8 Days Cairo and Nile Cruise Tour

The short answer

This 8-day Cairo and Nile cruise tour combines hotel stays in Cairo, a full-board Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan, domestic flights, private transfers, and guided sightseeing arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.

• ✦ New

• Archaeology & history
• Cultural
• Luxury

Snapshot

Good to know

Duration

8 Days / 7 Nights

Travel style

Private Guided Tour with Nile Cruise Package

Accommodation

5-Star Hotel in Cairo + 5-Star Nile Cruise

Operated by

Arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt

Destinations

Cairo · Giza Plateau · Egyptian Museum · Luxor East Bank · Luxor West Bank · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan · Abu Simbel

Includes

3 nights Cairo hotel accommodation · 4 nights cruise cabin accommodation · Full board on cruise · Domestic flights Cairo–Luxor and Aswan–Cairo · Private air-conditioned transfers · Egyptologist guide · Entrance fees to named sites

Best for

First-time visitors · History enthusiasts · Couples · Families with older children · Travelers wanting a structured itinerary

Guide languages

English

Background

The facts

Suited to

Is this for you?

What lingers

• 01 Visit Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure pyramids at the Giza Plateau and the Sphinx
• 02 Three nights in Cairo with a guided visit to the Egyptian Museum
• 03 Fly Cairo to Luxor then embark on a four-night full-board Nile cruise
• 04 Explore Luxor East Bank temples and the West Bank necropolis including Valley of the Kings
• 05 Sail to Edfu and Kom Ombo, with guided temple visits during cruise stops
• 06 Day trip from Aswan to the twin temples of Abu Simbel, timed to avoid midday crowds

Worth knowing

How this compares

Unlike a land-only Egypt tour, this package includes both Cairo hotel nights and a Nile cruise section, which reduces overland travel between Upper Egyptian cities. Compared with a large group departure, it uses private transfers and a dedicated Egyptologist, so site timing and pacing are more controlled. It also differs from a simple cruise-only itinerary because it begins with Cairo’s major monuments before moving south to Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan, and Abu Simbel.

Bundled in

• ✈ Domestic flight
• 🚖 Private transfer
• 🍳 Breakfast
• ◈ Private Egyptologist
• 🎟 All entry tickets
• ✦ Abu Simbel extension
• 🚖 Airport transfer
• 🍽 Full board

The fine print

What's included – and what isn't

Tailor it

Make it yours

The itinerary can usually be adjusted as a private tour with more time at selected monuments or with optional additions such as the Cairo Citadel, Saqqara, or extra tomb entries in Luxor. Meal upgrades, higher-category hotel options in Cairo, and alternative pacing for the Abu Simbel day can also be arranged. If needed, the cruise and hotel components can be changed subject to availability.

All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.

Accessibility

Who can join this

This 8-day Cairo and Nile Cruise Tour requires moderate mobility. Expect uneven ancient stone, cobblestones, loose sand, narrow tomb passages and steps at the Valley of the Kings, temple approaches and the Giza Plateau. Boarding the four-night Nile cruise uses a short gangway with one or two steps; crew can assist but the gangway may be steep at low Nile water levels. Transfers use air-conditioned vehicles; some hotels and cruise public areas have ramps and elevators, but many archaeological sites have unrailed stairs and limited handrails. Wheelchair users should bring a folding, travel-friendly wheelchair for transfers and streets with uneven paving. Contact us in advance with full mobility details so we can plan accessible routes, request site assistance where available, and provide a named Egyptologist or representative with practical guidance. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and will be frank about which sites we can reasonably include given mobility needs.

Before you go

What to pack & wear

The morning of

Meeting point & timing

Where

Cairo International Airport (CAI) — Arrivals Hall Map

On the ground

Your route

– Responsible travel

How we travel here

We use air-conditioned minibuses and coaches meeting Euro-5 emissions standards for all transfers and sightseeing, choosing smaller vehicles when narrow streets or small groups make sense. The four-night Nile cruise is operated by a local cruise company; they follow linen-reuse prompts and limit daily cabin cleaning on request to reduce laundry loads. We contract Egyptologists and drivers who live in Cairo, Luxor and Aswan, keeping fees and work local. For meals and provisions we prioritise local vendors and small suppliers in each port city, subject to availability. We discourage single-use plastics on excursions by advising refill points and recommending reusable bottles; water is available at scheduled stops. If you request community visits or village projects we will provide verifiable partner details and direct payment routes so benefits reach the hosts.

• 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. 01 What is the duration of the 8 Days Cairo and Nile Cruise Tour?

   This tour spans 8 days, combining three nights in Cairo with a four-night Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan. It includes domestic flights for seamless travel between these main locations.
2. 02 What is included in the tour price?

   The tour includes three nights at a 5-star Cairo hotel with breakfast, four nights on a 5-star Nile cruise with full board, domestic flights, private transfers, an Egyptologist guide, and entrance fees to all named sites. All service charges and local taxes are also covered.
3. 03 What is not included in the tour price?

   International flights to and from Egypt, the Egypt entry visa, and gratuities for guides, drivers, and cruise staff are not included. Tickets for pyramid interiors and premium tombs in Luxor are also excluded unless specifically requested.
4. 04 What are the accommodation arrangements?

   You will have three nights in a 5-star hotel in Cairo, on a bed and breakfast basis. The four-night Nile cruise provides 5-star accommodation with full board, ensuring your comfort throughout the river journey.
5. 05 What kind of guide will accompany us?

   A professional Egyptologist guide will accompany you throughout the entire itinerary, providing expert insights and historical context at each site. Our guides are licensed and experienced Egypt specialists.
6. 06 Is the tour suitable for children or families?

   This tour is generally suitable for families, though the pace involves early starts and significant sightseeing. We can discuss specific arrangements or modifications to ensure comfort for younger travellers.
7. 07 What should I wear and bring for this tour?

   We recommend light, breathable clothing, comfortable walking shoes, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and high-factor sun cream. Modest dress is advised for religious sites, covering shoulders and knees.
8. 08 What is the photography policy at the sites?

   Photography is generally permitted at most outdoor sites, but restrictions apply inside tombs and museums. Some sites may require a separate photography ticket for cameras, which is not included in the standard entrance fees.
9. 09 When is the best time of year to take this tour?

   The cooler months from October to April are ideal for this tour, offering more comfortable temperatures for sightseeing. Summer months, May to September, are very hot, especially in Upper Egypt.
10. 10 How are transfers handled between locations?

    Private air-conditioned transfers are arranged for all movements between airports, hotels, and the cruise ship. Airport assistance is also provided upon arrival and departure, ensuring smooth transitions.

If plans change

Cancellation

More than 30 days

Full refund less a £50 admin fee

15–30 days

50% refund

Within 14 days

No refund – date changes considered case by case