompassing the Valley of the Kings and Queens, burial ground of Egypt's New Kingdom pharaohs and royal family members, and the striking mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, built for Egypt's most famous female pharaoh.
Following a light lunch back on board, the afternoon shifts to the East Bank, home to the vast Karnak Temple complex, the largest religious building ever constructed, and the elegantly proportioned Luxor Temple. Together, these sites represent the heart of religious worship in ancient Thebes. The evening features a belly dancing show after dinner.
Overnight in your cabin aboard the ship, docked in Luxor.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Dendera Temple
After breakfast, the ship sails to Qena, where you'll visit the Temple of Dendera, one of the best-preserved temple complexes in Egypt, dedicated to the goddess Hathor and notable for its richly decorated ceiling depicting an ancient zodiac. After the visit, you'll return to the ship in Qena as it continues sailing toward Naga Hammadi for the overnight stay.
Overnight in your cabin aboard the ship, docked in Naga Hammadi.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Abydos Temple
The ship sails early toward El Balyana, passing through Abu Homar's bridge and lock along the way, before you set out to visit Abydos Temple, one of ancient Egypt's most sacred sites, revered as the holy city of Osiris, God of the Dead and of resurrection.
The temple, built by Seti I during the New Kingdom, is renowned for its exceptionally fine relief carvings. Afterward, the ship sails on to Sohag, where the evening closes with a spirited Galabia Party, inviting guests to dress in traditional Egyptian attire.
Overnight in your cabin aboard the ship, docked in Sohag.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Sailing to Tel El Amarna
An early departure from Sohag takes the ship through Assyut's lock en route to Tel El Amarna, the short-lived capital built by the pharaoh Akhenaten during his radical religious revolution.
As the ship sails, it pauses in front of Prince Tawdrous Monastery, with your guide offering commentary on its religious significance as you take in the view from the water. This is largely a day of scenic cruising, giving guests time to relax on board between excursions.
Overnight in your cabin aboard the ship, docked at Tel El Amarna.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Tel El Amarna, Ashmunein, and Tuna El Gebel
After an early breakfast, you'll explore the northern tombs of Tel El Amarna, the Royal Tomb of Akhenaten, the Northern Palace, and the Small Temples of Aten, gaining insight into one of the most unusual episodes in ancient Egyptian history, when Akhenaten broke from Egypt's traditional pantheon to worship the sun disk Aten alone.
The visit continues to Ashmunein, site of ancient Hermopolis, and Tuna El Gebel, a vast necropolis associated with the worship of the god Thoth. Lunch is served on board during the sail to Minya, and the evening closes with a spirited Folklore Party after dinner.
Overnight in your cabin aboard the ship, docked in Minya.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Beni Hassan Tombs
After breakfast, you'll visit the Beni Hassan tombs, roughly an hour's drive from the Minya dock, for an approximately two-hour visit exploring rock-cut tombs carved into the limestone cliffs.
Highlights include the Tomb of Baqet III (BH15), the Tomb of Khety (BH17), the Tomb of Amenemhet (BH2), and the Tomb of Khnumhotep II (BH3), each adorned with vivid wall paintings depicting daily life, hunting scenes, and wrestling matches from ancient Egypt.
After returning to the boat, the ship sails on to Beni Suef, and the evening features live singing during dinner followed by a Quiz Night.
Overnight in your cabin aboard the ship, docked in Beni Suef.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12: Coptic Cairo
The ship sails onward to Cairo, with breakfast served on board along the way. After lunch, you'll set out on a tour of Coptic Cairo, one of the oldest parts of the city and a district rich in early Christian heritage, including the Hanging Church, suspended above the gatehouse of a Roman fortress, the Coptic Museum with its collection of Coptic art and manuscripts, and the historic Ben Ezra Synagogue. The evening closes with the Oriental Tkht musical performance after dinner.
Overnight in your cabin aboard the ship, docked in Cairo.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13: The Giza Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum
After an early breakfast, you'll visit the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx, Egypt's most iconic ancient wonders and among the last surviving monuments of the classical world.
Following lunch on board, the afternoon is dedicated to the Grand Egyptian Museum, one of the largest archaeological museums in the world, housing an extensive collection of pharaonic artifacts including treasures from the tomb of Tutankhamun. The day closes with a flambé dinner on board, a fitting finale before disembarkation.
Overnight in your cabin aboard the ship, docked in Cairo.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14: Disembarkation
After a final breakfast on board, guests disembark, bringing the 14-day journey along the Nile from Aswan to Cairo to a close. You'll be transferred to your hotel in Cairo or directly to Cairo Airport, depending on your onward travel plans.
Meals: Breakfast
What's Included & Excluded
Included
- Meet and Assist Service by our representatives
- Accommodation in Cruise and Hotel as per Itinerary
- Experienced English Speaking tour guide throughout
- Private Air Conditioned Transport
- Entrance Fees to all Mentioned sites on Itinerary
- All Service Charges and Taxes
Not included
- Egypt Entry Visa
- Any items not mentioned in the itinerary
- Tipping
Travel Policy Guide of Min Travel
Every figure you see on our site is expressed in US Dollars (USD) by default, but paying in your home currency is never a problem. Whether you settle up in Euros (EUR), British Pounds (GBP), or another widely traded currency, we simply apply the official exchange rate in force on the day your payment clears.
Because the travel market shifts with the seasons and with what suppliers can actually deliver, the rates we advertise are not permanent and can be revised at any moment without advance warning. The reassuring part: the second we receive your deposit or your payment in full, that figure is frozen and protected for the rest of your booking.
Here is what a Min Travel package typically puts in your hands:
- Comfortable lodging exactly as laid out in your itinerary
- Transport arranged privately or as part of a group
- Licensed, professional guides accompanying you
- Breakfast each morning, plus any additional meals noted in your plan
- Admission charges for the attractions we include
- Domestic flights or transfers wherever the trip calls for them
- Round-the-clock, 24/7 assistance from our team on the ground
For the precise list of what is and is not covered, always refer to the confirmation and itinerary tied to your own reservation.
Holiday Supplement: Trips and Nile Cruises falling over Christmas, New Year, or Easter carry a 25% surcharge, a reflection of how heavily these peak dates are booked.
How much you pay upfront to lock in a Min Travel booking comes down to what you are reserving, so our terms are grouped by service type:
- Day Tours & Excursions: the entire cost (100%) is settled at the moment you book, which confirms your spot.
- Multi-Day Tour Packages & Nile Cruises: a 30% deposit holds your reservation, with the remaining balance due no later than 15 days before you arrive.
- Christmas, New Year & Easter Bookings: these high-demand windows call for a larger 50% deposit to secure your place.
The instant your payment goes through, we email you a written confirmation, a personalized itinerary, and your travel documents, and every payment you make comes with its own receipt.
Life doesn't always go to plan, and we get that. Here is how a cancellation is handled, measured against your arrival date:
- 30 days or more before arrival: you get everything back, less whatever your bank or the transaction charges
- 15 to 29 days before arrival: a fee of 25% of the total tour cost applies
- 7 to 14 days before arrival: the cancellation fee rises to 50%
- Fewer than 7 days before arrival, or a no-show: the full 100% is charged
Where money is owed back to you, expect it within 14 business days from the day we receive your cancellation in writing. Do keep in mind that individual hotels and certain cruises enforce tougher rules of their own, and any such condition will be spelled out plainly in your itinerary.
Families are always welcome aboard our tours, and we price younger travelers on a sliding scale:
- Infants under 2 years: travel free
- Children 2–5 years: pay 25% of the adult rate
- Children 6–11 years: pay 50% of the adult rate
- Children 12 years and above: charged the full adult rate
These reduced rates hold only where a child shares a room with two adults who are each paying in full. Bear in mind that a handful of luxury hotels and Nile Cruises set their own conditions for younger guests, and any such restriction that touches your trip will appear in your itinerary.
Beyond the standard package there are a number of extra experiences you can choose to add. Reserve them ahead of time or sort them out on the spot once you are there, availability permitting. A few of the favorites travelers pick up:
- Stepping inside the Great Pyramid of Khufu and other tombs
- Evening Sound & Light Shows at the Giza Pyramids, Karnak, or Philae Temples
- A sunrise hot air balloon flight above Luxor
- Camel rides or a horse-drawn carriage through the old quarters
- Private photography sessions at the great landmarks
You can pay for these add-ons in either USD or Egyptian pounds (EGP). Booking early is wise, all the more so when you are traveling in the busy season.
Our packages cover a great deal, but a few costs fall outside them and are worth setting money aside for:
- Anything you buy for yourself, from souvenirs to snacks
- Drinks at mealtimes, unless your plan states otherwise
- In-hotel extras such as the minibar, room service, or laundry
- Your Egyptian entry visa, which is normally paid when you land
- SIM cards or internet access, unless we've arranged it for you
- Tips and any optional experiences you decide to add
It helps to keep a little Egyptian currency (EGP) on hand as you go, particularly for tipping and for picking things up in the local markets.
In Egypt, tipping (known as "baksheesh") is simply how good service is acknowledged. No one is obliged to tip, but the gesture goes a long way and is warmly received. As a rough guide:
- Tour guide: $15–$20 per day for the group
- Driver: $5–$10 per day for the group
- Nile Cruise crew: $5–$10 per person each night, pooled among the staff
- Hotel porters and housekeeping: modest tips of $1–$2
Gratuities sit outside your package price, so it's worth keeping a few small USD or EGP notes within easy reach for the moments they're called for.
FAQ
Egypt is at its most welcoming in the winter, roughly November to February, when mild temperatures make wandering around the pyramids and temples a pleasure rather than an endurance test. It's wise to steer clear of high summer (June to August), when the mercury can climb past 40°C (104°F) across much of the country.
Before you arrive, make sure the following are sorted:
- Passport: must remain valid for a minimum of six months from your entry date.
- Visa: requirements hinge on your nationality; some travellers arrange one ahead of time, others obtain it on arrival, and certain nationalities qualify for an e-visa.
- Travel Insurance: not compulsory, but strongly advised to cover medical emergencies and other surprises.
- Vaccinations: none are mandatory for entry, though it's sensible to ask your healthcare provider about any recommended shots.
By and large, yes. Egypt puts considerable effort into protecting visitors, particularly at major attractions and in the larger cities, so tourists are generally well looked after. As with any trip abroad, it's still smart to review your government's current travel advisories and keep an eye on local news before and during your visit.
Pulling an Egypt trip together is straightforward once you work through it step by step:
- Set your dates and budget: pin down when you'd like to travel and what you're comfortable spending; this shapes your choices for flights, hotels, and tours.
- Map out your itinerary: from Cairo and the Pyramids of Giza to Luxor, Aswan, a Nile Cruise, Alexandria, and the Red Sea resorts, decide which places make the cut and how long you'll linger at each.
- Pick a trustworthy operator: whether that's a local Egyptian company, an international agency, or a specialist online platform, lean on reviews and ratings to confirm they're reliable.
- Choose a package or build your own: ready-made packages bundle flights, hotels, transport, and guided tours, or you can tailor everything to your own interests and budget.
- Reserve your spot: once you've settled on a plan, contact the operator to confirm availability, share your details, and pay either a deposit or the full amount as their policy requires.
- Get your documents in order: check your passport's validity, apply for an Egyptian visa if you need one, and print your itinerary, hotel vouchers, and tour confirmations.
- Pack smart: dress for the weather and your planned activities, and don't overlook comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, and travel adapters.
- Enjoy the journey: once you land, follow your itinerary, stay in touch with your guide or agency, and soak up Egypt's history and culture.
No, gratuities aren't built into the tour price. Tipping, known locally as "baksheesh," is woven into everyday life in Egypt, and it's customary to reward guides, drivers, and hotel staff directly. A sensible approach is to let the quality of service guide you, generally in the region of 10-15% of the bill or service cost.