8 Days Cairo and Nile Cruise Tour

The short answer

This 8-day Cairo and Nile cruise tour combines hotel stays in Cairo, a full-board Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan, domestic flights, private transfers, and guided sightseeing arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.

• ✦ New

• Archaeology & history
• Cultural
• Luxury

Snapshot

Good to know

Duration

8 Days / 7 Nights

Travel style

Private Guided Tour with Nile Cruise Package

Accommodation

5-Star Hotel in Cairo + 5-Star Nile Cruise

Operated by

Arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt

Destinations

Cairo · Giza Plateau · Egyptian Museum · Luxor East Bank · Luxor West Bank · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan · Abu Simbel

Includes

3 nights Cairo hotel accommodation · 4 nights cruise cabin accommodation · Full board on cruise · Domestic flights Cairo–Luxor and Aswan–Cairo · Private air-conditioned transfers · Egyptologist guide · Entrance fees to named sites

Best for

First-time visitors · History enthusiasts · Couples · Families with older children · Travelers wanting a structured itinerary

Guide languages

English

Background

The facts

Suited to

Is this for you?

What lingers

• 01 Visit Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure pyramids at the Giza Plateau and the Sphinx
• 02 Three nights in Cairo with a guided visit to the Egyptian Museum
• 03 Fly Cairo to Luxor then embark on a four-night full-board Nile cruise
• 04 Explore Luxor East Bank temples and the West Bank necropolis including Valley of the Kings
• 05 Sail to Edfu and Kom Ombo, with guided temple visits during cruise stops
• 06 Day trip from Aswan to the twin temples of Abu Simbel, timed to avoid midday crowds

Worth knowing

How this compares

Unlike a land-only Egypt tour, this package includes both Cairo hotel nights and a Nile cruise section, which reduces overland travel between Upper Egyptian cities. Compared with a large group departure, it uses private transfers and a dedicated Egyptologist, so site timing and pacing are more controlled. It also differs from a simple cruise-only itinerary because it begins with Cairo’s major monuments before moving south to Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan, and Abu Simbel.

Bundled in

• ✈ Domestic flight
• 🚖 Private transfer
• 🍳 Breakfast
• ◈ Private Egyptologist
• 🎟 All entry tickets
• ✦ Abu Simbel extension
• 🚖 Airport transfer
• 🍽 Full board

The fine print

What's included – and what isn't

Tailor it

Make it yours

The itinerary can usually be adjusted as a private tour with more time at selected monuments or with optional additions such as the Cairo Citadel, Saqqara, or extra tomb entries in Luxor. Meal upgrades, higher-category hotel options in Cairo, and alternative pacing for the Abu Simbel day can also be arranged. If needed, the cruise and hotel components can be changed subject to availability.

All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.

Accessibility

Who can join this

This 8-day Cairo and Nile Cruise Tour requires moderate mobility. Expect cobblestones, uneven ancient stone, narrow tomb passages and steps at the Valley of the Kings, Khufu pyramid plateau and many temple approaches. Boarding the four-night Nile cruise involves a short gangway with one or two steps; crew can assist but the gangway can be steep at low Nile water levels. Transfers use air-conditioned vehicles; some hotels and cruise common areas have ramps and elevators, but certain historic sites have stairs and limited handrails. Wheelchair users will need a folding, travel-friendly wheelchair for transfers and some sites, and should contact us in advance so we can request assistance and plan accessible routes when possible. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we will provide a named representative and our Egyptologists with specific, practical accessibility guidance once we have details about mobility needs.

Before you go

What to pack & wear

The morning of

Meeting point & timing

Where

Cairo International Airport (CAI), Arrivals Hall Map

On the ground

Your route

– Responsible travel

How we travel here

We use air-conditioned, Euro-5 standard minibuses or coaches for all transfers and sightseeing, selecting smaller vehicles where narrow streets or small groups make sense. The four-night Nile cruise is operated by a local cruise company; cabin cleaning follows linen-reuse prompts to reduce laundry frequency. We work with Egyptologist guides and drivers who live in the regions visited, keeping guide and driver work local. Where possible we source meals and supplies from Cairo, Luxor and Aswan vendors to support local small businesses. We discourage single-use plastics on excursions by providing refill information for drinking water and recommending reusable bottles. If you request community visits or private village projects, we will share verifiable details and direct payments so benefits reach the local hosts.

• 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

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

1. 01 What is the duration of the Cairo and Nile Cruise Tour?

   This tour spans 8 days, combining 3 nights in Cairo with a 4-night Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan. It includes domestic flights for seamless travel between cities and the cruise.
2. 02 What is included in the tour price?

   The tour includes 3 nights at a 5-star Cairo hotel, 4 nights on a 5-star Nile cruise with full board, domestic flights, private transfers, an Egyptologist guide, and entrance fees to all named sites. All service charges and local taxes are also covered.
3. 03 What is not included in the tour price?

   International flights to and from Egypt, the Egypt entry visa, and gratuities for guides, drivers, and cruise staff are not included. Tickets for pyramid interiors and premium tombs in Luxor are also excluded unless specifically requested.
4. 04 What are the accommodation arrangements?

   You will have 3 nights in a 5-star hotel in Cairo, on a room-only basis. The 4-night Nile cruise provides 5-star accommodation with full board, ensuring your comfort throughout the river journey.
5. 05 What kind of guide will accompany us?

   A professional Egyptologist guide will accompany you throughout the entire itinerary, providing expert insights and historical context at each site. Our guides are licensed and experienced.
6. 06 Is the tour suitable for children or families?

   This tour is generally suitable for families, though the pace involves early starts and significant sightseeing. We can discuss specific arrangements or modifications to ensure comfort for younger travellers.
7. 07 What should I wear and bring for this tour?

   We recommend light, breathable clothing, comfortable walking shoes, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and high-factor sun cream. Modest dress is advised for religious sites, covering shoulders and knees.
8. 08 What is the photography policy at the sites?

   Photography is generally permitted at most outdoor sites, but restrictions apply inside tombs and museums. Some sites may require a separate photography ticket for cameras, which is not included in the standard entrance fees.
9. 09 When is the best time of year to take this tour?

   The cooler months from October to April are ideal for this tour, offering more comfortable temperatures for sightseeing. Summer months, May to September, are very hot, especially in Upper Egypt.
10. 10 How are transfers handled between locations?

    Private air-conditioned transfers are arranged for all movements between airports, hotels, and the cruise ship. Airport assistance is also provided upon arrival and departure, ensuring smooth transitions.

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