Nile Cruise and Red Sea Tour from Cairo, 8 Days
Description
Nile cruise and Red Sea tour from Cairo brings together ancient temples, three nights on the Nile and time beside the Red Sea in one organised Egyptian holiday. The route starts with Aswan’s monuments, follows the river north to Luxor, then continues to Hurghada for three nights on the coast. We arrange the transfers and sightseeing in a sensible order, leaving you to concentrate on the places you came to see rather than coordinating several separate bookings.
In Aswan, you visit The High Dam, which changed the Nile’s flow and created Lake Nasser, before continuing to the Unfinished Obelisk. Deep cut marks in the granite show how ancient stoneworkers shaped large monuments before leaving the project unfinished. A boat ride to Philae Temple begins the cruise section at a gentler pace. The temple complex sits on an island, reached across the water, and your guide explains its reliefs and its later relocation to higher ground.
Abu Simbel is included as an excursion from Aswan. The two rock-cut temples are known for their enormous seated figures, while the interior chambers and carved walls also deserve time. The day starts early and includes a longer road transfer, making it a good fit for travellers who want to see one of southern Egypt’s major sights and are comfortable with a full day of sightseeing.
Your 3 Nights Nile Cruise sails from Aswan towards Luxor, giving you a slower view of Egypt than a road-only itinerary. Meals are served on board according to the cruise programme, and you can sit on deck between visits while the riverbanks move past. Shore excursions include Edfu Temple, dedicated to Horus, and Kom Ombo, a riverside temple with a distinctive double layout and reliefs linked to two different deities. The schedule is structured around sailing times and local transport.
When the cruise reaches Luxor, the focus moves to the ancient Thebes area. On the west bank, The Valley of the Kings has decorated tombs cut into the desert hills; the tombs open to visitors can change, and your guide explains the burial traditions and painted scenes inside. On the east bank, Karnak Temple leads you through vast courts, columns and sacred avenues built over many centuries. These visits include walking across uneven ground and in open sun, so comfortable shoes, water and a hat are useful.
After the Nile section, we transfer you to Hurghada for 3 Nights Hurghada. The pace changes here: there are no temple visits to hurry through, leaving time for the beach, rest at your accommodation or optional Red Sea activities. Swimming and boat excursions depend on the day’s conditions and are arranged separately unless specifically included in your booking.
This itinerary suits travellers who want a clear introduction to southern Egypt without changing hotels every night. It also suits couples, families with older children and anyone who prefers our team to handle the guide, transport and cruise arrangements. It is less suitable for travellers who need a completely flexible schedule or find long road transfers, stairs and uneven archaeological sites difficult. Tell us about mobility needs before travel so we can review the arrangements with you.
- Guided visits to The High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk, Philae Temple, Abu Simbel, Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo, The Valley of the Kings and Karnak
- Three nights on a Nile cruise between Aswan and Luxor
- Three nights in Hurghada with time for the Red Sea coast
- Pre-arranged transfers and assistance from our Egypt-based team throughout the route
Because the trip joins inland sightseeing with a coastal stay, the daily logistics matter. We confirm pickup details, explain each transfer and keep the sightseeing sequence easy to follow. Keep your passport, medication and essential items in your hand luggage, as the itinerary includes several changes of location.
Included
Guided sightseeing with a licensed Egyptologist where relevant
Meals on the Nile cruise according to the cruise programme
Assistance from our Egypt-based tour team
Visits and entrance arrangements for the listed sites
3 nights accommodation in Hurghada
Accommodation on a 3-night Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor
Transfers between Cairo, Aswan, Luxor and Hurghada as arranged in the itinerary
Excluded
Drinks and meals not listed in the itinerary
Any domestic flights unless stated in your booking details
Tipping for guides, drivers and cruise staff
Visa fees and personal expenses
Travel insurance
International flights
Optional Red Sea activities and excursions
Don't forget
Any regular medication and essential items in hand luggage
Small bag for day excursions, especially the Abu Simbel visit
Passport and any required visa documents
Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
Reusable water bottle
Swimwear and a towel for Hurghada
Hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen
Light, breathable clothing and a layer for cooler evenings
Frequently Asked Questions
This 8-day Cairo, Nile cruise and Red Sea itinerary includes transport from Cairo to Aswan, a 3 Nights Nile Cruise to Luxor, sightseeing with a guide, Abu Simbel, and 3 Nights Hurghada, with visits to The High Dam, The Unfinished Obelisk, Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo, the Valley of Kings and Karnak.
Accommodation, cruise arrangements and transfers are organised as part of the itinerary. The exact inclusions, such as meals and entry tickets, are shown in the booking details for your selected departure.
The 3 Nights Nile Cruise itinerary follows a full sightseeing schedule, travelling from Aswan to Luxor while the ship sails between visits. You see The High Dam and The Unfinished Obelisk in Aswan, then visit Kom Ombo and Edfu Temple before reaching Luxor for the Valley of Kings and Karnak.
Some days begin early, especially for Abu Simbel, and walking takes place on uneven temple and archaeological-site surfaces. There is also time to relax on board during the sailing sections.
Pickup arrangements are confirmed before the tour, with transfers connecting Cairo, Aswan, the Nile cruise, Luxor and Hurghada in the order shown in the itinerary. The route starts in Cairo, continues to Aswan for embarkation, travels north to Luxor, and then moves to Hurghada for the Red Sea stay.
Because transfer details depend on your travel arrangements, our team confirms the pickup point and meeting instructions with you in advance. Please provide accurate hotel or arrival details when booking.
This Egypt tour can suit families and many travellers with average fitness, but the sightseeing includes stairs, walking and uneven ground at sites such as Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo, the Valley of Kings and Karnak. Children should be comfortable with early starts, road transfers and a structured sightseeing day.
Limited mobility may make parts of the itinerary difficult, particularly boarding the cruise and entering some ancient sites. Tell our team about mobility needs before booking so we can explain the practical arrangements and any available assistance.
Wear light, breathable clothing for daytime sightseeing, comfortable walking shoes, and clothing that covers shoulders and knees when visiting temples and other religious or traditional places. Bring sun protection, a hat, sunglasses, swimwear for 3 Nights Hurghada, and a light layer for cooler evenings or air-conditioned transport.
A small day bag is useful for water, medication, identification and personal items during excursions. Conditions can vary, so check the forecast before departure and pack accordingly.
You can request this 8-day tour by providing your preferred travel dates, traveller details and Cairo pickup information; our team then confirms the arrangements and current booking conditions. Availability, accommodation and cruise arrangements are checked for the dates you select rather than guaranteed in advance.
Cancellation and amendment terms depend on the booking conditions attached to your departure and any suppliers used for the cruise or accommodation. Review those terms before payment, and contact us as early as possible if your plans change.
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
Our team arranges your transfer from Cairo to Aswan, where the southern Nile section of the tour begins. After meeting your guide, travel by road to Abu Simbel, a practical excursion that takes several hours each way. At the site, enter the Great Temple of Ramses II and the smaller Temple of Hathor. Your guide explains the carved scenes, the relocation of the temples, and their connection with ancient Nubia.
Return to Aswan and board the cruise boat for the first night of your 3 Nights Nile Cruise. The crew completes check-in while you settle into your cabin and have time to look across the river from the deck. Depending on the travel schedule, lunch or dinner is served on board. This is a full day with an early start, so the pace is organised around the long road transfer and the evening sailing arrangements.
After breakfast, visit the main sights of Aswan with your guide. Begin at The High Dam, the large modern structure that controls the Nile flood and created Lake Nasser. From the viewpoints, you can see the scale of the reservoir and learn how the dam changed agriculture, electricity production, and several ancient sites in southern Egypt.
Continue to The Unfinished Obelisk, where the deep marks left by ancient stoneworkers remain visible in the granite quarry. A short boat ride then takes you across the water to Philae Temple, dedicated mainly to Isis. The temple sits on an island and is reached by boat, so conditions and boarding arrangements can affect the exact sequence. Return to the boat for meals and an evening on the Nile, with time to rest after the morning visits.
The boat continues north after breakfast, and the river journey gives you a slower view of villages, cultivated banks, and desert beyond the fields. When the boat reaches Kom Ombo, walk with your guide to the riverside temple. Kom Ombo has an unusual double design, with separate areas associated with Sobek and Horus. The reliefs and the small crocodile museum help explain the temple’s religious traditions.
Later, continue sailing towards Edfu. A short transfer by local vehicle takes you from the mooring to Edfu Temple, one of the best-preserved temples from ancient Egypt. Its tall entrance pylons, long courtyard, and enclosed sanctuary make the layout easy to follow. Return to the cruise boat after the visit for dinner and the third night on board. Timing can shift with river traffic and the boat’s docking schedule, but the visits remain arranged in this south-to-north order.
After breakfast, the cruise reaches Luxor and you begin exploring the west bank. Visit the Valley of the Kings, where pharaohs of the New Kingdom were buried in rock-cut tombs. Your guide explains how the painted corridors lead towards the burial chambers, and you can enter the tombs included in the day’s arrangements. Light, heat, uneven ground, and steps are common, so comfortable shoes and water are useful.
Continue to the Colossi of Memnon for a brief photo stop before crossing towards the east bank. The cruise portion ends in Luxor, and our team arranges the onward transfer according to the tour schedule. You may have time for lunch or a rest before travelling by road to Hurghada. The journey crosses the Eastern Desert and takes several hours, with a comfort stop normally possible along the way. Arrive in the evening, check in, and settle into your first night beside the Red Sea.
Start in Luxor with a visit to Karnak, the vast temple complex on the east bank of the Nile. Walk along the processional way and through the Great Hypostyle Hall, where enormous columns still carry traces of their original decoration. Your guide sets the temples, courts, obelisks, and sacred lake in context, giving you a clear route through a site that can otherwise feel overwhelming.
After the visit, continue by road to Hurghada. The transfer crosses dry desert scenery before reaching the Red Sea coast, and the drive takes several hours depending on road conditions and stops. On arrival, check in for the first of your 3 Nights Hurghada. The rest of the day is free for a relaxed meal, a walk near the coast, or time at the hotel. Your team confirms the arrangements for the following beach days before leaving you to enjoy the evening at your own pace.
Today is set aside for the Red Sea and a change of pace after the archaeological visits. Enjoy the hotel facilities or spend time by the coast, where the clear water and warm climate make Hurghada a popular base for swimming and boat excursions. If you choose an optional sea activity, our team can explain the meeting point, transport, equipment, and conditions before you decide.
There is no rushed sightseeing route today. You can keep the morning quiet, take a seaside walk, or arrange time on the water with qualified local staff. Snorkelling trips usually include a boat transfer and stops selected for the day’s sea conditions, but exact locations are not guaranteed. Keep sun protection, drinking water, and suitable footwear with you. Return to your accommodation in the afternoon or evening for your second night in Hurghada.
Your final full day in Hurghada gives you more time to enjoy the coast without a long road transfer. Use the morning for swimming, rest, or a second optional Red Sea activity. Travellers who prefer dry land can explore the local promenade, browse shops, or enjoy a quiet breakfast and lunch at their accommodation. Ask our team about practical arrangements before booking any extra activity.
The day is deliberately flexible because sea excursions depend on the boat schedule and local conditions. If you go out on the water, listen to the crew’s safety briefing and follow the guide’s instructions around reefs and swimming areas. Keep your return plans in mind so that there is time to shower, pack, and confirm the next day’s pickup. Spend the evening at leisure and prepare for the journey back towards Cairo.
After breakfast, check out and meet our team for the transfer from Hurghada to Cairo. The road journey crosses the Eastern Desert and takes several hours, so keep your travel documents, medication, water, and any small valuables in your hand luggage. The exact departure time is set around your onward flight or Cairo plans, allowing for traffic and the length of the journey.
On arrival in Cairo, we drop you at the airport, your hotel, or another agreed location. If your flight is later in the day, our team confirms where your luggage can remain during any waiting period and helps you understand the transfer arrangements. This final day is for travel rather than additional sightseeing, completing the route from southern Egypt and the Nile to the Red Sea before your departure from Cairo.