Ten days covering Cairo, Alexandria, and a 4-night Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan, then a flight back to Cairo. This is the full Egypt trip — Pyramids, Mediterranean, temples, tombs, and the river.
The Nile cruise portion is on the Farah Nile Cruise, a 5-star ship on the Luxor → Aswan route. Full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner) is included. Drinks — including water at meals — are extra. The cruise stops at Edfu and Kom Ombo between Luxor and Aswan, with the West Bank tombs at Luxor and the Nubian sites at Aswan.
What you actually see
Cairo (Days 1-2). Giza Plateau at 8 AM when gates open. Three pyramids, the Sphinx, the Valley Temple. Then the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) with the Tutankhamun galleries. Day 2 covers the Citadel of Saladin, the Alabaster Mosque, Coptic Cairo (Hanging Church, Ben Ezra Synagogue), and Khan el-Khalili bazaar.
Alexandria (Day 3). Drive from Cairo (2.5 hours) and overnight at Palestine Montaza. Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, Pompey’s Pillar, Citadel of Qaitbay, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, and the Montaza Palace gardens. Seafood lunch on the corniche.
Luxor — East Bank (Day 4). Early flight from Cairo (1 hour). Board the Farah Nile Cruise, then Karnak Temple in the afternoon. The Hypostyle Hall has 134 columns, 21 meters tall in the center. Luxor Temple at sunset — the best photos of the whole trip.
Luxor — West Bank (Day 5). Valley of the Kings at 7:45 AM. Your ticket covers 3 tombs — we pick Ramses III, Ramses IX, and Merenptah. Tutankhamun ($20) and Seti I ($25) are extra. Then Hatshepsut’s Temple and the Colossi of Memnon. Afternoon: sail toward Esna, cross the Esna Lock at night.
Edfu & Kom Ombo (Day 6). Edfu Temple at 8 AM — the best-preserved temple in Egypt, buried under sand until 1860. Then sail to Kom Ombo. The Kom Ombo temple is unusual — two temples in one, dedicated to Sobek (crocodile god) and Horus.
Aswan (Day 7). High Dam, Philae Temple (boat ride to the island, 2 hours), and the Unfinished Obelisk. Late afternoon: felucca ride on the Nile. Nubian dinner and show on board.
Cairo (Days 8-9). Disembark in Aswan. Optional: Abu Simbel by early morning flight (see notes below). Then fly Aswan → Cairo. Day 9 is a free day in Cairo with an optional Khan el-Khalili visit in the morning.
Day 10 — Departure. Breakfast, transfer to Cairo International Airport.
About the Nile cruise
The Farah Nile Cruise is a 5-star ship on the Luxor → Aswan route. 4 nights, all cabins with Nile views. Restaurant, bar, sundeck with pool, fitness room, spa. Entertainment most evenings — Nubian shows, Galabeya party, belly dance.
Full board means breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included. Drinks (water, soft drinks, alcohol) are NOT included. Budget $15-25 per person per day for water and soft drinks, more if you drink alcohol.
About the flights
Two flights are included: Cairo → Luxor on Day 4, and Aswan → Cairo on Day 8. Both on EgyptAir, economy class. Luggage: 23 kg checked, 7 kg carry-on per person.
Important note on pricing: The $1,900 base price is based on double occupancy in low season (May-September). Peak season (October-April) is $2,200-2,400 per person, and cruise availability is limited. Flight prices also change — booked 3+ months out, the two flights total about $200-260 per person. Last-minute (under 3 weeks), they can reach $450-550 per person. We’ll quote you the exact price before confirming. We don’t markup flights or cruises — you pay what the supplier charges. Once your booking is confirmed, the price is locked.
The hotels & ship
Steigenberger Pyramids (Cairo, 4 nights total — 2 at start, 2 at end). 5-star, pyramid views from some rooms. 10 minutes from the Giza plateau. 45 minutes from downtown in normal traffic.
Palestine Montaza (Alexandria, 1 night). 5-star, in the Montaza district near the royal gardens. Sea views from most rooms. Walking distance to the Montaza Palace.
Farah Nile Cruise (Luxor → Aswan, 4 nights). 5-star ship. Cabins with Nile views. Restaurant, bar, sundeck pool, spa. Full board (drinks excluded).
What’s included
- 2 nights at Steigenberger Pyramids (Cairo — start)
- 1 night at Palestine Montaza (Alexandria)
- 4 nights on Farah Nile Cruise (Luxor → Aswan, full board)
- 2 nights at Steigenberger Pyramids (Cairo — end)
- Two economy flights: Cairo→Luxor, Aswan→Cairo
- Daily breakfast
- Lunch on all tour days
- Dinner on cruise nights (4 nights)
- All entrance fees (Giza Plateau, GEM, Citadel, Coptic Cairo, Catacombs, Qaitbay, Bibliotheca, Karnak, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, Edfu, Kom Ombo, High Dam, Philae, Unfinished Obelisk)
- Private A/C vehicle in Cairo and Alexandria
- English-speaking Egyptologist guide (Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan)
- Airport transfers in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan
- Bottled water during tours
What’s not included
- International flights
- Visa ($25 on arrival for most nationalities)
- Drinks on the cruise (water, soft drinks, alcohol) — budget $15-25 per person per day
- Dinner in Cairo and Alexandria
- Tips for guide, driver, and cruise crew ($10-15 per person per day)
- Abu Simbel day trip ($350-400 by flight, $100-130 by road — see notes)
- Extra tombs in Valley of the Kings (Tutankhamun $20, Seti I $25)
- Optional hot air balloon in Luxor ($120-150)
- Travel insurance
Honest notes
Abu Simbel is optional. It’s not included in the $1,900 price. Two ways to do it: (1) Early morning flight from Aswan, $350-400 per person, 4 AM departure, back by 10 AM. (2) Road convoy, $100-130 per person, 3 hours each way with a 2-hour police-escorted convoy. The flight is faster and more comfortable. The road is cheaper but tiring. If you want it, tell us before arrival.
The cruise is 4 nights. Standard Luxor → Aswan route. Some travelers expect 7 nights — that’s a different itinerary (Luxor ↔ Aswan round trip or extended). 4 nights covers Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Aswan. Aswan → Abu Simbel is a separate day trip.
Drinks on the cruise are extra. Full board covers food only. Water with meals costs around $3-5 per bottle. Soft drinks $4-6. Beer $8-10. Wine $10-15 per glass. Budget accordingly. You can also bring your own water bottle and refill from the ship’s filtered supply (ask the front desk).
Alexandria day is not a day trip. We overnight in Alexandria at Palestine Montaza. This avoids the 2.5-hour drive back to Cairo on the same day. You get an evening at the corniche and a morning at Montaza Palace gardens. Worth the extra night.
The Nile cruise portion is not for everyone. If you don’t like boats, confined spaces, or fixed dining times, book a land-only version instead. If you love river views and don’t mind the schedule, it’s the best way to see Upper Egypt.
Best time of year: October to April. Peak season prices apply. Summer (May-September) is hot but cheaper — Luxor hits 45°C, Aswan similar. If you go in summer, we adjust starting times to 6 AM.
Who this is for
- Travelers with 10 days who want the full Egypt trip
- Couples and honeymooners who want history AND a Nile cruise
- Anyone who wants to see Abu Simbel, Philae, and the West Bank tombs in one trip
- People who prefer a mix of hotel and cruise accommodation
Who this is not for
- Travelers with less than 10 days (book the 5 or 6-day versions)
- Anyone who hates boats or fixed dining schedules
- Budget travelers — the $1,900 base price is only low season double occupancy
- Families with kids under 6 (the cruise pace is slow, kids get bored)
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