8-Day Egypt Tour: Cairo, Nile Cruise & El Gouna
The Giza Pyramids, three nights sailing from Aswan to Luxor, and a snorkeling day off Giftun Island. Flights, hotels, your cruise cabin and an Egyptologist are included.
The short answer
8-Day Egypt Tour: Cairo, Nile Cruise & El Gouna is an 8-day, 7-night trip to Cairo, Luxor and Aswan: 2 nights in Cairo, 3 on a Nile cruise and 2 in El Gouna. Starts on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Saturdays. It includes domestic flights, an Egyptologist guide, entrance fees and transfers. Prices start at $2,338 per person, two sharing (Essential, October–April).
02Overview
A first look
Most Egypt tours end among the temples. This one ends at the sea. You begin in Cairo with the Giza Pyramids, the Sphinx, Saqqara and Memphis. Then you fly to Aswan and board your Nile cruise ship for three nights, with stops at Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor Temple and Karnak.
On day 6 you see the Valley of the Kings and drive about five to six hours to El Gouna, a lagoon resort town on the Red Sea. A boat trip to Orange Bay on Giftun Island gives you two guided snorkeling sessions. A domestic flight brings you to Cairo on day 8. We book the flights, the transfers, your hotels and your cruise cabin. You choose the standard of hotel and ship when you book.
What lingers
- 01Giza Pyramids, the Sphinx, Saqqara and Memphis in one private day
- 02A sunset felucca on the Nile in Cairo, and another in Aswan
- 03Three nights on a Nile cruise ship from Aswan to Luxor, full board
- 04Philae, Kom Ombo and Edfu temples with an Egyptologist
- 05Karnak, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings, three tombs included
- 06Two nights in El Gouna and a snorkeling day at Orange Bay on Giftun Island
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 $2,3383★ hotels · well-priced Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 3 nightsMagic I El Gouna · 2 nightsMovenpick Resort & Spa El Gouna | $2,338May–Sep: from $2,077 | |
| Comfortfrom $2,5444★ hotels · 5★ Nile cruises | Cairo · 2 nightsJewel Sport City Nile Cruise · 3 nightsRoyal Elite · Emilio | $2,544May–Sep: from $2,366 | |
| Classicfrom $2,8565★ hotels · 5★ Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 3 nightsRoyal Liberty · Stephanie El Gouna · 2 nightsSheraton Miramar Resort El Gouna | $2,856May–Sep: from $2,366 | |
| Prestigefrom $3,2645★ deluxe hotels · 5★ deluxe Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 3 nightsNile Serenity | $3,264May–Sep: from $3,006 | |
| Luxuryfrom $4,4545★ luxury hotels · 5★ luxury Nile cruises | Cairo · 2 nightsSt. Regis Cairo Nile Cruise · 3 nightsSonesta Star Goddess · Esmeralda El Gouna · 2 nightsCasa Cook El Gouna (Adults Only) | $4,454May–Sep: from $3,675 |
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
8 Days / 7 Nights · Cairo · Giza Plateau · Saqqara · Aswan · Philae Temple · Kom Ombo
- 1
Your driver meets you at Cairo Airport, helps with your bags and drives you to your hotel. Take the evening at your own pace. When the light turns gold, you go out on the Nile in a felucca, the traditional sailing boat, and watch Cairo change color from the water. No meals are planned today, so you are free to find dinner wherever you like.
- 2
This is a full eight-hour day with a private Egyptologist and your own air-conditioned vehicle. You start at the Giza Pyramids, then stand at the Great Sphinx and the Valley Temple beside it. The road then runs south through green farmland to a countryside lunch. After lunch you see Saqqara, home of the first pyramid, and Memphis, the old capital of the pharaohs.
Your driver takes you back to the hotel at the end.
- 3
A full day with a flight in the middle. After breakfast you drive to Cairo Airport for the short flight to Aswan, where a driver takes you on to the river. Your Egyptologist guide takes you to the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk, then to Philae Temple. As the sun lowers you join a felucca for about three hours around Aswan's islands. You sleep on your Nile cruise ship tonight.
The guide, entrance fees and transport are all included.
- 4
Today the pace slows. Your Egyptologist walks you through the Temple of Kom Ombo, a double temple built for two gods, with the river just below it. The rest of the day belongs to the Nile. Your ship moves north through the valley while you watch farms, palms and village life slide by from the deck.
All three meals are served on board, and your guide, tickets and transport for the visit are included.
- 5
A busy day. Early on, you visit the Temple of Edfu, one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt. Then the ship reaches Luxor, and you see Luxor Temple and the giant Karnak complex, including its Sacred Lake. Your Egyptologist leads each visit, and the entrance fees and transport are covered. This is your last night on the ship, with dinner on board.
- 6
You check out of the ship this morning and cross to Luxor's West Bank with your guide. You see the Valley of the Kings, where your ticket covers three tombs, then the terraced Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. After that you leave Luxor by private car for El Gouna, a drive of about five to six hours. It is a long day, so rest on the way.
You reach your hotel on the Red Sea in time to settle in. Lunch and dinner are your own today.
- 7
Today is for the sea. A driver collects you from your hotel and you join a motorboat to Orange Bay on Giftun Island. You get two guided snorkeling sessions, with a mask, snorkel and life jacket supplied. Between swims you can relax on a sunbed on the beach. A hot lunch and bottled water are included, and you are driven back to your hotel afterwards. Dinner is your own choice.
- 8
After breakfast you check out and your driver takes you to Hurghada Airport, about an hour away. Your domestic flight to Cairo, with 23 kg of luggage and taxes included, ends the tour. The flight time is set by the airline schedule, so we confirm it before you travel. If you are flying home from Cairo the same day, please read the flight advice in the questions below.
Bundled in
- Domestic flights
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Two nights in a Cairo hotel and two nights in an El Gouna hotel, with breakfast
- Three nights on a Nile cruise ship from Aswan to Luxor, on full board
- Domestic flights Cairo to Aswan and Hurghada to Cairo, with taxes and 23 kg of luggage
- All airport, hotel and port transfers by air-conditioned vehicle, including Luxor to El Gouna
- Sunset felucca rides on the Nile in Cairo and in Aswan
- Pyramids, Sphinx, Saqqara and Memphis day with a private Egyptologist and lunch
- Cruise sightseeing with an English-speaking Egyptologist guide, entrance fees and transport, including three tombs in the Valley of the Kings
- Orange Bay snorkeling day with boat, two guided sessions, equipment, sunbed, hot lunch and water
- Meet-and-assist at the airport
Not included
- International flights to and from Egypt
- Egypt entry visa
- Gratuities for guides, drivers and ship staff
- Drinks, and meals other than those stated
- Anything not listed above, such as optional extras or interior entry to the pyramids
- Travel insurance and personal expenses
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Hold the Philae Temple visit for the golden afternoon light; the stone glows and the island is calmer once morning groups leave.
- 02
On the Aswan felucca, bring a light scarf; the evening breeze on the river cools quickly once the sun drops.
- 03
At Orange Bay, wear a rash vest and bring water shoes; the beach shelves into sand and coral and the sun is intense.
- 04
In the Valley of the Kings, spend your tomb choice on the deeper, more decorated ones your guide recommends rather than the closest.
Tailor it
Make it yours
Choose your hotel and ship standard when you book. Ask us about adding a night in Cairo before your flight home, Abu Simbel, or extra nights in Luxor or El Gouna.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- First-time visitors who want Cairo, the Nile and the Red Sea in one compact trip. Suited to couples, friends and solo travelers who are comfortable with two flights, several hours of walking on sightseeing days and one long drive.
Maybe not, if
- Travelers who need step-free access to every site, or who want a slow pace in one place. Days 3 and 6 are long.
Honest assessment
Real trade-offs from our experience managing this tour.
Highlights
- Pyramids, Saqqara, a Nile cruise and a Red Sea stay in eight days
- Both domestic flights and all transfers handled for you
- A snorkeling day to balance the temple days
Things to Consider
- Day 6 is long: West Bank sights, then five to six hours by road
- Uneven stone, steps and little shade at the major sites
- The tour ends in Cairo with no extra night, and Abu Simbel is not included
Where it fits
A good first trip to Egypt that ends with some beach time. Abu Simbel is not included, so add it if it is on your list.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Many operators sell Cairo and the Nile as one trip and the Red Sea as another. This tour joins the three in eight days, with both flights and the long Luxor to El Gouna drive arranged for you.
Compare
Similar tours to compare
On the ground
Your route
Snapshot
Good to know
- Travel style
- Guided Multi-Day Tour with Nile Cruise and Red Sea stay
- Accommodation
- Cairo and El Gouna hotels and a Nile cruise ship, standard chosen at booking
- Destinations
- Cairo · Giza Plateau · Saqqara · Aswan · Philae Temple · Kom Ombo · Edfu · Luxor · Karnak Temple · Valley of the Kings · El Gouna · Giftun Island
- Includes
- 2 nights in a Cairo hotel with breakfast · 3 nights on a Nile cruise ship, full board · 2 nights in El Gouna with breakfast · Flights Cairo to Aswan and Hurghada to Cairo · Entrance fees to every listed site · Egyptologist guide on sightseeing days
- Best for
- First-time visitors · Travelers who want temples and a beach in one trip · Couples and friends who like a mix of culture and rest
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
- Swimsuit and a quick-dry towel
- Sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher, preferably reef-safe
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Refillable water bottle
- Any personal medication
- 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
- A rash vest or t-shirt for snorkeling if you burn easily
Children & families
Children are welcome, though days 2, 3 and 6 are long and the sites involve a lot of walking. 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. Younger children should be happy in a life jacket for the Orange Bay day.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This tour involves a lot of walking on large archaeological sites, with uneven stone, steps and narrow tomb passages. The Valley of the Kings and Karnak have long outdoor stretches with little shade. Boarding the ship, the boat to Philae and the motorboat to Giftun Island involve steps and gangways, and snorkeling needs you to be comfortable in the water. 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 suit you.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The tour uses two domestic flights, a Nile cruise ship, a long private road transfer and a motorboat, so we do not claim a carbon saving. Sightseeing is guided by local Egyptologists and arranged through local suppliers in Cairo, Aswan, Luxor and the Red Sea, so much of the money you spend stays in the places you visit. On the reef, please do not stand on or touch coral, and take rubbish back to the boat.
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
01Is the Nile cruise included?
Yes. You spend three nights on a Nile cruise ship, sailing from Aswan to Luxor on full board. You choose the standard of ship when you book, from budget to luxury, and we name the ship for your dates. The two nights in Cairo and the two in El Gouna are in hotels with breakfast.02Are the domestic flights included?
Yes. The flight from Cairo to Aswan on day 3 and the flight from Hurghada to Cairo on day 8 are booked for you, with taxes and 23 kg of luggage. Airlines set the times. International flights are not included.03Will I make my international flight?
Domestic and international tickets are separate bookings, so a delayed domestic flight can cost you your connection. This tour ends in Cairo on day 8 with no extra night, so we recommend adding one last night in Cairo. If you must connect the same day, choose a late-evening or night international flight, and take travel insurance that covers missed connections.04How long is the drive from Luxor to El Gouna?
About five to six hours by private, air-conditioned car on day 6. You see the West Bank sights first, then drive. It is a long day, so we suggest light clothing, a snack and plenty of water.05Where is El Gouna and why stay there?
El Gouna is a lagoon resort town on the Red Sea, about 25 km north of Hurghada. It gives you two quiet nights by the sea after the temples. Your airport transfers run via Hurghada Airport.06What happens on the Orange Bay day?
You are picked up from your hotel and cross by motorboat to Orange Bay on Giftun Island. There are two guided snorkeling sessions, with equipment and life jackets provided, plus a sunbed on the beach, a hot lunch and bottled water. You are driven back to your hotel afterwards.07Is Abu Simbel included?
No. This tour covers Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor Temple, Karnak and the West Bank, but not Abu Simbel. A longer tour that includes it is available on request.08Are the guide, entrance fees and transport included?
Yes. On Cairo and cruise sightseeing days an English-speaking Egyptologist guide, the entrance fees and the transport are included. The Valley of the Kings ticket covers three tombs.09Is this tour suitable for children?
Children are welcome, though the days are long and the sites involve a lot of walking. Every child needs a seat in the vehicle, and cabin and hotel prices depend on the child's age, so tell us the age when you book.
Last updated Product ID: TOU-CAI-653714
At a glance
- Length
- 8 days · 7 nights
- Starts
- Mon, Tue, Wed or Sat
- Route
- Cairo → Aswan → Kom Ombo → Edfu → Luxor → El Gouna → Hurghada
- Nights
- 2 Cairo · 3 Nile cruise · 2 El Gouna
- Includes
- Domestic flights, Egyptologist guide, entrance fees, transfers