Egypt Nile Cruise & Pharaonic Heritage: 10-Day Journey

Overview

Ten days, five thousand years, and four nights floating between them. This is the classic Egypt itinerary done properly: Giza and Saqqara with an Egyptologist rather than a general guide, the Grand Egyptian Museum, a four-night Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan calling at Esna, Edfu and Kom Ombo, and a dawn excursion to Abu Simbel. The cruise is the reason this trip suits travelers who want depth without daily packing and unpacking.

At a glance

Duration	10 days / 9 nights
Start / End	Cairo → Cairo
Group size	Maximum {{GROUP_SIZE}} travelers
Activity level	Easy to moderate - early starts, hot climate, some sandy and stepped terrain
Meals	9 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners (full board aboard the cruise)
Guiding	Licensed local guide, English (other languages on request)
Departures	October–April, weekly

Tour highlights

• The Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx, with time inside a pyramid chamber
• The Grand Egyptian Museum and the complete Tutankhamun collection
• The Step Pyramid at Saqqara and the ruins of Memphis
• A four-night full-board Nile cruise, Luxor to Aswan
• Karnak and Luxor temples, and the Avenue of Sphinxes
• The Valley of the Kings and the temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari
• The temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo, reached from the river
• Abu Simbel's colossi at dawn
• A felucca sail around Elephantine Island at sunset

Day-by-day itinerary

1. Day 1 - Arrive Cairo. Meet and assist through immigration, transfer to your hotel, welcome briefing with your Egyptologist.
   Overnight: Cairo
2. Day 2 - Giza & Saqqara. The Giza plateau, the Sphinx and the Valley Temple, then the Step Pyramid at Saqqara and Memphis.
   Overnight: Cairo
3. Day 3 - Grand Egyptian Museum & Old Cairo. A full morning at the Grand Egyptian Museum, then Coptic Cairo and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar.
   Overnight: Cairo
4. Day 4 - Fly to Luxor - Embark. Morning flight to Luxor. Board your cruise ship, then Karnak and Luxor temples in the afternoon light.
   Overnight: Nile cruise
5. Day 5 - West Bank of Luxor. The Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's terraced temple and the Colossi of Memnon. Sail to Esna.
   Overnight: Nile cruise
6. Day 6 - Edfu & Kom Ombo. The Temple of Horus at Edfu, then the double temple of Kom Ombo as the sun goes down. Sail on to Aswan.
   Overnight: Nile cruise
7. Day 7 - Aswan. The High Dam, the granite quarries and the Temple of Philae. Sunset felucca sail around Elephantine Island.
   Overnight: Nile cruise
8. Day 8 - Abu Simbel → Cairo. Dawn excursion to Abu Simbel, disembark, and fly back to Cairo in the afternoon.
   Overnight: Cairo
9. Day 9 - Cairo at Leisure. Free day. Optional Alexandria day trip or the Citadel and Mosque of Muhammad Ali. Farewell dinner.
   Overnight: Cairo
10. Day 10 - Depart Cairo. Transfer to Cairo International in line with your flight.
    Overnight: -

What's included

• All airport and intercity transfers in modern air-conditioned vehicles
• Accommodation as listed, on a twin-share basis, with daily breakfast
• Professional English-speaking licensed guide throughout
• All entrance fees to the sites named in the itinerary
• Local taxes, service charges and portage at hotels
• 24/7 on-tour support line and a Look Vacations tour manager
• Four nights full board aboard a five-star Nile cruise ship
• Domestic flights Cairo–Luxor and Aswan–Cairo
• Egyptologist guide throughout, not a general tour guide
• Abu Simbel excursion and the sunset felucca sail

What's not included

• International flights to and from the start and end cities
• Travel insurance (required - we can recommend providers)
• Visas, passport fees and any border charges
• Lunches and dinners not specified in the itinerary
• Drinks, laundry and items of a personal nature
• Optional excursions and gratuities for guide and driver

Accommodation

Five-star hotels in Cairo with pyramid or Nile views where available, and a five-star cruise ship with outside cabins, a sun deck and a pool. Cabin category upgrades are available on request.

Who this tour is for

Alumni associations, museum and society groups, and independent travelers who want an Egyptologist rather than a script. The cruise removes most of the packing and walking pressure, which is why it works well for older travelers - though Abu Simbel does require a very early start.

Book or ask a question

Prices are per person in twin-share accommodation, land only, and vary by departure date and group size. Tell us your preferred dates and we will confirm availability and a firm quote within one business day.

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