Experience the magic of ancient Egypt with our unforgettable 11 day Nile cruise from Luxor to Cairo. This extraordinary journey combines the timeless beauty of the Nile River with Egypt’s most iconic historical treasures. Sail through the heart of Egypt while discovering magnificent temples, ancient tombs, and legendary archaeological sites along the way.
Begin your adventure in Luxor, the world’s greatest open-air museum. Explore the breathtaking East and West Banks of Luxor, including the legendary Valley of the Kings, the impressive Temple of Hatshepsut, the gigantic Karnak Temple Complex, and the majestic Luxor Temple. Your Luxor to Cairo Nile cruise continues to the fascinating cities of Qena, Sohag, and El-Minya. Discover the stunning Temple of Hathor at Dendera and the remarkable Temple of Seti I at Abydos, two of Egypt’s most beautifully preserved ancient temples. In El-Minya, uncover the secrets of Bani Hassan Tombs and the ancient city of Tell El-Amarna, once the capital of Pharaoh Akhenaten.
Sail onward toward Cairo, where the wonders of ancient Egypt reach their climax. Stand before the awe-inspiring Great Pyramids of Giza and the mysterious Sphinx. Explore priceless treasures inside the Grand Egyptian Museum and immerse yourself in the rich history of one of the world’s oldest civilizations.
Throughout your 11 day Egypt Nile cruise, enjoy luxurious accommodations, delicious cuisine, and exceptional service onboard your Nile cruise ship. With expert Egyptologists guiding every step of your journey, this extended Nile cruise from Luxor to Cairo offers a truly immersive cultural experience filled with unforgettable memories.
Please keep in mind that slight changes might occur due to circumstances beyond our control.
Upon arrival at Luxor International Airport, you will meet and assist by our representative of “Egypt Best Vacations“. Then, transfer to your Nile cruise ship to board your cruise ship and to begin your 11 day Nile cruise from Luxor to Cairo. Free time on board. Overnight in Luxor.
Meals Plan: Lunch & Dinner
Your actual 11 day Egypt Nile cruise begin with Luxor West Bank tour. Discover the magnificent tombs of the pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings, where the kings of the New Kingdom were buried. The tombs in the Valley of the Kings are hewn out of the bedrock and decorated with scenes of the journey of the Sun-god Re through the underworld. Valley of the Kings contains 65 tombs and your tour guide will recommend the best three tombs to visit.
Then proceed to the unique Temple of the female pharaoh Hatshepsut. Hatshepsut served as solo pharaoh for 20 years. End your tour at the impressive Colossi of Memnon. Two giant statues survived from the temple of Amenhotep III. Then, head back to your Nile cruise for a free evening in Luxor.
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Explore the East bank of Luxor which includes the largest temple in the world, the Temple of Karnak. The Temple of Karnak was the great god’s chief sanctuary and much larger than any other monument in Egypt. This huge and splendid complex which actually contains many separate temples. It covers 1700 years of expansion and an area of 300 acres. Then proceed to the majestic Temple of Luxor. The Temple of Luxor was built by the 18th Dynasty pharaoh Amenhotep III (1387-1349 BCE), the grandson of the military genius Tuthmosis III, and expanded by the 19th Dynasty pharaoh Ramses II (1279-1213 BCE). Numerous other sovereigns, including Tutankhamun, Horemhab, and Alexander the Great enriched the construction with reliefs, inscriptions, and minor buildings. Back to your cruise for a free evening in Luxor.
Optional tour: Hot Air Balloon Over Luxor
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Set sail to Qena. Upon arrival in Qena, you will visit the stunning temple of the goddess Hathor at Dendera. The Temple of Dendera dates back to the Ptolemaic Period. Although evidence points to older structures once existing on the site, dating as far back as king Pepy I, from the Old Kingdom. Among the temple’s most notable features are astronomical engravings on its ceiling. The temple of Dendera is one of the great highlights of your Luxor to Cairo Nile cruise. Then, head back to your Nile cruise ship for a free evening in Qena.
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Set sail to Baliana to visit the magnificent Temple of pharaoh Seti I at Abydos. The Temple of Seti I at Abydos is amongst the most famous, cited by many as the most impressive religious structure still standing in Egypt. Unlike other Egyptian temples, it is L-shaped rather than rectangular. It incorporates seven great doorways and seven sanctuaries. The temple was dedicated to the major gods Osiris, Isis, Horus, Amun-Ra, Ra-Horakhty, and Ptah as well as the deified Seti I himself. Visiting Abydos adds a great value to any long Nile cruise Egypt. Then, head back to your river cruise to set sail to Sohag. Overnight in Sohag.
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Enjoy a free day with your Nile cruise itinerary from Luxor to Cairo. Set sail to Tell El-Amarna to overnight there. Embrace the scenery. Capture memorable photos of the riverbanks, villages, and ancient ruins along the way. Enjoy onboard amenities.
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Visit the City of Akhenaton at Tell El-Amarna. On a virgin site on the east bank of the Nile River, Akhenaten (Amenhotep IV) built the city about 1348 BCE as the new capital of his kingdom when he abandoned the worship of Amon and devoted himself to worship of the Aton. About four years after Akhenaten’s death (c. 1332), the court returned to Thebes, and the city was abandoned.
Continue to the City of god Thoth at Ashmounin. A provincial capital since the Old Kingdom of Egypt, Hermopolis developed into a major city of Roman Egypt, and an early Christian center from the third century. It was abandoned after the Muslim conquest but was restored as both a Latin Catholic (meanwhile suppressed) and a Coptic Orthodox titular see. End your tour at Tuna El-Gabal. It is the necropolis of Hermopolis Magna, ancient capital of the 15th nome and cult centre of Thoth, god of writing and sciences. Then, go back to your cruise ship to set sail to El-Minya to overnight there.
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today, your Luxor Cairo cruise itinerary leads you to the Tombs of Bani Hassan. These tombs are located in two distinct areas: the upper and lower cemeteries. The tombs of the upper cemetery are a testament to the ancient Egyptians’ architectural skills. They were cut into the rock with great accuracy using simple tools like chisels with bronze blades, which were struck with wooden mallets.
The tombs are the final resting places of the senior officials of this region, the 16th Upper Egyptian province, which was known as the Oryx nome. They date to the 11th and 12th Dynasties of the Middle Kingdom (c. 2055–1795 BC). The repetition of names like Baqet, Khety, and Khnumhotep through a number of generations suggests that many of the owners of these tombs were related. Then, proceed back to your cruise to set sail to Bani Suef. Overnight is in Bani Suef.
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Set sail to Cairo. Upon arriving in Cairo, you will enjoy a spiritual tour to the Community of Religions. This tour includes the famous Coptic Hanging Church. Cairo’s Church of the Saint Virgin Mary was built on the ruins of the Roman Babylon Fortress. Because of its location over the ruins of the fortress, it is known as Al Mo’llaqah Chruch or the “Hanging Chruch.”
Then proceed to the Abu Serga Church. The Church of Abu Serga is located in the modern Old Cairo, in the midst of the ancient Roman fortress of Babylon. The Holy Family drank from a well in the church, so the church is characterized among the other Egyptian Coptic churches. Then head to the Synagogue of Ben Ezra. Ben Ezra Synagogue in Cairo is one of the most important and largest synagogues in Egypt. The Synagogue is named after the great Jewish Rabbi Ezra the Scribe. Then, head back to your cruise for a free evening in Cairo.
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Visit the Great Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure with the Sphinx at the Giza plateau. The Great Pyramids of Giza and the other Egyptian pyramids are very human monuments. Imagine the Great Pyramids of Giza 4000 years ago when they were complete with their limestone casings, their brilliance must have been blinding. Today, you will learn about the mysteries behind the pyramids.
Then visit the impressive Grand Egyptian Museum with its impressive contents from all periods of Egyptian history. The Egyptian Museum in Cairo is one of the largest and most important museums in the world. The museum contains more than 120,000 pieces from all periods of Ancient Egyptian history. Then, return back to your cruise ship for the final night of your Luxor to Cairo Nile cruise.
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Conclude your 11 day Nile cruise from Luxor to Cairo by disembarkation. Then, transfer to Cairo Airport. It is very sad to leave, so feel free to contact us about your next adventure in Egypt.
Meals Plan: Breakfast Only
