A Nile cruise and stay combines your river cruise with hotel nights before or after sailing — most commonly in Cairo, but also Hurghada, Marsa Alam or Sharm El Sheikh on the Red Sea. It's the most popular way to see Egypt in one trip, pairing the ancient temples of the Nile with the pyramids of Giza or time to relax by the sea.
Accommodation — en-suite cabin on your chosen cruise ship, plus hotel nights at your selected resort or city stay
Full-board dining — breakfast, lunch and dinner while cruising; breakfast typically included at your hotel
Guided excursions — every temple visit led by a licensed Egyptologist, plus optional guided tours in Cairo
Transfers — between airport, hotel and cruise ship, so the whole trip runs as one seamless journey
Flights, Egypt visa, drinks and tipping are typically extra — we confirm exactly what's included before you book.
The Nile cruise route, plus your stay
Your cruise follows the classic Luxor–Aswan route, with your hotel stay added on either end depending on where you fly in and out.
Cairo — the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx and the Egyptian Museum
Luxor — Karnak & Luxor Temples, the Valley of the Kings
Edfu & Kom Ombo — the Temple of Horus and the double temple on the Nile bend
Aswan — Philae Temple, the High Dam and Nubian villages
Red Sea extension (optional) — Hurghada or Marsa Alam for beach time after your cruise
How to choose your cruise and stay
Four quick things to weigh up before you book your trip.
1
Pick your balance
A 4-night cruise plus 2–3 nights in Cairo covers the essentials; adding a Red Sea stay extends the trip for those who want beach time alongside history.
2
Match the cruise to your taste
Choose your cruise ship or class first — standard 5-star, deluxe, dahabiya, or Lake Nasser — then we'll build the hotel stay around it.
3
Travel in the right season
October to April is mildest and best for sightseeing on the Nile. If you're adding a Red Sea stay, that stretch is pleasant nearly year-round.
4
Book early
Combining a cruise with hotel stays means coordinating more moving parts — flights, transfers, and cabin availability — so booking early gives you the widest choice of dates and rooms.
03Book with confidence
Why book a cruise and stay with us
As a local Egypt-based team, we match the ship, the hotels and the flights into a single, well-timed itinerary — and we are reachable at every step, before and during your trip.
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100%Licensed Egyptologist guides
A trusted Egyptian company
Owned and operated by Egypt Holiday Makers, with years of experience crafting Nile journeys through the heart of Egypt.
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Recognised with a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence and hundreds of genuine, verified traveller reviews.
Licensed Egyptologists
Expert, licensed guides accompany every cruise, bringing 5,000 years of history vividly to life.
Honest, seamless booking
Transparent pricing, real reviews and a personally managed booking process from a team that knows every ship.
In their words
★★★★★
Faultless from the first email to disembarkation. The ship was spotless, the food excellent, and every temple visit was perfectly timed to avoid the crowds.
Verified review · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
Our Egyptologist made every site come alive. Egypt Holiday Makers handled all the logistics so we could just enjoy the Nile. Worth every penny.
Verified review · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
Booked the Movenpick and it exceeded expectations. The route was beautifully paced and the team answered every question on WhatsApp within minutes.
An Egypt Nile Cruise and Stay package lets you enjoy a Nile cruise along with hotel stays in other places, all in one trip. Depending on the package, you can add time in Cairo, Hurghada, or other destinations. This way, you can see Egypt’s ancient temples and the Nile Valley, as well as visit the capital, relax at Red Sea resorts, and explore other highlights, all without having to plan each part on your own.
Most Egypt Nile Cruise and Stay trips last between 7 and 12 days, depending on how many places you want to visit. A shorter trip might include Cairo and a 3- or 4-night Nile cruise. If you have more time, you can add stops like Hurghada, Abu Simbel, or extra nights in Cairo. Choosing a 10- to 12-day trip gives you more time to see the main sights without feeling rushed.
What’s included depends on the package you choose, but an Egypt Nile Cruise and Stay trip often covers hotel stays, your Nile cruise, meals during the cruise, sightseeing tours, and transfers to and from the airport. Many packages also provide an Egyptologist guide for visits to major sites. Things like flights, entrance fees, local transfers, and meals outside the cruise can vary, so it’s important to check what’s included in your chosen itinerary.
Yes, you can combine a Nile cruise with either Cairo or Hurghada, depending on your plans. Cairo is great if you want to see the Pyramids of Giza, the Grand Egyptian Museum, and historic sites. Hurghada is perfect for beach time, snorkeling, diving, and Red Sea activities. Some longer trips include all three destinations along with the Nile cruise.
Yes, you can add Abu Simbel to many Nile Cruise and Stay trips, often as a day trip from Aswan or as part of a longer tour. The temples of Abu Simbel are south of Aswan, near the Sudanese border, and are some of Egypt’s most impressive ancient sites. Depending on your itinerary, you can visit by road or take a domestic flight, either before or after your Nile cruise.
Ready when you are
Plan your Nile cruise and stay
Share your dates and interests, and we will design a cruise-plus-stay itinerary tailored to you.
Nile Cruises Itinerary 
Nile Cruises Itinerary 
Nile Cruises Itinerary 
Nile Cruises Itinerary 
Nile Cruises Itinerary 
Nile Cruises Itinerary 
