13-Day Cairo, Alexandria & 7-Night Nile Cruise Tour
The Giza Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum, a day in Alexandria, seven nights on a Nile cruise ship from Luxor to Aswan and back, and Abu Simbel. Flights, hotels, Egyptologist guides and entrance fees are included.
The short answer
13-Day Cairo, Alexandria & 7-Night Nile Cruise Tour is a 13-day, 12-night trip to Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel: 5 nights in Cairo and 7 on a Nile cruise. Starts on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays or Sundays. It includes domestic flights, an Egyptologist guide, entrance fees and transfers. Prices start at $3,361 per person, two sharing (Essential, October–April).
02Overview
A first look
This trip is for people who want to take their time with ancient Egypt. You start with three nights in Cairo: the Nile dinner cruise, a full day at Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum, and a day trip to Alexandria on the Mediterranean coast. Then you fly to Luxor and board your Nile cruise ship for seven nights.
The ship goes south to Aswan and returns to Luxor. You see the West Bank, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae, and Abu Simbel by road on the same day as Aswan's sights. Several days on the ship have no visits, so there is time to rest. The cruise ends with Karnak and Luxor Temple, then a flight to Cairo for a Citadel, bazaar and museum day. We book the flights, transfers, hotels and the cabin. You choose the standard of hotel and ship, and the sightseeing stays the same.
What lingers
- 01A Nile dinner cruise with an evening show on your first night in Cairo
- 02Giza Pyramids, the Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum in one full guided day
- 03A day in Alexandria: the catacombs, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the Citadel of Qaitbay and a seafront lunch
- 04Seven nights on a Nile cruise ship from Luxor to Aswan and back, full board
- 05The Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae, Karnak and Luxor Temple with an Egyptologist
- 06Abu Simbel by road from Aswan, on the same day as Philae and the High Dam
- 07The Citadel, Islamic Cairo, Khan el-Khalili and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization
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 $3,3613★ hotels · well-priced Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 7 nightsNephtis · Al Nabilatan | $3,361May–Sep: from $2,902 | |
| Comfortfrom $3,6154★ hotels · 5★ Nile cruises | Cairo · 5 nightsJewel Sport City Nile Cruise · 7 nightsLady Mary · Tower Prestige | $3,615May–Sep: from $3,305 | |
| Classicfrom $4,1045★ hotels · 5★ Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 7 nightsJaz Crown Jubilee · Nile Dolphin | $4,104May–Sep: from $3,305 | |
| Prestigefrom $4,8195★ deluxe hotels · 5★ deluxe Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 7 nightsNile Excellence · Sonesta Moon Goddess | $4,819May–Sep: from $4,793 | |
| Luxuryfrom $8,2315★ luxury hotels · 5★ luxury Nile cruises | Cairo · 5 nightsSt. Regis Cairo Nile Cruise · 7 nightsSonesta St. George I · Esmeralda | $8,231May–Sep: from $5,914 | |
| Signature Collectionfrom $11,157Iconic heritage vessels · landmark hotels | Cairo · 5 nightsFour Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza Nile Cruise · 7 nightsHistoria | $11,157May–Sep: from $8,492 |
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.
Day by day
Detailed itinerary
13 Days / 12 Nights · Cairo · Giza · Saqqara · Alexandria · Luxor · Kom Ombo
- 1
Your driver meets you in the arrivals hall at Cairo Airport, with meet-and-assist, and takes you to your hotel. In the evening you are collected for a Nile dinner cruise: about two hours on the river with a buffet dinner, a live show and a seat for the performance. A private transfer returns you to your hotel afterwards.
- 2
A full day with your private English-speaking Egyptologist. After pickup from your hotel you spend 4 to 6 hours on the Giza Plateau, with the Pyramids and the Great Sphinx. Lunch comes next, and then you visit the Grand Egyptian Museum. The guide, entrance fees and transport are included.
- 3
Another long day: about 12 hours including the drives, so it suits good walkers. Your licensed Egyptologist takes you to the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, then lunch overlooking the Mediterranean. After lunch you see the Citadel of Qaitbay and the gardens of Montaza Palace, then drive back to Cairo. Entrance fees to the listed sites and the vehicle are included.
- 4
A private transfer takes you to Cairo Airport for the one-hour flight to Luxor. The airline sets the flight time. In Luxor a driver takes you to the ship, where you settle into your cabin. This is the first of seven nights on board, on full board. No sightseeing is listed today, so the rest of the day is for settling in.
- 5
No visits are listed for today, so it is a relaxed day on the ship, with all meals included. If you want to add something in Luxor, ask us before you travel and we will tell you what is possible.
- 6
With your English-speaking Egyptologist guide you cross to the West Bank. You see the Colossi of Memnon, the Valley of the Kings, with three tombs included, and the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari. The guide, entrance fees and transport are included. The rest of the day is on board.
- 7
The ship moves south towards Aswan. You go ashore with your Egyptologist at the Temple of Edfu, one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt, and at the Temple of Kom Ombo, which stands on the riverbank. Entrance fees and transport are included. Between the visits you can rest on deck.
- 8
A very full day in Aswan, with your Egyptologist guide, the entrance fees and the transport included. You see Philae Temple on its island, the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk in the old granite quarries. The full-day road trip to the temples of Abu Simbel is also placed on this day, so expect an early start. We set the order around the ship.
- 9
The ship begins the journey back towards Luxor. No visits are listed for today, so it is a day to rest on deck, read and watch the river go by, with breakfast, lunch and dinner included on board.
- 10
No visits are listed for today either. The ship continues towards Luxor, with breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Tomorrow you visit Karnak and Luxor Temple before your flight, so pack your cabin bag this evening. It is your last night on board.
- 11
With your Egyptologist guide you visit Karnak, including the Sacred Lake, and Luxor Temple. Entrance fees and transport are included. A transfer then takes you to Luxor Airport for the one-hour flight to Cairo, and a driver takes you to your hotel. The sightseeing is arranged around the flight, and the airline sets the time.
- 12
A full day with your private Egyptologist. The first half day is an afternoon pickup for the Citadel of Saladin and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, a walk through Islamic Cairo and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar. The second is a guided visit of about four hours to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, including the Royal Mummies Hall. Entrance fees and the vehicle are included.
- 13
After breakfast you check out and a private driver takes you to Cairo Airport for your flight home, with help with your luggage. Allow about two hours for the transfer slot, and send us your flight time so we can set the pickup.
Bundled in
- Domestic flights
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Three nights in a Cairo hotel with breakfast, seven nights on a Nile cruise ship on full board and two more nights in a Cairo hotel
- Domestic flights Cairo to Luxor and Luxor to Cairo
- All airport, hotel and port transfers by air-conditioned vehicle
- Nile dinner cruise with an evening show in Cairo
- Nile cruise sightseeing package with an English-speaking Egyptologist guide, entrance fees and transport: the West Bank, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae, the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk, Karnak and Luxor Temple
- Abu Simbel day trip by road from Aswan, with entrance fees
- Private Egyptologist guide and entrance fees on the Giza, Grand Egyptian Museum, Alexandria, Citadel, Islamic Cairo and museum days
- Lunch on the Giza and Alexandria days
- Meet-and-assist at Cairo Airport
Not included
- International flights to and from Egypt
- Egypt entry visa
- Gratuities for guides, drivers and ship staff
- Drinks on board and meals other than those stated
- Khufu pyramid interior and premium tombs such as Tutankhamun and Seti I
- Travel insurance and personal expenses
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Arrive at Giza early, when the plateau is quieter and shadows are lower for photos.
- 02
Carry small cash for tips and drinks, since these are excluded from the tour price.
- 03
For Abu Simbel, keep the morning free, the desert road timing makes it an early departure.
- 04
At Khan El Khalili, compare prices before buying, then expect bargaining on textiles and spices.
- 05
Wear closed shoes for the Valley of the Kings, where paths can be uneven and dusty.
Tailor it
Make it yours
Choose your hotel and ship standard when you book. Ask us about extra nights in Cairo or Luxor.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- Travelers who want to see Egypt thoroughly and enjoy a week on one ship. Suited to couples, friends and solo travelers who are comfortable with two flights and several hours of walking on sightseeing days.
Maybe not, if
- Travelers who need step-free access to every site, or who dislike long days. Days 2, 3 and 8 are the longest.
Honest assessment
Real trade-offs from our experience managing this tour.
Highlights
- Cairo, Alexandria and a full week on the Nile with Abu Simbel
- Both domestic flights and all transfers handled for you
- One ship for seven nights, so no repacking
Things to Consider
- A long Alexandria day, about 12 hours, straight after a full Giza day
- Aswan's sights and Abu Simbel share one day
- Uneven stone, steps and little shade at the major sites
Where it fits
A good fit for a first long trip to Egypt, or for people who prefer a ship as a base. Days 5, 9 and 10 have no visits, so the cruise suits a relaxed rhythm.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Most Nile cruises last three or four nights. This one lasts seven, with Cairo and Alexandria around it and every flight and transfer booked for you. Hotel and ship standard is your choice; the sightseeing does not change.
Compare
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On the ground
Your route
Snapshot
Good to know
- Travel style
- Guided Multi-Day Tour with a Week-Long Nile Cruise
- Accommodation
- Cairo hotels and a Nile cruise ship, standard chosen at booking
- Destinations
- Cairo · Giza · Saqqara · Alexandria · Luxor · Kom Ombo · Abu Simbel · Aswan · Edfu
- Includes
- 5 nights in Cairo hotels with breakfast · 7 nights on a Nile cruise ship, full board · Flights Cairo to Luxor and Luxor to Cairo · Egyptologist guide and entrance fees on sightseeing days, including Abu Simbel · Nile dinner cruise with an evening show · All transfers by air-conditioned vehicle
- Best for
- Travelers who like a slow pace on the Nile · History-focused travelers · First-time visitors who want a thorough trip
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
- Refillable water bottle
- Any personal medication
- Small day bag
- Light layer for the ship and for flights
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable clothing for sun and heat
- Closed shoes for temples and uneven ground
- Clothing that covers shoulders and knees at mosques and temples
- A hat and sunglasses
- A light jacket for evenings on the river in winter
Children & families
Children are welcome. Every child takes a seat in the vehicle, so transport, guiding and meals are charged at the adult rate at any age. Entrance tickets are free for children under 6 and full price from 6. Cabin and hotel prices depend on the child's age and the room or cabin used, so we give you the exact figure when you tell us the age at booking. A week on one ship can be long for young children, so tell us your child's age and we will advise.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This tour involves a lot of walking on large archaeological sites, with uneven stone, sand, steps and some narrow tomb passages. The Valley of the Kings and Karnak have long outdoor stretches with little shade. Boarding the ship and the boat to Philae involve steps and a gangway. Abu Simbel is a long day by road. The 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 tell you honestly which parts are suitable.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The itinerary uses two domestic flights, long road days to Alexandria and Abu Simbel and a Nile cruise ship for seven nights, and vehicle and vessel types can vary, so we do not claim a carbon saving. Sightseeing is guided by local Egyptologists and arranged through local suppliers in Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor and Aswan, so most of the money you spend stays in the places you visit. We ask guests to take refillable water bottles and not to touch painted walls in tombs.
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
01Are the domestic flights included?
Yes. The flights from Cairo to Luxor on day 4 and from Luxor to Cairo on day 11 are booked for you and included. International flights are not. Flight times are set by the airline schedule.02Are the guide and entrance fees included?
Yes. An English-speaking Egyptologist guide, the entrance fees and the transport are included on the Cairo, Alexandria and Nile cruise sightseeing days.03How many nights are on the Nile cruise?
Seven nights on board, from Luxor to Aswan and back, on full board: breakfast, lunch and dinner each day. The other five nights are in Cairo hotels with breakfast.04Which hotels and cruise ship will we have?
You choose a standard when you book, from budget to luxury, and we name the hotels and the ship for your dates. The itinerary and sightseeing are the same at every standard.05Is Abu Simbel included, and is that day tiring?
Yes, by road from Aswan on day 8. That day also holds Philae, the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk, so it is a very long day with an early start. Wear comfortable shoes and carry water.06Are there days with nothing planned on the ship?
Yes. Days 5, 9 and 10 list no visits, so they are for resting on board. Ask us if you would like something added.07Is the Alexandria day too much?
It is long: about 12 hours including the drives, and it comes the day after the Giza visit. Most guests who like to walk find it worth it. Tell us if you would prefer a gentler pace.08Will I make my international flight?
Domestic and international tickets are separate bookings, so a delayed domestic flight can cost you the connection. The last domestic flight, Luxor to Cairo, is on day 11, and you spend one more night in Cairo before day 13. That is a deliberate safety window. Take travel insurance that covers missed connections.09What is not included?
International flights, the Egypt visa, tips for guides, drivers and ship staff, drinks and meals other than those stated, the Khufu pyramid interior and premium tombs, travel insurance and personal expenses.
Last updated Product ID: TOU-CAI-635649
At a glance
- Length
- 13 days · 12 nights
- Starts
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri or Sun
- Route
- Cairo → Alexandria → Luxor → Edfu → Kom Ombo → Aswan → Abu Simbel → Cairo
- Nights
- 5 Cairo · 7 Nile cruise
- Includes
- Domestic flights, Egyptologist guide, entrance fees, transfers