10-Day Nile Cruises
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Insider tips: Recommended 10-day Nile itineraries
Compiled by

MelissaNile travel expert at TourRadar
10 Days in Egypt, incl. Cairo and Luxor
A 10-day Nile adventure from Luxor to Aswan includes 5 nights aboard a Dahabiya sailboat. Major temples including Karnak, Luxor, and Edfu, plus hidden gems like El Kab tomb complex showcase authentic river life.
- Days 1-2
Cairo & Giza
Start in Cairo with a full day at the Giza pyramid complex. Get to the pyramids before 8 AM to avoid crowds and heat. You'll need about 3 hours to explore the Great Pyramid of Khufu and Sphinx properly. In the afternoon when it's cooler visit Sakkara. The Step Pyramid here gets fewer visitors than Giza but tells an important story about how pyramids evolved.
- Days 3-4
Luxor's East & West Banks
Fly to Luxor early morning (1-hour flight). Visit the East Bank temples first. Karnak looks best in morning light while Luxor Temple really shines at sunset. For the Valley of the Kings on the West Bank get there by 6:30 AM before it gets too hot. Take lots of water and sun protection since the tombs offer little shade.
- Days 5-7
Nile Cruise Experience
Choose a traditional dahabiya sailboat instead of a big cruise ship for a more personal experience. These smaller boats can visit ports and islands that bigger ships can't reach. You'll see places like El Kab's cliff tombs and the Temple of Edfu. A recent visitor shared: "Watching local life unfold along the Nile banks from our dahabiya was magical - so different from the bigger cruise ships. We could dock at small islands and actually interact with villagers."
- Day 8
Abu Simbel
- Days 9-10
Cairo's Cultural Heart
8 Days in Egypt Nile Cruise, incl. Luxor and Aswan
The Nile reveals its secrets over 8 days visiting 5 cities from Luxor to Aswan, with 7 nights on a 5-star cruise. Six major temples including Karnak, Luxor, and Philae, plus Valley of the Kings await. Abu Simbel excursion and hot air balloon ride available.
- Days 1-2
Luxor
Begin in Luxor, the religious capital of ancient Egypt. Visit the vast Karnak Temple complex on your first afternoon. Plan to arrive before 4pm to avoid crowds and the strongest sun. "The temples were all impressive. Our guide was very knowledgeable and helped bring the ancient history to life." Day 2 offers an optional hot air balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings. It needs a 4am wake-up but delivers stunning sunrise views. Visit the Valley to explore three royal tombs where original paint colors still shine after thousands of years. Add stops at Queen Hatshepsut's temple and the Colossi of Memnon before sailing to Edfu.
- Days 3-4
Edfu to Aswan
Start with a morning visit to the Temple of Horus in Edfu. Next, sail to Kom Ombo to see its unique double temple built for two gods. In Aswan, you'll tour the High Dam and take a felucca boat ride around Elephantine Island. Visit the Philae Temple complex at sunset for the best experience. This temple was carefully moved to save it from flooding when the dam was built.
- Day 5
Abu Simbel (Optional)
- Days 6-7
Return Journey to Luxor
- Day 8
Departure
9 Day Egypt Itinerary, incl. Cairo and Luxor
The Nile's grandeur unfolds over 9 days with 4 nights on a 5-star cruise from Luxor to Aswan. Marvel at Karnak Temple, Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo, and Abu Simbel. Soar over ancient ruins in sunrise balloon rides and enjoy traditional Nubian entertainment.
- Days 1-2
Cairo & Pyramids
Visit the Pyramids of Giza early at 8 AM to beat the crowds and heat. The Saqqara step pyramid offers a quieter experience and shows how pyramid construction evolved. A recent visitor said: "The knowledge and passion our guide showed at Saqqara really brought the history to life - make sure to visit the tomb of Kagemni to see the incredibly preserved wall paintings."
- Days 3-4
Luxor's East & West Banks
Take the overnight train to Luxor which takes 10-12 hours. Explore Karnak Temple first thing - you'll need 2-3 hours to see it properly. Book a hot air balloon ride at sunrise over the Valley of the Kings for about $120 USD. They'll pick you up at 5 AM and have you back by 8 AM. One traveler noted: "Watching the sun rise over the Nile while floating above the Valley of the Kings was absolutely humbling. Bring a light jacket as morning temperatures can be surprisingly cool."
- Days 4-5
Nile Cruise to Edfu & Kom Ombo
- Days 6-7
Aswan & Abu Simbel
- Days 8-9
Return to Cairo
What people love about 10-day Nile river cruises
- Luxury Nile cruise Luxor & Aswan for 7 nights includes tours
This 7 days Nile River Cruise is a great tour going from Luxor to Aswan with an option to visit Abu Simbel (3 hours there and 3 hours back) and then return back to Luxor. The first 4-5 days will be busy with tours on the itinerary and you'll see all the temples and everything. Don't over do it. The tours can be very tired as it was very hot in September month. I enjoyed the last few days going back to Luxor without not doing much and just enjoyed the beautiful Nile River. It's one of the most relaxing thing cruising on the river. Food was fantastic, every meal was delicious.
- Stunning Egypt Tour Package 10 Days and 9 Nights From Cairo
I did this tour as a female solo traveler and I’m fully satisfied! Being a little bit of a geek regarding learning about new cultures, looking for historical tourism but also some relaxing time, and wanting to feel safe while traveling alone to a place with a different culture and language to mine, I got everything I was looking for! Cannot recommend it enough
- Egypt Highlights—9-Day Journey
Great tour Well organised... Had no worries everything taken care of. Lots of wonderful highlights