8-day Cairo, Luxor and Aswan Nile cruise package

The short answer

The included Nile cruise is a deluxe 5-star-style vessel sailing between Luxor and Aswan, arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt through a third-party cruise supplier.

• ◌Small group

• Cultural
• Archaeology & history
• Desert safari

Snapshot

Good to know

Duration

A 7-night, 8-day stay

Travel style

Guided Cairo and Nile Cruise Package

Accommodation

Choice of Classic, Comfort or Prestige hotels and Nile cruise cabin

Operated by

Arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt; the Nile vessel and hotels are supplied and operated by third-party providers.

Destinations

Cairo · Giza Plateau · Luxor · Luxor West Bank · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan

Includes

Hotel accommodation in Cairo · A cabin on a four-night Nile cruise · Cairo to Luxor and Aswan to Cairo domestic flights · Transfers for airport journeys and the itinerary · Standard admission fees for the visits listed · English-speaking Egyptologist for guided visits · Meals as stated in the itinerary

Best for

First-time Egypt visitors · History enthusiasts · Couples · Families with older children · Travellers wanting Cairo and Upper Egypt in one itinerary

Guide languages

Arabic · English · French · German · Italian · Spanish

Background

The facts

Suited to

Is this for you?

What lingers

• 01Giza Plateau: Khufu Pyramid, Khafre and Menkaure group and the causeways on guided visit with an Egyptologist
• 02Egyptian Museum (Tahrir): overview of the New Kingdom and the Tutankhamun collection (note premium rooms/tickets excluded if separately priced)
• 03Saqqara: the Step Pyramid of Djoser and surrounding tombs
• 04Aswan: Philae Temple (dedicated to Isis) and the Aswan High Dam
• 05Optional felucca sail in Aswan around Kitchener’s Island
• 06Cruise itinerary visiting Kom Ombo (Temple of Sobek and Haroeris) and Edfu (Temple of Horus)
• 07Luxor East Bank: Karnak Temple complex
• 08Luxor West Bank: Valley of the Kings (tombs on display vary) and Hatshepsut’s mortuary temple at Deir el‑Bahri, plus the Colossi of Memnon
• 09Option to add Abu Simbel (separate excursion; road transfer is approximately 3–4 hours each way from Aswan or domestic flight option)

Worth knowing

How this compares

Unlike a Cairo-only holiday, this package adds a four-night Nile sailing and visits to Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan. Unlike a cruise-only itinerary, it includes Cairo hotel nights, Giza and museum sightseeing, domestic flights and airport transfers.

Bundled in

• ✈Domestic flight
• 🚖Airport transfer
• 🚖Private transfer
• 🎟All entry tickets
• ◈Private Egyptologist

The fine print

What's included – and what isn't

1. 01

   Visit the Giza Plateau early for softer light and shorter security queues.

2. 02

   On Luxor’s West Bank, visit the Valley of the Kings before Hatshepsut Temple to reduce walking in the hottest hours.

3. 03

   For river views, spend time on deck as the vessel leaves port or shortly before sunset.

4. 04

   At Philae, an early arrival can mean fewer day visitors near the waterfront.

5. 05

   At Kom Ombo, the outer courtyard may be quieter after the main visiting groups move inside.

Tailor it

Make it yours

The itinerary can be arranged as a private or shared experience, subject to availability, and hotel or cruise accommodation can be selected from the listed Classic, Comfort and Prestige levels. Pyramid interior tickets, premium tombs, a Karnak sound and light show, or a felucca sail may be added on request at additional cost.

All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.

Accessibility

Who can join this

This tour involves walking over sand, uneven paving and ancient stone at the Giza Plateau, the Egyptian Museum, Luxor West Bank, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae. Expect steps at some temple approaches and potentially steep or narrow gangways when boarding boats. The Aswan High Dam has paved areas, but walking distances may still be tiring. Wheelchair access, lifts and accessible facilities vary between sites, vehicles and vessels, and cannot be guaranteed across the itinerary. If you use a wheelchair or have limited mobility, contact us before booking. We can check the arrangements and discuss ways to reduce walking, but some locations may remain inaccessible.

Before you go

What to pack & wear

The morning of

Meeting point & timing

Where

Cairo International Airport (CAI), Arrivals HallMap

On the ground

Your route

While you're here

Worth pairing

• Egyptian Museum12 min walk
• Khan el-Khalili28 min walk
• Giza Plateau15 km
• Coptic Cairo7 km
• Saqqara Necropolis30 km

Why book this with us

Three reasons, stated plainly

1. 01

   Two Luxor days give key West Bank sites proper time

2. 02

   Cairo, Luxor and Aswan arranged as one connected itinerary

3. 03

   Abu Simbel can be requested as an Aswan add-on

– Responsible travel

How we travel here

We arrange transport with Egyptian drivers and local transport providers. Road journeys use a private, air-conditioned vehicle suited to the group size; the Luxor to Aswan sailing is operated by a local cruise supplier. Local Egyptologists guide visits, while boat crews, drivers, site staff and nearby businesses provide services along the route. Visiting places such as Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae brings spending to businesses in the towns and communities that support these visits. Vehicle and vessel details are confirmed for each booking. Road transport and river navigation use fuel, and we do not claim that this tour is carbon-neutral.

• 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

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

1. 01How long is the 8-day Cairo and Nile cruise tour?

   The tour lasts eight days, with three hotel nights in Cairo and four nights aboard a Nile cruiser. The route links Cairo and Giza with Luxor and Aswan, with domestic flights between Cairo and Luxor, then Aswan and Cairo. Hotel stays are on a bed-and-breakfast basis; cruise meals are full board from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day.
2. 02What transfers and airport assistance are included on the Cairo and Nile cruise tour?

   Private, air-conditioned vehicle transfers and meet-and-assist service at Egyptian airports are included. Our team arranges the Cairo airport transfers, the Luxor airport transfer to the vessel and the Aswan airport transfer for your flight north. Both domestic flights, Cairo to Luxor and Aswan to Cairo, are included with airport taxes. International flights are not included.
3. 03Which sightseeing and entrance fees are included in the tour?

   Standard entrance fees for the listed sightseeing programme are included, along with an English-speaking Egyptologist for guided visits. The programme covers the Giza Plateau, the Great Sphinx, the Grand Egyptian Museum, Karnak and Luxor temples, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo and sites in Aswan. Tickets for pyramid interiors and premium tombs are extra.
4. 04What is not included in the 8-day Cairo and Nile cruise package?

   International flights, the Egypt entry visa and travel insurance are not included. Drinks, personal expenses and gratuities for guides, drivers and cruise staff are also excluded. Entry to Khufu or Khafre’s pyramid interiors and premium tombs such as Tutankhamun’s or Seti I’s tomb costs extra unless requested. Abu Simbel and Luxor evening activities can be arranged at additional cost.
5. 05Is the Cairo and Nile cruise tour suitable for travellers with limited mobility?

   Expect walking over uneven stone, steps at archaeological sites and gangways when boarding or leaving the vessel. Accessibility varies between sites and the assigned cruise vessel, so this itinerary cannot be assumed to suit every mobility need. Tell us about any mobility restrictions before booking; we can check the arrangements, but access to all areas may not be possible.
6. 06Can children join the Cairo and Nile cruise tour?

   Children can travel on the itinerary, but the long sightseeing days, heat and walking over uneven ground may be tiring for younger visitors. The supplied details do not set a minimum age or state whether child rates apply, so these points depend on the final hotel and cruise arrangements. Ask us to confirm room and cabin options for your family before booking.
7. 07What should I wear and bring for sightseeing in Cairo, Luxor and Aswan?

   Bring comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and a refillable water bottle for the Giza Plateau and temple visits. Choose light, breathable clothing, and carry a warmer layer for cooler evenings on the Nile. Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees is respectful at religious sites. Sun protection matters particularly in Luxor and Aswan during the hotter months.
8. 08Can I take photographs during the tour’s sightseeing visits?

   Photography rules differ between the Grand Egyptian Museum, archaeological sites and individual tombs. Follow signs and instructions from site staff, and check before using a camera inside a tomb or museum gallery, as restrictions may apply. The itinerary allows photography time along parts of the Nile, but the supplied details do not specify rules for every location or any camera fees.
9. 09When is the best time to take the Cairo and Nile cruise tour?

   October to April generally brings milder conditions for sightseeing in Cairo, Luxor and Aswan. Summer can be very hot, especially at exposed sites such as the Giza Plateau and Luxor West Bank, so early starts and sun protection matter. Unlike a Cairo-only holiday, this route includes several days in Upper Egypt, where daytime heat can be more demanding.
10. 10Does the Nile cruise itinerary visit Abu Simbel?

    No, Abu Simbel is not part of the listed sightseeing programme, but an add-on from Aswan may be available on request. The Aswan visits listed include Philae Temple, the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk. Abu Simbel lies south of Aswan, so adding it depends on availability and the final arrangements; it is not included in the tour price.

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