8-Day Egypt Highlights with Nile Cruise – Cairo, Aswan, Luxor & Alexandria

Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, our representative will be waiting to greet you in the arrivals area, holding a sign with your name. After a warm welcome, you will be transferred to your hotel in Cairo. Check-in and enjoy the rest of the day at your own pace — whether you prefer to relax at the hotel or explore the city on your own. Overnight in Cairo.

After breakfast at your hotel (around 8:00 AM), your personal Egyptologist guide will meet you for a full-day exploration of Cairo’s most iconic sites.

Your first stop is the awe-inspiring Giza Plateau, home to the Great Pyramid of Cheops, the Pyramids of Chefren and Mykerinus, the enigmatic Sphinx, and the Valley Temple.

Next, visit the world-renowned Egyptian Museum, which houses a stunning collection of antiquities, including the golden treasures of King Tutankhamun.

Around midday, you’ll stop for lunch at a local restaurant, where you can enjoy traditional Egyptian cuisine.

In the afternoon, head to Coptic Cairo to see historic landmarks like the Hanging Church and the Ben Ezra Synagogue. Then, continue to Islamic Cairo, where you’ll stroll through the bustling alleys of the famous Khan El Khalili Bazaar, perfect for souvenirs and cultural immersion.

After the tour, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel around 4:00 PM. Enjoy the evening at leisure. Overnight in Cairo.

Early in the morning, you will be picked up from your Cairo hotel and transferred to the airport for your domestic flight to Aswan. Upon arrival, our local representative will greet you and escort you by air-conditioned vehicle to the Nile cruise ship for check-in.

After lunch onboard, enjoy an afternoon guided tour of Aswan’s top landmarks. Begin with a visit to the remarkable High Dam, a symbol of modern Egyptian engineering. Continue to the elegant Philae Temple, beautifully dedicated to the goddesses Isis and Hathor. Located on an island in the Nile, this temple is accessible by boat and offers an unforgettable glimpse into ancient Egyptian mythology and architecture.

After breakfast onboard, your cruise will arrive at Kom Ombo, home to one of Egypt’s most unique temples. Visit the Kom Ombo Temple, a rare double sanctuary dedicated to both Sobek (the crocodile god) and Haroeris (Horus the Elder). The temple is renowned for its symmetrical layout, detailed reliefs, and fascinating medical carvings.

Continue your journey along the Nile and enjoy lunch onboard as you sail to Edfu. Upon arrival, visit the Temple of Horus, one of the best-preserved temples in all of Egypt. This majestic structure, dedicated to the falcon god Horus, showcases towering pylons, hieroglyph-covered walls, and a sacred ceremonial atmosphere.

Later in the afternoon, enjoy tea on deck while sailing toward Esna, taking in the serene beauty of the Nile’s landscape.

Optional Tour: You may also choose to join an early morning group excursion to the Abu Simbel Temples (additional EUR 150 per person). This tour begins around 3:40 AM and offers a rare opportunity to see these colossal rock temples at sunrise — one of Egypt’s most awe-inspiring sights.

After breakfast onboard, your cruise arrives in Luxor, where you will begin your guided exploration of the city’s legendary West Bank.

Start with a visit to the Valley of the Kings, the ancient burial ground of 62 Pharaohs. Step inside some of the most ornately decorated tombs, where vibrant wall paintings vividly depict scenes from the afterlife and the journey to the underworld.

Next, visit the spectacular Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at El-Deir El-Bahari. This grand, terraced structure honors one of Egypt’s most powerful and influential female pharaohs. Set dramatically against limestone cliffs, the temple reflects architectural harmony and regal authority.

The final stop is at the iconic Colossi of Memnon – two towering statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, which have stood guard for over 3,000 years and continue to fascinate with their sheer scale and presence.

In the afternoon, return to the cruise ship to enjoy tea on deck as you relax and take in the scenic sail along the Nile.

After breakfast, disembark from your Nile cruise and set off to explore the highlights of Luxor’s East Bank.

Begin with a visit to the awe-inspiring Karnak Temple, one of the largest religious complexes ever built. Dedicated primarily to Amun, Karnak is a sprawling site of colossal columns, towering obelisks, and ceremonial halls, all echoing the grandeur of ancient Egypt.

Continue to the magnificent Luxor Temple, located along the Nile River. This beautifully preserved structure, with its impressive statues and detailed carvings, was once a major center of worship and royal celebration during the New Kingdom.

Following your tour, you will be transferred to Luxor Airport for your flight back to Cairo. Upon arrival in Cairo, our representative will meet you and escort you to your hotel for check-in. Overnight in Cairo.

After breakfast at your hotel in Cairo, your guide will pick you up around 7:00 AM for a full-day excursion to the historic coastal city of Alexandria.

Begin your tour with a visit to Pompey’s Pillar, a striking Roman triumphal column standing on the remains of the Temple of Serapis. Despite its name, the pillar is not linked to Pompey but remains one of Alexandria’s most iconic landmarks.

Next, descend into the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, an extensive underground necropolis dating back to the 2nd century AD. These catacombs combine Hellenistic, Roman, and ancient Egyptian motifs, offering a rare blend of funerary art and architecture.

You’ll then pass by the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the modern-day revival of the ancient Library of Alexandria. Though the tour includes an external view only, the structure’s bold architecture and symbolic design make it a worthy stop.

After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the Citadel of Qaitbay, a 15th-century fortress built on the very site of the legendary Lighthouse of Alexandria, once considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. After the tour, return to your hotel. Overnight in Cairo.

After breakfast, check out from your hotel in Cairo (standard hotel check-out time is before 11:00 AM). You will then be transferred to Cairo International Airport in time for your departure flight.

This marks the end of your unforgettable Egypt journey with us. We wish you a safe trip home and hope to see you again on another adventure!