Essential Egypt by Nile Cruise
A value-packed adventure through ancient Egypt. Travelling from Cairo, home of the legendary Pyramids of Giza, to Aswan with its colourful souqs and Luxor, famed for its awe-inspiring temples and incredible Valley of the Kings. Combined with a 3-night Nile Cruise, this is the best of Egypt in 8 days!
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more download our Trip Notes
Tour overview
Itinerary
Day 1 Cairo
Day 1 Cairo
You will be met upon arrival at Cairo Airport and transferred to our start hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure or, if you arrive early, opt to join our optional Backstreets of Cairo tour which departs the hotel at 10am.
If you'd like to extend your stay in Egypt we offer a pre tour (Wednesday) or post tour Sunday Day Trip to Alexandria.
Day 2 Pyramids of Giza
Day 2 Pyramids of Giza
Our tour begins with a visit to one of the world's most famous sights this morning - the legendary Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Built over 4500 years ago, the three great pyramids are sole survivors of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World. A visit to a government supervised Papyrus Museum will also be made at some point during today.This afternoon we take a guided tour of the new Grand Egyptian Museum, which contains an incredible array of relics and antiquities including the treasures of King Tutankhamun and his spectacular gold funerary mask. This evening we board the overnight train to Aswan this evening.
Please Note: the Grand Egyptian Museum is scheduled to open in late 2024, though an official opening date has yet to be released. If travelling prior to the opening of the new facility we'll visit the Egyptian Museum instead.
Day 3 Aswan & the Philae Temple
Day 3 Aswan & the Philae Temple
Arriving into Aswan early this morning, we take a boat trip out to Agilika Island for a guided tour of the beautiful Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis. Our final stop today is a perfume oil emporium before check-in on board your Nile Cruiser which will be home for the next three nights. As the sun sets, free time to shop in the colourful souqs and markets or simply relax and watch an amazing sunset in Egypt's southern most town straddling the River Nile.
Day 4 Nile Cruise & optional Abu Simbel
Day 4 Nile Cruise & optional Abu Simbel
Aswan – Nile cruise - Kom Ombo. Consider booking our optional early morning excursion by road to visit the spectacular Temples of Ramses II at Abu Simbel this morning. Alternatively enjoy a free morning in Aswan. Our Nile Cruiser departs Aswan this afternoon and we cruise the River Nile to Kom Ombo where we disembark to visit the temple which is dedicated to the crocodile headed god - Sobek before returning to the cruiser.
Day 5 Nile Cruise to Luxor
Day 5 Nile Cruise to Luxor
Nile Cruise - Luxor. Relax, enjoy a swim in the pool and chill out in the sun on deck this morning. Let your troubles melt away as we cruise the River Nile to Luxor. Home of the legendary Valley of the Kings and Temple of Karnak, 4000 year-old Luxor is ancient Egypt at its best. Arriving into Luxor this afternoon the rest of the day is free to explore the city before we spend our final night aboard the cruiser.
Day 6 Karnak Temple
Day 6 Karnak Temple
This morning we disembark and check into our Luxor hotel. There's time to relax by the hotel pool before we enjoy a guided tour of the colossal Temple of Karnak this afternoon. More than a temple, Karnak is a spectacular complex of sanctuaries, pylons, chapels, halls and obelisks, all dedicated to the Theban gods and the greater glory of Egypt’s Middle and New Kingdom rulers.
In the evening there's an optional visit to Luxor Temple with dinner included (book and pay locally). This remarkable temple and the Avenue of Sphinxes which leads to it, are most spectacular at night when they're illuminated by hundreds of atmospheric lights.
Day 7 Valley of the Kings
Day 7 Valley of the Kings
Luxor - Cairo. We travel to Luxor's West Bank this morning for a guided tour of the legendary Valley of the Kings, which is home to an array of beautifully decorated pharaohs' tombs, three of which you can enter. Arriving at the West Bank we will be greeted by the towering 18m-high Colossi of Memnon and after the Valley of the Kings we enjoy a tour of the beautiful Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Returning to the hotel the afternoon is free to relax by the pool. This evening we board the overnight train to Cairo.
Day 8 Cairo
Day 8 Cairo
This morning, we arrive back into Egypt's bustling capital. We return to our start hotel which marks the end of our tour. Make your own way to the airport for your onward flight.
Day use rooms can be purchased at an additional cost or you may wish to purchase extra nights and extend your stay. You could also do some last minute souvenir shopping as we offer an optional visit to Cairo's bustling Khan el Khalili bazaar.
Please note flights should not be booked to depart before 2pm. Airport departure transfer or Cairo post tour accommodation can be arranged on request.
Tour Highlights
Included
Not Included
Prices & Dates
Hotels
Just a stone's throw from the Pyramids, the Pyramids Resort (formerly the Oasis Hotel) is a classic Egyptian hotel with beautiful expansive gardens. Rooms are very spacious with comfortable beds and fantastic en suite facilities. Wi-Fi is available and the buffet breakfast offers a good spread. In the evening the outdoor pool and fountains are lit up making the restaurant and bar the perfect place to spend an evening sipping on a cold glass of beer.
When travelling on an overnight train in Egypt, sleeper carriages offer the highest level of comfort. Cabins are equipped with two beds (one above the other), a basin, electric points and air conditioning. Freshly laundered bedding is provided and in the early evening an attendant will come round and make up your bed for you. The carriages have toilets at each end and there is a club car which serves snacks and beverages. In the morning a very basic breakfast is provided.
Located close to the pyramids, the expansive Pyramids Park Hotel is a beautiful hotel set around a stunning outdoor pool. Rooms are modern and bright with excellent facilities. Balconies and terraces look out onto the gardens and pool area. Wi-Fi is available throughout and there is excellent poolside dining. In the evening why not relax by the pool and enjoy a few cold ones after a long days sightseeing.
Offering a prime location in the centre of Luxor, this 4-star hotel is close to top attractions including the Luxor Museum and Luxor Temple. Surrounded by manicured gardens, the contemporary-style guestrooms are well-equipped with air conditioning, a minibar and a balcony overlooking the garden or River Nile. Guests can enjoy a rich breakfast, lunch and dinner in the sun-lit restaurant or outdoors by the resort style pool. There you’ll also find a poolside bar and sun deck, so you can enjoy a cocktail or two as you soak up the rays.
Tour Reviews
Extras and add-ons
Abu Simbel by Road
Possibly the most awe-inspiring temple of all ancient Egypt, with its gargantuan rock-cut facade is the magnificent Abu Simbel. Guarding the entrance to the temple are 4 colossal seated statues of the pharaoh himself, staring out across Lake Nasser.
Cairo Departure Airport Transfer
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