12 Days Egypt Tour to Cairo, Nile Cruise & Hurghada

Giza first, while the plateau is still cool: the pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, the Great Sphinx and the Valley Temple. Then south to Saqqara for Djoser's Step Pyramid, and the Grand Egyptian Museum, where the Tutankhamun collection is shown together in one place.

The flight south, then the High Dam and Philae Temple on Agilkia Island, where it was rebuilt block by block when the water rose. Check in on your five-star cruise for lunch and the first of three nights on board.

An early start for the drive south to the temples of Ramses II and Nefertari, back in time for the ship to sail north.

A sailing day with two temples in it: Kom Ombo, split down the middle between Sobek and Horus the elder, and Edfu, the best-preserved temple in Egypt.

Karnak and Luxor Temple after disembarking, then the drive across the Eastern Desert to Hurghada. First of five nights on the Red Sea.

Nothing scheduled. The resort, the beach and the sea are yours, which after six days of early starts is the point of putting them here.

A snorkelling boat trip over the coral, with lunch on board and time in the water. Booked as an optional excursion when you want it rather than fixed to a day.

Free again: diving, a boat trip, or nothing at all. Your guide can arrange any of the Red Sea excursions with a day's notice.

The day most people use for the quad bike safari into the Eastern Desert, or a second trip out to the islands if the first one went well.

The flight from Hurghada, then the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, the Citadel and Khan El Khalili in the afternoon. Last night in Cairo.

Breakfast at the hotel, then the transfer to Cairo airport.

Yes. Day 4 is an early-morning excursion from Aswan to the temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari at Abu Simbel, before the cruise sails north to Kom Ombo and Edfu.

You fly from Cairo to Aswan, sail the Nile from Aswan to Luxor, drive by private vehicle from Luxor to Hurghada, and fly from Hurghada back to Cairo. Airport meet-and-assist and every transfer are included.

Five nights at a 5-star Red Sea resort. The quad bike safari and the snorkeling excursion are included; the other days are free for the beach, or for diving and water sports at extra cost.

The Giza Pyramids, the Great Sphinx, Saqqara's Step Pyramid and the Grand Egyptian Museum on day 2, a Nile dinner cruise with a Tanoura show on arrival, and on day 11 the Egyptian Museum, the Citadel, Islamic Cairo and Khan El Khalili.