13-Day Cairo, Alexandria & 7-Night Nile Cruise Holiday
The Giza Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum, a day in Alexandria, seven nights cruising from Luxor to Aswan and back, and Abu Simbel. Internal flights, hotels, Egyptologist guides and entry tickets are included.
The short answer
13-Day Cairo, Alexandria & 7-Night Nile Cruise Holiday is a 13-day, 12-night trip to Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel: 5 nights in Cairo and 7 on a Nile cruise. Starts on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays or Sundays. It includes domestic flights, an Egyptologist guide and transfers. Prices start at £2,484 per person, two sharing (Essential, October–April).
02Overview
A first look
This holiday is for those who want to take their time over ancient Egypt. It opens with three nights in Cairo and Alexandria: a dinner cruise on the Nile, a full day at Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum, and a day out to the Mediterranean coast. You then fly to Luxor and join your Nile cruise ship for seven nights.
The ship heads south to Aswan and comes back to Luxor, calling at the West Bank, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae, with the road journey to Abu Simbel on the same day as Aswan's sights. Several days afloat carry no visits, leaving you time to rest. Karnak and Luxor Temple close the cruise, and a flight takes you to Cairo for a day at the Citadel, the bazaar and a museum. We book the flights, transfers, hotels and your cabin. The standard of hotel and ship is your choice, and the sightseeing is the same.
What lingers
- 01A dinner cruise with an evening show on the Nile on your first night in Cairo
- 02The Giza Pyramids, the Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum in one full guided day
- 03A day in Alexandria: the catacombs, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the Qaitbay Citadel and lunch by the sea
- 04Seven nights on a Nile cruise ship from Luxor to Aswan and back, full board
- 05The Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae, Karnak and Luxor Temple with an Egyptologist
- 06Abu Simbel, reached by road from Aswan on the same day as Philae and the High Dam
- 07The Citadel, Islamic Cairo, Khan el-Khalili and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation
Choose your comfort level
Prices are per person in GBP, from 2 people sharing a double room, including accommodation at the properties listed or similar.
| Comfort level | Where you stay or similar | Per personfrom, Oct–Apr | Choose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essentialfrom £2,4843★ hotels · well-priced Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 7 nightsNephtis · Al Nabilatan | £2,484May–Sep: from £2,145 | |
| Comfortfrom £2,6724★ hotels · 5★ Nile cruises | Cairo · 5 nightsJewel Sport City Nile Cruise · 7 nightsLady Mary · Tower Prestige | £2,672May–Sep: from £2,443 | |
| Classicfrom £3,0335★ hotels · 5★ Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 7 nightsJaz Crown Jubilee · Nile Dolphin | £3,033May–Sep: from £2,443 | |
| Prestigefrom £3,5625★ deluxe hotels · 5★ deluxe Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 7 nightsNile Excellence · Sonesta Moon Goddess | £3,562May–Sep: from £3,543 | |
| Luxuryfrom £6,0845★ luxury hotels · 5★ luxury Nile cruises | Cairo · 5 nightsSt. Regis Cairo Nile Cruise · 7 nightsSonesta St. George I · Esmeralda | £6,084May–Sep: from £4,371 | |
| Signature Collectionfrom £8,246Iconic heritage vessels · landmark hotels | Cairo · 5 nightsFour Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza Nile Cruise · 7 nightsHistoria | £8,246May–Sep: from £6,277 |
Hotels on bed & breakfast · Nile cruise on full board. You'll stay in these properties, or a similar choice of the same quality. Choose your date in the booking panel for the exact price.
Day by day
Detailed itinerary
13 Days / 12 Nights · Cairo · Giza · Saqqara · Alexandria · Luxor · Kom Ombo
- 1
A driver meets you in the arrivals hall at Cairo Airport, helps with your bags and takes you to your hotel. Later you are collected for a dinner cruise on the Nile: around two hours afloat with a buffet, a live show and a reserved seat for the performance. You are driven back to your hotel afterwards.
- 2
This is a full day in the company of a private English-speaking Egyptologist. You are collected from your hotel and spend 4 to 6 hours on the Giza Plateau, taking in the Pyramids and the Great Sphinx. After lunch you go on to the Grand Egyptian Museum. Guide, entry tickets and transport are all included.
- 3
Another long day, about 12 hours including the drives, and best for those who like walking. A licensed Egyptologist shows you the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, and lunch looks out over the Mediterranean. The afternoon brings the Citadel of Qaitbay and the gardens of Montaza Palace, before the drive back to Cairo.
Entry tickets to the listed sites and the car are included.
- 4
A private car takes you to Cairo Airport for the one-hour flight to Luxor; the airline sets the time. In Luxor a driver brings you to the ship and you settle into your cabin. It is the first of seven nights on board, on full board. The itinerary lists no sightseeing today, so you can unpack and relax.
- 5
No visits are listed for today, so it is an easy day on the ship, with every meal included. If you would like something added in Luxor, tell us before you travel and we will say what can be done.
- 6
Your English-speaking Egyptologist takes you across the river to the West Bank: the Colossi of Memnon, the Valley of the Kings, with three tombs included, and Hatshepsut's mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahari. Guide, entry tickets and transport are all covered. You spend the rest of the day on the ship.
- 7
The ship heads on towards Aswan. With your Egyptologist you go ashore at Edfu, among Egypt's best-preserved temples, and at Kom Ombo, which stands on the riverbank. Entry tickets and transport are covered. There is time to relax on deck between the two visits.
- 8
A very full day in Aswan, with your Egyptologist, entry tickets and transport included. You visit Philae on its island, the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk in the old granite quarries. The full-day road journey to the temples of Abu Simbel also falls on this day, so expect an early start. The order is set around the ship.
- 9
The ship starts the journey back to Luxor. The itinerary lists no visits today, so you can rest on deck and watch the banks go by, with breakfast, lunch and dinner served on board. Nothing is planned beyond that.
- 10
No visits are listed today either. The ship carries on towards Luxor, with breakfast, lunch and dinner on board. Karnak and Luxor Temple come tomorrow before your flight, so it is worth packing your cabin bag tonight. This is your last night aboard.
- 11
Your Egyptologist takes you to Karnak, with its Sacred Lake, and to Luxor Temple, with entry tickets and transport included. You are then driven to Luxor Airport for the one-hour flight to Cairo and on to your hotel. We plan the visits around the flight, and the airline sets the time.
- 12
A full day with a private Egyptologist. An afternoon pickup brings you to the Citadel and Muhammad Ali's mosque, then a walk through Islamic Cairo to the Khan el-Khalili bazaar. The other half is a guided visit of about four hours to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation and its Royal Mummies Hall. Entry tickets and the car are included.
- 13
You check out after breakfast and a private driver takes you to Cairo Airport for your flight home, helping with your luggage. Allow about two hours for the transfer slot, and send us your flight time so that we can set the pick-up.
Bundled in
- Domestic flights
The fine print
What's included – and what is left out
Included
- Three nights in a Cairo hotel with breakfast, seven nights on a Nile cruise ship on full board and two further nights in a Cairo hotel
- Internal flights from Cairo to Luxor and from Luxor to Cairo
- Every airport, hotel and port transfer by air-conditioned vehicle
- A Nile dinner cruise with an evening show in Cairo
- Nile cruise sightseeing with an English-speaking Egyptologist, entry tickets and transport: the West Bank, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae, the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk, Karnak and Luxor Temple
- A road trip to Abu Simbel from Aswan, with entry tickets
- A private Egyptologist and entry tickets on the Giza, Grand Egyptian Museum, Alexandria, Citadel, Islamic Cairo and museum days
- Lunch on the Giza and Alexandria days
- Meeting and assistance at Cairo Airport
Not included
- International flights to and from Egypt
- Egyptian entry visa
- Tips for guides, drivers and ship staff
- Drinks on board and meals other than those stated
- The inside of the Khufu pyramid and premium tombs such as Tutankhamun's and Seti I's
- Travel insurance and personal spending
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Go to Giza early for lower crowds and better shadow lines on the plateau.
- 02
Keep small cash for tips, bottled water and drinks, which are not included.
- 03
For Abu Simbel, expect an early road departure from Aswan.
- 04
Wear closed shoes at the Valley of the Kings, the paths can be uneven and dusty.
- 05
At Khan El Khalili, compare prices before buying textiles or spices.
Tailor it
Make it yours
Choose your hotel and ship standard when you book. Ask us about extra nights in Cairo or Luxor.
Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- Travellers who want to see Egypt thoroughly and enjoy a week on one ship. Suits couples, friends and solo travellers who are happy with two flights and several hours of walking on sightseeing days.
Maybe not, if
- Travellers who need step-free access to every site, or who dislike long days. Days 2, 3 and 8 are the longest.
Honest assessment
The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.
Highlights
- Cairo, Alexandria and a full week on the Nile with Abu Simbel
- Both domestic flights and all transfers handled for you
- One ship for seven nights, so no repacking
Things to Consider
- A long Alexandria day, about 12 hours, straight after a full Giza day
- Aswan's sights and Abu Simbel share one day
- Uneven stone, steps and little shade at the major sites
Where it fits
A good fit for a first long trip to Egypt, or for people who like a ship as a base. Days 5, 9 and 10 have no visits, so the cruise suits an unhurried rhythm.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Most Nile cruises last three or four nights. This one lasts seven, with Cairo and Alexandria around it and every flight and transfer booked for you. The standard of hotel and ship is your choice; the sightseeing does not change.
Compare
Similar tours to compare
On the ground
Your route
Snapshot
Good to know
- Travel style
- Guided multi-day holiday with a week-long Nile cruise
- Accommodation
- Cairo hotels and a Nile cruise ship, standard chosen at booking
- Destinations
- Cairo · Giza · Saqqara · Alexandria · Luxor · Kom Ombo · Abu Simbel · Aswan · Edfu
- Includes
- 5 nights in Cairo hotels with breakfast · 7 nights on a Nile cruise ship, full board · Flights from Cairo to Luxor and Luxor to Cairo · Egyptologist and entry tickets on sightseeing days, including Abu Simbel · Nile dinner cruise with an evening show · All transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Best for
- Travellers who like a slow pace on the Nile · Travellers interested in history · First-time visitors who want a thorough trip
The morning of
Meeting point & timing
- Where
- Cairo International Airport (CAI), Arrivals HallMap
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Passport and any required travel documents
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Sun cream, SPF 30 or higher
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Refillable water bottle
- Any regular medication
- Small day bag
- A light layer for the ship and the flights
What to wear
- Light, breathable clothing for sun and heat
- Closed shoes for temples and uneven ground
- Clothing that covers shoulders and knees at mosques and temples
- A hat and sunglasses
- A light jacket for evenings on the river in winter
Children & families
Children are welcome. Every child has a seat in the vehicle, so transport, guiding and meals are charged at the adult rate at any age. Entrance tickets are free for children under 6 and full price from 6. Hotel and cabin prices depend on the child's age and the room or cabin used, so we give you the exact figure once you tell us the age at booking. A week on one ship can feel long for younger children, so let us know their ages and we will advise.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This holiday involves a good deal of walking around large archaeological sites, on uneven stone and sand, with steps and some narrow tomb passages. The Valley of the Kings and Karnak have long, open stretches with little shade. Boarding the ship and the boat to Philae involve steps and a gangway. Abu Simbel means a long day on the road. Vehicles are private and air-conditioned, but we cannot promise wheelchair access at every site. Tell us what you need when you book and we will say honestly which parts suit you.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The holiday uses two internal flights, long road days to Alexandria and Abu Simbel and a Nile cruise ship for seven nights, and vehicle and vessel types vary, so we make no claim about carbon savings. Sightseeing is led by local Egyptologists and arranged through local suppliers in Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor and Aswan, so much of what you spend stays in the places you visit. We ask guests to bring a refillable water bottle and to keep their hands off the painted walls in tombs.
Licensed Egyptologist guides
State-licensed, and people we have worked with for years
Fair wages on the ground
Drivers + guides paid above market
Site preservation
We follow the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities' site rules: marked paths, no touching reliefs
Local teams, real help
Our own offices in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh
If plans change
Cancellation and refunds
If you cancel, your refund depends on how soon you let us know and on the kind of holiday. See our current cancellation and refund terms
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01Are the internal flights included?
Yes. The flights from Cairo to Luxor on day 4 and from Luxor to Cairo on day 11 are booked for you and included. International flights are not. The airline sets the flight times.02Are guides and entry tickets included?
Yes. An English-speaking Egyptologist, the entry tickets and the transport are covered on the Cairo, Alexandria and Nile cruise sightseeing days.03How many nights do we spend on the Nile?
Seven nights on board, from Luxor to Aswan and back, on full board with breakfast, lunch and dinner. The other five nights are in Cairo hotels with breakfast.04Which hotels and which ship will we have?
You choose a standard when you book, from budget to luxury, and we confirm the hotels and the ship for your dates. The itinerary and sightseeing are identical at every standard.05Is Abu Simbel included, and is it a tiring day?
It is included, by road from Aswan on day 8. The same day holds Philae, the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk, so it is a very long day with an early start. Wear comfortable shoes and take water.06Are there days with nothing planned aboard?
Yes. Days 5, 9 and 10 list no visits, so they are for resting on the ship. Tell us if you would like something added.07Is the Alexandria day too much?
It is a long one, about 12 hours with the drives, and it follows straight after the Giza day. Keen walkers find it worthwhile. If you would prefer a gentler pace, tell us and we will suggest changes.08Will I make my international flight home?
Domestic and international tickets are separate bookings, so a late internal flight could cost you your connection. Your last internal flight, Luxor to Cairo, is on day 11, with one more night in Cairo before you leave on day 13. That is a deliberate safety margin. Take travel insurance that covers missed connections.09What is not included?
International flights, the Egyptian visa, tips for guides, drivers and ship staff, drinks and meals other than those stated, the Khufu pyramid interior and premium tombs, travel insurance and personal spending.
Last updated Product ID: TOU-CAI-635649
At a glance
- Length
- 13 days · 12 nights
- Starts
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri or Sun
- Route
- Cairo → Alexandria → Luxor → Edfu → Kom Ombo → Aswan → Abu Simbel → Cairo
- Nights
- 5 Cairo · 7 Nile cruise
- Includes
- Domestic flights, Egyptologist guide, transfers