Egypt: Nile Cruise, Giza Pyramids & Hot Air Balloon Tour

Summary

Float over Luxor at dawn, wander Giza’s pyramids, drift down the Nile and lose track of time

You’ll wake up under Cairo’s city lights, float above Luxor at sunrise in a hot air balloon, drift down the Nile on a 5-star cruise with local guides sharing stories along every stop—from Giza’s pyramids to Abu Simbel’s colossal statues. Expect laughter over shared meals, ancient tombs cooled by stone walls, and small moments that linger long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit it — I never thought I’d actually stand in front of the Giza pyramids. They look almost unreal from a distance, just shapes against the haze. But our Egyptology guide (his name was Ahmed) started telling stories about the workers’ villages and little tricks for spotting where the blocks fit together. He had this way of making you feel like you were peeking behind the curtain. The Sphinx was smaller than I expected but somehow more mysterious — a group of school kids were giggling nearby, trying to mimic its face for selfies. It was hot already by mid-morning, that kind of dry heat that makes your shirt stick a bit.

The overnight train to Luxor rattled more than I’d guessed — if you’re a light sleeper, bring earplugs. But waking up and stepping out into Luxor’s morning felt worth it. The Karnak temple is huge; honestly, I kept losing track of which column we’d just seen. Lunch on the Nile cruise was a buffet — lots of tahini and grilled chicken — and I ended up sitting next to an older couple from Alexandria who insisted I try their favorite pickled lemons (sour but good). At sunset on deck, the river went this strange gold color and you could hear distant music from shore.

The hot air balloon ride over Luxor is something I still think about. We took off before sunrise; it was chilly at first but then warm air filled the basket and suddenly we were floating above fields and tombs. Our pilot pointed out tiny dots below — farmers waving up at us — and for a minute everyone went quiet except for the hiss of the burner. After landing (a bit bumpy), we went straight to Valley of the Kings. The tombs are cooler inside; there’s this faint smell of stone dust and old paint, which sounds odd but really sticks with you.

Sailing south toward Aswan felt slow in a good way. Sometimes you’d see kids waving from riverbanks or fishermen paddling past on tiny boats. The temples at Edfu and Kom Ombo were busy but our guide always found these quiet corners to explain things — like how they used horse carriages in Edfu because cars can’t get through those narrow streets. Abu Simbel meant an early start (I’m not a morning person), but seeing those giant statues lit by real sunlight instead of photos...well, it’s different when you’re standing there squinting up at them.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival and welcome in Cairo

• Arrive at Cairo international airport
• Meet representative with name sign
• Receive Cairo information briefing
• Overnight at Cairo hotel

Day 2 — Great pyramids and night train to Luxor

• Breakfast at hotel
• Visit the three pyramids
• Visit the valley temple
• See the Sphinx statue
• Return to hotel
• Evening pickup for night train to Luxor
• Overnight on train to Luxor

Day 3 — Luxor East bank and Nile cruise

• Pickup from Luxor train station
• Visit Karnak temple
• Visit Luxor temple
• Check in Nile cruise at lunchtime
• Rest and refresh on cruise
• Evening disco party on cruise
• Overnight on cruise

Day 4 — Hot air balloon and West bank tour

• Early morning hot air balloon ride
• Visit Valley of the Kings
• Visit Queen Hatsheput temple
• Return to East bank
• Begin sailing Nile cruise
• Enjoy river views and cultures
• Pass Esna lock
• Overnight on cruise

Day 5 — Edfu and Kom Ombo temples visit

• Horse carriage to Edfu temple
• Return to cruise and sail to Kom Ombo
• Visit Kom Ombo temple at sunset
• Enjoy Egyptian tea on sun deck
• Overnight on Nile cruise

Day 6 — Abu Simbel temples and Aswan market

• Early morning visit to Abu Simbel temples
• Return to Aswan at lunchtime
• Rest and refresh on cruise
• Evening visit to Aswan local market
• Overnight on Nile cruise

Day 7 — Aswan High Dam and Philae island

• Disembark after breakfast
• Visit Aswan High Dam
• Take motor boat to Philae island temple
• Drive to Aswan train station
• Overnight train to Cairo

Day 8 — Arrival and leisure in Cairo

• Arrive at Giza train station
• Transfer to hotel in Cairo
• Day at leisure
• Optional tours available
• Overnight at Cairo hotel

Day 9 — Final departure from Cairo

• Enjoy breakfast
• Transfer to Cairo international airport
• Depart with memories and photos

Top questions

How many nights does this Egypt tour last?

This Egypt tour lasts 8 nights in total.

Is hotel pickup included for airport arrivals?

Yes, door-to-door transfers from Cairo International Airport are included.

Does this trip include a Nile cruise?

Yes, four nights are spent aboard a 5-star Nile cruise with all meals provided onboard.

Are entrance fees to sites like Giza Pyramids included?

Yes, all site visits mentioned in the itinerary have entry fees covered.

Is there a hot air balloon ride in Luxor?

Yes, a hot air balloon trip over Luxor is included (weather permitting).

Are meals provided during the tour?

Most meals are included—breakfasts in hotels and all meals while on the cruise.

Can I upgrade my hotel or train class?

You can upgrade hotels or trains for an extra cost upon request.

Is an Egyptologist guide present throughout?

An expert Egyptology guide leads all main site visits as part of your tour.

What’s included

Your journey covers airport pickup and drop-off in Cairo, two nights’ stay in Cairo with breakfast (upgradable), four nights on a 5-star Nile cruise with full board meals starting from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on departure day, guided visits to Giza Pyramids, Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, Abu Simbel and more—all led by an Egyptology guide—plus roundtrip first-class train tickets between cities and even that sunrise hot air balloon flight over Luxor.