13-Day Egypt Tour: Nile & Lake Nasser Cruises
Cairo's pyramids, four nights on the Nile from Luxor to Aswan, then four nights on Lake Nasser ending at Abu Simbel. Flights, hotels, both cruises, entrance fees and an Egyptologist are included.
The short answer
13-Day Egypt Tour: Nile & Lake Nasser Cruises is a 13-day, 12-night trip to Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel: 4 nights in Cairo and 8 on a Lake Nasser cruise. Starts on Mondays. It includes domestic flights, an Egyptologist guide, entrance fees and transfers. Prices start at $3,893 per person, two sharing (Classic, October–April).
02Overview
A first look
Most Egypt tours pick one stretch of water. This one gives you two. You begin in Cairo with the Giza Pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum, the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization and Coptic Cairo. Then you fly to Luxor and spend four nights on a Nile cruise ship, with Karnak, the West Bank, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae along the way.
In Aswan you leave the Nile ship and board a second ship the same day, for four nights on Lake Nasser. The temples there are visited from the ship: Kalabsha, Wadi el-Seboua, Amada, a photo stop at Kasr Ibrim, and Abu Simbel at the end, so there is no long road trip. A flight takes you back to Cairo for a last night. You choose the standard of hotel and ship when you book, and the sightseeing stays the same.
What lingers
- 01Giza Pyramids, the Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum in one guided day
- 02The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization and Coptic Cairo on a second Cairo day
- 03Four nights on a Nile cruise ship from Luxor to Aswan: Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae
- 04Four nights on Lake Nasser with Kalabsha, Wadi el-Seboua, Amada and a Nubian show
- 05Abu Simbel reached by the Lake Nasser ship, so no road trip to get there
- 06A final night in Cairo after the flight from Aswan, ahead of your flight home
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classicfrom $3,8935★ hotels · 5★ Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 4 nightsJaz Crown Jubilee · Stephanie Lake Nasser Cruise · 4 nightsNubian Sea Lake Nasser Cruise | $3,893May–Sep: from $3,009 | |
| Prestigefrom $4,7255★ deluxe hotels · 5★ deluxe Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 4 nightsNile Excellence · Nile Serenity Lake Nasser Cruise · 4 nightsMovenpick Prince Abbas Lake Cruise | $4,725May–Sep: from $4,039 |
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
13 Days / 12 Nights · Cairo · Giza Plateau · Grand Egyptian Museum · Luxor · Karnak Temple · Valley of the Kings
- 1
A representative meets you in the arrivals hall at Cairo Airport and a driver takes you to your hotel. Nothing else is planned, so you can rest, find dinner nearby or just sleep. The sightseeing starts tomorrow.
- 2
Your Egyptologist collects you from the hotel for a day of about eight hours. First comes the Giza Plateau: the pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure and the Great Sphinx. Lunch is at a restaurant with a view. Then you walk the halls of the Grand Egyptian Museum, and the vehicle takes you back to the hotel. The guide, entrance fees, bottled water and transport are all included.
- 3
This is a day of two half-day visits, each about four hours, with your Egyptologist. One is the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, home of the Royal Mummies Hall, with a set lunch or coffee break nearby. The other is Coptic Cairo, where you see the Hanging Church, the Babylon Fortress, St. George's, the Church of Abu Serga and the Ben Ezra Synagogue, with mint tea and pastry.
Entrance fees and the vehicle are included.
- 4
A driver takes you to Cairo Airport for the flight to Luxor, and another meets you there. You join your Nile cruise ship and settle into your cabin. Your Egyptologist then takes you to Karnak, including the Sacred Lake, and Luxor Temple. The timing of the visits is set around the flight. Dinner is on board.
- 5
Today you cross to the West Bank with your Egyptologist. You stop first at the Colossi of Memnon, then enter the Valley of the Kings, where your ticket covers three tombs. The last stop is the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari. Entrance fees and transport are part of the cruise sightseeing. Lunch and dinner are on board.
- 6
The ship moves upriver while you eat and relax on deck. You go ashore at two temples led by your Egyptologist: the Temple of Edfu, dedicated to Horus, and the double Temple of Kom Ombo beside the river. Between the visits, the day is yours on board. Entrance fees are included.
- 7
In Aswan your Egyptologist shows you three sights. Philae Temple stands on its island, and you reach it by boat. The High Dam holds back Lake Nasser, the water you will cruise next. The Unfinished Obelisk lies in the old granite quarry. Entrance fees and transport are included. You spend a fourth night on the Nile ship.
- 8
You check out of the Nile ship, and the Lake Nasser ship embarks in Aswan the same day. There is no sightseeing on the schedule, so the day is about moving your luggage and settling into your new cabin. We tell you the check-in arrangements for your dates before you travel. Meals are on board.
- 9
The first call on the lake is Kalabsha Temple, which your Egyptologist walks you through. The ship then continues toward Wadi el-Seboua, where you spend the night. Lunch and dinner are served on board, and the entrance fee is part of the cruise sightseeing.
- 10
Two sets of temples fill the day. You visit Wadi el-Seboua, Dakka and Maharraqa, and later Amada, Derr and Pennut. Your Egyptologist guides each stop, and the cruise sightseeing includes the entrance fees. After dinner, there is a Nubian show on board.
- 11
The ship passes Kasr Ibrim, where there is a photo stop. Then comes Abu Simbel, first as a panorama stop from the ship and then up close, with a ticket for the two great temples of Ramesses II and Nefertari. Your Egyptologist guides the visit. You reach it by ship, not by a road trip. You spend the last night on board.
- 12
After breakfast you check out of the ship. A transfer takes you from Abu Simbel to Aswan, and another to Aswan Airport for the flight to Cairo. In Cairo a driver takes you to your hotel for the night. Nothing is scheduled in the evening, so you can rest before your trip home.
- 13
Have breakfast at the hotel and check out. Your driver takes you to Cairo Airport for your flight home, with the luggage handled for you. Last night's stay in Cairo, after the domestic flight, gives you a safety window before your international departure.
Bundled in
- Domestic flights
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Four nights in Cairo hotels with breakfast, four nights on a Nile cruise ship and four nights on a Lake Nasser ship, both on full board
- Domestic flights Cairo to Luxor and Aswan to Cairo
- All airport, hotel and port transfers by air-conditioned vehicle, including Abu Simbel to Aswan
- Entrance fees to every site in the itinerary, including three tombs in the Valley of the Kings and Abu Simbel
- Licensed Egyptologist guide on every sightseeing day, in Cairo and on both cruises
- Lunch on the Giza day and a set lunch on the museum day in Cairo
- A Nubian show on board during the Lake Nasser cruise
- Bottled water on the Giza day
- Meet-and-assist at the airport
- All service charges and taxes
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
On the Lake Nasser leg, keep a hat and sun cream within reach on deck; the lake is wide, open and bright between stops.
- 02
At Karnak, ask your guide to walk you to the Sacred Lake early; it is calmer than the Hypostyle Hall and good for photos.
- 03
The Nubian temples on Lake Nasser, such as Wadi el-Seboua and Amada, see few visitors, so take time to read the reliefs up close.
- 04
For the Valley of the Kings, carry a small camera bag only; photography rules inside the tombs are strict and guards will check.
Tailor it
Make it yours
Choose your hotel and ship standard when you book. Ask us about extra nights in Cairo, Luxor or Aswan.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- Travelers who want the classic Nile temples and the Lake Nasser monuments in one trip and are comfortable moving between two ships. Suited to couples, friends and solo travelers who can walk on uneven stone.
Maybe not, if
- Travelers who need step-free access to every site, or who want a slow pace in one place.
Honest assessment
Real trade-offs from our experience managing this tour.
Highlights
- Two different waterways: the Nile with its big temples and Lake Nasser with fewer visitors
- Abu Simbel arrives by ship, so there is no road trip
- Both domestic flights and all transfers handled for you
Things to Consider
- Day 8 is a ship-change day with no sightseeing
- Uneven stone, steps and little shade at the major sites
- Days 2, 3, 4 and 12 are full with sights or flights
Where it fits
A good fit for travelers who have time for almost two weeks and want to see more than the standard Nile route. Pick it if Abu Simbel by ship appeals more than a road trip.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Many cruise tours stop at Aswan and add Abu Simbel as a long road day. This itinerary adds a second cruise on Lake Nasser, so Abu Simbel is reached by ship. Hotel and ship standard is your choice; the sightseeing does not change.
Compare
Similar tours to compare
On the ground
Your route
Snapshot
Good to know
- Travel style
- Guided Multi-Day Tour with Nile and Lake Nasser Cruises
- Accommodation
- Cairo hotels, a Nile cruise ship and a Lake Nasser ship, standard chosen at booking
- Destinations
- Cairo · Giza Plateau · Grand Egyptian Museum · Luxor · Karnak Temple · Valley of the Kings · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan · Philae Temple · Lake Nasser · Abu Simbel
- Includes
- 4 nights in Cairo hotels with breakfast · 4 nights on a Nile cruise ship, full board · 4 nights on a Lake Nasser ship, full board, ending at Abu Simbel · Flights Cairo to Luxor and Aswan to Cairo · Entrance fees to every listed site · Licensed Egyptologist on sightseeing days
- Best for
- Travelers who want two cruises in one trip · History-focused travelers · Guests who want Abu Simbel without a road 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 for shore visits
- Light layer for the ships, the lake and the 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, churches and temples
- A hat and sunglasses
- A light jacket for evenings on the river and the lake 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.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This tour involves a lot of walking on large archaeological sites, with uneven stone, steps and some narrow tomb passages. Karnak and the Valley of the Kings have long outdoor stretches with little shade. You board two ships by gangway, and some Lake Nasser temples are reached by a short landing. 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, two cruise ships and private road transfers, and vehicle types can vary, so we do not claim a carbon saving. Sightseeing is guided by local Egyptologists and arranged through local suppliers in Cairo, Luxor and Aswan, so much of the money you spend stays in the places you visit. We ask guests to bring a refillable water bottle and to keep their hands off painted walls in tombs and temples.
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
01How do the two cruises work?
You spend four nights on a Nile cruise ship from Luxor to Aswan, then four nights on a Lake Nasser ship that ends at Abu Simbel. The Lake Nasser ship embarks in Aswan the same day you leave the Nile ship.02Is Abu Simbel included, and is there a road trip?
Yes, it is part of the Lake Nasser cruise. You reach Abu Simbel by ship on day 11, so there is no early-morning drive from Aswan. After the visit and the night on board, a transfer takes you to Aswan on day 12.03Are the domestic flights included?
Yes. The flights from Cairo to Luxor on day 4 and from Aswan to Cairo on day 12 are booked for you and included. International flights are not. Flight times follow the airline schedule.04Which ships and hotels will we have?
You choose a standard when you book, from budget to luxury, and we name the ships and hotels for your dates. The itinerary and sightseeing are the same at every standard.05Will I make my international flight?
Domestic and international tickets are separate bookings, so a delayed domestic flight can cost you the connection. That is why we end with a night in Cairo after the flight from Aswan: it is a safety window. If you change the plan to connect the same day, choose a late-evening or night international flight, and take travel insurance that covers missed connections.06What is not included?
International flights, the Egypt visa, tips for guides, drivers and ship staff, drinks other than those stated, the Khufu pyramid interior and premium tombs such as Tutankhamun's.07How different is Lake Nasser from the Nile?
The Nile cruise passes farmland and towns, with big temples such as Karnak and Edfu. Lake Nasser is open water with fewer visitors, and its stops are smaller temples moved when the lake was formed, ending at Abu Simbel.08When is the best time to go?
October to April is cooler and the most comfortable for sightseeing. Summers are hot, especially in Luxor and Aswan, so sightseeing starts early. Evenings on the water can be cool in winter.
Last updated Product ID: TOU-CAI-668383
At a glance
- Length
- 13 days · 12 nights
- Starts
- Mondays only
- Route
- Cairo → Luxor → Edfu → Kom Ombo → Aswan → Abu Simbel → Cairo
- Nights
- 4 Cairo · 8 Lake Nasser cruise
- Includes
- Domestic flights, Egyptologist guide, entrance fees, transfers