Crenellated limestone walls and towers of the Citadel of Qaitbay in Alexandria, flying the Egyptian flag

6 Days Cairo, Alexandria & Luxor Tour

Duration
6 Days / 5 Nights
Route
Cairo · Alexandria · Luxor
Style
Private tour · 4-star hotels, B&B
Schedule
Daily departures · private

Overview

Six days that pair the two halves of Egypt most first-time visitors want to see: the pyramids and the Mediterranean in the north, and the temples and royal tombs of Luxor in the south. Three nights in Cairo give you Giza, the Grand Egyptian Museum and a full day out in Alexandria, then a short flight takes you to Luxor for Karnak, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings. Private throughout, with your own Egyptologist guide, five nights of 4-star bed-and-breakfast hotels and both domestic flights included.

Highlights

The Giza pyramids and the Great Sphinx with a private Egyptologist
The Grand Egyptian Museum, including the Tutankhamun galleries
A full day in Alexandria on the Mediterranean coast
The Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa and the Citadel of Qaitbay
Karnak and Luxor temples on the East Bank
The Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut’s terraced temple
Optional sunrise hot-air balloon over Luxor’s West Bank

Itinerary

1Day 1: Arrival in Cairo
Our representative meets you inside Cairo International Airport, helps with the arrival formalities and transfers you privately to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to rest after your flight or to start exploring at your own pace. Overnight in Cairo.
2Day 2: Giza Pyramids, the Sphinx & the Grand Egyptian Museum
After breakfast your private Egyptologist takes you onto the Giza plateau for the Great Pyramid of Khufu and the pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure, the panoramic viewpoint and the Great Sphinx beside the valley temple. In the afternoon you visit the Grand Egyptian Museum, standing beside the plateau, which holds the complete Tutankhamun collection alongside the largest display of Egyptian antiquities in the world. Overnight in Cairo.
🍽️ Meals Included Breakfast
3Day 3: Alexandria day trip
An early start for the drive north to the Mediterranean, about three hours each way along the desert road. In Alexandria you visit the Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa, cut into the rock on three levels, Pompey’s Pillar on the site of the Serapeum, the Citadel of Qaitbay standing where the ancient lighthouse once did, and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the modern library built in memory of the greatest of the ancient world. You return to Cairo in the evening. Overnight in Cairo.
🍽️ Meals Included Breakfast
4Day 4: Fly to Luxor: Karnak & Luxor Temple
Breakfast, then a transfer to Cairo airport for the flight south to Luxor, where you are met and taken to your hotel. With your guide you visit Karnak, the largest religious complex ever built, with its forest of columns in the Great Hypostyle Hall, and then Luxor Temple on the riverside, joined to Karnak by the restored avenue of sphinxes. Overnight in Luxor.
🍽️ Meals Included Breakfast
5Day 5: Luxor West Bank: Valley of the Kings & Hatshepsut Temple
For those who book it, an optional sunrise hot-air balloon flight over the West Bank starts the day. After breakfast you cross the river for the royal tombs of the Valley of the Kings, cut deep into the hillside and painted from floor to ceiling, and the terraced temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, pausing at the Colossi of Memnon on the way back. Overnight in Luxor.
🍽️ Meals Included Breakfast
Optional Excursion Sunrise hot-air balloon over Luxor’s West Bank
6Day 6: Departure: Luxor to Cairo
Breakfast at your hotel, then a private transfer to Luxor airport for the domestic flight back to Cairo, where you connect with your own international flight home. Our representative assists you at both airports.
🍽️ Meals Included Breakfast

Luxor East Bank vs. West Bank

FeatureEast Bank (the living)West Bank (the dead)
Ancient purposeTemples for the gods, and the living city around themTombs and mortuary temples for the journey after death
Main sightsKarnak and Luxor Temple, joined by the avenue of sphinxesThe Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon
LandscapeRiverside, palm-lined and part of the modern townDry valleys under the Theban cliffs
Best time of dayLate afternoon into the evening, when the stone warmsFirst thing, before the heat comes up the valley
On this tourDay 4, on arrival from CairoDay 5, after the optional sunrise balloon

The ancient Egyptians split Luxor by the sun: temples for the living where it rises, tombs for the afterlife where it sets. This tour gives each bank its own day, in that order.

What’s Included

Included

  • Five nights in 4-star hotels with daily breakfast: three nights Cairo, two nights Luxor
  • Domestic flights Cairo–Luxor and Luxor–Cairo (timings subject to availability)
  • Private air-conditioned vehicle for all transfers, sightseeing and the Alexandria day trip
  • Private, certified English-speaking Egyptologist guide on sightseeing days
  • Meet-and-assist by our representative at every airport
  • Entrance fees to the sites listed in the itinerary
  • All service charges and taxes

Not Included

  • International flights to and from Egypt
  • Egypt entry visa
  • Optional sunrise hot-air balloon over Luxor’s West Bank, quoted on request
  • Lunches, dinners and drinks
  • Gratuities for guides and drivers
  • Personal expenses and travel insurance
  • Anything not listed as included
Pricing Information

Prices are shown in US dollars per person. Seasonal supplements may apply during Christmas, New Year and Easter unless a specific seasonal price is displayed.

Children’s Policy
0-5.99 years
Free of charge
6-11.99 years
Pay 50% of tour price
12+ years
Pay full tour price as per adult person

Note: Child rates apply to children travelling with their parents. Where accommodation is included, a maximum of one child per room applies.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the Alexandria day trip?
It is a full day. The drive is about three hours each way along the desert road, so you leave Cairo early and return in the evening, with the middle of the day spent at the Catacombs, Pompey’s Pillar, the Citadel of Qaitbay and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. You keep the same hotel in Cairo, so there is no packing and moving involved.
How do we travel between the cities?
Cairo to Luxor on day four, and Luxor back to Cairo on day six, are short domestic flights. Everything else, including the Alexandria day trip, is by road in your own private air-conditioned vehicle. Domestic flight timings are subject to availability and are confirmed with your booking.
Do we fly home from Luxor?
No. On the final morning we transfer you to Luxor airport for the domestic flight back to Cairo, where you connect with your own international flight home. When you book your flights, please allow a sensible connection time in Cairo.
What accommodation and meals are included?
Five nights in 4-star hotels on a bed-and-breakfast basis: three nights in Cairo and two in Luxor. Breakfast is included every morning; lunches and dinners are not, which leaves you free to eat where you like. Hotels are named when we confirm your booking and can be upgraded on request.
What optional extras can we add?
A sunrise hot-air balloon flight over Luxor’s West Bank on day five is the natural addition to this itinerary, and the most popular one. It is quoted on request and slots in before breakfast, ahead of the Valley of the Kings.
Is this a private tour, and can the itinerary be customised?
Yes to both. You travel with your own Egyptologist guide, driver and private vehicle throughout, and every itinerary can be tailored to your dates, pace and interests.

Why Book With Nile Empire

Local experts

An Egypt-based team that lives and breathes these journeys.

Private & tailor-made

Every trip built around your dates, pace, and budget.

Certified Egyptologists

Your own private guide at every temple and tomb.

Confirm before you pay

We confirm availability and your final price first. A deposit is only due once you are happy to proceed.

What Our Travellers Say

★★★★★
We had a fully organized two-week Egypt itinerary with Nile Empire, and the experience was completely faultless from start to finish. Every part of the journey was carefully arranged, and we were guided and assisted throughout the entire trip. The Egyptologist guides were excellent, informative, and professional, and everything throughout the itinerary ran smoothly and on time. Highly recommended for anyone planning a trip to Egypt.
Sommerstar · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
We recently completed an unforgettable Egypt trip organized by Nile Empire, and the entire experience was handled with professionalism and excellent attention to detail from start to finish. The itinerary between Cairo, Abu Simbel, Luxor, and the Nile cruise was perfectly coordinated, with quality hotels, punctual transfers, and continuous support throughout the journey. We especially appreciated how responsive and attentive the team remained during the entire stay. Our guides in Cairo and Upper Egypt were both knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about Egyptian history, making every visit more enjoyable and meaningful. We highly recommend Nile Empire for travelers looking for a well-organized and professionally managed Egypt experience.
Abdelaziz · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
From the moment we arrived in Egypt until the day we left, Nile Empire made every part of our journey feel special and unforgettable. The team went above and beyond to ensure we felt comfortable, safe, and genuinely cared for throughout the trip. During our 7-day Egypt tour, everything was smoothly organized between Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, and the Nile cruise. A special thank you to Soliman and Rami for their exceptional attention to detail and for making my birthday celebration truly memorable throughout the journey. The experience felt personal, warm, and professionally managed from start to finish. We would absolutely recommend Nile Empire to anyone planning a trip to Egypt.
CE · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
We booked our Egypt trip with Nile Empire based on a recommendation, and now we are happy to recommend them ourselves. From the initial planning stage until our final day in Egypt, everything was handled with professionalism, flexibility, and genuine care. The itinerary was carefully customized around our requests, including experiences like a hot air balloon ride in Luxor and scuba diving in Hurghada. Our guides and drivers were knowledgeable, friendly, and always supportive throughout the trip. Every part of the journey felt smooth, organized, and memorable thanks to Soliman and the Nile Empire team. A fantastic choice for travelers looking for a personalized Egypt experience.
Mangesh Satpute · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
Our Egypt trip with Nile Empire felt like much more than just a holiday — it was a fully personalized experience from start to finish. Everything was thoughtfully customized around our preferences, making the journey feel smooth, comfortable, and genuinely special. The accommodations, transportation, and daily planning were all very well organized, and it was clear that a lot of attention went into every detail. We especially appreciated the support throughout the trip and the flexibility of the private tours. A special thank you to our Cairo driver, our wonderful guide Mariam, and to Soliman and Rami for organizing such a memorable Egypt experience.
Priyanka Kannan · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
Our experience with Nile Empire was excellent from start to finish. Soliman helped us redesign our Egypt trip on very short notice and customized everything around our schedule, including internal flights, hotels, and a Nile cruise. We loved that all sightseeing tours were private, giving us flexibility throughout the trip. The guides, drivers, and overall organization were outstanding, and we never had to worry about anything during our stay in Egypt. The Nile cruise between Aswan and Luxor was one of the highlights of our trip, and the additional tours to Abu Simbel, Dendera, and the Nubian Village made the experience even more special. We highly recommend Nile Empire for anyone looking for a reliable and professionally organized Egypt tour.
M & S Krebs · TripAdvisor
★★★★★Rated excellent on TripAdvisorRead reviews

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From
$1,150 /pp