Who this sells to
First-time Egypt travellers who want the icons without a punishing pace: couples, small families with older children, and small private groups. It carries a 4★ price point and a deluxe one equally well, which makes it the easiest programme to present as tiered options.
The route, day by day
Cairo · Aswan · Kom Ombo · Edfu · Luxor
Day 01 Arrive Cairo
Met airside on arrival, formalities handled, transfer to the hotel with a briefed driver. Rest of the day at leisure — no touring is scheduled on arrival day by design, because most long-haul arrivals land tired and late.
Day 02 Giza, Saqqara & Memphis
Early start for the plateau before the heat and the coach volume. Pyramids, Sphinx and the panorama point, then Saqqara and Memphis in the afternoon with a lunch stop. Guide briefed on your client's interest level — architecture, history or photography.
Day 03 Egyptian Museum & Old Cairo
Museum in the morning, Coptic and Islamic Cairo in the afternoon, finishing at the bazaar. Museum choice is a lever: the Grand Egyptian Museum or the original Tahrir collection, depending on what your client is expecting to see.
Day 04 Fly to Aswan · embark
Morning flight to Aswan, met on landing and straight into touring — High Dam and Philae — before embarkation and lunch onboard. Felucca at golden hour if the sailing schedule allows.
Day 05 Abu Simbel · sail to Kom Ombo
Abu Simbel as an early excursion — by road or by air depending on what you have sold — returning to the vessel for the sail north. Kom Ombo in the late afternoon, walking distance from the mooring.
Day 06 Edfu · sail to Luxor
Edfu in the morning, then a full day on the river through Esna — the part of the programme clients remember most and the reason we resist compressing it into a shorter sailing.
Day 07 Luxor — West and East Bank
West Bank early — Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, the Colossi — then Karnak and Luxor Temple. Balloon flight at dawn is a common add-on and needs to be requested at contracting, not on the day.
Day 08 Disembark · depart Luxor
Disembarkation after breakfast, transfer to Luxor airport for the onward or return flight. Day rooms and a late transfer are available where flight times are unkind — request them with the file, not at the desk on the morning.
What the net rate carries
Included
- Meet & assist on arrival and departure
- All transfers in private air-conditioned vehicles
- Licensed local guide throughout, language on request
- Accommodation on the confirmed service level, breakfast basis
- Nile cruise on full board, confirmed vessel category
- Entrance fees for the sites listed in the itinerary
- Domestic flight Cairo–Aswan (or sleeper rail alternative)
- Vista file management and 24/7 duty-desk cover
Not included
- International flights
- Egypt entry visa fees
- Abu Simbel by air (quoted as an upgrade)
- Hot-air balloon in Luxor
- Meals not stated, drinks and optional services
- Gratuities and personal expenses
- Travel insurance
Three levels, one programme
| Level | Accommodation | Vessel | Touring |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4★ | Solid 4★, central or Giza-view | Standard category | Private guide, shared entrance timings |
| 5★ | Established 5★ properties | Deluxe category | Private guide and vehicle throughout |
| Deluxe | Landmark or boutique 5★ | Luxury vessel or dahabiya swap | Senior guide, early access timings |
Property names are proposed per request against live availability. We do not publish a fixed hotel list, because a stale list costs you a sale.
What you can change without a rebuild
Operational notes before you quote
- Day 1 is deliberately empty. Partners who add touring to arrival day generate the most complaints on this programme.
- Balloon and Abu Simbel by air must be contracted up front — both are capacity-limited and cannot reliably be added on the ground.
- Ramadan shifts site and onboard timings each year. Ask the desk before publishing a departure calendar that crosses it.
- Above 24 pax the shape changes. Coach logistics and site entry timings need a different build — tell us the pax band early.
- Guide language availability varies by season. Confirm the language when you send the brief, not after you have quoted your client.
Request rates for VT-CE-08
Send dates, pax and service level. You get routing confirmation, a shortlist by tier, and a net rate sheet you can mark up — within 24–48 hours.