City breakCairo Pyramids Break
- 5★ hotel in Giza
- Flights from London Heathrow or Manchester
- Return airport transfers
From£549per person · 2 sharing
View details
Cairo & Nile Cruise
Three nights in Cairo, then a four-night Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan with full board, UK and domestic flights and transfers.
- 7 nights
- Full board cruise, B&B in Cairo
- UK flights plus domestic flights
From
£1,199
per person · 2 sharing
About this holiday
Three nights in Cairo for the Pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum and Islamic Cairo, then a short domestic flight to Luxor to join a 5-star Nile cruise. The ship sails south to Aswan over four nights, stopping at the temples along the way.
The package includes return flights from the UK, domestic flights from Cairo to Luxor and from Aswan to Cairo, a 5-star hotel in Cairo with breakfast, the cruise with full board and all your transfers. Guided visits and entry fees are not included; we can add an Egyptologist guide for the temples.
- Duration
- 8 days, 7 nights
- Board
- B&B in Cairo, full board on the cruise
- Hotels
- 5★ hotel and Nile cruise ship
- Flights
- UK flights plus domestic flights
- Transfers
- In Cairo, Luxor and Aswan
- Good for
- Couples, families, friends
5★ hotel in Cairo and a Nile cruise ship
In Cairo you stay in a 5-star hotel, in Giza or by the Nile. On the river you stay on a 5-star cruise ship, with an outside cabin, a sun deck, a pool on most ships and all meals on board. We confirm the hotel and the ship with each quote.
Your hotel
- Kempinski Nile Hotel, Cairo, Cairo
- 5-star hotel, rated 9.6/10 from 4,207 reviews
Hotel features
- Full board on the cruise
- Breakfast at your Cairo hotel
- Sun deck on the ship
- Pool on most ships
- Air conditioning
- Wi-Fi at your Cairo hotel
Times on your trip
- Cairo Airport to your hotelapprox. 45–90 mins
- Cairo to Luxor flightapprox. 1 hr
- Karnak Temple, Luxorapprox. 10 mins by road
- Valley of the Kingsapprox. 30 mins by road
- Philae Temple, Aswanapprox. 30 mins by road and boat
- Aswan to Cairo flightapprox. 1 hr 30 mins
Times are approximate and depend on traffic and where the ship moors.
Included in the price
Included
- Return flights from the UK, with checked baggage
- Domestic flights from Cairo to Luxor and from Aswan to Cairo
- 3 nights in a 5★ hotel in Cairo, with breakfast
- 4-night Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan, with full board
- Transfers in Cairo, Luxor and Aswan
- ATOL protection under ATOL 10416
- A UK consultant before and during your trip
Not included
- Travel insurance
- Guides, excursions and entry fees
- Lunches and dinners in Cairo, and drinks
- Extras such as seat selection or extra baggage
Before you go
Flight time
Approx. 5 hours from London Heathrow to Cairo (CAI). The domestic flight to Luxor takes approx. 1 hour, and Aswan to Cairo approx. 1 hour 30 minutes.
Time difference
Egypt is 2 hours ahead of the UK for most of the year, and 1 hour ahead for a few weeks in spring, when the clocks change on different dates.
Money
The currency is the Egyptian pound (EGP). Cards are accepted in most hotels; carry some cash for markets, taxis and tips.
Visiting mosques
Dress modestly, remove your shoes and, for women, cover your hair. Visitors are asked to avoid prayer times.
Language
Arabic is the main language. English is widely spoken in hotels, resorts and tourist areas.
Weather
Luxor and Aswan are hot from May to September, at 38–40°C. From November to February, days in Luxor are 22–28°C, which is more comfortable at the temples.
Day by day
Cruise stops can change with river conditions. These are suggestions; guides, entry fees and excursions are not included.
- Day 1
Arrive in Cairo
Fly from London to Cairo, approx. 5 hours. Your driver takes you to your hotel, approx. 45 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes depending on traffic.
- Day 2
The Pyramids and the museum
Visit the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, then the Grand Egyptian Museum, home to the treasures of Tutankhamun.
- Day 3
Islamic Cairo
See the Mosque of Muhammad Ali on the Citadel, Al-Azhar Mosque and Al-Muizz Street, then browse the Khan el-Khalili bazaar.
- Day 4
Fly to Luxor
Take a domestic flight to Luxor, approx. 1 hour, and board your cruise ship. Visit Karnak and Luxor temples on the east bank.
- Day 5
Valley of the Kings
Cross to the west bank for the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon, then sail south through the lock at Esna.
- Day 6
Edfu and Kom Ombo
Visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu, then the riverside temple at Kom Ombo, before sailing on to Aswan.
- Day 7
Aswan
See Philae Temple and the High Dam, and sail between the islands on a felucca. Abu Simbel can be added as an early-morning trip.
- Day 8
Fly home
After breakfast on board, fly from Aswan to Cairo, approx. 1 hour 30 minutes, and connect to your flight home.
Questions about this package
Which way does the Nile cruise sail?
This cruise sails south from Luxor to Aswan over four nights. We can also quote three-night cruises from Aswan to Luxor, or longer cruises.
What is included on the cruise?
Your cabin and full board: breakfast, lunch and dinner on board each day. Drinks, guided visits and temple entry fees are paid separately; we can add a guide on request.
Is Abu Simbel included?
No. Abu Simbel is approx. 3 hours 30 minutes by road from Aswan, or a short flight, so it means an early start. We can add it as an optional trip on your day in Aswan.
When is the best time for a Nile cruise?
November to March is the coolest time, at 22–29°C in Luxor. October and April are warmer, around 34°C, and summer reaches 38–40°C. Christmas and Easter are popular, so book early.
Can I add a week by the Red Sea?
Yes. You can fly back to Cairo and on to Hurghada, or travel by road from Luxor to Hurghada, approx. 4 to 5 hours. Tell us your dates and we’ll price it for you.
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Questions about this holiday?
Talk to a UK consultant
Call us or send an enquiry, and we’ll check prices for your dates, suggest hotels and change the package to suit you.