5 Days Classic Egypt Tour: Cairo, Aswan & Abu Simbel

Begin your day with a hearty breakfast at your hotel before embarking on your exploration of Cairo with your personal Egyptologist guide. Start by visiting one of the most iconic sites in Cairo: the Giza Pyramid Complex. This is not only the oldest archaeological complex, spanning over 5,000 years, but it is also the largest. The complex is often referred to as the greatest open-air museum in the world.

Admire the Great Pyramid of Khufu, constructed in 2570 BC and also known as “Khufu’s Horizon.” This final wonder of the ancient world originally stood 147 meters (481 feet) tall, weighing an estimated six million tons, making it the largest structure ever built at the time. Inside the pyramid, the King’s Chamber and Queen’s Chamber are testaments to the genius of the ancient Egyptian builders.

Next, move on to the Great Sphinx, a mythical guardian carved from a single piece of limestone. It depicts a lion’s body with the head of Pharaoh Khafre. Measuring 73 meters (240 ft) long and 19 meters (66 ft) high, the Sphinx symbolizes the eternal Horus of the Horizon and continues to mystify visitors since its creation during the Old Kingdom (2686–2134 BC).

Continue to the Valley Temple, one of the best-preserved ancient monuments from the Old Kingdom. Built during the reign of King Khafre, the temple was the site of mummification and the “Opening of the Mouth” ritual, offering fascinating insight into the mythological beliefs of ancient Egyptians.

Then, visit the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), the newest gateway into 5,000 years of Egyptian history. Covering nearly 490,000 square meters and aligned with the Pyramids of Giza, the museum houses the largest conservation center in the Middle East, research laboratories, and educational facilities. Highlights include the Hanging Obelisk, the 11-meter colossus of Ramses II, and the full collection of over 5,000 artifacts from Tutankhamun.

After this incredible morning, enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant with views of the Pyramids and the Nile River. Finally, visit the historic Egyptian Museum in central Cairo, which houses the largest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts. This two-story museum contains statues, funerary artifacts, the Narmer Palette, papyri, and many more treasures, showcasing over 5,000 years of Egyptian civilization.

After finishing your tour, transfer back to the hotel overnight. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Overnight: Cairo Hotel 

Begin your day with a lovely breakfast, then check out of your hotel to fly to Aswan from Cairo Airport. Upon your arrival, you will meet your guide to visit some of the main sights of Aswan.

Start with the Aswan High Dam, an engineering wonder erected between 1960 and 1970 during the administration of President Gamal Abdel Nasser. This project was undertaken in collaboration with the Soviet Union’s Hydroproject Institute in Moscow to regulate the floods of the Nile River, form Lake Nasser, produce hydroelectricity, and provide storage for irrigation.

Next, visit the Unfinished Obelisk, which showcases the ingenuity of ancient Egyptian engineers and architects. Originally intended as part of the Karnak Temple’s impressive entrance, the obelisk was commissioned by Queen Hatshepsut during her reign from 1508 to 1458 BC. It would have stood at 41.75 meters (137 feet) tall with a mass of 1,200 tons. Unfortunately, it had to be abandoned after developing fissures during construction, leaving it in the limestone quarry where it was carved.

Enjoy lunch at one of the best restaurants in Aswan, then proceed to the Philae Temple, an iconic monument dedicated to the goddess Isis. This temple holds the legendary story of Osiris, who was murdered by his brother Set but later brought back to life to rule the underworld, with his son Horus acting as the defender and god of victory. Built during the Ptolemaic period under Ptolemy IV (380–362 BC), the temple was relocated to Agilkia Island in the 1960s by UNESCO’s Save the Monuments Campaign.

After a memorable day of sightseeing, you will check into your 5★ hotel in Aswan for a restful overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Flight: From Cairo to Aswan 

Overnight: Aswan Hotel 

Early in the morning, you can have breakfast and then be transferred in an air-conditioned vehicle to one of Egypt’s most impressive archaeological sites: the Temples of Abu Simbel.

The magnificent Temple of Ramesses II, also called the Temple of Ramesses and favored by Amun, is one of the greatest examples of the power, legacy, and architectural ingenuity of King Ramses II (1279–1213 BCE). Built in 1264 BC during the New Kingdom (1570–1050 BCE), Abu Simbel was meant to commemorate the king’s heritage and identity. The temples were constructed to celebrate the king’s victory at the Battle of Kadesh. Originally situated on the shores of Lake Nasser, they were relocated in the 1960s to the top of a hill, where they were rebuilt and restored.

The Abu Simbel complex comprises the large temple of Ramesses II, renowned for its solar alignment that illuminates the faces of the four seated statues of King Ramesses II, Amun (God the Creator), Ptah (God of Creation), and Ra-Horakhty. The smaller temple is dedicated to the king’s beloved wife, Queen Nefertari, and the goddess Hathor. This iconic landmark was part of one of the most challenging archaeological rescue operations in history, conducted by UNESCO in the 1960s, which preserved its majesty for future generations.

After this breathtaking visit, you will return to Aswan for lunch, followed by a flight back to Cairo. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay, reflecting on the wonders of southern Egypt.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Flight: From Aswan to Cairo 

Overnight: Cairo Hotel 

Before your last night in Egypt comes to an end, you will enjoy breakfast, and then our representative from Deluxe Tours will escort you to Cairo Airport for your return journey. Leaving Egypt means taking with you unforgettable memories from your 5-day Cairo, Aswan, and Abu Simbel tour.

Meals: Breakfast