7-Day Cairo, Nile Cruise & Alexandria Holiday
Pyramids at Giza, three nights on the Nile between Aswan and Luxor and a day by the Mediterranean. Internal flights, hotels, your cabin, entrance fees and an Egyptologist guide are all included.
The short answer
7-Day Cairo, Nile Cruise & Alexandria Holiday is a 7-day, 6-night trip to Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor and Aswan: 3 nights in Cairo and 3 on a Nile cruise. Starts on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Saturdays. It includes domestic flights, an Egyptologist guide, entrance fees and transfers. Prices start at £1,532 per person, two sharing (Essential, October–April).
02Overview
A first look
One week is enough to see the pyramids, cruise the Nile and visit its temples, if the plan is a good one. This holiday starts in Cairo with the Giza Pyramids, the Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum. You then fly to Aswan and join your Nile cruise ship for three nights, sailing north to Luxor and calling at Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Karnak and the Valley of the Kings.
A second flight takes you back to Cairo, and the last day is a long trip to Alexandria on the Mediterranean. We organise both internal flights, every transfer, your hotels and your cabin. On each sightseeing day an English-speaking Egyptologist, your entrance fees and the transport are covered. You pick the standard of hotel and ship when you book; the sightseeing is the same whichever you choose.
What lingers
- 01The Giza Pyramids, the Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum in a single guided day
- 02A Nile dinner cruise with a show on your first evening in Cairo
- 03Three nights on a Nile cruise ship from Aswan to Luxor, full board
- 04Philae, Kom Ombo and Edfu temples on the way north
- 05Karnak, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings with your Egyptologist
- 06A long day in Alexandria: the catacombs, the modern library, the Qaitbay Citadel, the Montaza Palace gardens and lunch by the sea
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 £1,5323★ hotels · well-priced Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 3 nightsMagic I | £1,532May–Sep: from £1,432 | |
| Comfortfrom £1,6224★ hotels · 5★ Nile cruises | Cairo · 3 nightsJewel Sport City Nile Cruise · 3 nightsRoyal Elite · Emilio | £1,622May–Sep: from £1,519 | |
| Classicfrom £1,8215★ hotels · 5★ Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 3 nightsRoyal Liberty · Stephanie | £1,821May–Sep: from £1,519 | |
| Prestigefrom £2,1095★ deluxe hotels · 5★ deluxe Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 3 nightsNile Serenity | £2,109May–Sep: from £1,965 | |
| Luxuryfrom £3,0585★ luxury hotels · 5★ luxury Nile cruises | Cairo · 3 nightsSt. Regis Cairo Nile Cruise · 3 nightsSonesta Star Goddess · Esmeralda | £3,058May–Sep: from £2,566 | |
| Signature Collectionfrom £4,361Iconic heritage vessels · landmark hotels | Cairo · 3 nightsFour Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza Nile Cruise · 3 nightsHistoria | £4,361May–Sep: from £3,479 |
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
7 Days / 6 Nights · Cairo · Aswan · Kom Ombo · Edfu · Luxor · Alexandria
- 1
Someone from our team meets you at arrivals in Cairo and takes you by private car to your hotel; the rest of the afternoon is yours. Later you are collected for dinner on the Nile. The cruise lasts around two hours and comes with a buffet, a live performance and Cairo's riverside lights. You are driven back to the hotel when it ends.
- 2
A licensed Egyptologist picks you up at the hotel and stays with you all day. Entrance fees, an air-conditioned vehicle and bottled water are covered. First comes the Giza Plateau: the pyramids up close and the Great Sphinx, which takes 4 to 6 hours in all. Lunch has a view over the plateau.
You finish at the Grand Egyptian Museum, where the Tutankhamun treasures are displayed, before heading back to the hotel for another night in Cairo.
- 3
Breakfast is followed by a drive to Cairo's airport and the short flight to Aswan. The airline decides the time, and your sightseeing fits around it. At Aswan a driver takes you to meet your Egyptologist. Together you see the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk and the temple of Isis on Philae. Guide, entrance fees and transport are all included.
You then step aboard your Nile cruise ship, see your cabin and have dinner on board.
- 4
The ship follows the current north today and stops at two temples. Kom Ombo stands right on the bank and is divided down the middle between the crocodile god Sobek and Horus the falcon. Edfu follows, with the Temple of Horus among the best preserved in the country. Your Egyptologist, the entrance fees and the transport are all included.
Between visits you can sit on deck with the palm groves and fields going by.
- 5
By the time you arrive in Luxor your guide is ready. Karnak is the big one: a vast complex of courtyards, pylons, a forest of columns and the Sacred Lake. Luxor Temple is smaller and sits close to the Nile. Guide, entrance fees and transport are covered. That evening you spend your last night on board the ship.
- 6
Once you have had breakfast and left your cabin, you cross to the West Bank. The Valley of the Kings is the first stop, and your ticket covers three tombs. Next you see Queen Hatshepsut's temple at Deir el-Bahari and the Colossi of Memnon. Your Egyptologist, entrance fees and transport are included.
A transfer then runs you to Luxor Airport for the flight to Cairo, with the time set by the airline, and on to your hotel.
- 7
An early start takes you out of Cairo to Alexandria on the Mediterranean. The day runs to about 12 hours with the drives, so it is best for good walkers. Your Egyptologist shows you the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, a tomb where Egyptian, Greek and Roman styles meet, and the modern library. Lunch looks out over the sea.
In the afternoon you visit the Qaitbay Citadel by the harbour and walk in the Montaza Palace gardens, then drive back. Guide, entrance fees and a private or small-group air-conditioned vehicle are included. A transfer then runs you to Cairo Airport, so choose a late-evening or night flight home and see the FAQ on connections.
Bundled in
- Domestic flights
The fine print
What's included – and what is left out
Included
- Three nights in a Cairo hotel with breakfast, and three nights on a Nile cruise ship on full board
- Internal flights from Cairo to Aswan and from Luxor to Cairo
- All airport, hotel and quayside transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle
- A Nile dinner cruise with a show in Cairo
- An English-speaking Egyptologist, entrance fees and transport on all sightseeing days, including three tombs in the Valley of the Kings
- Lunch on the Giza and Alexandria days
- Meet and assist at the airport
- All service charges and taxes
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
Visit Giza at opening time for cooler air and fewer coach arrivals.
- 02
At Karnak, the east side of the first court gets softer light late in the day.
- 03
Wear shoes with grip for the Valley of the Kings, paths can be uneven and dusty.
- 04
Philae is easier to photograph before midmorning boat traffic builds.
- 05
In Alexandria, Qaitbay Citadel usually has clearer sea views after midday haze lifts.
Tailor it
Make it yours
You choose the standard of hotel and ship when you book. Ask us about adding Abu Simbel, extra nights in Luxor or Cairo, or a hot-air balloon flight over Luxor.
Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- First-time visitors who want a compact introduction to Egypt: Cairo, a Nile cruise and one more city. 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 prefer a slow pace in one place. Day 7 is about 12 hours including the drives.
Honest assessment
The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.
Highlights
- The pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum, the main Nile temples and Alexandria in seven days
- Both internal flights and all transfers arranged for you
- Three nights on a ship, so no repacking between Aswan and Luxor
Things to Consider
- Early starts on flight days and a 12-hour Alexandria day
- Uneven stone, steps and little shade at the major sites
- Abu Simbel is not included
Where it fits
A good first trip to Egypt, or a first week before a longer stay. Abu Simbel is not included, so add it if it is on your list.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Many operators sell Cairo, the Nile and Alexandria as separate trips. This holiday joins them in one week, with both flights and every 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 Nile cruise
- Accommodation
- Cairo hotels and a Nile cruise ship, standard chosen at booking
- Destinations
- Cairo · Aswan · Kom Ombo · Edfu · Luxor · Alexandria
- Includes
- 3 nights in Cairo hotels with breakfast · 3 nights on a Nile cruise ship, full board · Flights from Cairo to Aswan and Luxor to Cairo · Entrance fees to every listed site · Licensed Egyptologist on sightseeing days · All transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Best for
- First-time visitors · Travellers interested in history · Those wanting the pyramids, a Nile cruise and Alexandria in one week
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
- 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.
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 involves steps and a gangway. Vehicles are private and air-conditioned, but we cannot promise wheelchair access at every site. The Alexandria day is about 12 hours including the drives, which is tough if you get tired easily. Tell us what you need when you book and we will say honestly which parts suit you.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The itinerary uses two internal flights, a Nile cruise ship and road transfers, and the vehicle type can vary, so we make no claim of a carbon saving. Sightseeing is led by local Egyptologists and arranged through suppliers in Cairo, Aswan, Luxor and Alexandria, so much of what you spend stays in the places you visit. We ask guests to bring a refillable water bottle and not to touch 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 Aswan on day 3 and from Luxor to Cairo on day 6 are booked for you and are included in the price. International flights are not.02How many nights do we spend on the Nile?
Three nights on board, from Aswan to Luxor, on full board with breakfast, lunch and dinner. The other three nights are in Cairo hotels with breakfast. Day 1 also includes a Nile dinner cruise.03Which ship and which hotels will we have?
You choose a standard when you book, from budget to luxury, and we confirm the ship and hotels for your dates. The itinerary and sightseeing are identical at every standard.04Does the holiday include Abu Simbel?
No. Abu Simbel is not part of this itinerary. A longer holiday can include it; ask us and we will talk you through the options.05Is the Alexandria day too much?
It is a long day, about 12 hours including the drives, with several stops. It suits good walkers. Your Egyptologist, the entrance fees, the vehicle and lunch are included, and most guests think it worthwhile.06What is not included?
International flights, the Egypt visa, tips for guides, drivers and ship staff, drinks other than those stated, the inside of the Khufu pyramid and premium tombs such as Tutankhamun's.07Is the sightseeing private?
Your Egyptologist and driver are yours alone on the sightseeing days in Cairo, Luxor and Alexandria. On the ship you are with the other guests.08When is the best time to go?
October to April is cooler and the most comfortable for walking around the sites. Summers are very hot, especially in Luxor and Aswan, so days start early.09Will I make my international flight?
The holiday finishes with the Alexandria day. Internal and international tickets are separate bookings, so a late internal flight could cost you the connection. We would always rather you had a final night in Cairo. If you do have to fly into Cairo and connect on the same day, pick a late-evening or night international flight, and buy travel insurance that covers missed connections.10Are the guide, entrance fees and transport included?
Yes. On every sightseeing day, in Cairo, on the cruise days and in Alexandria, an English-speaking Egyptologist, the entrance fees and the transport are all included.
Last updated Product ID: TOU-CAI-224330
At a glance
- Length
- 7 days · 6 nights
- Starts
- Mon, Tue, Wed or Sat
- Route
- Cairo → Aswan → Kom Ombo → Edfu → Luxor → Alexandria → Cairo
- Nights
- 3 Cairo · 3 Nile cruise
- Includes
- Domestic flights, Egyptologist guide, entrance fees, transfers