Reviewed · NILE CRUISES
All inclusive Private 9 Days 8 Nights Cairo Luxor Aswan 5* Dleux Nile Cruise
Egypt packs an astonishing amount into nine days, and this private tour covers the big pieces: Giza, Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel, and a three-night Nile cruise. I like the private Egyptologist, who can give context at the monuments instead of leaving you to read plaques, and I like the door-to-door transfers, which take much of the strain out of Egypt’s long distances.
The cruise, train travel, and hotels create a comfortable framework for a fast tour. The catch is the phrase 5-star deluxe: Egyptian hotel and cruise standards can vary, and the advertised inclusions appear to conflict over whether Abu Simbel is included. Confirm that point, and the exact hotels and ship, before paying the non-refundable price.
Key points at a glance

Luxor begins with Karnak Temple, a vast complex that rewards a guide who can explain its changing buildings, columns, and sacred spaces. Two hours is enough for the main route, but not for every corner. Wear comfortable shoes and keep water close.
Luxor Temple offers a different experience. It sits within the modern city and is particularly striking for its long processional layout and monumental entrance. Seeing Karnak and Luxor Temple together helps you understand how the ancient city’s religious center was organized.
On the west bank, the Valley of the Kings includes entry to three tombs. Tomb assignments and access can vary, but the three-tomb allowance gives you a useful look at the painted burial chambers without turning the entire afternoon into a tomb marathon. Photography rules may differ by location, so follow your guide’s instructions.
The Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahari completes the day. Its broad terraces and cliff setting make it unlike the enclosed temple complexes on the east bank. The itinerary gives about two hours at each main Luxor stop, which produces a full day of sightseeing. You will see a lot, but you should not book this expecting a slow, contemplative visit to every site.
The cruise ends around Luxor, and the return journey toward Cairo uses the second sleeper-train night listed in the package. Confirm the exact departure timing, since the schedule is especially important after a long day on the west bank.
What $1,400 per person really covers
At $1,400 per person, the price can be good value for a private nine-day trip if the stated inclusions are delivered. You receive:
- Two Cairo hotel nights with breakfast
- One Aswan hotel night with breakfast
- Three nights on a 5-star Nile cruise with full board
- Two sleeper-train nights with half board
- Six lunches and five dinners
- Eight breakfasts
- Entrance fees
- Bottled water
- Private transfers
- Egyptologist guides and tour leaders
- A 30-minute camel ride
The value comes from bundling costly pieces: domestic-style long-distance transport by train, a Nile cruise, private guiding, admissions, and airport transfers. Arranging all of this independently can take time, especially when you need to coordinate Cairo, Aswan, Abu Simbel, cruise boarding, Luxor, and the return train.
Still, all inclusive has limits here. Egypt’s visa is not included, and the hot-air-balloon ride in Luxor is optional. Abu Simbel needs special clarification because it is described both as a planned visit and as an optional tour. Also confirm whether meals on the cruise include drinks beyond bottled water.
Guides, shopping stops, and the practical feel
The private format is one of the strongest parts of the experience. Your Egyptologist can explain a relief at the moment you are looking at it, answer questions without holding up a bus group, and adjust the amount of detail to your interests. The guide’s quality will shape your experience more than the hotel’s star rating.
Communication before arrival may be uneven, so send passport photocopies for every person as requested and keep written confirmation of the schedule, hotels, train cabins, and cruise name. Once in Egypt, the listed plan provides airport reception and ongoing transfers, which should make the trip easier to follow.
Shopping stops can also affect your day. Jewelry and essential-oil shops may be included in the guiding routine, but prices can be higher than expected. You are not required to buy anything, so treat these stops as optional browsing and compare prices before committing.
The food receives strong praise in the supplied feedback, and meals are included in useful quantities. Still, individual tastes vary, and the exact menus are not specified. Bottled water is included, which is practical during long sightseeing days.
Who should book this Egypt tour?
I would recommend this package to you if you want the major ancient sites with minimal planning, prefer a private group, and like the idea of combining hotels, trains, and a Nile cruise. It suits first-time visitors who want a clear route and a guide at the monuments.
It is less suitable if you dislike early starts, overnight trains, long drives, or changing accommodation. It may also disappoint you if you expect every Egyptian 5-star property to match a luxury hotel in Europe or North America.
Ask these questions before booking:
- Is Abu Simbel included in the $1,400 price?
- Which exact Cairo hotel will be used?
- Is the Aswan hotel definitely Golden Tulip Aswan?
- Is the cruise definitely Blue Shadow or a comparable ship?
- What are the sleeper-train cabin arrangements?
- Are all entrance fees for the listed sites included?
Because the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed after purchase, these details matter. The package is a strong fit for a short, site-heavy first visit, but it rewards careful confirmation before you commit.
Should you book it?
Book this tour if convenience, private guiding, and a packed route matter more to you than slow mornings and luxury consistency. The pyramids, Abu Simbel, Philae, Edfu, Karnak, and the Valley of the Kings make an impressive collection, and the Nile cruise provides welcome breathing space between demanding sightseeing days.
I would hold off only if the provider cannot clarify Abu Simbel and the exact accommodation. With those points confirmed, $1,400 can represent solid value for a private Egypt trip that handles the hard connections for you.
FAQ
How long is the tour?
The experience lasts approximately nine days and includes eight nights.
Is this a private tour?
Yes. Only your group participates in the private tour or activity.
Are airport transfers included?
Yes. Pickup is offered, and the program includes an airport meeting service and private transfers.
Is the Nile cruise included?
Yes. The package includes three nights on a 5-star deluxe Nile cruise from Aswan toward Luxor, with full-board meals.
Are meals included?
Yes. The package lists eight breakfasts, six lunches, and five dinners. Hotel stays are on a bed-and-breakfast basis, sleeper trains are listed as half board, and the Nile cruise is full board.
Is the Egypt visa included?
No. The visa to Egypt is not included. The hot-air-balloon ride is also optional, and you should confirm the separate status and cost of Abu Simbel before booking.
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