9-Day Family Egypt Tour with Nile Cruise
Pyramids, a camel ride and a felucca in Cairo, then four nights on a Nile cruise ship from Luxor to Aswan. Flights, hotels, the ship and an Egyptologist are included.
The short answer
9-Day Family Egypt Tour with Nile Cruise is a 9-day, 8-night trip to Cairo, Luxor and Aswan: 4 nights in Cairo and 4 on a Nile cruise. Starts on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays or Fridays. It includes domestic flights, an Egyptologist guide, entrance fees and transfers. Prices start at $2,653 per person, two sharing (Essential, October–April).
02Overview
A first look
Egypt works well for families when the days have some variety. This family Nile cruise tour mixes big sights with things kids remember: a camel ride on the Giza Plateau, a sunset felucca on the Nile in Cairo, the Mummification Museum in Luxor and a visit to a Nubian village near Aswan.
You spend three nights in Cairo, then fly to Luxor and join your Nile cruise ship for four nights, sailing south to Aswan. A second flight brings you back to Cairo for a last night before you fly home. We book both domestic flights, every transfer, your hotels and your cabin. You choose the standard of hotel and ship when you book, and the sightseeing stays the same.
What lingers
- 01Giza Pyramids, the Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum in one long, guided day
- 02A camel ride on the Giza Plateau and a sunset felucca on the Nile in Cairo
- 03A Nile dinner cruise with an evening show on your first night
- 04Four nights on a Nile cruise ship from Luxor to Aswan, full board
- 05Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae with your Egyptologist
- 06The Mummification Museum in Luxor and a visit to a Nubian village near Aswan
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 $2,6533★ hotels · well-priced Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 4 nightsNephtis · Magic I | $2,653May–Sep: from $2,421 | |
| Comfortfrom $2,8154★ hotels · 5★ Nile cruises | Cairo · 4 nightsJewel Sport City Nile Cruise · 4 nightsLady Mary · Tower Prestige | $2,815May–Sep: from $2,629 | |
| Classicfrom $3,1235★ hotels · 5★ Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 4 nightsJaz Crown Jubilee · Stephanie | $3,123May–Sep: from $2,629 | |
| Prestigefrom $3,5915★ deluxe hotels · 5★ deluxe Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 4 nightsNile Excellence · Nile Serenity | $3,591May–Sep: from $3,383 | |
| Luxuryfrom $5,8225★ luxury hotels · 5★ luxury Nile cruises | Cairo · 4 nightsSt. Regis Cairo Nile Cruise · 4 nightsSonesta St. George I · Esmeralda | $5,822May–Sep: from $4,467 | |
| Signature Collectionfrom $7,705Iconic heritage vessels · landmark hotels | Cairo · 4 nightsFour Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza Nile Cruise · 4 nightsHistoria | $7,705May–Sep: from $6,113 |
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
9 Days / 8 Nights · Cairo · Giza Plateau · Khan el-Khalili · Luxor · Karnak Temple · Banana Island
- 1
Your driver meets you in the arrivals hall at Cairo Airport and takes you to your hotel. Rest after your flight. In the evening you are collected for a Nile dinner cruise: about two hours on the river with a buffet dinner, live entertainment and the lights of Cairo along the banks. A private transfer brings you back to your hotel.
- 2
The longest day of the trip, about 8 hours, so start rested. Your Egyptologist collects you at the hotel and takes you to the Giza Plateau to see the pyramids and the Great Sphinx. Lunch comes before the Grand Egyptian Museum, where the Tutankhamun collection and the great statues are a hit with older children. A private vehicle takes you back to the hotel.
Entrance fees, bottled water and transport are included.
- 3
A lighter day with a late pickup. Your Egyptologist takes you to the Citadel of Saladin and the Muhammad Ali Mosque, then on foot through Islamic Cairo to the Khan el-Khalili bazaar. The day also has a camel ride of about 20 minutes on the Giza Plateau, one camel per person with a handler beside you, and a sunset felucca on the Nile. Entrance fees and transport are included.
- 4
After breakfast a driver takes you to Cairo Airport for the domestic flight to Luxor, which is booked for you. In Luxor you meet your driver and Egyptologist for a visit to the Mummification Museum, then you go to your Nile cruise ship, settle into your cabin and have dinner on board. Sightseeing is arranged around the flight schedule.
- 5
With your Egyptologist you visit Karnak, the largest temple complex in Egypt, including the Sacred Lake and its forest of tall columns. Luxor Temple stands closer to the river. The sightseeing bundle covers the guide, the entrance fees and the transport. In the late afternoon a private motorboat takes the family out on the Nile at sunset, an easy hour for children after the temples.
Meals are on board and you spend the night on the ship.
- 6
You cross to the West Bank for the Colossi of Memnon, the Valley of the Kings, where three tombs are included, and the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari. It is hot and open ground, so wear hats and carry water. Your Egyptologist, the entrance fees and the transport are included, and you return to the ship for the night.
- 7
Today you visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu and the double temple of Kom Ombo, with your Egyptologist, entrance fees and transport included. In Aswan you also visit a Nubian village, where you see how the community lives beside the river. Then it is back to the ship for dinner and your last night on board.
- 8
After breakfast you leave the ship with your Egyptologist for Philae Temple, the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk, with entrance fees and transport included. A private transfer then takes you to Aswan Airport for the flight to Cairo, which is booked for you. The sightseeing is arranged around the airline schedule. A driver takes you to your Cairo hotel for the night.
- 9
Have breakfast, check out and relax. A private transfer takes you to Cairo Airport for your flight home. Spending the last night in Cairo gives you a buffer if a domestic flight runs late, so you do not risk missing your international connection.
Bundled in
- Domestic flights
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Four nights in a Cairo hotel with breakfast, and four nights on a Nile cruise ship on full board
- Domestic flights Cairo to Luxor and Aswan to Cairo
- All airport, hotel and port transfers by private vehicle
- Nile dinner cruise with an evening show in Cairo
- Private motorboat ride on the Nile at sunset in Luxor
- Camel ride on the Giza Plateau and a sunset felucca ride in Cairo
- English-speaking Egyptologist guide, entrance fees and transport on sightseeing days
- Lunch on the Giza day
- 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 on board and meals other than those stated
- Abu Simbel and other optional extras
- Travel insurance and personal expenses
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Book the camel ride for a calm moment on the Giza Plateau; children usually enjoy it more than the long walk.
- 02
Let younger travelers pick a scarab or cartouche in Khan el-Khalili; it keeps interest up during the souk stroll.
- 03
Visit the Mummification Museum in Luxor before the temples; the exhibits give children context for what comes next.
- 04
On Banana Island and the Nubian village, bring sandals and a hat; the sand and sun tire small legs quickly.
Tailor it
Make it yours
Choose your hotel and ship standard when you book. Ask us about adding Abu Simbel or extra nights in Cairo or Luxor.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- Families who want the pyramids and a Nile cruise in nine days, with a few activities that keep children interested. Suited to parents with school-age children and teens who can handle several hours of sightseeing a day.
Maybe not, if
- Travelers who need step-free access to every site, or families with very young children who cannot manage long days in a vehicle. Day 2 is about 8 hours.
Honest assessment
Real trade-offs from our experience managing this tour.
Highlights
- Family extras built in: camel ride, felucca, Mummification Museum, Nubian village
- Both domestic flights and all transfers handled for you
- Four nights on one ship, so no repacking between Luxor and Aswan
- A final night in Cairo protects your flight home
Things to Consider
- Day 2 at Giza is about 8 hours
- Uneven stone, steps and little shade at the major sites
- Abu Simbel is not included
Where it fits
A good first trip to Egypt for a family. Abu Simbel is not included, so ask us if it is on your list.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Many family trips to Egypt are a list of temples. This one adds a camel ride, a felucca, the Mummification Museum and a Nubian village, and books both flights and every transfer. Hotel and ship standard is your choice; the sightseeing does not change.
Compare
Similar tours to compare
On the ground
Your route
Snapshot
Good to know
- Travel style
- Guided family tour with a Nile cruise
- Accommodation
- Cairo hotels and a Nile cruise ship, standard chosen at booking
- Destinations
- Cairo · Giza Plateau · Khan el-Khalili · Luxor · Karnak Temple · Banana Island · Valley of the Kings · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan · Nubian Village
- Includes
- 4 nights in Cairo hotels with breakfast · 4 nights on a Nile cruise ship, full board · Flights Cairo to Luxor and Aswan to Cairo · Entrance fees to every listed site · English-speaking Egyptologist on sightseeing days · Camel ride and sunset felucca in Cairo
- Best for
- Families with children · Parents who want a guide to explain the sites · First-time visitors who want Cairo and a Nile cruise
The morning of
Meeting point & timing
- Where
- Cairo International Airport (CAI), Arrivals HallMap
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Passports and any required travel documents for every family member
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher
- Sun hats and sunglasses
- Refillable water bottles
- Snacks and a small activity for the longer drives
- Any personal medication
- A small day bag
- A light layer for the ship and for flights
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable clothing for sun and heat
- Closed shoes for temples, uneven ground and the camel ride
- Clothing that covers shoulders and knees at mosques and temples
- Hats and sunglasses
- A light jacket for evenings on the river in winter
Children & families
Children are welcome. 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. Day 2 is long, about 8 hours, so think about your children's stamina. Strollers are hard to use on stone and steps; a carrier works better for toddlers.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This tour involves a lot of walking on large archaeological sites, with uneven stone, sand, steps and some narrow tomb passages. Karnak and the Valley of the Kings have long outdoor stretches with little shade. Boarding the ship, the felucca and the boat at Philae involve steps or a gangway, and mounting a camel needs a step up. 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 are suitable.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The itinerary uses two domestic flights, a Nile cruise ship, private road transfers and a felucca under sail, and the vehicle type can vary, so we do not claim a carbon saving. Sightseeing is guided by local Egyptologists and arranged through local suppliers in Cairo, Luxor and Aswan, so most of the money you spend stays in the places you visit. Camel handlers are local families. We ask guests to carry refillable water bottles and not to touch painted walls in tombs.
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 this a good family Nile cruise?
Yes, if your children can handle some long days. It mixes temples with things to do: a camel ride at Giza, a felucca in Cairo, the Mummification Museum and a Nubian village. The ship gives everyone a base to rest.02How long is the Giza day?
About 8 hours, the longest day on the tour. It covers the pyramids, the Sphinx, lunch and the Grand Egyptian Museum. Bring snacks and water, and tell your guide when the children need a break.03Are the domestic flights included?
Yes. The flights from Cairo to Luxor on day 4 and from Aswan to Cairo on day 8 are booked for you and included. International flights are not. Flight times follow the airline schedule.04How many nights are on the Nile cruise?
Four nights on board, from Luxor to Aswan, on full board: breakfast, lunch and dinner. The other four nights are in Cairo hotels with breakfast.05Which ship and hotels will we have?
You choose a standard when you book, from budget to luxury, and we name the ship and hotels for your dates. The itinerary and sightseeing are the same at every standard.06Will I make my international flight?
Domestic and international tickets are separate bookings, so a delayed domestic flight can cost you the connection. That is why this tour ends with a last night in Cairo. If you change the plan and fly to Cairo and connect the same day, choose a late-evening or night international flight. Take travel insurance that covers missed connections.07Is Abu Simbel included?
No. This itinerary does not include Abu Simbel. Ask us and we will show you options for adding it.08Is this tour private?
Your Egyptologist and driver are private for the sightseeing in Cairo, Luxor and Aswan. On the ship you are with the other guests on board.09What is not included?
International flights, the Egypt visa, tips for guides, drivers and ship staff, drinks other than those stated, and personal expenses.
Last updated Product ID: TOU-CAI-623478
At a glance
- Length
- 9 days · 8 nights
- Starts
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu or Fri
- Route
- Cairo → Luxor → Edfu → Kom Ombo → Aswan → Cairo
- Nights
- 4 Cairo · 4 Nile cruise
- Includes
- Domestic flights, Egyptologist guide, entrance fees, transfers