Cairo, Aswan & Luxor: Nile Cruise, Pyramids & Ancient Temples

Summary

From Cairo’s chaos to Nile’s quiet, temples and stories linger

You’ll stand before Giza’s pyramids as sunlight hits ancient stones, drift down the Nile past palm groves on a 5-star cruise with all meals included, explore temples in Aswan and Luxor with an expert Egyptologist guide by your side, and wander Cairo’s tangled streets—from Coptic churches to lively markets—with time for real conversations and quiet moments you’ll remember long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the way Cairo’s air tasted—dusty but sweet, almost like cinnamon if you’re standing near a bakery. Our guide, Amr, met us at the airport holding a sign with my name (I always get nervous about that part). He had this easy way of weaving facts into conversation—like how the Giza Pyramids line up with Orion’s Belt. When we finally stood in front of them, I caught myself staring at the stones instead of taking photos. There’s something about seeing those blocks up close—rougher than I expected, warm from the sun—and hearing distant laughter from kids selling postcards. The Sphinx looked smaller than I’d imagined but somehow more alive. We ducked into the Egyptian Museum after that; it smelled faintly like old paper and lemon polish. Amr pointed out Tutankhamun’s mask and winked when he saw me gawking.

Flying to Aswan was quick—just over an hour—and suddenly everything slowed down. The Nile cruise felt like a dream I didn’t want to wake from: palm trees along the banks, fishermen waving as we drifted past on our boat. The Philae Temple sits on its own island; getting there by motorboat was a little surreal (the water was so blue it almost hurt my eyes). Our Egyptologist guide told stories about Isis and Osiris while we wandered between columns carved with birds and gods. At sunset in Aswan, we took a felucca ride—the sails creaked in the breeze and someone nearby was playing oud music that floated across the water. I think that moment is still lodged somewhere in my chest.

We skipped Abu Simbel (early morning isn’t really my thing), but sailing to Kom Ombo Temple made up for it. There were crocodile mummies inside—I didn’t expect that part—and our group kept joking about Sobek watching us through those painted eyes. Dinners on the cruise were lively; one night there was a Galabeya party where I tried dancing in borrowed robes (let’s just say locals have better rhythm). Edfu Temple came next—so well preserved it almost felt new—and then Luxor hit me like nowhere else: Karnak’s forest of columns, Luxor Temple glowing gold at dusk.

The Valley of the Kings was quieter than I thought it would be. Inside one tomb, the colors looked fresh enough to touch; our guide whispered so his voice wouldn’t echo too loud against all that history. Hatshepsut’s temple rose out of the cliffs like something half-remembered from a dream. Lunches were always local places—lots of grilled eggplant and tahini—and sometimes you’d catch someone singing softly behind the counter.

Back in Cairo for Islamic and Coptic sites, I realized how layered this city is—churches above Roman ruins above older secrets still buried somewhere below traffic horns and coffee stalls. By then I’d stopped trying to capture everything with my phone and just let myself listen: prayers drifting over rooftops at dusk, people haggling in markets, Amr laughing at his own jokes. Even now when someone mentions Egypt, it all comes back—the river light on stone walls, sand underfoot at dawn outside Luxor.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival and transfer to hotel

• Arrive at Cairo airport
• Meet and assist by tour representative
• Transfer to 5-star deluxe hotel
• Overnight in Cairo hotel

Day 2 — Giza Pyramids and Egyptian Museum

• Visit Giza Pyramids
• See Valley Temple and The Sphinx
• Visit Egyptian Museum
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Overnight in Cairo hotel

Day 3 — Fly to Aswan and Nile cruise start

• Breakfast at Cairo hotel
• Transfer to Cairo airport
• Fly to Aswan
• Visit Aswan High Dam
• Visit Philae Temple by motorboat
• Enjoy felucca sailing on Nile
• Lunch and dinner on Nile cruise
• Overnight on Nile cruise

Day 4 — Optional Abu Simbel and Komombo Temple

• Optional tour to Abu Simbel Temple
• Lunch on Nile cruise
• Visit Komombo Temple at 6pm
• Dinner and Galabya party on cruise
• Sail to Edfu and overnight

Day 5 — Edfu Temple and Luxor temples

• Visit Edfu Temple
• Sail to Luxor passing Esna lock
• Visit Karnak Temple at 4pm
• Visit Luxor Temple
• Dinner and belly dancer show on cruise
• Overnight on Nile cruise

Day 6 — Valley of the Kings and fly to Cairo

• Disembark Nile cruise
• Visit Valley of the Kings
• Visit Hatshepsut Temple
• Visit Colossi of Memnon
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Transfer to Luxor airport
• Fly back to Cairo
• Transfer to Cairo hotel
• Overnight in Cairo hotel

Day 7 — Tour Islamic and Coptic Cairo

• Visit Hanging Church in Coptic Cairo
• Visit Church of Abu Serga crypt
• Visit Ben Ezra Synagogue
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Visit Amr Ibn-AlAs Mosque
• Visit Ibn Tulun Mosque
• Visit Sultan Hassan Mosque-Madrassa
• Return to hotel
• Overnight in Cairo hotel

Day 8 — Departure from Cairo

• Breakfast at hotel
• Transfer to Cairo airport
• Final departure

Top questions

How many days is this private Egypt tour?

This tour lasts 8 days including time in Cairo plus a 4-day Nile cruise between Aswan and Luxor.

Are domestic flights between cities included?

Yes, flights from Cairo to Aswan and Luxor back to Cairo are included in the package.

What hotels are used during this tour?

You’ll stay in 5-star deluxe hotels in Cairo (such as Ramses Hilton or similar) and on a 5-star deluxe Nile cruise ship.

Is hotel pickup provided at arrival?

Yes, airport pickup upon arrival in Cairo is included along with all transfers throughout your trip.

Which major sites are visited on this itinerary?

You’ll visit Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Egyptian Museum (Cairo), Philae Temple & High Dam (Aswan), Kom Ombo & Edfu Temples, Karnak & Luxor Temples, Valley of the Kings & Hatshepsut Temple (Luxor), plus Old & Islamic Cairo.

Are meals included during the Nile cruise?

Yes, full board meals are provided during your 4-night Nile cruise segment.

Is there an option to visit Abu Simbel?

The Abu Simbel excursion is optional for an extra fee; you can join or skip depending on preference.

Will we have an English-speaking guide?

An English-speaking Egyptologist guide accompanies you throughout all tours at each site.

What’s included

Your trip includes daily hotel pickup and drop-off with all airport transfers covered; four nights’ stay at a 5-star deluxe hotel in Cairo with breakfast; three nights aboard a 5-star deluxe Nile cruise with full board meals; entrance fees for all listed attractions; guided tours led by an expert Egyptologist; domestic flights between cities; bottled water during sightseeing; baggage handling; plus support from local staff whenever needed along the way.