Egypt Short Breaks Itinerary: What to See in 3, 4, or 5 Days
November 19, 2025
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about Egypt Short Breaks Itinerary: What to See in 3, 4, or 5 Days
From:
$950
4.9
Tour Details
| Duration |
5 Days / 4 Nights |
|---|---|
| Tour Location |
Luxor / Edfu / Kom Ombo / Aswan |
| Tour Type |
Daily Tour |
| Pickup |
Cairo Airport or Your Hotel |
Magical 5 Day Nile Cruise From Cairo With Flights
This 5 day Nile cruise covers Cairo, Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Aswan in a single package. Domestic flights from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan to Cairo are included, so the journey starts and ends at Cairo Airport. Egypt's top ranked 5 day Nile cruise package that departs Cairo with domestic flights to Luxor and return included. For travelers seeking similar experiences, see our Nile River Cruise Holidays in Egypt.
Day 1 starts at Karnak and Luxor Temples on the East Bank before you board your 5-star cruise ship. Day 2 crosses to the West Bank for the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut, and the Colossi of Memnon, then the ship sails south through the Esna Lock. Day 3 visits the Temple of Edfu, dedicated to the falcon god Horus, and the dual deity Kom Ombo Temple, with its attached Crocodile Museum. Day 4 docks in Aswan for the High Dam, Philae Temple on Agilkia Island, the Unfinished Obelisk, and a felucca ride around Elephantine Island. Day 5 transfers you to Aswan Airport for the return flight to Cairo.
Why Book This Tour
- Top Rated 5 Day Nile Cruise from Cairo
- Domestic Flights Included on Both Legs
- Private Egyptologist Guide for All Sightseeing
- Entrance Fees to 10 Major Attractions Included
- Full Board Meals Throughout the Cruise
- Private Air Conditioned Transfers Included
- Customizable Itinerary & Cruise Upgrades Available
- 24/7 Tripidays Travel Support
Included
- Meet and assist with the Tripidays representative at the hotel or Cairo Airport
- 4 Nights of accommodations on a Cruise
- Meals are provided as mentioned in the itinerary
- Private licensed Egyptologist guide for all sightseeing days
- Private air-conditioned vehicle transfers
- Felucca ride on the Nile at Aswan
- Entrance fees to all attractions mentioned in the itinerary
- Domestic flight tickets Cairo → Luxor, Aswan → Cairo
- One bottle of water during the tours
- Our assistance during your stay
- All Taxes and Charges
Excluded
- International flights to and from Egypt
- Egypt entry visa
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses: souvenirs, items not listed in the itinerary, laundry
- Gratuities for guides, drivers, and cruise ship crew
- Optional Abu Simbel excursion from Aswan (available as a paid add-on — see FAQ)
- Alcoholic beverages and room service beyond included meals
- Optional cruise ship tier upgrades beyond standard
Highlights
Luxor Attractions
- The Valley of the Kings
- Karnak Temple
- Luxor Temple
- Hatshepsut Temple
- Colossi of Memnon
Aswan Attractions
- The High Dam
- Philae Temple
- Unfinished Obelisk
- Kom Ombo Temple
- Edfu Temple
Itinerary
Your Egyptologist guide meets you at Cairo Airport for the domestic flight to Luxor. On arrival, you board your cruise ship docked on the East Bank, your base for the next four nights. If you're exploring similar itineraries, you can also view all 5 day Egypt tour packages featuring Nile cruises, Cairo sightseeing, and Red Sea escapes. Travellers who prefer rail and road travel instead of domestic flights may also consider an overland Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan alternative that explores the same historic regions at a slower pace.
Karnak Temple
Start your adventure with a visit to the iconic Karnak Temple, one of the largest religious complexes ever built. Marvel at the majestic hypostyle halls, towering obelisks, and intricate hieroglyphics that have withstood the test of time. Our expert Egyptologist guide will reveal the rituals, legends, and architectural genius behind this awe-inspiring monument.
Luxor Temple
Your guide walks you through the Great Hypostyle Hall, 134 columns arranged in 16 rows, each column roughly 10 metres tall, built and decorated over more than 1,500 years by successive pharaohs. The sheer volume of the space is disorienting; it is the largest religious building ever constructed, and the density of carved detail on every surface has no parallel in Egypt.
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
After an early breakfast aboard, you cross the Nile to Luxor's West Bank. The ship then sails south through the Esna Lock toward Edfu.
Valley of the Kings
Explore the legendary Valley of the Kings, the royal burial ground of Egypt’s greatest pharaohs, including the famous tomb of King Tutankhamun. Walk through beautifully decorated tombs and admire vivid wall paintings that reveal ancient beliefs about the afterlife.
Hatshepsut Temple
Visit the magnificent Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, a striking architectural masterpiece built into the cliffs of Deir El-Bahari. Learn the inspiring story of Egypt’s most powerful female pharaoh and how her reign shaped one of the most remarkable periods in ancient Egyptian history.
Colossi of Memnon
Our final stop is at the Colossi of Memnon, two colossal statues that once guarded a grand mortuary temple. Discover the legends behind these iconic monuments and capture memorable photos of this timeless landmark.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The ship docks at Edfu in the morning. After visiting both temples, the cruise continues south toward Aswan, arriving by evening. Travellers seeking a more intimate sailing experience with fewer passengers may choose to upgrade to a dahabiya boutique cruise while exploring the Nile between Luxor and Aswan.
Edfu Temple
Visit the remarkably preserved Temple of Edfu, dedicated to Horus, the falcon headed god of protection and kingship. Walk through its monumental entrance, towering columns, and detailed reliefs, and know the religious rituals, legends, and historical importance of this impressive sanctuary.
Kom Ombo Temple
The temple is split exactly down the centre line, the left half dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god associated with the Nile's flood cycle, the right half to Horus the Elder, god of kingship. The dual-axis design is unique in Egypt. Walk through the small Crocodile Museum on the temple's north side, where 22 mummified crocodiles discovered during excavation are displayed alongside ancient ritual objects.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The ship docks in Aswan at dawn. This is the southernmost point of the cruise, where the Nile narrows between granite outcrops, and the pace of the city is noticeably quieter than in Luxor. Travellers with extra time in Aswan often choose to add Abu Simbel to your Nile cruise and visit the colossal temples of Ramses II before returning to Cairo.
High Dam
Visit the impressive Aswan High Dam, one of the greatest modern engineering achievements in Egypt. Learn how this monumental structure controls the flow of the Nile, protects Egypt from flooding, and generates vital hydroelectric power for the country.
Philae Temple
Discover the enchanting Temple of Isis, beautifully set on Agilkia Island and dedicated to the goddess Isis. Explore its elegant columns and detailed reliefs while your expert guide explains the temple’s religious significance and the remarkable international effort that saved it from flooding.
The Unfinished Obelisk
Still attached to the bedrock at Aswan's northern granite quarry, this obelisk was abandoned when a crack appeared during carving. If completed, it would have stood 42 metres tall and weighed approximately 1,200 tonnes. The tool marks and the method of extraction are visible in the rock face, making this the clearest illustration anywhere in Egypt of how obelisks were made.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After a final breakfast aboard, you check out and transfer to Aswan Airport for the domestic flight back to Cairo.
Departure
Flight back to Cairo with lasting memories of Egypt’s legendary temples, timeless landscapes, and an expertly guided Nile cruise experience.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The package includes domestic flights from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan to Cairo, 4 nights on a cruise ship, all meals, a private Egyptologist guide, entrance fees to 10 sites across Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Aswan, and all private transfers.
This is Egypt's top-ranked 5 day Nile cruise package that departs Cairo with domestic flights to Luxor, and return, including no other 5 day cruise in the cluster that combines a Cairo origin, two domestic flights, and full board accommodation across 10 monument sites.
The cruise sails from Luxor to Aswan over 4 nights: Day 1 boards in Luxor after East Bank temple visits, Day 2 passes through the Esna Lock toward Edfu, Day 3 visits Edfu and Kom Ombo before sailing south, and Day 4 docks in Aswan.
The ship departs Luxor after Day 1 sightseeing and arrives in Aswan by the evening of Day 3, a southward route of roughly 200 kilometres passing through the Esna navigational lock, with temple stops at Edfu and Kom Ombo on the way. You spend 4 nights aboard, waking each morning at a different docking point along the Upper Egypt riverbank.
Yes. The Cairo to Luxor flight on Day 1 and the Aswan to Cairo return flight on Day 5 are both included in the tour price. No additional arrangements are needed.
What to Pack
Hat
Backpack
Comfy Shoes
Powerbank
Medical Kit
Comfy Clothes
Sunglasses & Sunscreen
Personal Hygiene Products
Valid Passport For 6 Months
Tour Locations
Tour Prices
From Jan 2026 to Apr 2026
- Solo $1860
- 2 - 4 Pax $1260
- 5 - 8 Pax $1130
- 9 - 16 Pax $1110
From May 2026 to Sep 2026
- Solo $1580
- 2 - 4 Pax $1090
- 5 - 8 Pax $970
- 9 - 16 Pax $950
From Oct 2026 to Dec 2026
- Solo $1960
- 2 - 4 Pax $1310
- 5 - 8 Pax $1190
- 9 - 16 Pax $1170
Xmas 21 Dec - 7 Jan Easter 29 Mar - 11 Apr
- Solo $2390
- 2 - 4 Pax $1540
- 5 - 8 Pax $1410
- 9 - 16 Pax $1390
Cruises:
MS Royal Isadora – MS Blue Shadow II – MS Nile Style – MS Concerto Plus or similar
