Classic Egypt with Nile Cruise

Tour Itinerary

• Day 1 • Cairo

  Your tour begins in Cairo, Egypt’s vibrant Nile-side capital, where ancient Pharaonic, Coptic, and Islamic landmarks sit alongside modern city life. No activities are planned until a 6pm welcome meeting at the hotel, with optional dinner afterwards; airport transfers are available for arrivals into Cairo International Airport, around 30–45 minutes away. If you arrive early, you might explore the Nile, wander through Khan el Khalili market, or stroll the riverside promenade before the adventure begins.

• Day 2 • Pyramids, the Sphinx & Grand Egyptian Museum

  This morning, visit the Giza pyramid complex with a local guide to see the iconic pyramids, the Great Sphinx, and the Granite Temple, then continue to the Grand Egyptian Museum, home to over 100,000 artefacts including jewellery, statues, mummies, and the golden treasures of Tutankhamun, with time for lunch onsite. Afterwards, return to your city-centre hotel for leisure time—perhaps exploring Khan el Khalili market, relaxing by the pool, or enjoying views over the Nile from the rooftop terrace.

• Day 3 • Cairo - Aswan

  This morning there is the opportunity to visit Saqqara, the impressive steppe pyramid/necropolis of Zozer (Djoser), the earliest of the pyramids of Egypt. In the afternoon, you can take a trip to Islamic Cairo to visit the illustrious Citadel, one of Saladin's many strongholds during the Crusades. There will also be the chance to enter one or more of the medieval mosques of Cairo, where there is a requirement to dress modestly with looser fitting clothing that covers the arms and legs. Shorts or sleeveless shirts are not permitted. Please see the Budgeting & packing section for more details. This evening, we'll depart for Aswan on an overnight train. We use the best available sleeper compartments, with two berth cabins, each containing a bench seat which converts into bunk beds. Whilst the service is designated as first class, the standard is not comparable with European first-class train travel. Dinner and breakfast are delivered by the carriage steward directly to you but it's also worth purchasing some snacks before you board.

• Day 4 • Philae Temple & Optional Nubian Village Dinner

  In Aswan, Egypt’s southern frontier at the First Cataract where Arab and Nubian cultures meet, explore the relocated Philae Temple on its island setting, reached by motorboat and famed for its finely carved pylons. After returning around lunchtime, enjoy a free afternoon to relax by the Nile-side pool, browse the nearby Nubian bazaar, or join optional visits to the Aswan High Dam and the unfinished obelisk, with the chance this evening to travel by motorboat to a Nubian village for a home-cooked dinner with a local family.

• Day 5 • Optional excursion to Abu Simbel = Board Cruise Boat

  An optional early-morning excursion visits the magnificent rock-hewn temples of Abu Simbel, relocated 61 metres to protect them from flooding after the Aswan High Dam, where colossal 20-metre statues of Ramses II guard the façade before returning to Aswan to board your Nile cruise ship for three nights. The vessel features en suite cabins with panoramic windows, restaurant, lounge and bar, shops, sun deck with pool, and evening entertainment; after lunch on board, enjoy a free afternoon to relax or explore Aswan’s market or the Old Cataract Hotel—where Agatha Christie wrote Death on the Nile—before dinner on board.

• Day 6 • The Nile River & Kom Ombo Temple

  After breakfast, there is an optional trip on a traditional felucca boat to sail around the Aswan islands including a visit to the Botanical Gardens. We'll return in time for our cruise to begin and start sailing, heading north (downstream) towards Kom Ombo where we'll disembark. Situated on the banks of the river, this temple is particularly unique because it's dedicated to two gods; Haroeris and Sobek, the crocodile god. It's thought that this part of the Nile used to have a large crocodile population, hence the dedication to Sobek. This evening, we'll continue upstream to Edfu city where we'll stay overnight.

• Day 7 • Cruise the Nile towards Luxor

  After breakfast, the cruise pauses for two hours at Edfu Temple, reached by horse-drawn caleche; due to ongoing animal welfare concerns that fall below policy standards, guests are encouraged to opt out, though visits can be arranged through the tour leader if preferred. Sailing continues to Luxor, arriving late afternoon with free time to explore the souks before dinner, and optional evening visits to the Karnak Temple sound and light show, Luxor Museum, or the Luxor Mummification Museum.

• Day 8 • Luxor & Karnak Temple

  This morning, we'll disembark for the final time and drop our bags at the hotel before visiting the Temple of Amun at Karnak, the labour of numerous pharaohs. Built around 2000 BC, this vast temple was still in progress during Cleopatra's reign during the 1st century BC. After a busy few days, this afternoon is free for you to relax. It's possible to visit the Luxor Museum and the Luxor Mummification Museum if you didn't visit yesterday, both are within walking distance from our hotel. Today, we'll also have the chance to see Luxor from above with an optional hot air balloon ride over Luxor, the Valley of the Kings and the Temples of Antiquities on the West Bank. If you'd like to opt in, pick up will be from your boat between 0430 and 0500. Please see the Budgeting and packing section for more details.

• Day 9 • West Bank, Habu Temple & Valley of the Kings

  This morning visit the Valley of the Kings, burial place of Tutankhamun—discovered by Howard Carter in 1922—and 62 other royal tombs, with entry to three tombs included and the option to visit Tutankhamun’s tomb for a supplement. Continue to the Temple of Hatshepsut, dramatically set against the limestone cliffs of Luxor’s West Bank, then explore the well-preserved Habu Temple, dominated by Ramses III’s richly decorated mortuary temple and the Temple of Amun built by Hatshepsut and Tuthmosis III. After a home-cooked West Bank lunch featuring okra stew, koshari, tagen, and fresh bread, return to the hotel mid-afternoon for time at leisure.

• Day 10 • Trip ends Luxor

  The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Luxor. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart from Luxor at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Luxor International Airport (LXR), which is a 20-minute drive from the hotel.