The classic first visit
10 Days in Egypt: Cairo and a Nile Cruise, with Flights
Five nights in Cairo, four on the Nile, and domestic flights so the days go to the sites.
This 10-day Egypt tour covers the classic route with the time it needs: five nights in Cairo, four on a Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan, and domestic flights so none of the days is spent on the road.
In Cairo, a private Egyptologist takes you to the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, and to the Egyptian Museum. A second day explores the Citadel of Salah el-Din and the Mohamed Ali Mosque, the Hanging Church and Ben Ezra Synagogue in Coptic Cairo, and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar.
On day 4 you fly to Luxor, visit Karnak and Luxor Temple, and board your cruise ship, the Blue Shadow. The next days follow the river: the Valley of the Kings, the temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon, then Edfu and Kom Ombo, then Philae, the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk in Aswan. On day 8 you disembark, with Abu Simbel available as an optional extra, and fly back to Cairo. Day 9 is free, or can be spent on an optional trip to Alexandria, before you leave on day 10.
Hotels, the cruise with full board, domestic flights, private transfers, guided tours and all entrance fees are included.
- Travel time
- Two domestic flights; short transfers
- Time at sites
- Guided visits on days 2–7
- Group
- Private: your party only
- Transport
- Domestic flights, Nile cruise ship and private vehicles
- Departure
- Arrival in Cairo on day 1
- Meeting point
- Cairo International Airport
- Guide languages
- English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
- Best time to go
- October to April
- Intensity
- Moderate
What the day includes
- Giza, the Sphinx and the Egyptian Museum
- Islamic and Coptic Cairo and Khan el-Khalili
- Four nights on the Nile from Luxor to Aswan
- Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae
- Domestic flights both ways
Places you visit
- Pyramids of Giza
- Great Sphinx of Giza
- Egyptian Museum
- Citadel of Salah el-Din
- Hanging Church
- Ben Ezra Synagogue
- Khan el-Khalili
- Karnak Temple
- Luxor Temple
- Valley of the Kings
- Temple of Hatshepsut
- Colossi of Memnon
- Temple of Horus at Edfu
- Kom Ombo Temple
- Philae Temple
- Aswan High Dam
- Unfinished Obelisk
Included
- 5 nights in Cairo (Holiday Inn Cairo Maadi)
- 4 nights on the Blue Shadow Nile cruise, full board
- Domestic flights Cairo–Luxor and Aswan–Cairo
- Private transfers and tours with a certified guide
- All entrance fees, service charges and taxes
Not included
- International flights and Egypt visa
- Optional tours to Abu Simbel and Alexandria
- Meals not listed
- Personal expenses and tips
- Travel insurance
- Entrance tickets
- Included: all entrance fees in the itinerary
- Optional / extra
- Abu Simbel; Alexandria
- Cancellation
- Multi-day terms: ask when you enquire.
- Tour format
- Private
Day by day
Day 1
Arrive in Cairo
Meet at the airport and transfer to your hotel.
Day 2
Giza and the Egyptian Museum
The pyramids, the Sphinx and the Egyptian Museum.
Day 3
Islamic and Coptic Cairo
The Citadel and Mohamed Ali Mosque, the Hanging Church, Ben Ezra Synagogue and Khan el-Khalili.
Day 4
Fly to Luxor and board
Karnak and Luxor Temple, then embark on the Nile cruise.
Day 5
Luxor West Bank
Valley of the Kings, temple of Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon. Sail to Esna.
Day 6
Edfu and Kom Ombo
The Temple of Horus and the double temple of Kom Ombo.
Day 7
Aswan
Philae, the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk.
Day 8
Disembark and fly to Cairo
Optional Abu Simbel before the flight.
Day 9
Free day in Cairo
Or an optional day in Alexandria.
Day 10
Departure
Transfer to Cairo International Airport.
Questions about this tour
Are domestic flights included?
Yes: Cairo to Luxor and Aswan to Cairo.
Which Nile cruise ship is it?
The Blue Shadow, for four nights with full board.
How much does it cost?
$1,950 per person for two or more travellers, or $3,190 for one person travelling alone, in US dollars.
Can you cater for special diets?
Yes. Tell us in advance about vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free or other needs.