12 Days in Egypt – What to see in Egypt in 12 Days

If you are going to spend 12 days in Egypt, you can have a holiday that you will cherish forever. Whether you want to spend your entire 12-day trip in Egypt visiting the country’s famous historical sites to learn about ancient Egyptian history, or whether you want to explore other aspects of this fascinating country, 12 days in Egypt is ample time.

So, if you’re wondering what to see in Egypt in 12 days, continue reading…

Consider Booking a 12-Day Egypt Tour Package

If you want your 12 days in Egypt to be the most amazing experience ever, you should seriously consider booking a professionally designed Egypt tour package that includes things like accommodation, expert tour guides, private drivers, air conditioned vehicles, and admission tickets for all the different sites that you want to see during your 12 days in Egypt.

If your chosen tour package involves you having to travel from Cairo to a place like Luxor or Aswan, then train journeys or domestic flights should also be included. If you want to make the most of your 12 days in Egypt, you should seriously consider booking a package tour that also includes a Nile cruise. It is often said that there is no better way to experience Ancient Egypt than by way of a Nile River cruise, and it is certainly true.

The good news is that when you have 12 days in Egypt, you can see the best attractions in and around Cairo, go for a wonderful five star Nile River cruise, and even spend some time on the Red Sea coast or in the mighty Sahara Desert. If you’re concerned about what to see in Egypt in 12 days, check out our range of bespoke 12-day Egypt tour packages.

What to See in Egypt in 12 Days

Nearly all tourists who visit Egypt enter the country via Cairo International Airport. Most visitors are of course longing to see the Pyramids of Giza. In fact, many visitors visit the Giza Pyramids and then they leave Cairo for places like Luxor, Aswan, Sharm El Sheikh, or Alexandria. This is perfectly understandable if you only have six to eight days in Egypt but if you have 12 days in Egypt you can afford to spend a little bit more time exploring Cairo and its surroundings.

Cairo

There is so much more to Cairo than only the Pyramids of Giza. Sure, The Pyramids of Giza are one of the world’s most famous tourist attractions, but there are also other attractions in and around Cairo which you should try to see during your 12 days in Egypt. 

Other must see attractions in Cairo include the Egyptian Museum which showcases Egypt’s fascinating ancient history.  The Khan el Khalili Bazaar is another place you should try to visit while you are in Cairo. The Khan el Khalili Bazaar is a great place to visit even if you don’t want to do any shopping. If you’re going to have 12 days in Egypt then you should also try to visit the Step Pyramid at Saqqara which is about a 40 minute drive from Cairo.

The Step Pyramid was built for Pharaoh Djoser. It was the very first pyramid ever built by the ancient Egyptians, and at the time it was built, it was also the largest major stone structure ever built.

Nile River

After Cairo, we would recommend that you head to Aswan or Luxor for a Nile cruise and/or a Lake Nasser cruise. If you want to enjoy some excellent sightseeing in Cairo and then experience both a Nile cruise and a Lake Nasser Cruise, check out our epic 12 Day Nile and Lake Nasser Cruise package. 

With the above referenced tour package, you will get to see the best sites in Cairo, the best sites along the banks of the Nile River between Luxor and Aswan, the best sites on the banks of Lake Nasser, and you’ll even enjoy a trip to Abu Simbel to see the breathtaking Abu Simbel Temples that were constructed during the reign of Pharaoh Ramses II. 

If you don’t want to spend most of your 12 days in Egypt on a boat, you can skip a Lake Nasser cruise. However, you should still go on a Nile River cruise because it will let you see many incredible ancient places like:

Philae Temple

Philae Temple is located near modern day Aswan. It is one of the last true Egyptian temples built and it was dedicated to two goddesses. It originally stood on a small sacred island but it was moved to its current location on higher ground to save it from the rising waters of Lake Nasser when the Aswan High Dam was being built. 

Luxor Temple

Luxor Temple is located on West Bank of the Nile River near modern day Luxor. It is one of the most visited and most famous ancient temples in Egypt. When your cruise ship is docked in Luxor you will also have the opportunity to visit this ancient temple at night to witness a breathtaking sound and lights show. 

Karnak Temple

Karnak Temple is also located on the West Bank at Luxor, within walking distance from Luxor Temple. Karnak Temple is a huge temple complex that was continually expanded and added to for a period of more than 2,000 years. Very little of the original complex remains standing but there is still so much to see. In fact, it is Egypt’s second most visited ancient monument, second only to the Giza Pyramids. 

Valley of Kings

The Valley Of Kings is located on the West Bank of the Nile near Luxor and it is another place which you really do need to visit during your 12 days in Egypt. This ancient royal necropolis is home to more than 62 tombs, including the world’s most famous tomb, that of King Tutankhamun. King. Tutankhamun’s mummy can be seen in his tomb to this day.

Queen Hatshepsut Temple

Queen Hatshepsut’s mortuary temple is also located on Luxor’s West Bank, only a short distance from the Valley of Kings. It is one of the most beautiful temples ever both by the ancient Egyptians and today it is considered to be one of Egypt’s “Incomparable Monuments of Ancient Egypt”.

Kom Ombo Temple

Kom Ombo Temple is essentially a double temple complex located near a town of the same name. The original structure consisted of two identical halves and it was dedicated to two different gods. It is believed to be the only twin temple complex ever built by the ancient Egyptians.

Temple of Horus

The Temple of Horus is located near the small town of Edfu. It is the best preserved ancient cult temple in Egypt. Its remarkable state of preservation is due to the fact that it was submerged beneath the desert sand for more than 2,000 years. 

All of the above mentioned sites are located along the banks of the Nile River in Upper Egypt, between the cities of Aswan and Luxor. Sure, you can visit all these incredible sites by road, but it is so much more fun traveling from one to the next on a luxurious river boat. A good quality Nile River cruise will make your 12 days in Egypt so much more enjoyable and more unforgettable.

Recommended: Nile Cruise Holiday Packages

12 Days in Egypt with a Beach Holiday

If you are wondering what to see in Egypt in 12 days besides the country’s many archaeological sites, then we would recommend that you head to the country’s Red Sea coast, to a place such as Sharm El Sheikh or Hurghada. 

The beaches along Egypt’s Red Sea coast are almost surreal, with delightfully cool crystal clear turquoise waters. The entire region is also home to some of the world’s very best dive sites, attracting scuba divers and snorkeling enthusiasts from all around the world. Both of these cities are well geared up for scuba divers, with several local companies offering day trips to various dive sites, including the infamous Blue Hole near Dahab on the Sinai Peninsular. 

If you are ready to take your 12 days in Egypt to a whole new level, check out our 12-Day Cairo, Nile Cruise and Red Sea Stay. With this particular tour package, you’ll begin your 12 days in Egypt with three nights in Cairo, followed by one night on board an overnight sleeper train with your own compartment, one night in a hotel at Aswan, 3 nights on a five star Nile river cruise, and three nights at a beach resort at Hurghada on the Red Sea coast.

12 Days in Egypt with a Desert Adventure

If you would rather experience the mighty Sahara Desert than spend time on the Red Sea coast, then check out our 12-Day Cairo, Nile Cruise and Sahara Desert Tour package. With this excellent tour package you will get to see all the same great places that we’ve already mentioned, but you will also spend one night at the Kharga Oasis, two nights at the Dakhla Oasis, and one night camping in the White Desert. You will also get to ride a camel in the desert at Dakhla.

Contrary to what many people believe, Egypt’s Sahara Desert region is home to countless ancient sites, several of which you will see during your stay in the desert.

12-Day Multi Destination Tours

If you are planning a 12-day vacation, you don’t have to spend all 12 days in Egypt. Instead, you could visit a second nearby destination as well, such as Jordan or Dubai. If you like the idea of visiting a second destination as well, be sure to check out our 12-Day Egypt and Dubai Tour package. This includes four nights in Cairo, four nights on a five star Nile cruise ship, and three nights in Dubai.

If you feel Jordan is a more appealing destination then check out our 12-Day Cairo, Nile Cruise and Jordan Tour package instead. This package includes three nights in Cairo, four nights on a five star Nile River cruise, and four nights in Jordan.

Fully Customizable Egypt Tours

With fully customizable tours, you can decide what to see in Egypt in 12 days. This allows you to enjoy a vacation that is absolutely perfect in every way. At Egypt Tours Plus, all of our Egypt tour packages are fully customizable and can be tailored to meet your needs exactly. Our team of travel specialists can also work with you to create your own unique 12-day tour itinerary from scratch – your budget, your schedule, your vacation! 

Contact us now for more information on what to see in Egypt in 12 days, or to book an unforgettable 12 days in Egypt dream holiday today.

 

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Last Updated on March 25, 2024