8 Days Cairo and Nile Cruise Tour

The short answer

This eight-day Cairo and Nile cruise package includes four nights aboard a 5-star Nile cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt and operated by a third-party cruise supplier.

• Luxury
• Archaeology & history
• Cultural
• Solo travel
• Family
• Photography
• Honeymoon
• Adventure

Snapshot

Good to know

Duration

8 Days / 7 Nights

Travel style

Guided Multi-Day Tour with Nile Cruise

Accommodation

5-Star Cairo Hotel and Nile Cruise Cabin

Operated by

Arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt; hotels and the Nile cruise vessel are supplied and operated by third parties.

Destinations

Cairo · Giza Plateau · Grand Egyptian Museum · Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan

Includes

3 nights in a Cairo hotel with breakfast · 4 nights in a Nile cruise cabin with full board · Private air-conditioned transfers and airport assistance · Professional Egyptologist guide · Entrance fees to named itinerary sites · Stated service charges and local taxes

Best for

First-time Egypt visitors · Ancient history enthusiasts · Couples and families with older children · Travellers wanting Cairo and Nile Valley highlights

Guide languages

Arabic · English · French · German · Italian · Spanish

Background

The facts

Suited to

Is this for you?

What lingers

• 01Visit Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure pyramids at the Giza Plateau and the Sphinx
• 02Three nights in Cairo with a guided visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum
• 03Fly Cairo to Luxor then embark on a four-night full-board Nile cruise
• 04Explore Luxor East Bank temples and the West Bank necropolis including Valley of the Kings
• 05Sail to Edfu and Kom Ombo, with guided temple visits during cruise stops
• 06Philae Temple, the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk on your day in Aswan

Worth knowing

How this compares

Compared with a Nile-only cruise, this package adds Cairo hotel stays and guided visits to the Giza Plateau and Grand Egyptian Museum. Unlike an all-inclusive airfare package, it excludes domestic flights between Cairo, Luxor and Aswan, so travellers must book those separately and coordinate flight times with the included transfers.

Bundled in

• 🚖Private transfer
• 🍳Breakfast
• 🎟All entry tickets
• 🚖Airport transfer
• 🍽Full board
• ◈Group Egyptologist

The fine print

What's included – and what isn't

1. 01

   At Giza, arrive early for softer light on the pyramid faces and fewer tour groups around the Sphinx.

2. 02

   At Karnak, agree a meeting point with your Egyptologist before exploring the columned halls, where sightlines can become confusing.

3. 03

   If you add the optional Abu Simbel excursion, take water and sun protection for the open approach to the temples; shade is limited.

4. 04

   For Nile photography, keep a camera ready while sailing past village riverbanks, especially in the softer light near sunset.

Tailor it

Make it yours

Accommodation is available across several listed comfort and luxury levels, subject to availability, and the Cairo hotel and cruise cabin are arranged through third-party suppliers. Travellers can request premium tomb entries or pyramid interior tickets at additional cost, subject to availability. Abu Simbel is not included but can be arranged from Aswan as an optional extra; domestic flights must be booked separately.

All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.

Accessibility

Who can join this

This itinerary involves substantial walking on sand, uneven ancient stone, steps and sloped paths. At the Giza Plateau, distances between viewpoints can be long, with limited shade. Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu Temple and Kom Ombo Temple have uneven surfaces, raised thresholds or steps; accessible routes may not reach every chamber or viewpoint. The Grand Egyptian Museum has more managed visitor routes, but walking is still required. Private vehicles can usually be arranged around mobility needs, but wheelchair storage and boarding assistance must be confirmed in advance. A companion may be helpful, particularly at archaeological sites. Tell us about any mobility requirements before booking so we can review the route and transport arrangements.

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

• The Egyptian Museum, Tahrir Square7 min walk
• Cairo Citadel4 km
• Giza Plateau14 km
• The Grand Egyptian Museum12 km

Why book this with us

Three reasons, stated plainly

1. 01

   Combines Cairo monuments with a four-night Nile sailing

2. 02

   Abu Simbel can be arranged from Aswan as an optional extra

3. 03

   One itinerary links Giza, Luxor, Edfu and Aswan

– Responsible travel

How we travel here

We arrange private, air-conditioned road transfers and work with locally based Egyptologists, drivers, cruise providers and sightseeing suppliers. The itinerary directs spending to businesses in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and communities along the Nile. Where practical, carry a refillable water bottle to reduce single-use plastic, although refill facilities vary by vehicle and cruise provider. Visits follow official visitor routes and site operating rules. We do not describe the transport or Nile cruise as carbon-neutral. Vehicle and cruise details depend on the confirmed local suppliers, and you may request the final arrangements before departure.

• 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

·In summary

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

1. 01How long does the 8 Days Cairo and Nile Cruise Tour last in total?

   This holiday spans 8 days and 7 nights, featuring three nights in a Cairo hotel and four nights aboard a Nile River cruise. It offers a balanced exploration of Egypt's capital and the ancient sites along the Nile Valley.
2. 02What type of accommodation is provided during this tour?

   You will have three nights in a 5-star hotel in Cairo, including bed and breakfast. The four-night Nile cruise provides a 5-star cabin with full board, ensuring comfortable stays throughout your journey.
3. 03Does the tour price cover domestic flights within Egypt?

   No, domestic flights between Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan are not part of the tour package. Travellers are responsible for booking these flights separately, ensuring they fit the itinerary's transfer schedule.
4. 04How are transfers and pick-ups organised for this tour?

   Private, air-conditioned transfers are included for all airport arrivals and departures, as well as transport to and from all sightseeing locations. Our representatives will meet you at airports and hotels to facilitate smooth transitions.
5. 05Are the entrance fees for all historical sites covered?

   Yes, entrance fees for all sites specifically mentioned in the itinerary, such as the Giza Pyramids, the Egyptian Museum, Karnak Temple, and the Valley of the Kings, are included. Specific exclusions, like interior pyramid tickets, are detailed separately.
6. 06What level of physical activity is involved in this tour?

   This tour involves moderate physical activity, including walking on uneven ancient surfaces, navigating stairs at temples, and some early morning starts. A reasonable level of fitness will allow you to comfortably enjoy all planned excursions.
7. 07Is this holiday suitable for families with children?

   This tour can be suitable for families, although some days involve extensive sightseeing and early starts. We recommend it for children who are comfortable with walking and engaging with historical sites. Please contact us for specific age guidance.
8. 08What clothing and items should I bring for this trip?

   We advise bringing light, breathable clothing, comfortable walking shoes, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and high-factor sunscreen. Modest clothing, covering shoulders and knees, is recommended for visits to religious sites.
9. 09When is the best time of year to book this Cairo and Nile Cruise tour?

   The ideal time to visit is typically from October to April, offering cooler and more pleasant weather for sightseeing. The summer months, from May to September, can be very hot, particularly in Upper Egypt.
10. 10How does this 8-day tour compare to shorter Nile cruise options?

    Unlike shorter 4-night cruise programmes that often condense sightseeing, this 8-day itinerary provides ample time for both Cairo's main attractions and a more thorough exploration of the Nile Valley, without feeling rushed.

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