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Small-group departure · 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 route2 cities, joined by flight.
Loading map…
9 days, 8 nightsDuration
2 citiesWhere you sleep
Accommodation in Cairo on bed and breakfast basis, Breakfast, lunch and dinner onboard the Nile cruiseMeals

Why this journey

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.

Trip highlights

  • 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 itinerary

What's included

Included in your trip12 items covered in this fare
Hotels2
  • Accommodation in Cairo on bed and breakfast basis
  • Accommodation in Sharm El Sheikh on soft all-inclusive basis
Transfers1
  • All transfers in Cairo, Aswan, Luxor and Sharm by private air-conditioned vehicle
Sightseeing1
  • Cairo, Aswan, Kom Ombo, Luxor and West Bank sightseeing
Flights1
  • Cairo to Aswan and Luxor to Sharm via Cairo
Entrances1
  • All entrance fees for mentioned attractions
Guides2
  • Private sightseeing tour in Cairo with an English-speaking Egyptologist
  • Guided sightseeing tours during the cruise, local guide may be shared
Cruise1
  • Accommodation onboard the Nile cruise on full board basis
Meals3
  • Daily breakfast in Cairo hotel stay
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner onboard the Nile cruise
  • Meals and selected drinks as per resort soft all-inclusive basis
Plan and pay separately7 items not covered by this fare
Flights1
  • Flights to and from Egypt are not included
Visa1
  • Entry visa for Egypt is not included
Meals1
  • Drinks during Cairo tours or onboard the cruise are not included
Tips1
  • Gratuities are not included and are collected on arrival
Personal Expenses1
  • Laundry, phone calls, minibar charges and similar expenses are not included
Optional Tours1
  • Any optional excursions arranged locally are not included
Taxes1
  • Any bank transfer charges are not included

Your hotels

Hotels are named on your confirmation — all are of the stated category.

Meeting & drop-off
You're met atCairo
You're dropped atSharm El Sheikh

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.

14 go inside0 walk through1 exterior only
Cairo5 places
CairoEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
Pyramids of GizaEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
SphinxEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
Khan El KhaliliEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
AswanEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
Aswan5 places
High DamEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
Unfinished ObeliskEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
Kom Ombo TempleEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
LuxorEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
EdfuSeen from outside — no entry
Exterior view
Luxor1 places
Karnak TempleEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
Sharm El Sheikh4 places
Valley of the KingsEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
Hatshepsut TempleEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
Colossi of MemnonEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
Sharm El SheikhEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside

Egypt

IdealGoodFairAvoid
OctGood

Oct–Apr is the best time — comfortable temperatures for sightseeing. Avoid summer heat exceeding 40°C.

Cairo
Average High
30°C
Rainfall
0mm
Luxor
Average High
34°C
Rainfall
0mm
Hurghada
Average High
30°C
Rainfall
0mm
Sharm el-Sheikh
Average High
30°C
Rainfall
0mm
Essential

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.
Essential

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.

Common questions

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
Booking terms
  1. Full payment must be completed 30 days prior to departure, unless otherwise specified.
  2. All bookings are subject to availability at the time of confirmation.
  3. Travel insurance is mandatory and must be purchased prior to departure.
  4. Prices are subject to change due to fluctuations in currency exchange rates, taxes, or supplier costs.
  5. Guests are responsible for obtaining valid passports, visas, and any required vaccinations.
  6. Cancellations or amendments are subject to the applicable cancellation policy outlined in the package.
  7. The company is not liable for delays, cancellations, or changes due to unforeseen circumstances such as weather, strikes, or other force majeure events.
  8. All travelers must adhere to the local laws and customs of the destinations visited.
  9. No refunds will be issued for unused services, including but not limited to meals, accommodations, or activities.
  10. The company reserves the right to modify the itinerary or substitute hotels of similar standards if necessary.
  11. All special requests (e.g., room preferences, dietary requirements) are subject to availability and not guaranteed.
  12. Guests are responsible for any additional costs incurred due to personal expenses, such as phone calls, laundry, or minibar charges.
  13. Check-in and check-out times are subject to hotel policies and may vary by property.
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