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 travellers who want depth without daily packing and unpacking.

At a glance

Duration	10 days / 9 nights
Start / End	Cairo → Cairo
Group size	Maximum 18 travellers
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 travellers 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 travellers - though Abu Simbel does require a very early start.

Good to know

How early is the Abu Simbel start?
Around 4am, returning mid-morning. It is optional; travellers who prefer to sleep can stay aboard, and we will say so without any fuss.

Is Egypt comfortable in summer?
We do not operate this route between May and September. Upper Egypt regularly passes 45°C and the sites become genuinely unpleasant.

Are tips really expected?
Yes, tipping is customary in Egypt and adds up. We give you a written guideline sheet with sensible amounts so you are never guessing.

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.

Call +1 202 770 5061 · email usa@lookvacations.com · or send an enquiry through the tour page.