2-Week Nile Cruises
Ever thought about exploring Roman catacombs in Alexandria, strolling along the seafront corniche, then discovering Giza's ancient pyramids? Alexandria, Ancient Egypt and Nile cruising delivers comprehensive Egyptian history. Tour the Grand Egyptian Museum's treasures, cruise the Nile visiting iconic temples carved from stone. Thirteen days from Mediterranean coast to Upper Egypt shows you Egypt's full timeline from Ptolemaic to Pharaonic periods.
Insider tips: Recommended 2-week Nile itineraries
Compiled by
MelissaNile travel expert at TourRadar
14 Day Egypt Itinerary, incl. Cairo and Luxor
The 14-day Nile expedition features a 5-star cruise from Aswan to Luxor. Witness Abu Simbel temples, Philae Temple, Kom Ombo, and Edfu, showcasing the river's most significant archaeological sites and ancient temples.
- Days 1-4
Cairo & Alexandria
Start in Cairo to adjust to the time zone. One traveler shared: "Get to the pyramids early - Khaled our guide timed everything perfectly to avoid the biggest crowds." Begin with a full day at the Giza pyramid complex and Saqqara. Visit the step pyramid at Saqqara first to understand the historical context before seeing the Great Pyramids. Plan a day trip to Alexandria (3 hours each way) to explore the Roman catacombs and new library. Back in Cairo, spend a morning at the Egyptian Museum. Visit early because the King Tut exhibits get very crowded later. In the afternoon when it's cooler, visit the Hanging Church and Coptic Cairo.
- Days 5-7
Aswan & Abu Simbel
Book a morning flight to Aswan to start your Nile cruise portion. Visit the High Dam and take a boat to Philae Temple. The next day requires a 4 AM start to Abu Simbel. The 3-hour drive is long but seeing these massive temples before the heat is essential. A recent visitor noted: "Abu Simbel was awe-inspiring - absolutely don't skip this even though it's an early wake-up call."
- Days 8-10
Nile Cruise to Luxor
Cruise north with stops at Kom Ombo and Edfu temples. The Edfu temple is particularly well-preserved. Take the horse carriage ride there for some local flavor. In Luxor, visit the temple at night when it's cooler and beautifully lit. Spend a full day on the West Bank starting with Valley of the Kings in the morning. Follow with Queen Hatshepsut's temple and the Colossi of Memnon. Visit the massive Karnak Temple complex in late afternoon.
- Days 11-13
Red Sea Resort Break
Drive 4 hours to Hurghada for beach time. Take a snorkeling trip to Orange Bay to see coral reefs. Try the sunset desert safari with quad bikes and Bedouin dinner on your second day after getting some rest. The Red Sea offers excellent swimming and snorkeling conditions with clear water.
- Day 14
Return to Cairo
Take a morning flight back to Cairo to avoid common afternoon delays. Spend your final day in Islamic Cairo and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar before departing.
14 Day Egypt Itinerary, incl. Cairo and Luxor
The 14-day Nile adventure highlights a 3-night luxury cruise from Aswan to Luxor. Marvel at 6 major temples including Philae, Kom Ombo, and Edfu. The route leads through Valley of Kings and Karnak Temple before reaching Red Sea coast.
- Days 1-3
Cairo & Alexandria
Arrive in Cairo and check into your hotel near Giza or downtown. On day 2, start early at Saqqara's Step Pyramid, followed by the famous Giza pyramids complex. One traveler shared: "The pyramids are best visited in the morning before the intense heat and crowds arrive." Take a day trip to Alexandria on day 3 to see Greco-Roman ruins, catacombs, and the modern library. Remember to carry small Egyptian pounds for bathroom stops.
- Days 4-5
Cairo to Aswan
Visit the Egyptian Museum at 9 AM to see Tutankhamun's treasures before the crowds arrive. After exploring Coptic Cairo's churches, take the overnight sleeper train to Aswan (12-14 hours). Once in Aswan, start your Nile cruise and visit the High Dam and beautiful Philae Temple. Bring motion sickness medication for the boat ride to Philae.
- Days 6-7
Abu Simbel & Nile Cruise
Getting up at 4 AM for Abu Simbel pays off. After the 3-hour desert drive, you'll see one of Egypt's most spectacular monuments. Return to your cruise and visit Kom Ombo's unique double temple to learn about ancient Egyptian medicine. The next day, take a horse carriage to Edfu Temple, the best-preserved ancient temple in Egypt, before sailing through Esna Lock to Luxor.
- Days 8-9
Luxor
Start early in the Valley of the Kings to avoid peak heat. Wear good walking shoes and pack water, as the tomb steps are steep and there's no shade. Visit Queen Hatshepsut's temple and the Colossi of Memnon before crossing to the East Bank. Karnak Temple is huge, so consider hiring a guide to explain its 134 columns and hieroglyphics.
- Days 10-12
Red Sea Break
Take a 4-hour drive to Hurghada for three relaxing days by the Red Sea. You can go quad biking in the desert, ride camels, or snorkel at Giftun Island's coral reefs. Go snorkeling in the morning for the best water visibility.
- Days 13-14
Final Cairo Days
Take a 1-hour flight back to Cairo. Spend time shopping at Khan el-Khalili bazaar or visit the new Grand Egyptian Museum. Hotels near Giza offer pyramid views, but downtown locations are closer to restaurants. Book evening flights on day 14 to make the most of your last day.
13 Day Egypt Itinerary, incl. Cairo and Luxor
A 13-day Nile region tour showcases a 3-night luxury cruise from Aswan to Luxor. Watch history unfold at 6 major temples including Philae, Kom Ombo, and Karnak. Package includes full board on cruise, expert guiding, and internal flight from Luxor to Cairo.
- Days 1-2
Cairo & Alexandria
Start in Cairo and drive north to Alexandria (3 hours). Leave Cairo early to avoid the heavy morning traffic. Visit the Roman catacombs and modern Library of Alexandria. Take an evening walk along the Corniche promenade where you can cool off with Mediterranean breezes.
- Days 3-4
Alexandria & El Alamein
Explore Alexandria's seafront markets and Montazah Palace Gardens in the morning. Drive to El Alamein (2.5 hours west) to visit the World War II memorials. Visit the museum in the morning before it gets too hot.
- Day 5
Giza & Saqqara
Get to the Pyramids of Giza by 8 AM before the crowds arrive. Get your best photos from the panoramic viewpoint near the parking area. Visit Saqqara's Step Pyramid complex after lunch. Bring plenty of water since there's minimal shade on the limestone plateau.
- Days 6-7
Cairo to Aswan
Start at the new Grand Egyptian Museum in the morning when the lighting is ideal. Take the overnight train to Aswan (13-14 hours). Book your sleeper cabin early since they fill up fast. Spend your first day in Aswan visiting Philae Temple by boat.
- Days 8-9
Nile Cruise
Take a cruise from Aswan to Luxor with a stop at Kom Ombo Temple. Consider visiting Abu Simbel. It's expensive ($200-300) but as travelers say, "absolutely worth the early 4 AM wake-up call." The temples look incredible at sunrise.
- Days 10-11
Luxor
Start early at the Valley of the Kings to beat the heat and crowds. A recent visitor noted: "The tomb of Seti I was extraordinary but requires a special ticket - buy it first thing as they limit daily visitors." Visit Karnak Temple in late afternoon to see the shadows play across the stone columns.
- Days 12-13
Cairo
Take a 1-hour flight back to Cairo. Visit Khan el-Khalili bazaar after 4 PM when it's cooler and more active. You'll find better prices here than at tourist spots, so leave space in your luggage.
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What people love about 2-week Nile river cruises
We took the 14 night and 13 day tour of Egypt in March 2025. This was the best tour so far we have been on. I would like to thank Heba Haggag of gift tours for all her care and planning of the tour. Without her I don’t know how we would have managed! She made sure of the timing of the optional tours, the drivers and the excellent tour guides. It was basically a private tour for my husband and I as it was only the 2 of us and then only 2 tours where there were 3 and 4 more people along with the tours. All flights were well timed and the seat classes were good. Our accomadations were clean and the hotels treated us well. Our drivers for the tours were all pleasant. Just one suggestion, the driver that met us at the airport when you first get to Cairo should acknowledge himself as the tour driver, and meet you in the airport, or explain exactly where he is. Khaled was our first tour guide for Cairo and was just excellent! Very knowledgeable, never rushing and answering all our questions politely. Nothing asked wasn’t answered. Our main driver was Ahmed and if I could suggest to slow down a little when driving, I understand the driving is a little crazy in Cairo!!! The first optional tour was a boat/dinner tour with belly dancing and turin dancing that was really enjoyable and the buffet meal was really good! We then had a very pleasant and safe driver named Mohamed take us and a family to Sakura, Khaled gave us the tour and really explained we,,. Told us about people there that would try to talk you into, pictures and dress up for camel photos, which we fell for!!! The museum with the displays of King Tut was bang one, could of stayed a few days just wandering around it! So many tourists but Khaled managed to show us things before the crowds would be there in droves! In fact everything that he showed us was done so we wouldn’t be with so many people. We decided not to go to Alexandria and Khaled was fine with that and planned for other sights to see. Khaled was always very close by to help us with market sellers and such and explain anything needed. After an excellent 5 days we were taken by air to Aswan. Nice flight and met our second guide Zakarya, again very knowledgeable and pleasant. Took us on a few sights before checking in on our Nile cruise ship Crown Emperor. Very nice older boat, but staff very kind and helpful! Again driver to Abu Simel was a good driver, and Abu Simel amazing! Also another couple optional tours on the water. Landed in Luxor to still more tours that were so interesting with Zakarya, including the Edfu temple. Off the boat after 3 days and taken to our other hotel for 2 days. I would highly recommend the hot air balloon ride over the valley of Kings, awe inspiring!! A needed day off from tours but we did want to stay busy! Heba called us daily to ask how everything was going and how the guides were doing 😘 And lastly our final drive to Hurghada for 3 days of rest and relaxation! The Red Sea was wonderful to sit in a lounge chair and soak up the rays!!! Hurghada is quite the resort town. Flew from Hurghada to Cairo, picked up by a driver and taken to last hotel for the night. Nice rest before leaving and flying home! This was a busy trip but an amazing trip. Learned soooo much!! Only negatives we had were many many people smoke and was almost too much for non smokers! Ramadan was on while we were here and must have been hard to explain so much pleasantly with fasting all day. I’m sure some of our questions were eye rolling for the guides but it never seemed too much. Again would like to thank Heba for her guidance and such pleasant answers! I would suggest Khaled and Zakarya as very pleasant and professional guides. The whole trip was very safe and never felt nervous in any way! Thank you, thank you 🙏
Explore Egypt from Cairo: 14-Days 13-Nights Cairo, Alexandria, Nile Cruise and Red Sea
- Marvels of Egypt:14-Day 13-Night to Cairo, Alexandria, Nile Cruise, and Red Sea with Sleeper Train and Flight
There were some parts of the tour that were very good and others that were poor. The communication and organisation done by Heba was fantastic. Nothing was too much trouble and we are glad she was the organiser of this tour. The tour itself was great and we had a great time. Some of the guides wanted to change the itinerary and in some cases it felt like they just wanted to get the day done and get home. The guide we had in Cairo day 1 was great but the subsequent guide told us the Coptic churches weren't worth going to so we missed out on them even though they were on the schedule. The guide we had on the cruise and in Luxor was full of knowledge and made sure that we saw everything we wanted to, he was fantastic. The accommodation in Hurghada was poor with a very outdated room at a resort that looked great but was only 2 stars. All other accommodation on the tour was wonderful and the cruise was just as we imagined it would be.
- Luxury Ultimate Egypt (Customizable)
We had an incredible family experience on the Dahabiya boat, exclusively for our group of 12. It felt like a home away from home! The staff was exceptional, always attentive, and the food was delicious. Cruising along the Nile, we enjoyed the breathtaking countryside, which provided a soothing sense of tranquility. The Egyptian monuments exceeded our expectations, even more impressive in person than in photos—massive and awe-inspiring! Our guide, John, was wonderful, taking great care of us with his professionalism and warmth. I highly recommend Luxury Destinations for anyone seeking a hassle-free and luxurious travel experience. Their attention to detail and commitment to customer satisfaction made our journey exceptional. If you're looking for a top-notch travel experience, Luxury Destinations is the way to go!
