Egypt Explorer Hurghada Red Sea and Classic Nile Cruise

Rise early for what promises to be one of the most awe-inspiring days of your entire trip. After a morning transfer from Hurghada, you’ll arrive in Luxor — a city that feels less like a destination and more like a living, breathing open-air museum. The sheer scale of its monuments is enough to leave even the most seasoned traveller speechless.Your first stop is the magnificent Luxor Temple, a stunning complex of columns, statues, and hieroglyph-covered walls that stand as a testament to the ambition and artistry of the ancient Egyptians. From there, you’ll move on to the legendary Karnak Temple — one of the largest religious complexes ever constructed, covering over 100 hectares and representing nearly 2,000 years of architectural achievement. Walking through its Great Hypostyle Hall, flanked by 134 colossal columns, is an experience unlike any other. Following the tour, you’ll check in to your luxurious five-star Nile Cruise ship — your floating home for the next few nights. 
Overnight: 5-Star Nile Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

For those who choose the optional hot air balloon experience, your alarm will sound at around 4:00 AM — and every sleepy moment will be entirely worth it. By 4:30 AM, you’ll be gently drifting skyward above Luxor’s West Bank as the horizon begins to glow with the first blush of sunrise. Below you, the temples, tombs, and golden desert stretch out in every direction, painting a picture that no photograph can truly capture. The flight lasts between 40 and 55 minutes and is, without question, one of the most magical experiences Egypt has to offer.
After returning to earth and savouring a breakfast box, the entire group will embark on the West Bank tour. Highlights include the Valley of the Kings, where the tombs of pharaohs including Tutankhamun lie hidden within the limestone hills, and the breathtaking Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, a monument of extraordinary architectural elegance carved into the cliffside. The iconic Colossi of Memnon — two towering statues standing sentinel across the floodplain — round off a truly remarkable morning. The afternoon brings a relaxed lunch on board as the cruise sails towards Esna.
Overnight: 5-Star Nile Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a leisurely breakfast on board as the cruise glides along the calm waters of the Nile, today brings two of Egypt’s most celebrated temple complexes. Your first stop is the extraordinary Temple of Horus at Edfu — widely regarded as the best-preserved ancient temple in the entire country. Dedicated to Horus of Behedet, the falcon-headed god, this magnificent Ptolemaic structure stretches over 140 metres and covers approximately 7,000 square metres. Every wall, pylon, and courtyard is adorned with intricate carvings and inscriptions that tell the stories of gods, kings, and cosmic battles. Walking through its towering entrance gates is like stepping directly into antiquity.
Back on board, a delicious lunch is served as the cruise continues its journey southward. The afternoon brings you to the remarkable Temple of Kom Ombo, uniquely dedicated to two deities — Sobek, the fearsome crocodile god, and Horus the Elder. The temple’s perfectly symmetrical design, with twin entrances, twin hypostyle halls, and twin sanctuaries running in parallel, reflects this dual devotion in every detail. The setting, perched directly on the Nile’s edge at golden hour, makes for an unforgettable and deeply atmospheric visit.
Overnight: 5-Star Nile Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today the cruise makes its way to Aswan — Egypt’s southernmost city, known for its dramatic landscapes, warm winters, and rich Nubian culture. After breakfast on board, your first visit is to the iconic Aswan High Dam, one of the great engineering feats of the 20th century. Sitting at the border between Egypt and Sudan, this colossal rock-fill dam controls the flow of the Nile, generates vital hydroelectric power for the country, and forms the vast Lake Nasser — one of the world’s largest man-made reservoirs. Construction ran from 1960 to 1968, with the official inauguration taking place in 1971.
Next, you’ll visit Aswan’s ancient stone quarries to see the Unfinished Obelisk — a monumental structure believed to have been commissioned by the female pharaoh Hatshepsut, abandoned mid-carving due to a crack in the granite. At roughly 42 metres, it would have been the largest obelisk ever erected. The day’s final highlight is the enchanting Temple of Philae, dedicated to the goddess Isis and dramatically relocated by UNESCO to save it from rising floodwaters. Set on a small island with palm trees and golden stone, it is one of Egypt’s most photogenic and spiritually resonant sites.
Overnight: 5-Star Nile Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

For those who have opted for the Abu Simbel excursion, your guide will collect you at approximately 5:00 AM for the journey to one of the most jaw-dropping sites in the ancient world. Hewn directly from a sandstone cliff face over 3,000 years ago, the twin rock-cut temples of Abu Simbel were commissioned by the mighty Ramesses II — the most celebrated pharaoh in Egyptian history. The larger temple is guarded by four colossal seated statues of the king, each standing over 20 metres tall, their expressions serene yet commanding. Inside, vivid reliefs chronicle Ramesses’ greatest military triumphs.
The smaller adjacent temple was dedicated to his beloved queen, Nefertari, making this the only temple in ancient Egypt built in honour of a royal woman. In one of history’s greatest conservation feats, both temples were painstakingly dismantled and relocated in the 1960s to save them from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. Visiting Abu Simbel is a profoundly moving experience that stays with you long after you leave.
Following the excursion, you’ll be transferred back to Hurghada, where your hotel awaits. Those who prefer can upgrade this transfer to a flight.
Overnight: Hurghada
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After the rich cultural discoveries of the past few days, today is your time to simply breathe, recharge, and enjoy the simple pleasures of a Red Sea resort. Hurghada is one of Egypt’s most beloved beach destinations, and it’s easy to see why — the coastline is fringed with white sand, and the warm, crystal-clear waters of the Red Sea stretch endlessly toward the horizon under reliably blue skies.
Spend the morning drifting between the pool and the beach, taking a gentle swim or simply finding your favourite sunlounger and claiming it for the day. If relaxation is on the agenda, the hotel spa offers a tempting range of treatments designed to soothe tired muscles and refresh the spirit after days of sightseeing. For those with more energy, the town itself is worth exploring — Hurghada’s marina area is lined with restaurants, cafés, and shops selling everything from handcrafted souvenirs to local spices and jewellery. Whether you spend the day entirely horizontal or out and about discovering the town, today belongs to you entirely.
Overnight: Hurghada
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Just a short boat ride from Hurghada’s marina lies one of the Red Sea’s most beautiful natural treasures — Giftun Island. This pristine protected island, part of the Giftun Islands National Park, is surrounded by some of the most vibrant and biodiverse coral reefs in the entire Red Sea, making it a paradise for snorkelling enthusiasts and ocean lovers alike.
The excursion departs after breakfast and takes you across sparkling turquoise waters to reach the island’s white sandy beaches. Once there, pull on a snorkel mask and plunge into an underwater world of extraordinary colour and life — schools of tropical fish dart between coral formations in every hue imaginable, while sea turtles and rays glide gracefully through the clear water. If you’d prefer to stay dry, simply relax on the beach with the sun on your face and the sound of gentle waves for company.
Fishing is also available for those who fancy their chances, and a delicious lunch is served on board or on the island, giving you the energy to make the most of the afternoon. It’s an idyllic, carefree day that perfectly showcases the natural wonders of the Red Sea.
Overnight: Hurghada
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

For thrill-seekers and adventure lovers, today’s optional excursion offers a completely different side of Egypt — one far removed from temples and beaches. Strap in for an exhilarating quad bike safari through the vast, dramatic landscape of the Eastern Desert, riding powerful Honda quad bikes across golden sand dunes and rugged desert terrain.
The adventure begins at a base camp where you’ll receive a full briefing and learn to handle your quad before heading out into the open desert. The route takes you through sweeping dunes and rocky plains, where you’ll witness the extraordinary optical illusion of a desert mirage shimmering on the horizon. Eventually, the journey leads to a traditional Bedouin village — a genuine, living community where you’ll have the rare opportunity to meet local people, learn about their ancient way of life, and gain a deeper appreciation of desert culture.
As the sun begins to dip toward the horizon, the desert glows in hues of amber and rose — a spectacular backdrop for a camel ride at sunset. The evening rounds off magnificently with a buffet dinner under the stars, and stargazing in one of the darkest, clearest skies you’ll ever see.
Overnight: Hurghada
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today’s optional excursion offers a fascinating dive into the wonders of the Red Sea — without getting wet. The Hurghada Grand Aquarium is one of Egypt’s premier family-friendly attractions and a genuinely extraordinary experience for visitors of all ages. Spread across 24 meticulously designed galleries, this world-class facility showcases over 1,200 marine species from the Red Sea and beyond, bringing the underwater world to vivid life in immersive, beautifully curated displays.
Wander through tunnels surrounded by gliding sharks and graceful stingrays, watch gentle sea turtles drift past overhead, and marvel at the dazzling variety of reef fish, eels, and invertebrates that call the Red Sea home. Interactive exhibits blend education with entertainment, explaining the ecology and conservation of these precious marine environments in an engaging and accessible way. It’s a wonderful opportunity for families with children and a genuinely eye-opening experience for anyone curious about the incredible biodiversity lurking beneath the surface of the sea just metres from your hotel.
For those who prefer a quieter day, staying behind to relax by the pool or beach is equally appealing. Either way, the evening brings a delicious dinner and another memorable Red Sea sunset.
Overnight: Hurghada
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

As your wonderful Egyptian adventure draws toward its close, today is a final, glorious opportunity to slow down and savour every last moment of your Red Sea holiday. With no excursions, no schedules, and no commitments, this is a day devoted entirely to rest, reflection, and whatever brings you joy.
Perhaps you’ll spend the morning floating in the pool, the warm sun on your skin and a cold drink close at hand, replaying favourite memories from the past week and a half — the awe of standing before the Colossi of Memnon, the silence of the Valley of the Kings, the magic of drifting over Luxor in a hot air balloon at sunrise. Or perhaps you’d rather take one final stroll along Hurghada’s seafront, browsing the market stalls for last-minute gifts and souvenirs to bring home.
The beach is always there, the Red Sea still warm and clear, and the afternoon light over the water as beautiful as ever. Tonight, enjoy a final dinner at your hotel and take a quiet moment to appreciate the extraordinary journey you’ve experienced — ancient wonders, breathtaking landscapes, warm hospitality, and unforgettable memories.
Overnight: Hurghada
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

All great adventures must come to an end, and today it’s time to say farewell to Egypt. After a final leisurely breakfast at the hotel, take a few last moments to appreciate the view, exchange farewells with your fellow travellers.
A comfortable airport transfer has been arranged to take you to Hurghada International Airport in plenty of time for your departure.
Meals: Breakfast