Egypt in 8 Days – Cairo & Nile Cruise
Three nights in Cairo with the Pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum and Saqqara, then a 4-night 5-star Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan – private, with your own Egyptologist guide.
Highlights
- The Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx
- The Grand Egyptian Museum and the complete Tutankhamun collection
- Saqqara and the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the oldest pyramid in Egypt
- Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple
- The royal tombs of the Valley of the Kings
- Four nights on a 5-star Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan
- The temples of Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae
- Optional excursion to the great temples of Abu Simbel
Overview
This private tour combines Egypt's two great classics: Cairo and the Nile. You spend three nights in Cairo, with a full day at the Giza Plateau and the Grand Egyptian Museum and a visit to Saqqara, home of the oldest pyramid in Egypt. A short domestic flight takes you to Luxor, where you board a 5-star Nile cruise with a swimming pool for four nights of sightseeing and relaxed sailing. Each day brings a new highlight: Karnak and Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, the temples of Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae, with the option to add the great temples of Ramses II at Abu Simbel. A licensed Egyptologist guide accompanies you at every site visit, and all transfers, domestic flights and entrance fees are included, so you can simply enjoy the journey.
Trip facts
- Duration | 8 days / 7 nights Start | Cairo Finish | Cairo
- Accommodation | 4* hotel in Cairo + 5-star Nile cruise
- Meals | 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 4 dinners
- ransport | Private air-conditioned vehicle, 2 domestic flights
- Guide | Licensed Egyptologist guide (English, Spanish and more on request)
- Best time | October to April
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Cairo
Welcome to Egypt! Our representative meets you on arrival at Cairo International Airport, helps you with the formalities and accompanies you on your private transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax after your journey.
Overnight: Cairo · Meals: –
Day 2 Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx & the Grand Egyptian Museum
Start the day on the Giza Plateau with your Egyptologist guide: the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure, the panoramic viewpoint and the Great Sphinx. After lunch at a local restaurant, explore the Grand Egyptian Museum, home to the complete treasures of Tutankhamun and thousands of objects shown for the first time.
Overnight: Cairo · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3 Saqqara and the Step Pyramid
Drive to Saqqara, the vast burial ground of ancient Memphis. Visit the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the oldest stone pyramid in the world, and some of the beautifully decorated tombs of the nobles. After lunch, the afternoon is at leisure – perhaps for a stroll through the Khan el-Khalili bazaar.
Overnight: Cairo · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4 Fly to Luxor – Karnak & Luxor Temple
Transfer to the airport for your domestic flight to Luxor. Board your 5-star Nile cruise in time for lunch. In the afternoon, visit the immense Karnak temple complex with its forest of giant columns, and the elegant Luxor Temple in the heart of the city.
Overnight: Nile cruise, Luxor · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 Valley of the Kings – sail to Edfu
Cross to the West Bank to explore the Valley of the Kings, where the pharaohs of the New Kingdom were buried in richly painted tombs, with a photo stop at the Colossi of Memnon. Back on board, relax on the sundeck as the ship sails south through the Esna lock towards Edfu.
Overnight: Nile cruise · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 Edfu & Kom Ombo – sail to Aswan
In the morning, visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu, the best-preserved temple in Egypt. Sail on to Kom Ombo and discover its unique double temple, dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Haroeris, on the banks of the Nile. Continue sailing to Aswan.
Overnight: Nile cruise, Aswan · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 Aswan & Philae Temple (optional Abu Simbel)
Today you explore Aswan. Take a short motorboat ride to the island temple of Philae, dedicated to the goddess Isis, and enjoy the rest of the day on board or in town.
Optional: an early-morning excursion by road to Abu Simbel (about 3.5 hours each way) to see the two magnificent rock temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari, returning to Aswan in time for Philae in the afternoon.
Overnight: Nile cruise, Aswan · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 Fly to Cairo – end of the tour
After breakfast, disembark and transfer to Aswan airport for your domestic flight to Cairo, where you connect to your international flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
What's included
Included
- 3 nights in a 4* hotel in Cairo with breakfast
- 4 nights on a 5-star Nile cruise with swimming pool, full board
- Domestic flights Cairo – Luxor and Aswan – Cairo
- Meet and assist at Cairo airport
- All airport and cruise transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle
- All sightseeing by private air-conditioned vehicle
- Licensed Egyptologist guide at every site visit
- Entrance fees to all sites in the itinerary
- Motorboat to Philae Temple
- Lunches on Days 2 and 3
- Bottled water during the tours
- All local taxes and service charges
Not included
- International flights
- Egypt entry visa (US$36 per person)
- Optional excursion to Abu Simbel
- Tips for guides, drivers and cruise crew
- Travel insurance
- Dinners and drinks in Cairo
- Drinks on the cruise
- Entry inside the pyramids and extra tombs (e.g. Tutankhamun)
- Other optional excursions
- Personal expenses
Optional extras
Excursion to Abu Simbel by road (early morning, about 3.5 hours each way) – or by flight on request
Hot-air balloon ride over the West Bank of Luxor
Entry inside the Great Pyramid
Tomb of Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings
Nubian village visit by boat in Aswan
Extra nights in Cairo or a beach stay on the Red Sea
Route map
Dates & booking
1 Join a group departure – or choose your own date below
✓ Every group date is guaranteed to go ahead once 6 travellers have booked.
• Choose your own start date – private tour
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💬 Questions? WhatsApp usFrequently asked questions
Are international flights included?
Are international flights included?
Which hotel and cruise ship will we stay on?
Hotels and cruise ships depend on availability and are confirmed at the time of booking. All Nile cruise ships we use are 5-star with a swimming pool.
Do we need a visa for Egypt?
Most nationalities need a visa, which costs US$36 per person and can be bought on arrival or online as an e-visa.
Is Abu Simbel included?
Abu Simbel is an optional extra on Day 7. The excursion from Aswan is by road, about 3.5 hours each way, so the day starts very early in the morning. It can also be arranged by flight on request.
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