From: $1725

A tourist rides a camel guided by a bedouin in the Giza desert, with the colossal The Egypt Pyramids Khafre and Cheops rising dramatically in the background under a vivid sky.

A large, multi-deck river boat is Cruising on the Nile near to Luxor, with green palms lining the riverbank and the rocky, tan-colored sahara desert mountains rising in the background.

A group of massive, wind-eroded, white chalk rock formations standing like sculptures in the sandy, desolate landscape of the White Desert National Park in Egypt under a bright blue sky.

The Obelisk of Ramesses II standing in front of the grand entrance to the Luxor Temple, a prominent landmark in Egypt.

A Girl poses in the desert with her hand near her lips, appearing to Kiss the small Sphinx statue at Giza, with a large pyramid in the background.

A Young Tourist Child stands outside the modern, geometric facade of The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) and is Taking Selfie with a smartphone.

A colossal, ancient Egyptian statue of Pharaoh Ramses II, standing tall in the modern, soaring atrium Inside Gem Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in Giza.

Tourists Enjoing the beauty of Egypt with a camera on the deck of a Nile River Cruise boat, overlooking palm trees and the river.

Low-angle view of the towering, carved columns of the Hypostyle Hall in Karnak Temple, Egypt, showing the detailed hieroglyphs and architecture against a blue sky.

A tourist sits at the base of one of the colossal, carved Temple of Karnak Columns in Luxor, Egypt, gazing up at the ancient Hieroglyphics.

A wide, straight pathway lined with rows of Sphinx statues (the kebash Way), leading between the massive mud-brick pylons of the Karnak Temple under a bright blue sky.

The weathered stone statues and monumental pylons marking the entrance to the Ruins Of Karnak Temple in Luxor, Egypt, under a clear blue sky.

Queen Hatshepsut Temple nestled dramatically beneath cliffs near the Valley of the Kings

Colossal statues of Pharaoh Hatshepsut line the elevated terrace of the stepped Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut in Luxor, Egypt, seen under a dramatic orange sky.

Tourists walk through the vibrant, colorfully painted corridor of the Tomb of Ramesses III in the Valley of the Kings

An interior view of an ancient Egyptian tomb showing brightly Painted Walls and Entrance to a Tomb in the Valley of the Kings, with a large winged deity dominating the arched ceiling mural.

Hot air balloon flight over ancient Egyptian Colossi of Memnon Luxor sunrise photography

An aerial View of the two massive, seated statues known as the Colossi of Memnon in Luxor, Egypt, standing alongside a busy road.

The colossal entrance pylons of Edfu Temple, which is Dedicated to Horus God in Egypt, featuring massive carved reliefs and a central doorway.

The impressive Hypostyle Hall inside the Edfu Temple, featuring towering columns adorned with intricate carvings and illuminated by soft lighting.

The illuminated inner pathway of Kom Ombo Temple at Night, with tall, carved walls glowing brightly under warm lighting in Egypt.

A woman closely examining the detailed hieroglyphic carvings on a wall inside the Kom Ombo Temple.

Colossal statues of Ramses II at the majestic Abu Simbel Temple Egypt UNESCO World Heritage Site

Tourists stand in the sandy courtyard in front of the carved rock facade of the Temple of Queen Nefertari at Abu Simbel, Aswan, Egypt.

The Aswan High Dam, showing the hydroelectric power station building and the turbulent water flowing from the dam into the Nile River.

An exterior view of the Philae Temple, showing its majestic pylon with intricate carvings and the surrounding colonnade.

A tourist takes a picture of the Unfinished Obelisk, still embedded in the granite quarry, showing a massive, partially carved stone monument.

Tourists walking around the Unfinished Obelisk in Aswan, a massive stone carving still attached to its quarry.

Image of a Tourist standing triumphantly amidst the unique chalk formations of the White Desert National Park, representing an inspiring Egypt Desert Adventure Tour

Tall, brilliant white chalk rock formations, shaped by wind erosion, stand against a clear blue sky in the White Desert, Baharia Oasis.

Three 4x4 jeeps parked among the white chalk formations of the White Desert in Bahariya, Egypt.

A close-up view of large, jagged crystals protruding from the earth at Crystal Mountain in the White Desert National Park, Libyan Desert, set against a backdrop of sandy hills and a blue sky.

Close-up of a large, clear crystal formation on the sandy ground of the White Desert, Egypt.

A wide Panorama of El Agabat Valley in the White Desert, showing large reddish and white rock formations against a sky with dramatic clouds.

Tour Details

Duration	10 Days / 9 Nights
Tour Location	Cairo / Luxor / Aswan / Abu Simbel / Bahariya Oasis / White Desert / Black Desert
Tour Type	Daily Tour
Pickup	Cairo International Airport

Nile Cruise, Cairo and Sahara Desert Safari in One Trip

This 10-day Cairo, Nile cruise, and Sahara adventure tour is one of the most immersive Egypt itineraries by Tripidays covers Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and Abu Simbel on a private Nile cruise, then continues overland into the Sahara's Bahariya Oasis and Black Desert for a two-day desert safari and overnight camp. Egypt's only 10-day tour that combines a Nile cruise with the Sahara's Bahariya Black Desert delivers two bucket-list experiences in one trip without splitting them across separate bookings.

The itinerary moves in sequence from Egypt's ancient monuments to its desert interior. Day 2 covers the Giza Pyramids, the Great Sphinx, the Valley Temple of Khafre, and the Grand Egyptian Museum before an evening flight south to Luxor. Days 3 and 4 take in the Karnak Temple Complex, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, and the Colossi of Memnon on both banks of the Nile. Day 5 sails to the Temple of Horus at Edfu and the Kom Ombo Temple before reaching Aswan. Day 6 is a dedicated excursion to Abu Simbel, the Great Temple of Ramses II, and the Temple of Queen Nefertari. Day 7 covers Aswan's Philae Temple, the High Dam, and the Unfinished Obelisk before a flight back to Cairo. Days 8 and 9 leave the river entirely: a Toyota Land Cruiser takes you into Black Desert, Crystal Mountain, the Agabat Valley sandboarding area, and the sculpted formations of the White Desert, with a night spent camping under the Sahara sky.

Why Book This Tour

Egypt's only 10-day Nile cruise + Sahara Black Desert combo
Private Egyptologist guide throughout the entire journey
4 nights Cairo hotel + 4 nights at a Nile cruise
1 night Sahara desert camping with Bedouin dinner
Domestic flights included: Cairo–Luxor & Aswan–Cairo
All entrance fees included across all destinations
Private transfers with Toyota Land Cruiser for desert safari
Fully customizable itinerary
24/7 trip support

Included

Meet and assist with the Tripidays representative at the Cairo airport
4 Nights of accommodation in Cairo hotel
4 Nights of accommodation on a Nile cruise
One night camping in the desert on full board
Domestic Flights Cairo → Luxor, Aswan → Cairo
Meals are mentioned in the itinerary
Private Egyptologist guide for all sightseeing in the Itinerary
All transfers in modern, private, air-conditioned vehicles
Entrance fees to all attractions listed in the itinerary
One bottled water throughout all guided tours
Our assistance during your stay
All Taxes and Charges

Excluded

International flights to and from Egypt
Egypt entry visa fees
Travel insurance coverage
Personal expenses (souvenirs, drinks, extra meals)
Tips for guides, drivers, and cruise staff
Optional upgrades or add-ons not specified in the itinerary

Highlights

Luxor Attractions

The Valley of the Kings
Karnak Temple
Luxor Temple
Hatshepsut Temple
Colossi of Memnon

Aswan Attractions

Abu Simbel Temples
The High Dam
Philae Temple
The Unfinished Obelisk
Kom Ombo Temple
Edfu Temple

Cairo Attractions

The Giza Pyramids
The Great Sphinx
The Valley Temple
Grand Egyptian Museum

Bahariya Attractions

White Desert
Black Desert
Crystal Mountain
Bedouin Village El Hez Shower

Itinerary

After breakfast, your private guide collects you for a full day on the Giza Plateau, followed by an evening flight to Luxor, where your Nile cruise begins.
The Great Pyramids
Discover the majestic Great Pyramids of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient Egyptian World. Walk in the footsteps of pharaohs and marvel at these timeless structures that define Egypt’s legacy.
The Great Sphinx
Continue to the monumental limestone statue in Giza, Egypt, believed to have been built during the reign of Pharaoh Khafre around 2500 BCE. With the body of a lion and the head of a human, it symbolizes strength and wisdom.
The Valley Temple
You'll enter a structure built from 100-tonne granite and limestone blocks, used by priests for the mummification rituals of the pharaoh whose pyramid stands directly above. The silence inside is disorienting, given how close the crowds are outside.
Grand Egyptian Museum
Your guide will walk you through galleries holding over 100,000 artifacts, including the complete treasures from Tutankhamun's tomb displayed together for the first time. The atrium built around a 3,200-year-old standing colossus of Ramses II gives you the scale of what's inside before you've seen a single exhibit.

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast, your transfer takes you to Cairo Airport for your flight to Luxor. On arrival, you board your Nile cruise, your base for the next four nights on this Cairo Nile cruise and Sahara adventure tour.
Karnak Temple Visit
Begin your Luxor journey at the East bank of the Nile with the Karnak Temple Complex, a monumental site filled with towering columns and sacred inscriptions. It’s one of Egypt’s most impressive ancient wonders.
Luxor Temple Tour
Visit the Luxor Temple. From the outside, it looks like it belongs to one ruler. Inside, your guide will show you additions from Amenhotep III, Ramses II, and a Roman chapel built directly over the ancient sanctuary. The avenue of sphinxes, leading to the entrance, stretched 3 kilometers when it was intact.

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast on board, your guide takes you across the Nile to the West Bank, where the pharaohs built their tombs deliberately separate from the temples of the living.
Hatshepsut Temple Tour
You'll approach across open desert, and the three colonnaded terraces rising into the cliffside take a moment to process. She ruled Egypt for over 20 years, and this mortuary temple, constructed around 1479 BCE, was her architectural statement of legitimacy.
Valley of the Kings Tour
Explore the Valley of the Kings, and your guide will take you into tombs where ceiling paintings are so vivid they read less like decoration and more like a complete illustrated map of the afterlife. More than 60 royal tombs are cut into this valley, including that of Tutankhamun, whose quartzite sarcophagus remains in place.
Colossi of Memnon Visit
Stop by the monumental Colossi of Memnon, look up at two seated figures rising 18 meters from the plain with nothing behind them but open sky and distant cliffs. They are all that remains above ground of what was once the largest mortuary temple ever built in Egypt.

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Breakfast on board as the cruise sails south toward Edfu. The desert escarpment closes in on both banks. Here, your first visual preview of the landscape awaits the Sahara adventure tour days ahead.
Edfu Temple Visit
Take a horse drawn carriage to the Temple of Horus, one of Egypt’s best-preserved temples. Its detailed carvings narrate epic battles between gods.
Kom Ombo Temple Visit
Visit the Kom Ombo Temple, uniquely dedicated to two gods, Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus, the falcon.

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
An early departure from the cruise takes you south by road for the excursion that anchors the Nile leg of this Cairo, Nile cruise, and Sahara adventure tour, Abu Simbel, the twin temples Ramses II cut directly into a sandstone cliff above what is now Lake Nasser.
Abu Simbel Temple Visit
Carved directly into the mountain by Ramses II, these temples are a symbol of eternal power and artistry. They’re also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering unforgettable moments for your 10-day Egypt adventure tour with the sahara.

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, you disembark the cruise in Aswan for a half-day of sightseeing, then fly back to Cairo. Tonight is your last night in a city hotel before the desert section of this 10-day Cairo, Nile cruise, and Sahara adventure tour begins.
High Dam Tour
Visit the modern marvel of the Aswan High Dam, your guide will take you to the observation point where the full scope becomes visible: a 3.6-kilometer structure holding back Lake Nasser, the world's largest artificial reservoir. When it was completed in 1970, it ended the annual Nile flood that had governed Egyptian agriculture for 7,000 years.
Philae Temples Tour
A short motorboat ride brings you to Isis's island sanctuary, relocated stone by stone after the High Dam raised the water around its original site. You'll arrive the way ancient pilgrims did by water, and the approach from the river is the best angle the temple has. Travellers interested in extending the southern Nile experience beyond Aswan and Abu Simbel may also consider the Lake Nasser Nubian dual cruise, which continues into the lesser-visited temples and landscapes surrounding Lake Nasser.
Visit the Unfinished Obelisk
Your guide will show you a single piece of granite still attached to the quarry floor: 42 meters long and approximately 1,200 tons, abandoned when a crack appeared mid-carving. It tells you more about how ancient Egyptians worked stone than any finished monument does.

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast, your guide and Toyota Land Cruiser head southwest from Cairo into the Western Desert. This is where the Cairo Nile cruise and Sahara adventure tour shifts completely from the river to the open Sahara, from ancient temples to the raw geology of the Bahariya Oasis. Travelers wanting a deeper Sahara extension beyond Bahariya can also explore the western desert Siwa Oasis safari in Egypt, expanding the journey farther west into Siwa Oasis for a broader desert expedition experience across Egypt's remote landscapes.
Bahariya Oasis
Your journey begins with a ride in a Toyota Land Cruiser to explore the Black Desert and the Bedouin Village of El Hez Shower. From there, you’ll continue to the mesmerizing Crystal Mountain before heading to the Agabat Area, also known as "The Wonders Area," where you can experience the thrill of sandboarding. The adventure ends with a visit to the enchanting Old White Desert, featuring remarkable sites such as Mushroom Rock, Tants Valley, the Panorama of the Old White Desert, and the captivating Flower Stone.

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Wake before dawn, this is the moment the Bahariya Oasis, Egypt, adventure tour earns its place in the itinerary. After sunrise, a natural hot spring refreshes you before the Land Cruiser takes you back to Cairo.

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Breakfast at the hotel, checkout, and a private transfer to Cairo International Airport for your departure flight.
Departure
As you fly home, carry with you memories of the 10-day Cairo Nile cruise and Sahara adventure tour that combined the best of Egypt, the magic of Cairo, the timeless beauty of the Nile, and the endless charm of the Sahara. For visitors focused entirely on Egypt's pharaonic highlights and river journey, a classic Nile cruise without desert offers a more traditional route centered on Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and the Nile Valley without the overland Sahara component.

Meals
Breakfast

Notes:

* You can let us know if you'd like to customize your tour itinerary to meet your needs. We value your input and aim to accommodate your requirements.

* Nile Cruise itinerary maybe changed without prior notice due to navigational and security restrictions. The itinerary may change in sequence but not in visits.

Frequently Asked Questions

This tour includes 4 nights in a Cairo hotel, 4 nights aboard a Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan, 1 night in the Sahara desert camping with Bedouin dinner, domestic flights (Cairo–Luxor and Aswan–Cairo), a private Egyptologist guide, all entrance fees, and all transfers, including a Toyota Land Cruiser for the desert safari. Breakfast is included daily; lunch and dinner are included on the cruise and at the desert camp.

This is Egypt's only 10-day tour that combines a complete Nile cruise, Luxor, Aswan, and Abu Simbel with a fully guided overnight Sahara safari into the Bahariya Black Desert and White Desert. No other Cairo, Nile cruise, and Sahara adventure tour packages both legs as dedicated multi-day components with the same private Egyptologist throughout.

Your guide takes you by Toyota Land Cruiser through the Black Desert, Crystal Mountain, Agabat Valley (with sandboarding), and the White Desert formations, Mushroom Rock, Tanta Valley, and Flower Stone before a Bedouin campfire dinner and an overnight stay under the Sahara sky. The following morning, you watch the sunrise over the White Desert and visit a natural hot spring before returning to Cairo.

The cruise boards in Luxor on Day 3 and sails to Aswan over four nights, stopping at Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, the Colossi of Memnon, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, and Kom Ombo Temple, with a dedicated day excursion to Abu Simbel on Day 6. The cruise disembarks in Aswan on Day 7.

Yes. The Cairo to Luxor flight on Day 3 and the Aswan to Cairo flight on Day 7 are both included in the tour price. All ground transfers are also arranged by Tripidays in private air-conditioned vehicles.