Cairo & Nile Cruise: 7-Night Egypt Tour with Flights & All Transfers

Summary

From Giza’s pyramids to quiet Nile mornings, Egypt’s history feels close

You’ll step straight into Egypt’s living history: stand before Giza’s pyramids with a local guide, drift along the Nile between Luxor and Aswan on a five-star cruise, explore tombs in the Valley of the Kings, and share small moments with people who know these stories by heart. This trip isn’t just sites — it’s voices, flavors, sunlight off ancient stone.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that went sideways was my suitcase not showing up at Cairo Airport. I was already sweating (nerves? humidity?) when our tour rep spotted me waving my lost-luggage slip. He just grinned, told me not to worry — “You have everything you need for now: passport and curiosity.” Not wrong. He got us to the hotel in this cool, humming car, and I remember the city lights flickering past like they couldn’t decide if it was night or day. That first night in Cairo felt both loud and strangely soft at the same time.

Next morning, breakfast still lingering on my tongue (the bread here is different — almost smoky?), we met our guide for the pyramids. She pointed out Cheops, Chephren, and Mykerinus as if they were old friends. The Sphinx looked smaller than I’d pictured but somehow more alive; kids ran around its paws while a camel chewed something that smelled sweet and grassy. Inside the Egyptian Museum later, I got stuck staring at Tutankhamen’s mask — gold but not shiny like I’d expected. More like heavy sunlight trapped in metal. Our guide explained how the Valley Temple was used for mummification; I tried to imagine the air thick with incense centuries ago.

Flying down to Luxor was smoother than any train ride I’ve ever taken — quick hop, then suddenly we’re boarding this floating hotel for our Nile cruise. The boat rocked gently as we ate lunch; outside, farmers waved from green fields that looked painted on. Visiting Karnak Temple in late afternoon light made everything feel taller and older; there was this echo under the stone columns when our guide clapped her hands (she said it helps wake up the gods). By dinner on deck, I realized I hadn’t thought about my missing bag once all day.

The days blurred into each other: waking early for the Valley of the Kings (the air tasted dusty-cold), drifting past villages where kids shouted “hello!” from muddy banks, standing under the Colossi of Memnon while someone’s phone played Egyptian pop music nearby. At Kom Ombo Temple, a local kid tried teaching me how to say “Sobek” right — he laughed every time I messed it up. The Nile cruise itself felt like a moving pause button; sometimes you’d just sit on deck watching palm trees slide by in silence broken only by birds or distant calls to prayer.

By Aswan, after seeing Philae Temple shimmer on its island and touching granite at the Unfinished Obelisk (still warm from sun), I realized how much these places live through people — guides who tease you about your Arabic accent or fellow travelers sharing pomegranate seeds on deck. When we finally flew back to Cairo for one last night before heading home, my bag had caught up with me. But honestly? It didn’t matter anymore.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival and hotel check-in in Cairo

• Meet representative at Cairo Airport
• Transfer to hotel by air-conditioned car
• Check in and receive excursion details

Day 2 — Giza Pyramids and Cairo sightseeing

• Breakfast at hotel
• Visit Great Pyramids and Sphinx
• Visit Valley Temple of King Chefren
• Tour Egyptian Museum
• Visit Hanging Church and Ben Ezra Synagogue
• Shop at Khan El Khalili Bazaar
• Return to hotel for overnight

Day 3 — Fly to Luxor and start Nile cruise

• Check out from hotel
• Transfer to Cairo Airport
• Fly to Luxor
• Transfer to Nile cruise ship
• Lunch on board
• Visit Karnak and Luxor Temples
• Dinner and overnight on board

Day 4 — Valley of the Kings and sail to Edfu

• Breakfast on board
• Visit Valley of the Kings
• Visit Temple of Hatshepsut
• See Colossi of Memnon
• Return to cruise for lunch
• Sail to Edfu
• Dinner and overnight on board

Day 5 — Edfu and Kom Ombo temples visit

• Breakfast on board
• Visit Temple of Horus at Edfu
• Sail to Kom Ombo
• Visit Kom Ombo Temple
• Lunch on board
• Sail to Aswan
• Dinner and overnight on board

Day 6 — Aswan sightseeing and temple visits

• Breakfast on board
• Visit Aswan High Dam
• Visit Unfinished Obelisk
• Visit Philae Temple
• Return to cruise
• Lunch and dinner on board
• Overnight on board

Day 7 — Return to Cairo and hotel stay

• Breakfast on board
• Transfer to Aswan Airport
• Fly to Cairo
• Meet and assist at Cairo Airport
• Transfer to hotel
• Overnight in Cairo

Day 8 — Departure from Cairo

• Breakfast at hotel
• Check out from hotel
• Transfer to Cairo Airport
• Depart from Cairo

Top questions

Is pickup included at Cairo Airport?

Yes, private airport pickup is included when you arrive in Cairo.

Are domestic flights between cities part of this tour?

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

How many nights do you spend on the Nile cruise?

You’ll spend four nights aboard a five-star Nile cruise ship.

Which attractions are visited during this Egypt tour?

You’ll see Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Egyptian Museum, Karnak Temple, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Colossi of Memnon, Edfu & Kom Ombo Temples, Aswan High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk & Philae Temple.

Are meals included during the trip?

Most meals are included: daily breakfast in Cairo hotels plus full board (all meals) during your Nile cruise.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes; wheelchair access is available throughout most of this Egypt itinerary.

Is there an English-speaking guide?

Yes; all tours are led by English-speaking guides.

Do I need a valid passport for this trip?

A valid passport is required on your day of travel.

What’s included

Your journey covers private airport transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle both ways; three nights’ accommodation in Cairo with daily breakfast; four nights aboard a five-star superior Nile cruise including all meals; guided tours of top sites like Giza Pyramids and Valley of the Kings; entry fees; bottled water during excursions; domestic flights between Cairo–Luxor–Aswan–Cairo; plus all service charges and taxes so you can focus on what’s unfolding around you instead of logistics.