8-Day Cairo & Nile Cruise Tour with Flights and Guided Visits

Summary

Cairo Pyramids, Egyptian Museum & Nile Cruise Adventure

You’ll walk among ancient pyramids, sail down the Nile past villages and temples, taste real Egyptian food, and meet guides who know every story behind each stone. This trip brings Egypt alive in ways photos never could.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that hit me stepping out of Cairo airport was the warm air—almost sweet with a hint of spice from street vendors nearby. Someone from the team met us right at arrivals, helped with the passport lines (which can get busy), and before I knew it, we were in a cool car heading to our hotel. The drive into Cairo is a bit chaotic but lively; you’ll spot locals selling tea on the roadside and kids weaving through traffic. Our hotel was proper five-star comfort—a welcome pause after a long flight.

Next morning, breakfast was simple but fresh—think flatbread, eggs, strong coffee. We set off for Giza early to beat the crowds. Seeing the Great Pyramids up close is something else; no photo really prepares you for their size or how the desert wind feels against your face. Our guide (an Egyptologist who grew up in Giza) pointed out graffiti left by workers thousands of years ago—tiny details I’d never have noticed alone. The Sphinx sits quietly nearby, its nose long gone but still impressive. Afterward, we stopped at a papyrus institute where an old man showed us how they turn reeds into paper—his hands moved fast but gentle.

Lunch was at a local spot just outside Giza—grilled chicken, tahini, rice with vermicelli—and then off to the Egyptian Museum downtown. It’s busy and a bit noisy inside but worth it for Tutankhamen’s gold mask alone. There’s even a room full of animal mummies (the cats are weirdly cute). Back at the hotel that night, I could still hear distant car horns as I drifted off.

The next day started early again—we flew south to Luxor. The air felt drier here and there’s this faint smell of river water everywhere. Boarding our Nile cruise ship felt like stepping back in time; polished wood decks and staff greeting us with hibiscus juice. Lunch on board was buffet-style—lots of salads and grilled fish while watching small boats drift past.

Our Egyptologist led us through Karnak Temple that afternoon—the columns are so tall you almost lose your sense of scale. At sunset, back on deck, there was disco music playing softly as locals waved from passing feluccas.

West Bank visits meant exploring tombs in the Valley of Kings (we saw three—each painted differently), Hatshepsut’s temple built right into the cliffs, and those massive Memnon statues standing guard over empty fields. Crossing Esna lock later was oddly exciting—the boat rises slowly as water fills around you; some kids waved from shore selling dates.

One morning we rode horse-drawn carriages to Edfu Temple—the driver chatted about his family farm between clops on cobblestones. Kom Ombo Temple came next: half dedicated to crocodiles (there’s an actual crocodile mummy room). Afternoon tea on deck became my favorite ritual—black tea with mint as palm trees slid by outside.

Aswan brought more temples: Philae Island is peaceful except for birds calling overhead; our guide explained how they moved every stone when building Lake Nasser flooded the old site. We drove past both Aswan dams—the new one is huge but it’s the old dam that locals seem proudest of.

The last day on board you can visit Abu Simbel if you want (it’s an early start). Then it’s back to Cairo for one last night—a quick stroll through Khan Khalili bazaar where shopkeepers call out “welcome!” and spices fill the air before heading home with sand still in my shoes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival and Transfer to Hotel

• Arrival at Cairo airport
• Assistance with passport and customs
• Transfer to 5* hotel in Cairo
• Overnight in Cairo

Day 2 — Cairo Pyramids and Museum

• Breakfast at hotel
• Visit Great Pyramids of Giza and Sphinx
• Visit papyrus institute
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Visit Egyptian Museum (Tutankhamen treasures)
• Return to hotel
• Overnight in Cairo

Day 3 — Fly to Luxor and Nile Cruise

• Breakfast at hotel
• Transfer to Cairo airport
• Flight to Luxor
• Meet and transfer to Nile Cruise
• Lunch on board
• Visit Karnak Temples (East Bank)
• Dinner on board
• Disco entertainment
• Overnight on Nile Cruise (Luxor)

Day 4 — West Bank and Sail to Edfu

• Breakfast on board
• Visit Valley of Kings (3 tombs)
• Visit Hatshepsut Temple
• Visit Memnon statues
• Lunch on board
• Sail towards Aswan, cross Esna lock
• Dinner on board
• Entertainment
• Overnight on Nile Cruise (Edfu)

Day 5 — Edfu and Kom Ombo Temples

• Breakfast on board
• Horse carriage ride to Edfu Temple
• Sail to Kom Ombo
• Lunch on board
• Visit Kom Ombo Temple and crocodile mummy room
• Sail to Aswan
• Dinner on board
• Entertainment
• Overnight on Nile Cruise (Aswan)

Day 6 — Aswan Sightseeing

• Breakfast on board
• Visit Philae Temple and Isis Island
• Tour High Dam and Old Dam of Aswan
• Lunch on board
• Dinner on board
• Entertainment
• Overnight on Nile Cruise (Aswan)

Day 7 — Return to Cairo and Bazaar Visit

• Breakfast on board
• Free day for Abu Simbel temples (optional)
• Disembark from cruise
• Transfer to Aswan airport
• Flight to Cairo
• Transfer to hotel
• Visit Khan Khalili bazaars
• Overnight in Cairo

Day 8 — Departure

• Breakfast at hotel
• Check out and transfer to Cairo airport

Top questions

Is this Egypt tour suitable for families with young children?

Yes! Kids are welcome—there are child rates when sharing rooms with adults, infant seats available, prams/strollers allowed everywhere, and guides are used to families joining tours.

Are vegetarian meal options available during the tour?

Absolutely—just let us know when booking if you need vegetarian meals or have other dietary needs; local restaurants and cruise chefs can accommodate most requests.

Is this trip accessible for wheelchair users?

Yes—the vehicles, hotels, cruise ship, and main attractions are wheelchair accessible throughout the journey.

Will we have free time during the itinerary?

You’ll have some downtime each day on board plus free time in Cairo after returning from Aswan; optional excursions like Abu Simbel are also available if you wish.

What’s included

Your package covers daily breakfast plus all meals while cruising (lunches and dinners included), 5-star hotels in Cairo and aboard your Nile cruise ship, domestic flights between Cairo/Luxor/Aswan round-trip transfers by private vehicle with bottled water provided daily. All guided tours—including entrance fees—and airport assistance are included too. Vegetarian options available upon request; just mention any special needs when booking!