Classic Cairo & Nile River Cruise
Three nights in Cairo plus a four-night cruise from Luxor to Aswan, followed by Abu Simbel—the standard route for first-time visitors to Egypt.
A fast-paced itinerary with minimal hotel changes, using the cruise ship for both transport and accommodation between Luxor and Aswan. Spend the first three days exploring the Pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum, and the Old Town, then sail upstream to visit ancient temples, ending with a round-trip from Aswan to Abu Simbel. This route skips Saqqara and the Red Sea, making it ideal for first-timers with limited vacation days.
From May to September, Upper Egypt is extremely hot during the day; temple visits are best scheduled for early morning.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrive in Cairo & Check In
Take a taxi or airport transfer to the city center (about 1 hour). No sightseeing is scheduled for today.
Stay: Downtown and Tahrir Square
Day 2 · Giza Pyramids & Grand Egyptian Museum
Cairo & Giza（Giza Pyramids & Great Sphinx、Grand Egyptian Museum）
Drive about 1 hour to Giza by chartered car or taxi. The drive from the Pyramids to the museum takes only a few minutes.
It is recommended to book Grand Egyptian Museum tickets online in advance and allow at least 3 hours for the visit.
Stay: Downtown and Tahrir Square
Day 3 · Coptic Cairo & Islamic Old Town
Cairo & Giza（Coptic Cairo / Hanging Church、Citadel of Saladin、Al-Muizz Street、Khan el-Khalili）
Hop between sites by taxi. The drive from Coptic Cairo to the Citadel takes about 20 minutes, and another 15 minutes to the Old Town.
Modest dress covering shoulders and knees is required to enter mosques. Visiting during Friday prayers is not recommended.
Stay: Downtown and Tahrir Square
Day 4 · Fly to Luxor, Board Cruise & East Bank
Luxor（Karnak Temple Complex、Luxor Temple）
Take an early morning flight to Luxor (about 1 hour). Board the cruise ship, drop off your luggage, and drive to visit two temples on the East Bank.
Luxor Temple is beautifully illuminated at night; consider staying until dusk.
Stay: Luxor Cruise Port
Day 5 · West Bank Valley of the Kings & Set Sail
Luxor（Valley of the Kings、Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut、Colossi of Memnon）
Spend about 4 hours exploring the West Bank by car in the morning. Return to the ship at noon and sail south, passing through the Esna Lock to Edfu.
The general ticket for the Valley of the Kings includes entry to 3 tombs; the Tomb of Tutankhamun requires an additional ticket.
Stay: Edfu Cruise Port
Day 6 · Edfu & Kom Ombo Temples
Aswan & Abu Simbel（Temple of Edfu、Temple of Kom Ombo）
Visit Edfu Temple by horse carriage or minibus in the early morning, return to the ship to sail south, dock at Kom Ombo in the evening, and arrive in Aswan at night.
Stay: Aswan Cruise Port
Day 7 · Philae Temple & Felucca Ride
Aswan & Abu Simbel（Philae Temple (Temple of Isis)、Unfinished Obelisk、Elephantine Island、Kitchener's Island (Aswan Botanical Garden)）
Take a car and boat to Philae Temple in the morning, then enjoy a felucca sailboat ride around Elephantine Island and Kitchener's Island in the afternoon.
Stay: Aswan Cruise Port
Day 8 · Abu Simbel & Fly Back to Cairo
Aswan & Abu Simbel（Abu Simbel Temples） → Cairo & Giza
Depart in the early morning for a 3.5-hour drive to Abu Simbel. Return to Aswan in the afternoon, and take an evening flight back to Cairo (about 1.5 hours).
Flights between Aswan and Abu Simbel are also available, but schedules are limited and require early booking.
Stay: Downtown and Tahrir Square
Day 9 · National Museum of Egyptian Civilization & Departure
Cairo & Giza（National Museum of Egyptian Civilization）
Take a 20-minute taxi ride to the museum, then drive about 1 hour to the airport.