12-Day Egypt and Morocco Vacation 2026 — Nile Cruise, Tangier & the Blue City
Overview
Most Egypt and Morocco combined itineraries take you to the imperial cities of the south — Casablanca, Fez, Marrakech. This 12-day vacation takes a different route entirely. After seven days in Egypt covering the Pyramids of Giza, the Grand Egyptian Museum, Abu Simbel, and a full Nile cruise from Aswan through Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu, the Valley of the Kings and Karnak, the itinerary flies not to Casablanca but to Tangier — Morocco’s northern port city at the Strait of Gibraltar, where Europe and Africa face each other across 14km of open sea. From Tangier, a day trip southeast brings you to Chefchaouen — the Blue Pearl of Morocco, a Rif Mountain town painted entirely in shades of blue, one of the most-photographed places in North Africa and genuinely unlike anywhere else in the world.
This is Egypt For Travel’s most visually distinctive Egypt and Morocco combination — and because it takes a route most Egypt-Morocco operators don’t run, it suits travelers who have already visited Marrakech or Fez on a previous trip and want something entirely different for the Morocco half. The entire Egypt portion runs privately with a licensed Egyptologist guide and private vehicle, under ETA Licence Category A No. 1947.
12-Day Egypt & Morocco Vacation — At a Glance
| Day | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Day 1 — Cairo | Arrival · Private transfer · Welcome briefing |
| Day 2 — Cairo | Giza Pyramids · Sphinx · Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) |
| Day 3 — Aswan | Fly Cairo–Aswan · Philae Temple · Aswan High Dam · Hotel overnight |
| Day 4 — Abu Simbel | Abu Simbel Temples · Nile cruise embarkation |
| Day 5 — Nile Cruise | Kom Ombo Temple · Edfu (Horus Temple) |
| Day 6 — Luxor | Valley of the Kings · Hatshepsut Temple · Colossi of Memnon |
| Day 7 — Luxor → Cairo | Karnak Temple · Luxor Temple · Fly to Cairo |
| Day 8 — Tangier | Fly Cairo–Tangier · Arrival · Hotel check-in |
| Day 9 — Tangier | Kasbah · Dar el Makhzen · Grand Socco · Cape Spartel · Caves of Hercules |
| Day 10 — Chefchaouen | Drive to Chefchaouen · Blue Medina · Plaza Uta El-Hammam · Kasbah Museum · Return to Tangier |
| Day 11 — Tangier | Leisure · American Legation Museum · Petit Socco · Seafront promenade |
| Day 12 — Departure | Breakfast · Transfer to Tangier Ibn Battuta Airport · Departure |
Entrance Fees 2026 — Included in Your Tour Price
| Site | Fee (included) |
|---|---|
| Egypt | |
| Giza Pyramids complex | 700 EGP (~$14) |
| Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) | 1,590 EGP (~$32) |
| Aswan High Dam | 80 EGP (~$1.60) |
| Philae Temple | 550 EGP (~$11) |
| Abu Simbel Temples | 1,100 EGP (~$22) |
| Kom Ombo Temple | 450 EGP (~$9) |
| Edfu (Horus Temple) | 450 EGP (~$9) |
| Valley of the Kings (3 tombs) | 750 EGP (~$15) |
| Hatshepsut Temple | 440 EGP (~$9) |
| Karnak Temple | 600 EGP (~$12) |
| Luxor Temple | 500 EGP (~$10) |
| Morocco | |
| Caves of Hercules, Tangier | ~15 MAD (~$1.50) |
| Dar el Makhzen (Museum of Moroccan Arts) | ~10 MAD (~$1) |
| Kasbah Museum, Chefchaouen | ~10 MAD (~$1) |
Why Tangier and Chefchaouen Instead of Marrakech?
Morocco has two distinct tourism geographies. The south — Casablanca, Marrakech, Fez — is Morocco’s most-visited circuit and what most Egypt-Morocco tours default to. The north — Tangier, Chefchaouen, and the Rif Mountains — is quieter, more atmospheric, and genuinely off the standard tourist path despite being extraordinarily accessible. Tangier is Morocco's most cosmopolitan city, a former international zone frequented by writers, artists, and diplomats through the 20th century — home to the world’s first American embassy abroad (the American Legation, now a museum). Chefchaouen has been painted blue since the 15th-century Jewish refugees who settled there brought the color with them as a symbol of sky and heaven. Walking its medina is unlike anywhere in Egypt, unlike the imperial cities of the south, unlike anywhere most international travelers have been before. This itinerary suits travelers who want to take a different route entirely, or who have already visited Marrakech and want the side of Morocco that nobody shows them.
How This Compares to the Other Egypt & Morocco Programs
| Program | Morocco Destination |
|---|---|
| 6-Day & 8-Day Tours | Casablanca + Marrakech only |
| 11-Day Tour | Casablanca + Rabat + Volubilis + Meknes + Fez |
| This 12-Day ← | Tangier + Chefchaouen — the only northern Morocco route in the catalog |
| 14-Day Tour | Casablanca + Rabat + Meknes + Volubilis + Fez + Marrakech — full imperial cities circuit |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is this itinerary so different from the other Egypt and Morocco tours?
Every other Egypt & Morocco program we offer travels to Morocco's south: Casablanca, Fez, Marrakech. This is the only itinerary that goes to northern Morocco instead — Tangier and Chefchaouen. It’s a deliberate positioning for travelers who have already seen Marrakech or who want the side of Morocco most tour operators don’t offer. If you want the imperial cities (Fez, Marrakech, Rabat, Meknes), see the 14-Day Egypt Morocco Tour.
What makes Chefchaouen worth a day trip from Tangier?
Chefchaouen is around 120km southeast of Tangier — roughly 2 hours by private vehicle on a well-maintained mountain road. The town itself is compact: the medina can be walked in an afternoon. But the visual experience — a hillside town of narrow alleys painted in dozens of shades of indigo, cobalt, and sky blue — is genuinely unlike anything else in North Africa and entirely unlike anything you will have just seen in Egypt. It ranks among the most-photographed places in the world for good reason.
Is Abu Simbel included in this itinerary?
Yes — Day 4 is a dedicated Abu Simbel excursion from Aswan. The two temples of Ramesses II and Queen Nefertari are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and among the most extraordinary monuments in ancient Egypt. Including Abu Simbel on a 12-day tour that also covers a full Nile cruise and northern Morocco is what makes this itinerary genuinely comprehensive.
Do I need visas for Egypt and Morocco?
Egypt: $25 e-visa or on arrival. Morocco: most Western nationalities enter visa-free for stays up to 90 days. See our Egypt Visa Guide 2026.
Book your 12-Day Egypt & Morocco Vacation — Standard from $2,499 per person (triple, May–Sep). The only Egypt + northern Morocco combined tour available daily year-round.
???? WhatsApp us for same-day availability & a confirmed quote — ETA Licence Category A No. 1947.
| Duration: 12 Days - 11 Nights | Type: Private Egypt Tour | Run: Everyday |
Included
- Meet and greet services by our representatives at the airports with a nominative sign at the passport control area
- Assistance of our guest relations during your stay
- All transfers by a private air-conditioned deluxe vehicle equipped with free WiFi
- Domestic flight ( Cairo/Aswan – Luxor/Cairo )
- 3 Nights hotel accommodation in Cairo on bed and breakfast
- 1 Night hotel accommodation in Aswan on bed and breakfast
- 3 Nights accommodation on a 5 star Nile cruise on full board
- 3 Nights hotel accommodation in Tanger on bed and breakfast
- 1 Night hotel accommodation in ChefChaouen on bed and breakfast
- All sightseeing tours in Egypt are Private Tours
- Private English / Portuguese / German / Spanish speaking tour guide during your trips in Egypt
- All sightseeing tours in Tangier and Chefchaouan as mentioned in the itinerary
- Local English guide in Tangier and Chefchaouan
- Entrance fees to all sites as indicated on the itinerary
- Meals at hotel, Nile cruise and during your tours as mentioned in the itinerary
- Bottled water during the trip
- Portage when needed
- All service charges and taxes
Excluded
- International Airfare
- Egypt entry visa ($25 — payable online or on arrival)
- Morocco visa (free for most Western nationalities)
- Lunch meal during tours in Morocco (not included in standard package)
- Extras at hotels
- Personal spending
- Gratuities for guides and drivers (see Tipping section)
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Cairo, Egypt
Your Egypt and Morocco vacation begins with a warm welcome at Cairo International Airport. Upon landing at Cairo International Airport, our representative will warmly welcome you. He will ensure a smooth transfer to your hotel in a private, deluxe vehicle. As you check in, our representative will review your Egypt and Morocco vacation itinerary, confirming the pick-up times for each tour. Begin your journey with a refreshing welcome drink.
Day 2: Pyramids And Cairo Exploration
Day 3: Flight to Aswan from Cairo
Day 4: Abu Simbel Temple & Nile Cruise
Day 5: Kom Ombo And Edfu
Day 6: Luxor Nile Cruise Private Tours
Day 7: Luxor East Bank & Return to Cairo
Day 8: Flight from Cairo to Tangier
Day 9: Discover Tangier's Hidden Treasures
Day 10: Tangier to Chefchaouen - The Blue Beauty
Day 11: Back to Tangier & Leisurely Exploration
Day 12: Departure from Tangier / End of Your Egypt and Morocco Vacation
Prices:
Hotels
Prices
Deluxe Accommodation
Prices
Notes:
Prices Policy
All prices for the 12-Day Egypt and Morocco Vacation are quoted per person in US dollars, based on room occupancy (triple, double, or single) and accommodation tier (Standard or Deluxe) as shown in the Prices tab. Euro and GBP pricing available on request. May–September rates are the lowest; October–April high-season rates reflect peak Nile cruise and Morocco hotel demand. Christmas, New Year, and Easter carry additional surcharges. Your quoted rate is locked from the moment of deposit receipt, regardless of any subsequent website price changes. All listed entrance fees are included — no hidden admission charges are added after booking.
Tips for Departure
On Day 12, avoid booking outgoing international flights before 3:00 PM from Tangier Ibn Battuta Airport. For Egypt days, comfortable closed-toe walking shoes are essential for the Pyramids plateau, Abu Simbel’s long approach path, and the Nile cruise temple sites. For Chefchaouen (Day 10), the medina’s steep blue-painted lanes require good grip footwear — cobblestones and stairs are everywhere. Dress modestly throughout: shoulders and knees covered for all religious sites in both countries. Bring a light jacket year-round for Morocco evenings, particularly after sunset in Chefchaouen, which sits at altitude in the Rif Mountains and cools quickly. A camera or fully charged phone with good storage is essential for Chefchaouen specifically.
Children Policy
Infants up to 2 years: free, sharing parents’ room. Children under 6: 25% of adult rate on an extra bed. Children under 12: 50% of adult rate. Children 12+: full adult rate. Maximum one discounted child per room. Abu Simbel is best suited to children able to walk independently for 1–2 hours in heat. Chefchaouen is an excellent destination for older children and teenagers — the medina walking and visual experience is genuinely memorable. Contact our team to adjust any day’s pacing for families.
Payment Policy
25% deposit required to confirm your 12-Day Egypt and Morocco Vacation. Christmas and New Year departures require 50% deposit — Nile cruise and Morocco hotel capacity during those dates is limited and held only against paid deposit. Remaining balance due one week before arrival, payable by bank transfer, Visa, Mastercard, or cash on arrival in Egypt. Your rate is locked from deposit payment.
Installment Policy
Installment plans available over 6, 9, or 12 months. Balance must be settled before arrival; any outstanding amount is payable on arrival by cash or card. Contact our team via WhatsApp (+20 155 555 2466) to set up a plan at booking.
Tipping
Tipping in both Egypt and Morocco reflects appreciation for service quality and is customary but never mandatory. As a practical guide for this 12-day tour: Egypt Egyptologist guide $8–10 per person per day; Egypt driver $4–5 per day; Nile cruise housekeeping and restaurant staff $3–5 per person per day (pooled into a crew envelope on the final cruise night); Abu Simbel site helpers (at the temple entrance) $2–3 per person; Morocco driver/guide for Tangier and Chefchaouen days $5–8 per person per day; riad or hotel porter in Morocco $1–2 per bag. These are guidance figures based on standard practice for private tours of this type.
Cancellation Policy
61+ days before arrival: 10% of total price. 31–60 days: 20%. 15–30 days: 50%. 1–14 days or no-show: 100%. Domestic Egyptian flight tickets (Cairo–Aswan, Luxor–Cairo) are additionally subject to airline cancellation terms, typically non-refundable once ticketed. Travel insurance strongly recommended.
Emergency Cancellation Policy
If a formal government travel advisory or airline cancellation occurs due to unforeseen emergency circumstances, Egypt For Travel applies a flexible policy: full credit valid for 12 months from booking, or refund less non-recoverable airline and bank charges. Egypt For Travel’s own cancellation fees are waived under confirmed emergency advisories. Contact us immediately via WhatsApp (+20 155 555 2466) if affected.
