7-Day Cairo, Aswan & Luxor Nile Cruise Tour
Visit the Giza Plateau and Grand Egyptian Museum, then sail from Aswan to Luxor with a private Egyptologist and included transfers
The short answer
7-Day Cairo, Aswan & Luxor Nile Cruise Tour is a 7-day, 6-night trip to Cairo, Luxor and Aswan: 3 nights in Cairo and 3 on a Nile cruise. Starts on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Saturdays. It includes domestic flights, an Egyptologist guide, entrance fees and transfers. Prices start at $1,743 per person, two sharing (Essential, October–April).
02Overview
A first look
Before Cairo’s morning traffic thickens, pale light settles across the Giza Plateau and the limestone begins to warm underfoot. Our Egyptologists help you read the alignment of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure, then shift the focus from pyramid geometry to the galleries of the Grand Egyptian Museum, where ancient objects bring the city’s past into the present.
At Aswan, the pace changes to river level: quiet water beside Philae Temple, open views from the deck, and villages and desert passing between stops at Kom Ombo and Edfu. In Luxor, our Egyptologist leads you across the West Bank and through Karnak Temple, while we arrange the hotels, cabin, flights, vehicles, and timing behind each day.
What lingers
- 01See the pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure and the Sphinx at the Giza Plateau
- 02Visit the Grand Egyptian Museum with a professional Egyptologist
- 03Sail from Aswan to Luxor, stopping at Philae Temple, Kom Ombo Temple and Edfu Temple
- 04Visit the Aswan High Dam and learn about its effect on the Nile and Lake Nasser
- 05Explore Luxor West Bank, including the Valley of the Kings and Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut
- 06Visit Karnak Temple, one of the largest ancient religious complexes in the world
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 $1,7433★ hotels · well-priced Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 3 nightsMagic I | $1,743May–Sep: from $1,608 | |
| Comfortfrom $1,9134★ hotels · 5★ Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 3 nightsRoyal Elite · Emilio | $1,913May–Sep: from $1,874 | |
| Classicfrom $2,1475★ hotels · 5★ Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 3 nightsRoyal Liberty · Stephanie | $2,147May–Sep: from $1,874 | |
| Prestigefrom $2,4855★ deluxe hotels · 5★ deluxe Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 3 nightsNile Serenity | $2,485May–Sep: from $2,329 | |
| Luxuryfrom $3,8075★ luxury hotels · 5★ luxury Nile cruises | Cairo · 3 nightsSt. Regis Cairo Nile Cruise · 3 nightsSonesta Star Goddess · Esmeralda | $3,807May–Sep: from $3,142 | |
| Signature Collectionfrom $5,570Iconic heritage vessels · landmark hotels | Cairo · 3 nightsFour Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza Nile Cruise · 3 nightsJaz Elite Senator · Historia | $5,570May–Sep: from $4,377 |
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.
- Private
Day by day
Detailed itinerary
7 Days / 6 Nights · Cairo · Giza Plateau · Grand Egyptian Museum · Aswan · Philae Temple · Aswan High Dam
- 1
On arrival at Cairo International Airport (CAI), our representative meets you and assists with the transfer into Cairo. Your driver takes you through the city toward the central districts, while our team helps coordinate the arrival process and luggage handling. This first day is intentionally light, allowing time to recover from your flight before sightseeing begins.
Your guide can provide practical information about meeting arrangements and the next scheduled activities. No sightseeing visits are planned during this arrival transfer.
- 2
This morning, your guide takes you to the Giza Plateau to see the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the largest of the three main pyramids. You will also visit the Great Sphinx, carved with a lion’s body and a human head. Afterward, continue to the Grand Egyptian Museum, where your Egyptologist explains the museum’s collections and the development of ancient Egyptian art.
The day combines outdoor walking on uneven ground with indoor galleries, so bring sun protection and comfortable shoes.
- 3
After your Cairo departure transfer, take a domestic flight to Aswan. Our local team meets you at Aswan Airport and coordinates your arrival at the designated hotel or Nile cruise.
In the afternoon, your guide leads visits to Philae Temple, relocated to Agilkia Island after the construction of the High Dam, the High Dam itself, and the Unfinished Obelisk, which remains attached to its granite quarry. The sequence may change according to arrival time and cruise operations, while the three-night Nile cruise sightseeing program begins in Aswan.
- 4
During the second day of Nile sightseeing, your guide leads visits to two Ptolemaic-era temples along the river. At Kom Ombo, you will see the unusual double sanctuary dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus the Elder. Later, explore the Temple of Edfu, built for Horus and preserved with extensive reliefs, inscriptions, and monumental pylons.
Sailing between the sites gives you changing views of the Nile Valley and agricultural villages. Your guide explains how river transport shaped settlement and temple construction in Upper Egypt.
- 5
During the morning, your guide leads a visit to Luxor Temple on the Nile’s east bank, where the Avenue of Sphinxes connects the temple precinct with Karnak. Later, explore the Karnak Temple Complex, Egypt’s largest ancient religious site, including the Sacred Lake used for ritual purification.
Your Egyptologist explains how Luxor and Karnak were linked through religious festivals honoring Amun, Mut, and Khonsu. The sightseeing takes place during the third day of the Nile cruise itinerary, with time to examine columns, pylons, and carved reliefs at both sites.
- 6
After breakfast, your guide leads a morning visit to Luxor’s West Bank. In the Valley of the Kings, you’ll enter three included tombs, where painted scenes document ancient Egyptian beliefs about the afterlife. Continue to the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, built against the cliffs for Egypt’s female pharaoh.
At the Colossi of Memnon, your guide explains the surviving quartzite statues of Amenhotep III. In the afternoon, transfer from Luxor’s cruise or hotel area to Luxor Airport, fly to Cairo, and continue to your Cairo hotel arrival transfer.
- 7
Your Cairo program concludes with the scheduled transfer to Cairo International Airport (CAI). Your driver assists with the route from central Cairo, allowing time for airport procedures and your onward flight.
Bundled in
- Airport transfer
- Private transfer
- Private Egyptologist
- All entry tickets
- Domestic flights
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Six nights of accommodation in hotels and a Nile cruise cabin, as arranged for the itinerary
- Meet-and-greet service at Cairo, Aswan, and Luxor airports
- Domestic flights between Cairo, Aswan, and Luxor
- Private air-conditioned transfers throughout the itinerary
- Professional Egyptologist guide during scheduled sightseeing
- Entrance fees to the sites listed in the itinerary
- Meals specified in the day-by-day program
- All service charges and local taxes
Not included
- International flights to and from Egypt
- Egypt entry visa fees
- Tips and gratuities for Egyptologists, drivers, and hotel staff
- Entry inside the pyramids, including Khufu and Khafre, unless requested
- Premium tombs such as Tutankhamun and Seti I, plus other optional site supplements
- Drinks unless specified and personal expenses
Tailor it
Make it yours
Discovery Tours Egypt can arrange the itinerary as a private or smaller-group experience, subject to availability, with adjusted sightseeing times and airport assistance. Travelers may request pyramid interiors, premium Valley of the Kings tombs, extra Cairo or Luxor sightseeing, upgraded hotel or cruise categories, additional nights, and day-use accommodation for a late departure.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This itinerary suits first-time visitors, history enthusiasts and travelers aged approximately 12 and above who want Cairo’s major archaeological sites combined with a guided Nile journey. It is best for travelers comfortable with early starts, walking on uneven surfaces, airport transfers and boarding or leaving a cruise vessel.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike a Nile-only itinerary, this package includes Cairo and Giza before and after the river section, including the Giza Plateau and Grand Egyptian Museum. Unlike a long overland Egypt circuit, domestic flights connect Cairo, Aswan and Luxor, while private air-conditioned transfers handle local movements.
Compare
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On the ground
Your route
Snapshot
Good to know
- Travel style
- Private Guided Multi-Day Tour with Nile Cruise
- Accommodation
- Hotels and Nile cruise cabin at your chosen comfort level
- Destinations
- Cairo · Giza Plateau · Grand Egyptian Museum · Aswan · Philae Temple · Aswan High Dam · Kom Ombo · Edfu · Luxor · Karnak Temple · Luxor Temple · Valley of the Kings · Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut · Colossi of Memnon
- Includes
- Six nights of hotel and cruise accommodation · Domestic flights between Cairo, Aswan and Luxor · Private air-conditioned transfers · Professional Egyptologist guide · Entrance fees to listed sites · Meet-and-greet at airports · Meals specified in the itinerary · Service charges and local taxes
- Best for
- First-time Egypt visitors · Ancient history enthusiasts · Families with older children · Travelers wanting Cairo and a Nile cruise · Travelers preferring domestic flights over long overland journeys
- Guide languages
- Arabic · English · French · German · Italian · Spanish
The morning of
Meeting point & timing
- Where
- Cairo International Airport (CAI), Arrivals HallMap
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport and any required visa documents
- Printed or digital flight details and booking confirmation
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Sunscreen, preferably SPF 50+
- Refillable water bottle
- Any required medication and personal essentials
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing for hot weather
- Comfortable walking shoes with secure soles
- A lightweight layer for air-conditioned vehicles and flights
- Covered shoulders and knees at temples and religious sites
- Modest clothing for mosque visits if included in the itinerary
- Sun hat and breathable fabrics
Children & families
Children of any age are welcome. Pricing can depend on flight seats, cruise arrangements, and any child sharing conditions, so we confirm the applicable rate before payment. Strollers are difficult to use on sand, uneven paving, steps, and some gangways. A compact foldable stroller is more practical than a full-size model. High-chair availability depends on the cruise and dining suppliers and should be requested in advance.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This itinerary includes walking on uneven ancient surfaces, stone paving, sand, steps, and areas with limited shade at the Giza Plateau, Philae Temple, Kom Ombo Temple, Edfu Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut’s temple, and Karnak Temple. Nile cruise access may involve a gangway and steps, depending on the vessel and river level. Air-conditioned vehicles are used for transfers, but not every site has accessible paths or accessible restrooms. Guests using wheelchairs or with limited mobility should contact us before booking so our licensed Egyptian tour operator can assess vehicle access, guide support, and the sightseeing pace.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The itinerary uses private air-conditioned road transfers, domestic flights, and a Nile cruise arranged through local Egyptian suppliers. Our Egyptologists and drivers are based in Egypt, so guiding and transport services support local employment and specialist knowledge. Ancient sites are managed under Egypt’s heritage regulations, and visitors should remain on marked paths, avoid touching monuments, and follow instructions at security points. Flights are part of the route because Cairo, Aswan, and Luxor are separated by substantial distances. We do not claim that this transport plan is carbon-neutral. We encourage guests to carry a reusable water bottle where site rules permit and to avoid single-use plastic.
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
01What is the duration of this Cairo, Aswan, and Luxor Nile Cruise tour?
This tour is 7 days and 6 nights, combining hotel stays in Cairo with a 3-night Nile River cruise from Aswan to Luxor. The itinerary includes domestic flights for efficient travel between cities.02What are the typical pick-up and transfer arrangements for this tour?
We arrange meet and greet services at Cairo, Aswan, and Luxor airports, followed by private, air-conditioned transfers to your hotels or cruise vessel. All transfers between sites are also included.03What is included in the price of this 7-day Egypt tour?
The tour includes six nights' accommodation, domestic flights within Egypt, private transfers, an Egyptologist guide for sightseeing, entrance fees to all listed sites, and specified meals. All service charges and local taxes are also covered.04What is not included in the tour price?
International flights, Egypt entry visa fees, tips and gratuities for staff, and entry inside the pyramids or premium tombs like Tutankhamun's are not included. Drinks and personal expenses are also excluded.05What is the accessibility and fitness level required for this tour?
This tour involves walking on uneven ancient terrain at archaeological sites and navigating stairs on the cruise vessel. While most activities are accessible, a moderate level of fitness is recommended for comfortable participation.06Is this tour suitable for children and families?
Yes, this tour is suitable for families. Our Egyptologists are experienced in engaging younger travelers, and the combination of city exploration and a Nile cruise offers varied experiences for different age groups.07What should I wear and bring for this 7-day tour?
We recommend light, breathable clothing, comfortable walking shoes, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen. Modest dress, covering shoulders and knees, is advisable for religious sites like temples and mosques.08What is the photography policy at the sites visited?
Photography is generally permitted at most outdoor sites. However, some areas, particularly inside tombs or museums, may prohibit flash photography or require an extra fee for video cameras. Your guide will advise on specific rules.09What is the best time of year to take this Cairo and Nile Cruise tour?
The cooler months from October to April are ideal for this tour, offering pleasant temperatures for sightseeing. Summer months, May to September, can be very hot, especially in Luxor and Aswan.10Which specific sites will I visit on the Luxor West Bank?
On the Luxor West Bank, you will explore the Valley of the Kings, including entry to three tombs, the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, and the Colossi of Memnon.
Last updated Product ID: TOU-LUX-915061
At a glance
- Length
- 7 days · 6 nights
- Starts
- Mon, Tue, Wed or Sat
- Route
- Cairo → Aswan → Kom Ombo → Edfu → Luxor → Cairo
- Nights
- 3 Cairo · 3 Nile cruise
- Includes
- Domestic flights, Egyptologist guide, entrance fees, transfers