Circuit Egypt 10 days - golden duration for a first trip to Egypt. Seven days is too short to absorb Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and the Nile cruise without running; fourteen days begins to require a real budget. Ten days let each stage breathe - four nights in the capital, four nights of Nile Valley cruise, and one or two floating days for Hurghada in the Red Sea or Abu Simbel excursion. This is the format that our SEV team has sold the most since 2020, and the one that comes up the most in customer recommendations.
This article compares the three large formats (7, 10, 14 days) with actual budgets for 2026, stages included, and choice between cruise or fixed hotel. At the end, you will know precisely which circuit suits you.
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What does a 10-day Egypt tour include?
A 10 day Egypt tour combines 4 nights in Cairo (Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Grand Egyptian Museum) and a 4-night Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan (Karnak, Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae), with 1-2 days floating to Abu Simbel or the Red Sea. This is the ideal format for a first trip, from £990 per person all inclusive.
How much does a 10-day Egypt tour cost in 2026?
A 10 day Egypt tour costs between £990 and £2,000 per person in 2026, including domestic flights within Egypt (Cairo-Aswan, Aswan-Luxor, Cairo-Sharm el-Sheikh). The price depends on the season (high season December-February), the category of the cruise ship (4 or 5 stars) and the private or small group format. At SEV, our 10-day tours start at £990 per person in a 5-star double room, all inclusive.
Egypt tour 10 days - day by day itinerary (SEV format)
the exact procedure that our team in Cairo most often plans for a 10 day Egypt tour. It balances culture, cruising and free time, without a day wasted on transfers.
| Day | Step | On the program |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Cairo | Arrival, VIP welcome at the airport, installation at the hotel, stroll in Islamic Cairo. |
| Day 2 | Cairo | Pyramids of Giza, Sphinx, lunch with a view, Khan el-Khalili souk. |
| Day 3 | Cairo | Grand Egyptian Museum, Saladin citadel, alabaster mosque. |
| Day 4 | Luxor | Cairo-Luxor flight, boarding, Karnak and Luxor temples. |
| Day 5 | Luxor | West bank: Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon. |
| Day 6 | Edfu - Kom Ombo | Navigation, temple of Horus in Edfu, double temple of Kom Ombo. |
| Day 7 | Aswan | Philae temple, high dam, felucca ride at sunset. |
| Day 8 | Abu Simbel | Excursion to the temples of Ramses II and Nefertari (optional by plane or road). |
| Day 9 | Cairo / Red Sea | Floating day: return to Cairo or relaxing extension to Hurghada. |
| Day 10 | Departure | Free time, airport transfer, your return flight. |
This 10-day tour can be completely personalized: boat category, private or small group, addition of one night in the Red Sea. To set the dates and the exact quote, write to WhatsApp SEV at +20 10 96569859.
Egypt tour 10 days: Nile cruise or fixed hotel?
On a 10 day Egypt tour, the 4-night cruise between Luxor and Aswan remains our default recommendation: it connects the temples of the Nile valley over the water, without road transfers, and each awakening offers a new landscape. The fixed hotel formula (two bases in Luxor and Aswan with star excursions) is only justified for families with toddlers or travelers sensitive to movement. For the same duration, the cruise sees more sites with less fatigue.
To go further:
Choosing your Egypt itinerary - the three main formats
Egypt concentrates its riches on two axes - the capital Cairo with its pyramids and its Grand Museum, and the Nile valley between Luxor and Aswan with its pharaonic temples. Everything else (Alexandria, Red Sea, Western Desert) is added. This gives three main formulas depending on the time available and the budget.
* All-inclusive rates - domestic flights in Egypt that we organize (Cairo-Aswan, Aswan-Louxor, Cairo-Charm) + 4-5★ hotels + private transfers + tours with English-speaking guide + 4-night cruise if applicable + meals according to program. Excluding visa (30 USD) and tips.
The big variable is the inclusion or not of Abu Simbel (280 km south of Aswan, requires a flight or a long drive) and the Red Sea extension. 7-day tours often have to choose between the two; the 10 days include one; the 14 days can do it all.
Egypt tour 7 days - the essentials concentrated
Seven days there is the bare minimum so as not to feel cheated. Below, we return exhausted and with the impression of having flown over. Here is the most efficient route that our team offers.
- Day 1 - Arrival Cairo. Arrival on your flight to Egypt. VIP welcome at the airport, private hotel transfer. Rest. Evening stroll Khan el-Khalili and dinner at the El Fishawy café (centenary).
- Day 2 - Pyramids and Grand Egyptian Museum. Morning Giza (Cheops, Khafre, Sphinx) with pyramid interior entrance. Andrea lunch with Sphinx view. Afternoon Great Egyptian Museum (3-4 hour visit, Tutankhamun’s treasure). Free evening.
- Day 3 - Saqqara and Memphis. Morning Saqqara with Djoser's step pyramid and the mastaba of Ti. Traditional lunch. Afternoon Memphis (colossus Ramses II) then Cairo-Louxor flight 6 p.m. Arrival at Luxor hotel 8 p.m.
- Day 4 - Luxor west bank. Dawn 5:30 a.m., departure for Valley of the Kings (3 tombs to choose from + supplement Tutankhamun or Ramses VI), temple of Hatshepsut, colossi of Memnon, Medinet Habou. Boarding 5★ cruise at the end of the afternoon.
- Day 5 - Karnak + navigation. Morning great temple of Karnak + temple of Luxor. Afternoon navigation to Edfu, dinner on board.
- Day 6 - Edfu and Kom Ombo. Morning temple of Horus in Edfu (the best preserved in Egypt), navigation towards Kom Ombo. Visit to the double temple of Sobek and Haroëris in the late afternoon. Arrival Aswan at night.
- Day 7 - Aswan and return. Morning temple of Philae and high dam. Flight Aswan-Cairo 14h. International airport transfer. Your return flight.
Total - 4 nights Cairo + 1 night Luxor + 2 nights cruise to Aswan. 8 major temples visited. Abou Simbel excluded (missing time). Red Sea excluded.
Egypt Tour 10 Days - our most popular format
Three more days change everything. We breathe at each stage, we add Abou Simbel without running, and there is still room for a free lunch or a felucca at sunset. This is our signature formula.
- Day 1 - Arrival Cairo. Arrival on your flight to Egypt. VIP welcome. Evening stroll in Islamic Cairo.
- Day 2 - Pyramids of Giza + Sphinx. Complete visit in the morning, lunch with Sphinx view. Afternoon Khan el-Khalili and Mohammed Ali mosque at the Citadel.
- Day 3 - Grand Egyptian Museum. 5-hour visit to the GEM (the complete treasure of Tutankhamun has been here since November 2025). Afternoon Coptic Cairo (hanging church, Ben Ezra synagogue).
- Day 4 - Saqqara, Memphis, Dahshur. Full day on ancient necropolises. Red pyramid accessible inside. Cairo-Luxor flight in the evening.
- Day 5 - Luxor west bank. Valley of the Kings (3 tombs + Tutankhamun or Ramesses VI), Hatshepsut, Medinet Habou, traditional lunch in Gourna. Cruise boarding.
- Day 6 - Karnak + Luxor temple. Morning Karnak with English-speaking Egyptologist, afternoon Luxor temple. Evening navigation towards Edfu. Karnak sound and light show in French on Wednesday or Saturday.
- Day 7 - Edfu and Kom Ombo. Morning Edfou, navigation, afternoon Kom Ombo + Crocodile museum. Arrival Aswan at night.
- Day 8 - Abu Simbel Excursion. Domestic flight 6h-9h Aswan-Abou Simbel-Aswan (or optional convoy route). 2 hours on site colossi of Ramesses II. Felucca afternoon on the Nile, Elephantine Island.
- Day 9 - Philae and Aswan. Morning temple of Philae by boat, high dam, unfinished obelisk. Afternoon Nubian village, dinner on the Nile.
- Day 10 - Return. Domestic flight Aswan-Cairo that we organize, airport transfer, then your return flight from Egypt.
Total - 4 nights Cairo + 4 nights cruise + 1 night Aswan post-cruise. 10 major temples including Abu Simbel. 2026 SEV price from £990/person all inclusive in double room 5★. Family variant in a triple room - reduced rate for the 3rd occupant.
Egypt tour 14 days - the complete trip
Fourteen days allows what other formats refuse - alternating rhythms. Egyptology enthusiasts add Abydos and Dendera (the often forgotten temples of Middle Egypt). Travelers as a couple take advantage of this for a seaside extension in the Red Sea. Retirees prefer a gentler pace with more free half-days.
Here is the most requested 14-day itinerary at SEV (cultural variant + Red Sea).
- Days 1-4 - Cairo in-depth. Pyramids, GEM, Saqqara, Dahshur, Islamic Cairo, Coptic Cairo, Khan el-Khalili. Free half day at Alexandria optional.
- Day 5 - Cairo-Luxor flight. Boarding cruise for 7 nights (instead of 4) which includes Abydos and Dendera in the northern extension before the Luxor-Aswan descent.
- Days 6-12 - 7 night cruise Luxor-Dendera-Abydos-Louxor-Edfu-Kom Ombo-Aswan. All major temples visited without pressure. Abu Simbel excursion on day 11 or 12.
- Day 12 - Flight Aswan-Hurghada. 1 hour flight. Hotel transfer 5★ Red Sea.
- Days 13-14 - Hurghada Red Sea. Diving, snorkeling, beach. Your return flight from Hurghada International Airport.
Total - 4 nights Cairo + 7 nights cruise + 2 nights Hurghada. 12+ temples + seaside + Nubian desert. SEV price from £1,450/person. “Pure cultural” variant without Red Sea from £1,300 with two additional days Cairo or Alexandria.
Nile cruise or fixed hotel - which option to choose
Recurring question from our customers. Here are the pros and cons, without complacency.
Nile cruise 4 or 7 nights - you change ports every day without repacking, the boat is your hotel, meals are on board, the atmosphere is friendly. Modern 5★ liners have swimming pool, spa, evening entertainment. The catch - you follow the ship's schedule (not yours), you share the experience with 100-150 other passengers, and some budget liners sacrifice on comfort. Average price £80-£140/person/night in SEV formula.
Fixed hotel in Luxor (3 nights) then Aswan (2 nights) - you choose restaurant, time, program. 5★ superior hotel comfort (Sofitel Winter Palace in Luxor, Sofitel Old Cataract in Aswan - colonial palaces). You avoid seasickness (rare but possible). The problem - transfers between sites are increasing, and you pay for the hotel twice (Luxor + Aswan).
Our recommendation - cruise for a first trip to Egypt (simplified logistics, exotic atmosphere), fixed hotel for a second trip or for travelers who want a personalized pace. To explore the details, see our hub Nile cruise.
When to go for an Egypt tour
Crucial season in Egypt - the temperature moves 25°C between January and July in Aswan. Here are the optimal windows by profile.
For month-by-month details, see our temperature guide by month. For Eid al-Adha 2026 (May 27-30), the festive atmosphere is worth the trip despite the rising heat.
Budget and prices 2026 by duration
Here are the actual ranges for an all-inclusive English-speaking private tour. Three levels of service - standard 4★, comfort 5★, luxury 5★ palace.
These prices include - all domestic flights in Egypt that we organize (Cairo-Aswan, Aswan-Luxor, Aswan-Abu Simbel, Cairo-Sharm), private air-conditioned transfers, hotels according to category, cruise 4-7 nights if applicable, meals according to program (usually breakfast + lunch or dinner on excursion days), private English-speaking guide, entrances to main sites. Excluding visa, tips (count £50-£70 per person for 10 days), drinks excluding meals, and personal purchases.
For departures in high season (October-February), count 10 to 20% more. For departures in June-August, low prices but demanding weather conditions. All our formulas are visible in the hub Egypt tour packages.
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Domestic flights in Egypt and organization
Once in Egypt, nothing more to manage in terms of air transport: we arrange all domestic flights for you, to go from one wonder to another without fatigue or long roads. Here are the connections that we orchestrate on a typical circuit.
- Cairo-Aswan - domestic flight of approximately 1 hour 15 minutes that we reserve for you, to reach Upper Egypt without an overnight drive. Seats confirmed in advance, private transfers included to both airports.
- Aswan-Abu Simbel - domestic round trip flight that we organize to admire the colossi of Ramses II at daybreak, without the 280 km of road. A signature option on our 10 and 14 day tours.
- Cairo-Sharm el-Sheikh, Cairo-Hurghada - domestic flights to the Red Sea which we arrange for beach and diving extensions, at the end of the circuit. Fast connections, private transfers to both airports.
FAQ - Frequently asked questions about Egypt tours
What is the best duration for an Egypt tour?
10 days is our recommendation for a first trip. This format allows you to cover Cairo in depth (3-4 days), take a 4-night Luxor-Aswan cruise, and add the Abu Simbel excursion without running. 7 days is too short if you want Abu Simbel; 14 days is ideal for Egyptology enthusiasts or to combine with the Red Sea.
How much does a 10-day Egypt tour cost in 2026?
In a private English-speaking SEV all-inclusive package (4-5★ hotels + 4-night cruise + all your domestic flights in Egypt organized and included by SEV + private English-speaking guide + transfers + entries), count from £990 per person in a 5★ standard double room. Comfort level 5★ higher £1,220-£1,380. Palace level (Marriott Mena House Cairo + Sofitel Old Cataract Aswan) from £1,690. Seasonal variations +10 to +20% in high season. Your flight to Egypt must be booked separately.
Should you choose a cruise or a fixed hotel for the Nile Valley?
For a first trip to Egypt, the cruise is our default choice - simplified logistics (a single "hotel" that moves), exotic atmosphere, meals included. For a second trip or for travelers who want a personalized pace, the fixed hotel Luxor (3 nights) then Aswan (2 nights) offers more comfort and flexibility. Our hub Nile cruises details all the options.
When is the best time to go to Egypt?
October to March - pleasant temperatures 18-30°C throughout the valley. Peak attendance is December-February (book 4 months in advance). April-May and September-October offer an excellent quality-price compromise. Summer (June-August) is hot (40-46°C) but prices reduced by 30 to 40%. See details in our Egypt weather guide by region.
Can we do an Egypt tour with children?
Yes, from 6-7 years old to take full advantage. The sites are vast, open-air, visually spectacular (giant statues, hieroglyphs). Our advice - plan a light pace with frequent breaks, plenty of water, avoid hot hours (12 p.m.-3 p.m. in summer), and favor the cruise (entertainment, swimming pool on the boat, adapted meals). Child rate in triple room - reduction 30 to 50% depending on age.
Do you need a visa for Egypt in 2026?
Yes, a tourist visa is required for French nationals. Three options - (1) Visa on arrival (VOA) 30 USD at the airport counter, the easiest. (2) e-visa before departure 30 USD via visa2egypt.gov.eg (deadline 3-7 days). (3) Traditional embassy visa for specific cases. The passport must be valid for 6 months after the return date.
Is Egypt safe for tourists in 2026?
Yes. Egypt has significantly strengthened its tourist security since 2017 with dedicated tourist police at all major sites. Tourist areas (Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Western Desert) are perfectly safe. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs classifies Egypt as normal for classic sites. Avoid the North Sinai Peninsula and the Libyan border.
What cash budget should you plan for on site?
Count £190-£310 per person in cash for 10 days, in addition to the SEV package. Posts - guide and driver tips (£50-£70 total), boat tips if cruise (£30-£50), artisanal purchases (papyrus, statuettes, spices at Khan el-Khalili - systematically negotiate the price), drinks outside meals, punctual taxis. Change your euros to EGP on arrival at the airport or hotel (official rate). Visa and MasterCard accepted in tourist hotels and restaurants.
Can you combine Egypt and the Red Sea in one trip?
Yes, it's even common on 12-14 day formulas. After the Luxor-Aswan cruise, direct flight Aswan-Hurghada (1 hour) or Luxor-Hurghada. 2 to 4 nights in a 5★ Red Sea hotel with your return flight from Hurghada International Airport. Hurghada offers snorkeling, diving, beach and nightlife in an accessible 4-5★ format.
What travel insurance for Egypt?
Travel insurance with medical repatriation is strongly recommended (quality care in the event of a serious emergency often requires a transfer to Cairo or return to France). Indicative cost £30-£50 for 10 days depending on age. Also cover flight cancellations and domestic flights (Cairo-Luxor, Aswan-Abu Simbel) which have higher than average cancellation frequencies.
Does SEV organize tours in groups or privately?
Only in private. Our team only does tailor-made tours, with private air-conditioned vehicle for your family or group of friends alone, dedicated English-speaking guide, hotels of your choice. This costs 20 to 40% more than the grouped tours of major international tour operators (Marmara, TUI), but offers total flexibility of the program, times, restaurants, and pace. Standard approach - you write to us on WhatsApp with your dates, the number of travelers, your target budget, we come back within 24 hours with a personalized quote.
What is the ideal itinerary for a 10-day Egypt tour?
The most requested 10-day itinerary follows this logic: Day 1 arrival in Cairo, Days 2-3 Giza pyramids, Sphinx, Grand Egyptian Museum and Islamic Cairo, Day 4 flight to Luxor and boarding, Days 5-8 Nile cruise (Karnak, Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae temple in Aswan), Day 9 Abu Simbel excursion or relaxation, Day 10 return flight. This sequencing avoids unnecessary journeys and maintains a comfortable pace.
Is a 10-day Egypt tour enough to see everything?
Ten days are more than enough for the essentials: Cairo, the Luxor-Aswan cruise and Abu Simbel. This is even the duration that our team in Cairo recommends for a first trip, because it allows each stage to breathe without running. To add Alexandria, the White Desert or a long Red Sea stay, you have to increase to 14 days.
Can you do a 10-day Egypt tour without a Nile cruise?
Yes, but we do not recommend it. The Luxor-Aswan cruise remains the heart of the experience: it connects the temples of the Nile Valley without tiring road transfers. In the non-cruise version, you sleep in a fixed hotel in Luxor and Aswan with round-trip journeys, which is especially suitable for families with very young children or travelers prone to river seasickness.