Tour · 15 days
Complete Egypt: 15-day private tour
Fifteen days with everything: the pyramids, the temples, the Nile and five nights at one of the finest coral reefs in the world.
Complete Egypt is a 15-day private tour by Egypt Travel Planner through Cairo, Alexandria, Aswan, Abu Simbel and Luxor, with a 3-night Nile cruise and five nights at the Red Sea, from €2,995 per person sharing a double room, including the domestic flight and a private English-speaking Egyptologist.
About this tour
Complete Egypt
For the traveller who does not want to choose between the ancient civilisation of Egypt and the ease of the beach: this is your trip. Fifteen days that begin in Cairo, take in Mediterranean Alexandria, include the grandeur of Abu Simbel, sail the Nile and end with five days on the Red Sea. Entirely private, with your own English-speaking Egyptologist, and set to your pace. No day is too full, no day is wasted.
The route
Your route on the map.
This is how the stops on this tour relate to each other. The dotted line follows the order of the programme. All transport along the way is arranged for you.
- CairoDay 1-5
- AlexandriaDay 4
- AswanDay 5-8
- Abu SimbelDay 6
- LuxorDay 9-10
- Red SeaDay 10-15
Itinerary
Day by day.
Every itinerary is a proposal. Your pace, your interests, your trip: this is the base we build on.
Arrival & National Museum of Egyptian Civilization
Arrival and transfer to your hotel. A first encounter with Cairo at the NMEC, the museum that houses the earliest pharaohs and the royal mummies. A quiet, impressive opening to a great journey.
Pyramids of Giza & the Grand Egyptian Museum
The pyramids early in the day, while it is still quiet, and the Sphinx. If you wish, you can enter the Great Pyramid of Khufu with a separate ticket (not included in the price). Afternoon: the GEM with the complete Tutankhamun treasure. A day that sets the standard for everything that follows.
The earliest pyramids & the first capital
Saqqara with the Step Pyramid of Djoser. Dahshur with the Red Pyramid and the Bent Pyramid. Memphis, once the capital of the Egyptian kingdom. A day off the usual tourist route.
Day trip to Alexandria
The Mediterranean side of Egypt: the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the Citadel of Qaitbay, the Graeco-Roman amphitheatre. A city with a different language, a different rhythm and different air from Cairo.
Citadel, Coptic Cairo & evening flight to Aswan
Morning: the Citadel of Saladin, the early Christian churches of Coptic Cairo and the bazaars of Khan el-Khalili. Evening flight to Aswan. Arrival and check-in on the Nile.
Day trip to Abu Simbel
An early departure with your private driver to Abu Simbel, about three hours each way, for the temples of Ramesses II and Nefertari. One of the most impressive sights in the world. Back in Aswan during the afternoon.
Temple of Philae & Nubian culture
The Temple of Philae on the island of Agilkia, surrounded by water. A felucca sail on the Nile or a visit to a Nubian village in the afternoon. Aswan at its calmest.
Temples of Kom Ombo & Edfu: the Nile cruise begins
On board the cruise ship. Kom Ombo and Edfu are the classic temples of the Nile route. Between the moorings: the river, the sound of the water and the silence of the land.
Valley of the Kings, Karnak & Luxor Temple
The Valley of the Kings on the West Bank. Karnak in the afternoon. Luxor Temple in the evening light, one of the most photogenic moments of the whole trip.
Temple of Dendera & transfer to the Red Sea
The Temple of Hathor at Dendera, with its astronomical ceilings and wonderfully preserved reliefs. Then the transfer to Hurghada (about four hours by road) or a flight via Cairo to Sharm el-Sheikh, for five nights by the water.
Day at the Red Sea
A free day for snorkelling, diving, sailing or the beach. The coral reef of the Red Sea is world famous: clear waters, rich reefs and water that stays warm all year round.
Day at the Red Sea
Second free day. Optional: excursions from Hurghada (islands, glass-bottom boat) or from Sharm el-Sheikh (Ras Mohammed National Park, the Blue Hole near Dahab).
Day at the Red Sea
Third day of rest and relaxation. A boat trip, a snorkelling outing or simply reading on the beach.
Day at the Red Sea
Fourth day. If you like: half a day in town (the souks of Hurghada or Naama Bay) or a quiet day at the hotel.
Last morning & flight home
Transfer to the airport and your flight home. Fifteen days of Egypt, summed up in a last view of the Red Sea from the plane.
Clear about what you get
Included & not included.
Included in the tour
- Private transport throughout the trip
- Private English-speaking Egyptologist as your guide on all excursions
- Domestic flight Cairo to Aswan
- 3-night Nile cruise Aswan to Luxor (full board, excluding drinks)
- 5 nights in a boutique or luxury hotel in Cairo (4 to 5 star), including breakfast
- 5 nights in a hotel at the Red Sea (4 to 5 star), including breakfast
- Entrance fees for all monuments and museums in the programme
- All transfers, including airports
- Your personal contact is easy to reach throughout your trip
Not included
- International flights to/from Cairo or the Red Sea
- Travel insurance
- Drinks on board the Nile cruise
- Dinners in hotels (breakfast included)
- Personal expenses
- Tips
- Egyptian visa
- Interior of the Great Pyramid of Khufu (separate ticket, on request)
- Optional excursions at the Red Sea (snorkelling, diving, boat trips)
Extensions
Optional additions.
Give your trip an extra dimension. All options are planned on request and woven seamlessly into the programme.
- Snorkelling or diving at the Red Sea: reef, wreck or night dives
- Excursions from Sharm el-Sheikh: Ras Mohammed, Tiran Island
- Glass-bottom boat or submarine from Hurghada
- Hot-air balloon over Luxor at sunrise
- Bahariya Oasis & White/Black Desert (before the Nile route, +2 days)
- Extra nights at the Red Sea on request
Why Egypt Travel Planner
Planned for you.
Not for a crowd.
No off-the-shelf tour: we plan every route for you alone, with your own driver and your own Egyptologist.
Private Egyptologists as your guides
No group tour, no compromises. You travel with a certified, English-speaking Egyptologist who tells the stories that match your interests.
Fully tailor-made
Every day in this programme is a proposal, not an obligation. Pace, hotels and excursions are adapted entirely to you.
One personal contact
From your first question until your flight home, the same person looks after you and is easy to reach. No call centres, no delays.
Financially protected
Your trip is covered by VZR Garant and the Dutch Calamity Fund, the statutory guarantee schemes of a European tour operator. You book with financial certainty.
Lars Janssen
Founder & Egypt travel specialist
Your personal travel planner
Lars plans this trip personally.
Lars knows the route, the hotels and the people on the ground. He puts your trip together himself and stays in direct contact while you travel. Ask your question and you will always get a personal answer.
“The service is excellent; we got quick answers to changes even though we booked shortly before departure, and the price was lower than with other providers. Lars thinks along with you and comes up with good alternatives. We had a wonderful trip.”
“Everything was perfectly organised from start to finish! A fantastic travel company, they were very helpful and everything was open for discussion. We are coming back next year. Highly recommended.”
These reviews come from the Google profile of Origins Travel Group, the company behind Egypt Travel Planner, and are translated from Dutch. So far they are about our tours in Oman. The same team plans your trip to Egypt. We show a selection. Read all reviews on Google.
Read all 36 reviews on GoogleFrequently asked questions
Got a question?
Is five days at the Red Sea not too long?
No, for anyone who really wants to experience the sea and the reef, five nights is just right. You have two to three days for snorkelling, diving and excursions, and two days simply to recover from the intensive first week. If you would rather have less beach, we adapt the route to 12 or 13 days.
Hurghada or Sharm el-Sheikh: what is the difference?
The difference is mainly in access and atmosphere: Hurghada is about four hours by road from Luxor, quieter, with fine coral reefs close to the hotels. Sharm el-Sheikh is reached by domestic flight via Cairo and has the more famous dive sites (Ras Mohammed National Park and, further north at Dahab, the Blue Hole) and livelier nightlife. We advise you based on your preferences.
Can I schedule the Red Sea days earlier (days 2 to 5 instead of days 11 to 15)?
Yes, that is possible, but logistically less efficient. Most travellers enjoy the beach more after the historic route, as a reward and a chance to unwind. If you have a good reason, we will always look at it with you.
Is the reef at Sharm el-Sheikh still good after years of mass tourism?
Yes, in protected areas such as Ras Mohammed National Park the reef is in good condition, as it is on many reefs off Hurghada. We only select snorkelling and diving operators who treat the reef with care.
Can I add the White Desert just before or after the Red Sea?
Yes, absolutely. The desert route (Bahariya Oasis, Black and White Deserts) fits well before the Nile route, as a 2-day extension. The trip then becomes 17 days in total. We tailor it to you.
Other routes
Discover more routes.
Read on
Practical information for this tour.
Best time to visit Egypt
Month by month: when Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and the Red Sea are at their most comfortable.
How much does a trip to Egypt cost?
Realistic prices for a private tour: hotels, Nile cruise, guides, flights and the extras people forget.
Tipping in Egypt
How much to tip your guide, driver, hotel staff and on a Nile cruise, and whether to use euros, dollars or pounds.
Egypt visa
E-visa, visa on arrival, cost and validity: everything for a smooth entry.
Ready to start?
Let's talk about your Complete Egypt trip.
Tell us what you are looking for. We will think along on route, duration, hotels, guides and budget, with no obligation. No standard tour, no commitment. Just a conversation.
Reply within one working day · No obligation · VZR Garant & Calamity Fund