11-Day Easter in Egypt: Nile Cruise & Red Sea
Eleven days from 24 March 2027, built around Easter weekend. Cairo, three nights sailing from Aswan to Luxor, then four nights by the Red Sea at El Gouna.
The short answer
11-Day Easter in Egypt: Nile Cruise & Red Sea is an 11-day, 10-night trip to Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and Hurghada: 3 nights in Cairo, 3 on a Nile cruise and 4 in El Gouna. Starts on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays or Sundays. It includes domestic flights, an Egyptologist guide, entrance fees and transfers. Prices start at $3,088 per person, two sharing (Essential, October–April).
02Overview
A first look
This Easter itinerary starts on 24 March 2027, so Western Easter Sunday, 28 March, falls on your first full day on the Nile. The dates line up with a spring break, which makes it an easy way to see Egypt with limited time off.
You spend three nights in Cairo with the Giza Pyramids, the Egyptian Museum, Islamic Cairo and a sunset felucca. You then fly to Aswan and live on a Nile cruise ship for three nights, sailing north to Luxor past Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Karnak and the Valley of the Kings. The last four nights are at El Gouna, a lagoon resort town on the Red Sea, with a boat day to Paradise Island and a private boat charter for snorkeling. You choose the standard of hotel and ship when you book, and the sightseeing is the same at every standard.
What lingers
- 01Cairo by night with a private guide: the Cairo Tower viewpoint, Khan el-Khalili and a tea stop
- 02The Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx, then the Egyptian Museum, on a relaxed second day
- 03Three nights on a Nile cruise ship from Aswan to Luxor, full board, with Egyptologist-led visits
- 04Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Karnak, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings
- 05Easter Sunday aboard the ship, sailing the Nile between Aswan and Kom Ombo
- 06Four nights at El Gouna, with a Paradise Island boat day and a private boat charter for snorkeling
Choose your comfort level
Prices are per person in USD, 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 $3,0883★ hotels · well-priced Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 3 nightsNephtis · Al Nabilatan El Gouna · 4 nightsMovenpick Resort & Spa El Gouna | $3,088May–Sep: from $2,585 | |
| Comfortfrom $3,3504★ hotels · 5★ Nile cruises | Cairo · 3 nightsJewel Sport City Nile Cruise · 3 nightsEmilio · Tower Prestige | $3,350May–Sep: from $3,177 | |
| Classicfrom $3,7335★ hotels · 5★ Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 3 nightsSun Times · Nile Dolphin El Gouna · 4 nightsSheraton Miramar Resort El Gouna | $3,733May–Sep: from $3,177 | |
| Prestigefrom $4,4395★ deluxe hotels · 5★ deluxe Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 3 nightsSonesta Moon Goddess | $4,439May–Sep: from $4,165 | |
| Luxuryfrom $6,2425★ luxury hotels · 5★ luxury Nile cruises | Cairo · 3 nightsSt. Regis Cairo Nile Cruise · 3 nightsSonesta St. George I · Esmeralda El Gouna · 4 nightsCasa Cook El Gouna (Adults Only) | $6,242May–Sep: from $4,946 |
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.
- New
Day by day
Detailed itinerary
11 Days / 10 Nights · Cairo · Giza Plateau · Egyptian Museum · Islamic Cairo · Aswan · Philae Temple
- 1
A representative meets you after you clear immigration at Cairo Airport and drives you to your hotel, about an hour away. Once you have freshened up, a private guide and driver take you out for the evening. You ride up the Cairo Tower for a view over the lit-up city, then walk into Khan el-Khalili, the old bazaar, and stop for tea at a traditional cafe. The evening lasts about four hours.
Dinner is not part of the plan.
- 2
Two half-day visits with your private Egyptologist, each with a hotel pickup and a private air-conditioned car. The first is the Giza plateau: the Great Pyramids, the Sphinx and the Valley Temple, with a coffee or tea break (about four hours).
The second is the Egyptian Museum, where you skip the ticket queue and move through the Old and Middle Kingdom galleries, the papyri and the animal mummies (about four hours). The Mummies Room is not included in the ticket. Lunch is not arranged, so you can eat between the two visits.
- 3
The morning is a guided walk of three to four hours through medieval Cairo. You follow Al-Muizz Street, lined with mosques and old gateways, and end in the Khan el-Khalili bazaar. Your Egyptologist walks with you and a private car handles pickup and return. The afternoon is free.
Toward evening you go down to the Nile for a sunset ride in a felucca, the traditional sailing boat, before heading back to the hotel.
- 4
A driver takes you from your Cairo hotel to the airport for the flight to Aswan; the airline sets the time. In Aswan another driver meets you and starts the first of four days of cruise sightseeing, with an English-speaking Egyptologist guide, entrance fees and transport included. You see Philae Temple, the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk, then settle into your cabin.
That evening you go to the Philae sound and light show, with a motorboat across to Agilkia Island, and the ticket is included. Meals on board are full board.
- 5
Western Easter Sunday falls today, 28 March 2027, and you spend it on the river. We have not planned any Easter service or event, so the day is the sailing itself. The ship moves north and you go ashore at the Temple of Kom Ombo, shared by the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Horus, which stands on the bank above the water. Your Egyptologist guide, the ticket and the transport are included.
The afternoon is on deck, with Nile farmland and palm groves slipping past.
- 6
The ship carries you toward Luxor, and you step off at Edfu to visit the Temple of Horus, one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt. Once the ship is in Luxor you go on to Luxor Temple and the great Karnak complex, including its Sacred Lake. Your Egyptologist, the entrance fees and the transport are all included. This is your last night aboard.
- 7
After breakfast you check out of the ship and cross to the West Bank with your Egyptologist. You enter the Valley of the Kings, with three tombs on your ticket, visit the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari and stop at the Colossi of Memnon. Then comes the long part: a private, air-conditioned car takes you from Luxor to El Gouna, a drive of about 5 to 6 hours.
Expect a full day, and keep snacks and water within reach. You arrive at your hotel by the Red Sea in the evening.
- 8
A minibus collects you at your El Gouna hotel and takes you to the boat, which you share with other guests. The trip is about eight hours in total. At Paradise Island you have a sunbed and parasol, and a guide takes the group snorkeling with mask, snorkel and fins provided. Lunch with soft drinks and water is served on board, and marine park fees are paid.
Back at your hotel by evening, you can rest after the long drive from Luxor.
- 9
A lighter day. A shared air-conditioned minibus and an English-speaking local guide take you through Hurghada for about four hours: the marina, a mosque, the old town and a market. Bottled water is provided. The rest of the day is free, with time at your hotel, on the lagoon or by the pool. This is also a good day to pack away your temple shoes.
- 10
Your last full day is a boat that is yours alone. A captain and crew take your party out from Hurghada for around seven hours to the islands and reefs, with a guide for the snorkeling and masks, snorkels and fins supplied. Lunch is served on board with soft drinks and water, and marine park fees and private hotel transfers are covered.
You choose the pace, within what the captain advises on the day.
- 11
After breakfast you check out and a private, air-conditioned car takes you from El Gouna to Hurghada Airport, about an hour. A meet-and-assist representative helps you through. The tour ends here. Book your flight home so that it leaves Hurghada, or ask us about the connection if you fly on from another airport.
Bundled in
- Domestic flights
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Three nights in a Cairo hotel, three nights on a Nile cruise ship on full board and four nights in an El Gouna hotel, with breakfast at the hotels
- Domestic flight from Cairo to Aswan
- Private airport, hotel and port transfers by air-conditioned vehicle, including the road transfer from Luxor to El Gouna
- English-speaking Egyptologist guide, entrance fees and transport on the Cairo sightseeing days and the Nile cruise sightseeing
- Cairo by night with the Cairo Tower viewpoint and tea at a traditional cafe
- Sunset felucca ride on the Nile in Cairo
- Paradise Island boat day with lunch on board, snorkeling gear and marine park fees
- Hurghada city tour and a private boat charter with lunch on board
- Meet-and-assist at Cairo and Hurghada airports
Not included
- International flights to and from Egypt
- Egypt entry visa
- Gratuities for guides, drivers, crew and ship staff
- Meals other than those stated, and drinks other than those named
- The Mummies Room at the Egyptian Museum and premium tombs such as Tutankhamun and Seti I
- Travel insurance and personal expenses
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Egypt is warm but pleasant in spring; still bring a light layer for evenings on the Nile and a wide-brimmed hat for midday temples.
- 02
Walk Al-Muizz Street in the softer late-day light; the lit-up medieval gates look their best as the shops start to glow.
- 03
Watch the Philae sound and light show from the seats furthest back; the full temple facade then sits in view as it is lit.
- 04
Easter weeks bring more domestic visitors to the Red Sea, so settle your Paradise Island snorkel choice early and bring your own mask if you prefer.
Tailor it
Make it yours
Choose your hotel and ship standard when you book. Ask us about other start dates, adding Abu Simbel or extra nights at El Gouna.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- Families and couples with an Easter window of about eleven days who want the pyramids, a Nile cruise and some Red Sea time. Suited to travelers who can manage two or three hours of walking on sightseeing days.
Maybe not, if
- Travelers who need step-free access to every site, or who want to avoid long road days. Day 7 is long.
Honest assessment
Real trade-offs from our experience managing this tour.
Highlights
- Dates built around Easter 2027, with Easter Sunday on the Nile
- Cairo, a Nile cruise and the Red Sea in one trip
- Two boat days at the end, one of them private
Things to Consider
- A 5 to 6 hour drive from Luxor to El Gouna on day 7
- The tour ends at Hurghada, so book the flight home with care
- Uneven stone, steps and little shade at the major sites
Where it fits
A good fit for a family or couple with the Easter break to spend. Abu Simbel is not included.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Easter itineraries usually pair a city or river trip with a beach week. This one puts Cairo and the Nile first and finishes by the sea, with guides and entrance fees included on the sightseeing days. Hotel and ship standard are your choice.
Compare
Similar tours to compare
On the ground
Your route
Snapshot
Good to know
- Travel style
- Guided Easter tour with a Nile cruise and a Red Sea stay
- Accommodation
- Cairo and El Gouna hotels and a Nile cruise ship, standard chosen at booking
- Destinations
- Cairo · Giza Plateau · Egyptian Museum · Islamic Cairo · Aswan · Philae Temple · Kom Ombo · Edfu · Luxor · Valley of the Kings · El Gouna · Hurghada
- Includes
- 3 nights in Cairo and 4 nights in El Gouna hotels, with breakfast · 3 nights on a Nile cruise ship, full board · Domestic flight Cairo to Aswan · Egyptologist guide, entrance fees and transport on Cairo and Nile sightseeing days · Paradise Island boat day and a private boat charter · All listed transfers, including Luxor to El Gouna by road
- Best for
- Families on the Easter school break · Couples who want history and then a beach · First-time visitors to Egypt
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 required travel documents
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Swimsuit and a towel for the beach days
- Refillable water bottle
- Any personal medication
- Light layer for the ship, flights and evenings
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable clothing for the sun and heat
- Closed shoes for temples and uneven ground
- Clothing that covers shoulders and knees at mosques and temples
- Swimwear and a cover-up for the Red Sea days
- A light jacket or sweater for evenings on the river in March and early April
Children & families
Children are welcome, and Easter is a popular time for families. Every child takes a seat in the vehicle, so transport and guiding 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, and we give you the exact figure when you tell us the age at booking. Snorkeling suits children who swim confidently; ask us about life jackets on the boat days.
Accessibility
Who can join this
The Cairo, Aswan and Luxor days involve plenty of walking on uneven stone, steps and some narrow tomb passages, with little shade at Karnak and the Valley of the Kings. The Cairo walking tour covers a busy old street and a crowded bazaar. Boarding the ship, the boat at Philae, the felucca and the boats at El Gouna all involve steps or a gangway. Vehicles are private and air-conditioned, but we cannot promise wheelchair access at every site. Tell us your needs when you book and we will say honestly which parts suit you.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
This trip uses one domestic flight, a Nile cruise ship, road transfers and day boats on the Red Sea, so we make no claim about carbon savings. Local Egyptologists and local suppliers in Cairo, Aswan, Luxor and Hurghada run the days, so much of what you spend stays where you travel. We ask guests to carry a refillable water bottle, to touch no painted walls in tombs and to keep fins and hands off the coral when snorkeling.
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 early you tell us and on the type of trip. Read our current cancellation and refund policy
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01Why is this tour dated for Easter 2027?
Day 1 is 24 March 2027, so Western Easter Sunday, 28 March, falls on day 5, on the Nile. The dates also fit the Easter school break in many countries. Other start dates may be available on request.02Is anything planned for Easter Sunday itself?
No special service or event is included. Easter Sunday is a sailing day with a visit to Kom Ombo. If you want to attend a church service in Cairo before the cruise, tell us when you book and we will look at what is possible.03Will I make my international flight?
Domestic and international tickets are separate bookings, and the tour ends in Hurghada, so book carefully. Ask us for the best flights home. Take travel insurance that covers missed connections. If you must connect through Cairo on the same day, choose a late-evening or night international flight.04How many nights are on the Nile cruise?
Three nights on board, from Aswan to Luxor, on full board: breakfast, lunch and dinner. The other seven nights are in hotels, three in Cairo and four at El Gouna, with breakfast.05Is the Philae sound and light show included?
Yes. On the first evening of the cruise you go to the sound and light show at Philae, with a boat across to the island. The ticket, the daytime sightseeing and the entrance fees are all included.06How long is the drive from Luxor to El Gouna?
About 5 to 6 hours, in a private air-conditioned car, on day 7 after the West Bank visits. It is a long day, so keep water and snacks to hand.07Which hotels and cruise ship will we have?
You choose a standard when you book, from budget to luxury, and we name the ship and hotels for your dates. The itinerary and sightseeing are the same at every standard.08Is Abu Simbel included?
No. Abu Simbel is not part of this itinerary. Ask us if you would like to add it to a longer tour.09What if Orthodox Easter or Sham el-Nessim matter to us?
Orthodox Easter is on 2 May 2027 and Sham el-Nessim, the spring festival, is on 3 May. Both fall after this tour. Around those dates, parks, beaches and sites are busier with Egyptian families, so avoid them if you want quiet.
Last updated Product ID: TOU-CAI-314230
At a glance
- Length
- 11 days · 10 nights
- Starts
- Mon, Tue, Fri or Sun
- Route
- Cairo → Aswan → Kom Ombo → Edfu → Luxor → El Gouna → Hurghada
- Nights
- 3 Cairo · 3 Nile cruise · 4 El Gouna
- Includes
- Domestic flights, Egyptologist guide, entrance fees, transfers