Tour Name: Nile and Pyramids
Locations: Luxor – Aswan – Pyramids
Duration: 7 nights and 8 days in Egypt, with options for 4 nights cruise + 3 nights Cairo, 5 cruise + 2 Cairo, 6 cruise + 1 Cairo, or 7 cruise + 0 Cairo.
Overview
Nile and Pyramids (8 Days)
Experience a stunning 8-day journey through Egypt’s most iconic sites, combining a luxurious Nile cruise with a tour of the legendary pyramids. Begin your adventure in Cairo, where you will visit the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx before flying to Luxor. Cruise the Nile from Luxor to Aswan, exploring ancient temples like Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, and Kom Ombo. End your trip with a visit to the Temple of Philae in Aswan and return to Cairo for your departure.
Itinerary
Upon arrival in Cairo, one of the largest metropolises in the world, you'll be welcomed and assisted with your entry formalities. Cairo, which stretches across both banks of the Nile, offers a fascinating blend of ancient and modern cultures. You'll be transferred to your hotel where you will check-in and spend the night. Depending on your arrival time, there is an option to spend the first night aboard the cruise ship.
In the evening, you may enjoy the Sound and Light Show at the Pyramids, a breathtaking spectacle that brings the ancient wonders to life with narration, music, and dazzling lights. The duration of this show is two hours.
After breakfast, you'll be transferred to the airport for your domestic flight to Luxor, located in Upper Egypt. Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to the embarkation port and board the cruise ship. After lunch onboard, you'll begin your exploration of Luxor's West Bank, starting with Thebes and its timeless tombs of the pharaohs from the 18th to 20th dynasties.
The Valley of the Kings is your first stop, where you will visit three tombs. From the 18th dynasty onward, the pharaohs abandoned the practice of constructing monumental tombs like pyramids and instead opted for concealed tombs carved directly into the cliffs of the West Bank. This was partly to protect their final resting places from grave robbers. Next, you will visit the Temple of Medinet Habu, the funerary temple of Ramses III, a striking fortress-like structure, and one of the most spectacular in all of Egypt. Your visit to Egypt would be incomplete without seeing this grand and monumental site.On the way back to the cruise, there will be a photo stop at the Colossi of Memnon, two giant statues carved from sandstone, which are remnants of the splendor of Amenhotep III's temple. Afterward, you'll sail towards Esna. Dinner and overnight will be onboard.
After breakfast, you will continue sailing to Edfu, where you will visit the Temple of Horus, one of the most beautifully preserved temples of Ancient Egypt. This masterpiece of balance and architectural elegance is a splendid example of Ptolemaic art from the Greco-Roman period. Entering through the grand pylons adorned with massive reliefs of the king and the gods, you will find yourself surrounded by walls that narrate the various rituals performed by the king. Two giant black granite falcons, representing the god Horus, guard the entrance.After the visit, you'll continue cruising towards Kom Ombo, where you will spend the night aboard the ship.
In the morning, you will visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, a unique structure that combines two separate sanctuaries, one dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and the other to Horus, the falcon god. The temple's most intriguing feature is its duality, with two entrances, two parallel corridors, and symmetrically arranged rooms leading to the dual sanctuaries. This site dates back to the Ptolemaic dynasty and was built atop an older temple from the New Kingdom era.
After visiting the temple, you will sail towards Aswan, the ancient gateway to Nubia and a city famous for its serene beauty. Upon arrival, you will visit the Temple of Philae, which was saved from the waters of the Nile after the construction of the Aswan High Dam. The temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis, was meticulously relocated to nearby Agilkia Island in an effort organized by UNESCO.
Dinner and overnight will be spent onboard the cruise ship.
You will enjoy breakfast on the boat, followed by a free morning to explore the vibrant markets and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of Aswan. You may choose to take an optional excursion to the Abu Simbel Temples, located 260 kilometers south of Aswan. These grand monuments were built by Ramses II and are the largest of their kind in Egypt, carved directly into a cliff. The temples are dedicated to Amun-Re, Ramses, and Ptah, and were saved from flooding by UNESCO in 1969. The journey to Abu Simbel takes approximately six hours.Another option is a mini Nile cruise on a felucca, which will take you to Kitchener Island, a small island known for its lush botanical gardens. Afterward, you can return to the ship for dinner and overnight accommodation.
After breakfast, you will have the day free to relax on the boat as it sails back towards Esna. Enjoy the tranquil beauty of the Nile as you cruise past lush green landscapes dotted with palm trees and small villages. All meals will be served onboard, and the evening will feature entertainment.
In the early morning, the cruise will pass through the Esna Lock, a highlight of Nile cruising. After breakfast onboard, you will visit the majestic Karnak Temple, the largest temple complex in Egypt, dedicated to the god Amun. This enormous site was built over 2,000 years by successive pharaohs, and its massive columns, towering obelisks, and intricately carved reliefs are awe-inspiring.After lunch onboard, you will visit the Luxor Temple, a grand complex dedicated to Amun-Re, which played a significant role in the annual Opet Festival. This temple was built by Amenhotep III and Ramses II, and two obelisks originally stood at the entrance, one of which was given to France and now stands in the Place de la Concorde in Paris. Dinner and overnight will be onboard.
After breakfast onboard, you will fly back to Cairo. Upon arrival, you will visit the Giza Plateau, home to Egypt's iconic pyramids: Cheops, Khafre, and Menkaure. The Great Pyramid of Cheops, constructed around 2650 BC, is the largest of the three and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Nearby, the Great Sphinx, a lion with the head of a pharaoh, stands guard, protecting these monumental tombs from looters. Afterward, you'll be transferred to the airport for your departure, with assistance through formalities.
Inclusions
- Transfers by minibus or coach depending on the number of participants.
- 7 nights on a 5-star cruise with variable combinations of nights in Cairo.
- All excursions and tours listed in the program.
- Land transportation by a modern, air-conditioned vehicle suited to the group's size.
- Organized entertainment aboard the cruise ship.
- Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations.
- A French-speaking Egyptologist guide for the entire stay.
- Assistance at the airports.
- Hotel taxes and service charges.
- Meals included from breakfast on Day 2 to breakfast on the last day.
Exclusions
- International flights.
- Insurance (cancellation, assistance, multi-risk).
- Personal expenses and extras.
- Usual and mandatory tips for guides and drivers.
- Visa and service fees (€70 per person payable upon arrival).
FAQs
The tours include all domestic flights, accommodations (cruise and hotels), full board meals during the Nile cruise, guided tours and excursions as mentioned in the program, transportation in air-conditioned vehicles, local Egyptologist guides, and airport assistance. Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations are included on the cruises.
Exclusions typically cover international flights, visa fees, personal expenses, optional excursions (like the visit to Abu Simbel), insurance, and tips for guides and drivers. Specific fees, such as visa service fees (between €70-€105), will need to be paid upon arrival in Egypt.
Yes, the itineraries can often be adjusted or extended to meet your preferences. You can opt to add more days in Cairo, Luxor, or extend your stay in Hurghada for more beach time.
Yes, these tours are family-friendly and offer a mix of educational and relaxing activities. Children can enjoy the historical sites as well as the beach time in Hurghada. However, some excursions, like Abu Simbel, may involve long travel times.
Visas can be obtained upon arrival in Egypt. The visa fee ranges between €70-€105 per person, depending on the tour, and can be paid in cash at the airport.
Optional excursions include visits to Abu Simbel, mini Nile cruises in Aswan, camel rides, snorkeling, and desert safaris in Hurghada. These can be arranged at an additional cost.
Transportation between cities is primarily by domestic flights (Cairo to Luxor/Aswan). Within each destination, air-conditioned vehicles or buses suited to the group size will be provided for transfers and excursions.
All meals are included during the Nile cruise, and breakfast is typically included with hotel stays in Cairo and Hurghada. Some packages also include lunch during excursions or free days.
The local currency is the Egyptian pound (EGP), but euros and US dollars are widely accepted. It’s a good idea to have local currency for smaller purchases, tips, and personal expenses. ATMs are also available in major cities.
Most hotels in Cairo and Hurghada offer free Wi-Fi, but coverage may be limited or slower on the Nile cruise. It’s recommended to purchase a local SIM card for better connectivity if needed.