9-Day Cairo, Nile Cruise & Alexandria Tour

Begin with the Iconic Pyramids of Giza, where your guide explains the purpose of the royal tombs and points out the details that are easy to miss from ground level. You have time to walk around the pyramid plateau, take photographs and, if you choose, arrange an optional visit inside one of the pyramids. The paths include uneven ground, so comfortable shoes and sun protection are useful.

Continue to the Legendary Great Sphinx, carved from the natural rock and positioned beside the pyramid complex. After a break for lunch, visit Cairo’s Egyptian Museum to see objects from several periods of ancient Egyptian history, including royal statuary, funerary pieces and everyday artefacts. The museum visit gives context to what you saw at Giza. Return to your Cairo hotel in the late afternoon or evening, with the next day reserved for the journey south.

Leave Cairo for Luxor by domestic flight, with a transfer arranged between the airport and the cruise vessel. Once you have checked in and settled aboard, begin your Luxor sightseeing before the ship starts its southbound route. The Grand Temple of Karnak is first, a large complex of pylons, courtyards and columns built and expanded by successive pharaohs. Your guide sets out the layout so the scale remains easy to follow.

Continue to the Luxor Temple, where the avenue leading toward the entrance and the tall columns show how the temple connected with Karnak in ancient times. The visit usually takes place later in the day, when the light changes across the stonework. Return to the ship for dinner and your first night on the Nile. Cruise schedules can vary slightly, so the order of the two temple visits may be adjusted while keeping both included.

Cross the Nile early to visit the Ancient Valley of the Kings, the burial ground of Egypt’s New Kingdom rulers. Your entrance ticket normally covers a selection of open tombs, while extra tombs may require separate admission. Inside, expect sloping passages, steps and vivid painted scenes. Your guide explains how the tombs were prepared and why the royal burial site was placed on the west bank.

Continue to Queen Hatshepsut’s Temple, built in terraces against the cliffs, then stop at the The Colossi of Memnon for photographs and a short explanation of the huge seated figures. Return to the cruise for lunch and begin sailing south. The rest of the afternoon gives you time to watch villages, fields and river traffic pass from the deck. Keep water with you during the morning visits, as shade is limited at several stops.

After breakfast, travel from the riverbank to the Temple of Edfu, usually by arranged transfer. Dedicated to Horus, the temple is one of the best-preserved large temples in Egypt. The entrance, monumental courtyard and relief-covered walls make the layout easy to understand, while your guide explains the stories of Horus and the temple’s role in ancient worship. The walk from the vehicle to the entrance is generally short, but the site has exposed areas and stone surfaces.

Return to the ship and continue sailing toward Kom Ombo. This is a slower day on the water, with time to rest, read on deck or watch the Nile landscape change as the vessel moves between locks and river towns. Meals are served aboard the cruise, and the crew will advise you about the next shore visit. Keep your camera ready for views of farmland, palms and small boats along the river.

Visit The Kom Ombo Temple after the ship docks. The temple has an unusual double design, with separate areas dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus the Elder. Your guide points out the mirrored halls and reliefs, as well as the ancient medical instruments shown on the walls. The site is close to the river, so the visit can be completed without a long road transfer.

Return to the vessel for the final stretch toward Aswan. The cruise timetable may place the visit in the morning or late afternoon, depending on the ship’s docking arrangements. On board, you can enjoy the last hours of river views and organise your belongings for the following day’s shore excursions. Aswan has a warmer, drier feel than Luxor, so light clothing, a hat and drinking water will help during the outdoor visits.

Disembark in Aswan and begin with the Aswan High Dam, the major engineering project that controls the Nile’s seasonal flooding and created Lake Nasser. Your guide explains its effect on agriculture, electricity and the relocation of several ancient monuments. Continue to the river for Felucca Sailing, a quiet way to see the islands and granite outcrops around Aswan. The sailing route depends on wind and river conditions, with motor support used when needed.

Later, take a short boat ride to the Philae Temple, dedicated mainly to the goddess Isis. The temple complex was moved to higher ground during the dam projects, and its courtyards, columns and reliefs remain surrounded by water. Wear shoes suitable for boarding and walking on stone. After returning to Aswan, check into your accommodation and rest ahead of the early Abu Simbel excursion on day eight.

Leave Aswan early for the Abu Simbel Temples, a long road excursion through the desert. The journey takes several hours each way, but the two rock-cut temples are the main reason for the early start. Inside, your guide explains the reign of Ramesses II, the temple dedicated to his queen Nefertari and the relocation project that saved the monuments from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. Expect strong sun, open ground and a warm climate at the site.

After the visit, return toward Aswan and continue by road to Hurghada. This is a substantial transfer and you should expect much of the day to be spent travelling, with comfort stops arranged along the route. Arrive in Hurghada in the evening and check into your accommodation. There may be time for a short walk along the Red Sea waterfront, but the day’s schedule is primarily focused on the monument visit and onward transfer.

Your final morning is free in Hurghada before departure. If your flight time allows, you can have breakfast at the hotel, walk along the Red Sea coast or relax before the transfer. This is not a planned sightseeing day, which keeps the schedule flexible after the long journey from Aswan and Abu Simbel.

Our team confirms the departure transfer details according to your flight schedule and takes you to the airport in good time. If your international flight departs from Cairo instead, the required onward transfer or domestic connection must be arranged around the flight details. Keep passports, travel documents and any valuables in your hand luggage, and allow extra time for airport check-in and security procedures.