Egypt and Saudi Discovery Tour 2026 — Nile Cruise, Riyadh & AlUla Hegra
Overview
Most travelers who combine Egypt and Saudi Arabia choose Cairo and Riyadh or Cairo and Jeddah — practical, accessible, and impressive. The Egypt and Saudi Discovery goes further. It adds the full Nile cruise on the Egypt side, and on the Saudi side it adds AlUla — the ancient Nabataean city of Hegra (Madain Saleh), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the single most significant archaeological discovery in Saudi Arabia’s tourism opening.
The connection is worth making explicit: the Nabataean civilization that built Petra in Jordan also built Hegra in Saudi Arabia — same rose-red sandstone tombs, same carved-cliff facades, same mastery of hydraulic engineering in a desert environment. While Petra has been on the international tourist map since 1812, Hegra was effectively closed to international visitors until 2019. It now rivals Petra in scale and surpasses it in solitude: you can stand alone in front of a 2,000-year-old royal tomb that receives a fraction of Petra’s daily visitor count. This is what Egypt For Travel means by “Discovery.”
The Egypt leg covers Cairo, a 4-night Nile cruise from Luxor covering the Valley of the Kings, Karnak, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae, and the Unfinished Obelisk in Aswan. The Saudi leg covers Riyadh (Diriyah, Masmak Fort, National Museum), then a domestic flight to AlUla for Hegra (Madain Saleh), the Dadan Lions Tombs, Jabal Ikmah, Elephant Rock, and the AlUla Old Town oasis. Egypt For Travel operates the Egypt leg fully privately; the AlUla tours run as small expert-guided groups given the UNESCO site’s controlled-access requirements. ETA Licence Category A No. 1947.
13-Day Egypt & Saudi Discovery — At a Glance
| Day | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Day 1 — Cairo | Arrival · Transfer · Hotel check-in |
| Day 2 — Cairo | Giza Pyramids · Sphinx · Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) · Khan El-Khalili |
| Day 3 — Luxor | Fly Cairo–Luxor · Board Nile cruise · Karnak Temple · Luxor Temple |
| Day 4 — Luxor West Bank | Valley of the Kings · Hatshepsut Temple · Colossi of Memnon · Sail to Edfu |
| Day 5 — Edfu & Kom Ombo | Edfu Horus Temple · Kom Ombo Temple · Sail to Aswan |
| Day 6 — Aswan | Unfinished Obelisk · Philae Temple · Final dinner on board |
| Day 7 — Aswan → Cairo | Disembark · Optional Abu Simbel (+$90) · Fly Aswan–Cairo · Hotel overnight |
| Day 8 — Riyadh | Fly Cairo–Riyadh · Hotel check-in |
| Day 9 — Riyadh | Diriyah UNESCO · Masmak Fort · National Museum · Murabba Palace |
| Day 10 — AlUla | Fly Riyadh–AlUla · Madain Saleh (Hegra) UNESCO · Qasr Al Bint · Al Farid Palace · Harrat Uairedh sunset |
| Day 11 — AlUla | Dadan · Jabal Ikmah inscriptions · Lions Tombs · AlUla Old Town · Elephant Rock |
| Day 12 — AlUla → Riyadh | Fly AlUla–Riyadh · Hotel overnight Riyadh |
| Day 13 — Departure | Breakfast · Transfer to Riyadh 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) |
| Karnak Temple | 600 EGP (~$12) |
| Luxor Temple | 500 EGP (~$10) |
| Valley of the Kings (3 tombs) | 750 EGP (~$15) |
| Hatshepsut Temple | 440 EGP (~$9) |
| Edfu (Horus Temple) | 550 EGP (~$11) |
| Kom Ombo Temple | 450 EGP (~$9) |
| Philae Temple | 550 EGP (~$11) |
| Saudi Arabia | |
| Diriyah (At-Turaif UNESCO) | ~60 SAR (~$16) |
| Hegra (Madain Saleh) UNESCO ticket | ~95 SAR (~$25) |
| Dadan archaeological site | Included in AlUla pass |
| Elephant Rock (natural site) | Free |
AlUla and Hegra — The Saudi Arabia No Competitor Has Explained Properly
Hegra — also known as Madain Saleh — is the southernmost city of the Nabataean kingdom, the same Arab civilization that built Petra in Jordan. Like Petra, Hegra was cut from the living rock of sandstone cliffs; like Petra, it served as a trading and burial center from the 1st century BC to the 2nd century AD; like Petra, it was abandoned after the Roman conquest of the Nabataean kingdom in 106 AD and forgotten by Western travelers until the 19th century. Unlike Petra, it didn’t appear on the international tourist circuit until 2019. The result: over 100 intact royal tombs in the same rose-red sandstone as Petra, accessible with a small fraction of the daily visitors. On most days, you stand in front of a 2,000-year-old carved facade with perhaps two or three other people in sight. Egypt For Travel includes Hegra on this itinerary specifically because it’s the kind of site that, in ten years, will be on every Egypt-Saudi itinerary. Right now, it’s still a discovery.
How This Compares to the Other Saudi Programs
| Program | What This Adds vs. Shorter Programs |
|---|---|
| 6-Day Cairo & Riyadh | No Nile cruise, no AlUla |
| This 13-Day ← | Full 4-night Nile cruise + Riyadh + AlUla Hegra UNESCO |
| 15-Day Egypt & Saudi | Adds Jeddah and Madinah to this 13-day circuit |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AlUla hard to reach?
No — the NEOM-era infrastructure investment has made AlUla highly accessible. AlUla Regional Airport (ULH) receives direct flights from Riyadh, Jeddah, and Madinah. Egypt For Travel books the Riyadh–AlUla domestic flight as part of the package. The flight takes approximately 1.5 hours. Most AlUla hotel options are in the main valley or in nearby glamping/resort properties near the sites.
Is the Nile cruise on this tour the same ship as on the Egypt-only packages?
Yes — the Nile cruise is a 5-star superior vessel (confirm tier at booking; Standard and Deluxe options are available). Full board is included on all cruise days. See our Nile Cruises section for the full fleet.
Is Abu Simbel included?
Abu Simbel is available as an optional group tour on Day 7 for an additional $120 USD per person. It is not included in the standard program price because the itinerary already involves a very full schedule; Egypt For Travel recommends adding it for travelers who won’t return to Egypt separately.
Do I need separate visas for Egypt and Saudi Arabia?
Yes. Egypt: $25 e-visa or on arrival. Saudi Arabia: e-visa via visa.visitsaudi.com for most Western nationalities. See our Egypt Visa Guide 2026.
Book the Egypt and Saudi Discovery Tour — Nile cruise + Riyadh + AlUla Hegra. Standard from $3,339 per person (triple, May–Sep).
???? WhatsApp: +20 155 555 2466 · [email protected] — ETA Licence Category A No. 1947.
| Duration: 13 Days / 12 Nights | Type: Private Tour | Run: Everyday |
Included
- Meet and greet service upon arrival at the airport
- Assistance with guest relations throughout your stay
- All transfers in private air-conditioned vehicles
- Domestic flight tickets from Cairo to Luxor and from Aswan to Cairo
- Accommodation for 3 nights in Cairo, including daily breakfast
- 4-night stay on a 5-star superior Nile cruise with full board included
- Accommodation in Riyadh for 3 nights, including breakfast and all taxes
- Accommodation in Al Ula for 2 nights, including breakfast and dinner
- Domestic flights between Riyadh and Al Ula, round trip, in economy class
- All tours as outlined in the itinerary
- Private sightseeing tours in Cairo with a local English-speaking guide
- Local English-speaking guides in Riyadh and Al Ula for tours of Hegra, Dadan, and Ekmah Mountain (group tours)
- English-speaking driver for the remainder of the Saudi Arabia tours
- Entrance fees to all listed sites
- All meals as specified in the itinerary
- Bottled water provided during outings outside the hotel or cruise ship
- Portage assistance when necessary
- All service charges and taxes
Excluded
- International airfare
- Entry visas for Egypt and Saudi Arabia
- Optional tours
- Personal expenses such as drinks, laundry, phone calls, etc.
- Gratuities for guides, drivers, or other staff
- Camera fees at sites where photography is permitted
Itinerary:
Day 1: Welcome to Cairo – Egypt and Saudi Discovery Tour
Welcome to the captivating lands of Egypt on the Egypt and Saudi Discovery tour with Egypt for Travel. Upon your arrival at Cairo International Airport, our representative will warmly greet you and assist with the entry visa process. From there, enjoy a comfortable transfer through the vibrant streets of Cairo in a private air-conditioned vehicle. Once you reach your hotel, our tour manager will help with check-in and provide you with all the details for your upcoming adventures. Relax and enjoy your first night in Cairo.
Day 2:Pyramids and Cairo Highlights
Day 3: Fly to Luxor – East Bank Exploration
Day 4: West Bank Wonders
Day 5: Edfu and Kom Ombo Exploration
Day 6: Aswan’s Ancient Treasures
Day 7: Journey Back to Cairo
Day 8: Fly to Riyadh – Egypt and Saudi Discovery with Egypt for Travel
Day 9: Riyadh Day Tour
Day 10: Flight from Riyadh to Al Ula
Day 11: Al Ula Tours
Day 12: Flight from Al Ula to Riyadh
Day 13: Final Departure from Riyadh – End of Egypt and Saudi Discovery
Prices:
Standard Accommodation
Prices
Deluxe Accommodation
Prices
Notes:
Prices Policy
All prices are quoted per person in US dollars, based on room occupancy (triple, double, or single) and accommodation tier. Euro and GBP pricing available on request. May–September rates are lowest; October–April high-season rates reflect peak demand. Christmas, New Year, and Easter carry additional surcharges. Your rate is locked from the moment of deposit receipt.
Tips for Departure
On Day 6, avoid booking outgoing international flights before 3:00 PM from Riyadh King Khalid International Airport. For Cairo (Day 2): closed-toe shoes are essential for the Pyramids plateau and GEM’s extensive walking galleries. For Riyadh: modest dress is required throughout Saudi Arabia — shoulders and knees covered for women, and long trousers for men. Non-Muslim visitors are welcome at the entrance areas of mosques but cannot enter prayer halls. Bring sun protection for outdoor sites in both countries; Riyadh’s desert sun is intense year-round.
Children Policy
Infants up to 2 years: free, sharing parents’ room. Children under 6: 25% of adult rate. Children under 12: 50%. Children 12+: full adult rate. Maximum one discounted child per room.
Payment Policy
25% deposit required to confirm booking. Christmas and New Year departures require 50%. Balance due one week before arrival, payable by bank transfer, Visa, Mastercard, or cash on arrival in Egypt.
Installment Policy
Installment plans available over 6, 9, or 12 months. Balance must be settled before arrival. Contact us via WhatsApp (+20 155 555 2466) or email [email protected] to set up at booking.
Tipping
As a guide: Egypt Egyptologist guide $8–10 per person per day; Egypt driver $4–5 per day; Nile cruise staff $3–5 per person per day (pool on final night); Riyadh guide $5–8 per day; AlUla expert guide $5–8 per day (group tour); drivers in Saudi Arabia $3–5 per day. Not mandatory — adjust based on experience.
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%. 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, or refund less non-recoverable charges. Our own cancellation fees are waived under confirmed emergency advisories. Contact us via WhatsApp (+20 155 555 2466) if affected.
About Egypt For Travel — Who Operates This Tour
Egypt For Travel holds Egyptian Tourism Authority Licence Category A No. 1947 — the highest classification issued by the ETA, reserved for operators who meet stringent standards of guide licensing, vehicle safety, and client service. The company was founded in 2010 and has designed and operated thousands of Egypt itineraries across all durations and budgets for international clients from the UK, USA, Europe, Australia, and the GCC.
Egypt For Travel is part of a specialist travel group that also operates Around Egypt Tours, Egypt Top Tours, and Best Nile Cruises — a network of Egypt specialist sites built on the same operational infrastructure, licensed guiding staff, and supplier relationships. Every tour on this page is operated directly by Egypt For Travel, not subcontracted to a third party. Your Egyptologist guide in Egypt is ETA-licensed and works exclusively for Egypt For Travel.
Contact us directly:
WhatsApp: +20 155 555 2466
Email: [email protected]
www.egyptfortravel.com
Last updated: July 2026
