9 Days Cairo, Alexandria & Nile Cruise by Flight

Start your day with breakfast at the hotel, then meet your professional Egyptologist guide for a journey into the heart of Egypt’s history.

Your first stop is the legendary Giza Plateau. Discover the iconic Pyramid of Khufu, alongside the neighboring pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure. Stand before the Great Sphinx, the mythical guardian with the body of a lion and the face of a king. You’ll also explore the Valley Temple, where sacred rites such as mummification once took place, all while enjoying panoramic views of this extraordinary archaeological site.

After your visit, enjoy a delicious lunch at a reputable local restaurant.

In the afternoon, visit the long-anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM). This vast, state-of-the-art facility houses an impressive array of ancient relics, from colossal statues to delicate royal jewelry. You'll journey through different periods of Egyptian civilization, gaining insight into the daily lives, beliefs, and power of the pharaohs.

Return to your hotel for a restful evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight: Cairo

After breakfast, you'll be transferred to Cairo Airport for a short domestic flight to Aswan.

Upon arrival, your local guide will greet you and lead you on a tour of this serene Nile-side city. Begin with the impressive Aswan High Dam, a modern marvel that helped regulate the Nile’s annual flooding and provide hydroelectric power to Egypt.

Next, take a motorboat ride to Philae Island to visit the magnificent Temple of Isis. Rescued and relocated due to rising waters, this sacred site showcases exquisite carvings and beautifully preserved structures honoring the goddess of magic and motherhood.

You’ll then board your deluxe Nile cruise ship. After check-in, enjoy lunch on board as the ship sails toward Kom Ombo, offering tranquil Nile scenery along the way.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Onboard the Nile Cruise

After breakfast, disembark at Kom Ombo to explore its rare double temple, shared by the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon-headed god Horus. Admire its symmetrical design, vivid inscriptions, and ancient surgical instruments on display.

Sail onward to Edfu, where you’ll visit the Temple of Horus—one of the most intact temples in Egypt. Towering pylons, grand courtyards, and ancient reliefs make this a highlight of your cruise.

Back on board, enjoy a festive Galabeya Party in the evening—dress in traditional garments and join in the local music and dancing as the ship cruises toward Luxor.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Onboard the Nile Cruise

Wake up as your cruise docks in Luxor. After breakfast, set off with your guide to explore the West Bank—the royal burial ground of the New Kingdom.

Wander through the Valley of the Kings, where richly decorated tombs hold the secrets of ancient pharaohs. Visit the magnificent Temple of Hatshepsut, carved into the cliffs in honor of Egypt’s iconic female ruler. End your tour with a stop at the Colossi of Memnon, two monumental statues that have stood for over 3,000 years.

Return to the ship to unwind as the Nile sparkles at sunset.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Onboard Nile Cruise

After your final breakfast on the cruise, disembark and head to Luxor’s East Bank.

Visit the awe-inspiring Karnak Temple complex, one of the world’s largest religious structures. Marvel at the towering columns of the Great Hypostyle Hall, intricately adorned with ancient symbols and motifs.

Then proceed to Luxor Temple, a splendid open-air museum featuring colossal statues and an avenue once lined with hundreds of sphinxes.

After your tour, transfer to the airport for your return flight to Cairo. Once in Cairo, you'll be driven to your hotel for a relaxing evening.

Optional Experience: Take a sunrise hot air balloon ride over Luxor’s West Bank for panoramic views of temples, tombs, and lush farmland.

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: Cairo

Enjoy an early breakfast before departing for a full-day excursion to the Mediterranean city of Alexandria.

Begin your visit at the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, an underground burial site that blends Egyptian, Greek, and Roman art and architecture. Next, see Pompey’s Pillar and the ruins of the Serapeum, where a once-mighty temple stood.

Savor a fresh seafood lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, explore the historic Qaitbay Citadel, built on the site of the legendary Lighthouse of Alexandria. Then head to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a striking modern library that revives the legacy of the ancient center of learning.

Return to Cairo by evening.

Meals: Lunch

Overnight: Cairo

Note: The Alexandria Library is closed on Fridays and official holidays.

Start your day with breakfast at the hotel. The remainder of the day is free for independent exploration, shopping, or relaxation.

Optional Experiences:

• Old Cairo & the Citadel – Discover the Alabaster Mosque and explore the ancient Christian quarter with historic churches and synagogues.
• Nile Dinner Cruise – Enjoy a delicious buffet dinner aboard a sailing vessel featuring live music, belly dancing, and a traditional Tanoura show.

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: Cairo

Enjoy one final breakfast in Egypt before your scheduled transfer to Cairo International Airport for your flight home.

Thank you for traveling with us. We hope your journey through Egypt has been as magical as its history.

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.