Small-group departure · Africa, Egypt
Cairo – Nile Cruise – Sharm (09 Days / 08 Nights)
A 9-day Egypt journey from Cairo’s pyramids to a 3-night Nile cruise and a final beach stay in Sharm El Sheikh, with guided sightseeing and domestic flights.
The journey
2 cities, joined by flight.
Starts Cairo, ends Sharm El Sheikh — an open-jaw trip, so book your flights accordingly. The itinerary begins in Cairo and ends in Sharm El Sheikh after the final hotel check-out.
This 9-day Egypt itinerary brings together three very different travel experiences in one trip: Cairo’s ancient monuments, a classic Nile cruise between Aswan and Luxor, and a relaxed stay on the Red Sea in Sharm El Sheikh. It begins in Cairo, where you settle in for two nights before exploring the Pyramids plateau, the Sphinx and Khan El Khalili, one of the city’s best-known bazaar districts.
From Cairo, the journey continues south by domestic flight to Aswan and aboard your Nile cruise. In Aswan, the program includes the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk before the ship sails onward through Upper Egypt. The route then takes in Kom Ombo, where the riverside temple is the day’s main visit, followed by a cruise toward Edfu and onward to Luxor.
Luxor adds some of Egypt’s most important temple and tomb landscapes, with visits to Karnak on the East Bank and the West Bank monuments, including the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple and the Colossi of Memnon. The pace is balanced between guided sightseeing and time on board, with full-board cruising throughout this middle section of the trip.
The final part of the holiday shifts to Sharm El Sheikh for a softer, beach-led finish. After the flight from Luxor via Cairo, you stay at a soft all-inclusive resort with time to unwind by the Red Sea, enjoy the hotel facilities and add optional excursions if you wish. It is a clean mix of history, river travel and resort downtime, designed for travellers who want to see Egypt’s headline sights without rushing the entire holiday.
- 01See Cairo’s Pyramids plateau, the Sphinx and Khan El Khalili in one guided day
- 02Enjoy a 3-night Nile cruise with full-board dining between Aswan and Luxor
- 03Visit the High Dam and Unfinished Obelisk in Aswan with private transfers
- 04Cruise to Kom Ombo and continue the river journey through Upper Egypt
- 05Explore Karnak and the West Bank sights in Luxor with an Egyptologist guide
- 06Finish with three nights in Sharm El Sheikh for a relaxed Red Sea stay
- 07Domestic flights are built into the route, reducing long overland travel time
- 08A balanced itinerary that combines ancient monuments, river scenery and beach time
Day by day
Open a day for the written plan, then switch to the hour-by-hour breakdown.
Arrive in Cairo, where a representative meets you on arrival and assists with the transfer to your hotel.
After check-in, the rest of the day is free to rest after your journey and prepare for the sightseeing ahead.
- Arrive and settle into Cairo with assisted hotel transfer
- Ease into the itinerary before the city sightseeing begins
Hotel check-in is subject to standard property timings.
Day 1 is kept light to allow for international arrival schedules.
Overnight in Cairo
What the fare covers
And what it does not. Read the right-hand column before you budget.
- HotelsAccommodation in Cairo on bed and breakfast basis
- CruiseAccommodation onboard the Nile cruise on full board basis
- HotelsAccommodation in Sharm El Sheikh on soft all-inclusive basis
- MealsDaily breakfast in Cairo hotel stay
- MealsBreakfast, lunch and dinner onboard the Nile cruise
- MealsMeals and selected drinks as per resort soft all-inclusive basis
- TransfersAll transfers in Cairo, Aswan, Luxor and Sharm by private air-conditioned vehicle
- FlightsCairo to Aswan and Luxor to Sharm via Cairo
- GuidesPrivate sightseeing tour in Cairo with an English-speaking Egyptologist
- GuidesGuided sightseeing tours during the cruise, local guide may be shared
- EntrancesAll entrance fees for mentioned attractions
- SightseeingCairo, Aswan, Kom Ombo, Luxor and West Bank sightseeing
- FlightsInternational air travel is not part of this fare. The record lists no air component.
- VisaEntry visa for Egypt is not included
- MealsDrinks during Cairo tours or onboard the cruise are not included
- TipsGratuities are not included and are collected on arrival
- Personal ExpensesLaundry, phone calls, minibar charges and similar expenses are not included
- Optional ToursAny optional excursions arranged locally are not included
- TaxesAny bank transfer charges are not included
Hotels are named on your confirmation — all are of the stated category.
You leave from a different place than you arrive — book an open-jaw flight, not a return.
The itinerary begins in Cairo and ends in Sharm El Sheikh after the final hotel check-out.
Want this trip a little different?
Tell Tulli what you'd change — hotels, dates, an extra city — and she'll price it with our team and come back to you.
Where you go in
Not every landmark on the list is one you walk into — this separates them.
When to Go
Weather by month for the places this trip actually visits.
Egypt
Oct–Apr is the best time — comfortable temperatures for sightseeing. Avoid summer heat exceeding 40°C.
Before you go
The essentials first — they are also the ones that can stop a booking.
Passport and visa requirements
- A valid passport is required for travel to Egypt.
- Guests are responsible for arranging the correct Egypt entry visa before departure.
- Make sure your travel documents match the booking name exactly.
Travel insurance and personal wellbeing
- Travel insurance is mandatory for this package.
- Carry any personal medication you may need during the cruise and resort stay.
- Follow local safety advice while visiting monuments and moving between sites.
Gratuities and extra spending
- Tipping is not included and is collected on arrival as specified in the package.
- Budget for drinks, optional excursions and personal expenses.
- Some local services may require cash payment.
What to pack for this route
- Pack light, breathable clothing for Cairo, the Nile cruise and Sharm El Sheikh.
- Bring comfortable walking shoes for temple and tomb visits.
- Sun protection, a hat and swimwear are useful for this itinerary.
Domestic flights and transfers
- The package includes domestic flights between the main travel points.
- Private air-conditioned transfers are included in Cairo, Aswan, Luxor and Sharm.
- Flight schedules can affect the timing of sightseeing on travel days.
Stay style across the trip
- The holiday combines city hotel nights, a Nile cruise and a beach resort stay.
- Check-in and check-out times follow property rules and may vary.
- Accommodation is subject to availability at confirmation.
Meal plan by location
- Cairo stay includes breakfast.
- The Nile cruise includes full board.
- Sharm El Sheikh is on a soft all-inclusive basis; special dietary requests are subject to availability.
Local add-ons
- Optional excursions may be available during free time in Aswan, Luxor or Sharm El Sheikh.
- Add-ons are subject to availability and additional cost.
- Your guide can advise on what works best with the day’s schedule.
Is this itinerary suitable for first-time visitors to Egypt?
Yes. It covers Cairo, a Nile cruise and Sharm El Sheikh, so first-time visitors can see Egypt’s best-known sights in one trip.
Are the cruise sightseeing tours private?
The Cairo tour is private with an English-speaking Egyptologist. Cruise sightseeing is with a local guide and may be shared.
Do I need to arrange domestic flights separately?
No. The domestic flights mentioned in the itinerary are included in the package.
What kind of stay is offered in Sharm El Sheikh?
The package includes a soft all-inclusive resort stay, giving you time to relax after the sightseeing and cruise portion.
Are optional excursions available during the trip?
Yes, optional excursions may be offered locally, subject to availability and your guide’s advice.
Policies & booking terms
Free cancellation up to 30 days before departure.
50% refund between 30-15 days before departure.
No refund within 15 days of departure.
TripClub standing booking terms
- Full payment must be completed 30 days prior to departure, unless otherwise specified.
- All bookings are subject to availability at the time of confirmation.
- Travel insurance is mandatory and must be purchased prior to departure.
- Prices are subject to change due to fluctuations in currency exchange rates, taxes, or supplier costs.
- Guests are responsible for obtaining valid passports, visas, and any required vaccinations.
- Cancellations or amendments are subject to the applicable cancellation policy outlined in the package.
- The company is not liable for delays, cancellations, or changes due to unforeseen circumstances such as weather, strikes, or other force majeure events.
- All travelers must adhere to the local laws and customs of the destinations visited.
- No refunds will be issued for unused services, including but not limited to meals, accommodations, or activities.
- The company reserves the right to modify the itinerary or substitute hotels of similar standards if necessary.
- All special requests (e.g., room preferences, dietary requirements) are subject to availability and not guaranteed.
- Guests are responsible for any additional costs incurred due to personal expenses, such as phone calls, laundry, or minibar charges.
- Check-in and check-out times are subject to hotel policies and may vary by property.
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