A 12 day Egypt tour gives you enough time to build a varied trip without packing every day with a different city. You can combine Cairo with Upper Egypt and a Red Sea destination, spend several days following the Nile, or leave more space between sightseeing days. The extra time also makes it possible to include longer routes, domestic travel, and different types of experiences without making the entire itinerary feel like a sequence of transfers.

• More time at major archaeological sites: You can explore large sites such as the Giza Plateau, Luxor’s temples, and the monuments of Aswan without having to fit every visit into a narrow schedule.
• Room for different travel styles: A single itinerary can combine guided sightseeing with a Nile cruise, coastal stays, or time in the Western Desert, depending on the route you select.
• A better balance between activity and downtime: Days by the Red Sea or quieter periods during a Nile cruise can give you a break between longer sightseeing days.
• More flexibility within one trip: With twelve days available, you can visit several regions while still allowing time for flights, transfers, hotel stays, and other practical parts of the journey.

These 12 day egypt tours follow five different routes, combining Cairo with Upper Egypt, the Red Sea, Alexandria, a Nile cruise, or the Western Desert. Each itinerary has its own sequence of sightseeing, transfers, leisure time, and overnight stays, so you can compare them based on the destinations and pace that suit your trip.

This history-focused route covers major monuments in Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan, and Abu Simbel, with additional visits to Dendera, Abydos, and lesser-visited sites in Luxor. The itinerary is hotel-based and uses domestic flights and private road transfers between the main destinations. It suits you if you want to spend most of your trip exploring archaeological sites and historic cities rather than adding a Red Sea resort stay.

Day 1: Arrive in Cairo, transfer to your hotel, and enjoy a Nile dinner cruise.
 Day 2: Visit the Giza Pyramids, Great Sphinx, Valley Temple, Saqqara Step Pyramid, and Memphis.
 Day 3: Fly to Aswan and visit the High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk, and Philae Temple.
 Day 4: Take an early trip to Abu Simbel and return to Aswan.
 Day 5: Visit Kom Ombo and Edfu temples before continuing to Luxor.
 Day 6: Explore Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple.
 Day 7: Visit Hatshepsut Temple, the Valley of the Kings, and the Colossi of Memnon.
 Day 8: Explore the Valley of the Queens, Medinet Habu, Deir El-Medina, and the Ramesseum.
 Day 9: Take a full-day excursion to Dendera and Abydos.
 Day 10: Fly back to Cairo and visit the Egyptian Museum, NMEC, and Old Cairo.
 Day 11: Take a day trip to Alexandria, including Qaitbay Citadel, Pompey’s Pillar, the Catacombs of Kom El-Shoqafa, and Alexandria Library.
 Day 12: Check out and transfer to Cairo International Airport for departure.

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This route adds four nights in Hurghada to a sightseeing program covering Cairo, Aswan, Luxor, and Alexandria. Highlights include the Nubian Village, Abu Simbel, Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings, scuba diving in the Red Sea, and a desert safari with quad biking. Travel is arranged with a domestic flight to Aswan, a first-class train to Luxor, a private transfer to Hurghada, and a domestic flight back to Cairo. It works well if you want substantial archaeological sightseeing alongside several days of Red Sea activities.

Day 1: Arrive in Cairo, transfer to your hotel, and enjoy a Nile dinner cruise.
 Day 2: Visit the Giza Pyramids, Saqqara Step Pyramid, and Memphis, then fly to Aswan.
 Day 3: Explore the Aswan High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk, Philae Temple, and Nubian Village.
 Day 4: Take an early trip to Abu Simbel and return to Aswan.
 Day 5: Travel by first-class train to Luxor and visit Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, and Luxor Museum.
 Day 6: Explore Hatshepsut Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Colossi of Memnon, and Medinet Habu, then drive to Hurghada.
 Day 7: Enjoy free time in Hurghada.
 Day 8: Take a scuba diving excursion with two dives and lunch onboard.
 Day 9: Experience a Hurghada desert safari and quad biking, including a Bedouin village and BBQ dinner.
 Day 10: Fly to Cairo and visit the Egyptian Museum, Saladin Citadel, Mohammed Ali Mosque, Old Cairo, and Khan El-Khalili.
 Day 11: Take a day trip to Alexandria, visiting Qaitbay Citadel, Pompey’s Pillar, the Catacombs of Kom El-Shoqafa, and Alexandria Library.
 Day 12: Check out and transfer to Cairo International Airport for departure.

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This itinerary combines a Nile cruise with Red Sea activities and a Western Desert extension to Bahariya Oasis and the White Desert. You will see Abu Simbel, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Hurghada, Cairo’s historic districts, and desert landscapes around Bahariya, including the Black Desert and Valley of Agabat. The route combines domestic flights, a Nile Cruise from Aswan toward Luxor, private road transfers, and an overnight White Desert camp. It suits you if you want several distinct travel experiences within one route.

Day 1: Arrive in Cairo, transfer to your hotel, and enjoy a Nile dinner cruise.
 Day 2: Visit the Giza Pyramids, Saqqara Step Pyramid, and Grand Egyptian Museum.
 Day 3: Fly to Aswan, visit the High Dam, Philae Temple, and Unfinished Obelisk, then board the Nile Cruise.
 Day 4: Take an early trip to Abu Simbel and return to the cruise.
 Day 5: Visit Kom Ombo and Edfu temples while sailing toward Luxor.
 Day 6: Explore Luxor’s West Bank, including the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple, then transfer to Hurghada.
 Day 7: Take a snorkeling trip in the Red Sea.
 Day 8: Experience a Hurghada desert safari, visit a Bedouin village, and enjoy a BBQ dinner with desert entertainment.
 Day 9: Fly to Cairo and explore the Egyptian Museum, Old Cairo, Saladin Citadel, Mohammed Ali Mosque, and Khan El-Khalili.
 Day 10: Travel to Bahariya Oasis, visit Bawiti and English Mountain, explore the Black Desert and El Heiz, continue to the Valley of Agabat and White Desert, and camp overnight.
 Day 11: Visit Crystal Mountain and return to Cairo.
 Day 12: Check out and transfer to Cairo International Airport for departure.

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This option begins with Cairo sightseeing before moving to several leisure days in Sharm El Sheikh and a four-night Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan. The route includes Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Abu Simbel, and major Cairo museums and historic sites. Domestic flights connect Cairo with Sharm El Sheikh, Sharm El Sheikh with Luxor via Cairo, and Aswan with Cairo. It suits you if you want a defined mix of Red Sea downtime and Nile Valley sightseeing.

Day 1: Arrive in Cairo, transfer to your hotel, and attend the Giza Pyramids Sound and Light Show.
 Day 2: Visit the Giza Pyramids and Saqqara, then fly to Sharm El Sheikh.
 Day 3: Enjoy free time in Sharm El Sheikh.
 Day 4: Enjoy another free day in Sharm El Sheikh, with optional activities available at additional cost.
 Day 5: Spend another leisure day in Sharm El Sheikh, with optional activities available.
 Day 6: Fly to Luxor via Cairo, visit Karnak Temple, and board the Nile Cruise before visiting Luxor Temple.
 Day 7: Explore the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, and Colossi of Memnon while sailing toward Edfu.
 Day 8: Visit Edfu and Kom Ombo temples and continue sailing toward Aswan.
 Day 9: Take an early trip to Abu Simbel and return to the cruise in Aswan.
 Day 10: Disembark and visit the High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk, and Philae Temple, then fly to Cairo.
 Day 11: Visit the Egyptian Museum, NMEC, Amr Ibn Al-Aas Mosque, Hanging Church, Ben Ezra Synagogue, and Khan El-Khalili.
 Day 12: Check out and transfer to Cairo International Airport for departure.

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This route combines four nights in Hurghada with a four-night Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan, with Abu Simbel included during the Aswan portion. Hurghada brings snorkeling, a free day, and a desert safari, while the cruise covers Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, and Kom Ombo. The itinerary uses domestic flights between Cairo, Hurghada, and Aswan, with a private transfer from Hurghada to Luxor. It suits you if you want both Red Sea activities and a structured Nile Cruise itinerary.

Day 1: Arrive in Cairo, transfer to your hotel, and attend the Giza Pyramids Sound and Light Show.
 Day 2: Visit the Giza Pyramids, Saqqara Step Pyramid, and Memphis, then fly to Hurghada.
 Day 3: Take a snorkeling trip in the Red Sea.
 Day 4: Enjoy free time in Hurghada, with optional activities available at additional cost.
 Day 5: Experience a Hurghada desert safari and quad biking, including a Bedouin village and BBQ dinner.
 Day 6: Drive to Luxor, visit Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple, and board the Nile Cruise.
 Day 7: Explore Hatshepsut Temple, the Valley of the Kings, and Colossi of Memnon, then sail toward Edfu.
 Day 8: Visit Edfu and Kom Ombo temples and continue sailing to Aswan.
 Day 9: Take a road trip from Aswan to Abu Simbel and return to the cruise.
 Day 10: Disembark and visit the High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk, and Philae Temple, then fly to Cairo.
 Day 11: Visit the Egyptian Museum, NMEC, Hanging Church, Amr Ibn Al-Aas Mosque, Ben Ezra Synagogue, and Khan El-Khalili.
 Day 12: Check out and transfer to Cairo International Airport for departure.

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If you are comparing a12-day Egypt itinerary, the main difference is how each package balances archaeological sightseeing, Nile travel, Red Sea time, and desert experiences. The table below highlights the route, pace, and main trade-offs of the five standard packages.

Choose by Travel Style

A 12-day honeymoon gives you more space to slow down between sightseeing days, with time for both shared experiences and quieter breaks. Instead of keeping every day tightly scheduled, this route combines Cairo, a Nile Cruise, and Hurghada with room for relaxation along the way.

This honeymoon route combines Cairo sightseeing with a Nile Cruise and time in Hurghada, giving you a mix of ancient landmarks, river travel, and Red Sea relaxation. The itinerary includes guided visits to Cairo’s major sites, a cruise through Upper Egypt, and a stay in Hurghada for beach and leisure time.

Families have three dedicated Egypt family tour packages at this length, with different balances of sightseeing and relaxation. You can choose a history-focused route through Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, and Aswan, combine those destinations with the Red Sea, or pair a Nile Cruise with a stay in Sharm El Sheikh.

This route focuses on Egypt’s major historical destinations, including Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, and Aswan. It gives families the chance to explore ancient sites and museums across Lower and Upper Egypt without adding a beach resort stay to the itinerary.

This option combines the main historical stops with time in Hurghada on the Red Sea. The route moves between Cairo, Alexandria, Upper Egypt, and the coast, giving families both sightseeing days and dedicated resort time.

This family route combines Cairo with a Nile Cruise and a longer stay in Sharm El Sheikh. It brings together guided visits to ancient sites, river travel through Upper Egypt, and time at the Red Sea for a more varied family holiday.

12 days in Egypt run smoother with a little planning. Keep these in mind:

• Plan around the climate: Temperatures can vary considerably between Cairo, Upper Egypt, and the Red Sea, so check the forecast for each destination rather than relying on one general forecast.
• Leave room between major sights: Egypt’s archaeological sites can involve walking, stairs, and time outdoors. Avoid filling every free period with another activity so you have time to rest.
• Keep domestic travel in mind: If your itinerary includes domestic flights, trains, or a Nile cruise, allow enough time for transfers and check your departure details the day before.
• Carry small essentials during sightseeing: Keep water, sunscreen, sunglasses, tissues, and any personal medication in a small day bag rather than leaving everything in your main luggage.
• Keep some Egyptian pounds available: Small purchases, snacks, local services, and incidental expenses are easier when you have some local currency with you, even if most of your major travel arrangements are already paid for.

Elephantine Island

Pack lightweight, breathable clothes for daytime sightseeing, along with a light layer for cooler evenings or air-conditioned vehicles. Modest clothing is useful when visiting mosques and other religious sites.

Choose comfortable walking shoes with good support for archaeological sites and uneven surfaces. A pair of sandals or lighter shoes can be useful for hotel and beach time.

Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, reusable water bottle, basic toiletries, personal medication, chargers, and a small day bag for sightseeing. Keep important travel documents and copies of them somewhere easily accessible.

For more than 20 years, Egypt Tours Group has arranged 12 Days Egypt Tour Packages covering different routes and travel styles across Egypt. Licensed guides accompany you throughout the trip, with support for domestic flights and hotel bookings. Our packages are offered at competitive rates across different hotel classes and itinerary options. Choose the standard, honeymoon, or family route that fits your trip, and we’ll handle the routing.