8 Days Cairo & Nile Cruise by Flight

After enjoying breakfast, meet your knowledgeable guide at your hotel to begin a day filled with wonder at Giza’s iconic landmarks.

Start your exploration at the Giza Pyramids, including visits to the majestic Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure. 

Behold the Great Sphinx, the ancient guardian with a lion’s body and a pharaoh’s visage, which has stood watch over the pyramids for millennia. Continue to the Valley Temple, a site associated with sacred rituals and mummification practices, offering remarkable views of the surrounding landscape for an unforgettable experience.

Lunch will be served at a reputable local eatery.

In the afternoon, proceed to the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), one of the world’s largest and most advanced museums dedicated to Egypt’s ancient heritage. Discover an extensive collection of statues, artifacts, and royal relics spanning multiple dynasties. 

Key highlights include treasures from the Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms, statues of powerful rulers, exquisite jewelry, and everyday objects that reveal insights into life in ancient Egypt. The museum’s expansive galleries and detailed displays provide an enthralling journey through the country’s rich history.

After a fulfilling day, you will be comfortably transferred back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight in Cairo.

Following breakfast, transfer to Cairo Airport for your flight to Luxor, once the vibrant heart of ancient Egypt’s New Kingdom.

Upon arrival, meet your guide and head to the East Bank of the Nile. Begin your visit at the spectacular Karnak Temple Complex. Stroll through the grand Hypostyle Hall, famed for its towering columns, and explore various shrines, obelisks, and the sacred lake devoted to the god Amun-Ra.

Next, visit Luxor Temple, an impressive riverside sanctuary adorned with colossal statues and an avenue lined with sphinxes that once linked it to Karnak Temple.

After the tour, board your Nile cruise vessel and settle into your cabin, ready to begin your scenic river journey.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight aboard the Nile cruise.

After breakfast, cross the Nile to Luxor’s West Bank for a day of ancient marvels.

Begin with the Valley of the Kings, the burial ground of Egypt’s pharaohs, including the famed tomb of Tutankhamun. Admire the richly decorated chambers and the vivid hieroglyphic stories adorning the walls.

Continue to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, an architectural wonder built into the cliffs honoring Egypt’s legendary female ruler.

Conclude your exploration with a visit to the Colossi of Memnon, two massive statues of Amenhotep III that have greeted travelers for thousands of years.

Return to your cruise ship for lunch, followed by an afternoon of leisurely sailing along the Nile.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight aboard the Nile cruise.

After breakfast, disembark to visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu, dedicated to the falcon-headed deity. This remarkably preserved structure offers a fascinating glimpse into Ptolemaic architecture and features intricate reliefs depicting mythical battles.

Return to the ship for lunch, then sail onward to Kom Ombo. Explore the rare double temple dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus, the falcon god. Appreciate the temple’s symmetrical design and detailed carvings, and visit the Crocodile Museum to view mummified crocodiles and learn about their sacred significance in ancient Egyptian beliefs.

In the evening, enjoy a traditional Galabeya party onboard with authentic Egyptian music, dance, and costumes.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight aboard the Nile cruise.

Start the day with breakfast before touring the city of Aswan.

Visit the Aswan High Dam, a modern engineering feat that has revolutionized Egypt’s irrigation and power systems.

Next, take a short boat ride to Philae Temple, dedicated to Isis, goddess of love and magic. Relocated to Agilkia Island to protect it from flooding, this tranquil temple boasts stunning reliefs and a scenic setting.

After your excursion, return to your cruise for lunch and an overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight aboard the Nile cruise.

Enjoy breakfast aboard the cruise, followed by a private transfer to Aswan Airport for your flight back to Cairo. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel where you can relax or explore the city independently.

Optional Experience: Take a day trip to Abu Simbel to witness the awe-inspiring temples of Ramses II, a highlight of any Egyptian cultural itinerary.

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight in Cairo.

After breakfast at your hotel, you will be transferred to Cairo Airport to catch your onward flight.

Thank you for traveling with us! We hope your Egyptian adventure was truly enriching, and we 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.