All inclusive Private 9 Days 8 Nights Cairo Luxor Aswan 5* Dleux Nile Cruise

The big draw here is the sheer amount of Egypt packed into nine days and eight nights. You move from Cairo’s pyramids and churches to Aswan, Abu Simbel, Kom Ombo, Edfu, and Luxor, with a private Egyptologist guide and transfers taking care of the tricky parts. I like the door-to-door planning and the three-night Nile cruise, which gives you time to watch villages and desert scenery pass from the boat instead of spending every day on the road.

I also like the mix of transport: two sleeper-train journeys, a five-star hotel in Aswan, and a full-board cruise. The main caution is that Egyptian five-star standards can vary, and the package wording is unclear about whether Abu Simbel is included or optional, so confirm both the hotel names and that excursion before paying.

Key points to know before booking

Day eight is the busiest sightseeing day on the program. You begin at Karnak Temple, with about two hours to explore the vast complex. Karnak is not a single compact building, so your guide’s route and explanations help you make sense of the columns, courts, sanctuaries, and later additions.

Luxor Temple follows for another two hours. Seeing both Karnak and Luxor Temple in one day lets you compare a large religious complex with a more concentrated temple site. It is a lot of stone, columns, and names in a short period, so take notes or use your phone to record the guide’s key points.

The Valley of the Kings comes next. Entrance to three tombs is included, allowing you to compare different tomb decoration and layouts. Tomb access can change, and the most famous tombs may require an additional ticket, so ask your guide which three are covered before entering.

The final stop is Hatshepsut’s temple at Deir el-Bahari. Its broad terraces and cliff setting make it different from the other temples on the route. The schedule gives about two hours, but the full day can be hot and tiring. Bring a hat, water, and shoes that handle uneven ground.

The package does not include a hot-air balloon ride, but it is offered as an optional tour. If that is a priority, ask about its price and timing before booking, since the included Luxor schedule is already full.

The return train and what is included

After the Luxor sightseeing, the program includes the second sleeper-train night, traveling from Luxor back to Cairo. The train is listed on a half-board basis. The following day is departure, with a transfer to Cairo International Airport and up to five hours allocated for the airport transfer and departure process.

Included meals are listed as five dinners, six lunches, and eight breakfasts. That covers much of the trip, but not every meal in every setting. Cairo nights are bed and breakfast, while the cruise is full board. Check which meals are served on the sleeper trains, since the package describes those nights as half board without giving a detailed menu.

The package also includes private touring, qualified Egyptologist guides and tour leaders, entrance fees, bottled water, and all stated transfers. Group discounts are available, and mobile tickets are offered. Since this is a private tour, only your own group participates, which gives you more control than a large coach tour, though the information does not state the maximum group size.

The guide makes the difference

A private Egyptologist is most useful at places where the ruins can blur together: Saqqara, Karnak, Luxor Temple, Kom Ombo, Edfu, and the Valley of the Kings. You can ask questions, adjust the pace within the schedule, and get explanations tied to your interests.

The tour also includes a tour leader in addition to the Egyptologist guides. No guide names are provided, so do not expect to select a particular person when booking. Communication before arrival may be limited, but once you meet the representative and guide, the local support is intended to be more direct.

One practical caution is shopping. The route may include stops at jewelry and essential-oil shops, and the prices can be much higher than expected. You are not required to buy anything. Treat these visits as optional commercial stops and compare prices before purchasing.

Is $1,400 a good value?

For nine days, $1,400 per person covers a great deal: two Cairo hotel nights, an Aswan hotel night, two sleeper-train nights, three cruise nights, private guides, transfers, admissions, meals, bottled water, and the camel ride. If all advertised transport and sightseeing are delivered as described, the package offers strong convenience for a first Egypt visit.

The value depends on three confirmations. First, make sure the exact hotels are the named properties or comparable replacements. Second, clarify the cruise ship and cabin category, since the wording says Blue Shadow Nile Cruise or similar. Third, settle the Abu Simbel price before arrival because the inclusion and exclusion sections conflict.

The non-refundable policy also matters. Once you pay, you cannot cancel or amend the booking for a refund. Read the final voucher carefully, send the required passport photocopies, and make sure every included service is written down.

Who should book this Egypt package?

You should consider it if you want the major ancient sites in one organized trip, value a private guide, and do not want to arrange trains, hotel transfers, cruise bookings, and entrance tickets yourself. It is especially good for a first visit focused on pyramids, temples, tombs, and the Nile.

You should think twice if you dislike early starts, long vehicle journeys, sleeper trains, or tightly scheduled sightseeing. You also need patience with changing hotel assignments and occasional shopping stops.

Should you book it?

I would book this tour only after confirming the exact Cairo and Aswan hotels, the cruise vessel, sleeper-train arrangements, and the real Abu Simbel cost in writing. Once those points are settled, the route offers an efficient and memorable first look at Egypt, with excellent coverage and a useful balance of guided sightseeing and time on the Nile.

If you want maximum comfort and a slower pace, build a custom trip with more hotel nights and fewer long transfers. If you want the main sights at a controlled price and prefer having the logistics handled, this private package is a sensible choice.

FAQ

How long is the Egypt tour?

The experience lasts approximately nine days and includes eight nights.

What destinations are included?

The route covers Cairo, Giza, Saqqara, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Kom Ombo, Edfu, and Luxor.

Is the Nile cruise included?

Yes. The package includes three nights on a five-star deluxe Nile cruise from Aswan toward Luxor, with full board.

Are the sleeper trains included?

Yes. Two sleeper-train nights are included, one traveling from Cairo to Aswan and one from Luxor to Cairo. They are listed on a half-board basis.

Is Abu Simbel included in the price?

The tour information is inconsistent. Abu Simbel appears in the itinerary with an included admission ticket, but the exclusions describe the excursion as optional. Confirm the cost and inclusions before booking.

Is the tour private?

Yes. This is a private tour, and only your group participates. A private Egyptologist guide and tour leaders are included.