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.

10 days · 9 nights · Cairo, Luxor and Aswan · Private

Starting priceUSD 1,675Per person sharing a room, at the lowest group rate. Domestic flights, the season and your hotels set the quote.Your written quote confirms the price for your party, dates and choices.

Nothing is booked until you accept a written quote
A Deluxe Travel Egypt brand: read the reviews

Request a quote WhatsApp us Add to my trip

The three pyramids of Giza and the smaller queens' pyramids on the desert plateau.

Duration: 10 days · 9 nights
On the road: Two domestic flights; short transfers
At the sites: Guided visits on days 2–7
Format: Private
Pace: Moderate

Before you choose

Is this the right tour for you?

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.

Our advice

Flying the long legs is what makes this route work: the days go to the sites, not the road.

Consider instead: Add the Grand Egyptian Museum to your free day in Cairo.

10 days

Day by day

Ten days that follow the whole story of how Egypt kept reimagining eternity. Giza shows kings who built to be seen. Luxor shows kings who built to be hidden, and the temples where they spoke to the gods. Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae show the last chapter, temples built under Greek kings and Roman emperors in the old forms, and Abu Simbel, if you add it, shows power carved into a cliff. Between them, Islamic and Coptic Cairo show what later Egypt made of it all.

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. Begin with the first chapter: kings who built to be seen.
Giza Plateau: Three generations of kings built here; the plateau asks who did the building, and how they lived.
Day 3
Islamic and Coptic Cairo
The Citadel and Mohamed Ali Mosque, the Hanging Church, Ben Ezra Synagogue and Khan el-Khalili. Later Egypt looked back too: in Salah al-Din's reign, stone from the Giza pyramids went into new building.
Cairo Citadel: A medieval fortress above the whole of Cairo, and the seat of Egypt's rulers for more than six centuries.
Day 4
Fly to Luxor and board
Karnak and Luxor Temple, then embark on the Nile cruise: Amun's great sanctuary, and the temple he travelled to every year.
Karnak: Not a temple. A temple city.
Day 5
Luxor West Bank
Valley of the Kings, temple of Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon: kings who built to be hidden. Sail to Esna.
Valley of the Kings: The royal cemetery of the New Kingdom, cut into a dry valley beneath a pyramid-shaped peak.
Day 6
Edfu and Kom Ombo
The Temple of Horus and the double temple of Kom Ombo: the last chapter, built under the Ptolemies.
Edfu Temple: The temple of Horus, whose walls are a library turned outwards.
Day 7
Aswan
Philae; the High Dam, whose waters forced it to move; and the Unfinished Obelisk, which shows how an obelisk was cut.
Philae: The island that was moved.
Day 8
Disembark and fly to Cairo
Optional Abu Simbel before the flight: power carved into a cliff.
Abu Simbel: Two temples cut into a cliff above the Nile, taken apart and rebuilt higher to save them.
Day 9
Free day in Cairo
Or an optional day in Alexandria.
Day 10
Departure
Transfer to Cairo International Airport.

The story behind these places

The details

What is included

Highlights

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

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

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

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
Entrance tickets: Included: all entrance fees in the itinerary
Optional extras: Abu Simbel; Alexandria
Cancellation: Multi-day terms: ask when you enquire.
Your price: Set in your written quote for your party, dates and pickup, with the payment and cancellation terms.

Add to the day

Experiences nearby

A few hours of something different, placed around this tour in your quote.

All experiences

Questions

Before you ask

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.

Deluxe Trips Egypt

Ask for this tour, for your dates.

Send your dates and party size here. We reply with a written quote: the price for your party, what is included and the terms. Nothing is booked until you accept it.

Prefer to talk? WhatsApp us