Seven days. Two days in Cairo, four nights on the Nile, one flight back. This is the shortest itinerary that still gives you the Pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum, Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Aswan. It works for travelers who want a proper Nile cruise but don’t have ten days.
The 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 ship stops at Edfu and Kom Ombo between Luxor and Aswan.
If you want Alexandria and more Cairo days, book the 10-day version. If you just want the highlights in a week, this is it.
What you actually see
Cairo — Day 1. 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. Overnight at Steigenberger Pyramids.
Cairo — Day 2. Citadel of Saladin, Alabaster Mosque, Coptic Cairo (Hanging Church, Ben Ezra Synagogue), and Khan el-Khalili bazaar. Overnight at Steigenberger Pyramids.
Luxor — Day 3. Fly from Cairo in the morning. Board the Farah Nile Cruise. Afternoon at Karnak Temple — the Hypostyle Hall with 134 columns. Then Luxor Temple at sunset. Ship docks overnight in Luxor.
Luxor West Bank — Day 4. Valley of the Kings at 7:45 AM. Ticket covers 3 tombs — we pick Ramses III, Ramses IX, Merenptah. Tutankhamun ($20) and Seti I ($25) extra. Then Hatshepsut’s Temple and the Colossi of Memnon. Sail toward Esna in the afternoon. Cross the Esna Lock at night.
Edfu & Kom Ombo — Day 5. Edfu Temple at 8 AM — the best-preserved temple in Egypt. Then sail to Kom Ombo. The Kom Ombo temple is unusual — two temples in one, dedicated to Sobek (crocodile god) and Horus.
Aswan — Day 6. High Dam, Philae Temple (boat ride to the island), and the Unfinished Obelisk. Late afternoon: felucca ride on the Nile. Nubian dinner and show on board.
Day 7 — Disembark and fly back. Breakfast, disembark in Aswan. Optional Abu Simbel in the early morning (extra cost — see notes). Then fly Aswan → Cairo and connect to your international departure.
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. You can refill your own bottle from the ship’s filtered supply at the front desk.
About the flights
Two flights are included: Cairo → Luxor on Day 3, and Aswan → Cairo on Day 7. Both on EgyptAir, economy class. Luggage: 23 kg checked, 7 kg carry-on per person.
Important note on pricing: The $1,500 base price is based on double occupancy in low season (May-September). Peak season (October-April) is $1,750-1,950 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, 2 nights). 5-star, pyramid views from some rooms. 10 minutes from the Giza plateau. 45 minutes from downtown in normal traffic.
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)
- 4 nights on Farah Nile Cruise (Luxor → Aswan, full board)
- 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, Karnak, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, Edfu, Kom Ombo, High Dam, Philae, Unfinished Obelisk)
- Private A/C vehicle in Cairo
- English-speaking Egyptologist guide (Cairo, 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 (2 nights)
- Tips for guide, driver, and cruise crew ($10-15 per person per day land, $5-8 cruise)
- Abu Simbel day trip ($350-400 by flight, $100-130 by road)
- 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 $1,500 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 police escort. The flight is faster and more comfortable. The road is cheaper but tiring. If you want it, tell us before arrival — it affects the Day 7 schedule.
Day 7 is tight if you add Abu Simbel. The Abu Simbel flight lands back in Aswan around 9 AM, then you disembark, then fly Aswan → Cairo. If your international flight leaves Cairo in the late afternoon or evening, this works. If it leaves in the morning, skip Abu Simbel or add an extra Cairo night.
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).
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.
Two Cairo days is enough for the highlights, not everything. If you want Saqqara, Dahshur, or the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, add a day or book the 10-day version.
Who this is for
- Travelers with 7 days who want the Pyramids AND a Nile cruise
- Couples who want history but don’t want a 10-day trip
- Anyone who wants the classic Luxor → Aswan route without the Cairo extension
- People who prefer a mix of hotel and cruise accommodation
Who this is not for
- Travelers who want Alexandria (book the 10-day version)
- Anyone who hates boats or fixed dining schedules
- Families with kids under 6 (the cruise pace is slow, kids get bored)
- Travelers who want slow-paced Cairo with lots of free time
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