These 13 day Egypt tours take different approaches to combining Cairo with Upper Egypt, Alexandria, the Nile, or the Western Desert. The two standard routes differ mainly in pace and travel style, with one built around a Nile Cruise and the other adding several days in Siwa.

This route combines Cairo sightseeing with a seven-night Nile Cruise between Luxor and Aswan, plus Abu Simbel and a full-day Alexandria visit. You will see Karnak’s large columned halls, Edfu’s detailed reliefs, and the monumental temples of Abu Simbel, while the cruise also gives you scheduled time to relax onboard. Domestic flights connect Cairo and Luxor, with the cruise covering the Upper Egypt portion of the journey. It suits you if you want extensive historical sightseeing with several slower periods while sailing along the Nile.

Day 1: Arrive at Cairo International Airport, transfer to your hotel, and attend the Giza Pyramids Sound and Light Show followed by dinner.

Day 2: Visit the Giza Pyramids, Great Sphinx, Valley Temple, Saqqara Step Pyramid, and Memphis.

Day 3: Fly from Cairo to Luxor, visit Karnak Temple, check in to the Nile Cruise, and visit Luxor Temple in the evening.

Day 4: Enjoy a free morning onboard, then sail south from Luxor with evening entertainment on the cruise.

Day 5: Visit Edfu Temple, then return to the cruise and continue sailing toward Aswan.

Day 6: Take an early road trip to Abu Simbel, visit the temples, then return to the Nile Cruise.

Day 7: Visit the Aswan High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk, and Philae Temple, then return to the cruise.

Day 8: Spend a relaxed day onboard while sailing from Aswan toward Kom Ombo.

Day 9: Visit Kom Ombo Temple, then continue sailing toward Luxor.

Day 10: Disembark and visit Hatshepsut Temple, the Valley of the Kings, and Colossi of Memnon, then fly from Luxor to Cairo.

Day 11: Visit the Egyptian Museum, National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, Hanging Church, Amr Ibn Al Aas Mosque, Ben Ezra Synagogue, and Khan El Khalili.

Day 12: Take a full-day private trip from Cairo to Alexandria, visiting Qaitbay Citadel, Library of Alexandria, Pompey’s Pillar, and the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, then return to Cairo.

Day 13: Check out and transfer to Cairo International Airport for departure.

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This option adds a longer Western Desert stay to a route covering Cairo, Alexandria, Aswan, Abu Simbel, and Luxor. You can explore the Bent and Red Pyramids at Dahshur, walk through the remains of Old Shali, and experience Siwa’s salt lakes and Great Sand Sea. The route uses domestic flights between Cairo, Aswan, and Luxor, a first-class train from Aswan to Luxor, and private road transfers for the northern and desert sections. It fits you if you want archaeological sightseeing combined with desert landscapes and local Siwan experiences.

Day 1: Arrive at Cairo International Airport, transfer to your hotel, and attend the Giza Pyramids Sound and Light Show followed by dinner.

Day 2: Visit the Giza Pyramids, Great Sphinx, Valley Temple, and Grand Egyptian Museum.

Day 3: Explore Saqqara, Memphis, the Bent Pyramid, and the Red Pyramid at Dahshur.

Day 4: Travel to Alexandria and visit the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Pompey’s Pillar, and Qaitbay Citadel.

Day 5: Travel from Alexandria to Siwa via El Alamein and Marsa Matrouh, then visit Old Shali, Cleopatra’s Spring, and Fatnas Island.

Day 6: Explore the Temple of Amun, Siwa Salt Lakes, and Cleopatra’s Spring, then take a 4×4 safari across the Great Sand Sea.

Day 7: Visit Siwan House, Siwa Oasis Bazaar, Taghaghien Island, Ali Khaled Camp, and a Siwa hot spring.

Day 8: Check out from Siwa and travel back to Cairo by private air-conditioned vehicle.

Day 9: Visit the Egyptian Museum, Hanging Church, Al Muizz Street, and Khan El Khalili, then fly from Cairo to Aswan.

Day 10: Travel from Aswan to Abu Simbel, visit the temples, return to Aswan, then take a first-class train to Luxor.

Day 11: Visit Karnak Temple and the Great Hypostyle Hall, Luxor Temple, Luxor Museum, and Mummification Museum.

Day 12: Explore the Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon, and Valley of the Queens, then fly from Luxor to Cairo.

Day 13: Check out and transfer to Cairo International Airport for departure.

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When comparing a 13 days Egypt itinerary, focus on how each route divides your time between historical sites, Nile travel, Alexandria, and the Western Desert. The table below shows the main differences between the two standard options.

A 13-day honeymoon gives you enough time to combine ancient sites, Red Sea relaxation, and a desert night without making each part of the route feel tightly scheduled. The itinerary combines Cairo and Upper Egypt with time in Hurghada before continuing to Bahariya Oasis and the White Desert for an overnight camping experience.

This private honeymoon route combines Cairo, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Luxor, Hurghada, Bahariya Oasis, and the White Desert in one itinerary. You can explore the Giza Pyramids and Grand Egyptian Museum, visit Philae and Abu Simbel, then continue to Luxor before spending time in Hurghada for scuba diving and a free day. The route finishes with Bahariya Oasis, the Black Desert, Valley of Agabat, White Desert camping, and Crystal Mountain. Travel includes domestic flights, a first-class train from Aswan to Luxor, private road transfers, and one night of desert camping.

There are two dedicated Egypt family tour packages at this length, giving families two distinct ways to structure the trip. One focuses on Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, and Aswan, while the other adds Siwa Oasis, Abu Simbel, and desert experiences to the historical route.

This family route focuses on Egypt’s major historical destinations, combining Cairo and Alexandria with the temples and monuments of Luxor and Aswan. It gives families a straightforward sightseeing route through Lower and Upper Egypt, with guided visits to major archaeological sites and time for travel between the main destinations.

This option adds Siwa Oasis and the Western Desert to a route that also covers Cairo, Alexandria, Abu Simbel, and Luxor. Families can combine archaeological sightseeing with Siwa’s oasis landscapes, desert activities, and salt lakes, before continuing south to Abu Simbel and Luxor. It creates a broader route for families who want both historical sites and a desert experience.

13 days in egypt run smoother with a little planning. Keep these in mind:

• Check each destination’s conditions: Cairo, Upper Egypt, Siwa, and coastal areas can have different temperatures, so check the forecast for the places on your route before each transfer.
• Keep your sightseeing bag light: Carry only what you need for the day, such as water, sunscreen, sunglasses, tissues, and any personal essentials.
• Plan around transfer days: Flights, train journeys, and long road transfers can take a significant part of the day. Keep your schedule flexible around these moves rather than adding extra activities.
• Dress for both sites and downtime: Choose clothing that works for walking and visiting religious sites, while keeping lighter options available for hotel, cruise, or beach time.
• Keep important documents accessible: Have your passport, travel documents, booking details, and copies of important paperwork where you can reach them easily during transfers.

Travel tips

Pack lightweight clothes for daytime sightseeing, with a few modest options for mosques and other religious sites. Include a light layer for cooler evenings and air-conditioned vehicles.

Bring comfortable walking shoes with good grip for archaeological sites, uneven ground, and longer sightseeing days. Sandals or lighter footwear can be useful for hotel and leisure time.

Pack sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, toiletries, personal medication, chargers, a reusable water bottle, and a small day bag. Keep your passport and other important travel documents somewhere secure but easy to access.

Combining two or more regions gives you time for deeper sightseeing while still leaving space for rest between major activities. For more than 20 years, Egypt Tours Group has arranged 13 Day Egypt Tour Packages covering different routes across Egypt. Licensed guides accompany you throughout the trip, with support for domestic flights and hotel bookings. Choose the standard, honeymoon, or family route that fits your plans, and we’ll handle the routing.