8 Days Luxor and Cairo Tour: Nile Cruise, Pyramids and Ancient Temples
Sail the Nile, stand before the Great Pyramids, and walk through three thousand years of history in a single journey.
This 8 day Egypt tour from Luxor to Cairo combines a classic Nile cruise with guided sightseeing in Cairo, offering a structured and comfortable introduction to Egypt's most iconic ancient sites. The itinerary is rated easy, making it well suited for first-time visitors and travellers of varying fitness levels. Accommodation spans a Nile cruise vessel, a Cairo hotel at the Pyramids, and a Luxor hotel for the final night.
The journey begins in Luxor, where you board your Nile cruise and spend the first days exploring the West Bank, including the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple at Deir el-Bahari, and the Colossi of Memnon. The cruise then sails south through the Esna Lock to Edfu and Kom Ombo, two remarkably preserved temples dedicated to Horus and the dual gods Sobek and Haroeris respectively.
After disembarking in Aswan and visiting the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk, and Philae Temple, you fly to Cairo for two days of sightseeing that cover the Giza Plateau, Saqqara, Memphis, the Egyptian Museum, Saladin Citadel, and the historic districts of Coptic and Islamic Cairo. The tour concludes with a sleeper train back to Luxor for visits to Karnak and Luxor Temples before your final departure.
All transfers, domestic flights, guided excursions, and most meals are included throughout the programme, and a dedicated tour manager accompanies the group from arrival to departure.
Tour Highlights
Explore the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple on Luxor's West Bank, among the finest preserved royal burial sites in the world.
Sail the Nile River aboard a full-service cruise ship, passing through the historic Esna Lock while visiting Edfu and Kom Ombo temples from the water.
Visit the Great Pyramids of Cheops, Chefren, and Mykerinus on the Giza Plateau, along with the Sphinx, Valley Temple, and the Solar Boat museum.
Tour the Egyptian Museum in Cairo and access the Treasures Room displaying artefacts from the tomb of Tutankhamun.
Discover Old Cairo's layered heritage through the Hanging Church and Ben Ezra Synagogue in Coptic Cairo, and the Khan El Khalili bazaar in Islamic Cairo.
Visit Aswan's principal landmarks, including the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk, and the island temple of Philae dedicated to the goddess Isis.
Walk through the hypostyle halls of Karnak Temple and the processional avenue of Luxor Temple on the East Bank of the Nile.
Itinerary Overview
Arrive at Luxor International Airport and transfer by air-conditioned vehicle to your Nile cruise ship. Check in and review your tour schedule with your tour manager. Overnight in Luxor with lunch and dinner on board.
Visit the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple at Deir el-Bahari, and the Colossi of Memnon. Return to the ship and sail through the Esna Lock toward Edfu. Overnight in Edfu with all meals on board.
Visit Horus Temple at Edfu in the morning, then sail to Kom Ombo to explore the double temple of Sobek and Haroeris. Continue sailing to Aswan for overnight. All meals on board.
Visit the Aswan High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk quarry site, and the Philae Temple complex. Return to the cruise for lunch and dinner. Final overnight on board in Aswan.
Disembark and fly to Cairo. Visit the Great Pyramids, the Sphinx, and Valley Temple at Giza, then continue to Saqqara for the Step Pyramid of Djoser and the ancient capital of Memphis. Overnight in Cairo.
Tour the Egyptian Museum and Tutankhamun's treasure room, then visit Saladin Citadel and Mohamed Ali Mosque, the Hanging Church, Ben Ezra Synagogue, and Khan El Khalili bazaar. Board the overnight sleeper train to Luxor in the evening.
What Is Included
Included
- Airport and station meet-and-greet service throughout
- 4 nights aboard the Nile cruise (MS Nile Goddess or equivalent)
- 1 night at Le Meridien Pyramids Hotel and Spa, Cairo
- 1 night at Sonesta St. George Hotel, Luxor
- All meals as specified in the itinerary
- Domestic flight from Aswan to Cairo
- Overnight sleeper train from Cairo to Luxor
- All guided excursions and entrance fees listed in the itinerary
- Air-conditioned private transfers throughout
- English-speaking tour manager and local guides
Not Included
- International flights to and from Egypt
- Egypt entry visa fees
- Optional Solar Boat Museum ticket at Giza (extra on site)
- Optional Royal Mummies Room ticket at the Egyptian Museum (extra on site)
- Personal travel insurance
- Gratuities for guides, drivers, and cruise crew
- Personal spending and souvenirs
- Any meals not specified in the programme
Important Information
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Secure your place on this 8-day Luxor and Cairo itinerary and experience Egypt's greatest monuments with guided support from arrival to departure.
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