Our holidays are 100% financially protected
Our holidays are 100% financially protected
Nile Cruise & Cairo
Combining a Nile cruise with a visit to Cairo is the perfect way to experience the rich history and culture of Egypt. On a 7-night Nile cruise, you'll sail down the Nile River, visiting ancient temples and tombs along the way. Then, you'll spend three nights in Giza, Cairo, where you can explore the Great Pyramids, the Sphinx, and other iconic sites. In this article, we'll explore why a Nile cruise and Cairo itinerary is the ultimate way to experience Egypt and offer tips for planning your trip.
A typical Nile cruise and Cairo itinerary begins with a flight to Luxor, where you'll board your cruise ship and set sail down the Nile River. Over the next seven nights, you'll visit ancient temples and tombs, including the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Karnak, and the Temple of Philae. You'll also have the opportunity to see the Aswan High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk, and other iconic sites along the way.
After your Nile cruise, you'll fly to Cairo, where you'll spend three nights in Giza. During your time in Cairo, you'll have the chance to explore the Great Pyramids, the Sphinx, and the Egyptian Museum. You can also take a day trip to Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt, and the Saqqara necropolis.
A Nile cruise and Cairo itinerary offers the perfect combination of adventure and history. On your Nile cruise, you'll sail down the Nile River, visiting ancient temples and tombs that are inaccessible by land. You'll also have the opportunity to relax on board, enjoying the scenery and the amenities of your cruise ship. In Cairo, you'll explore the iconic sites that make Egypt famous, including the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx. You'll also have the chance to experience modern Egyptian culture, sampling local cuisine and shopping in the bustling markets.
When planning your Nile cruise and Cairo itinerary, it's essential to consider the time of year you'll be travelling. The best time to visit Egypt is during the winter months, from November to February, when temperatures are mild and comfortable. During the summer months, from May to September, temperatures can be scorching, making it challenging to explore the sites and enjoy your trip.
It's also important to choose a reputable Nile cruise company that offers high-quality accommodations and experienced guides. Look for all-inclusive packages that include transportation, meals, and accommodations, as these can be great value for your money. We have taken this Nile cruise and Cairo trip on several occasions and can offer you advice and information from our own experience. You can also read about one of our Nile cruise and Cairo trips in our Free Nile Cruise Guide which you'll find here on our website.
Finally, consider adding additional days to your itinerary to explore more of Egypt beyond Cairo and the Nile. You can visit the Red Sea resorts of Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh, or take a trip to the Siwa Oasis in the Western Desert.
In conclusion, a Nile cruise and Cairo itinerary is the ultimate way to experience the history and culture of Egypt. With a seven-night Nile cruise and three nights in Giza, Cairo, you'll have the chance to see ancient temples and tombs, explore the iconic sites of Cairo, and experience modern Egyptian culture. By following these tips for planning your trip, you can ensure that your Nile cruise and Cairo itinerary is an unforgettable adventure.
After our 1 week classic cruise our most popular arrangement is our Nile Cruise and Cairo trip. Enjoyed over 10 days this combination enables you to see one of the remaining "Seven Wonders of The World"...the breathtaking Great Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza preceded by a fabulous cruise where you will see such wonders as The Valley of The Kings, Karnak and Luxor Temples, The High Dam at Aswan and so much more.
We recently completed a cruise and Cairo trip ourselves sailing on the superb Royal Viking cruise ship and staying at the excellent Le Meridien Pyramids Hotel in Cairo. You can read more about our trip in Chapter 3 of our Nile Cruise Guide.
We enjoyed a full day "Memphis, Saqqara and The Great Pyramids Tour" with our own guide, driver and air-conditioned minibus. The day was fabulous, our guide was excellent and took us to the best vantage points so that we could capture wonderful photos and video footage.
That evening we also had front seats at the Sound and Light Show at the Great Pyramid and the following day we enjoyed a half-day tour to the Egyptian Museum, Cairo. You can see a list of the excursions that we can pre-book for you by visiting our Cairo Excursions page.
We can offer you a selection of top-class hotels in Giza that are so close to The Pyramids you will be able to see them from your hotel room or a wide selection of hotels in the centre of Cairo or on the banks of The Nile whichever you prefer.
We can also offer you a selection of excellent 5 Star and 5 Star deluxe cruise ships to meet your budget.
Our 10-day Nile Cruise and Cairo trip begins at Heathrow Airport using the scheduled flights of EgyptAir.
You can either fly directly to Cairo on a Friday and stay for 3 nights followed by a flight from Cairo to Luxor where you will board your chosen cruise ship for a 1-week cruise. Or you can fly on a Monday directly to Luxor and pick up your cruise followed by 3 nights in Cairo at your chosen hotel before flying back from Cairo to Heathrow.
If you wish to make your own way to Egypt we can also arrange just your cruise, Cairo hotels and internal flights and we have done this many times for clients from around the world.
DATES AND PRICES
Amidst the Great Pyramids of Giza, and Cairo's historical landmarks nestles the newly launched Steigenberger Pyramids Cairo hotel.
Location
Located just across from the New Egyptian Grand Museum(due to open in 2023), the Pyramids and only 30 minutes from downtown Cairo, this hotel is in an idyllic location.
Accommodation
Modernly decorated and spacious, all the rooms at the Steigenberger Pyramids come with either a King size bed or 2 beds and a Balcony or terrace. They are all equipped with air-conditioning, mini-bar, flat screen tv, safe and tea and coffee-making facilities.
Restaurants and Bars
The Lotus main restaurant and terrace offers a wide variety of cuisines from around the world, the Zoser bar has a view overlooking the pool and the Pyramids in the background and offers a lunch menu, refreshing drinks, cocktails and snacks. There is also a pool bar where you can enjoy smoothies and a light lunch.
Entertainment and facilities
There is evening entertainment in the hotel for guests to enjoy, plus there is an outdoor swimming pool to cool off in or relax around.
Supplements
Single Supplement(standard room) from £70 per night
Deluxe Pyramids view from £60 per room per night
Here is an example of a typical itinerary that we can arrange for you.
Day 1 Cairo: Depart the UK to Cairo. You will be met upon arrival and transferred to your chosen hotel for a 3-night stay (Bed and breakfast).
Day 2-3 Cairo: Explore this exciting and bustling city where the ancient blends with the modern. No trip to Cairo is complete without a visit to the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx plus a visit to the Egyptian Museum to see the famous treasures of Tutankhamun. We offer these day excursions (including lunch) from £85 per person per day which can be pre-booked with us.
Day 4 Luxor: Morning at leisure then transfer to Cairo airport for 1-hour flight to Luxor. You will be met upon arrival and transferred to your chosen cruise boat (transfer time approx 30 minutes). Overnight in Luxor.
Day 5 Valley of the Kings : Today cross over to the West Bank of the Nile for the first excursion, The Valley of the Kings. From here visit the impressive Temple of Hatshepsut. Afterwards, there is a visit to the enormous statues of the Colossi of Memnon. Lunch is served back on board the boat. Set sail upstream to Esna and pass through the Lock. Overnight in Esna.
Day 6 Edfu and Kom Ombo: Early morning visit to the Temple of Horus at Edfu. The cruise continues upstream to Kom Ombo where there is a late afternoon visit to the Ptolemaic Temple dedicated to the gods Haroeris and Sobek. Afterwards still sailing upstream the boat will arrive in Aswan where you will remain for two nights.
Day 7 Aswan: Today is spent exploring the delights of Aswan. Sightseeing includes a visit to the High Dam, the Old Granite Quarries, the Unfinished Obelisk and then by boat to the Temple of Philae on Agilika Island. After lunch board a Felucca, a traditional Egyptian sailing boat for your included cruise down the Nile and around the picturesque Kitchener Island before returning for dinner.
Day 8 Abu Simbel: The morning can be spent at leisure to roam Aswan some more or alternatively join the optional excursion to Abu Simbel to see the four colossal statues of Ramses II which for many will be the highlight of the cruise. This popular excursion is available by coach (from approx £85) or by air (from approx £345). In the afternoon an optional bird-watching excursion and a visit to a Nubian house can be arranged.
Day 9 Nile River: Today we enjoy a quieter day sailing downstream along the Nile before arriving late evening in Esna. During this pleasant journey, you can choose to take a dip in the pool, catch up on some reading or simply enjoy the view. Overnight on board in Esna.
Day 10 Luxor Temples: Sailing from Esna to Luxor arriving at lunchtime. In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Karnak - an enormous complex of three temples dedicated to the Theban Gods. Afterwards, explore the magnificent Temple of Luxor which was once connected to the Karnak Temple by an avenue of sphinxes. In the evening there is an optional excursion to the exhilarating Sound and Light Show at Karnak Temple which can be booked locally.
Day 11 Fly to the UK: Transfer to the airport for the return flight to the UK.
Please note: This itinerary may be reversed, departing on a Monday, in order to have the Nile Cruise first followed by 3 nights in Cairo. Please note that visits to the Temples and Tombs are usually on foot and can involve steps and uneven surfaces. Boats often moor alongside each other causing obstructed views. Access to your boat is sometimes through other vessels' lobbies and across gangplanks. The programme may be altered due to navigational factors or local conditions.
| Option | 7 Night Nile Cruise | 3 Nights Cairo Hotel | Starts At/Departing |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | MS Tulip | Steigenberger Pyramids | From £1,199 departing Heathrow |
| B | Steigenberger Legacy | Steigenberger Pyramids | From £2095 departing Heathrow |
| C | Sonesta Sun Goddess | Steigenberger Pyramids | From £3893 departing Heathrow |
** Prices are per person based on two people sharing a lower deck cabin/twin room departing from Heathrow and include all transfers and internal flights. Please enquire about the prices for middle or upper deck cabins.