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Egypt, planned properly.

Private Egypt tours, Nile cruises, and Cairo day trips — tailor-made by a Giza-based operator with 20+ years planning trips for travellers from the USA, UK, Australia and beyond.

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★★★★★
5.0 · 56 reviews
13+ yrs Guiding Egypt
IATA Licensed operator
24/7 Real human support

Start your Egypt plan

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5.0 on Tripadvisor · 56 reviews · 20+ years guiding Egypt · IATA & Egyptian Ministry of Tourism licensed · 42 source countries served · Giza-based · feet on the ground · 100% private departures · 5.0 on Tripadvisor · 56 reviews · 20+ years guiding Egypt · IATA & Egyptian Ministry of Tourism licensed · 42 source countries served · Giza-based · feet on the ground · 100% private departures ·
The Bestsellers

Egypt's most-booked private tour packages

These seven itineraries are what most of our guests from the US, UK and Australia pick. Every one is private — no strangers in your van, no cattle-bus Pyramids visits.

Nile Cruises

Three routes, one river, 5,000 years of wonder

All of our cruises sail on 5★ or boutique deluxe boats with private balconies, and every day includes an Egyptologist-led temple visit. Pick the route that matches your time.

LuxorAswanEdfu · Kom Ombo
4 Nights

Luxor → Aswan Short Sailing

Perfect if you have one week in Egypt

Temples 6 incl. Karnak
Boats 5★ deluxe
Departs Mon / Thu
Best for Short trips
Choose a boat →
LuxorAswan→ Abu Simbel
7 Nights · Most booked

The Full Nile with Abu Simbel

The complete cruise most first-timers pick

Temples 9 incl. Abu Simbel
Boats Sanctuary / Oberoi
Departs Sat / Mon
Best for First-timers
Choose a boat →
CairoflyLuxorAswan
11 Nights

Cairo + Nile Combined Itinerary

Pyramids, cruise, and Abu Simbel in one go

Hotels 3 nights Cairo
Cruise 7-night sailing
Flights Included
Best for Complete trip
Choose a boat →
Maro Saeed Founder, Egypt Planners · Giza
📅 Last updated April 23, 2026 🕒 6 min read ✍️ By Maro Saeed
The Planner's Playbook

After 13 years planning Egypt trips, this is what I wish every traveller knew.

"The question I get most from travellers in the US, UK and Australia isn't 'what should I see?' — it's 'how do I avoid the trap?' Egypt has too many operators. Too many identical 8-day itineraries. Too many vans that stop at souvenir shops instead of sites. Here's what I tell people on day one."

The three mistakes I see first-time visitors make

I've greeted over 4,000 travellers at Cairo airport. The pattern is painfully consistent. People cram too much into too few days, book a "cheap" tour and spend half of it in carpet shops, or skip Abu Simbel because it felt like an add-on. All three are fixable.

  • They pick the tour first and the dates second. Egypt's weather swings 20°C between November and June. Build your trip around when, not what.
  • They treat "private tour" as a marketing line. Ask specifically: just you and your family in the van? Just you with the guide? Get it in writing before you pay.
  • They skip Abu Simbel to save a day. You will not come back to Egypt to see one temple. Don't skip it.

What makes a good Egypt plan

A well-planned Egypt trip balances the obvious (Pyramids, Karnak, Abu Simbel) with two things most itineraries miss: slower moments — a felucca sail, a local breakfast in Aswan, a sunrise at Philae — and margin for the unexpected. The best day of your trip will probably not be on the printed schedule. Leave space for it.

The one thing I always tell American and UK travellers

You don't need to see everything. You need to see the right things with the right guide, at a pace that lets you actually remember them. I'd rather show you four temples properly than eight in a blur. Start with that principle and the itinerary almost writes itself.

If you've read this far, message me directly. I'll answer — personally — within a few hours. No sales funnel, no auto-reply.

Maro Saeed Founder, Egypt Planners · Read full bio →
01

Built by the operator — not the booking site

Our office is in Giza. No middlemen, no commissions, no layers between you and the Egyptologist who will actually meet you at the airport.

02

A real human on WhatsApp in under 4 minutes

Not a form. Not a chatbot. Not a 24-hour reply window. You message Maro directly — mornings, evenings, weekends — and you get an answer fast.

03

Named Egyptologists, not rotating tour leaders

One guide for your whole trip — hand-picked, licensed, and genuinely interested in the questions you ask. English, Spanish, French, German and Italian available on request.

04

Every itinerary is built — not picked off a shelf

We design around your pace, your dietary needs, your travel rhythm. No forced 6 AM wake-ups, no cattle-bus Pyramids visits, no "optional extras" that are actually mandatory.

05

One final price — zero surprise charges

Airport transfers, domestic flights, entry tickets, bottled water in the van, driver and guide tips: all included up front. What we quote is what you pay.

06

24/7 local line while you are on the ground

Every trip has a dedicated WhatsApp thread with our Giza desk. Restaurant closed? Flight bumped? Kids want camels at sunset? One message, sorted — at any hour.

What guests say

The reviews do the heavy lifting for us.

56 verified Tripadvisor reviews. Not a single one under 5 stars. Here are a handful that capture why people book Egypt Planners.

5.0
★★★★★
Rated Excellent on Tripadvisor from 56 verified reviews
★★★★★

"Maro planned the exact trip we'd been trying to piece together for two years. Every driver, every guide, every hotel — handled. The Nile cruise upgrade he arranged on arrival was the cherry on top. This is what a real tour operator feels like."

SB
Sarah B. 🇺🇸 USA · 12-day tour · March 2026
★★★★★

"Exactly the kind of private Egypt tour we hoped for. Omar our guide was extraordinary."

JH
James H. 🇬🇧 UK · 10-day
★★★★★

"Flawless logistics. Kids loved every temple. Already planning a return with grandparents."

KP
Kate P. 🇦🇺 Australia · 9-day family
★★★★★

"The Pyramids by sunrise was unreal. Ahmed's knowledge of hieroglyphs elevated everything."

DL
David L. 🇨🇦 Canada · 14-day
★★★★★

"Responsiveness is unmatched. I WhatsApp'd at midnight with a panic question — reply in 11 minutes."

EM
Emma M. 🇬🇧 UK · 7-day
"Egypt Planners don't sell trips — they plan them."
Early Bird · Save 15% The Season Check

Winter Nov 2026 → Feb 2027

Short verdict: the golden window. 18–28°C days, zero rain, Nile light at its best. Also our busiest season — lock in up to 15% off when you confirm by September 30.

November to February is Egypt's peak comfort season. Luxor and Aswan hover around 22–26°C by day, cool at night. Cairo sits at 15–22°C. The desert is walkable, the Pyramids are photographable from sunrise, and every Nile cruise runs full schedule. By mid-October most dates are fully booked — the earlier you confirm, the more we can hold.

Weather
18–28°C
Crisp, dry, zero rain
Crowd level
High
Peak season — book early
Price zone
Peak -15%
Early Bird locks shoulder rate
Best region
All Egypt
Cairo + Nile + Red Sea all on
15%OFF
Limited-time offer

Book by Sep 30 — travel Nov 2026 → Feb 2027

Confirm any 2026/27 winter itinerary by September 30 and we lock in a 15% discount on the full trip price. Stacks with our complimentary domestic flight on any 10+ day tour.

Use code WINTER2027
Offer ends September 30, 2026
Maro's winter pick

10-Day Classic Egypt — Pyramids, Luxor & 5★ Nile Cruise

Our single most-booked winter itinerary. Every 2026/27 departure includes the 15% Early Bird saving when you confirm by Sept 30 — that's US$510 off the standard rate per traveller.

See this itinerary →

Booking & pricing

How do I book an Egypt tour with Egypt Planners?

Start with the planner form at the top of this page or message Maro on WhatsApp. We'll send you a tailored itinerary — usually within 24 hours — and a price breakdown. If you're happy, a 25% deposit secures the trip; the balance is due 30 days before arrival.

What's included in the tour price?

Hotels, internal flights, private van with driver, private Egyptologist guide at every site, all entrance fees, daily breakfast, Nile cruise (full board on cruise days), and airport transfers. International flights, visa, and tips are separate — we'll give you a clear tipping guide on arrival.

Can I customise an existing tour package?

Always. Every package on this site is a starting point. Want an extra day in Aswan? Swap the hotel brand? Add a hot-air balloon? Drop Abu Simbel? Just say so — we price it and resend.

What's your cancellation policy?

Full refund if you cancel 60+ days before arrival (less a small admin fee). 50% refund 30–59 days out. No refund inside 30 days — but we'll always try to rebook you instead of refunding zero. We recommend travel insurance.

Do you offer group discounts?

Yes — pricing drops on a per-person basis from 4 travellers and again from 8. We also run occasional small-group departures for solo travellers who want company without the big-coach experience.

Safety & health

Is Egypt safe to visit in 2026?

Yes. The tourist regions — Cairo, Giza, Luxor, Aswan, Red Sea, Nile corridor — are stable and have a visible tourist police presence. We monitor advisories daily and reroute if any region becomes a concern. In 20 years of operation, we've never had a guest safety incident.

Do I need vaccinations for Egypt?

No required vaccines for travellers from USA, UK, EU, Australia or Canada. Hepatitis A & typhoid are commonly recommended by travel clinics. Check the CDC or NHS Fit-for-Travel site 4–6 weeks before departure.

Is the water safe to drink?

Stick to bottled water — it's included on all our tours, on the boat, and at every hotel. Ice at 5★ hotels is filtered.

Is it safe for women travelling solo?

Yes, with context. Most of our solo female guests say they felt safer in Egypt than in many major US or European cities. We brief all our female guides, arrange modest-dress tips if requested, and you'll always have a WhatsApp line to Maro.

Visa & entry

Do I need a visa for Egypt?

Most nationalities (USA, UK, EU, Australia, Canada) need a tourist visa. The easiest option is an e-visa from visa2egypt.gov.eg before you fly — costs ~USD 25. Visa on arrival is also available at Cairo, Luxor and Hurghada airports.

How long does my passport need to be valid?

At least 6 months from your entry date. We'll remind you 90 days out.

Are there any entry restrictions in 2026?

As of April 2026, no COVID-related entry requirements, no vaccination proof needed, and no mandatory insurance. Standard visa + valid passport is all you need.

On the ground

What happens if my flight is delayed?

We track your flight in real time. Your driver will be at Cairo airport regardless of delay — no extra cost. If a delay cascades into missed hotel nights, we'll rework the itinerary on the fly.

How much should I tip in Egypt?

We'll give you a printed tipping guide at your welcome meeting. Rough numbers for 2026: USD 10-15/day for guide, USD 5/day for driver, USD 3-5 per bag for porters. Tips for boat crew are usually pooled — we'll advise amounts on departure.

Will I have Wi-Fi?

Every hotel we use has free Wi-Fi. Nile boats have it on upper decks. We can also arrange an Egyptian SIM on arrival for USD 10 — recommended for longer trips.

What's the dress code?

Casual and comfortable. For temples & mosques, knees & shoulders covered is respectful (a light scarf works). Red Sea resorts: swimwear on the beach only. Cairo & Luxor streets: smart casual.

Families & kids

Is Egypt a good destination for kids?

Brilliant — kids love the Pyramids, camels, mummies, and Nile boats. We adapt the pace for family groups: shorter temple visits, more snack stops, kid-friendly guides who can turn hieroglyphs into games.

What age is Egypt suitable from?

We've had great trips with kids as young as 4. Under 3 is workable but logistically harder (car seats, cruise suitability). Sweet spot: 6–14.

Can we slow the pace for younger children?

Of course. Family itineraries swap the 10-day "cram everything in" rhythm for a 9-day version with built-in pool afternoons and slower mornings.

One message away

Let's plan your Egypt trip, like a real conversation.

No forms that go into a void. No sales team. Message me on WhatsApp — Maro, the founder — and you'll have an itinerary draft by tomorrow morning.

✓ Usually replies in 4 minutes ✓ No auto-bots ✓ Free quote, no deposit needed
Maro · Egypt Planners online
Hi Maro — planning a 10-day trip from New York for 2, mid-October. Pyramids + cruise. What do you suggest? 9:14 PM ✓✓
Great window — October's perfect, 26–30°C and cruise boats still on full schedule. For a couple, I'd do 3 nights Cairo (Mena House view), fly to Aswan, 4-night cruise to Luxor, 2 nights Luxor, fly home. 9:18 PM
I'll draft it with pricing in the morning. Any must-haves — balloon ride? Abu Simbel? Let me know and I'll build it in. 9:18 PM
Both please 🙏 9:19 PM ✓✓

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