Best of Egypt: Cairo, Philae and a Nile Cruise in Eight Days Itinerary

The classic route with breathing room. Two nights in Giza at a pyramid-view palace, three nights on a full-board five-star cruise from Aswan to Luxor, and two final nights in central Cairo. Day two pairs the Giza plateau with a half-day city tour. In Aswan, visit the High Dam and sail to the island temple of Philae before boarding. The cruise takes in Kom Ombo, Edfu and Luxor's East Bank; day six is the West Bank and a flight back to Cairo. Day seven is a guided Old Cairo tour - the Citadel, Coptic churches and Khan el-Khalili - before departure.

Day by Day

Day 1

Arrival in Cairo

Meet your driver at Cairo International Airport and transfer to your hotel in Giza. The rest of the day is free.

Transfers: Airport pick-up | Stay: Marriott Mena House, Cairo (5 star)

Day 2

Pyramids of Giza and half-day Cairo city tour

A guided morning on the Giza plateau with the pyramids and the Sphinx, then a half-day city tour: the Egyptian Museum and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar.

Transfers: Sightseeing vehicle | Activity: Pyramids of Giza tour | Activity: Half-day Cairo city tour | Stay: Marriott Mena House, Cairo (5 star)

Day 3

Fly to Aswan, board the cruise, Aswan sightseeing

Fly to Aswan, visit the High Dam and take a motorboat to Philae Temple, then board your five-star cruise for lunch and a relaxed afternoon on deck. Dinner on board.

Transfers: Airport drop and Aswan pick-up | Activity: Aswan sightseeing with Philae Temple | Stay: Five-star Nile cruise ship

Day 4

Cruise to Edfu via Kom Ombo

Sail to the double temple of Kom Ombo, perched over the river, then on to Edfu for the Temple of Horus. All meals on board.

Activity: Kom Ombo and Edfu sightseeing | Stay: Five-star Nile cruise ship

Day 5

Cruise to Luxor and the East Bank

Arrive in Luxor and tour Karnak and Luxor Temple on the East Bank. Overnight on board.

Activity: Luxor East Bank tour | Stay: Five-star Nile cruise ship

Day 6

Luxor West Bank and fly to Cairo

Disembark and cross the Nile for the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's temple and the Colossi of Memnon. Fly to Cairo and transfer to your Nile-side hotel.

Activity: Luxor West Bank tour | Transfers: Airport transfers | Stay: Kempinski Nile Hotel, Cairo (5 star)

Day 7

Half-day Old Cairo sightseeing tour

A guided morning through Old Cairo: the Saladin Citadel, the Hanging Church and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar. Afternoon and evening at leisure for a farewell dinner.

Transfers: Sightseeing vehicle | Activity: Half-day Old Cairo tour | Stay: Kempinski Nile Hotel, Cairo (5 star)

Day 8

Departure from Cairo

Breakfast and a private transfer to Cairo International Airport for your flight home.

Transfers: Airport drop

Included

Included:
* Daily breakfast
* Full board on the Nile cruise
* Return airport transfers
* Cairo-Aswan and Luxor-Cairo domestic flights
* Pyramids of Giza and Cairo city tour
* Aswan tour with Philae Temple
* Kom Ombo, Edfu and Luxor sightseeing
* Old Cairo tour
* All current taxes
Photo credits: File:Sphinx and the Great Pyramid of Giza panorama.jpg by kallerna (CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons); File:PHILAE TEMPLE COLUMNS.jpg by Hesham Farouk Ragab (CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons); File:Medea Nile cruise ship R01.jpg by Marc Ryckaert (CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons); File:Temple of Edfu 02.jpg by Ad Meskens (CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons); File:Templo de Karnak, Luxor, Egipto, 2022-04-03, DD 148.jpg by Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons); File:Muhammad Ali mosque, Cairo citadel - facade.jpg by mark muehlhaeusler (CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons). Hotel photos from the official hotel websites.

Not Included

International flights
Egypt visa fees (assistance provided)
Meals not mentioned
Personal expenses and tips
Travel insurance

Packing

Light layers
sun protection
comfortable walking shoes
a light jacket for deck evenings
one smarter outfit for cruise dinners.