giza pyramids great sphinx sunset Egypt

8-Day Cairo, Nile Cruise & Abu Simbel Tour

Duration
8 Days / 7 Nights
Route
Cairo · Aswan · Abu Simbel · Kom Ombo · Edfu · Luxor
Style
Private Tour with 3-Night Nile Cruise
Schedule
Daily departures · private

Overview

Our 8-Day Cairo, Nile Cruise & Abu Simbel Tour combines the Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, a relaxed three-night Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor, and the colossal rock-cut temples of Abu Simbel. Domestic flights, private sightseeing and full-board cruising are arranged for you.

Your private Egyptologist and vehicle accompany your sightseeing on land, while the cruise carries you past Kom Ombo and Edfu to the great monuments of Luxor. It is a well-paced introduction to Egypt for first-time visitors who want the country’s essential highlights and Abu Simbel in one journey.

It is an excellent itinerary for first-time visitors who want Egypt’s essential highlights and Abu Simbel in one well-paced eight-day journey.

Highlights

The Giza Pyramids, Great Sphinx and Grand Egyptian Museum
A 3-night full-board Nile cruise, Aswan to Luxor
The twin rock temples of Abu Simbel
Philae, Kom Ombo and Edfu temples along the Nile
The Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple and Karnak in 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. Overnight in Cairo.
2Day 2: Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & Grand Egyptian Museum
After breakfast, explore the Giza Plateau with your private Egyptologist guide. See 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 explore its galleries of ancient Egyptian artefacts with your guide. Return to your hotel after the tour. Overnight in Cairo.
🍽️ Meals Included Breakfast
3Day 3: 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 meals onboard. Overnight on the Nile cruise in Aswan.
🍽️ Meals Included Breakfast, Lunch , Dinner
Optional Excursion Nubian Village
4Day 4: Abu Simbel & 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
5Day 5: Edfu & sailing to Luxor
Visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu, one of the best-preserved ancient temples in Egypt. 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
6Day 6: Luxor West Bank and Disembarkation
After breakfast, disembark from the cruise and cross to Luxor’s West Bank. Explore the royal tombs of the Valley of the Kings, the terraced Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari and the towering Colossi of Memnon. Transfer to your hotel in Luxor after the tour. Overnight in Luxor.
🍽️ Meals Included Breakfast
Optional Excursion Hot Air-balloon
7Day 7: 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
8Day 8: 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

8-Day with Abu Simbel vs. 7-Day Cairo & Nile Cruise

FeatureThis 8-Day (with Abu Simbel)7-Day Cairo & Nile Cruise
Abu SimbelIncludedNot included
Duration8 days / 7 nights7 days / 6 nights
Cruise3 nights, Aswan→Luxor4 nights, Luxor→Aswan
Best forFirst-timers wanting every iconShorter trips, still see the classics

Choose the 8-day if Abu Simbel is on your must-see list; the 7-day covers Cairo and the cruise in a tighter week.

What’s Included

Included

  • All airport pickups and drop-offs required for the trip
  • Three nights in a 4-star Cairo hotel on a bed-and-breakfast basis
  • Three nights aboard a 5-star Nile cruise on a full-board basis
  • One night in a 4-star Luxor hotel on a bed-and-breakfast basis
  • Domestic flights from Cairo to Aswan and Luxor to Cairo
  • Private road excursion 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
  • Optional tours or activities not listed as included
  • Drinks, personal expenses and travel insurance
  • 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

Is Abu Simbel reached by road or flight?
Both are possible. The road convoy from Aswan is the standard, good-value option; a short domestic flight saves several hours and can be added on request. We will advise the best choice for your dates.
How many nights are on the cruise versus in hotels?
Three nights are on the Nile cruise (Aswan to Luxor) and the remaining nights are in hotels in Cairo and Luxor, so you enjoy both the river and the cities.
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 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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From
$1,850 /pp