How much does it cost?

From £4,499 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $6,077 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

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

Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Grand Tour of Egypt & Five-Star Nile Cruise

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

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.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has fallen £100 since 4 Jul, to £4,499.

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 3 of 5 points are a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

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

Day 1overnight: Cairo
Flying directly from London to Cairo
We meet the Tour Manager at London Heathrow and board a direct flight to Cairo, transferring to the five-star Cairo Sheraton for dinner and our first night.
Day 2railovernight: Alexandria
Reaching the historic port city of Alexandria
We travel by First Class rail to Alexandria for a sightseeing tour taking in the ancient catacombs, Pompey's Pillar and the Library of Alexandria.
Day 3overnight: West Cairo
El Alamein & Wadi El-Natrun enroute to Cairo
We visit the El Alamein battlefield and the desert village of Wadi El-Natrun before arriving at our five-star hotel in West Cairo.
Day 4overnight: West Cairo
The Great Pyramids and Sphinx
A full day touring the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Sphinx with an expert Egyptologist guide, concluding with the Great Egyptian Museum.
Day 5railovernight: Luxor
By rail from Cairo to Luxor
A train journey through Egypt from Cairo to Luxor with a picnic lunch provided, checking in to our five-star hotel on the east bank of the Nile.
Day 6overnight: Aboard the cruise ship
Ancient Karnak and the temples of Luxor
We transfer to our five-star cruise ship for the start of a four-night Nile cruise, visiting the Karnak Temple complex and Luxor Temple.
Day 7overnight: Aboard the cruise ship
Uncovering the Valley of the Kings & Queens
A day of cruising followed by a guided tour of the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and the Seti I Tomb, before sailing overnight to Edfu via Esna.
Day 8overnight: Aboard the cruise ship
Edfu and Kom Ombo Temples
A tour of the Temple of Edfu (Temple of Horus), then an afternoon excursion to the symmetrical double Temple of Kom Ombo.
Day 9overnight: Aboard the cruise ship
Aswan High Dam & Philae Temple
We sail to Aswan to tour the High Dam, Philae Temple and Unfinished Obelisk, followed by a felucca sailing trip to Kitchener Island.
Day 10overnight: Cairo
The magnificent twin temples of Abu Simbel
An early flight to Abu Simbel to visit the colossal twin temples on Lake Nasser, before flying back to Cairo and transferring to our hotel.
Day 11overnight: Cairo
A full day guided tour of Cairo
A guided tour of the Coptic Museum, the Suspended Church and the Jewish Synagogue, followed by a final dinner overlooking the Nile.
Day 12
Homeward bound
After an early breakfast we transfer to Cairo's international airport for our direct flight back to London Heathrow.

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

Tour Manager: expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
Accommodation: 7 nights' 5-Star hotel accommodation
Cruise: 4-night cruise onboard MS Movenpick Sunray
Transportation: AC Class rail travel; all rail, ferry and coach travel throughout your tour
Flights: direct return flights from London Heathrow to Cairo (usually early morning departure); all internal flights
Food & Drink: breakfast each day, 6 lunches, 6 dinners
Excursions & Entertainment: all guided tours and excursions

Not included

Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Also sold by

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Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £4,499 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $6,077 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
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