Schedule: Daily Departures
Duration: Flexible Multi-Day Packages from 3 Days to 15 Days (Cruises span 3 to 7 Nights)
Pickup & Drop-off: Cairo International Airport (CAI), Luxor Airport (LXR), Aswan Airport (ASW), or Local Hotels (Private Door-to-Door Transfers)
Tour Type: 100% Private Chauffeured Tours Combined with 5-Star Full-Board Nile River Cruises & Egyptologist-Guided Shore Excursions
Overview: The Soul of Egyptian Travel
The Nile River is the lifeblood of Egyptian civilization, cradling thousands of years of dynastic history along its fertile banks. While Cairo commands global attention for its monumental pyramids and museum collections, the true architectural grandeur of ancient Egypt lines the riverbanks between Luxor and Aswan in Upper Egypt.
Including a five-star Nile River cruise in your holiday itinerary transforms travel from a series of exhausting overland transfers into an effortless floating resort experience. As your vessel glides along tranquil waters past lush palm groves, golden sand dunes, and rural river communities, you step directly off the gangway to explore monumental cult temples, royal necropolises, and Greco-Roman sanctuaries led by licensed Egyptologists.
Ramasside Tours seamlessly integrates five-star luxury river cruises into comprehensive travel packages—combining private airport transfers, domestic flights between Cairo and Upper Egypt, full-board gourmet dining, and private guided excursions.
5 Compelling Reasons to Include a Nile Cruise in Your Trip
- Effortless Multi-Destination Travel: Instead of packing and unpacking across multiple hotels, your cruise ship serves as a floating hotel. You unpack once while your accommodation moves between Luxor, Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Aswan.
- Direct Shoreline Access to Remote Temples: Certain historical wonders—such as the Ptolemaic double temple of Kom Ombo perched on the riverbend and the intact Temple of Horus in Edfu—are situated directly along the Nile, making water transit the most scenic and natural approach.
- Full-Board Luxury & Exceptional Dining: Quality Nile cruises provide complete full-board service (breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner), offering generous open buffets and à la carte culinary selections featuring international dishes and Egyptian specialties.
- Unmatched Relaxation Between Historical Excursions: After exploring the sun-drenched stone hypostyle halls of Karnak or the subterranean tombs of the Valley of the Kings, unwind on the shaded sun deck, swim in the plunge pool, and watch the sunset illuminate the Nile.
- Authentic Cultural Immersion: From traditional folkloric Tanoura and belly dance performances onboard to watching local felucca sailboats navigate the river currents, a cruise reveals authentic daily life along the riverbanks.
Featured Multi-Day Packages Featuring Nile Cruises
1. 3-Day Cairo City Break (No Cruise)
A concise introduction to northern Egypt.
- Day 1: Private airport transfer; Giza Plateau (Khufu, Khafre, Menkaure, and the Great Sphinx).
- Day 2: Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara and the ancient capital of Memphis.
- Day 3: Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square, Coptic Cairo, and the 14th-century Khan El Khalili bazaar.
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2. 3-Day & 4-Day Cairo & Luxor Express (by Air)
Connect Cairo's pyramids with imperial Thebes via 1-hour domestic flights for travelers short on time.
- Cairo: Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, and the classical Egyptian Museum.
- Luxor: Karnak Temple's 134-column Hypostyle Hall, illuminated Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings (including King Tutankhamun's tomb), Queen Hatshepsut’s terraced temple, and the Colossi of Memnon.
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3. 5-Day Cairo & Coastal Alexandria Tour
Pair pharaonic heritage with Mediterranean Greco-Roman history.
- Cairo (Days 1–2): Private tour of Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, and museum antiquities.
- Alexandria (Days 3–4): Private road excursion along the desert highway to visit the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, Roman Amphitheatre, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, and Fort Qaitbay.
- Day 5: Return to Cairo for international flight departure.
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4. 5-Day Cairo & Luxor In-Depth Flight Package
Maximize sightseeing hours across Egypt's two ancient capitals with round-trip domestic flights.
- Explores Cairo’s Old Kingdom necropolises (Giza and Saqqara).
- Flies to Luxor for two full days covering the East and West Banks: the Colossi of Memnon, the Tombs of the Nobles, Medinet Habu, and Karnak Temple.
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5. Private 6-Day All-Inclusive Cairo In-Depth Expedition
A private city exploration covering dynastic, Islamic, and Coptic eras.
- Includes the Giza Pyramids, Saqqara, Dahshur (the Bent and Red Pyramids), the Saladin Citadel and Muhammad Ali Mosque, Coptic Cairo, and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC).
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6. 6-Day & 7-Day Cairo & 5-Star Nile Cruise Expeditions
The definitive signature Egyptian holiday combining capital highlights with a scenic cruise.
- Cairo: Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, and the treasures of King Tutankhamun.
- Upper Egypt Flight & Cruise: Fly to Aswan or Luxor to board a 5-star riverboat. Sail past rural palm groves, passing through the Esna Lock with guided excursions to Philae Island, the double temple of Kom Ombo, and Edfu's Temple of Horus.
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7. 8-Day Classical Route: Cairo, Alexandria & Nile Cruise (by Air)
A well-rounded circuit linking Egypt’s three cultural pillars: pharaonic Cairo, Greco-Roman Alexandria, and the temple-lined Nile between Aswan and Luxor, connected by internal flights.
8. 8-Day Archaeology Lovers Special: Cairo, Luxor, Aswan & Abu Simbel
Tailored specifically for travelers focused on ancient engineering and rock-cut architecture.
- Explores Giza, Saqqara, the Valley of the Kings, Karnak, and Philae Island.
- Features a guided overland excursion deep into Nubia to the colossal rock temples of Ramesses II and Queen Nefertiti at Abu Simbel.
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9. 9-Day to 11-Day Pharaohs & Treasures Journeys
Comprehensive journeys designed to explore both popular highlights and hidden treasures at a relaxed pace.
- Includes extended museum visits, access to Queen Nefertari’s tomb in the Valley of the Queens, the Dendera Temple of Hathor (famed for its astronomical ceiling reliefs), and quiet desert villages.
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10. 12-Day to 15-Day Grand Egyptian Odysseys (All-Inclusive)
The complete Egyptian journey covering Cairo, Alexandria, a 4-night 5-star Nile cruise, Abu Simbel, and extended excursions to remote archaeological sites (such as Abydos and Dendera) or Red Sea coastal relaxation (Hurghada / Sharm El Sheikh).
Package Comparison: Egypt Itineraries by Duration
Tour PackageDurationCruise Included?Key Landmarks CoveredDomestic FlightsCairo City Break3 Days / 2 NightsNoGiza Pyramids, Sphinx, Tahrir Museum, Saqqara & Khan El KhaliliNoneCairo & Luxor Express4–5 DaysNo (Hotel stay)Pyramids, Karnak, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings & Hatshepsut2 Flights (Cairo-Luxor-Cairo)Cairo & Alexandria5 Days / 4 NightsNoGiza Plateau, GEM, Catacombs, Bibliotheca Alexandrina & CitadelPrivate road transitCairo & Classical Cruise6–7 DaysYes (3–4 Nights)Pyramids, Luxor, Karnak, Edfu, Kom Ombo & Philae Temple2 Flights IncludedComplete 8-Day Package8 Days / 7 NightsYes (3–4 Nights)Cairo, Alexandria, Nile Cruise, Luxor & Aswan2 Flights IncludedArchaeology Lovers Special8 Days / 7 NightsYes (3–4 Nights)Pyramids, Thebes, Philae Island & Abu Simbel Temples2 Flights IncludedThe Complete 10-Day Circuit10 Days / 9 NightsYes (4 Nights)Cairo, Alexandria, 5-Star Cruise, Luxor, Aswan & Abu Simbel2 Flights IncludedGrand Egypt Odyssey12–15 DaysYes (4–7 Nights)Complete national circuit plus Red Sea resort leisure3 Flights Included
Standard Tour Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions
- 4-Star or 5-Star hotel accommodation in Cairo or Alexandria (Bed & Breakfast basis)
- 5-Star luxury Nile River cruise accommodation (Full Board: breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner included)
- Domestic flight tickets between Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan (per selected package)
- 100% private door-to-door transportation in modern, air-conditioned executive vehicles
- Licensed English-speaking Egyptologist guides throughout all excursions
- All entrance tickets to scheduled attractions mentioned in the itinerary
- Chilled bottled mineral water inside the vehicle throughout the day
- All road tolls, airport transfers, service charges, and municipal taxes
Exclusions
- International flight tickets
- Entry visa to Egypt (Assistance and fast-track service available)
- Beverage service during cruise meals (soft drinks, fresh juices, and alcoholic beverages billed on-site)
- Special interior tickets (e.g., inside the burial chambers of the Great Pyramid, Tutankhamun's mummy room, or Nefertari's tomb)
- Professional vacation photographer add-on
- Personal souvenirs and discretionary tipping for guides, drivers, and cruise crew
Essential Travel Tips for Nile Cruising
- Cruise Sailing Schedules: River cruises operate on fixed navigational schedules governed by the opening hours of the Esna Lock. Shore excursions in Edfu and Kom Ombo are timed to optimize cruising transit.
- Sun Deck Comfort: Upper Egypt experiences sunny conditions year-round. Pack wide-brimmed hats, high-SPF sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, and swimwear for the onboard pool.
- Cash for Onboard Extras & Tipping: While major credit cards are accepted for final onboard billing (drinks, laundry), keep small denominations of Egyptian Pounds (EGP) on hand for local carriage drivers, temple amenities, and small souvenir stands.
- Executive Road Upgrades: Enhance ground transfers in Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan by upgrading to executive luxury vans featuring plush reclining leather captain chairs, dual-zone climate control, and onboard Wi-Fi.
Tour Add-ons & Booking Notes
Executive Luxury Van Upgrade
Upgrade your road transit to an executive luxury van featuring extra legroom, plush reclining leather captain chairs, dual-zone climate control, onboard Wi-Fi, and cold refreshments for maximum comfort during long drives.
Dining at 9 Pyramids Lounge
Lunch can be arranged at the renowned 9 Pyramids Lounge inside the Giza Plateau complex, offering an upscale dining experience paired with panoramic views of the pyramids for $30 per person (advance booking required).
Visa-on-Arrival Fast-Track Service
Avoid airport queues upon arrival in Egypt with our fast-track visa processing service for $35 per person. Send your passport copy in advance, and our airport representative will have your visa prepared upon landing.
Professional Vacation Photographer
Hire a studio photographer to accompany your party across the pyramids, temples, or sun deck to capture high-resolution portraits from $50 to $75 per day.
Travel Insurance Coverage (AIG Travel Guard)
Protect your journey with optional travel insurance coverage: $15 per person for day excursions, and $25 per person for multi-day trips.
Child Policy
- 0 – 1.99 years: Free of charge (airline infant fees may apply)
- 2 – 11.99 years: 50% of adult tour rate (plus domestic flight fares)
- 12+ years: Full adult rate
For custom cruise itineraries, suite upgrades, or private Dahabiya charters, contact us at: [email protected]
