Cairo and Nile Cruise from Hurghada | 5-Day Tour
This 5-day Cairo and Nile cruise from Hurghada brings Egypt’s major ancient sights together, with the transfers arranged by our team. You start at the Pyramids of Giza and the Cairo Museum, then travel south for a four-day Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor. Temples, tombs and river views set the rhythm of the trip.
At Giza, your guide explains how the pyramids were built and how the site changed over thousands of years. You see the Great Pyramid, the pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure, and the nearby Sphinx area. The Cairo Museum shows ancient Egypt from another angle, with royal statues, funerary objects and everyday items that bring the monuments into context.
The southern section begins in Aswan, a relaxed Nile city known for its granite islands and wide river views. Abu Simbel is included as a major excursion, with time to see the temples of Ramesses II and Queen Nefertari. You also visit the Aswan Dam, a major modern structure that changed the Nile’s water management and created Lake Nasser. On the river, sailing with Felucca gives you a quieter view of Aswan, as canvas, wind and open water take the place of the road for part of the trip.
As the cruise heads north, the river stays in view through much of the day. At Kom Ombo Temple, you see its unusual double design, dedicated to Sobek and Horus. Edfu Temple is better preserved and gives you a clear sense of the scale of a Ptolemaic religious complex. Guided visits fit around the ship’s sailing schedule, so you can explore the monuments before returning to the boat.
Luxor brings some of Egypt’s most important ancient sites together on both sides of the Nile. On the west bank, the Valley of the Kings holds decorated royal tombs cut into the desert hills. Queen Hatshepsut Temple sits against the cliffs nearby, while the Colossi of Memnon mark the approach to the old Theban area. On the east bank, Karnak Temple is best seen at a steady pace through its courtyards, columns and gateways. Luxor Temple has a different feel later in the day, when its stonework may be illuminated.
We run the trip with organised transfers, a planned cruise schedule and guidance at the main archaeological sites. A licensed Egyptologist explains the symbols, dynasties and religious customs behind what you see, while our team coordinates travel between Hurghada, Cairo, Aswan and Luxor. Meals are arranged during the cruise, and the boat provides a comfortable base between excursions, so you do not need to change hotels every night.
This itinerary suits travellers who want a broad first look at ancient Egypt and are comfortable with early starts, walking across archaeological sites and moving between cities. The days are active, especially at Giza, Abu Simbel and the Valley of the Kings. Travellers with limited mobility should tell us before booking so we can discuss walking surfaces, steps, boat access and available assistance. Bring sun protection, comfortable shoes and any regular medication in your hand luggage.
Pickup and drop-off from Hurghada
Nile cruise accommodation from Aswan to Luxor
Felucca sailing in Aswan
Licensed Egyptologist guide during guided visits
Transfers between Hurghada, Cairo, Aswan and Luxor as arranged for the itinerary
Meals during the Nile cruise as specified
Entrance tickets to the listed sightseeing sites
Transport in an air-conditioned vehicle during land excursions
Travel insurance
Personal expenses
International or domestic flights, unless specifically stated in your booking details
Gratuities for guides, drivers and cruise staff
Visa fees
Optional activities and services
Drinks and meals not specified in the itinerary
Passport and any required visa documents
Light, breathable clothing and a modest outfit for temples and religious sites
Reusable water bottle
Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
Any regular medication, kept in your hand luggage
Small bag for daily excursions
Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen
A light layer for air-conditioned vehicles and evenings on the Nile
The 5-day Cairo and Nile cruise itinerary from Hurghada includes the planned transfers, sightseeing visits and guided touring described in the programme, including the Pyramids of Giza, Cairo Museum and a 4-day Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor. The cruise route covers Abu Simbel, Phiala Temple, the Aswan Dam, Kom Ombo Temple and Edfu Temple.
Accommodation, meals, entrance fees and any domestic travel arrangements can vary by booking option, so please check the inclusions shown with your selected package before confirming.
The 5-day itinerary from Hurghada is a full sightseeing programme with early starts and several long transfers, followed by four days on the Nile between Aswan and Luxor. You will visit major sites in a practical order, including Abu Simbel, Phiala Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Queen Hatshepsut Temple, the Colossi of Memnon and Karnak Temple.
The pace suits travellers who want to see the main ancient sites in a short visit. Our team will confirm the daily schedule and transfer details before travel.
Pickup for this Cairo and Nile cruise tour takes place in Hurghada, with the transfer arrangements needed to connect you with the Cairo sightseeing programme and the Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor. Your confirmed booking details will state the pickup point, meeting instructions and any travel connections included in your package.
Please provide your accommodation details when booking so our team can arrange the correct pickup information. Keep your phone available on the travel day in case the guide needs to contact you.
This tour can suit older children and active travellers, but it includes long sightseeing days, uneven ground, steps and walking around temples, tombs and archaeological areas. The Pyramids of Giza, the Aswan Dam, Edfu Temple and Karnak Temple may be manageable with support, while some areas at the Valley of the Kings are more difficult for limited mobility.
Tell us about mobility needs, medical considerations or a child’s age before booking. We can explain the walking involved and check which visits may need adjustments.
Bring light, modest clothing, comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, a hat, water and any medication you need for this Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor. Choose clothes that cover shoulders and knees for temple visits, and pack a light layer because early mornings, boat decks and air-conditioned vehicles can feel cooler.
A small day bag is useful for visits to Abu Simbel, Luxor Temple and the Colossi of Memnon. You can also enjoy sailing with Felucca, so keep your camera and a light layer close at hand.
You can book the tour by selecting your preferred date and providing the traveller and pickup details requested during the booking process; the applicable cancellation policy is shown with the booking conditions. Contact our team before payment if you need to confirm the route, cruise arrangements or visits to Kom Ombo Temple and Luxor Temple.
Cancellation terms depend on the booking option and timing, so read them carefully before confirming. If your plans change, contact us as soon as possible and we will explain the options available under those terms.
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.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before activity starts
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.
All our tour operators are licensed and verified by Egyptian tourism authorities.
Learn more about our licensed partners →
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before activity starts
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.
All our tour operators are licensed and verified by Egyptian tourism authorities.
Learn more about our licensed partners →
Your Itinerary
Our team collects you in Hurghada for the road transfer to Cairo, with stops arranged around the day’s sightseeing plan. After reaching Giza, you visit the Pyramids of Giza, including the Great Pyramid, the Pyramid of Khafre and the Pyramid of Menkaure. Your guide explains how the pyramid complex was planned, built and used, then allows time for photographs from the plateau and a closer look at the Sphinx area where permitted.
After lunch, continue to the Cairo Museum to see pharaonic statues, funerary objects and the collection’s displays from several periods of Egyptian history. The visit gives useful context for the monuments you will see later on the Nile. The day ends with your onward transfer and overnight arrangements for the journey to Aswan. Road travel is long, so we keep the schedule practical and include breaks along the way.
Travel onward from Cairo to Aswan, where you begin the Nile cruise section of the itinerary. Depending on the transport arrangement, the transfer may involve a domestic flight or an overnight journey planned by our team; the confirmed details are provided with your booking. Once in Aswan, continue south to Abu Simbel, the rock-cut temple complex built by Ramesses II. The large seated figures at the entrance lead into halls and sanctuaries decorated with royal and religious scenes.
Return to Aswan and board the cruise boat, where you settle into your cabin and receive the sailing schedule. There is time to rest after the early excursion and to watch the river landscape change around the city. The cruise runs toward Luxor over the following days, with meals and guided visits organised around the boat’s movements. Your guide explains where to meet for each shore excursion and what to bring for the next stop.
Begin with a visit to the Aswan Dam, an important modern engineering project that changed flood control, electricity production and the settlement pattern along the Nile. Your guide sets the site in its wider historical context before you continue by boat to Philae Island. At Philae Temple, walk through courtyards, columns and reliefs dedicated mainly to Isis. The temple was relocated to higher ground when the original island was threatened by rising water.
Later, take a calmer view of Aswan while sailing with a felucca, a traditional Nile sailing boat. The route and duration depend on wind and local conditions, and the ride is kept at an easy pace with time to sit, take photographs and watch daily life along the riverbanks. Return to the cruise boat for the evening, ready for the northbound sailing toward Kom Ombo.
After breakfast, the cruise continues through Upper Egypt, with the riverbanks passing slowly beyond the deck. Your first guided visit is Kom Ombo Temple, set beside the Nile and dedicated to the two gods Sobek and Horus the Elder. Its paired entrances, courts and reliefs reflect the unusual double dedication. The site visit is usually arranged around the boat’s docking time, so wear comfortable shoes and keep water with you.
Continue sailing toward Edfu, where a transfer from the river brings you to Edfu Temple. The monumental gateway, enclosed courts and well-preserved inscriptions make the layout easy to follow with a guide. You can see how the temple’s ceremonies were connected with the worship of Horus before returning to the boat. Spend the rest of the day on board as the cruise proceeds toward Luxor, with meals and quiet time between excursions.
Disembark in Luxor for the final sightseeing day. On the west bank, visit the Valley of the Kings, where tombs were cut into the desert hills for New Kingdom rulers. Your guide explains the painted burial scenes and the purpose of the chambers, while the tombs open on the day determine which interiors you enter. Continue to Queen Hatshepsut Temple, built in terraces against the cliffs, then stop at the Colossi of Memnon for a short look at the two large seated statues.
Cross to Luxor’s east bank for Karnak Temple, walking through its broad courts, pylons and columned spaces before finishing at Luxor Temple. The two complexes show how the city developed as a major religious centre over many centuries. After the visits, our team arranges the road transfer back to Hurghada. The return is several hours, so allow for rest stops and a later arrival depending on traffic and the final departure arrangements.