giza pyramids desert landmark Egypt

8-Day Egypt Budget Tour: Cairo, Aswan & Luxor

Duration
8 Days / 7 Nights
Route
Cairo · Aswan · Luxor · Cairo
Style
Private Touring · Affordable Hotels · Domestic Flights
Schedule
Daily Departures · Private

Overview

The 8-Day Egypt Budget Tour combines the essential sights of Cairo, Aswan and Luxor with carefully selected 3-star hotels and private sightseeing throughout.

Discover the Giza Pyramids and Grand Egyptian Museum, travel south to Aswan and Abu Simbel, and explore the temples and royal tombs of Luxor. Domestic flights keep the journey comfortable and efficient, creating an affordable way to experience Egypt without sacrificing the quality of the sightseeing.

The savings come from carefully selected 3-star hotels, bed-and-breakfast accommodation and an efficient itinerary using economy domestic flights. Sightseeing remains private, with an Egyptologist guide, air-conditioned transportation and the main entrance fees included.

Highlights

Giza Pyramids, Great Sphinx and Grand Egyptian Museum
Citadel, Coptic Cairo and Khan El Khalili
Philae Temple and the Aswan High Dam
Private excursion to Abu Simbel
Karnak, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings

Itinerary

1Day 1: Arrival in Cairo
Welcome to Egypt. A Nile Empire representative will be waiting outside the arrivals hall at Cairo International Airport, holding a sign with your name and the company name. Travel privately to your hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle and receive assistance with check-in. The remainder of the day is free to rest after your journey or begin exploring the surrounding area independently. Overnight in Cairo.
2Day 2: Giza Pyramids, Great Sphinx and Grand Egyptian Museum
Meet your private Egyptologist guide and travel to the Giza Plateau, home to Egypt’s most recognisable ancient monuments. See the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure, and the smaller queens’ pyramids surrounding the complex. Continue to the panoramic viewpoint before visiting the Great Sphinx, the monumental guardian carved from the limestone bedrock. Afterwards, explore the Grand Egyptian Museum, where colossal statues, royal artefacts and the treasures of Tutankhamun illustrate the wealth, craftsmanship and beliefs of ancient Egypt. Return privately to your hotel after the tour. Overnight in Cairo.
🍽️ Meals Included Breakfast
3Day 3: Citadel, Coptic Cairo and Khan El Khalili
Discover the religious and architectural heritage of Cairo with your private guide. Begin at the Citadel of Saladin, a medieval fortress overlooking the capital from the Mokattam Hills. Visit the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, known for its grand domes, slender minarets and alabaster-lined interior. Continue to Coptic Cairo, one of the oldest inhabited parts of the city. Visit the Hanging Church and Ben Ezra Synagogue while learning about the district’s importance to Egypt’s Christian and Jewish communities. Finish in the historic lanes of Khan El Khalili, where traditional workshops, old buildings and colourful shops preserve the character of medieval Cairo. Return privately to your hotel. Overnight in Cairo.
🍽️ Meals Included Breakfast
Optional Excursion Dinner Nile Cruise
4Day 4: Fly to Aswan, High Dam and Philae Temple
After breakfast, transfer privately to Cairo International Airport for your economy flight to Aswan. Upon arrival, meet your local representative and begin exploring Egypt’s southernmost major city. Visit the Aswan High Dam, an ambitious modern engineering project that transformed agriculture and electricity production throughout the country. Continue by motorboat to Philae Temple, an island sanctuary dedicated principally to the goddess Isis. The temple was carefully dismantled and reconstructed on higher ground after the creation of Lake Nasser threatened its original location. After the visits, transfer privately to your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure. Overnight in Aswan.
🍽️ Meals Included Breakfast
5Day 5: Abu Simbel and Private Transfer to Luxor
Depart early with a breakfast box for the road journey across the desert to Abu Simbel. Carved into the mountainside near Egypt’s southern border, the complex contains the Great Temple of Ramses II and the smaller Temple of Queen Nefertari. Four colossal statues dominate the entrance to the main temple, while the chambers within celebrate royal authority, military victory and devotion to the gods. After exploring the temples with your private Egyptologist guide, return to Aswan. Continue privately by air-conditioned vehicle through the Nile Valley to Luxor. This is the longest travel day of the itinerary, but it allows Abu Simbel to remain included without adding another night to the package. Arrive in Luxor during the evening and check in to your hotel. Overnight in Luxor.
🍽️ Meals Included Breakfast
Optional Excursion Kom Ombo & Edfu Visits
6Day 6: Luxor West Bank, Karnak and Luxor Temple
Spend a full day discovering the monuments of ancient Thebes with your private Egyptologist guide. Begin on Luxor’s West Bank at the Valley of the Kings, where New Kingdom pharaohs created richly decorated tombs within the desert cliffs. Continue to the terraced Temple of Hatshepsut, built against the limestone cliffs of Deir el-Bahari, and stop beside the Colossi of Memnon. Cross to the East Bank to explore Karnak Temple, an enormous religious complex developed by generations of pharaohs. Walk through monumental gateways and stand among the towering columns of the Great Hypostyle Hall. Conclude at Luxor Temple, an elegant riverside sanctuary once connected to Karnak by the Avenue of Sphinxes. Return privately to your hotel after the tour. Overnight in Luxor.
🍽️ Meals Included Breakfast
Optional Excursion Sunrise Hot-Air Balloon flight
7Day 7: Fly from Luxor to Cairo
After breakfast, transfer privately to Luxor International Airport for your economy flight to Cairo. A Nile Empire representative will meet you upon arrival and transfer you to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free for relaxation, independent exploration or last-minute shopping. Overnight in Cairo.
🍽️ Meals Included Breakfast
8Day 8: Departure from Cairo
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before checking out. At the appropriate time, a Nile Empire representative will collect you and transfer you privately to Cairo International Airport for your final departure.
🍽️ Meals Included Breakfast

Budget Tour vs Nile Cruise Package

FeatureThis 8-Day Budget TourNile Cruise Package
Accommodation3-star hotelsHotels and a Nile cruise
Upper Egypt travelEconomy flights and private road transferDomestic flight and Nile cruise
SightseeingPrivate tours with an EgyptologistPrivate tours with an Egyptologist
MealsBreakfast includedFull board aboard the cruise

This hotel-based tour keeps the sightseeing private while reducing costs through 3-star accommodation. Travellers who prefer full-board Nile sailing and additional riverside temples can choose a Nile cruise package.

What’s Included

Included

  • All airport pickups and drop-offs required for the itinerary
  • Four nights in a 3-star Cairo hotel on a bed-and-breakfast basis
  • One night in a 3-star Aswan hotel on a bed-and-breakfast basis
  • Two nights in a 3-star Luxor hotel on a bed-and-breakfast basis
  • Economy domestic flights from Cairo to Aswan and Luxor to Cairo
  • Private road excursion from Aswan to Abu Simbel
  • Private road transfer from Aswan to Luxor
  • Private air-conditioned transportation for all scheduled transfers and tours
  • Private sightseeing tours as described in the itinerary
  • Certified English-speaking Egyptologist guide during sightseeing
  • Main entrance fees for the included attractions
  • 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
  • Entry inside the Great Pyramid and specially ticketed tombs in the Valley of the Kings
  • Optional tours or activities not listed as included
  • Lunches, dinners and beverages
  • Personal expenses and travel insurance
  • Tipping for guides, drivers and hotel staff
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

What makes this a budget package?
The package uses carefully selected 3-star hotels on a bed-and-breakfast basis and does not include a Nile cruise. Economy domestic flights and an efficient route help control the overall cost, while the sightseeing, Egyptologist guide and scheduled transfers remain private.
Are the tours and transfers private?
Yes. All scheduled sightseeing and road transfers are private for your party, accompanied by a private Egyptologist guide where stated. The domestic flights are operated by commercial airlines.
How will we travel between Cairo, Aswan and Luxor?
The package includes economy flights from Cairo to Aswan and from Luxor to Cairo. Travel from Aswan to Luxor is by private air-conditioned vehicle after the included Abu Simbel excursion.
Can this itinerary be customised or upgraded?
Yes. Hotels can be upgraded, and additional nights or destinations can be added. A Nile cruise can also be arranged, but this requires a revised itinerary based on the cruise schedule and would normally add Kom Ombo and Edfu.
Which meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included at the hotels. Lunches, dinners and beverages are not included, allowing you to choose where and what you would like to eat during the journey.
Are the entrance fees included?
Yes. The main entrance fees for all scheduled sightseeing are included. Entry inside the Great Pyramid and specially ticketed tombs in the Valley of the Kings cost extra.

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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$1,450 /pp