giza pyramids sphinx desert panorama

10-Day Egypt Highlights Tour with Nile Cruise

Duration
10 Days / 9 Nights
Route
Cairo · Alexandria · Aswan · Abu Simbel · Luxor
Style
Private Tours · 4-Star Hotels · 5-Star Nile Cruise
Schedule
Selected Dates · Cruise Schedule

Overview

Our 10-Day Egypt Highlights Tour combines Cairo, Alexandria, Abu Simbel and a three-night Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor. Explore the Giza Pyramids and Saqqara, spend a full day beside the Mediterranean in Alexandria, then fly south to discover Aswan and the colossal rock-cut temples of Abu Simbel.

Continue along the Nile aboard a full-board cruise, visiting Kom Ombo and Edfu before reaching the great monuments of Luxor. Private sightseeing, domestic flights and airport transfers are arranged throughout, creating a well-paced journey for first-time visitors who want to experience Egypt’s essential highlights without rushing.

Highlights

The Giza Pyramids, Great Sphinx and Grand Egyptian Museum
The Step Pyramid of Saqqara and ancient Memphis
Alexandria’s catacombs, Qaitbay Citadel and Mediterranean coast
The rock-cut temples of Abu Simbel and the island temple of Philae
A 3-night full-board Nile cruise through Kom Ombo and Edfu to Luxor

Itinerary

1Day 1: Arrival in Cairo
A Nile Empire representative will be waiting outside the arrivals hall at Cairo International Airport, holding a sign with your name. You will be transferred privately to your hotel and assisted with check-in. The remainder of the day is free to rest after your journey or begin exploring Cairo independently.
2Day 2: Giza Pyramids, the Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum
Explore the Giza Plateau with your private Egyptologist guide, including the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure, the panoramic viewpoint and the Great Sphinx. Continue to the Grand Egyptian Museum to discover its vast collection of ancient Egyptian treasures and the complete Tutankhamun galleries. Return to your hotel after the tour. Overnight in Cairo.
🍽️ Meals Included Breakfast
3Day 3: Saqqara and Ancient Memphis
Travel south of Cairo to Saqqara, where the Step Pyramid of Djoser marked the beginning of monumental stone architecture in ancient Egypt. Explore the surrounding archaeological complex and decorated tombs before continuing to Memphis, the former capital, to see its open-air collection, including the colossal statue of Ramses II and the Alabaster Sphinx. Overnight in Cairo.
🍽️ Meals Included Breakfast
4Day 4: Alexandria day trip
Depart Cairo in the morning for a full-day private trip to Alexandria. Descend into the Roman Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, then visit Pompey’s Pillar and the remains of the ancient Serapeum. Continue to Qaitbay Citadel, built beside the Mediterranean on the site of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria, before visiting the modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina. Return to Cairo after the tour. Overnight in Cairo.
🍽️ Meals Included Breakfast
5Day 5: Fly to Aswan and Embark on the Nile Cruise
Transfer to Cairo Airport for your flight to Aswan. On arrival, visit the High Dam before taking a motorboat across the Nile to Philae Temple, the island sanctuary dedicated to the goddess Isis. Afterwards, board your 5-star Nile cruise, settle into your cabin and enjoy your first evening on the river. Overnight on the Nile cruise in Aswan.
🍽️ Meals Included Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Excursion Nubian Village tour
6Day 6: Abu Simbel and Kom Ombo
Depart early for Abu Simbel, where the colossal rock-cut temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari overlook Lake Nasser. After exploring the temples with your guide, return to Aswan and rejoin the cruise. Sail north to Kom Ombo and visit its unusual riverside temple, shared by the gods Sobek and Horus. Overnight on the Nile cruise near Edfu.
🍽️ Meals Included Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
7Day 7: Edfu Temple and Sailing to Luxor
Visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu, one of Egypt’s best-preserved ancient temples. Explore its monumental entrance, courtyards and detailed reliefs before returning to the ship. Spend the remainder of the day sailing toward Luxor, enjoying the Nile scenery and full-board service onboard. Overnight on the Nile cruise in Luxor.
🍽️ Meals Included Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Excursion Karnak Sound & Light Show
8Day 8: Disembarkation and Luxor West Bank
Guests who book the optional hot-air balloon ride will begin the day before sunrise above Luxor’s West Bank. After breakfast, disembark from the cruise and explore the royal tombs of the Valley of the Kings, the terraced Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. Transfer to your hotel after the tour. Overnight in Luxor.
🍽️ Meals Included Breakfast
Optional Excursion Sunrise Hot-Air Balloon Ride
9Day 9: Luxor East Bank and Flight to Cairo
After breakfast, visit Karnak Temple, the vast religious complex dedicated principally to the god Amun. Continue to Luxor Temple beside the Nile, known for its statues, courtyards and grand colonnades. Afterwards, transfer to Luxor Airport for your flight to Cairo, where you will be met and taken to your hotel. Overnight in Cairo.
🍽️ Meals Included Breakfast
10Day 10: Departure from Cairo
After breakfast, enjoy free time depending on your flight schedule. Your driver will collect you from the hotel and transfer you to Cairo International Airport, where we will say goodbye and wish you a safe journey home.
🍽️ Meals Included Breakfast

10-Day Highlights vs. 8-Day Classic

FeatureThis 10-Day Highlights8-Day Cairo, Cruise & Abu Simbel
PaceRelaxed, more time per siteFull but efficient
Cairo5 nights + Alexandria & Saqqara3 nights, Giza + museum
Cruise3 nights3 nights
Best forSeeing Egypt in depthThe icons in one week

Pick the 10-day for a fuller, slower trip with Alexandria; the 8-day for the classic icons in less time.

What’s Included

Included

  • All airport pickups and drop-offs required for the trip
  • Five nights in a 4-star Cairo hotel on a bed-and-breakfast basis
  • One night in a 4-star Luxor hotel on a bed-and-breakfast basis
  • Three nights aboard a 5-star Nile cruise on a full-board basis
  • Domestic flights from Cairo to Aswan and Luxor to Cairo
  • Private day trip from Cairo to Alexandria
  • Private road excursion from Aswan to Abu Simbel
  • Private air-conditioned transportation throughout the itinerary
  • Private sightseeing tours as mentioned in the itinerary
  • Certified English-speaking Egyptologist guide during sightseeing tours
  • Main entrance fees for the included sightseeing
  • One bottle of water per person during each sightseeing day
  • All taxes and service charges

Not Included

  • International flights to and from Egypt
  • Egypt entry visa
  • Special-entry tickets, such as pyramid interiors or additional royal tombs
  • Optional tours and anything not listed as included
  • Meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Gratuities for guides, drivers and cruise crew
Pricing Information

Prices are shown in US dollars per person. Seasonal supplements may apply during Christmas, New Year and Easter unless a specific seasonal price is displayed.

Children’s Policy
0-5.99 years
Free of charge
6-11.99 years
Pay 50% of tour price
12+ years
Pay full tour price as per adult person

Note: Child rates apply to children travelling with their parents. Where accommodation is included, a maximum of one child per room applies.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is this different from the 8-day tour?
The 10-day adds Saqqara and a full day in Alexandria, with a more relaxed pace and a three-night cruise, with a more relaxed pace and room for extras like a Luxor balloon. The 8-day is the same classic core in a tighter week.
Can this itinerary be customised?
Yes. Every Nile Empire package is private and fully flexible. We can add or drop sites, change the pace, upgrade hotels or the cruise, extend to the Red Sea or Abu Simbel, and adjust the day-by-day flow to suit you.
How much does this package cost?
Pricing is tailored to your travel dates, hotel and cruise category, group size and any extensions, so we quote each itinerary individually. Send us an enquiry and we return a clear, all-inclusive custom quote. Nothing is payable while you decide.
How do I book?
Press Book Now and send your dates and party size. We confirm availability and your final quote within 24 hours, and a deposit then secures your booking. Payment is made by secure payment link or bank transfer, and the remaining balance and its schedule are set out in your booking confirmation.

Why Book With Nile Empire

Local experts

An Egypt-based team that lives and breathes these journeys.

Private & tailor-made

Every trip built around your dates, pace, and budget.

Certified Egyptologists

Your own private guide at every temple and tomb.

Confirm before you pay

We confirm availability and your final price first. A deposit is only due once you are happy to proceed.

What Our Travellers Say

★★★★★
We had a fully organized two-week Egypt itinerary with Nile Empire, and the experience was completely faultless from start to finish. Every part of the journey was carefully arranged, and we were guided and assisted throughout the entire trip. The Egyptologist guides were excellent, informative, and professional, and everything throughout the itinerary ran smoothly and on time. Highly recommended for anyone planning a trip to Egypt.
Sommerstar · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
We recently completed an unforgettable Egypt trip organized by Nile Empire, and the entire experience was handled with professionalism and excellent attention to detail from start to finish. The itinerary between Cairo, Abu Simbel, Luxor, and the Nile cruise was perfectly coordinated, with quality hotels, punctual transfers, and continuous support throughout the journey. We especially appreciated how responsive and attentive the team remained during the entire stay. Our guides in Cairo and Upper Egypt were both knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about Egyptian history, making every visit more enjoyable and meaningful. We highly recommend Nile Empire for travelers looking for a well-organized and professionally managed Egypt experience.
Abdelaziz · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
From the moment we arrived in Egypt until the day we left, Nile Empire made every part of our journey feel special and unforgettable. The team went above and beyond to ensure we felt comfortable, safe, and genuinely cared for throughout the trip. During our 7-day Egypt tour, everything was smoothly organized between Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, and the Nile cruise. A special thank you to Soliman and Rami for their exceptional attention to detail and for making my birthday celebration truly memorable throughout the journey. The experience felt personal, warm, and professionally managed from start to finish. We would absolutely recommend Nile Empire to anyone planning a trip to Egypt.
CE · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
We booked our Egypt trip with Nile Empire based on a recommendation, and now we are happy to recommend them ourselves. From the initial planning stage until our final day in Egypt, everything was handled with professionalism, flexibility, and genuine care. The itinerary was carefully customized around our requests, including experiences like a hot air balloon ride in Luxor and scuba diving in Hurghada. Our guides and drivers were knowledgeable, friendly, and always supportive throughout the trip. Every part of the journey felt smooth, organized, and memorable thanks to Soliman and the Nile Empire team. A fantastic choice for travelers looking for a personalized Egypt experience.
Mangesh Satpute · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
Our Egypt trip with Nile Empire felt like much more than just a holiday — it was a fully personalized experience from start to finish. Everything was thoughtfully customized around our preferences, making the journey feel smooth, comfortable, and genuinely special. The accommodations, transportation, and daily planning were all very well organized, and it was clear that a lot of attention went into every detail. We especially appreciated the support throughout the trip and the flexibility of the private tours. A special thank you to our Cairo driver, our wonderful guide Mariam, and to Soliman and Rami for organizing such a memorable Egypt experience.
Priyanka Kannan · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
Our experience with Nile Empire was excellent from start to finish. Soliman helped us redesign our Egypt trip on very short notice and customized everything around our schedule, including internal flights, hotels, and a Nile cruise. We loved that all sightseeing tours were private, giving us flexibility throughout the trip. The guides, drivers, and overall organization were outstanding, and we never had to worry about anything during our stay in Egypt. The Nile cruise between Aswan and Luxor was one of the highlights of our trip, and the additional tours to Abu Simbel, Dendera, and the Nubian Village made the experience even more special. We highly recommend Nile Empire for anyone looking for a reliable and professionally organized Egypt tour.
M & S Krebs · TripAdvisor
★★★★★Rated excellent on TripAdvisorRead reviews

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