7 Days Cairo & Nile Cruise by Sleeper Train

Following breakfast at your hotel, your Egyptologist guide will meet you to begin an unforgettable day exploring the treasures of Giza.

Start your exploration at the iconic Giza Plateau, home to the legendary Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure. Stand in awe before the Great Sphinx—an ancient guardian carved with the body of a lion and the face of a king. Nearby, visit the Valley Temple, an essential part of royal funerary rituals and mummification practices.

Savor a delicious lunch at a reputable local eatery.

In the afternoon, continue to the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), a state-of-the-art institution showcasing a vast collection of Egypt’s ancient heritage. Wander through galleries filled with royal artifacts, monumental statues, and historical treasures spanning Egypt’s Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms. The museum’s modern layout and immersive exhibits offer an incredible window into the country’s past.

Later in the evening, transfer to the train station and board your sleeper train heading south to Aswan. Settle into your private compartment and enjoy dinner as you begin your journey along the Nile.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (onboard)

Overnight: Sleeper Train to Aswan

Upon arrival in Aswan, a representative will greet you at the train station and accompany you to begin your city tour.

Your first stop is the Aswan High Dam, a remarkable engineering achievement that tames the Nile’s seasonal flooding and provides vital hydroelectric power.

Next, take a boat to Agilkia Island to visit the stunning Temple of Philae, dedicated to the goddess Isis. This sacred site, relocated from its original location to prevent submersion, features intricate carvings and captivating mythology.

After your sightseeing, head to your Nile cruise ship to check in. Relax and enjoy your lunch onboard as the vessel begins sailing toward Kom Ombo.

Take in the serene views of the Nile and prepare for an evening of onboard activities

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Aboard the Nile Cruise

After breakfast, disembark at Kom Ombo to visit its distinctive twin temple—dedicated jointly to Sobek, the crocodile deity, and Horus, the falcon god. Explore its symmetrical halls and fascinating medical reliefs.

Return to the ship for lunch while cruising toward Edfu.

Later, take a horse-drawn carriage ride to the Temple of Horus at Edfu—among the most impeccably preserved ancient sanctuaries in the country. Admire its impressive pylon entrance and richly decorated interior.

In the evening, enjoy a traditional Galabeya Party onboard, featuring local music and cultural fun as the cruise continues toward Luxor.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Aboard the Nile Cruise

Arrive in Luxor and enjoy breakfast while sailing. Disembark with your guide to explore the famed West Bank.

Start at the Valley of the Kings, where elaborately decorated tombs of New Kingdom pharaohs, including Tutankhamun, are carved deep into the desert hills.

Continue to the elegant Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, showcasing the legacy of one of Egypt’s most remarkable female rulers. Conclude your morning with a visit to the Colossi of Memnon—two giant seated statues that once flanked the entrance of a grand mortuary complex.

Return to your ship for leisure time on deck as the sun sets over the Nile.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Aboard the Nile Cruise

After breakfast, disembark and meet your Egyptologist for an exploration of the East Bank’s most celebrated temples.

Begin at Karnak, a vast religious complex famed for its forest of towering columns in the Hypostyle Hall and its sacred lake. Its grandeur reflects over a thousand years of continuous construction by successive pharaohs.

Continue to Luxor Temple, situated along the Nile and aligned with Karnak by the historic Avenue of Sphinxes. Discover its massive statues of Ramses II, graceful obelisks, and well-preserved courtyards.

Later in the day, transfer to the railway station for your overnight train journey back to Cairo. Dine aboard as the train travels through Egypt’s southern countryside.

Optional: Experience a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings for unforgettable views.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner (onboard)

Overnight: Sleeper Train to Cairo

Enjoy breakfast as the train pulls into Cairo. Upon arrival, our team will transfer you to Cairo International Airport for your departure flight.

We hope you leave Egypt with cherished memories and look forward to welcoming you again in the future.

Meals: Breakfast

How much you pay upfront to lock in a Min Travel booking comes down to what you are reserving, so our terms are grouped by service type:

• Day Tours & Excursions: the entire cost (100%) is settled at the moment you book, which confirms your spot.
• Multi-Day Tour Packages & Nile Cruises: a 30% deposit holds your reservation, with the remaining balance due no later than 15 days before you arrive.
• Christmas, New Year & Easter Bookings: these high-demand windows call for a larger 50% deposit to secure your place.

The instant your payment goes through, we email you a written confirmation, a personalized itinerary, and your travel documents, and every payment you make comes with its own receipt.

Life doesn't always go to plan, and we get that. Here is how a cancellation is handled, measured against your arrival date:

• 30 days or more before arrival: you get everything back, less whatever your bank or the transaction charges
• 15 to 29 days before arrival: a fee of 25% of the total tour cost applies
• 7 to 14 days before arrival: the cancellation fee rises to 50%
• Fewer than 7 days before arrival, or a no-show: the full 100% is charged

Where money is owed back to you, expect it within 14 business days from the day we receive your cancellation in writing. Do keep in mind that individual hotels and certain cruises enforce tougher rules of their own, and any such condition will be spelled out plainly in your itinerary.

Families are always welcome aboard our tours, and we price younger travelers on a sliding scale:

• Infants under 2 years: travel free
• Children 2–5 years: pay 25% of the adult rate
• Children 6–11 years: pay 50% of the adult rate
• Children 12 years and above: charged the full adult rate

These reduced rates hold only where a child shares a room with two adults who are each paying in full. Bear in mind that a handful of luxury hotels and Nile Cruises set their own conditions for younger guests, and any such restriction that touches your trip will appear in your itinerary.

Beyond the standard package there are a number of extra experiences you can choose to add. Reserve them ahead of time or sort them out on the spot once you are there, availability permitting. A few of the favorites travelers pick up:

• Stepping inside the Great Pyramid of Khufu and other tombs
• Evening Sound & Light Shows at the Giza Pyramids, Karnak, or Philae Temples
• A sunrise hot air balloon flight above Luxor
• Camel rides or a horse-drawn carriage through the old quarters
• Private photography sessions at the great landmarks

You can pay for these add-ons in either USD or Egyptian pounds (EGP). Booking early is wise, all the more so when you are traveling in the busy season.

Our packages cover a great deal, but a few costs fall outside them and are worth setting money aside for:

• Anything you buy for yourself, from souvenirs to snacks
• Drinks at mealtimes, unless your plan states otherwise
• In-hotel extras such as the minibar, room service, or laundry
• Your Egyptian entry visa, which is normally paid when you land
• SIM cards or internet access, unless we've arranged it for you
• Tips and any optional experiences you decide to add

It helps to keep a little Egyptian currency (EGP) on hand as you go, particularly for tipping and for picking things up in the local markets.

In Egypt, tipping (known as "baksheesh") is simply how good service is acknowledged. No one is obliged to tip, but the gesture goes a long way and is warmly received. As a rough guide:

• Tour guide: $15–$20 per day for the group
• Driver: $5–$10 per day for the group
• Nile Cruise crew: $5–$10 per person each night, pooled among the staff
• Hotel porters and housekeeping: modest tips of $1–$2

Gratuities sit outside your package price, so it's worth keeping a few small USD or EGP notes within easy reach for the moments they're called for.

Before you arrive, make sure the following are sorted:

• Passport: must remain valid for a minimum of six months from your entry date.
• Visa: requirements hinge on your nationality; some travellers arrange one ahead of time, others obtain it on arrival, and certain nationalities qualify for an e-visa.
• Travel Insurance: not compulsory, but strongly advised to cover medical emergencies and other surprises.
• Vaccinations: none are mandatory for entry, though it's sensible to ask your healthcare provider about any recommended shots.

By and large, yes. Egypt puts considerable effort into protecting visitors, particularly at major attractions and in the larger cities, so tourists are generally well looked after. As with any trip abroad, it's still smart to review your government's current travel advisories and keep an eye on local news before and during your visit.

Pulling an Egypt trip together is straightforward once you work through it step by step:

• Set your dates and budget: pin down when you'd like to travel and what you're comfortable spending; this shapes your choices for flights, hotels, and tours.
• Map out your itinerary: from Cairo and the Pyramids of Giza to Luxor, Aswan, a Nile Cruise, Alexandria, and the Red Sea resorts, decide which places make the cut and how long you'll linger at each.
• Pick a trustworthy operator: whether that's a local Egyptian company, an international agency, or a specialist online platform, lean on reviews and ratings to confirm they're reliable.
• Choose a package or build your own: ready-made packages bundle flights, hotels, transport, and guided tours, or you can tailor everything to your own interests and budget.
• Reserve your spot: once you've settled on a plan, contact the operator to confirm availability, share your details, and pay either a deposit or the full amount as their policy requires.
• Get your documents in order: check your passport's validity, apply for an Egyptian visa if you need one, and print your itinerary, hotel vouchers, and tour confirmations.
• Pack smart: dress for the weather and your planned activities, and don't overlook comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, and travel adapters.
• Enjoy the journey: once you land, follow your itinerary, stay in touch with your guide or agency, and soak up Egypt's history and culture.

No, gratuities aren't built into the tour price. Tipping, known locally as "baksheesh," is woven into everyday life in Egypt, and it's customary to reward guides, drivers, and hotel staff directly. A sensible approach is to let the quality of service guide you, generally in the region of 10-15% of the bill or service cost.