Egypt Tour Package to Cairo and Nile Cruise

Cairo’s pyramids are only the opening act here. In eight days, you move from Giza and ancient Memphis to Aswan, then follow the Nile north by 5-star cruise, seeing temples that are hard to arrange on your own. I like the smooth airport pickup and the fact that guides, tickets, meals, and most transport are already handled. I also like the sleeper trains, which save flights and connect the route in a more practical way.

The catch is the pace. You spend two nights on trains, pack a large number of major sights into a short time, and may have little freedom to linger. The non-refundable policy also matters, so confirm your dates and room arrangements before paying.

Key points to know before booking

• Giza, Saqqara, and Memphis in one day: You see Egypt’s most famous pyramids along with the Step Pyramid and the country’s first capital.
• Three nights on a full-board Nile cruise: The ship links Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu, and Luxor without repeated hotel changes.
• Two sleeper-train journeys: This saves domestic flights and gives the route a lower-impact travel option, though train comfort may vary.
• Cairo receives two separate sightseeing days: You visit the pyramids early in the trip, then return for the Egyptian Museum, Citadel, mosque, and Khan El Khalili.
• Private touring with organized support: Airport representatives, transfers, guides, and entrance tickets are included.
• A busy schedule for a strong price: At $1,650 per person, the package bundles hotels, cruise, trains, meals, and touring, but you pay for convenience with limited spare time.

Cairo arrival and the first night

Your trip begins at Cairo International Airport, where a Maestro Online Travel representative meets you and helps with airport procedures before transferring you to your Cairo hotel. A welcome drink is provided at the hotel, followed by free time to rest or arrange an optional activity.

That airport handoff is useful, especially if you arrive late or find Egyptian airport procedures confusing. Several company arrangements have included personal assistance through visa and immigration steps, with staff such as Amir handling the arrival process and staying in contact at odd hours. The exact service can depend on your flight and booking, so confirm what airport help is included for your arrival.

The first night is intentionally light. Take advantage of it. Cairo traffic and a long international flight can make even a simple hotel transfer feel like a full day. Your hotel stay includes breakfast, but the package does not include your international airfare, visas, or personal spending.

Giza, Saqqara, and Memphis in one long day

After breakfast, your guide takes you to the Giza Necropolis. This is the day most people picture when they think of Egypt: the pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure, along with the wider setting of the plateau. Entrance tickets are included, and lunch is provided at a local restaurant.

You get more than a quick pyramid photo. Your guide can explain how the pyramid complex worked, how royal burials were organized, and why the surviving monuments at Giza are only part of the ancient site. If you want to enter one of the pyramids, ask early about the ticket arrangements, since the general package information does not specify which interior entries are covered.

The day continues to Saqqara, home to the Step Pyramid, the first pyramid built in Egypt. Its stepped design shows an important change in Egyptian building methods. Compared with Giza, Saqqara often feels less instantly familiar, but it gives you a better sense of how pyramid construction developed.

At Memphis, you visit the former capital created after the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt around 3500 BC. This stop is smaller and more museum-like than Giza, but it helps connect the monuments with the political center that once ruled the country.

The itinerary also includes shopping in Giza. Treat this as optional spending, not a required part of the sightseeing value. You may find useful gifts, but the price and quality of goods can vary. Keep your schedule in mind, since the group then transfers to the train station for the overnight journey to Aswan.

This is a full eight-hour touring day before a sleeper train. You will see a lot, but you should not expect a slow morning at the pyramids followed by a relaxed afternoon. Wear practical shoes, carry water, and keep your day bag easy to manage.

The sleeper train to Aswan

Dinner and an overnight berth are included on the train to Aswan. The train is a sensible part of the route because it avoids another flight and connects Cairo with the southern Nile Valley while you sleep.

It is also the part of the package that demands the most flexibility. A sleeper train is not the same as a 5-star hotel. You should expect a compact setting and a fixed timetable rather than the room space and quiet of your Cairo hotel or cruise cabin. If you sleep lightly, bring earplugs and keep important items close.

The train arrives in Aswan the next morning, where a guide meets you and transfers you to the cruise ship for boarding around 11:00 a.m. The package includes dinner on the train, breakfast on board, and the cruise’s full-board meals.

Aswan, the High Dam, and Philae

The cruise begins with lunch on board, followed by visits to the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk, and the Temple of Philae. These stops give you three different views of modern and ancient Aswan.

The High Dam explains why the Nile is managed so carefully today. Its construction changed the river’s flow and led to the relocation of historic sites, including Philae. The Unfinished Obelisk offers a look at stone working, with the abandoned monument still attached to the quarry.

Philae is the star of the day. The temple complex is dedicated mainly to Isis and is one of the most memorable sites on the southern route. Its setting on an island makes the visit feel different from the larger temple complexes farther north. Boat transport is part of the usual access to the site, but the package details do not state whether any separate boat charge is included, so confirm this before departure.

You spend the night in Aswan on the cruise. This is one of the more comfortable transitions in the trip: instead of checking into another hotel and packing again, you settle into one cabin while the ship becomes your base.

Kom Ombo and the crocodile god

The ship sails to Kom Ombo after breakfast. Lunch is served on board, and the main visit is the Temple of Kom Ombo, a distinctive complex shared by the gods Sobek and Haroeris.

The divided design is the key point. Two sanctuaries sit side by side, giving your guide plenty to explain about the temple’s religious use. Sobek, the crocodile god, is especially memorable here, and the site includes connections to ancient medical and surgical imagery.

The visit is relatively short, listed at about four hours for the day’s activities. Afterward, the ship continues toward Edfu, where you spend the night. Cruising between the sites is part of the appeal. You see the Nile from the deck instead of from a succession of roads and vehicles, and meals remain included as the ship moves north.

Edfu and the Temple of Horus

Edfu brings one of the best-preserved temples on the route. After breakfast, you visit the Temple of Horus, dedicated to the falcon-headed god. Its substantial walls, columns, and reliefs make it easier to picture how a major temple once looked than at many more damaged sites.

The tour then returns to the ship for lunch and sailing toward Luxor. Afternoon tea and dinner are included, and you spend the night in Luxor.

This is a compact day, listed at roughly four hours. That leaves more time on the ship than on the busiest Cairo days. Use it to rest, sit on deck, or review what your guide has explained. The cruise is not simply transport between monuments. It gives you breathing room between the major visits, though the exact sailing schedule can affect how much free time you have.

Luxor’s West Bank and East Bank

Luxor is the historical high point of the cruise. After breakfast and checkout, you visit the West Bank, including the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, and the Colossi of Memnon.

The Valley of the Kings is a major reason to choose this package. Rather than seeing only grand temples, you enter the burial zone used by New Kingdom pharaohs. The general package includes entrance to the listed sightseeing, but special tombs can require separate tickets, and the included information does not name specific tombs. Ask your guide which entries are available that day and whether an extra ticket is worthwhile.

The Temple of Hatshepsut has a very different character. Its broad terraces are built against the cliffs, and the site tells the story of one of Egypt’s most important female rulers. The Colossi of Memnon make a quick but useful roadside stop, with two enormous seated statues marking the remains of a much larger complex.

On Luxor’s East Bank, you visit Karnak and Luxor temples. Karnak is vast, with monumental gateways, columns, and sacred precincts that can feel overwhelming without a guide. Luxor Temple is more compact and works well as a second stop, especially when your guide points out the changes made over different periods.

This is another six-hour sightseeing day, followed by a transfer to Luxor station and the overnight train back to Cairo. You get the monuments, but not much independent time in Luxor. If your main goal is a quiet temple visit or a hot-air balloon flight, this package may feel too tight. Such add-ons have been arranged on longer or customized trips, but they are not included here.

Cairo’s museum, Citadel, and old market

After breakfast on the train, you return to Cairo and transfer to your hotel. You then meet your guide for a second Cairo touring day, visiting the Egyptian Museum, the Citadel of Saladin, the Alabaster Mosque of Muhammad Ali, and Khan El Khalili.

The Egyptian Museum gives you a wider view of ancient Egypt after seeing individual sites. You can connect objects in the collection with the tombs and temples from the previous days. The package information names the Egyptian Museum, not the newer Grand Egyptian Museum, so confirm the exact venue if that distinction matters to you.

The Citadel provides a change of pace and a broad view across Cairo. Inside, the Muhammad Ali Mosque is known for its Ottoman design and alabaster interior. Dress respectfully for the mosque, with shoulders and knees covered.

Khan El Khalili is the place for browsing, small gifts, coffee, and people-watching. Shopping is included in the day, but purchases are your responsibility. You will want Egyptian pounds or an accepted payment method, and you should compare prices before buying.

The day lasts about six hours and includes lunch. Afterward, you return to the Cairo hotel for your final night. This second Cairo visit is smart planning because it lets the trip finish with museums and Islamic Cairo rather than ending immediately after the cruise.

What $1,650 really covers

At $1,650 per person, the price is strong if you value a fixed plan and broad coverage. It includes two Cairo hotel nights with breakfast, three nights on a 5-star full-board Nile cruise, two sleeper-train nights with half-board service, airport meet-and-greet support, transfers, guides, sightseeing, entrance tickets, service charges, and taxes listed in the package.

You are paying for more than rooms. You are paying to connect four major areas of Egypt without arranging separate trains, cruise cabins, drivers, tickets, and guides. That can save a great deal of time and reduce the risk of a missed connection.

The value is less clear if you want long free periods or luxury at every stage. The cruise and Cairo hotel are described as 5-star, but the sleeper train is a separate level of comfort. International flights, personal expenses, and optional activities are not included. Budget for drinks, shopping, tips if requested, visa costs if applicable, and any extra tomb or excursion tickets not named in the package.

Guides, support, and the pace of the trip

The package is private, with only your group participating, and uses an English-speaking guide. A multilingual guide may operate the tour, so confirm your preferred language before booking.

Maestro’s staff have included airport representatives such as Amir and planning contacts such as Nesma and Rana. Guides associated with the company have included Ahmed Hamed, Yasser, Ali, Doaa, and a guide nicknamed Elvis. Do not assume one of these people will lead your exact departure, but you can ask whether a named guide is available.

The strongest practical feature is the level of coordination. Airport help, drivers, train transfers, cruise boarding, and sightseeing are all tied together. This is especially useful if you are visiting Egypt for the first time, traveling alone, or bringing children. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the child rate applies only when sharing with two paying adults.

The schedule is not designed for a slow holiday. You should be comfortable with early starts, heat, walking on uneven ground, long touring days, and quick transitions. Wheelchair users should discuss needs before booking. Company arrangements have supported visitors with mobility limitations, but Egypt’s monuments, trains, and boat access can be difficult, and this package does not promise a fully accessible route.

Who should book this Egypt package?

You should consider it if you want the major ancient sites in one organized trip and prefer not to negotiate Egyptian trains, hotels, cruise schedules, and airport transfers yourself. It suits first-time visitors who want guides at the monuments and couples or families who value a private setup.

It is also a good fit if you like seeing a lot in a short period. The route covers Cairo, Giza, Saqqara, Memphis, Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor, and the Valley of the Kings without domestic flights.

I would hesitate if you need flexible days, dislike overnight trains, or want time for Alexandria, the desert, the Red Sea, or a longer Luxor stay. Those areas can be added to a custom trip, but they are outside this eight-day plan.

The tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed after booking. Confirm your dates, dietary needs, room setup, cruise details, train arrangements, and any mobility concerns before you pay. Vegetarian meals are available if requested in advance.

Should you book it?

Book this package if your priority is efficient sightseeing with strong logistical support. You will see the essential Cairo and Nile Valley sights, stay on a cruise for three nights, and avoid the work of arranging each connection yourself.

Choose a longer or more flexible trip if you want quiet mornings, extra tombs, more time in Luxor, or nights beyond Cairo and the Nile. At $1,650, this is a practical way to cover Egypt’s main ancient attractions, provided you accept the fast pace and the less polished sleeper-train sections.

FAQ

How long is the Egypt package?

The package lasts approximately eight days, from airport pickup in Cairo on Day 1 through airport transfer for departure on Day 8.

What is included in the accommodation?

You receive two nights in a 5-star Cairo hotel with daily breakfast, three nights on a 5-star full-board Nile cruise, and two nights on a sleeper train with half-board service.

Does the package include airport transfers?

Yes. Meet-and-greet service is provided on arrival and departure, with pickup beginning at Cairo International Airport.

Which major sites are included?

The itinerary includes the Giza Pyramids, Saqqara, Memphis, the High Dam, Philae, the Unfinished Obelisk, Kom Ombo, Edfu, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut’s temple, the Colossi of Memnon, Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Egyptian Museum, Saladin’s Citadel, the Muhammad Ali Mosque, and Khan El Khalili.

Are meals included?

Lunch is included during the scheduled sightseeing days. Cruise meals are full board, and the sleeper train accommodation includes half-board service. Cairo hotel stays include daily breakfast.

Is the tour private?

Yes. This is a private activity for your group, with an English-speaking guide. A multilingual guide may operate the tour.

Can children join the tour?

Yes, children must be accompanied by an adult. The child rate applies only when the child shares with two paying adults.

Can I cancel or change the booking?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason after booking.