8 Days Cairo, Aswan and Nile Cruise to Luxor

The short answer

8 Days Cairo, Aswan & Nile Cruise to Luxor is an 8-day multi-day tour covering Cairo, Giza, Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu, and Luxor in Egypt, operated by Discovery Tours Egypt.

• ✦ New

• Archaeology & history
• Cultural

Snapshot

Good to know

Duration

8 Days / 7 Nights

Travel style

Private Guided Multi-Day Tour

Accommodation

Included hotel nights and arranged Nile cruise accommodation

Operated by

Discovery Tours Egypt

Destinations

Cairo · Giza Plateau · Egyptian Museum · Islamic Cairo · Coptic Cairo · Aswan · Philae Temple · Kom Ombo · Edfu · Luxor · Valley of the Kings · Karnak Temple

Includes

7 nights' accommodation · Transfers and transport as stated · English-speaking Egyptologist guide · Entrance fees to listed sites · Meals as specified in the itinerary

Best for

History enthusiasts · First-time visitors to Egypt · Couples · Small private groups · Travelers wanting guided sightseeing with accommodation

Guide languages

English

Background

The facts

Suited to

Is this for you?

What lingers

• 01 See Khufu's Pyramids and the Great Sphinx on the Giza Plateau with an Egyptologist
• 02 Visit the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, home to Tutankhamun's funerary collection
• 03 Explore Aswan: the High Dam and Philae Temple on Agilkia Island
• 04 Sail the Nile and visit Kom Ombo and Edfu temples on scheduled stop-offs
• 05 Walk Luxor West Bank: Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut's mortuary temple
• 06 See Karnak Temple's avenue of ram-headed sphinxes and hypostyle hall

Worth knowing

How this compares

Unlike a short four-night cruise package, this itinerary gives more time for Cairo sightseeing before the southbound Nile segment and includes the major West Bank monuments in Luxor. Compared with a cruise-only holiday, it combines land-based archaeology in Cairo with river travel between Aswan and Luxor. Compared with independent travel, the itinerary bundles transfers, accommodation, entrance fees for listed sites, and Egyptologist guiding into one arranged program.

Bundled in

• 🛎 Hotel pickup
• 🚖 Airport transfer
• ◈ Group Egyptologist
• 🚖 Private transfer

The fine print

What's included – and what isn't

Tailor it

Make it yours

The itinerary can be customized as a private tour or adjusted for different pace preferences, subject to availability. Common changes include adding extra nights in Cairo, upgrading meals, extending time in Luxor or Aswan, or revising sightseeing order to suit arrival times and flight schedules. Nile cruise accommodation and hotels are arranged within the program but supplied by third-party operators.

All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.

Accessibility

Who can join this

This itinerary involves uneven terrain, cobbled surfaces, and multiple flights of stone steps at sites such as the Giza Plateau, Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple and Philae Temple. Visits to Philae require boarding a small motorboat with steps; the island has ramps but also steps between levels. Many temple entrances and tombs include narrow passages and steps; Khufu pyramid interior and some premium tombs have steep confined sections and are excluded unless requested. Coaches are air-conditioned but not level with historic site entrances. Wheelchair users should note that full independent access is not possible at several sites, and a folding wheelchair may be difficult on sandy or cobbled surfaces. We arrange meet-and-assist at airports and can provide a travel companion or porterage on request; please contact us before booking to discuss mobility needs and reasonable adjustments.

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

Transport on this itinerary uses air-conditioned coaches for overland transfers and small motorboats for Philae landings, plus a scheduled Nile sailing segment with organised stop-offs at Kom Ombo and Edfu. We contract local Egyptologists, boat crews and hotels, and pay suppliers directly in Egypt to support local livelihoods. To reduce waste we ask guests to bring refillable water bottles; water refills are provided where possible. Guide briefings include responsible-site guidance, for example staying on marked paths at archaeological sites. We do not bundle large coach-group departures for this route; instead we arrange private or small-group departures to reduce the per-person footprint of transfers and visits.

• 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 How long is the 8 Days Cairo, Aswan & Nile Cruise to Luxor tour?

   This itinerary is 8 days and 7 nights, beginning in Cairo and concluding in Luxor. It includes three nights on a Nile cruise ship, with the remaining nights in hotels.
2. 02 What is included in the tour price?

   The tour includes seven nights' accommodation, all stated transfers and transport, guided sightseeing with an English-speaking Egyptologist, entrance fees to listed monuments, and meals as specified in the itinerary. We arrange all these components for you.
3. 03 What is not included in the tour price?

   International flights to and from Egypt, visas, travel insurance, and gratuities are not included. Tickets for pyramid interiors, premium tombs like Tutankhamun's, and drinks with meals are also excluded.
4. 04 What are the physical demands or accessibility considerations for this tour?

   This tour involves walking on uneven ancient stone at archaeological sites, climbing steps, and navigating cruise ship gangways. While generally accessible, some areas may present challenges for those with limited mobility. Our Egyptologists can adapt pacing as needed.
5. 05 Is this tour suitable for families with children?

   Yes, this tour is suitable for families, offering a blend of historical sites and a relaxing Nile cruise. Children often enjoy the stories from our Egyptologists and the experience of sailing the Nile. We can advise on specific activities for younger travellers.
6. 06 What should I wear and bring for this 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 advised for temple and mosque visits. Bring a reusable water bottle.
7. 07 What is the best time of year to take this tour?

   The best time to take this tour is from October to April, when the weather is cooler and more comfortable for sightseeing. Summer months, from May to September, can be very hot, particularly in Upper Egypt.
8. 08 What is the photography policy at the sites visited?

   Photography is generally permitted at most outdoor sites, though some tombs and museum exhibits prohibit it or require a special permit for an extra fee. Your Egyptologist will advise on specific rules at each location. Tripods are often restricted.
9. 09 How does this tour differ from shorter Nile cruise packages?

   Unlike shorter, four-night cruise packages, this 8-day itinerary allows more time ashore for comprehensive visits to major sites like Edfu and Kom Ombo. This ensures a more in-depth exploration rather than brief stops.
10. 10 Will I have a private guide throughout the tour?

    Yes, you will have a dedicated English-speaking Egyptologist for all guided sightseeing activities as listed in the itinerary. Our Egyptologists provide expert commentary and manage the site visits.

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