Cairo, Luxor and Nile Cruise

This summer, Newmarket Holidays is offering up to 15% off best-selling tours, so you can experience the wish-list moment you’ve been waiting until Thursday, 31 July.

Uncover the temples of Egypt’s pharaohs and witness its ancient wonders with a memorable cruise along the iconic Nile River. Embark on an enchanting tour including stays in Egypt’s bustling northern metropolises and a five-star river cruise along the idyllic banks of the Nile. Explore the ageless wonders and historic treasures of the ancient pharaohs ahead of a week spent relaxing on the luxury MS Orient Sun Times. Catch your breath on the wondrous pyramids at Giza and marvel at the vast collections of artefacts housed in Cairo's stunning Egyptian Museum. Glide past the Nile’s idyllic banks from the comfort of a luxury river cruiser and visit some of Egypt’s most renowned archaeological sites, as well as the truly phenomenal High Dam at Aswan. Opportunities to visit Abu Simbel and experience a Sound and Light show in Giza on optional excursions complete a truly unforgettable escape to Egypt.

Highlights

Take in Giza’s most famous sights, from its grand pyramids to the Great Sphinx on a guided tour and watch ancient history come to life.
Discover Egypt’s pharaonic past with a visit to Edfu’s immaculately preserved Temples of Horus
Witness Aswan’s High Dam and enjoy a traditional felucca ride across the Nile’s gentle waters
Experience the breathtaking Valley of Kings, the final resting place of numerous noble families and Egypt’s ancient pharaohs
Explore the ancient relics of the pharaohs on a tour of the Egyptian Museum, the largest of its kind in Africa
Unwind against the idyllic backdrop of the Nile with a seven-night cruise aboard a luxury cruise ship
Marvel at the incredible rock-cut temples at Abu Simbel on a fascinating optional tour
Watch Egypt’s ancient history come to life as Karnak Temple becomes the backdrop of a spectacular optional Sound and Light show.

Inclusions

Three nights bed and breakfast five-star accommodation in Cairo, and seven nights full-board accommodation aboard the Orient Sun Times cruise ship
Sightseeing tour of Giza’s pyramids and the Sphinx
Entrance to the Egyptian Museum and tour of Cairo
Stops in the Valley of Kings, Kom Ombo, and Aswan
Excursions to the temples of Karnak and Luxor
Felucca-sailing experience around Kitchener Island
Return flights to Cairo, returning from Luxor (via Cairo)
Internal flight and coach transfers throughout
Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager

Day 1

Fly to Cairo - Land in Cairo, the colourful Egyptian capital, and settle into your hotel for the first of three nights in the city.

Day 2

Included sightseeing tour of Giza and optional Grand Egyptian Museum excursion (2026 departures) - Rise early this morning, with breakfast served at your hotel, for a fascinating full-day guided tour of Giza’s ancient landmarks. Your first stop today, an emblem of Egyptian history, will be the world-renowned pyramids. Standing at almost 150 metres tall, these monumental structures were once the crowning glories of the pharaohs and remain home to ancient artefacts, which offer a glimpse into Egypt’s golden age. You’ll then move eastward to the Great Sphinx of Giza, which was modelled on one of Egyptian mythology’s most recognisable creatures. This limestone statue was originally built to guard the neighbouring pyramid complexes and remains a truly magnificent sight after over 4,500 years. Please note: For 2026 departures, you'll then have the chance to join an optional tour of the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum under the guidance of your tour manager and an expert Egyptologist. While exploring the exhibits, your Egyptologist guide will offer exclusive insights into the rich history and cultural significance of each artefact, some of which have only been made available for public viewing since the GEM’s opening in 2024. Afterwards, you’ll have another hour at leisure to revisit your favourite spots or discover other exhibits you might have missed, before heading back to your Cairo hotel for lunch.

Day 3

Included tour of Cairo and the Egyptian Museum - After breakfast this morning, set out into the Egyptian capital for a guided tour of the Egyptian Museum, Africa’s largest museum and the first national museum in the Middle East. Founded in 1902, this grand building showcases an expansive collection of priceless relics and the world’s largest collection of pharaonic artefacts. Inside, you’ll discover four unique periods in the country’s history, stopping first at the museum’s Old Kingdom exhibit. Immerse yourself in the ‘Age of Pyramids’, before continuing to the Middle Kingdom, which saw Egypt reunited after decades of political conflict. A section dedicated to the New Kingdom follows, charting the peak of ancient Egypt’s power, before concluding with a glimpse into the age of Caesars and the nation’s Graeco-Roman period. Upstairs, you’ll have the chance to learn about the lives – and deaths – of the country’s most important pharaohs with a magnificent collection of mummies, carvings, and sarcophagi. If time permits, why not also pay the museum’s sphinx-strewn gardens a visit? The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) is currently under construction in Giza and is due to open within the next year. Once the GEM is open to for public admission, you’ll spend time exploring this magnificent new museum instead of the one in Cairo. Later you’ll return to the hotel, and you can enjoy a free evening in Cairo.

Day 4

Fly to Luxor, optional Sound and Light show and board your cruise - Set off this morning for a short internal flight to historic Luxor, a hub of cultural sites and age-old temples. Upon arrival, join an included excursion to Karnak temple, housed in the ruined city of Thebes, and witness the towering pillars of its Great Hypostyle Hall. This grand open-air building, dedicated to the god Amun, is part of Thebes’ wider temple complex and is one of only two buildings open for public access. Your tour will then continue to the neighbouring Luxor Temple, a sprawl of religious sites and ornate facades, which hosted the coronation of numerous pharaohs across the centuries. As you trace a path through these time-weathered sandstone halls, keep an eye out for the intricate carvings and hieroglyphs that adorn their walls. After a busy day’s exploration, board the MS Orient Sun Times, a luxury river cruiser, and your base for the next seven days. Complete with an expansive sundeck, outdoor swimming pool and a bar, perfect for an evening cocktail, your cruise ship promises total comfort as you take in the panoramic views of the Nile’s pristine riverside vistas. Heading below deck, you’ll find a colourful bazaar, and a restaurant where you’ll stop this evening for a special welcome dinner. As the sun sets over Luxor, you'll have the chance to head back into Karnak for a fascinating glimpse into Egypt's ancient history as the temple's pillared walls become the backdrop of a spectacular optional Sound and Light show.

Day 5

Included visit to the Valley of the Kings - Enjoy breakfast against the stunning backdrop of the Nile this morning, as you set sail on the first leg of your week-long river cruise. Crossing to the river’s west bank, moor at the entrance to the famous Valley of Kings, which houses the tomb of Egypt’s child pharaoh, Tutankhamun, and the temple of Hatshepsut, one of the country’s most celebrated queens. While exploring these two fascinating landmarks, look out for the striking Colossi of Memnon, two grand statues which guard the entrance to the Theban Necropolis’ largest temple. Afterwards, return to your ship for lunch before setting sail along the region’s timeless scenery towards Edfu where you’ll moor for the night.

Day 6

Included visit to the Temple of Horus - An escorted tour of Egypt’s best-preserved Pharaonic monuments awaits this morning starting with breakfast aboard your ship. Visit the intricately carved halls of the Temple of Horus, where ancient inscriptions and frescoed walls depict the dramatic battle between Horus and Seth. Reboarding your ship, you’ll then move on to Kom Ombo’s magnificent riverside temple with its impressive sandstone facades, hypostyle columns, and untouched burial grounds. Built in honour of the crocodile god, Sobek, and Haroeris (Horus the Elder), this incredible landmark offers a captivating dive into Ptolemaic culture and promises to be one of the highlights of your trip. Once you’re finished, enjoy lunch and dinner back aboard the Orient Sun Times before dropping anchor in verdant Aswan.

Day 7

Included visit to Aswan High Dam - Your first full day in Aswan will take you to the city’s extraordinary High Dam, which guards the meeting point between the Nile and expansive Lake Nasser. Take breakfast aboard before heading out on today’s excursion. Witness the vast nearby granite quarries from which many of Egypt’s ancient treasures were fashioned before crossing the Nile to Philae’s Temple of Isis. After a morning’s exploration on the island, board a traditional felucca and sail around Kitchener Island with its flourishing botanical gardens. Return to the ship this evening for dinner.

Day 8

Day at leisure and optional Abu Simbel excursion - Explore Aswan at your own pace, ticking off any remaining wish-list sights, or perhaps board a coach for an optional tour of Abu Simbel, a unique temple complex carved entirely out of a neighbouring mountainside. These staggering landmarks, dedicated to Ramses II and the Egyptian sky goddess, Hathor, were excavated in the early 19th Century. As you pass through the ornate halls of this remarkable complex, feast your eyes on the vast array of relics and artefacts held within. Later on, enjoy a final evening in Aswan ahead of the return leg of your river cruise.

Day 9

Day of cruising north - Begin your cruise back north and make the most out of your ship’s facilities. Perhaps spend time in the on-board swimming pool or sip a cocktail against the backdrop of the Nile’s idyllic stretches.

Day 10

Day of cruising north - Continue your cruise this morning, taking in the best of the Nile’s scenic beauty as you glide past, and enjoy the final full day of your Egyptian escape before mooring in overnight in Luxor.

Day 11

Return to the UK - Bring an extraordinary tour of Egypt’s ancient past to a close with a return flight from Luxor (via Cairo).

Further Information

Passports and visas

British citizens will require a visa to enter Egypt. The current cost is US$25 (approximately £19). You can obtain your visa in advance via the Official Visa2Egypt portal - https://www.visa2egypt.gov.eg/eVisa/Home. You can apply on arrival  and make payment in Sterling, US Dollars or Euros but advise us if you plan to do so. Passports must be valid for six months beyond the return date to the UK and contain one blank page for the visa.

Hotel transfer times

The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 20 minutes.

Cruise itinerary

Please note that the order of included day-to-day visits on board the cruise is subject to change.

Special requirements

If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.

Assisted travel

The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. For this tour specifically, it is important to note: - Access to Nile cruise vessels is often difficult as there are steps down from the quayside and all ships have fairly narrow gangways. - Level access in a wheelchair is not possible. Those with walking difficulties will, of course, be helped by the ship’s crew. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made. In many developing countries access is sometimes not as easy as at home. Should you have walking difficulties, getting around monuments and attractions may be harder and, in some cases, impossible. Should you have any concerns whatsoever please do contact us prior to travel.

Changes to your hotel

Should circumstances require, we reserve the right to accommodate you in alternative hotels, of a similar standard, nearby. Full details of your hotels will be sent with your Final Travel Documents.

Road conditions

In developing countries road networks are continually being improved and expanded, which can mean that, from time to time, roadworks and rough road surfaces can extend journey times. Some journeys are made on winding mountain roads and passes, which may also make for slow travelling - although the scenery is usually worth it! Many roads do not have separate pavements or safety barriers, and great care should be taken when crossing or walking alongside roads.

Foreign Office Travel Advice

Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.

Terms and conditions

Terms and conditions: 'Wish-list moments save up to 15%' applies to new bookings on selected tours made between 31st May to 31st July 2025 inclusive, and cannot be applied retrospectively to bookings already confirmed. This offer does not apply to holidays with late availability pricing and excludes André Rieu events, Lapland, Wimbledon, Tattoo, Ocean Cruise and River Cruise. Maximum discount of 15% is applied to our best-selling tours. This offer does not apply to child pricing. This offer cannot be combined or used in conjunction with any other discount, promotion, or concession. When booking a holiday as described above, prices shown will automatically have the discount applied. The discount applies to the original tour price (excluding extras and holiday insurance) at the time of booking. This offer is subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time. Newmarket Holidays reserves the right to cancel, change or amend any tour. Holidays booked with Newmarket Holidays, are financially protected in accordance with ABTA, ATOL & ABTOT regulations. Newmarket Holidays Limited is a company registered in England and Wales. Registered number: 02238316.