Cairo & Nile Cruise: 8 Days Sleeper Train & Luxor

Eight Days on the Nile: Pyramids, Temples & Overnight Trains

You get airport pickup, two hotel nights with breakfast, a round-trip sleeper train with dinner and breakfast both ways, five days on a 5-star Nile cruise with all meals, and a guide for every temple visit from the Pyramids to the Valley of the Kings. The sleeper train and cruise cabins are private, and all transfers between Cairo, Aswan, and Luxor are included, so you're not arranging transport or entry fees yourself.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and transfer to hotel

• Pick up from Cairo airport
• Transfer to hotel in Cairo or Giza

Day 2: Giza Pyramids and ancient sites

• Visit Giza Pyramids and Sphinx
• Explore Sakkara Step Pyramids
• Tour Memphis open air museum

Day 3: Cairo city tour and sleeper train

• Visit Egyptian Museum
• Explore Coptic Cairo churches and synagogue
• Visit Cairo Citadel and Alabaster Mosque
• Transfer to Giza train station
• Overnight sleeper train to Aswan

Day 4: Aswan arrival and city tour

• Arrive in Aswan and meet tour representative
• Transfer to Nile Cruise
• Visit Aswan High Dam
• See the Unfinished Obelisk
• Visit Philae Temple by boat

Day 5: Kom Ombo temple visit

• Sail to Kom Ombo Temple
• Visit Kom Ombo Temple with guide
• Return to cruise and sail to Edfu

Day 6: Edfu temple and Luxor tour

• Visit Temple of Horus in Edfu
• Cross Esna Lock and sail to Luxor
• Visit Karnak Temple in Luxor
• Visit Luxor Temple

Day 7: Luxor West Bank and train transfer

• Visit Hatshepsut Temple
• Explore Valley of the Kings
• See Memnon statues
• Transfer to Luxor train station
• Overnight sleeper train to Cairo

Day 8: Arrival and final transfer

• Arrive at Giza train station
• Transfer to Cairo airport or hotel

The experience

So you're thinking about doing Egypt but don't want to piece it together yourself: yeah, that makes sense. This one strings together the three things most people actually want to see: the pyramids around Cairo, the temples along the Nile between Aswan and Luxor, and the whole thing tied together with sleeper trains instead of flights. You fly into Cairo, get picked up at the airport, and from there it's all arranged. Two nights in a Giza hotel (they try to give you a pyramid view room), then an overnight train down to Aswan, five days on a 5-star cruise ship floating past temples, and another sleeper train back to Cairo. Eight days total.

The rhythm of it is what makes it work. Day two you're at the Giza Pyramids, Saqqara, and Memphis: the big Cairo hits. Day three you see the Egyptian Museum, walk through Old Cairo and the Citadel, then board the train at Giza station in the evening. You sleep on the train, wake up in Aswan, and that's when the Nile cruise actually starts. From there the boat moves you between the temples: Philae Temple in Aswan, Kom Ombo as you sail south, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, then Karnak and Luxor Temple when you arrive. On the west bank in Luxor you get the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut, and the Colossi of Memnon. Then another sleeper train back to Cairo, and a transfer to the airport or your hotel.

The sleeper train both ways includes dinner and breakfast, so you're not paying extra for those meals and you're not losing a day to travel. The cruise cabins are private and on the upper deck, not a shared bunk situation. Your guide stays with you for all the temple visits, not just dropping you at the gate. Pickups happen at Cairo airport (about an hour to the hotel), then from the train stations in Aswan and Luxor. Everything is in an air-conditioned vehicle, and the whole package includes entry fees, so you're not stopping at a booth every two hours to pay again.

If you've never done a Nile cruise and the idea of eight days sounds like too much, there are shorter versions, but this one actually lets you breathe at each place instead of rushing through. The trade is that you're on a schedule (the train leaves when it leaves, the boat sails on its route), so you can't linger for three hours at one temple if you want to make the next one. But that's also what keeps it from turning into a month-long trip. Optional add-ons like Abu Simbel or a hot air balloon ride over Luxor cost extra if you want them.

What’s included

• Your eight days include airport pickup and transfer to your Giza hotel, two nights in a hotel with breakfast (pyramid view room if available), round-trip sleeper train with private cabin, dinner, and breakfast both ways, three nights on a 5-star Nile cruise with breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, expert guide for all temple visits and tours, all entry fees and landing fees, and all transfers between your hotel, train stations in Cairo and Aswan, and Luxor. Meals on the train and cruise are covered.
• meals in Cairo outside the hotel are your own.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday and Sunday

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Arabic

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessible

Operated by Egypt Best Holidays

Is this one for you?Book this if you want Egypt's main sights (pyramids, temples, the Nile) without arranging flights between cities, buying tickets at each site, or figuring out your own transport. The sleeper trains and cruise handle the logistics, so you show up and the guide takes you through.

Traveler reviews

4.75★★★★★★★★★★

123 verified traveler reviews

5 ★100

4 ★19

3 ★1

2 ★2

1 ★1

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Arabic.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 10 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

How long is the flight from Cairo to Aswan?

There's no flight. You take an overnight sleeper train from Giza station in Cairo, arriving in Aswan the next morning. The train includes a private cabin, dinner, and breakfast.

Are meals included on the Nile cruise?

Yes. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included every day on the cruise. The sleeper trains also include dinner and breakfast.

What if I need to arrive or leave on a different day?

The itinerary is fixed at eight days. If your dates don't match, contact the operator. They may have shorter or longer versions available.

Is the hotel in Cairo near the Pyramids?

The hotel is in Giza, and they try to book you a room with a pyramid view if available. It's about an hour from Cairo airport.

Do I need a visa for Egypt?

Most nationalities need a visa. You'll need to arrange this before booking. The operator will ask for a copy of your passport to book the sleeper train.

Can I do this tour if I have mobility issues?

The tour is listed as wheelchair accessible and suitable for all fitness levels. Temple sites involve some walking and stairs, so confirm specific concerns with the operator before booking.

What's included in the price?

Hotel nights with breakfast, sleeper train cabins with meals, the 5-star cruise with all meals, all entry fees, guide services, and all transfers in Cairo, Aswan, and Luxor.

Can I add a hot air balloon or Abu Simbel?

Yes, both are available as optional add-ons for an extra cost. Arrange these when you book or contact the operator once you arrive.