8 Days Egypt Tour: Cairo, Nile Cruise, Luxor & Hurghada

Welcome to Egypt!

Backed by our local Egyptian team with over 35 years of expertise, AOT ensures a seamless Egypt tour to unveil the mysteries of the Pyramids—delving into the very heart and soul of ancient Egyptian civilization.

Upon arrival, your Egypt guide will wait for you in Cairo International Airport (CAI) and then escort you to your hotel in Cairo/Giza.

The rest day in Cairo/Giza is free on your own to relax yourself. You can shake off the jet lag with a leisurely neighborhood stroll or enjoy a quiet family dinner to rest up for the days ahead.

Optional Giza Pyramids Sound and Light Show (from $65.00 US Dollars/person)

• Time: 20:30
• Duration: 1.5h
• Address: Sphinx Square, Giza (Directly in front of the Great Sphinx and Pyramids)

Watch the Giza Pyramids and the Great Sphinx come alive under a spectacular display of lights and laser effects. Guided by the narrator's voice, you will journey back through millennia to uncover the dramatic history and myths of ancient Egypt.

Today after breakfast, your Egyptologist guide will unveil the history and mysteries of the three iconic pyramids: Khufu,Khafre, and Menkaure. These structures stand as the only surviving wonderof the ancient world. You will enjoy some free time to explore, with the optionto step inside a pyramid's burial chamber (optional; guides are notpermitted inside).

Next, you will driveacross the plateau to a panoramic viewpoint. This is the perfect spot tophotograph all three pyramids rising from the desert sands against the distantCairo skyline.

Then, visit the ValleyTemple of Khafre, an ancient site adjacent to the Great Sphinx. It washistorically used for the purification and mummification rituals of the pharaohbefore burial.

A short drive to theedge of the plateau brings you to the feet of the Great Sphinx. Thislegendary monument measures 190 feet long and 65 feet high. Carved from asingle massive block of limestone, it features the body of a lion and the headof a pharaoh, standing as a loyal guardian over the royal tombs.

After exploring Giza,you can head directly to the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), or choose tostay around the pyramids for an ATV quad bike adventure or a camel ride.

The Grand EgyptianMuseum is the world’s largest museum dedicated to a single civilization. Itbrings 5,000 years of history to life through more than 100,000 incredibleartifacts. As you walk in, you are greeted by a colossal statue of Ramesses IIbefore exploring 12 massive exhibition halls. The absolute highlight is KingTutankhamun’s complete tomb collection. For the first time since its 1920sdiscovery, his golden mask, inner coffins, royal thrones, and the ancient KhufuSolar Boat are all fully displayed together in one place.

After a full day Giza tour, your guide/driver will escort you to your hotel in Giza/Cairo.

Your journey starts this afternoon as we explore the highlights of Aswan:

First, we drive to the Aswan High Dam. Often called the "Second Pyramid" of Egypt, this massive feat of modern engineering tamed the mighty Nile and created Lake Nasser, one of the world’s largest artificial reservoirs. From the observation deck, you’ll get a panoramic view of the dam’s 3.6-kilometer span and the striking contrast between the vast, still reservoir and the flowing river below.

Next, we take a short boat ride to the Philae Temple, widely known as the "Pearl of the Nile." This temple is a stunning blend of Ancient Egyptian and Greco-Roman architecture. Built in the 4th century BC as a home for the Goddess Isis, it is one of the most romantic and beautifully preserved sites in Egypt. The temple has a fascinating history - it was meticulously moved stone-by-stone to its current island home to save it from the rising waters of the Nile. As you walk through the complex, you’ll see the Temple of Isis, Hadrian’s Gate, and the iconic Kiosk of Trajan, with its elegant columns perfectly reflected in the water.

Finally, we visit the Unfinished Obelisk. This is a fascinating look into the past - it’s the largest single piece of stone ever carved by humans. Commissioned by Queen Hatshepsut 3,500 years ago, it offers a rare glimpse into ancient construction techniques. Had it been completed, it would have stood 42 meters tall (as high as a 14-story building) and weighed an incredible 1,200 tons. You can still see the cracks that forced the ancient builders to abandon it, leaving it as a permanent monument to their ambition.

After the tour, you will be transferred to your deluxe cruise ship to check in. Enjoy a relaxing lunch and dinner on board as you settle in for your first night on the Nile.

Start your morning with a relaxing breakfast on board as we sail toward the unique Kom Ombo Temple.

Explore the Kom Ombo Temple:

Get off your cruise and walk a few steps, you will get to the Kom Ombo Temple. Built during the Ptolemaic dynasty around 180 BC, this is one of the most fascinating stops on the Nile. What makes Kom Ombo truly unique is its "double" design - it is a temple dedicated to two gods. As you walk through, you’ll see the northern side dedicated to Horus the Elder (the falcon-headed god of light and justice) and the southern side dedicated to Sobek (the crocodile god of fertility and chaos).

Ancient Egyptians built this temple to appease the crocodiles that once infested this stretch of the river. Your guide will take you to the back wall of the temple to point out the famous "surgical instruments" carvings - an incredible glimpse into ancient medical knowledge - as well as the stone calendar that tracks the three ancient Egyptian seasons: flooding, planting, and harvest.

Before leaving, be sure to visit the open-air area to see the massive ancient water well and the Crocodile Museum, where you can see giant, mummified crocodiles preserved for over 2,000 years.

After the tour, we will return to the cruise ship. Spend the rest of the day relaxing on deck, enjoying lunch and dinner as we continue our journey down the Nile.

Overnight on board.

After breakfast on board, we will take a short 3.5 km drive from the pier to the Temple of Edfu.

Morning: The "Textbook" Temple of Edfu

Often called the "textbook" of Egyptian architecture, this temple is a true marvel. Because it lay buried under desert sands for nearly two millennia, it remained hidden from the world until the 19th century. As a result, over 95% of the structure - from the soaring roof and towering columns to the secret inner chambers - is still perfectly intact.

Standing before the massive 36-meter-high entrance pylon, you will be dwarfed by the two imposing black granite statues of Horus, the falcon god, standing guard. As you walk through the temple, take a moment to look at the thick outer walls, which are covered in vivid reliefs depicting the epic battle between good and evil.

Inside, you’ll notice the ceiling is darkened - a fascinating scar from history when the temple was used as a shelter by early inhabitants. Your guide will lead you through the hidden chambers, including the ancient "perfume laboratory" where priests once crafted sacred scents, and walk you through the corridor reliefs that vividly tell the story of Horus defeating the forces of chaos.

Esna Lock Crossing:

Today, your Nile cruise passes through the fascinating Esna Lock, an important waterway between Luxor and Edfu. Get on the sundeck and watch as the ship enters the lock chamber enjoy this unique engineering experience. Tip: The passage usually takes 20-60 minutes, but may be longer if several ships are waiting.

Afternoon: Sailing to Luxor & Sunset at Luxor Temple

Spend the afternoon unwinding on the sundeck as we sail toward Luxor, watching the lush Nile banks drift by.

Upon our arrival in Luxor, we head to the Luxor Temple at the perfect time - just before sunset. Arriving during the "golden hour" is an unforgettable experience. You can stand in awe before the towering statues of Ramesses II and the monumental pink granite obelisk, watching the soft, angled light bring out the intricate details of the ancient carvings that have guarded this sanctuary for centuries.

As the daytime heat fades, you will stroll down the famous Avenue of Sphinxes. The long shadows cast by the setting sun give the giant pharaonic columns a dramatic, imposing presence, making the history of these ancient kings feel incredibly real.

After the tour, we will return to your cruise ship and enjoy dinner on board.

Overnight on board in Luxor.

After breakfast, check out from your Nile River cruise (between 08:00 and 09:00) and meet your private guide to begin your final day exploring Luxor.

West Bank: Into the Afterlife

We start our morning on the West Bank, the ancient "City of the Dead." Our first stop is the Valley of the Kings. Tucked away in a hidden desert valley beneath the Al-Qurn peak, this was the secret burial ground for New Kingdom pharaohs. Your guide will take you inside three of the most impressive tombs, where you can walk through corridors still vibrant with 3,000-year-old paintings. Seeing the vivid reds, yellows, and blues of the afterlife scenes is a truly surreal experience.

(Note: If you wish to visit the special tombs of Tutankhamun, Seti I, or Ramesses VI, your guide can assist with purchasing those extra tickets on-site.)

Next, we visit the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut. This is arguably the most photogenic site in Luxor. Built for Egypt’s most powerful female pharaoh, the temple is carved directly into the limestone cliffs, rising in three dramatic, elegant terraces. It feels less like a ruin and more like a work of modern architecture from the ancient world.

Before leaving the West Bank, we make a quick photo stop at the Colossi of Memnon. These two giant stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III have stood guard over the Theban plain for over 3,000 years—they are the perfect final image of the West Bank.

After your Luxor West Bank tour, your guide/driver will then escort you to Hurghada on the Red Sea bank. The entire driving is about 310km, 4 hours.

Upon arrival in Hurghada, check in your Hurghada Resort to relax.

Today after a fresh resort breakfast, step aboard our premium marine vessel at 08:30 AM. By setting sail early, you effortlessly beat the large tourist crowds, ensuring a tranquil and exclusive experience on the open waters of the Red Sea.

As you cruise towards Giftun Island, your captain drops anchor at our first snorkeling site. Dress on your sanitized, top-tier, professional-grade snorkeling equipment (masks, snorkels, and fins).

Snorkeling for the first time? Don’t worry. Our certified private marine guide will be in the water with you at all times, guiding you to explore vibrant coral reefs teeming with kaleidoscopic marine life like fishes.

After a 40 minutes around snorkeling, dry off on the sun deck and indulge in a freshly prepared buffet lunch served right on board. Enjoy local delicacies and refreshing beverages while soaking in the panoramic 360-degree views of the azure horizon.

The early afternoon is yours to surrender to total Giftun Island relaxation—sunbathe on the pristine beach, swim in the shallow turquoise lagoons, or stroll along the picturesque coastline.

At 02:30 PM around, you cruise to a completely different marine location for your second snorkeling. Enjoy your 1 hour snorkeling there. If lucky, you may have a chance to swim with lovely dolphins.

100% Vibrant Coral Reefs But 30%-40% Dolphins Near Giftun Island:

If dolphins are your top priority, ask us about upgrading to A Full Day Dolphin House Tour, which boasts a higher rate of 80%–90% to meet with wild dolphins.

We cruise back to the marina and transfer you back to your luxury resort by approximately 04:00 PM. The rest of the evening is yours to unwind by the infinity pool, indulge in a spa treatment, or enjoy a beachfront dinner under the stars.

Your 8 Days Egypt Tour ends today. Before heading to the airport, free exploration.

Depending on your flight schedule, the daytime is yours for free relaxation or last-minute souvenir shopping in Hurghada.

To ensure a completely stress-free departure, your private guide and air-conditioned vehicle will be at your disposal, perfectly timed to pick you up from your resort and escort you to Hurghada International Airport (HAG) for your homeward flight.

We hope the memories of ancient Pyramids, golden Luxor temples, the timeless Nile stay and Red Sea relaxation with you forever. Have a safe and pleasant journey home!

Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel (AOT) for your 8 Days Egypt Tour with Nile Cruise & Hurghada. We are always dedicated to serving you and look forward to welcoming you again for your future trips to China/Asia/Africa.