Egypt Holidays · Style
Cairo and Nile Cruise Holidays
Pairing Cairo with a Nile cruise is the most-booked first holiday in Egypt, and for good reason: it puts the Pyramids and the river temples in a single trip without a wasted day. You give the first two or three nights to Cairo – the Giza Pyramids, the Sphinx, and the new Grand Egyptian Museum on the plateau – then fly south to join a 5-star cruise sailing between Luxor and Aswan, calling at Edfu and Kom Ombo on the way. We hold both halves under one booking, arrange the internal flight, and keep the same standard of guiding from the plateau to the river. It is the itinerary we build most often for British travellers seeing Egypt for the first time.
14 matching holidays ·
Rated 4.6 out of 5 across 38 Tripadvisor and Google reviews · ETAA Licence 718 (Category A)
The shape
What is a cairo and nile cruise Egypt holiday?
A Cairo and Nile cruise holiday combines two or three nights in Cairo – the Pyramids, the Egyptian Museum or the Grand Egyptian Museum, and Coptic or Islamic Cairo – with a three- or four-night cruise on the Luxor–Aswan stretch of the Nile. The usual shape is seven or eight days in total, with an internal flight linking the two. It is the standard first-visit itinerary: the country's two headline experiences, the ancient capital and the river of temples, in one trip.
Cairo, then the river
How the classic eight-day combination runs
- Days 1–2CairoThe Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx, the Grand Egyptian Museum on the plateau, and a half-day in Coptic or Islamic Cairo.
- Day 3Fly to AswanMorning flight south. Board the cruise after lunch; Philae Temple and the High Dam in the afternoon.
- Day 4Kom OmboSail north to the riverside double temple of Sobek and Horus, reached straight off the gangway at dusk.
- Day 5EdfuThe Temple of Horus at opening, the best-preserved temple in Egypt, then a long afternoon on the water.
- Days 6–7LuxorDisembark for Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and the West Bank, with a night to take it slowly.
- Day 8Fly homeTransfer to Luxor airport for the connection to Cairo and the flight home.
Direction and length flex: we run it as a 5-night cruise, reverse the river leg, or open with the cruise and finish in Cairo to suit your flights.
Mid9 Day Cairo, Aswan, Luxor and Alexandria Overland Tour
Aswan
This nine-day land tour links Cairo, Alexandria, Aswan and Luxor, with private Egyptologist guiding at the major attractions named in the itinerary. In Cairo, visits include the Giza Plateau, the Grand Egyptian Museum, Old Cairo and Khan El-Khalili; Alexandria brings the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, Bibliotheca Alexandrina and Qaitbay Citadel. In Aswan, the itinerary includes Philae Temple, the Unfinished Obelisk and Aswan High Dam, followed by Luxor’s East and West Banks. We arrange the accommodation, transfers and transport between cities. Unlike fixed-seat group coach tours, sightseeing here is by private vehicle with an Egyptologist guide.
Budget4 Days Cairo Tour Package
Cairo
Spend four days exploring Cairo, from the Giza Plateau to the city’s historic quarters. The itinerary includes visits to the Egyptian Pyramids and Cairo’s Old Attractions, with an Egyptologist guide accompanying you throughout. Three nights’ accommodation at a five-star Cairo hotel, private air-conditioned transfers and entrance fees to the itinerary sites are included. Meals cover three breakfasts, two lunches and a dinner cruise on the Nile. Unlike a short stopover visit, this package allows time for both the Giza monuments and Cairo sightseeing. Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator and arranges the guiding, transport and accommodation with local suppliers.
Mid6-day Cairo and Nile cruise tour, Cairo to Luxor via Aswan
Cairo
This six-day tour combines Cairo sightseeing with a three-night Nile cruise between Aswan and Luxor. It includes visits to the Giza pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum, Aswan’s major monuments, temples along the Nile, and Luxor’s East and West Bank sites. The itinerary also includes domestic flights between Cairo, Aswan, and Luxor.
Premium11-Day Egypt Grand Tour for the 2027 Solar Eclipse
Cairo
This 11-day tour combines Cairo with a Nile cruise through the Nile Valley, with the itinerary centred on the 2027 solar eclipse. Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator, arranges hotel accommodation, a cabin aboard an assigned Nile cruiser, itinerary-related transfers and an Egyptologist for included sightseeing. Standard entrance fees for included Egyptian sites are covered. Domestic flights are not included and must be arranged separately. The eclipse is the focus of the tour. Unlike a short Cairo break, this programme pairs time in the capital with travel along the Nile.
Mid6-day Cairo tour package with private sightseeing
Cairo
Cairo and the Giza Plateau bring ancient monuments and a living capital into the same itinerary. At Giza, the pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure stand beside the Great Sphinx. Our Egyptologist guide provides context at the sites, while sightseeing in Cairo adds a wider view of the city’s heritage. Unlike a brief Cairo stopover, six days allow more time for guided visits and a measured pace between sights. The package includes five nights at a 5-star hotel in Cairo, private air-conditioned vehicle transfers and entrance fees to sites listed in the final itinerary. International flights, the Egypt entry visa, gratuities and personal expenses are not included.
15 Days Experience Egypt Tour: Cairo, Nile Cruise and Red Sea
Cairo
This 15-day Egypt itinerary connects Cairo, Alexandria, Aswan, Luxor and Hurghada, with sightseeing from the Giza Plateau to the Red Sea. Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator; we arrange private transfers, domestic flights and tours with Egyptologist guides. The route includes a three-night cruise between Aswan and Luxor, with visits to Kom Ombo and Edfu, followed by time on Luxor’s East and West Banks. In Hurghada, the programme includes a Red Sea snorkelling excursion and a quad safari. Unlike large coach-group tours, scheduled transfers and excursions are by private air-conditioned car. Abu Simbel is available as an optional excursion.
Mid8-day Cairo and Nile cruise to Luxor and Aswan
Luxor
I’m based in Cairo and we operate this programme on the ground as a licensed company under the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism (ETAA). Over eight days you’ll combine two nights in Cairo with a four‑night Nile cruise between Aswan and Luxor plus return travel. Our Egyptologists lead the guided visits: the Giza Plateau (Khufu Pyramid and surrounding monuments), the Egyptian Museum (Tahrir), Saqqara (Djoser), then the cruise visits Philae, the Aswan High Dam, Kom Ombo, Edfu and the principal sites of Luxor – Karnak Temple on the East Bank and the Luxor West Bank including the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut (Deir el‑Bahri). Standard entrance fees to the sites included in the itinerary are covered; pyramid interior tickets (Khufu/Khafre), premium tombs (Tutankhamun, Seti I) and optional excursions such as Abu Simbel are not included unless you request them. We arrange airport transfers, private transport between sites and the ship, and the cruise cabin; our local teams manage the logistics so you can focus on the sites themselves.
10 Days Classical Tour of Egypt
Cairo
This 10-day land tour links Cairo, Giza, Saqqara, Alexandria, Aswan, Abu Simbel and Luxor, with visits to major ancient sites and museums. In Cairo, see the Giza Plateau, the Egyptian Museum and Khan El Khalili; in Alexandria, visit the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Qaitbay Citadel and the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa. Aswan’s itinerary includes Philae Temple and the Unfinished Obelisk, while Luxor brings visits to Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings. Our Egyptologist guide accompanies the sightseeing. Unlike mass coach programmes, the supplied itinerary specifies limited daily group sizes and guided walking at sites. Expect early starts, particularly for temple visits.
Mid7 Days Cairo, Aswan and Luxor Nile Cruise
Luxor
Discover the very best of Egypt on this 7-day private guided tour. Starting in Luxor, the itinerary combines Luxor, Cairo, Nile and Aswan — with all domestic flights, private Egyptologist guide and handpicked accommodation included in every tier from Comfort to Luxury.
Premium7-Night Cairo to Aswan Nile Cruise and Solar Eclipse 2027 Package
Cairo
Two nights Cairo, two nights Luxor, eclipse on Day 3. The short fly-in shape for travellers who can't take eleven days off.
13-Day Alexandria, Cairo, Aswan–Luxor Nile Cruise & Hurghada Tour
Nile (cruise route)
A 13-day guided holiday combining Alexandria, Cairo, a three-night Nile cruise between Aswan and Luxor, and a Red Sea break in Hurghada. We arrange domestic flights, private transfers and a dedicated Egyptologist throughout. This itinerary suits travellers who want museum and city sightseeing in Cairo and Alexandria followed by the paced sightseeing a short Nile cruise affords, then four nights for snorkeling and beach time in Hurghada. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we book the hotels and cruise with local suppliers and manage timings so you move comfortably between cities.
Budget10 day Egypt tour with Cairo, Alexandria, Nile cruise, Abu Simbel and Hurghada
Cairo
This 10-day Egypt tour combines Cairo’s ancient monuments, Alexandria’s Mediterranean setting, a seven-night Nile cruise and time on the Red Sea coast in Hurghada. In Cairo, visit the Giza Pyramids, the Sphinx, the Valley Temple of Khafre and the Grand Egyptian Museum, followed by an Old Cairo programme covering Coptic, Islamic and Jewish heritage. Your Egyptologist accompanies visits to Luxor West Bank, Karnak Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae Temple and Aswan’s High Dam. An overland excursion from Aswan reaches Abu Simbel, where Ramses II’s temple and the Temple of Nefertari stand beside Lake Nasser. Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator arranging the hotels, cruise vessel, guides and transport.
Mid8 Days Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel Nile Cruise
Cairo
This eight-day Egypt itinerary links Cairo’s Giza Plateau and Grand Egyptian Museum with ancient sites along the Nile and at Abu Simbel. In Luxor, visit Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple and the West Bank monuments, including the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Hatshepsut. The Nile cruise segment includes stops at Edfu and Kom Ombo before sightseeing in Aswan and an early morning visit to Abu Simbel. Unlike shorter cruise itineraries that allow little time at river temples, this programme includes visits to both Edfu and Kom Ombo. We arrange the trip on the ground as a licensed Egyptian tour operator, with English-speaking Egyptologists for guided visits.
Budget6-day Cairo and Alexandria holiday
Alexandria
This 6-day Cairo and Alexandria holiday combines Cairo’s pharaonic and medieval sites with a full-day visit to Alexandria. You travel with an expert Egyptologist and private air-conditioned transfers. Highlights include the Giza Pyramids Complex and Great Sphinx, the new Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), Saqqara’s Step Pyramid and a day in Alexandria to see Qaitbay Citadel and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. We run departures daily and use private vehicles rather than coach-style group transfers, which gives flexibility on pickup times and pacing. Entrance fees listed in the itinerary are included; international flights, the Egypt entry visa and tipping are not included in the price.
Practical questions
What clients ask about this style of holiday.
01How many days do I need for Cairo and a Nile cruise?
Seven days is the minimum that does both halves justice: two nights in Cairo for the Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum, then a four-day, three-night cruise. Eight days adds a second Cairo night or a fourth on the river. Anything shorter means rushing one half, and the internal flight makes a tight trip tighter.
02Do I fly between Cairo and the cruise?
Yes – a one-hour internal flight links Cairo with Luxor or Aswan, and we include it in the package. The overnight sleeper train is the slower alternative some travellers prefer. Either way we handle the transfer, the timing, and the luggage so the changeover is seamless.
03Is a Cairo and Nile cruise good for a first visit to Egypt?
It is the first-visit itinerary. It puts the two things almost everyone comes to Egypt for – the Pyramids and the river temples – in one trip, with a private Egyptologist guide throughout and a 5-star ship handling the logistics between Luxor and Aswan. Families, couples and solo travellers all do this shape.
04What is the Grand Egyptian Museum and is it included?
The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) sits beside the Pyramids at Giza and holds the full Tutankhamun collection. We include it on the Cairo leg of this holiday. It has largely replaced the old Tahrir Square museum for the headline collection, though both can be visited if you want the contrast.
From the Cairo desk
Found the shape. Now make it yours.
Every Egypt holiday we sell is tailor-made – your dates, your party, your pace. Send a short brief or talk to the Cairo desk direct. Replies inside one working day.
– Suhaila & the Cairo team · 38 years · 6 offices · IATA #90255546