Nile Cruise Package · Cairo → Cairo · 11 days · 10 nights
11-Day Grand Tour of Egypt for the 2027 Solar Eclipse
Plan around the 2027 solar eclipse with Cairo, Nile Valley, Hurghada and Alexandria, combining hotel stays, a Nile cruise and Egyptologist-led sightseeing.
The short answer
The 11-Day Egypt Grand Tour is an 11-day Egypt tour linking Cairo and the Nile Valley around the 2027 solar eclipse, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.
- Editor’s Pick
- Small group
Snapshot
Good to know
- Duration
- 11 days and 10 nights
- Travel style
- Egyptologist-Guided Multi-Destination Tour with Arranged Nile Cruise
- Accommodation
- Comfort or Classic Hotels with a designated Nile cruiser
- Operated by
- Arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt; the Nile vessel and hotels are supplied and operated by third-party providers.
- Destinations
- Cairo · Giza · Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan · Hurghada · Giftun Island · Alexandria
- Includes
- Hotel accommodation in Cairo and Hurghada · Accommodation aboard an assigned Nile cruiser · Itinerary-connected transfers · Egyptologist-guided sightseeing · Standard entrance fees for included sites · Orange Bay and Giftun Island excursion
- Best for
- 2027 solar eclipse travellers · First-time Egypt visitors · Ancient-history enthusiasts · Travellers wanting Cairo and the Nile Valley · Families with older children · Travellers adding a Red Sea break
- Guide languages
- Arabic · English · French · German · Italian · Spanish
Best time to go
The programme is designed around the total solar eclipse on 2 August 2027, so travel dates are fixed by the eclipse schedule rather than ordinary seasonal preference. August is hot in Egypt, particularly in Luxor, Aswan and Hurghada, where daytime temperatures commonly exceed 35°C; plan for sun protection, water and limited midday exposure. August can be busy around the eclipse, so accommodation, cruise allocation and transport should be confirmed well in advance; Ramadan dates vary by year and should be checked separately.
- Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator arranging the itinerary, hotels and Nile vessel through third-party suppliers.
- Included sightseeing is accompanied by an Egyptologist guide.
- Transfers connected with the supplied itinerary are arranged on the ground.
- Standard entrance fees for included Egyptian sites are included unless stated otherwise.
- The assigned cruise vessel and listed hotels are booked through third-party suppliers; they are not operated or owned by Discovery Tours Egypt.
- Pyramid interiors, premium tombs, gratuities, personal expenses and domestic flights are clearly identified as exclusions.
02Overview
A first look
Before the morning heat settles over Cairo, the city moves to the sound of horns, bread ovens and voices from the street. Our Egyptologists bring the capital’s archaeology into focus, then the pace changes on the Nile: a cabin morning, riverbank villages sliding past the deck and quiet conversations after a day ashore. The 2027 solar eclipse gives the journey a clear point in time without reducing Egypt to a single event.
We arrange the hotel stays, Nile cruiser, vehicles and sightseeing through our licensed Egyptian tour operator team. Your Egyptologist is on hand to explain what you are seeing, while the practical details, including standard site entry fees, are confirmed before departure.
Background
The facts
This 11-day Egypt grand tour begins and ends in Cairo and combines Cairo sightseeing, an arranged Nile cruise package, a Hurghada stay and an Alexandria day trip. The programme is centred on the total solar eclipse on 2 August 2027, with the exact observation location and timing depending on the final eclipse arrangements and local conditions. Domestic flights are not included and must be arranged separately for the Cairo–Luxor and Hurghada–Cairo sectors where required.
Cairo sightseeing includes the Giza Plateau, the Great Pyramid, the Great Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum. Pyramid interiors, including Khufu and Khafre, are excluded unless specifically requested. The itinerary then connects with Luxor, approximately 650 kilometres south of Cairo by road, for visits to Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple on the east bank of the Nile. West-bank sightseeing includes the Colossi of Memnon, the Valley of the Kings, with three tombs included, and the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari.
The arranged cruise section follows the Nile Valley towards Aswan, with visits to the Ptolemaic Temple of Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae Temple, the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk. Philae Temple is located on Agilkia Island, while Kom Ombo lies roughly 47 kilometres north of Aswan and Edfu approximately 100 kilometres north of Aswan. The cruise vessel is assigned at booking and is arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt through a third-party supplier.
After the Nile programme, the itinerary includes an arranged transfer to Hurghada, a Red Sea resort city on the eastern coast, followed by an Orange Bay and Giftun Island snorkelling excursion. The final Cairo stay includes an Alexandria sightseeing day trip; Alexandria is approximately 220 kilometres north-west of Cairo by road. Standard entrance fees for included sites, transfers, accommodation and Egyptologist-guided sightseeing are included unless stated otherwise.
Named in this entry
Cairo·Giza Plateau·Great Pyramid of Giza·Great Sphinx·Grand Egyptian Museum·Karnak Temple·Luxor Temple·Valley of the Kings·Colossi of Memnon·Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut·Temple of Edfu·Temple of Kom Ombo·Philae Temple·High Dam·Unfinished Obelisk·Hurghada·Giftun Island·Orange Bay·Alexandria·Nile Valley·2 August 2027 solar eclipse
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This itinerary suits first-time visitors, history enthusiasts and eclipse travellers who want to combine Cairo’s archaeological sites with the Nile Valley and a short Red Sea stay. It is best for travellers comfortable with early starts, airport transfers, walking on uneven historic surfaces and changing between hotels, a cruise cabin and domestic transport arrangements.
Maybe not, if
- Choose a shorter Cairo stay if you do not want to change accommodation or travel beyond the capital. August heat and uneven archaeological sites may also make this a poor fit for travellers with limited heat tolerance or mobility needs.
What lingers
- 01Plan an Egypt tour around the 2027 solar eclipse.
- 02Combine time in Cairo with a Nile Valley cruise.
- 03Explore included sights with an Egyptologist.
- 04Stay in arranged hotels and aboard an assigned Nile cruiser.
- 05Visit included Egyptian sites with standard entrance fees covered.
Honest Assessment
Real trade-offs from our experience managing this tour.
Highlights
- Combines Cairo archaeology with time along the Nile Valley.
- Centres the holiday on the total solar eclipse, 2 August 2027.
- An Egyptologist accompanies included sightseeing.
- Standard entrance fees for included sites are covered.
- Unlike a Cairo-only break, the programme also includes a Nile cruise.
Things to Consider
- Domestic flights are excluded and must be arranged separately.
- August brings extreme heat in inland Egypt, especially around Luxor and Aswan.
- Walking on uneven archaeological ground can be tiring.
- Changing between hotels and a cruise cabin adds travel-day demands.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike a short Cairo break, this package combines the capital’s major archaeological attractions with a multi-night Nile cruise arrangement, visits in Luxor and Aswan, a Hurghada beach excursion and Alexandria. Unlike a fully inclusive air-and-land package, domestic flights are excluded and must be arranged separately.
Day by day
Detailed itinerary
11 days and 10 nights · Cairo · Giza · Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
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- 11
Choose your comfort level
Prices are per person in GBP, from 2 people sharing a double room, including accommodation. Prefer to arrange your own hotels? See the land-only option below.
Comfort
from £6,274 ppClassic
from £6,556 ppBundled in
- Abu Simbel extension
- Cairo extension
- Red Sea extension
- Group Egyptologist
- Airport transfer
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Accommodation arranged for all 11 days, in hotels and aboard an assigned Nile cruiser
- Transfers required for the planned itinerary
- An Egyptologist guide for the sightseeing included in the programme
- Standard entry fees for the Egyptian sites included in the itinerary
Not included
- Domestic flights
- Entry to pyramid interiors, including Khufu and Khafre, unless requested separately
- Entry to premium tombs, including Tutankhamun and Seti I, unless requested separately
- Gratuities
- Personal spending and any service not specifically listed as included
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Confirm the eclipse viewing location and timing in writing; the supplied itinerary does not specify either.
- 02
Ask which Nile Valley stops are planned before booking, as individual sites are not listed in the supplied itinerary.
- 03
Check whether your international flight times allow enough time for any separately booked domestic flights.
- 04
For any religious sites on the final itinerary, pack clothing that covers shoulders and knees.
Tailor it
Make it yours
Discovery Tours Egypt can discuss private or small-group sightseeing, additional Cairo or Luxor visits, premium tomb access and pyramid interiors where available, subject to tickets and timing. Travellers may also request different hotel comfort levels, additional nights, alternative Red Sea activities or help arranging the excluded domestic flights. The Nile vessel is assigned at booking through a third-party supplier.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Where it fits
– This 11-day tour links Cairo with a Nile cruise, making it a standalone Egypt itinerary rather than a short capital stop. The 2027 solar eclipse is the trip’s planning focus, but the viewing location is not specified in the supplied programme.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This 11-day tour involves walking across uneven ancient surfaces, stone paving, sand and steps at sites including the Giza Plateau, Karnak Temple and Luxor West Bank. Shade can be limited, particularly around midday. Sightseeing vehicles and Nile cruisers may have steps, narrow access points or boarding arrangements that vary by assigned vessel. There is no confirmed fixed accessibility standard for every part of the route. Wheelchair users and guests with limited mobility should contact us before booking so our team can review vehicle access, boarding arrangements and possible adaptations. A folding wheelchair is generally more practical than a large electric model. Some visits may need to be shortened or replaced.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- A valid passport and the necessary Egyptian visa documents
- Booking confirmation, printed or digital
- Comfortable walking footwear with sturdy soles
- SPF 50+ sunscreen and lip balm
- A reusable water bottle
- Sunglasses and a hat
- Personal medication
- Small day bag
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing
- Light layers for crisp mornings and cooler evenings
- Firm, comfortable shoes for sand and uneven stone
- Clothing covering shoulders and knees at temples and religious sites
- A scarf or light cover-up for sun protection
Children & families
Children are welcome, but the itinerary involves early starts, long sightseeing days, heat, uneven archaeological surfaces and steps when boarding transport. Child prices depend on age and the arrangements confirmed for the booking; infants and children needing their own space may be priced differently. Strollers are impractical at many sites because of sand, steps and uneven paving. Ask us to confirm child pricing and whether a high chair can be requested before payment.
The morning of
Meeting point & timing
- Where
- Cairo International Airport (CAI) , Arrivals HallMap
On the ground
Your route
While you're here
Worth pairing
- The Egyptian Museum0.0 km
- Khan el-Khalili3 km
- Cairo Citadel5 km
- Giza Plateau13 km
Why book this with us
Three reasons, stated plainly
01
Itinerary planned around the 2027 solar eclipse
02
Cairo and Nile Valley sightseeing in one holiday
03
Eclipse-focused route includes the Red Sea coast
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
We arrange transport through Egyptian suppliers, using air-conditioned vehicles suited to the confirmed group size and an assigned Nile cruiser for the river section. The itinerary creates work for local Egyptologists, drivers, boat crews, hospitality staff and archaeological site service providers. Where the route allows, our team plans sightseeing to avoid unnecessary vehicle movements between Cairo and the Nile Valley. This reduces duplicated driving, although it cannot remove all transport requirements from an 11-day itinerary. We encourage travellers to carry a refillable bottle, avoid single-use plastic, keep waste with them until a suitable bin is available and follow local guidance on water use. Vehicle and cruiser details are confirmed in the final itinerary.
Licensed local Egyptologists
ETAA-credentialed, on payroll
Fair wages on the ground
Drivers + guides paid above market
Site preservation
We follow MoTA visitor caps and no-touch protocols
Carbon-aware itineraries
Domestic flights only when train/road is impractical
·In summary
This 11-day Egypt tour includes Cairo hotel accommodation, an arranged Nile cruise package, a Hurghada stay, transfers, Egyptologist-guided sightseeing and standard entrance fees for included sites. Visits cover the Giza Pyramids and Sphinx, Grand Egyptian Museum, Luxor and Karnak temples, Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae, Aswan, Giftun Island and Alexandria; domestic flights and gratuities are excluded.
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01What is the total duration of the 11-Day Egypt Grand Tour for the 2027 Solar Eclipse?
This tour spans 11 days, combining hotel stays in Cairo and Hurghada with a 4-night Nile River cruise. The itinerary is specifically designed to coincide with the 2027 solar eclipse, offering a comprehensive exploration of Egypt's key historical sites.02Are domestic flights within Egypt included in this tour package?
No, domestic flights are not included in this 11-day package. You will need to arrange your own flights between Cairo, Luxor, and Hurghada, as these sectors are essential for the itinerary. We can advise on flight timings if you need assistance.03What type of accommodation is provided during this grand tour?
Accommodation includes hotel stays in Cairo and Hurghada, alongside a cabin aboard an assigned Nile cruiser for the 4-night segment. All lodging is arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt, ensuring comfortable stays throughout your journey.04How do transfers work for arrivals, departures, and between locations?
All transfers connected with your itinerary are pre-arranged. Our drivers will meet you at designated points, typically holding a sign with your name, for airport arrivals and departures, and for transfers between your hotel and the cruise ship.05What sightseeing activities and entrance fees are included in the tour?
The sightseeing programme includes standard entrance fees for major sites such as the Pyramids, Sphinx, Grand Egyptian Museum, Karnak Temples, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings, and Philae Temple. An Egyptologist guide accompanies all included excursions.06What is not covered by the tour price?
Exclusions are domestic flights, entrance to premium sites like the interiors of the Khufu or Khafre pyramids, premium tombs such as Tutankhamun or Seti I, gratuities, and any personal expenses or services not explicitly listed as included.07What are the physical demands and accessibility considerations for this tour?
This tour involves walking on uneven ancient stone surfaces at archaeological sites and navigating stairs on the cruise ship and at some hotels. Guests with mobility concerns should contact us to discuss specific needs and potential modifications before booking.08Is this 11-day tour suitable for families travelling with children?
Yes, this tour can be suitable for families. The mix of historical sites, a Nile cruise, and a Red Sea beach escape offers varied activities. We recommend considering the amount of walking at sites and the early starts for some excursions when travelling with younger children.09What clothing and items should I bring for this 11-day Egypt tour?
We recommend light, breathable clothing, comfortable walking shoes, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen. Modest dress, covering shoulders and knees, is advisable for religious sites. Bringing a reusable water bottle is also practical.10How is the 2027 Solar Eclipse incorporated into the tour itinerary?
The itinerary is specifically designed around the 2027 solar eclipse, with the timing and flow of the tour planned to enhance your viewing experience. Specific viewing arrangements and locations will be communicated closer to the event date.
If plans change
Cancellation
- More than 30 days
- 75% back, or 100% kept as credit towards a future holiday
- 15–30 days
- 50% back, or 75% kept as credit
- 7–14 days
- 25% back, or 50% kept as credit
- 2–6 days
- Nothing back; 25% kept as credit
- Under 48 hours, or if you don't turn up
- No refund and no credit
Notice is counted from the day you arrive in Egypt. A few vessels have their own terms; where that's so, we'll let you know before any payment is taken.Read our full cancellation and refund policy
Last updated 8 March 2025Product ID: TOU-CAI-321682
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