8-day Cairo and Nile cruise to Luxor and Aswan
Visit the Giza Plateau, Egyptian Museum, Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae Temple with an Egyptologist.
At a glance
- Length
- 8 days · 7 nights
- Departs
- Daily
The short answer
The Nile cruise vessel is a deluxe cruise arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt between Luxor and Aswan as part of an 8-day Cairo and Nile tour.
- Small group
Snapshot
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 Days / 7 Nights
- Travel style
- Egyptologist-Guided Nile Cruise Package
- Accommodation
- Cairo Hotels & Four-Night Nile Cruise Cabin
- Operated by
- Arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt; Discovery Tours Egypt books and arranges the cruise and hotels through third-party suppliers, while the vessel and hotels are operated by their respective suppliers.
- Destinations
- Cairo · Giza Plateau · Luxor · Luxor West Bank · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
- Includes
- Cairo hotel accommodation · Four-night Nile cruise cabin · Domestic flights between Cairo, Luxor and Aswan · Airport and itinerary transfers · Standard entrance fees for listed visits · Egyptologist guide
- Best for
- First-time Egypt visitors · History enthusiasts · Couples · Families with older children · Travelers combining Cairo and southern Egypt
- Guide languages
- English
Best time to go
October through April generally offers the most comfortable sightseeing conditions, with cooler mornings and daytime temperatures commonly around 20–30°C depending on the location. May through September is hotter, particularly in Luxor and Aswan, while Ramadan and major public holidays may affect opening hours, dining schedules and evening activities.
- Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
- Discovery Tours Egypt is Class-A licensed by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism.
- The company is a member of the Egyptian Travel Agents Association, ETAA #718.
- Sightseeing is arranged with an Egyptologist guide.
- Discovery Tours Egypt arranges the third-party cruise vessel and hotels rather than operating them.
- Transfers are arranged throughout the supplied itinerary.
02Overview
A first look
Before Cairo’s traffic gathers, the limestone of the Giza Plateau feels cool beneath your shoes, and the Great Sphinx appears beyond the roadway in the clear morning light. Our Egyptologist helps you read the plateau as a living landscape, then brings the Egyptian Museum’s galleries into focus without rushing the details.
South of the capital, the pace changes. From your cruise deck, villages, palms, desert edges, and evening light pass at river level, while temple visits bring you onto sun-warmed stone and into shaded courtyards. We arrange the hotels, cabin, transfers, and daily sightseeing, with a specialist Egyptologist guiding the archaeological visits and our local team available throughout.
Background
The facts
This 8-day Egypt tour begins and ends in Cairo and combines two hotel stays in Cairo with four nights aboard a Nile cruise vessel. The itinerary includes domestic flights between Cairo and Luxor, and between Aswan and Cairo. Discovery Tours Egypt arranges the hotels, cruise cabin, transfers, sightseeing and Egyptologist guide through third-party suppliers; the vessel and hotels are not operated by Discovery Tours Egypt.
In Cairo and Giza, the itinerary visits the Giza Plateau, where the pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure stand on the western edge of modern Cairo, approximately 13 km from central Cairo depending on the route. The Great Sphinx lies on the same plateau. The program also includes the Grand Egyptian Museum, subject to the galleries and visitor areas open on the travel date. Pyramid interior tickets are not included unless specifically requested.
The cruise portion travels south from Luxor to Aswan. Luxor’s East Bank includes Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple, while the West Bank includes the Colossi of Memnon, the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple at Deir el-Bahari. The itinerary then visits the Ptolemaic Temple of Horus at Edfu and the dual sanctuary of Sobek and Horus at Kom Ombo before reaching Aswan.
In Aswan, sightseeing includes Philae Temple on Agilkia Island, the Aswan High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk. Premium tombs such as Tutankhamun or Seti I are excluded unless requested. Optional evening activities in Luxor, including the Karnak sound and light show or a felucca sail, are subject to availability and additional cost.
Named in this entry
Cairo·Giza Plateau·Great Pyramid of Khufu·Pyramid of Khafre·Pyramid of Menkaure·Great Sphinx·Grand Egyptian Museum·Luxor·Karnak Temple·Luxor Temple·Valley of the Kings·Hatshepsut Temple·Deir el-Bahari·Colossi of Memnon·Edfu Temple·Temple of Horus·Kom Ombo Temple·Sobek·Philae Temple·Agilkia Island·Aswan High Dam·Unfinished Obelisk·Nile River
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This itinerary suits first-time Egypt visitors, history enthusiasts and travelers who want to combine Cairo’s major monuments with a structured Nile journey. It is appropriate for adults and older children who can manage early starts, walking on uneven archaeological surfaces, stairs and heat exposure.
Maybe not, if
- Not suited for travelers requiring step-free access throughout, or for families with infants under 2 who need full-time stroller use on uneven archaeological sites. Also not ideal for travelers who need fully private transport for every transfer and excursion.
What lingers
- 01View Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure pyramids from the Giza Plateau with the Great Sphinx.
- 02Explore the Egyptian Museum in Cairo with a specialist Egyptologist.
- 03Visit the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple on Luxor West Bank.
- 04Sail between Luxor and Aswan, with scheduled stops at Edfu and Kom Ombo temples.
- 05See Philae Temple and the Aswan High Dam.
- 06Choose an optional Luxor evening activity: the Karnak sound and light show or a felucca sail.
Honest Assessment
Real trade-offs from our experience managing this tour.
Highlights
- Balanced time in Cairo plus four cruise nights on the Nile
- Two full days in Luxor, including West Bank and Karnak
- Guided visits with an Egyptologist at major sites
- Stops at Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae en route to Aswan
- Optional Abu Simbel and private entrance tickets on request
Things to Consider
- Early starts and long days at some sites, especially Cairo museums
- Walking on uneven ancient stone and steps at tombs and temples
- Limited shade at outdoor sites during midday
- Cruise cabin sizes vary by supplier, not all have balconies
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike a Cairo-only itinerary, this tour adds a four-night Nile sailing with scheduled archaeological stops in Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan. Unlike a land-only route, the cruise provides accommodation on the river between sightseeing days, while domestic flights connect Cairo with the southern itinerary.
Day by day
Detailed itinerary
8 Days / 7 Nights · Cairo · Giza Plateau · Luxor · Luxor West Bank · Edfu · Kom Ombo
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
Indicative rates only – pricing and departure fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.
Bundled in
- Domestic flight
- Airport transfer
- Private transfer
- All entry tickets
- Private Egyptologist
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Accommodation throughout the tour, including hotel rooms and a cruise cabin.
- Transfers connected with the itinerary.
- Standard entrance fees for the listed sightseeing visits.
- Services of an Egyptologist guide.
Not included
- Pyramid interior tickets for Khufu or Khafre, unless specifically requested.
- Premium tomb tickets, including Tutankhamun or Seti I, unless specifically requested.
- Gratuities for guides, drivers, and cruise staff.
- Personal expenses and drinks unless stated otherwise.
- Optional Luxor evening activities, including the Karnak sound and light show or a felucca sail.
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Book the Giza Plateau early in the morning for softer light and shorter security queues.
- 02
On the Luxor West Bank, start with Valley of the Kings before Hatshepsut to avoid the hottest walking hours.
- 03
On the cruise deck, the clearest river views are usually at departure and just before sunset.
- 04
At Philae, arrive early if you want fewer day trippers and easier photos near the waterfront.
- 05
For Kom Ombo, the outer courtyard is quieter after the main cruise group has entered the temple.
Tailor it
Make it yours
The itinerary can be arranged as a private or shared guided experience, subject to availability, and may be adjusted with requested hotel or cruise-category preferences. Travelers can request pyramid interior tickets, premium Valley of the Kings tombs, optional Luxor evening activities or additional days in Cairo, Luxor or Aswan at extra cost.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Where it fits
– Best as a full Egypt vacation that begins in Cairo and then moves onto a 4-night Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan. It also works well before a Red Sea stay or after a shorter Cairo arrival night, because the itinerary already covers the Giza Plateau, Luxor West Bank, and major Aswan sites.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This tour includes walking across uneven paving, sand, stone surfaces, steps, and exposed archaeological areas at the Giza Plateau, the Egyptian Museum, Luxor West Bank, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae, and the Aswan High Dam. Some temple approaches and cruise boarding points have steep or narrow steps, and river vessels may not have lifts or accessible cabins. Wheelchair users and guests with limited mobility should contact us before booking so we can check the assigned transport and cruise arrangements. Our team can discuss reduced walking options, but independent access cannot be guaranteed at every site.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport and required travel documents
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Sun protection, including SPF 50 sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat
- Refillable water bottle
- Insect repellent for evening river areas
- Any required prescription medication
- Small day bag for site visits
- Cash for optional activities, refreshments, and gratuities
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing for Cairo and Upper Egypt
- Comfortable walking shoes with ankle support
- Hat and breathable layers for strong sun
- Covered shoulders and knees at temples and religious sites
- A light layer for air-conditioned transport and cooler evenings
- Swimwear only where permitted by the cruise operator
Children & families
Children can generally join this tour, but a minimum age is not specified for the current product. Child pricing depends on the child’s age, room or cabin arrangement, and the final supplier conditions, so we confirm the rate before payment. Strollers are difficult to use on sand, uneven ancient paving, steps, and some boat gangways. High chairs may be available on the cruise or at dining venues, but this must be requested in advance and cannot be guaranteed.
The morning of
Meeting point & timing
- Where
- Cairo International Airport (CAI), Arrivals HallMap
On the ground
Your route
While you're here
Worth pairing
Why book this with us
Three reasons, stated plainly
01
Two full Luxor days, not a rushed stop
02
Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan coordinated in one itinerary
03
Optional Abu Simbel add-on on request
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
We arrange sightseeing with local Egyptologists, Egyptian drivers, transport providers, cruise operators, and site-based suppliers. Road transfers normally use a private vehicle suitable for the group size, while the Luxor to Aswan section uses a locally operated Nile cruise vessel. Visiting Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae, and other scheduled sites supports local guides, drivers, boat crews, maintenance staff, and small businesses along the river. Specific vehicle and cruise suppliers are confirmed with the booking. We do not claim carbon-neutral operation, and guests should expect fuel use for road travel and river navigation.
Licensed local Egyptologists
ETAA-credentialed, on payroll
Fair wages on the ground
Drivers + guides paid above market
Site preservation
We follow MoTA visitor caps and no-touch protocols
Carbon-aware itineraries
Domestic flights only when train/road is impractical
·In summary
This 8-day tour includes Cairo hotel accommodation, a four-night Nile cruise, domestic flights between Cairo, Luxor and Aswan, airport and sightseeing transfers, standard entrance fees for listed visits, and Egyptologist-guided sightseeing. Visits cover the Giza Plateau, Great Sphinx, Grand Egyptian Museum, Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae Temple and the Aswan High Dam.
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01What is the duration of this Cairo and Nile cruise tour?
This tour is 8 days in total, combining 3 nights in Cairo with a 4-night Nile River cruise between Luxor and Aswan. The itinerary includes domestic flights connecting Cairo with Luxor and Aswan for seamless travel.02What type of accommodation is included in this tour?
Accommodation is included throughout your trip, featuring hotel stays in Cairo and a cabin aboard a deluxe 5-star Nile cruiser. We arrange comfortable, well-located options for both your land and cruise portions of the journey.03Are airport transfers included in this 8-day tour?
Yes, all transfers connected with your itinerary are included, from your arrival at Cairo International Airport (CAI) to all inter-city and airport transfers. Our drivers will meet you at designated points for smooth transitions.04What sightseeing entrance fees are covered by the tour price?
Standard entrance fees for all listed sightseeing visits, such as the Giza Plateau, Egyptian Museum, Valley of the Kings, and Philae Temple, are included. Exclusions like specific pyramid interiors or premium tombs are noted separately.05Will I have an Egyptologist guide during the tour?
Yes, the services of a specialist Egyptologist guide are included for all major sightseeing excursions. Our guides provide expert commentary and historical context, enhancing your understanding of ancient Egypt.06What is not included in the tour price?
The tour price excludes tickets for specific pyramid interiors, premium tombs like Tutankhamun's, gratuities for staff, personal expenses, drinks, and optional evening activities in Luxor. These are typically paid locally if desired.07Is this tour suitable for travelers with limited mobility?
This tour involves walking on uneven ancient stone, climbing stairs at temples, and navigating cruise ship gangways. While we strive for comfort, some sites have limited accessibility. Please contact us to discuss specific mobility concerns.08What should I wear for sightseeing in Egypt?
We recommend light, breathable clothing, comfortable walking shoes, a hat, and sunglasses. For religious sites, modest dress covering shoulders and knees is appropriate. Evenings on the Nile cruise can be cooler.09What is the best time of year to take this Cairo and Nile cruise?
The best time to take this tour is generally from October to April, when temperatures are milder and more comfortable for sightseeing. Summer months, May to September, can be very hot, especially in Luxor and Aswan.10Are there any optional activities available during the cruise?
Yes, optional evening activities in Luxor, such as the Karnak Temple sound and light show or a felucca sail on the Nile, are available. These are not included in the tour price and can be arranged locally.
If plans change
Cancellation
- More than 30 days
- Full refund less a £50 admin fee
- 15–30 days
- 50% refund
- Within 14 days
- No refund – date changes considered case by case
Continue reading
From the archives
Last updated 27 July 2026Product ID: TOU-CAI-481241
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