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9-Day Best of Egypt Tour with 4-Night Nile Cruise

9 Days
  • 1

Overview

Golden desert light, river breezes, and stone giants set the tone for a privately guided Egypt journey that feels both iconic and deeply personal. Your arrival in Cairo begins with a warm airport welcome and private transfer, leaving you free to settle in before your Egyptologist opens the door to the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, Saqqara’s Step Pyramid, and the treasures of the Egyptian Museum. A domestic flight carries you south to Luxor, where temple columns, royal tombs, and glowing Nile evenings unfold at your own pace before you board a 5-star cruise through the heart of ancient Egypt. Along the river, trace the sacred worlds of Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, and Kom Ombo, then answer the desert call with a shared group excursion to the monumental Abu Simbel Temples. As a felucca glides across Aswan’s tranquil waters and your journey returns by domestic flight to Cairo, you leave with more than photographs — you carry the grandeur, mystery, and rhythm of Egypt with you.

Trip Highlights

  • Marvel at the Pyramids of Giza with your Egyptologist
  • Stand before the timeless gaze of the Great Sphinx
  • Trace Saqqara’s Step Pyramid and ancient noble tombs
  • Explore Egyptian Museum treasures tailored to your interests
  • Walk Karnak Temple’s monumental Hypostyle Hall
  • Descend into royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings
  • Sail the Nile aboard a 5-star cruise
  • Witness Abu Simbel’s colossal rock-cut façades
  • Glide by felucca past Aswan’s river landmarks

Day-by-Day Itinerary

  • Day
    1

    Arrival in Cairo - Private Airport Transfer

    Welcome to Cairo, Egypt’s dynamic capital and the starting point of your private journey. Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, a One Nation Travel representative will meet you after passport control and baggage claim, assist with your luggage, and escort you to your private air-conditioned transfer. The drive to your hotel typically takes 45 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic and your arrival terminal. After check-in, the rest of the day is free to relax after your flight. If you arrive early, you may choose to enjoy the hotel facilities, take a short walk in the surrounding area, or speak with our local team about nearby dining options for your first evening in Egypt. No meals are included today, giving you the flexibility to dine at your own pace. Your representative will confirm the pick-up time for tomorrow’s full-day tour and answer any practical questions about the days ahead. Overnight in Cairo.

  • Day
    2

    Pyramids of Giza, Great Sphinx and Saqqara

    After breakfast at the hotel, around 8:30 AM meet your private Egyptologist guide and begin one of Egypt’s most iconic touring days. Travel to the Giza Plateau to explore the Pyramids of Giza, including the Great Pyramid of Cheops, the Pyramid of Chephren, and the Pyramid of Menkaure. Your guide will tailor the visit to your interests, allowing time for photographs and historical explanation at your own pace. Continue to the Great Sphinx, one of the most recognizable monuments of ancient Egypt. Around 1:00 PM, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, drive to Saqqara Necropolis to visit the Step Pyramid of Djoser, along with the pyramids of Unas and Userkaf and selected noble tombs such as Mereruka, Ti, and Ptahhotep, subject to site access. Return to your hotel by approximately 5:00 PM. Overnight in Cairo.

  • Day
    3

    Egyptian Museum, Citadel and Alabaster Mosque

    After breakfast, your private guide will meet you at approximately 9:00 AM for a full day dedicated to Cairo’s remarkable collections and Islamic architecture. Begin at the Egyptian Museum, home to one of the world’s most important collections of ancient Egyptian artifacts, including royal statues, funerary objects, jewelry, papyri, and treasures connected with Egypt’s great dynasties. Your Egyptologist will help you focus on the most significant galleries while also allowing time to pause at exhibits that interest you most. Around 1:00 PM, enjoy lunch at a typical Egyptian restaurant. In the afternoon, continue to the Citadel of Salah el-Din, a medieval fortress that has long dominated Cairo’s skyline. Visit the elegant Alabaster Mosque, also known as the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, noted for its Ottoman-style domes, spacious courtyard, and panoramic views over the city on clear days. By around 4:30 PM, return to your hotel for an evening at leisure. Overnight in Cairo.

  • Day
    4

    Fly to Luxor and Embark Nile Cruise

    After breakfast, check out from your Cairo hotel and meet your representative for a private transfer to Cairo International Airport. Board your domestic flight to Luxor, scheduled according to cruise embarkation timing. Upon arrival, a local representative will greet you and transfer you directly to your 5-star Nile cruise ship for check-in. Around 1:00 PM, enjoy lunch on board as the crew introduces the cruise facilities and schedule. In the afternoon, meet your private Egyptologist guide for a visit to Luxor’s East Bank. Explore Karnak Temple, a vast religious complex dedicated mainly to Amun-Ra, with monumental pylons, courtyards, chapels, and the famous Hypostyle Hall. Continue to Luxor Temple, beautifully aligned along the ancient processional route and especially atmospheric in the late afternoon. Return to the cruise by approximately 5:30 PM. Dinner is served on board, followed by free time to relax on deck. Overnight in Luxor aboard the Nile River Cruise.

  • Day
    5

    Luxor West Bank and Sail to Edfu

    Following breakfast on board, around 8:00 AM cross to Luxor’s West Bank with your private Egyptologist guide. Begin at the Valley of the Kings, where richly decorated royal tombs were carved into the desert cliffs for New Kingdom pharaohs. Your guide will explain the burial traditions, tomb art, and site layout before you visit selected open tombs included with your ticket. Continue to the Temple of Hatshepsut, a striking terraced monument honoring one of Egypt’s most successful female rulers. Before returning to the cruise, stop at the Colossi of Memnon, two massive seated statues that once guarded Amenhotep III’s mortuary temple. Lunch will be served on board as the cruise begins sailing toward Edfu, giving you time to enjoy the Nile scenery from the sun deck. Dinner is included on board in the evening. Overnight in Edfu aboard the Nile River Cruise.

  • Day
    6

    Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple and Sail to Aswan

    After breakfast on board, your guide will accompany you to the Temple of Edfu, one of the best-preserved ancient temples in Egypt and dedicated to Horus, the falcon-headed god. The visit usually begins around 8:00 AM, depending on cruise docking schedules, and includes the grand entrance pylon, open court, hypostyle halls, sanctuary, and detailed reliefs that explain ancient rituals and mythology. Return to the ship and continue sailing along the Nile while lunch is served on board. In the afternoon, arrive at Kom Ombo and visit the unusual double temple known as the Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated jointly to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus the Elder. Your Egyptologist will highlight the temple’s symmetrical layout, medical reliefs, and sacred crocodile connections. By late afternoon, the cruise continues toward Aswan. Enjoy dinner on board and a relaxed evening as the ship completes this scenic stretch of the Nile. Overnight in Aswan aboard the Nile River Cruise.

  • Day
    7

    Abu Simbel Excursion and Felucca Sailing in Aswan

    Early in the morning, around 03:30 AM, you will be picked up from your Nile Cruise for the excursion to Abu Simbel Temples. Please note that this experience is operated as a shared group tour with other travelers. Travel by air-conditioned vehicle across the desert route, with short rest stops along the way for comfort. Upon arrival, explore the magnificent rock-cut temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari, renowned for their colossal façades and remarkable ancient engineering. After your visit, return to Aswan around midday and enjoy time to relax aboard your Nile Cruise. In the afternoon, set out on a peaceful felucca ride on the Nile, sailing past the Botanical Garden and the Aga Khan Mausoleum as the river scenery unfolds around you. Overnight in Aswan.

  • Day
    8

    Fly from Aswan to Cairo

    After breakfast on board, disembark from your Nile cruise and meet your representative for a private transfer to Aswan Airport. Your domestic flight back to Cairo will be scheduled according to availability and your onward program. Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, a One Nation Travel representative will meet you inside the arrivals area and assist with your private transfer to the hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure, allowing you to rest after the cruise or enjoy a final independent evening in the capital. Depending on your arrival time, you may choose to relax at the hotel, arrange an optional dinner experience, or take a short private transfer to a preferred shopping or dining area. No guided sightseeing is scheduled today, giving you flexibility before your international departure tomorrow. Your representative will confirm the exact pick-up time for the airport transfer based on your flight details. Breakfast is included this morning; lunch and dinner are at your own expense. Overnight in Cairo.

  • Day
    9

    Departure from Cairo - Airport Transfer

    After breakfast at your hotel, enjoy a relaxed final morning in Cairo. Standard hotel check-out is before 12:00 noon, although luggage storage may be available at the hotel if your departure flight is later in the day. At the confirmed time, your One Nation Travel representative will meet you in the lobby and assist with your private transfer to Cairo International Airport. We recommend arriving at the airport approximately 3 hours before international flights to allow enough time for security, airline check-in, passport control, and potential traffic on the way to the terminal. If you have an evening flight, you may use your free time for a final coffee, last-minute shopping, or an optional private activity arranged in advance. Breakfast is included today; all additional meals and personal expenses are at your own cost. Your representative will assist with luggage and make sure you are at the correct terminal for your departure. End of tour services.

Inclusions:

  • 4 nights hotel accommodation in Cairo at a 5-star hotel or similar on a bed and breakfast basis
  • 4 nights accommodation aboard a 5-star Nile River cruise on a full board basis
  • 8 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 4 dinners as specified in the itinerary
  • Domestic flights: Cairo to Luxor and Aswan to Cairo in economy class
  • Private airport transfers and all transfers in air-conditioned vehicles as per the itinerary
  • Private English-speaking Egyptologist guide during included sightseeing tours
  • 2 full days of private sightseeing in Cairo
  • Abu Simbel excursion by air-conditioned vehicle from Aswan
  • Felucca ride on the Nile in Aswan
  • All entrance fees for sites mentioned in the itinerary
  • Local taxes and service charges

Exclusions:

  • International flights to and from Egypt
  • Egypt entry visa fee
  • Travel insurance, which is strongly recommended
  • Optional tours and activities not listed as included
  • Drinks with meals and any meals not specified in the itinerary
  • Entrance inside the Great Pyramid, special tombs, or additional ticketed areas unless stated
  • Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls, minibar, and souvenirs
  • Gratuities for guides, drivers, cruise staff, and hotel staff
  • Anything not specifically mentioned in the inclusions

Important Information

  • Nile cruise departures usually operate on fixed days, commonly Saturday, Monday, and Thursday. Exact cruise routing and sightseeing order may vary according to navigation conditions and cruise schedules.
  • The Abu Simbel excursion starts very early, often around 3:30 AM. A breakfast box is normally provided, and travelers should bring water, sunglasses, and a light jacket for the early departure.
  • Comfortable walking shoes are essential, as many archaeological sites have sand, steps, uneven stone surfaces, and limited shade.
  • Cairo and Upper Egypt can be very hot, especially from May to September. Lightweight clothing, sunscreen, a hat, and reusable water bottle are strongly recommended.
  • A modest dress code is advised when visiting mosques and religious sites. Shoulders and knees should be covered, and women may be asked to cover their hair inside mosque areas.
  • Domestic flights in Egypt usually include limited checked baggage allowance. Excess luggage fees may apply and are payable directly to the airline.
  • Hotel check-in is generally from 2:00 PM, and check-out is before 12:00 noon. Early check-in or late check-out is subject to availability and may incur an extra charge.
  • Some tombs, chambers, and museum sections may close without prior notice for restoration, security, or conservation reasons. Your guide will adjust the visit where necessary.

FAQs

Is this tour private?

Yes. The itinerary is arranged as a private tour with private airport transfers and a private English-speaking Egyptologist guide during included sightseeing. You can explore at your own pace within the planned schedule.

Are the domestic flights included?

Yes. Economy-class domestic flights from Cairo to Luxor and from Aswan to Cairo are included in the tour price. Flight times are arranged according to availability and cruise embarkation or disembarkation schedules.

What meals are included during the Nile cruise?

The Nile cruise is on a full board basis, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner while on board. Drinks are not included unless specifically stated by the cruise company.

How long is the drive to Abu Simbel?

The drive from Aswan to Abu Simbel usually takes about 3 to 3.5 hours each way. Departure is very early in the morning to allow enough time at the temples and return to Aswan around midday.

Can I enter the Great Pyramid?

Entry inside the Great Pyramid is not included in the tour and requires an additional fee. Tickets are subject to availability and can be purchased on-site with the assistance of your guide.

What type of hotels and cruise are used?

The package includes 5-star hotel accommodation in Cairo and a 5-star Nile River cruise or similar standard. Final hotel and cruise names are confirmed based on availability at the time of booking.

Do I need an Egypt visa?

Most travelers require an entry visa for Egypt. Depending on nationality, it may be available online or upon arrival, but you should check current requirements before travel.

Is this tour suitable for families or older travelers?

Yes, the private format makes the tour flexible for families and mature travelers. However, guests should be comfortable with walking at archaeological sites, early starts, and some uneven ground.

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