Private Guided 8-Day Nile Cruise from Hurghada to Luxor & Aswan (Abu Simbel by Road)
Travel from Hurghada to Luxor and Aswan with a private Egyptologist, full-board cruising, and Abu Simbel by private road transfer.
At a glance
- Length
- 8 days · 7 nights
- Departs
- Daily
Snapshot
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 days
- Destinations
- Abu Simbel Temples · Philae Temple (Isis) · Aswan High Dam · Kom Ombo Temple · Edfu Temple · Valley of the Kings (Luxor) · Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut (Deir el-Bahari) · Karnak Temple · Luxor Temple · Nile River (cruise route)
02Overview
A first look
By the time the road leaves Hurghada’s dry Red Sea landscape, the Nile valley appears in green bands of palms, fields, and villages. Our Egyptologists help you read the changing scenery before the river becomes the setting for quiet mornings on deck, temple visits, and evenings when the shoreline slips into darkness.
At Abu Simbel, broad stone courts and colossal figures make the scale of the site tangible; later, Philae, Edfu, and Luxor bring different textures, from island paths to worn temple floors. We arrange the transfers, cruise booking, and daily touring, with your Egyptologist on hand to explain what you are seeing and our local team available throughout.
What lingers
- 01Certified Egyptologist guide for all shore excursions
- 02Abu Simbel full-day excursion by private road transfer from Aswan
- 037 nights on a comfortable Nile cruise with full-board dining
- 04Hassle-free transfers Hurghada ⇄ Luxor; embark/disembark included
- 05Standard site entrance fees included (Valley of the Kings ticket covers 3 tombs)
- 06Small-group or private options and customizable upgrades available
Indicative rates only – pricing and departure fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.
Bundled in
- Private transfer
- Full board
- Private Egyptologist
- All entry tickets
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Transfer from Hurghada to Luxor (start of cruise)
- Transfer from Luxor to Hurghada (end of cruise)
- 7 nights accommodation onboard Nile cruise (overnight on the Nile)
- Abu Simbel by road full-day tour from Aswan (transport and guided visit)
- Daily sightseeing tours as per itinerary with a certified Egyptologist guide
- Full-board meals on board the cruise (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Bottled water during excursions and on board
- Standard site entrance fees (included). Note: the standard Valley of the Kings ticket permits entry to 3 general tombs; standard Giza entry covers the plateau and the Sphinx
- All port taxes, service charges and local taxes related to the cruise and included tours
Not included
- Gratuities for guides and drivers (proper tipping is not included)
- Entering the interior of the Pyramids (not included)
- Tutankhamun and Seti I tombs (entry to these specific tombs is excluded)
- Optional extras and personal activities (e.g., hot-air balloon flight in Luxor)
- Beverages other than bottled water and bar bills on board
- Egypt entry visa and any required travel documents
- International flights to/from Egypt and airport departure taxes
- Personal expenses, travel insurance, and any items of a personal nature
Accessibility
Who can join this
This itinerary requires moderate mobility, as sites include uneven ancient stone, staircases, cobbled surfaces and some sandy approaches. Our certified Egyptologists and drivers can assist at entrances, and most transfers use air-conditioned coaches with step access. Wheelchair users should note that many archaeological sites, including the Valley of the Kings and Abu Simbel, have limited ramp access and rough terrain inside tomb areas, so independent wheelchair access is restricted. If you need a portable ramp, close-contact assistance, or a travel companion to help with stairs, tell us before booking so we can plan lifts and priority boarding where possible. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we will advise which visits pose significant mobility challenges and suggest alternatives or revised timings.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport and printed travel documents
- Sun protection: SPF50+ sunscreen, wide-brim hat, sunglasses
- Light daypack for water and personal items
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Reusable water bottle (we provide bottled water too)
- Small first-aid kit and any prescription medicines
- Photocopy of passport and a spare credit card
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable clothing for daytime heat
- Long sleeves or a light scarf for sun and temple modesty
- Trousers or knee-length skirts for visits to religious sites
- A light jacket for cooler evenings on deck
- Sturdy closed-toe shoes for archaeological sites
Children & families
Minimum age for this itinerary is 6 years, due to the length of drives and the Abu Simbel road transfer. Child pricing varies by age and cabin occupancy, please contact us with ages for exact quotes. Strollers are practical on the cruise and at flat promenade areas, but are difficult to use at archaeological sites because of steps and uneven stone. High chairs and baby cots are subject to availability with the cruise supplier, so request these at booking and we will confirm with the supplier.
On the ground
Your route
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
We use air-conditioned coaches and private road transfers for intersite travel, and smaller minibuses for excursions when group sizes are low, which reduces fuel per passenger. The cruise operator partners we work with employ local crew and source food from nearby markets in Aswan and Luxor, supporting small vendors and fisher cooperatives. For Abu Simbel we choose road transfer rather than additional flights to reduce aviation legs on this itinerary. We encourage guests to bring reusable water bottles; we supply bottled water on board and at excursions to meet health standards, while coordinating with suppliers to recycle plastics where local facilities exist. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we also hire certified local Egyptologists and local drivers, which keeps revenue in the communities visited and funds seasonal guides and site workers.
Licensed local Egyptologists
ETAA-credentialed, on payroll
Fair wages on the ground
Drivers + guides paid above market
Site preservation
We follow MoTA visitor caps and no-touch protocols
Carbon-aware itineraries
Domestic flights only when train/road is impractical
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01How do I get from Hurghada to the cruise?
By private air-conditioned road transfer from your Red Sea hotel to the boat in Luxor — around four to five hours each way — with the return transfer at the end of the cruise included in the package.02What is included in the price?
Full-board meals on the cruise, guided shore excursions with a licensed Egyptologist, and standard entrance fees at the listed sites (the Valley of the Kings, Karnak, Edfu, and Kom Ombo). Drinks and gratuities for the guide and crew are not included.03What does “standard” mean?
A comfortable, well-run 5-star Nile cruiser at an accessible price — full-board dining, a sun deck with pool, and the same Egyptologist-guided sightseeing as the pricier boats, without the boutique extras.04Is this suitable for children?
Yes — families cruise the Nile year-round and children are welcome on board. Child rates depend on age and cabin arrangement; tell us your family setup and we will price it for you.05Are tips included?
No — tipping is customary in Egypt but always at your discretion. Gratuities for the Egyptologist guide, driver, and cruise crew are not included in the price.06What should I pack and wear?
Light, breathable layers, comfortable walking shoes, a hat, and sunscreen. Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees is appreciated when visiting temples. Evenings on the river can be cool in winter, so bring a light jacket.
If plans change
Cancellation
- More than 30 days
- Full refund less a £50 admin fee
- 15–30 days
- 50% refund
- Within 14 days
- No refund – date changes considered case by case
Product ID: TOU-NIL-759710
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