8 Day Egypt Itinerary: Cairo, Aswan, Nile Cruise & Luxor
Aperçu
Eight days is the shortest trip that covers Egypt properly without turning into a route march. This private 8 day egypt itinerary takes you from the Pyramids of Giza to the tombs of the Theban west bank, with three nights sailing between Aswan and Luxor in the middle — and it does it at one site a morning rather than three.
The shape of this 8 day egypt itinerary matters. You start in Cairo with three nights in one hotel, fly south to Aswan, then let the boat carry your luggage while you visit a temple a day. By the time you reach Luxor you have seen the Old Kingdom, the New Kingdom and the Ptolemaic period in the order they happened.
Everything is private: your own guide, your own vehicle, your own pace. No coach, no forty strangers, no waiting in a hotel lobby for the last person to come down.
Itinéraire jour par jour
Day 1 – Arrival in Cairo
Arrive at Cairo Airport and meet your guide for the transfer to your hotel. Settle in and rest after your flight. In the evening, head out for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant — your first taste of traditional Egyptian food before the adventure begins tomorrow.
Destinations visited:
- Cairo
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 – Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & Saqqara
Start at the Giza Plateau and stand face-to-face with the Great Pyramid — one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Visit the Sphinx and hear the stories behind these 4,500-year-old monuments. Then head south to Saqqara to see the Step Pyramid of Djoser, Egypt's oldest stone structure. The evening is yours to relax or explore Cairo independently.
Destinations visited:
- Great Pyramid of Giza
- Sphinx
- Saqqara
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3 – Egyptian Museum & Old Cairo
Morning at the Egyptian Museum — King Tutankhamun's golden treasures, royal mummies, and thousands of ancient artifacts. Afternoon in Old Cairo — the Hanging Church, the Ben Ezra Synagogue, and the winding lanes of Khan El Khalili Bazaar. In the evening, travel south to Aswan by either a domestic flight, depending on your selected package and preference.
Destinations visited:
- Egyptian Museum
- Old Cairo
- Khan El Khalili Bazaar
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 – Aswan Highlights & Nubian Village
Arrive in Aswan and visit the beautiful Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis and set on its own island in the Nile. Then board a traditional felucca to a Nubian village — colorful homes, friendly locals, and a cup of tea by the water. A peaceful, personal side of Egypt that most travelers remember long after the monuments.
Destinations visited:
- Philae Temple
- Nubian Village
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 – Nile Cruise Begins – Sail to Kom Ombo
Board your Nile cruise ship and set sail. Relax on deck as the river unfolds — palm trees, desert hills, and quiet villages drifting past. Late afternoon stop at Kom Ombo Temple, a unique double temple honoring two gods at once. Watch the sunset light up the ancient carvings before returning to the boat for dinner.
Destinations visited:
- Kom Ombo Temple
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 – Edfu Temple & Sail to Luxor
Wake up on the river and cruise to Edfu, home to the best-preserved temple in Egypt. Explore the Temple of Horus — towering columns, detailed reliefs, and a scale that still impresses after thousands of years. Continue sailing north toward Luxor with time to relax on deck and enjoy the views.
Destinations visited:
- Edfu Temple
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 – Luxor West Bank & Return to Cairo
Cross to Luxor's West Bank for one of the most exciting days of the trip. Enter the Valley of the Kings and visit royal tombs painted floor to ceiling with scenes from the afterlife. Continue to the Temple of Hatshepsut, carved into the cliff face in elegant terraces. Stop at the Colossi of Memnon for the view. Return to Cairo in the evening by domestic flight, as arranged in your itinerary, for your final night.
Destinations visited:
- Valley of the Kings
- Hatshepsut Temple
- Colossi of Memnon
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8 – Departure
Leisurely breakfast at your hotel. Depending on your flight time, a few hours for last-minute souvenirs or a final walk around the city. Your driver transfers you to the airport. Leave Egypt with a full itinerary behind you and memories that will stay with you.
Meals: Breakfast
Points forts
- Stand in front of the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Sphinx
- Visit Saqqara — Egypt's oldest stone structure, the Step Pyramid of Djoser
- Explore the Egyptian Museum — King Tut's treasures and 120,000+ artifacts
- Walk through Old Cairo — Hanging Church, synagogue and Khan El Khalili
- Visit Philae Temple on its Nile island and a colorful Nubian village
- 3-night Nile cruise — Kom Ombo, Edfu and the river at its most peaceful
- Enter the Valley of the Kings — royal tombs carved for eternity
- Visit Hatshepsut Temple and the Colossi of Memnon in Luxor
- Private licensed Egyptologist guide throughout
- All transfers, domestic flights and entrance fees included
Inclus & non inclus
- Airport pickup and drop-off
- 7 nights accommodation (hotels + 3-night Nile cruise)
- All meals as mentioned in the itinerary
- Domestic flight for Cairo–Aswan and Luxor–Cairo transfers, depending on your selected package
- Private guided tours with licensed Egyptologist
- Entrance fees to all listed sites
- Nile cruise (3 nights) with full board
- All transfers in private air-conditioned vehicles
- No hidden costs — all taxes included
- International flights
- Egypt entry visa
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses and tips
- Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Drinks during meals unless specified
Tarifs saisonniers
Pourquoi nous choisir
Local Egyptologist experts
Every trip is guided by a licensed Egyptologist who knows the sites in depth, not just a driver.
Private, not group
Your itinerary, your pace — no joining a bus full of strangers.
Honest, upfront pricing
The price you are quoted is the price you pay, with no hidden extras.
Real local support
A local Luxor-based team you can reach directly by phone or WhatsApp, before and during your trip.
Questions fréquentes
Is 8 days enough for Egypt?
For Cairo, Aswan, a Nile cruise and Luxor, yes. This 8 day Egypt itinerary covers the Old Kingdom pyramids, the Ptolemaic temples and the New Kingdom tombs at a pace of roughly one major site a morning. What eight days cannot also fit is the Western Desert, Abu Simbel and the Red Sea — those need a longer trip.
Is this suitable for first-time visitors to Egypt?
It is designed for them. The route follows the standard first-visit arc in chronological order, and having a private Egyptologist throughout means the sites arrive with context rather than as a series of impressive ruins.
What is included in the Nile cruise?
Three nights in an en-suite cabin on a five-star ship, full board, all shore excursions with your guide, and the entrance fees at Kom Ombo and Edfu. Drinks on board are extra.
Can I visit Abu Simbel from Aswan?
Yes, as an optional add-on. It is 280 kilometres south of Aswan, and you can do it as a long day or, better, as an overnight so you see the temples at sunset and sunrise. Tell us when you book and we price it in.
Is the guide with us every day?
A licensed Egyptologist is with you at every site on every sightseeing day, including the shore excursions from the ship. Free time and travel days are yours.
Night train or domestic flight to Aswan?
We book the flight by default. It is about an hour and leaves the day intact. The sleeper train is cheaper and an experience in itself, but on an eight-day trip it costs you a night of proper sleep. Either is available — ask and we quote both.
Are children welcome?
Yes, and child rates apply. The cruise section suits families particularly well because nobody changes hotels for three days. Send us your children’s ages and we quote exactly.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Fully, before booking. This is a private departure: add nights, swap sites, change the internal transport or start from Luxor instead of Cairo.
How do I book?
Contact us by email, phone or WhatsApp with your dates and party size. We confirm availability and send a quote within 24 hours, with no obligation.
