13-Day Cairo, Hurghada & Nile Cruise Holiday
Giza's pyramids, two nights beside the Red Sea, then seven nights on one Nile cruise ship with Luxor, Aswan and the temples between. Internal flights, private transfers, hotels, guides and entry tickets are arranged.
The short answer
13-Day Cairo, Hurghada & Nile Cruise Holiday is a 13-day, 12-night trip to Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and Hurghada: 3 nights in Cairo, 2 in Hurghada and 7 on a Nile cruise. Starts on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays or Sundays. It includes domestic flights, an Egyptologist guide and transfers. Prices start at £2,575 per person, two sharing (Comfort, October–April).
02Overview
A first look
Cairo comes first, with the Giza Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum in a single day. A short flight then brings you to Hurghada for two nights on the Red Sea, including a free day. The main part follows: seven nights on a Nile cruise ship that begins and ends in Luxor, so you unpack only once.
On shore you visit the West Bank, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae, Karnak and Luxor Temple, and in Aswan you take a boat to Elephantine Island and call at a Nubian village. Several days afloat carry no visits, leaving you time to rest. A flight returns you to Cairo for the final night. We arrange the flights, private transfers, hotels and cabin. You pick the standard of hotel and ship when you book; the sightseeing is the same whichever you choose.
What lingers
- 01A dinner cruise with a live show on the Nile on your first evening in Cairo
- 02The Giza Pyramids, the Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum in a single guided day
- 03Two nights in Hurghada, including a completely free day
- 04Seven nights on one Nile cruise ship, full board, with no repacking
- 05The Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae with an Egyptologist
- 06A private motorboat to Elephantine Island and the Aswan Botanical Garden, plus a visit to a Nubian village
- 07Karnak and Luxor Temple before the flight back to Cairo
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comfortfrom £2,5754★ hotels · 5★ Nile cruises | Cairo · 3 nightsJewel Sport City Hurghada · 2 nightsSwiss Inn Resort Hurghada Nile Cruise · 7 nightsRoyal Princess Amira · Royal Elite | £2,575May–Sep: from £2,174 | |
| Classicfrom £2,8405★ hotels · 5★ Nile cruises | Hurghada · 2 nightsAMC Royal Hotel & Spa Nile Cruise · 7 nightsGrand Sun · Stephanie | £2,840May–Sep: from £2,174 | |
| Prestigefrom £3,5295★ deluxe hotels · 5★ deluxe Nile cruises | Hurghada · 2 nightsHilton Hurghada Plaza Nile Cruise · 7 nightsSonesta Moon Goddess · Nile Serenity | £3,529May–Sep: from £3,121 | |
| Luxuryfrom £5,5915★ luxury hotels · 5★ luxury Nile cruises | Cairo · 3 nightsSt. Regis Cairo Nile Cruise · 7 nightsSonesta St. George I · Cleopatra | £5,591May–Sep: from £4,139 |
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 · Hurghada · Luxor · Edfu · Aswan
- 1
A driver is waiting in the Cairo Airport arrivals hall with a name board, ready to help with your bags and run you to the hotel. Later, you are collected for a Nile dinner cruise. Expect about two hours on the river, a buffet supper, live entertainment and a seat reserved for the show, before a private car brings you back.
- 2
Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum share this day, led by a licensed Egyptologist who speaks English. The Giza part runs 4 to 6 hours, with the Pyramids and the Great Sphinx first. Lunch follows, then the museum. Entry tickets, the guide, water and the air-conditioned car are included, and you sleep in Cairo again tonight.
- 3
Breakfast is unhurried. A private car then takes you to Cairo Airport for the one-hour hop to Hurghada, on the Red Sea coast, at a time the airline sets. On landing you are met and driven to your hotel, leaving the rest of the day free for the pool or the beach.
- 4
Nothing is booked today. Lie in, swim, read by the sea, with breakfast at your hotel. If you would like to add an outing, let us know before you travel and we will say what is possible.
- 5
Today is mostly a journey. A private car drives you from Hurghada to Luxor, about five hours, after breakfast. You then board your Nile cruise ship, get settled in your cabin and have dinner. It is the first of seven nights afloat on full board. There is no sightseeing planned.
- 6
No sightseeing is listed for today, so the ship is simply your home in Luxor. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all served on board. Treat it as a rest day, and if an extra visit appeals, ask us before you go.
- 7
Your English-speaking Egyptologist leads you over the river to the West Bank. First the Colossi of Memnon, then the Valley of the Kings, where entry to three tombs is included, and last Hatshepsut's mortuary temple cut into the cliffs at Deir el-Bahari. The guide, entry tickets and transport are all covered. You are back on the ship for lunch.
- 8
The ship travels south, and you go ashore twice. Edfu, among the best-preserved temples in Egypt, comes first, and Kom Ombo, standing at the water's edge, is the second. The cruise sightseeing package covers an English-speaking Egyptologist, tickets and transport. On deck between stops you can simply watch the Nile.
- 9
This is your full Aswan day, with an English-speaking guide, tickets and transport included. You see Philae Temple on its island, the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk in the old granite quarries. After that a private motorboat takes you, over about four hours, to Elephantine Island and the Botanical Garden, and you spend time in a Nubian village. The order is fitted around the ship.
Abu Simbel is not part of this holiday.
- 10
Having finished in Aswan, the ship begins the journey back downriver. Nothing is listed for the day, so sit on deck and let the Nile go by. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all provided aboard.
- 11
Again, no visits appear in the itinerary. The ship carries on towards Luxor while you eat on board and watch the riverbank. Pack your cabin bag tonight, as tomorrow begins with Karnak. It is your last evening aboard.
- 12
After leaving the ship you meet your Egyptologist at Karnak, including its Sacred Lake, and then see Luxor Temple. Guide, tickets and transport are included. A transfer then takes you to Luxor Airport for the one-hour flight to Cairo, and a driver delivers you to the hotel. The airline sets the flight time, and the visits are arranged around it.
- 13
After breakfast you check out, and a private driver takes you, with help with your luggage, to Cairo Airport for your flight home. Allow about two hours for the transfer. Send us your flight time and we will set the pickup to match.
Bundled in
- Domestic flights
The fine print
What's included – and what is left out
Included
- Two nights in a Cairo hotel, two in a Hurghada hotel, seven on a Nile cruise ship and one more in a Cairo hotel
- Breakfast at the hotels, full board on the ship and the lunches listed in the itinerary
- Internal flights from Cairo to Hurghada and from Luxor to Cairo
- A private transfer from Hurghada to Luxor and all airport and hotel transfers
- A Nile dinner cruise with a live show in Cairo
- Nile cruise sightseeing with an English-speaking Egyptologist, entry tickets and transport: the West Bank, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae, the Unfinished Obelisk, the High Dam, Karnak and Luxor Temple
- A private motorboat to Elephantine Island and the Aswan Botanical Garden, with a private Egyptologist and entry tickets
- A Nubian village visit in Aswan with a guide
- A licensed Egyptologist and entry tickets on the Giza and Grand Egyptian Museum day
- 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
- Optional extras on the free day
- Travel insurance and personal spending
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
At Giza, the clearest pyramid photos usually come early morning before heat shimmer builds.
- 02
In Luxor, the West Bank is quieter first thing, before the larger coach arrivals.
- 03
Bring small cash for drinks and optional items, since many sites do not take cards.
- 04
Hurghada can feel windy in the afternoon, so a light layer helps on boat or beach time.
- 05
For Philae, the best light is often midmorning after the first departure rush slows.
Tailor it
Make it yours
You choose the standard of hotel and ship when you book. Ask us about adding Abu Simbel or extra nights in Cairo.
Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- Travellers who want a steadier pace: Cairo, a short rest on the Red Sea and a long Nile cruise with few hotel moves. Suits couples, friends and solo travellers who can manage steps, gangways and moderate walking on sightseeing days.
Maybe not, if
- Travellers who need step-free access to every site, or who dislike long road journeys. Day 5 is the longest road day.
Honest assessment
The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.
Highlights
- One ship for seven nights, so you pack only once
- A free day in Hurghada and several days aboard with no sightseeing
- Internal flights, private transfers and the cruise sightseeing package all arranged
Things to Consider
- A five-hour road transfer from Hurghada to Luxor on day 5
- Uneven stone, steps and little shade at the major sites
- Abu Simbel is not included
Where it fits
A good fit for a first long holiday in Egypt, or for people who like a ship as a base. Days 6, 10 and 11 carry no visits, so the cruise suits an unhurried rhythm.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Many Egypt holidays change hotel every couple of nights. This one spends seven nights on a single Nile cruise ship, with the Red Sea for rest and Cairo at either end. 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 Red Sea stay and a seven-night Nile cruise
- Accommodation
- Cairo and Hurghada hotels and a Nile cruise ship, standard chosen at booking
- Destinations
- Cairo · Giza · Hurghada · Luxor · Edfu · Aswan · Kom Ombo
- Includes
- 3 nights in Cairo hotels and 2 nights in Hurghada, with breakfast · 7 nights on a Nile cruise ship, full board · Flights from Cairo to Hurghada and Luxor to Cairo · Nile cruise sightseeing with Egyptologist, entry tickets and transport, plus a private motorboat in Aswan · Licensed Egyptologist on the Giza and museum day · All transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Best for
- Those who prefer one ship to many hotels · Anyone wanting the pyramids, a long Nile cruise and a Red Sea rest · First-time visitors who want a thorough holiday
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 visa or travel documents
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Sun cream, SPF 30 or higher
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Refillable water bottle
- Any regular medication, packed in your hand luggage
- A walking stick or support if you use one
- Swimming costume for the Red Sea days
- Small day bag
What to wear
- Light, breathable clothing for sun and heat
- Closed shoes with good grip for temples, gangways and uneven ground
- Clothing that covers shoulders and knees at temples
- A hat and sunglasses
- A light jacket for winter evenings on the river
Children & families
Children are welcome. Every child has a seat in the vehicle, so transport and guiding 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 young children.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This holiday involves walking around large archaeological sites, on uneven stone and sand, with steps and some narrow tomb passages. Karnak and the Valley of the Kings have long, open stretches with little shade. Boarding the ship, the motorboat in Aswan and the village visit involve steps and gangways. Vehicles are private and air-conditioned, but we cannot promise wheelchair access at every site. Tell us what you need, including any walking aids, when you book and we will say honestly which parts suit you.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The holiday uses two internal flights, a long road transfer, a Nile cruise ship and a private motorboat, and vehicle types vary, so we make no claim about carbon savings. Sightseeing is arranged through suppliers in Cairo, Luxor and Aswan, so much of what you spend stays in the places you visit. A week on one ship also means less repacking and fewer hotel moves. 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 Hurghada on day 3 and from Luxor to Cairo on day 12 are booked for you and included. International flights are not. Hurghada to Luxor on day 5 is a private road journey of about five hours. 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 Giza, Nile cruise and Aswan sightseeing days. The Hurghada days are free time.03How many nights do we spend on the Nile?
Seven nights on board, beginning and ending in Luxor, on full board with breakfast, lunch and dinner. The other five nights are in hotels with breakfast: two in Cairo, two in Hurghada and one more in Cairo.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.05Are there days with nothing planned?
Yes. Day 4 in Hurghada is free, and days 6, 10 and 11 aboard list no visits. Tell us if you would like something added.06Is Abu Simbel part of this holiday?
No, it is not included. It can be added, so ask us and we will set out the options.07Is the drive from Hurghada to Luxor a long one?
It takes about five hours in a private car on day 5, and you join the ship that evening. No sightseeing is planned that day.08Will I make my international flight home?
Domestic and international tickets are separate bookings, so a late internal flight could cost you your connection. After the Luxor to Cairo flight on day 12 we keep a final night in Cairo on purpose, as a safety margin. Book your flight home for day 13 and 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, travel insurance and personal spending.
Last updated Product ID: TOU-CAI-555954
At a glance
- Length
- 13 days · 12 nights
- Starts
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat or Sun
- Route
- Cairo → Hurghada → Luxor → Edfu → Kom Ombo → Aswan → Cairo
- Nights
- 3 Cairo · 2 Hurghada · 7 Nile cruise
- Includes
- Domestic flights, Egyptologist guide, transfers