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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Grand Tour of Egypt & Five-Star Nile Cruise

Twelve-day Egypt tour with Nile cruise, pyramids, temples, Abu Simbel

Illustration of Grand Tour of Egypt & Five-Star Nile Cruise

Great Rail Journeys' 12-day Grand Tour of Egypt combines rail travel, five-star accommodation, and a luxury Nile cruise into one comprehensive escorted journey. The tour departs London Heathrow and travels by First Class rail to Alexandria, then by AC Class rail to Luxor before boarding MS Mövenpick Sunray for a four-night cruise to Aswan. A specialist Egyptologist guide accompanies the group throughout, leading visits to the Great Pyramids and Sphinx, the Valley of the Kings, Karnak and Luxor temples on the east bank, the temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo, and the twin temples of Abu Simbel at Lake Nasser. The itinerary also includes Cairo's Great Egyptian Museum, the Coptic Museum, and the catacombs and monuments of Alexandria. Days balance active sightseeing with leisure time aboard the cruise ship, making this tour suited to history-lovers and luxury-seekers who prefer the structure and expertise of an escorted group.

What to know before you look closer

  • Single supplement is GBP 1,750 (priceSingleFrom GBP 6,349), significantly more than half the double rate; verify the latest single pricing when booking
  • Group size capped at 30 passengers
  • Travel insurance is not included and must be purchased separately

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Cairo Sheraton, Cairo

    Flying directly from London to Cairo

    Your journey begins at London Heathrow as you meet the Tour Manager and the rest of the group before boarding a direct flight to Cairo. On arrival, transfer to the five-star Cairo Sheraton, a modern riverfront hotel. Over dinner, meet the specialist Egyptologist guide who will guide throughout the holiday.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Four Seasons, Alexandria

    Reaching the historic port city of Alexandria

    After an early breakfast, travel by First Class rail to Alexandria. Sightseeing tour includes the ancient catacombs, Alexandria lighthouse, Roman theatre and Pompey's Pillar. Lunch at a restaurant overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Visit the Library of Alexandria. Afternoon and evening free.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  3. Day 3overnight: Crowne Plaza, West Cairo

    El Alamein & Wadi El-Natrun en route to Cairo

    Depart Alexandria and drive to the El Alamein battlefield, one of the significant British victories of World War Two. Continue to Wadi El-Natrun, a desert valley with 12 lakes and a fascinating history including its role in mummification and as a Christian monastic sanctuary. Arrive in Cairo and transfer to the five-star hotel in West Cairo near the Great Pyramids. Evening at leisure.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4overnight: Crowne Plaza, West Cairo

    The Great Pyramids and Sphinx

    Full day touring Egypt's pyramids, Cairo and the Great Egyptian Museum. Visit the Great Pyramid of Giza (oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World), the Great Sphinx, and the new Great Egyptian Museum – the largest archaeological museum in the world, housing the entire Tutankhamun collection. Afternoon transfer back to hotel; evening at leisure.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5railovernight: Sonesta St George Hotel, Luxor

    By rail from Cairo to Luxor

    Early breakfast then embark on a train journey through the heart of Egypt from Cairo to Luxor in Upper Egypt, arriving in the evening. Picnic lunch provided on board. Check into the five-star hotel on the east bank of the Nile.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  6. Day 6overnight: MS Mövenpick Sunray (Nile Cruise)

    Ancient Karnak and the temples of Luxor

    Transfer from hotel to the five-star cruise ship MS Mövenpick Sunray. After lunch, explore the East Bank of the Nile: the ancient Karnak Temple complex (largest of its kind in Egypt) and the striking Luxor Temple built by Amenhotep III and Ramesses II, featuring the Avenue of Sphinxes. Return to ship for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: MS Mövenpick Sunray (Nile Cruise)

    Uncovering the Valley of the Kings & Queens

    Relaxing morning cruising the Nile. After lunch on board, disembark to explore the West Bank by coach: guided tour of the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, and the Seti I Tomb (entrance included). Return to ship for dinner, then set sail overnight to Edfu via Esna.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 8overnight: MS Mövenpick Sunray (Nile Cruise)

    Edfu and Kom Ombo Temples

    Arrive in Edfu and tour the Temple of Edfu (Temple of Horus), the second largest and one of Egypt's best preserved temples, uncovered by French archaeologist Auguste Mariette in the 1860s. Return to ship for lunch. Afternoon excursion to the symmetrical Kom Ombo double temple. Relax on deck before dinner on board.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  9. Day 9overnight: MS Mövenpick Sunray (Nile Cruise)

    Aswan High Dam & Philae Temple

    Sail to Aswan during breakfast. After lunch, tour the Aswan High Dam, Philae Temple (dedicated to the cult of Isis) and the Unfinished Obelisk. Board a traditional felucca for a relaxing trip to Kitchener Island. Return to ship for a final dinner on board.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  10. Day 10overnight: Cairo Sheraton, Cairo

    The magnificent twin temples of Abu Simbel

    Early departure from the cruise ship for a short flight directly to Abu Simbel. Visit the colossal twin temples on Lake Nasser, carved during the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses II and rescued from destruction in 1963 by UNESCO. Fly back to Cairo and transfer by coach to the first hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast

  11. Day 11overnight: Cairo Sheraton, Cairo

    A full day guided tour of Cairo

    Guided tour of Cairo including the Coptic Museum (world's largest collection of Coptic Christian artefacts), the Coptic Hanging Church (Suspended Church) and the Jewish Synagogue. Afternoon at leisure. Evening coach transfer to a restaurant overlooking the Nile for a final dinner with the group and Egyptologist guide.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  12. Day 12

    Homeward bound

    After an early breakfast, transfer to Cairo's international airport for the direct flight back to London Heathrow.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2First Class rail journey from Cairo to Alexandria, followed by sightseeing that includes the ancient catacombs, Roman theatre, and Pompey's Pillar
  • Day 4Full-day tour of the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Great Sphinx, and the Great Egyptian Museum housing the complete Tutankhamun collection
  • Day 7West Bank excursion to the Valley of the Kings, Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, and Seti I Tomb during a Nile cruise from Luxor
  • Day 10Short flight from Aswan to Abu Simbel to visit the twin temples of Pharaoh Ramesses II on Lake Nasser, relocated by UNESCO in 1963

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 7 nights' five-star hotel accommodation
  • 4-night cruise onboard MS Mövenpick Sunray
  • AC Class rail travel
  • All rail, ferry and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Direct return flights from London Heathrow to Cairo
  • All internal flights (including flight to/from Abu Simbel)
  • Breakfast each day
  • 6 lunches
  • 6 dinners
  • All guided tours and excursions
  • Entrance to the Great Egyptian Museum
  • Entrance to the Seti I Tomb

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

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Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes First Class rail from Cairo to Alexandria and AC Class rail from Cairo to Luxor, plus all internal coach, ferry, and flight travel
What accommodation is provided?
Seven nights in five-star hotels: Cairo Sheraton (2 nights), Four Seasons Alexandria (1 night), Crowne Plaza West Cairo (2 nights), and Sonesta St George Hotel Luxor (1 night), plus four nights aboard MS Mövenpick Sunray cruise ship
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
Fully escorted. A UK Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout, and a specialist Egyptologist guide leads all sightseeing and cultural tours
Which trains are used?
First Class rail service on the Cairo to Alexandria route and AC Class rail service on the Cairo to Luxor route
When does the tour run?
Seven departures are scheduled: October, November, and January 2026; April, September, October, and November 2027
What is included in the price?
Accommodation, all rail and internal flights, breakfast daily, six lunches, six dinners, all guided tours, museum and temple entrances, and the services of a Tour Manager and Egyptologist guide

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