This 8 day Egypt tour combines Cairo, a 3-night Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor, and a night of White Desert camping. Three completely different Egypt’s in one private, tailor-made journey. You’ll begin in Cairo, standing before the Pyramids of Giza and the treasures of the Grand Egyptian Museum. Fly to Aswan and sail north to Luxor aboard your Nile cruise, stopping at Philae Temple, Kom Ombo, Edfu, the Valley of the Kings, and Karnak. Then, trade temples for silence: a 4×4 safari through the Black Desert and Crystal Mountain leads to a Bedouin barbecue and a night under more stars than you’ve ever seen, camped among the chalk-white rock formations of the White Desert.
Unlike most Cairo Nile cruise and White Desert tour packages, this itinerary is fully private — your dates, your pace, your own Egyptologist guide. Egypt Best Vacations is a licensed local operator and a TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice winner for 2024, 2025, and 2026. Domestic flights, transfers, entrance fees, and camping equipment are all included.
As your plane descends towards Cairo International Airport, the vast panorama of the city unfolds beneath you, a tantalizing glimpse of the adventures that await. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by a friendly representative from “Egypt Best Vacations,” easily identifiable by their logo of your name. He will whisk you through the arrival process, assisting with any visa formalities and ensuring a smooth transition. Then, transfer to your hotel to begin your 8 day Cairo, Nile cruise and White desert adventure.
Meals Plan: No Meals Included
Your Cairo Nile cruise and White Desert tour package unfolds! Your expert guide greets you at your hotel, ready to unveil the iconic Great Pyramids of Giza, enigmatic Sphinx, and the GEM Museum.
Today, you will visit the Giza plateau. Today’s tour includes the Great Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure with the great Sphinx. The only ancient wonder which still remains (Khufu’s pyramid) awaits you. Today you will learn about the history of the pyramids, how they were constructed, and why they were constructed.
Savor your lunch at a local restaurant, then continue to the Grand Egyptian Museum. Explore the world’s largest collection of ancient Egyptian treasures in one stunning modern complex. You’ll stand face-to-face with the full Tutankhamun collection and enjoy immersive galleries that bring Egypt’s history to life. Then, head back to your hotel.
Meals Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
Wonderful Nile cruise vacation beckons! Your Egypt tour with Nile cruise and desert safari shifts to Aswan. Three mesmerizing nights await! Your Nile River cruise unfolds, unveiling captivating temples and sun-drenched landscapes as you sail through time. So, you will take a transfer from your hotel to Cairo Airport to fly to Aswan to begin your 3-night Nile River cruise from Aswan to Luxor. Meet your guide just outside the arrival terminal at Aswan Airport to commence your Aswan tour.
Meet your guide just outside the arrival terminal at Aswan Airport to commence your tour. Your first stop will be at the High Dam, a dam built in the 1960s, to generate hydroelectricity and to stop floods. Then proceed to explore the Temple of Philae, which was built primarily during the Ptolemaic period and is one of the most incredible temples in Egypt. It was due to the construction of the two dams in Aswan that UNESCO had to relocate the temple. End your journey at the granite quarry of the Unfinished Obelisk. Learn how the ancient Egyptians fashioned their obelisks and statues of gods and kings. Then, transfer to your Nile cruise ship. Overnight in Aswan.
Optional tour: Nubian Village in Aswan
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
With your private Egypt tour Cairo Aswan Luxor White Desert, you can choose between a free morning onboard your Nile cruise ship or join our optional tour of the phenomenal temples of Abu Simbel.
Your Nile cruise ship will set sail down to Kom Ombo around the lunchtime. Disembark at Kom Ombo to visit the Twin Temple of Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus, the falcon god. This temple was built during the Greco-Roman period. It was built over the ruined temple of the New Kingdom. The temple began during the time of Ptolemy V and was completed by the time of Emperor Tiberius. The emperors Domitian, Caracalla, and others added to the temple. So it took about 400 years to finish. At the end of your tour, you will have a short visit to the Crocodile Museum then the ship will proceed down to Edfu, where it will dock. Overnight in Edfu.
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Before breakfast, you will take a horse-drawn carriage to visit Edfu’s Temple of Horus. This temple was built during the Greco-Roman era and is the most intact temple in Egypt. The Temple of Edfu is fully inscribed with reliefs and hieroglyphs on its exterior and interior walls. Visiting Edfu Temple adds a great value to your Pyramids of Giza and Nile cruise package.
Take your carriage back to your cruise ship to set sail from Edfu to Luxor via the Lock of Esna. Once you reach Luxor, you will have the chance to explore the largest temple in Egypt, Karnak Temple. Its vast halls, towering columns, and sacred sanctuaries reveal the greatness of Thebes during the New Kingdom. Then, proceed to the majestic Temple of Luxor. Luxor Temple is one of the most beautiful ancient temples in Egypt. Built mainly by Amenhotep III and Ramses II. It was dedicated to the rejuvenation of kingship and the glory of ancient Thebes. Overnight in Luxor.
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
You will disembark from your Nile cruise ship after breakfast in order to begin your Luxor West Bank tour. In the first part of your tour, you will have the chance to explore the magnificent tombs of the Valley of the Kings, where the pharaohs of the New Kingdom were buried to be hidden from grave robbers. A total of 65 tombs can be found in the Valley of the Kings. Your guide will recommend the top three tombs that are open to the public that you should visit.
Then, you will proceed to the unique Temple of Hatshepsut, the female pharaoh who served as a solo pharaoh for about 20 years after convincing the people that she was a man. You will then visit the Colossi of Memnon which lies in the Temple of Amenhotep III. After this, you will take a transfer to Luxor Airport in order to catch our flight back to Cairo. Transfer to your hotel in Cairo.
Optional tour: Sunrise Hot Air Ballooning Over Luxor
Meals Plan: Breakfast Only
Today, your 8 day Egypt itinerary leads you to the White Desert. Start your adventure with an early morning departure from Cairo, heading towards the Bahariya Oasis. Enjoy a delicious lunch and prepare for a thrilling 4×4 jeep expedition! Visit the mysterious Black Desert, then cool off in the natural cold springs of Hez Village. Continue to the sparkling Crystal Mountain, followed by the breathtaking beauty of Aqabat, a highlight of the White Desert National Park. End your day under a canopy of stars in the heart of the White Desert.
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Witness a breathtaking desert sunrise, a memory you’ll cherish forever. After a delicious breakfast, prepare for your 4×4 journey back to the Bahariya Oasis. Then, wrap up your 8 day Cairo Nile cruise and White desert adventure with a transfer to Cairo Airport for final departure. It is really sad to leave, but feel free to contact us about your next adventure in Egypt.
Meals Plan: Breakfast Only
