Cairo and Nile Cruise Christmas Holiday
Description
Cairo and Nile Cruise tours bring together Egypt’s major sights in a planned 10-day holiday. Your trip starts with three nights in Cairo. You visit the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx, then see ancient treasures in Cairo's Museum of Antiquities. After travelling south by sleeper train, you board a five-star Nile cruise in Aswan for four nights, with guided visits along the river before the ship reaches Luxor.
The Pyramids of Giza are where the trip begins its look at ancient Egypt. Your guide explains how the pyramids were built, how the plateau developed and what to notice across the surrounding complex. Nearby, the Great Sphinx faces the Giza plateau with its lion’s body and human head. Allow several hours for the visit, including photographs and the walk between the main viewpoints.
In central Cairo, Cairo's Museum of Antiquities brings together royal sculpture, funerary objects and everyday items recovered from across Egypt. The collection is large, so a guided visit helps you focus on the main galleries and pieces instead of trying to see everything at once. We arrange the transfers and keep the pace practical, with time to rest between the major sightseeing stops.
After the sleeper-train journey south, the cruise gives you a comfortable base for the second part of the holiday. The sailing begins in Aswan, where you see Aswan's High Dam and travel by boat to Philae Temple, on an island across the reservoir. An optional excursion to Abu Simbel can be arranged during your Aswan stay, subject to the travel schedule and local conditions. The temples have seated figures of Ramesses II and detailed interior chambers.
- Three nights in Cairo with the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx and Cairo's Museum of Antiquities
- Four nights aboard a five-star Nile cruise with meals and guided sightseeing
- Visits to Philae Temple, Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple and Luxor’s major archaeological sites
- Two nights travelling in sleeper trains, connecting Cairo, Aswan and the cruise route
- Optional Abu Simbel excursion during the Aswan section of the trip
Life on the Nile cruise is calm and well paced. Between visits, sit on deck, watch villages and cultivated riverbanks pass by, or relax in your cabin. At Kom Ombo Temple, the ship usually stops so you can visit the unusual double temple dedicated to Sobek and Horus. Edfu Temple is reached by road from the river, and its preserved courts and reliefs give the guided walk plenty to look at.
Luxor has the trip’s greatest concentration of ancient sites. On the west bank, the Valley of the Kings contains decorated royal tombs cut into the desert hills. You also see Hatshepsut Temple, built in terraces against the cliffs, and the Colossi of Memnon, two large stone figures that once guarded a temple entrance. On the east bank, the Karnak Complex takes you through pylons, columns and sacred spaces, while Luxor Temple is lit after dark, with its stone avenues and courtyards clearly visible.
This organised itinerary suits travellers who want a broad introduction to Egypt without arranging separate hotels, trains, guides and river transport. It involves walking over uneven ground, steps at some temples and early starts for certain visits, so it may not suit anyone needing a consistently slow or step-free programme. Our team coordinates pickups, transfers, train arrangements and cruise embarkation, while your guide explains the history and helps you move comfortably through each site. Meals are included where stated, and the final schedule is confirmed around transport and cruise operations.
Bring comfortable walking shoes, sun protection and a light layer for cool evenings or air-conditioned spaces. Keep your passport and personal medication accessible during the sleeper-train sections, and check the daily meeting instructions with your guide before leaving the ship.
Included
Pickup and drop-off services according to the confirmed itinerary
Meals included on the Nile cruise as stated in the booking details
Entrance fees for the included sightseeing visits
Transfers between airports, hotels, railway stations and the cruise vessel
3 nights accommodation in Cairo
Guided sightseeing with a licensed Egyptologist where relevant
4 nights aboard a five-star Nile cruise
Accommodation on a bed-and-breakfast or meal basis as stated in the booking details
2 nights in sleeper-train accommodation
Excluded
Entrance fees for areas not listed in the itinerary
International or domestic flights unless specifically stated
Personal expenses, drinks and laundry
Tips for guides, drivers, cruise staff and other service providers
Visa fees and personal travel insurance
Any meals not specified as included
Optional Abu Simbel excursion unless selected as part of the booking
Travel expenses caused by changes outside the organised itinerary
Don't forget
Copies of important travel documents stored separately from the originals
Personal medication and a small supply of essential toiletries
Reusable water bottle
Comfortable walking shoes with secure soles
Small day bag for temple visits
Passport and any required visa documents
Light, breathable clothing and a modest outfit for temples and other religious sites
Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen
A light jacket or layer for winter evenings, trains and air-conditioned rooms
Frequently Asked Questions
This 10-day Cairo and Nile cruise holiday includes three nights in Cairo, four nights aboard a 5-star Nile cruise vessel, two nights in sleeper-train accommodation, planned sightseeing, and transfers arranged around the published itinerary; meals, entry tickets, guide services and airport transfers should be confirmed in the final inclusions.
Visits include the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx and Cairo's Museum of Antiquities, followed by Aswan's High Dam, Philae Temple, Abu Simbel, Kom Ombo Temple, Edfu Temple and Luxor's main archaeological sites.
The 10-day itinerary begins with three nights in Cairo, continues by sleeper train for the southern part of the trip, then follows a four-night sailing adventure from Aswan towards Luxor before your return journey; the schedule combines guided visits with travel days and time on the river.
In the usual sightseeing order, you see Aswan's High Dam, Philae Temple and Abu Simbel, sail past Kom Ombo Temple and Edfu Temple, then visit the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, the Colossi of Memnon, Karnak Complex and Luxor Temple.
Our team coordinates the planned airport, hotel, train-station and cruise transfers for this Cairo and Nile cruise tour, with pickup and drop-off details confirmed before travel rather than set to an unlisted universal time.
Because the tour includes Cairo accommodation, sleeper-train travel and cruise embarkation in Aswan, transfer arrangements depend on your arrival details and the final transport schedule. Share your flight and hotel information with us so we can organise the correct meeting point and provide clear instructions.
This 10-day Egypt tour can suit older children and many travellers with average fitness, but it includes early starts, train and coach transfers, steps on the cruise vessel, uneven ground and walking at sites such as the Pyramids of Giza, Valley of the Kings and Karnak Complex.
Most major sights are not fully step-free, and some temple areas involve heat, slopes or uneven paving. Tell our team about mobility needs, medical concerns or travelling with young children before booking so we can explain the practical limits and discuss suitable arrangements.
Pack light, breathable clothing for daytime sightseeing, a warmer layer for cool evenings and the sleeper train, comfortable closed shoes, sun protection and modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees at temples and other religious sites.
Bring your passport, required travel documents, personal medication, a refillable water bottle and a small day bag. A hat and sturdy footwear help at the Pyramids of Giza, Abu Simbel and the Valley of the Kings; bring only luggage you can manage on train platforms and during transfers.
You can request this 10-day Cairo and Nile cruise tour through A1 Toureg, and our team will confirm the available travel arrangements, passenger details, room preferences and final inclusions before booking is completed.
Cancellation terms depend on the booking date, cruise and sleeper-train arrangements, accommodation and any services already secured. Review the written booking conditions carefully before paying, and ask us to explain any cancellation deadlines or amendment charges that apply to your reservation.
Reviews
Why travelers choose A1Toureg
- Transparent pricing with no unexpected fees.
- Reserve today and pay on the day of your tour on most excursions.
- Free cancellation on selected tours.
- Organized with trusted licensed Egyptian partners.
- Fast confirmation and personal assistance.
- Comfortable transportation for every journey.
- Support in English, German, French, Italian, Russian & more.
- We're with you every step of the way.
Your unforgettable Egypt journey starts with a booking you can trust.
* Available on selected tours. Flights, cruises and special bookings may have different cancellation policies.
Keep things flexible!
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before activity starts
Ways You Can Pay!
If you choose to pay online, a secure payment link can be provided after booking. For assistance or alternative payment options, please contact us via WhatsApp.
Your Itinerary
Arrive in Cairo, where our representative meets you at the airport and helps with the transfer to your hotel. After check-in, you can rest or take a gentle first look at the city around your accommodation. The evening remains flexible, which is useful after an international flight and gives you time to settle in before the sightseeing begins.
Our team reviews the schedule with you, including the upcoming visits and the overnight sleeper train to Aswan. Keep your passport and essential medication in your hand luggage, and pack a small overnight bag for the train so you do not need to open your main luggage during the journey. Your first night is in Cairo, with the following two days reserved for the city's major ancient and museum sites.
After breakfast, your guide takes you to the Giza Plateau for the Pyramids of Giza. You see the monuments in an order that allows time to appreciate their scale, beginning with the pyramid fields and continuing to the viewpoints where the three main pyramids can be photographed together. Your guide explains how the royal complex was planned, how stone was moved, and why the plateau became one of ancient Egypt's most important burial sites.
The visit continues to the Great Sphinx, where the human-headed lion faces across the desert towards the pyramid area. There is time for questions and photographs before you leave the plateau. Wear comfortable shoes, bring water, and expect exposed ground with limited shade. After the visit, we return you to Cairo for a quieter afternoon and another hotel night before the museum programme and overnight train.
Your morning visit is to Cairo's Museum of Antiquities, where galleries hold statues, jewellery, funerary objects, and everyday items from several periods of Egyptian history. Your guide helps place the most important pieces in context instead of rushing through every room. Allow time for the collection to feel varied: royal sculpture, writing equipment, religious objects, and objects recovered from tombs appear throughout the museum.
After the museum, you have time for lunch and a break before the evening transfer to Cairo's railway station. The sleeper train journey to Aswan crosses the country overnight, giving you a practical way to travel south while keeping the following day available for sightseeing. Compartments are compact and the onboard meal service is simple, so keep travel documents, valuables, and anything needed overnight close at hand.
Arrive in Aswan in the morning and meet our local team for the transfer from the station. The day's first sightseeing stop is Aswan's High Dam, the major engineering project that changed flood control, electricity generation, and settlement along the southern Nile. From the viewpoints, your guide explains the reservoir and the relocation of ancient sites that followed its construction.
Next, travel by boat to Philae Temple on an island. The approach across the water gives you a clear sense of how the sanctuary was saved and rebuilt above the rising reservoir level. After the visit, board your cruise vessel and settle into your cabin. This begins your four-night Sailing Adventure towards Luxor; meals and time on deck are part of the cruise rhythm, while luggage is handled between the transfer and embarkation.
An early road excursion takes you from Aswan to Abu Simbel, a journey of several hours each way through the desert. The reward is the pair of rock-cut temples built for Ramesses II and Queen Nefertari. Your guide points out the colossal façade figures and explains how the temples were moved to higher ground during the creation of the reservoir. The visit is outdoors and starts early, so bring water, sun protection, and a light layer for the cooler morning.
Return to the vessel for lunch or rest, depending on the sailing schedule. The remainder of the day is spent watching the river landscape change as the boat moves north. Villages, cultivated banks, and stretches of dry desert pass slowly from the deck. Evening arrangements depend on navigation and the ship's programme, but there is time to enjoy the lounge or open deck after the long excursion.
The cruise pauses at Kom Ombo for a visit to Kom Ombo Temple, an unusual riverside sanctuary dedicated to two sets of gods. Your guide explains the temple's divided design and points out the reliefs connected with medicine, ritual, and the ancient calendar. The site is close to the landing area, although the paths can be uneven, so steady footwear is useful.
Later, continue by boat towards Edfu. A short transfer from the river leads to Edfu Temple, one of the best-preserved large temples in Egypt. Its gateway, courtyards, columns, and inner sanctuary show how a Ptolemaic temple was arranged for ceremonies. After the guided visit, return to the vessel for dinner and an evening of sailing. The exact order can shift with river traffic and the ship's navigation schedule, but both temple visits take place during the cruise's northbound route.
As the vessel reaches Luxor, leave the boat for a guided visit to the Karnak Complex. The vast precinct includes processional avenues, courts, halls, obelisks, and carved walls added by successive rulers. Rather than treating it as a single monument, your guide follows the main route through the complex and explains how worship, royal building, and seasonal festivals shaped its layout.
Continue to Luxor Temple, where the remaining colonnades and statues sit close to the modern city. The temple was connected with Karnak by a ceremonial avenue and played an important role in royal religious celebrations. Sightseeing usually takes place in the cooler part of the day when possible, but the ground is still open and sunny. Return to the cruise vessel for your final night on board, with time to prepare luggage for disembarkation.
After breakfast, disembark and cross to Luxor's West Bank for the final major sightseeing programme. Start at the Valley of the Kings, where tombs were cut into the desert hills for New Kingdom rulers. Your entry permits determine which tombs are open on the day, and your guide explains the painted scenes and burial beliefs while allowing time for the steep, uneven approaches.
Continue to Hatshepsut Temple, a terraced monument set against the cliffs, then stop at the Colossi of Memnon before returning towards the city. After lunch and time to refresh, transfer to Luxor railway station for the overnight sleeper train to Cairo. Keep your main luggage secure and carry essentials in a small bag inside the compartment. This is the second overnight train of the itinerary and replaces a separate hotel night.
Arrive in Cairo after the overnight train journey and transfer to your hotel. The day is intentionally lighter after two long rail sectors and the cruise programme. You can rest, have breakfast, or use free time for a relaxed walk near the hotel, subject to its location and your guide's advice. Our team remains available to help with practical arrangements and the following day's airport transfer.
Use the afternoon to organise photographs, souvenirs, and travel documents before departure. If you want to see more of Cairo, any extra visit should be planned around your arrival time and energy rather than added at the last minute. This final Cairo night gives you a proper place to sleep, repack, and prepare for the journey home without rushing directly from the train to the airport.
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before our representative transfers you to Cairo International Airport. The departure transfer is arranged around your confirmed flight details, and we allow practical time for the drive, airport entry, check-in, and security procedures. Keep your passport, tickets, medication, and valuables in your hand luggage.
Before leaving the hotel, check the room carefully for chargers, passports, and small personal items. If your flight is later in the day, luggage storage or a later hotel departure may be discussed with our team according to the accommodation's policy and availability. Your 10-day programme ends at the airport, with the journey arranged to leave you clear of the final transfer details.