The Best Tour Companies in Egypt

Egypt is a country that tops the bucket-list country for many travelers. It’s a country filled with incredible relics of ancient history, from the Pyramids and Great Sphinx of Giza, and offers tons of incredible activities for travelers of all walks of life. Floating down the Nile River on a traditional felucca, exploring the tombs of Tutankhamen and other pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings, snorkeling and diving in the coral fantasyland of the Red Sea — there’s just so many amazing parts of Egypt to amaze and enthrall you.

Historically, Egypt has been a destination many travelers shy away from. Given that there have been some terrorist attacks targeting tourists over the last couple of decades and that people are still wary of the changes in government since the Arab Spring, those concerns are understandable.

However, things have been changing for the better and it’s now a safe country to visit for the intrepid traveler. Since the pandemic, Egypt has continued to break records year after year as more and more travelers visit. That means it’s time to start planning your dream trip to this diverse and historic country.

While I am a huge fan of solo travel, distances between the most popular sights in Egypt are pretty far. You can expect to spend a full day or night traveling by road or rail between Cairo and Luxor, for example, so joining an organized tour can help you make the most of your time.

And it can also save you some money, too!

Tours in Egypt often work out to be cheaper than trying to put together your own trip as some will include domestic airfare for prices cheaper than you’ll be able to get on your own.

Taking a tour with a reputable company also ensures that you’ll have safe detours with someone who really knows the lay of the land and will keep you informed of any risks. Knowledgeable tour guides also make for a more interesting trip — which is why tours in Egypt are so popular.

Here is a list of the best tour companies in Egypt, offering everything from day trips around Cairo to multiday tours around the country:

1. Intrepid

Intrepid is one of my favorite tour companies in the world.

I’ve been on a handful of their tours over the years to destinations all around the world and have yet to be disappointed. Their local guides provide invaluable insight and they are dedicated to making environmentally friendly choices too.

And the company just hires really awesome people too.

In Egypt, Intrepid has tours that range between 8-22 days. To be able to see enough in just eight days, you take overnight trains between Cairo and the south, so the the better value is actually the 15-day one, which uses a mix of bus, boat, and train travel, starting around $1,500 USD.

Intrepid has four “styles” of trips ranging from Basix (simple accommodation and local transport) to Premium (4+ star accommodation and exclusive premium inclusions). They also have some specialized offerings, with a nine-day trip for travelers aged 18–29, trips especially for families, and also one just for solo travelers.

Learn more about Intrepid’s Egypt tours here!
 

2. Memphis Tours

One of the first tour companies in Egypt, Memphis Tours has been around since 1955. It offers a huge variety of tours – from half- or full-day tours in Cairo or Alexandria to snorkeling or camel-riding trips out of resort destinations like Sharm el-Sheikh, ranging between $35 and $90 USD per person.

They also offer a selection of cruises both on the Nile and on Lake Nasser. The popular Luxor-to-Aswan trip along the Nile can be made in a variety of pretty luxurious ships; prices are around $550 USD per person for a four-day trip.

Memphis Tours also offer fully organized multi-day trips that last between 3–15 days. Many of these take in the key sights, like the Pyramids, a Nile cruise, and the Luxor and Karnak Temples, and typically fly you back to Cairo. The costs vary depending on the extra activities involved but are pretty reasonable: a five-day, small group tour covering the main sights from Cairo to Luxor starts at $1,300 USD. They also offer some specialized tours, such as one specifically designed to accommodate wheelchair users.

Learn more about Memphis Tours here!
 

3. Look at Egypt Tours

Look at Egypt Tours is another local company that offers both day and multiday tours. It specializes in having knowledgeable guides that make the history of Egypt really come alive, giving incredible insight into modern-day Egyptian life as well.

The company also has a sense of social responsibility too, using locally owned restaurants and hotels on all trips and hiring guides from communities throughout the country.

Look at Egypt Tours runs a variety of day trips out of the main centers, including Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, and Sharm el-Sheikh, ranging in cost between $100-200 USD per person, depending on the destination and the group size.

Multi-day tours include lots of options too; these last around 8–10 days and cost between $1,700 USD and $3,000 USD. There are also some specialized trips, like a two-week archaeological tour, the perfect choice for any history buffs (or Indiana Jones fans!).

Learn more about Look at Egypt Tours here!
 

4. On the Go Tours

On the Go Tours has been running tours to a variety of countries for a couple of decades now, but it all started in Egypt, where the two founders met. The company focuses on sustainable travel and supports local communities, and it hires local guides who have studied Egyptology at a college level as well.

In Egypt, they run several great-value group tours, like a six-day trip from Cairo to Luxor for $1,300 USD, which includes the Pyramids of Giza, the incredible Egyptian Museum in Cairo, the temples at Luxor, a two-night felucca cruise on the Nile, a visit to the Valley of the Kings, and more.

If your timing and budget are more flexible, you might also take a look at some of On the Go’s festival tours, timed to celebrations like the Abu Simbel Sun Festival or the King Ramses Sun Festival. These tours are typically around 10-13 days long and cost around $2,700 USD per person.

Learn more about On the Go Tours here!
 

5. Jakada Tours Egypt

Jakada Tours is a smaller company that offers private tours as well as group trips with a focus on budget mid-range travel.

They have a lot of really affordable tours covering many of Egypt’s highlights, starting at $375 for a 3-day Cairo and Luxor package. Even 12-day trips are just $1,280 USD, making Jakada the best option for backpackers. If you’re on your second trip to Egypt or have some extra time, Jakada also offers a range of more unusual tours, like spending time at the Cairo camel market!

The company also makes sure its guides are really knowledgeable, not just about ancient history but modern Egyptian culture too. They can also share the best local tips and tricks to help you make the most out of your stay.

Learn more about Jakada Tours Egypt here!
 

6. Exodus Travels

Exodus offers trips worldwide and has a reputable social conscience; they aim to give back to the local communities they are a part of. In Egypt, they support Animal Care in Egypt (ACE), and its tours often include an option to visit the charity’s facility.

Exodus offers a nine-day Nile cruise from Luxor, which is a good compromise between luxury and price (around $2,475 USD per person, all-inclusive), with a maximum of 20 passengers. The company also has a longer trip that takes in key sights like the Valley of the Kings as well as Alexandria; this two-week tour starts at $3,185 USD.

Learn more about Exodus Travels here!
 

7. Get Your Guide

Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered by local tour operators. The site has tons of tour options in cities all around the world, including cooking classes, walking tours, day trips, and even multi-day tours. I’ve used it in a few different places and have always enjoyed my experiences.

Here are some of the most popular tours in Egypt offered through Get Your Guide:

• 3-Day Egypt Private Tour with Nile Cruise and Balloon ($400 USD)
• 5-Day Egypt Highlights Private Tour with Flights ($750 USD)
• Luxor Valley of the Kings & Tutankhamun Tomb Day Trip ($44 USD)
• Sharm El-Sheikh: Jeep Adventure to Blue Hole, Canyon & Dahab ($25 USD)

As you can see, there’s a huge range of tours offered on the platform. I like that you can find so many different options in one place. That way I can bounce around and read reviews, compare prices, and see trip durations all from one website/app.

Check out more tours on Get Your Guide here!
 

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As much as I love solo travel, planning a trip to Egypt is much easier with a tour company. While you probably know that you want to see the Pyramids, the Nile, and other historical sites, getting around is not that easy to organize in advance, so it’s good to have the local knowledge of Egyptian guides to make sure you’re both safe and getting the most out of your trip.

So whether you’re after a short tour hitting the highlights of Egypt in a week or have more time to explore the country a little more slowly or even spend some time relaxing at the Red Sea, you’ll find a tour company to help you out.