Travel Itinerary

21-Day Egypt Tour: Cairo, Alexandria, Siwa, White Desert, Nile Cruise & Hurghada

21 days

Trip at a Glance

  • 12
  • 75
  • 1 - 20
  • Air-conditioned road transfers, 4×4 desert transport, Nile cruise vessel and the domestic flight from Aswan to Hurghada.
  • 1 to 20 travelers
  • 189 m
  • Choose Comfort 4 Stars or Premium 5 Stars accommodation, combined with the oasis stay, desert camps and Nile cruise included in the itinerary.
  • Easy to moderate – normal mobility and general travel fitness are recommended for the multi-day sightseeing program.
  • Cairo International Airport
  • Hurghada International Airport
  • October to April
  • Guided round trip with a licensed Egyptologist for the sightseeing program.
  • Culture, desert, Nile cruise & Red Sea round trip
  • English, German & Arabic
  • Meals according to the itinerary, including the touring route and Nile cruise, with the stated meal plan during the Hurghada stay.
  • Entrance fees for the sightseeing visits specifically listed in the itinerary are included.
  • Comfort 4 Stars / Premium 5 Stars

Trip Overview

Discover Egypt at a pace that gives each region room to breathe. This 21-day journey travels from Cairo and the Mediterranean coast to the Western Desert, the Nile Valley and the Red Sea, bringing together ancient history, desert landscapes, river cruising and time to unwind by the sea.

Begin in Cairo with the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, the Grand Egyptian Museum, Saqqara, Memphis and the historic streets of Old Cairo. Continue north to Alexandria before turning west toward Siwa Oasis, Fayoum and the dramatic landscapes of the Black Desert, Crystal Mountain and the White Desert.

From Luxor, the journey slows into the rhythm of the Nile. Explore Karnak and Luxor temples, the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Hatshepsut, then sail through Edfu and Kom Ombo to Aswan. A dedicated overnight in Abu Simbel adds the sound-and-light experience and a sunrise visit before the route continues to Hurghada.

The final days combine Red Sea relaxation with snorkeling, a desert safari and a full-day sailing experience. Choose between Comfort 4 Stars and Premium 5 Stars accommodation styles, while the route, included visits and carefully connected transfers remain focused on one complete Egypt experience.

Journey Highlights

  • Stand before the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx on the opening days of the journey.
  • Explore the Grand Egyptian Museum, Saqqara and Memphis as part of the Cairo program.
  • Experience Old Cairo, Al-Muizz Street, the Citadel of Saladin and Khan El Khalili.
  • Discover Alexandria through the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the Catacombs, the Royal Jewelry Museum and the Corniche.
  • Travel into Siwa Oasis for the Oracle Temple, Shali Fortress and Cleopatra Spring.
  • Explore Fayoum with Wadi El Rayan, Wadi El Hitan and Qarun Palace.
  • Cross Bahariya, the Black Desert and Crystal Mountain before camping in the White Desert.
  • Enjoy two nights of desert atmosphere and a Bedouin experience in the Western Desert.
  • Sail the Nile on a 5-day / 4-night cruise from Luxor to Aswan.
  • Visit Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae.
  • Stay overnight in Abu Simbel for the sound-and-light show and a sunrise temple visit.
  • Finish at the Red Sea with snorkeling, a desert safari, beach time and a full-day boat experience in Hurghada.

21-Day Egypt Itinerary

Day 01

Arrival in Cairo – Your Egypt Journey Begins

Arrive at Cairo International Airport, where the journey begins with reception and assistance before your transfer to the hotel in Giza.

After check-in, settle into the rhythm of Egypt and take time to rest after your flight. The evening is kept uncomplicated so you can begin the next morning refreshed and ready for the first major sights.

Dinner and overnight in Cairo / Giza.

Dinner
Comfort / Premium Hotel

Overnight style: Comfort / Premium Hotel, matched to the itinerary and selected accommodation package where applicable.

Day 02

Giza Pyramids & the Sphinx

After breakfast, travel to the Giza Plateau for one of the defining moments of the tour: the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx.

Take time to absorb the scale of the ancient monuments rather than treating the plateau as a quick photo stop. The visit introduces the monumental world of ancient Egypt and sets the tone for the historical chapters ahead.

Lunch is served at a local restaurant, followed by dinner and overnight in Cairo / Giza.

Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
Comfort / Premium Hotel

Overnight style: Comfort / Premium Hotel, matched to the itinerary and selected accommodation package where applicable.

Day 03

Grand Egyptian Museum, Saqqara & Memphis

Continue the Cairo chapter with the Grand Egyptian Museum, where the scale and craftsmanship of ancient Egypt can be explored through an extraordinary collection.

The day also includes Saqqara and Memphis as stated in the program, creating a broader view of Egypt's ancient capital region and its archaeological landscape.

Dinner and overnight in Cairo / Giza.

Dinner
Comfort / Premium Hotel

Overnight style: Comfort / Premium Hotel, matched to the itinerary and selected accommodation package where applicable.

Day 04

Old Cairo, Al-Muizz Street & Khan El Khalili

After breakfast, step into the historic fabric of Cairo with a visit to Islamic Old Cairo, Al-Muizz Street and the Citadel of Saladin.

Architecture, lanes and living city life bring a different layer of Egypt into focus after the monumental sites of the previous days.

Later, enjoy free time in Khan El Khalili, Cairo's best-known bazaar, before dinner and overnight.

Breakfast + Dinner
Comfort / Premium Hotel

Overnight style: Comfort / Premium Hotel, matched to the itinerary and selected accommodation package where applicable.

Day 05

Cairo to Alexandria – Library & Catacombs

Leave Cairo and travel north toward Alexandria, where the Mediterranean changes the atmosphere of the journey.

Visit the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the Catacombs, combining modern cultural identity with the city's layered historic character.

Overnight in Alexandria.

Comfort / Premium Hotel

Overnight style: Comfort / Premium Hotel, matched to the itinerary and selected accommodation package where applicable.

Day 06

Alexandria – Royal Jewelry Museum & Corniche

Continue exploring Alexandria with the Royal Jewelry Museum before enjoying the city's famous Corniche and its Mediterranean setting.

The day is deliberately lighter than the Cairo program, giving you time to experience Alexandria as a coastal city rather than only moving from one monument to the next.

Overnight in Alexandria.

Comfort / Premium Hotel

Overnight style: Comfort / Premium Hotel, matched to the itinerary and selected accommodation package where applicable.

Day 07

Siwa Oasis – Oracle Temple, Shali & Cleopatra Spring

Travel into Siwa Oasis and discover a completely different side of Egypt, far from the large cities and the main Nile corridor.

Visit the Oracle Temple, Shali Fortress and Cleopatra Spring, three places that reflect the oasis's history, architecture and distinctive desert setting.

Overnight in Siwa Oasis.

Eco-Lodge / Oasis Stay

Overnight style: Eco-Lodge / Oasis Stay, matched to the itinerary and selected accommodation package where applicable.

Day 08

Fayoum Adventure – Wadi El Rayan, Wadi El Hitan & Qarun Palace

Continue to Fayoum for a day built around landscape, nature and history.

Explore Wadi El Rayan, Wadi El Hitan and Qarun Palace, moving from desert scenery to one of the route's most distinctive natural and cultural combinations.

Overnight in Fayoum.

Comfort / Premium Hotel

Overnight style: Comfort / Premium Hotel, matched to the itinerary and selected accommodation package where applicable.

Day 09

Bahariya, Black Desert & Crystal Mountain

The journey now moves deeper into Egypt's Western Desert through Bahariya, the Black Desert and Crystal Mountain.

As the landscape becomes more remote, the road itself becomes part of the experience. By the end of the day, arrive at the White Desert camp for an overnight surrounded by open desert scenery.

Dinner and overnight in the White Desert camp.

Desert Camp

Overnight style: Desert Camp, matched to the itinerary and selected accommodation package where applicable.

Day 10

White Desert Exploration & Bedouin Experience

Spend the day among the striking natural formations of the White Desert, where wind-shaped landscapes create one of the most unusual settings in the itinerary.

The program also includes a Bedouin experience, adding a human and cultural dimension to the desert stay before another night under the wide desert sky.

Overnight in the White Desert camp.

Desert Camp

Overnight style: Desert Camp, matched to the itinerary and selected accommodation package where applicable.

Day 11

Transfer to Luxor & Begin the Nile Cruise

Leave the desert route behind and continue to Luxor, where the Nile-cruise chapter of the journey begins.

Join the 5-day / 4-night cruise program that connects the major Upper Egypt visits listed in the itinerary, continuing through Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan.

Overnight on the Nile cruise in the Luxor area.

Nile Cruise

Overnight style: Nile Cruise, matched to the itinerary and selected accommodation package where applicable.

Day 12

Luxor Temples, Valley of the Kings & Hatshepsut

Explore the Luxor highlights listed in the program, including Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple on the east bank of the Nile.

Continue with the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Hatshepsut, bringing together royal tombs, monumental architecture and some of Upper Egypt’s most important ancient sites.

Return to the cruise and continue the Nile journey.

Nile Cruise

Overnight style: Nile Cruise, matched to the itinerary and selected accommodation package where applicable.

Day 13

Edfu – Temple of Horus

Continue the cruise toward Edfu for the visit to the Temple of Horus included in the program.

After the temple visit, return to the vessel and continue sailing along the Nile as the route moves south toward the next stop.

Overnight on the Nile cruise.

Nile Cruise

Overnight style: Nile Cruise, matched to the itinerary and selected accommodation package where applicable.

Day 14

Kom Ombo – Crocodile Temple

Arrive at Kom Ombo and visit the Crocodile Temple included in the cruise itinerary.

The riverside stop adds another distinct temple setting to the Upper Egypt journey before the cruise continues toward Aswan.

Overnight on the Nile cruise.

Nile Cruise

Overnight style: Nile Cruise, matched to the itinerary and selected accommodation package where applicable.

Day 15

Aswan – Philae Temple, High Dam & Felucca

Reach Aswan for the visits listed in the program: Philae Temple, the High Dam and a felucca sailing experience.

Together, these experiences bring the 5-day / 4-night Nile-cruise section to its Aswan finale before the journey continues south to Abu Simbel.

Complete the Aswan program and prepare for the Abu Simbel extension.

Day 16

Aswan to Abu Simbel – Overnight & Sound-and-Light Show

Disembark from the Nile cruise in Aswan and continue to Abu Simbel for a dedicated overnight stay instead of treating the temples as a rushed same-day excursion.

After check-in and time to rest, attend the sound-and-light show in front of the monumental temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari.

Dinner and overnight in Abu Simbel.

Comfort / Premium Hotel

Overnight style: Comfort / Premium Hotel, matched to the itinerary and selected accommodation package where applicable.

Day 17

Abu Simbel at Sunrise & Transfer to Hurghada

Begin early with the sunrise visit to Abu Simbel included in the program, experiencing the temples in the quieter atmosphere of the morning.

After breakfast and check-out, return toward Aswan Airport for the domestic flight to Hurghada. On arrival, receive assistance and transfer to the hotel.

The remainder of the afternoon is free for the beach and hotel facilities, giving you time to unwind after the intensive touring route.

Comfort / Premium Resort

Overnight style: Comfort / Premium Resort, matched to the itinerary and selected accommodation package where applicable.

Day 18

Red Sea Leisure, Desert Safari & Bedouin Camp

Enjoy leisure time by the Red Sea before heading into the desert for the safari and Bedouin-camp experience included in the program.

Explore the dunes on an off-road adventure, stop for sunset photographs and visit a Bedouin village for traditional tea.

The evening continues with a BBQ dinner, folklore entertainment and stargazing under the desert sky, followed by an overnight in the desert camp.

Dinner
Desert Camp

Overnight style: Desert Camp, matched to the itinerary and selected accommodation package where applicable.

Day 19

Hurghada Hotel Stay & Red Sea Relaxation

Return to the hotel and enjoy the dedicated rest day included in the program.

Use the day for the beach, hotel facilities and unhurried relaxation before the final Red Sea boat experience.

Overnight at the hotel in Hurghada.

Comfort / Premium Resort

Overnight style: Comfort / Premium Resort, matched to the itinerary and selected accommodation package where applicable.

Day 20

Red Sea Boat Adventure, Snorkeling & Overnight on Board

After breakfast, transfer to the marina and board the sailing yacht for the full-day Red Sea cruise included in the program.

Enjoy swimming and snorkeling stops, the listed parasailing experience and sunset sailing as the final adventure of the journey.

Overnight on the boat, as specified in the program.

Breakfast
Overnight on Boat

Overnight style: Overnight on Boat, matched to the itinerary and selected accommodation package where applicable.

Day 21

Departure from Hurghada

Complete the final morning of the journey in Hurghada after the Red Sea boat experience.

Continue to Hurghada International Airport for the international departure, bringing the 21-day route from Cairo and the Mediterranean coast through the desert and Nile Valley to the Red Sea to a close.

Included in Your Journey

  • Comfortable accommodation throughout the journey, matched to your selected Comfort 4 Stars or Premium 5 Stars package so you can recharge after each day of discovery.
  • Organized transfers between the destinations in the itinerary, including the private road journeys, 4×4 desert transport and the scheduled domestic connection from Aswan to Hurghada.
  • Professional guiding for the sightseeing program, giving context to the archaeological sites, cities and cultural experiences included in the route.
  • Entrance fees for the sightseeing visits specifically listed in the published itinerary, allowing the touring days to run smoothly without repeated ticket arrangements.
  • A 5-day / 4-night Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan, with the cruise experience integrated into the sightseeing route rather than treated as a separate add-on.
  • Desert safari experiences included in the itinerary, from the Western Desert route to the Hurghada desert experience.
  • Meals according to the published itinerary and travel plan, including the touring route, Nile cruise and the stated meal arrangement in Hurghada.
  • Applicable taxes connected with the included travel services in the program.

Not Included

  • International flights to Egypt and the return flight from Hurghada, giving you the flexibility to choose the airline and departure city that suit you best.
  • Egypt entry visa fees and any personal immigration costs required for your nationality.
  • Travel insurance, medical insurance or cancellation cover; guests should arrange the policy that best matches their own travel needs.
  • Drinks outside the meal arrangement stated in the itinerary and any minibar or individually ordered beverages.
  • Tips and gratuities for guides, drivers, cruise staff or other service teams unless expressly stated otherwise.
  • Personal expenses such as shopping, laundry, telephone charges and services not specifically listed as included.

Dates

  • October 10, 2026 - October 30, 2026
  • November 10, 2026 - November 30, 2026
  • December 10, 2026 - December 30, 2026
  • January 10, 2027 - January 30, 2027
  • February 10, 2027 - March 2, 2027
  • March 10, 2027 - March 30, 2027

Frequently Asked Questions About the 21-Day Egypt Tour

Route & Organization

How long is the 21-Day Egypt Tour?

The journey lasts 21 days and 20 nights, beginning in Cairo and ending with departure from Hurghada.

What route does the tour follow?

The route connects Cairo, Alexandria, Siwa, Fayoum, the White Desert, Luxor, a Nile cruise to Aswan, Abu Simbel and Hurghada.

Where does the tour start and finish?

Arrival is at Cairo International Airport and the international departure is from Hurghada International Airport on Day 21.

Accommodation & Meals

Which accommodation styles can I choose?

The trip is prepared with two accommodation styles: Comfort 4 Stars and Premium 5 Stars. The route also includes the oasis stay, desert camps and Nile cruise required by the itinerary.

Which hotels are planned for the Premium 5 Stars option?

The source program lists examples including Steigenberger Hotel El Tahrir or Marriott Mena House in Cairo, Hilton Alexandria Corniche or Steigenberger Cecil in Alexandria, Taziry Eco-Village in Siwa, Helnan Auberge Fayoum, Seti Abu Simbel Lake Resort, and Steigenberger ALDAU Beach or JAZ Aquamarine in Hurghada, subject to availability or equivalent accommodation.

Which hotels are planned for the Comfort 4 Stars option?

The source program lists examples including Barceló Cairo Pyramids or Swiss Inn Pyramids Golf Resort, Romance Alexandria Hotel, Siwa Shali Resort, Lazib Inn Resort & Spa, Nefertari Abu Simbel Hotel, and Mercure Hurghada Hotel or Arabia Azur Resort, subject to availability or equivalent accommodation.

Desert, Nile & Red Sea Experiences

Does the itinerary include the White Desert?

Yes. The program includes Bahariya, the Black Desert, Crystal Mountain, the White Desert formations and desert-camp nights with a Bedouin experience.

How long is the Nile cruise?

The program includes a 5-day / 4-night Nile cruise from Luxor toward Aswan, with temple visits integrated into the cruise days.

Is Abu Simbel an overnight stop?

Yes. Abu Simbel is planned as a one-night stop, including the sound-and-light show and a sunrise temple visit before continuing to Hurghada.

What is included in Hurghada?

The Hurghada program includes Red Sea leisure time, snorkeling, a desert safari and Bedouin camp experience, plus a full-day boat and sailing program with swimming and snorkeling stops and the listed parasailing experience.

Prices & Departures

How often does this 21-day tour depart?

The initial operating template provides one departure per month during the October-to-April season. Gate East can change the exact dates according to operations and cruise availability.

Are child prices available?

Yes. The current pricing template uses a child rate equal to 50% of the adult rate for each package. Final booking conditions can be adjusted by Gate East operations if required.

Are international flights included?

No. International flights are excluded, while the itinerary includes the internal travel components specifically described within the program.

Practical Information

What is the recommended travel season?

The source program recommends October to April for this route.

What fitness level is needed?

Normal travel fitness and mobility are recommended. The journey combines long-distance transfers, archaeological sightseeing, desert travel and boat activities over 21 days.

What is the age range for this tour?

The current trip settings use a minimum age of 12 and a maximum age of 75.