Egypt Pyramids & Nile Cruise with Valley of the Kings

Summary

From Cairo to Luxor temples pyramids cruise & ancient tombs

You’ll walk beneath Egypt’s ancient pyramids, drift along the Nile past temples older than memory, and stand quietly inside royal tombs at Luxor’s Valley of the Kings. With a local guide handling every detail from airport pickup to meals on board your Nile cruise, you’ll have space to take it all in — even if some moments leave you speechless.

What’s the experience like?

We landed in Cairo late and I was honestly just relieved to spot our guide holding my name at the airport — I hadn’t slept much on the flight. The drive into the city was a blur of headlights and honking, but by morning I’d woken up with the Pyramids right outside my window. Standing in front of Cheops’ pyramid is stranger than you expect — it’s not just big, it’s old in a way that makes your skin prickle. Our guide, Ahmed, told us stories about the workers who built it (he swears some were paid in beer), and I tried to imagine hauling those blocks under this sun. We took silly photos at the Sphinx and then ducked into a tiny restaurant for lunch — grilled chicken, warm bread, something green and sharp I still can’t name.

The next day we flew south for the Nile cruise. Aswan felt warmer somehow — softer air maybe? The boat itself was fancier than I’d pictured; my cabin had these little towels folded like swans. On deck you could smell river water and diesel mixed together. Visiting Philae Temple by boat was surreal: columns rising out of stone islands, birds everywhere. Our guide pointed out carvings of Isis and Hathor while a local kid tried to sell me postcards (I caved). At Kom Ombo we saw crocodile mummies — they really do look like monsters even after all these centuries.

I didn’t expect to feel so small walking through Karnak’s columns or standing in the Valley of the Kings with all that silence pressing down. There’s this moment when you step inside a tomb — cool air, dust motes floating in your flashlight beam — and you see colors painted thousands of years ago. It hit me then how much time has passed here, how many people have come through before us. Our group got quiet after that; even Ahmed seemed thoughtful as we left.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival and hotel transfer in Cairo

• Meet representative at Cairo airport
• Transfer to hotel by private vehicle
• Review itinerary with guide at hotel

Day 2 — Pyramids and Egyptian Museum tour

• Pick up from hotel in Cairo
• Visit Great Pyramid of Cheops
• View Pyramids from Panorama area
• Visit the Great Sphinx and Valley Temple
• Enjoy lunch at local restaurant
• Tour the Egyptian Museum
• Return to hotel in Cairo

Day 3 — Fly to Aswan and Nile cruise embark

• Fly from Cairo to Aswan
• Meet guide at Aswan airport
• Visit Aswan High Dam
• Visit Philae Temple
• Embark Nile River Cruise before lunch
• Dinner and overnight on cruise in Aswan

Day 4 — Abu Simbel and Kom Ombo visit

• Optional visit to Abu Simbel temples
• Cruise to Kom Ombo
• Visit Kom Ombo Temple and crocodile mummies
• Cruise to Edfu

Day 5 — Edfu Temple and Luxor sightseeing

• Visit Temple of Horus in Edfu
• Cruise to Luxor
• Visit Karnak Temple east bank
• Visit Luxor Temple

Day 6 — West Bank tours and fly to Cairo

• Explore West Bank Necropolis of Thebes
• View Colossi of Memnon
• Visit Temple of Hatshepsut
• Visit Valley of the Kings
• Enter tomb of Tutankhamun (extra ticket)
• Transfer to Luxor airport
• Fly to Cairo
• Transfer to hotel in Cairo

Day 7 — Departure from Cairo

• Transfer to Cairo international airport
• Fly back home

Top questions

How long is the Egypt pyramids and Nile cruise tour?

The tour lasts 7 days including time in Cairo and on a Nile River cruise between Aswan and Luxor.

Are domestic flights included in this Egypt tour?

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

Is hotel pickup provided for this tour?

Yes, airport transfers and hotel pickups are included throughout the trip.

What sites are visited during the Nile cruise?

The cruise visits Philae Temple, Kom Ombo Temple, Edfu Temple, Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, and more.

Are entrance fees covered on this Egypt package?

All entrance fees for listed attractions are included in the price.

Is there a local guide during tours?

Yes, a certified professional local guide accompanies you at each site.

Are meals included on the Nile cruise?

Full board meals are provided during your stay on the 5-star Nile cruise.

Can I visit Abu Simbel on this itinerary?

An optional excursion to Abu Simbel is available during your cruise days.

What’s included

Your week includes airport transfers by private vehicle, three nights’ accommodation in Cairo with breakfast daily, three nights aboard a 5-star Nile cruise with all meals included, guided tours at every major site from Giza Pyramids to Valley of the Kings (with entry fees covered), domestic flights between cities, bottled water during outings, plus camel rides at Giza and a felucca sail in Aswan before returning home from Cairo.