8 Days Egypt Package all Inclusive Cairo Aswan Luxor Nile cruise

The best part of this 8-day Egypt package is its sweep: you see the pyramids, Tutankhamun’s treasures, Coptic Cairo, Aswan’s temples, the Nile Valley, and Luxor’s royal tombs without having to piece together every transfer yourself. The overnight train to Aswan and back to Cairo keeps the price lower than flying, though it also adds a dose of Egyptian rail adventure.

I like the strong mix of headline sights and smaller historic stops, especially Philae, Coptic Cairo, Khan el Khalili, and the Unfinished Obelisk. I also like the practical support: airport pickup runs around the clock, a representative meets you at stations, and coordinator Madeline has been praised for staying available and handling special requests.

The main consideration is pace. Cairo sightseeing is full on Day 2, followed by the overnight train, and the return train leaves Luxor after a busy cruise schedule. At $1,650 per person, the package offers good coverage, but drinks, the Egyptian visa, international flights, and optional outings are extra.

Key points to know before booking

• See Egypt’s major ancient sights in one week: Giza, the Egyptian Museum, Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut’s temple, Karnak, and Luxor Temple all fit into eight days.
• Two overnight train journeys cut the cost: You travel between Cairo and Aswan, then Luxor and Cairo, with two nights included on the train.
• The Nile cruise runs for three nights: Full-board cruise accommodation connects Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Esna, and Luxor.
• Cairo touring is private: Your group has private sightseeing in Cairo, while excursions during the cruise are shared with the Holiday in Egypt Travels group.
• Support is built into the trip: Airport pickup, station assistance, private air-conditioned road transfers, and guest-relations help are included.
• The package is not fully all inclusive in the strict sense: International airfare, entry visa, cruise drinks, personal spending, and optional excursions are not covered.

Why this Cairo to Luxor route works

Egypt can be awkward to arrange on your own. The major sights are spread between Cairo and southern Egypt, and the train schedules, station transfers, cruise departures, and hotel changes take work to coordinate. This plan gives you a clear north-to-south route, then brings you back to Cairo for your flight home.

You begin with Cairo’s two big themes: the monuments of ancient Egypt and the layered religious history of the city. Then you head south by train to Aswan, where the Nile cruise begins. The boat carries you north through a chain of temples before reaching Luxor, often called the world’s greatest open-air museum.

I like this order because the cruise is not just transport. You get time aboard between guided visits, meals on the water, and a slower rhythm after the crowded Cairo schedule. Still, this is not a lazy holiday. The itinerary packs in a lot, and you should be comfortable with early starts, long sightseeing days, and overnight rail travel.

Day 1: a useful arrival in Cairo

Your Cairo airport pickup is available at any hour. A representative meets you with a sign bearing your name, helps you get oriented, and takes you to your hotel.

That first night is intentionally simple. There is no major sightseeing listed, which is sensible after an international flight. You get time to settle in before the next day’s long circuit through Giza, central Cairo, Coptic Cairo, and the old bazaar.

The airport welcome matters here. Cairo can feel intense when you first arrive, and having a confirmed transfer removes one immediate decision. Your hotel stay includes breakfast, and two Cairo nights are covered in the package.

Day 2: pyramids, museums, churches, and Khan el Khalili

Day 2 begins at the Giza Plateau, home to the pyramids of Cheops, Chefren, and Mykerinus. The Great Pyramid is the central attraction, but your guide also takes you to the Sphinx and the Valley Temple, which sits in front of the great statue.

Allow yourself time to look beyond the standard photograph. The scale of the pyramids is the point, but the surrounding plateau also helps you understand how carefully the ancient building project was organized. The visit lasts about three hours, and your personal guide gives context as you move among the monuments.

Lunch is provided at a local restaurant described as good quality. It is useful to have the meal arranged on a demanding day, though drinks and personal purchases are not part of the included package unless specifically listed.

Next comes the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, with about two hours inside. The Tutankhamun treasures are the obvious draw, including the room devoted to the young king’s belongings. The museum visit gives you a closer look at objects that can feel distant when you see only monumental stonework at Giza.

The afternoon continues to Coptic Cairo. Ben Ezra Synagogue and the Hanging Church offer a different view of Egypt’s past, and they make the day more than a parade of pharaonic monuments. This section is especially worthwhile if you want religious and cultural variety alongside the major archaeological sites.

By evening, you reach Khan el Khalili, Cairo’s old bazaar. You can walk through the market area, browse, and get a feel for historic Cairo before heading to Ramses Station for the overnight train to Aswan.

This is a very long day. You move from the pyramids to the museum, then to churches, a bazaar, and a railway station. I would wear practical shoes, keep water close, and avoid planning anything ambitious for the evening beyond getting to the train.

The overnight train to Aswan

Two nights on the train are included, one going south and one returning north. The package describes this as a budget train, so you should choose it for value and the experience of crossing Egypt by rail, not for a polished luxury service.

The train saves the cost of domestic flights and links the Cairo and Nile sections without using another full sightseeing day. The tradeoff is comfort and predictability. Overnight rail travel can feel tiring, especially after a packed Cairo day, so this is one of the clearest points to consider before paying.

A representative meets you at Aswan station and transfers you to the cruise boat. That station assistance is useful after a night on the train, when you may want help with luggage and directions rather than another logistical puzzle.

Day 3: Aswan’s engineering and sacred island temple

After arriving in Aswan, you board the Nile boat and have lunch onboard. The first guided visit is the Aswan High Dam, a major modern engineering project that changed the river’s flow and created Lake Nasser.

The High Dam is not as visually ancient as the temples, but it gives you important context. You see part of the modern story of controlling the Nile, then move to monuments that were built around the river thousands of years earlier.

Philae Temple is the day’s highlight. Dedicated to Isis and Hathor, it sits in a setting connected with the Nile and ancient Egyptian religion. The itinerary allows about two hours here, enough time to take in the temple courts, columns, and carved surfaces with your guide.

You also visit the Unfinished Obelisk in Aswan’s old stone quarries. It is a useful stop because it shows how monumental stonework began before a finished obelisk reached a temple. The enormous piece remains attached to the bedrock, offering a direct look at the risks and methods of ancient quarrying.

Lunch and dinner are served on the boat, with overnight accommodation in Aswan. Drinks aboard the cruise are not included, so budget separately if you want beverages beyond the listed meals.

Day 4: Kom Ombo and Edfu by river

The boat sails to Kom Ombo in the morning. The temple here is unusual because it was shared by two gods, Sobek and Haroeris. Its double arrangement gives the site a different feel from the single-deity temples you see elsewhere on the route.

After the visit, you sail toward Edfu and have lunch onboard. Edfu Temple is dedicated to Horus and is described as the best-preserved cult temple in Egypt. That condition makes the visit especially rewarding because you can read the design of a working temple more clearly than at many weathered ruins.

You return to the boat for afternoon tea while sailing toward Esna. Dinner and the second cruise night follow. This is one of the itinerary’s more balanced days: one major temple in the morning, another after lunch, with time to watch the river between stops.

The cruise excursions are shared with the Holiday in Egypt Travels group, unlike the private Cairo touring. That distinction matters if you prefer a completely private trip. The shared format can also keep costs down and make the guided visits easier to operate.

Day 5: royal tombs and Hatshepsut’s temple

The boat sails toward Luxor early in the day, then you head to the West Bank. The Valley of the Kings served as a royal cemetery for 62 pharaohs, and the visit is one of the strongest historical stops on the whole route.

The package includes the Valley of the Kings entrance, but specific tomb access can sometimes be handled separately at historic sites. Because the provided details do not specify which individual tombs are included, ask before booking if particular tombs are important to you.

Next comes the mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahari. Built during the New Kingdom in the 15th century BC, it rises in terraces against the cliffs. The design and Hatshepsut’s unusual position as a female pharaoh make this more than another temple stop.

You also see the Colossi of Memnon, two large statues associated with the West Bank. After the morning’s visits, you return to the cruise for lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, and your final night aboard.

This is another demanding sightseeing day. The heat can be strong, and you may spend time walking over exposed ground. The itinerary does not specify the exact departure hour, so your guide or cruise staff should confirm the morning schedule.

Day 6: Karnak, Luxor Temple, and the northbound train

After breakfast, you leave the cruise and visit Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple on the East Bank. About five hours are allowed for the East Bank program and the transfer to Luxor station.

Karnak is the larger and more sprawling complex, with monumental gateways, columns, and sacred spaces built and altered over many centuries. Luxor Temple has a more concentrated layout and helps complete the story of royal and religious life in ancient Thebes.

You then take the train from Luxor back to Cairo for the second overnight rail journey. The timing makes sense for a budget package, since you avoid paying for another hotel night and use the return journey to cover a large distance.

The drawback is clear: by this stage, you have already visited several temples and spent days moving around. If you want a slower Luxor experience, this schedule may feel compressed. If your priority is seeing the major sites in one trip, it uses your time efficiently.

Day 7: return to Cairo and optional Saqqara

You arrive at Ramses Station and are met by a representative, who transfers you to your Cairo hotel. Early room access is mentioned, but it depends on availability, so do not assume the room will be ready immediately.

The schedule gives you free time in Cairo. Optional outings may include Saqqara, the Step Pyramid of King Djoser, and Memphis. These visits are not part of the included sightseeing in the same way as the main Cairo program, so confirm the added cost and timing before accepting them.

Saqqara would be a sensible choice if you want more ancient architecture after Giza. The Step Pyramid marks an important stage in pyramid design, while Memphis adds another layer to the story of Egypt’s early capital. Still, after two overnight trains, free time at the hotel may be the better choice for some people.

Day 8: a straightforward airport departure

You have breakfast at the Cairo hotel and free time before your flight. After checkout, a private air-conditioned vehicle transfers you to Cairo International Airport.

The final transfer is included, which helps keep the departure day simple. Your international flight is not included, and you must arrange the Egyptian entry visa separately.

What $1,650 buys you

At $1,650 per person, the value comes from the number of costly pieces bundled together: two Cairo hotel nights, three nights on a five-star superior cruise, two overnight train nights, meals listed in the schedule, site admission, private road transfers, guides, and airport and station assistance.

Five breakfasts, five lunches, and three dinners are included according to the package details. The daily descriptions also include meals aboard the cruise and during tours, but I would ask for a final meal schedule before departure because the summary and day-by-day notes do not line up perfectly on every meal count.

The price does not cover international airfare, the entry visa, optional tours, drinks on the cruise, or personal spending. That means the advertised figure is a strong base price, but not your final door-to-door budget.

The 4.9 rating from 12 reviews and 100 percent recommendation figure suggest a strong recent record, though the sample is small. One especially useful point is the praise for Madeline’s organization and availability, plus the drivers, guides, accommodation, food, and friendly cruise crew. You should still treat those as helpful signals, not guarantees about every guide or departure.

Who should book this Egypt package?

I would recommend it to a first-time Egypt visitor who wants the main monuments arranged in one continuous trip. It suits you if you value support, fixed transfers, guided visits, and a lower-cost route more than private luxury and long periods of free time.

It is also a good fit for someone who wants both Cairo and the southern Nile Valley. Many shorter Egypt trips stop at Cairo or Luxor. This one gives you both, plus Aswan, Kom Ombo, and Edfu.

I would hesitate if you dislike overnight trains, prefer small private touring throughout, or want to spend several relaxed days in one place. The cruise sightseeing is shared, and the schedule leaves little room for delays or spontaneous changes.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the experience starts. If the minimum number is not reached and the operator cancels, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this package if your priority is coverage and convenience at a controlled price. You will see Egypt’s biggest ancient sights, travel the Nile for three nights, and have practical help at airports and stations.

Before paying, confirm the cruise ship name, train accommodation details, exact hotel names, the guide schedule, optional tomb access, and the full list of extra costs. If those details suit you, this is a sensible way to fit Cairo, Aswan, Luxor, and the Nile into eight busy but rewarding days.

FAQ

How long is the Egypt package?

The experience lasts approximately eight days, from arrival in Cairo through departure from Cairo.

What cities and areas are included?

The route includes Cairo, Giza, Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Esna, and Luxor.

Are airport transfers included?

Yes. Airport meet-and-greet service and transfers to and from Cairo International Airport are included. Airport pickup is offered around the clock.

Is the Nile cruise included?

Yes. The package includes three nights on a five-star superior Nile cruise with full-board accommodation.

Are the overnight train journeys included?

Yes. Two nights on the train are included, one from Cairo to Aswan and one from Luxor back to Cairo.

Is the tour private?

Cairo sightseeing is private for your group. Sightseeing during the Nile cruise is shared with the Holiday in Egypt Travels group.

Are meals included?

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included according to the package meal schedule. Drinks inside the cruise are not included.

What is not included in the price?

International airfare, Egypt’s entry visa, optional tours, cruise drinks, and personal spending are not included.