Home10-Day Egypt Itinerary: Cairo, Abu Simbel, Nile Cruise & Luxor
This 10-day Egypt itinerary with a Nile Cruise is one of the most comprehensive ways to experience ancient Egyptian civilisation — designed to take you from the last surviving wonder of the ancient world all the way to the colossal temples of Abu Simbel deep in Nubian territory, without ever feeling like you're rushing.
The first three days are spent in Cairo, covering the landmarks that define Egypt in the imagination of the world. The Great Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx need no introduction — but standing before them in person is a different experience entirely. Saqqara adds important context, housing the world's oldest large-scale stone monument in the Step Pyramid of King Djoser. Day three dedicates a full morning to the Grand Egyptian Museum — the largest archaeological museum in the world — followed by the medieval Citadel of Salah El Din and the magnificent Mosque of Mohamed Ali overlooking the city.
Day four flies you south to Aswan, where a visit to the beautiful Philae Temple is followed by a sunset felucca ride on the Nile. Day five is the tour's most dramatic — an early morning road trip to Abu Simbel, where the colossal temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari stand as perhaps the most awe-inspiring monuments in all of Egypt. You board your 5-star Nile Cruise the same afternoon.
Three nights on the river deliver Kom Ombo's remarkable twin temple, the magnificently preserved Temple of Horus at Edfu — reached by traditional horse-drawn carriage — and Luxor's legendary West Bank, including the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Luxor's East Bank temples of Karnak and Luxor follow the next morning before a final flight back to Cairo, with time for a wander through Khan El Khalili Bazaar before departure.
- Meet and greet service at airports
- Assistance from guest relations throughout your stay
- All transfers to and from airports and hotels in private air-conditioned vehicles
- Domestic flight tickets: Cairo to Aswan and Luxor to Cairo
- 4 nights accommodation in Cairo with breakfast
- 1 night accommodation in Aswan with breakfast
- 3 nights accommodation on a 5-star Nile Cruise with full board
- 1 night accommodation in Luxor with breakfast
- Private sightseeing tours in Cairo
- Shared sightseeing during the Nile Cruise with the Memphis Tours group
- Professional English-speaking Egyptologist guide
- Entrance fees to all listed attractions
- Meals as specified in the itinerary
- Bottled water during sightseeing
- Porterage where required
- All service charges and taxes
- International flights
- Egypt entry visa
- Optional tours
- Personal expenses
- Tipping
Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport you'll be met by your tour manager, assisted through arrival procedures, and transferred to your hotel in a private air-conditioned vehicle.
- Met on arrival and transferred to your hotel by your tour manager
- Smooth hotel check-in with itinerary review and pick-up times confirmed
- Rest of the day free to relax or enjoy your first impressions of Egypt's vibrant capital
- No planned activities — a comfortable start before your 10-day Egypt itinerary begins
Overnight: in Cairo.
Meals: No Meals
After breakfast, your private Egyptologist guide meets you for the first full day — beginning at the most iconic archaeological site on earth.
- Stand before the Great Pyramids of Giza — the last surviving wonder of the ancient world
- Admire the iconic Great Sphinx and visit the Valley Temple where ancient funerary rituals once took place
- Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before continuing south
- Discover the Step Pyramid of King Djoser at Saqqara — the oldest large-scale stone monument in history
- Explore one of Egypt's most significant archaeological sites before returning to Cairo
Overnight: in Cairo.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Visits: Great Pyramids of Giza, Sphinx, Valley Temple, Saqqara
A full day dedicated to two of Cairo's most significant cultural and historical landmarks.
- Visit the Grand Egyptian Museum — the largest archaeological museum in the world
- Explore thousands of priceless artefacts spanning thousands of years of Egyptian civilisation
- Admire the complete treasures of Tutankhamun including his legendary golden burial mask
- Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before continuing
- Visit the Citadel of Salah El Din — a medieval fortress commanding sweeping views over Cairo
- Explore the magnificent Mosque of Mohamed Ali within the citadel walls
Overnight: in Cairo.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Visits: Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) & Citadel
After breakfast, the journey south to Upper Egypt begins — flying to the colourful and welcoming city of Aswan.
- Early morning transfer to Cairo Airport for your domestic flight to Aswan
- Upon arrival, visit the majestic Philae Temple dedicated to the goddesses Isis and Hathor
- Set on picturesque Agilkia Island, reached by a short motorboat ride across the Nile
- Check in to your hotel before heading out for an afternoon sunset felucca ride on the Nile
- Sail past Aswan's islands and watch the golden light fade across the water as the day ends
Overnight: at a hotel in Aswan
Meals: Breakfast.
Visits: Philae Temple, Sunset Felucca ride.
The most dramatic day of this 10-day Egypt itinerary — visiting Egypt's most awe-inspiring temples before boarding your 5-star Nile Cruise.
- Early morning departure by air-conditioned coach with a small group to Abu Simbel
- Marvel at the colossal temples of Ramses II — dedicated to Ptah, Re-Her-Akhtey, Amun-Re, and Ramses II himself
- Visit the Temple of Queen Nefertari, also known as the Temple of Hathor — one of ancient Egypt's most beautifully preserved royal monuments
- Learn about the extraordinary UNESCO relocation project that saved both temples from rising Nile floodwaters
- Return to Aswan and board your 5-star Nile Cruise
- Settle into your cabin, enjoy lunch on board, and begin your journey along the Nile
Overnight: aboard your cruise in Aswan.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Visits: Abu Simbel.
A full day of ancient temples, horse-drawn carriages, and the timeless scenery of the Upper Egyptian Nile.
- Enjoy breakfast on board as the cruise sails north through the Nile Valley
- Arrive at Kom Ombo and walk through the local town to the remarkable twin temple
- Explore Kom Ombo's unique twin dedication to Sobek the crocodile god and Horus the Elder, with two identical entrances, hypostyle halls, and sanctuaries
- Return to the cruise for lunch while sailing onwards to Edfu
- Arrive at Edfu and travel to the temple by traditional horse-drawn carriage through the rural landscape
- Visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu — one of the best-preserved temples of the Greco-Roman era
- Pass through the slow-paced local life of farmers and fishermen amid lush banana and palm groves
- Return to the cruise for afternoon tea and a leisurely sail towards Esna
Overnight: aboard your cruise in Esna.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Visits: Kom Ombo Temple, Edfu Temple.
Note: Cruise schedules are subject to change depending on river navigation conditions. The order of temple visits may occasionally vary, and Esna may be substituted for Edfu based on the ship's sailing schedule on the day.
Arriving in Luxor, this day is dedicated entirely to the legendary burial monuments of the West Bank.
- Sail into Luxor and disembark for a full day on the West Bank
- Visit the Valley of the Kings — the royal cemetery of 62 pharaohs, each tomb decorated with extraordinary paintings and inscriptions
- Continue to the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari — built by New Kingdom architects in the 15th century BCE against towering limestone cliffs
- Stand before the imposing Colossi of Memnon — two enormous stone statues watching over the Luxor plain for over three thousand years
- Return to the cruise to relax and enjoy the ship's facilities before dinner on board
Overnight: aboard your cruise in Luxor.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Visits: Valley of the Kings, Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon.
After a final morning on board, the cruise concludes and attention turns to the magnificent temples of the East Bank.
- Enjoy a last breakfast on board surrounded by the calm waters of the Nile
- Disembark and transfer to Luxor's East Bank with your guide
- Visit the vast Karnak Temple Complex — one of the largest religious structures ever built, featuring the awe-inspiring Great Hypostyle Hall
- Continue to the beautifully preserved Luxor Temple, once connected to Karnak by the famous Avenue of Sphinxes
- Transfer to your Luxor hotel and check in for the evening
Overnight: at a hotel in Luxor
Meals: Breakfast.
Visits: Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple.
After checking out of your Luxor hotel, the journey back to Cairo brings one final cultural experience.
- Check out and transfer to Luxor Airport for your domestic flight back to Cairo
- Upon arrival, visit Khan El Khalili Bazaar — one of the oldest and most atmospheric markets in the Islamic world
- Browse traditional crafts, jewellery, spices, perfumes, and souvenirs through its historic lanes
- Transfer to your Cairo hotel for the final overnight
Overnight: in Cairo
Meals: Breakfast.
Visits: Khan El Khalili Bazars
After a final Egyptian breakfast, your 10-day Egypt itinerary concludes with a transfer to Cairo International Airport.
- Enjoy breakfast and any remaining free time depending on your flight schedule
- Private transfer to Cairo International Airport for your departure
- Ten days of ancient wonders, Nile landscapes, and unforgettable encounters with one of history's greatest civilisations
Meals: Breakfast
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