This is my 2nd Tier introductory itinerary to Egypt for first time visitors with a little more time than my ice-breaker trip but still on a budget.
Cairo · Luxor · Aswan · Nile Cruise · 9 Nights in Egypt
9 Nights – The Essential Iconic Sites of Egypt + A Nile Cruise
Personal Note from Mara: I know we are all different. But here is what sightseeing is about for me. When I go into a temple, a tomb or a medieval monument whether it be at home in Ireland or at home in Egypt (yes, I am torn between the two sometimes) I need to know the story. The human story of the people who built it, lived, worked and maybe died in it or for it. It gives me connection.
I hope you like my stories and they help you connect with my invisible Egypt.
CAIRO – Gateway to Egypt
Day 1 | Arrive Cairo – must arrive on a Tuesday for this itinerary to work.
We meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Time to rest and settle in.
Day 2 | Giza, GEM
Morning exploration of the Giza Plateau, followed by the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM).
Day 3 | Saqqara, Serapeum, Medieval Cairo, Khan El Khalili
Morning visit to Saqqara and the Serapeum, then onto Old Cairo and a chance to explore Khan El Khalili before transferring to the airport for the flight to Luxor.
LUXOR & BEYOND
Helicopter Mystery at Abydos
Karnak: A River of Time
Dorothy Eady – Omm Sety
Day 4 | Abydos & Dendera
Full-day excursion north to Abydos and Dendera, which are, without doubt, Egypt’s best-preserved and most meaningful temple complexes. Return to Luxor. Overnight in Luxor.
Day 5 | West Bank Luxor & Board Nile Cruise
Explore Luxor’s West Bank, including five key sites – Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Medinet Habu Temple, Howard Carter House, and Workers Village. Lunch on board your Nile cruiser, then return by motorboat to the West Bank to complete the tour day. Overnight on board.
Day 6 | Karnak & Luxor Temples (from the Cruise)
Morning visits to Karnak and Luxor Temples. Sail south around lunchtime, allowing the afternoon to unfold at river pace. Overnight on board.
Day 7 | Edfu & Kom Ombo
Temple visits en-route, balanced with relaxed sailing and time on board.
Love: Ramses & Nefertari
Moving Abu Simbel
Philae: The Story of Isis
Day 8 | Abu Simbel
Today we visit the magnificent Temples of Ramses II and his Queen Nefertari at Abu Simbel.
Day 9 | Aswan | Philae Temple
Tour to Philae Temple and the Unfinished Obelisk, then fly to Cairo. Transfer to your hotel.
Day 10 | Departure or Optional Extensions
Fly home or extend your stay with additional Cairo or regional experiences.
What’s Included
- 9 nights accommodation – 3 nights in Cairo incl breakfast, 2 nights in Luxor incl breakfast, 4 nights full board on Nile Cruise Luxor to Aswan
- 8 days tours
- Two internal flights – Cairo to Luxor and Aswan to Cairo
- Licensed Egyptologist guide throughout
- All site entry tickets and permits detailed in the itinerary
- Air-conditioned ground transport
- Airport arrival and departure transfers
Available Start Dates:
The price of €3,400 per person is available for a limited number of bookings. As this trip revolves around the cruise dates and cabin availability, early booking is particularly important. Places at this price are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, and once the allocation is filled, the price may increase. I recommend booking 3–6 months in advance to secure both your place and the best available price. – Egyptian airlines operate on the same dynamic so please be aware things in Egypt tend to work differently to the western concepts.
For your trip dates to match this itinerary you must arrive in Cairo on a TUESDAY – any TUESDAY. Answer the questions below and I will take you through the booking and payment procedures.
Full overview of all my Tours in Egypt
Last updated 29 Oct, 2026 by Marie Vaughan