- Take a Nile River cruise from Luxor to Aswan over 4 nights aboard Jaz Crown Prince
- Tour the legendary Pyramids of Giza
- Come face to face with the Great Sphinx
- Explore the Valley of the Kings
- Visit the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) and see the full King Tutankhamun collection on display for the first time
- Enjoy a trip to Abu Simbel (optional and at an additional cost)
Ancient Egypt and the Nile River Cruise
Highlights
Take an Egypt tour and Nile River cruise to discover the beauty and wonders of the ancient world. See some of the most recognizable monuments on Earth—from pyramids to towering temples and opulent tombs. All of Egypt’s must-see sites are included on this unforgettable journey.
Marvel at untold cultural and historical treasures in Cairo, the epicenter of Ancient Egyptian architecture and monuments. Nothing can prepare you for the awe-inspiring sight of the Pyramids of Giza, the ultimate display of ancient power, wealth, and ingenuity. Nearby, the Sphinx lounges in stoic mystery, carved over 4,000 years ago into the bedrock of the Giza Plateau.
Guests traveling in 2026 will explore the newly unveiled Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), the largest archaeological museum complex in the world, set beside the Pyramids of Giza. For the first time, the complete King Tut collection will be on display, along with over 100,000 artifacts spanning thousands of years.
From Luxor, your Nile River Cruise winds past desert vistas, bustling communities, and breathtaking ancient wonders. Colossal statues stand guard over lavish temples, each one uniquely magnificent. Stops include the terraced Temple of Hatshepsut and the towering Colossi of Memnon in the legendary Valley of the Kings. Hidden beneath the sands of the Theban Necropolis, the royal tombs are carved deep into limestone and filled with treasures to support the Egyptian elite through the afterlife.
After the cruise, you’ll return to Cairo with additional time to explore, or you may choose an optional excursion to Abu Simbel to witness the incredible twin temples built in honor of Pharaoh Ramesses II and Queen Nefertari.
What Guests are Saying
Very Active
Designed for travelers seeking an immersive, fast-paced experience.
Walking distances often exceed 2 miles per day, with frequent movement between locations.
Long travel days, multiple hotel changes, and early morning departures.
Many sites feature stairs, rugged terrain, or inclines requiring a good level of mobility.
Limited leisure time; itineraries are packed with sightseeing and exploration.
Not suitable for wheelchair users or those who require walking aids.
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Tour Includes
1 Country
- Egypt
Locations Visited
- Cairo
- Nile River
- Pyramids of Giza
- Sphinx
- Memphis
- Saqqara
- Grand Egyptian Museum
- Luxor
- Edfu
- Kom Ombo Temple
- Aswan
Cruise Accommodations
- 4 nights
- River cruise aboard the Jaz Crown Prince
Hotel Accommodations
- 5 nights
- Moderate hotels based on twin/double occupancy
Meals
- All meals onboard ship
- 5 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 5 dinners on land portion
Service
- An English-speaking Egyptologist who is knowledgeable about the history of Egypt will provide you with a wealth of information. Their friendly service will make your trip a memorable experience.
Baggage Handling
- To and from your hotel room and cruise ship cabin throughout your tour for one piece of checked baggage per person.
Passports and Visas:
- U.S. citizens must have a visa to enter Egypt.
- U.S. citizens can obtain a renewable single-entry 30-day tourist visa on arrival at Egyptian airports for a 25 USD fee. A multiple entry visa is also obtainable for 27 USD. The Government of Egypt has created a website for the issuance of “e-visas.” There are other websites purporting to offer electronic visas, some of which reportedly charge double the official price, but this is the only official Government of Egypt portal for this service.
- U.S. citizens and the citizens of 44 other countries are eligible to apply through this means in advance of their travel. Egyptian immigration officials occasionally have denied entry to travelers without explanation.
- U.S. citizens who have experienced difficulty with their visa status in Egypt or are concerned about their eligibility for a visa upon arrival should apply for a visa at an Egyptian embassy or consulate prior to travel, but a visa obtained prior to entry does not guarantee admission to Egypt.
- Guests who booked their flight with YMT Vacations will be met by a friendly representative at the airport, who will help obtain a tourist visa required to enter Egypt.
Tour Starts:
Cairo, Egypt
Tour Ends:
Cairo, Egypt
Day 1
Depart for Cairo, Egypt
Your journey begins on an overnight flight.
Note: Pre-night hotel accommodation is available and recommended due to late flights into Cairo. If you choose this option, Cairo airport to hotel transfers will also be included.
Day 2
Arrive in Cairo, Egypt
Guests who booked their flight with YMT Vacations will be met by a friendly representative at the airport, who will help obtain a tourist visa required to enter Egypt and transfer you to the hotel. Meet your fellow guests tonight at an included dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Dinner
Steigenberger El Tahrir Cairo Hotel or similar
Day 3
Cairo, Pyramids of Giza, Sphinx, Memphis, and Saqqara
Begin at the Pyramids of Giza, the ultimate display of the power, wealth, and brilliance of ancient Egypt. The Great Pyramid is the only remaining Wonder of the Ancient World. Next to the pyramids lies the mysterious Sphinx. The statue was cut from the bedrock of the Giza Plateau in honor of the sun god and Pharaoh Khafre in the 25th century BCE.
Continue to the ancient capital city of Memphis to see ruins of temples, ancient statues, and the 30-foot-tall Colossus of Ramesses II. Finally, visit Saqqara, Egypt’s largest archaeological site. Here you will discover 11 pyramids.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Steigenberger El Tahrir Cairo Hotel or similar
Add-On: Pyramids Sound and Light Show
Day 4
Cairo & Grand Egyptian Museum
Visit the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), a state-of-the-art facility set against the iconic Giza Pyramids. Believed to be the largest archaeological museum complex in the world, GEM offers an unprecedented opportunity to view the entire treasure collection of King Tutankhamun on display for the first time. With over 100,000 artifacts spanning thousands of years, the museum brings Egypt’s rich history to life like never before.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Steigenberger El Tahrir Cairo Hotel or similar
Day 5
Fly to Luxor and Embarkation on the Nile River
After an included flight to Luxor, embark on your Nile cruise. Visit the massive temple complex of Karnak. The centerpiece of the site is the Temple of Amun-Ra, most famous for its vast Hypostyle Hall, a spectacular forest of giant papyrus-shaped columns constructed during the reign of Seti I. Discover the preserved Temple of Luxor. As you enter the temple, you’ll pass six massive statues of Ramesses II and a granite obelisk.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Add-On:Beverage Package on Nile River Cruise (through the duration of the cruise)
Day 6
Luxor and Edfu via Esna (Depart at 1:00PM)
At the edge of the desert, just beyond the lush Nile floodplain, lies the Necropolis of Luxor. You will be welcomed to this archaeological goldmine by the Colossi of Memnon, twin statues of pharaoh Amenhotep III.
Continue to the Valley of the Kings, home of 63 magnificent royal tombs including the miraculously undisturbed tomb of King Tut.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7
Edfu, Kom Ombo & Aswan (Depart at 10:30 AM - Arrive at 5:00 PM in Aswan)
Start your day at Edfu Temple, an incredible hillside monument to the falcon god Horus. It was built in the classic golden era style and stands as the best-preserved temple in the Nile River Valley.
Continue to a beautiful temple complex perched grandly over a picturesque bend in the Nile. Guests are encouraged to wear a traditional loose-fitting robe, called a Galabeya, during this evening’s fun on-board soiree.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8
Leisure day in Aswan
Enjoy a leisure day on the ship or join us for the full day bus tour to Abu Simbel Temples at an additional cost.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Add-On: Abu Simbel Day Trip by Bus
Day 9
Disembark in Aswan and Fly to Cairo
This morning you will disembark the ship and then enjoy a visit to the High Dam. The dam created a reservoir that flooded much of the area, which forced ancient sites including Abu Simbel and the Temple of Philae to be relocated. Continue to the Temple of Philae, erected during the reign of Ptolemy II to honor Isis, Osiris, and Horus. Flanked by a duo of courtyards, the stunning Temple of Isis is renowned for its intricate carvings. Take an afternoon ride on a traditional Felucca sailboat. Watch a Nubian Show on the ship this evening to learn about the Nubian culture. Your flight to Cairo (included) departs later this afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Sonesta Hotel Tower & Casino Cairo Hotel or similar
Day 10
Cairo
Start your final day in Old Cairo. Visit the thousand-year-old churches of Coptic Cairo, then visit the dazzling National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. Discover civilizations and cultures stretching from prehistory to modern times, with exhibits focused on everything from the small moments of daily life through the preservation of one’s body in the face of death. End the trip with an included authentic Egyptian farewell lunch.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Sonesta Hotel Tower & Casino Cairo Hotel or similar
Day 11
Depart for Home
Meals: Breakfast
Note: Flights from Cairo to USA may be red eye flights, departing in early morning.
Please note that this is a proposed itinerary; the actual itinerary may vary due to season, special events, or weather. Hotels may differ depending on date. Because our tour arrangements are often made a year or more in advance, YMT Vacations reserves the right to alter the itinerary. Itinerary changes are made to improve your vacation experience, as well as respond to any unforeseen circumstances that mandate alterations. By their nature, all tour vacations involve a certain level of physical activity. While YMT tours have been designed with our guests in mind and are not physically demanding, this tour does include walking and periods of standing during the sightseeing visits. You will also encounter steps and some uneven ground along the way, particularly at older, historical sights. Please ask your Travel Consultant for more information.
YMT Vacations itineraries may contain suggestions for activities for your leisure time; these suggestions do not constitute a recommendation nor an endorsement of any specific service provider and the decision to participate in any such activities should be made independently.
Main Deck
These spacious and comfortable main deck cabins are air-conditioned and feature a host of modern amenities for your comfort. Take in sweeping views of the Nile through the panoramic windows. The configuration of staterooms may vary. Approximately 204 sq. ft.
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Upper Deck
These spacious and comfortable main deck cabins are air-conditioned and feature a host of modern amenities for your comfort. Take in sweeping views of the Nile through the panoramic windows at a higher vantage point. The configuration of staterooms may vary. Approximately 204 sq. ft.
Click to enlarge +
Jaz Crown Prince
View deck plans on the Jaz Cruises website. Content that you may read on Jaz Cruises website may not be applicable to your tour, please speak with a YMT Travel Consultant for clarification.
View Deck Plans
Reviews
YMT took excellent care of us on our vacation
YMT took excellent care of us on our vacation. They met us at the airport and explained everything very well to get us the Egyptian visa we needed. Then our Guide Sherif Fahmy was extraordinary. He was so knowledgeable and so calm in all situations. He made all of us feel special in the way he answered questions and guided us. He explained things clearly and made the already amazing country even more pleasurable than we could have imagined.
Excellent excellent excellent excellent excellent!!!!
YMT was there as we stepped off the plane when we arrived and YMT Vacations as we departed. Excellent care for our group. I cannot say enough good things about our guide Sherif dFahmy. Excellent excellent excellent excellent excellent!!!!
This was our 7th tour with YMT and one of our best
The Egypt tour was great! This was our 7th tour with YMT and one of our best. Our tour guide - Sharif - was by FAR, the best guide we have ever had.
We have been on 5 or 6 YMT trips
We have been on 5 or 6 YMT trips. We have gone to China, Alaska, Fall Colors, etc... WE have always had a great tour guides. The selected hotels and tour stops have been well researched. The pricing is reasonable, and the overall experiences were very memorable.
The trip through Egypt was absolutely incredible!
The trip through Egypt was absolutely incredible! All the people from Travco were reliable, attentive, delightful- especially Sherif Fahmy who is so knowledgeable, kind and attentive to all of us!!! We had so much fun and learned so much each day, it couldn’t have been any better!!!
The guide was outstanding.
The guide was outstanding. He was extremely knowledgeable, considerate, and patient! He was even able to take us places that were not on the itinerary
Our guide was absolutely fantastic!
Our guide was absolutely fantastic! He was 100% the best ever and made our trip better than expected.
Add-Ons
Make your vacation extra special by adding optional excursions to your tour. It’s a great opportunity to enhance your trip, these experiences slot seamlessly into your package, and we’ll take care of all the logistics for you. Remember that adding an optional experience might increase the overall activity level of the tour, so always keep that in mind when planning your trip.
Abu Simbel Full Day Trip By Bus
Enjoy a tour to Abu Simbel, considered one of the most iconic temples in Egypt. Abu Simbel is a historic site comprising two massive rock-cut temples, built to demonstrate the might of the Egyptian Empire. The complex is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the “Nubian Monuments”.
The twin temples were originally carved out of the mountainside in the 13th century BC, they serve as a lasting monument to the king Ramesses II, his wife Nefertari and his children can be seen in smaller figures by his feet. The complex was relocated in its entirety in 1968, to its current location. The relocation of the temples was necessary or they would have been submerged during the creation of Lake Nasser, the massive artificial water reservoir formed after the building of the Aswan High Dam on the River Nile.
Inclusions
- Full Day trip to Abu Simbel on a bus with a knowledgeable guide
- Included box lunch
Duration: Approx. 9 hours
Activity Level: Active
Price: $219 USD (2026)
Beverage Package on Nile River Cruise
Enjoy a wide selection of drinks as part of your Beverage Package while aboard the ship on the Nile River Cruise.
Inclusions
- All non-alcoholic beverages: mineral water, water, soft drinks, coffee, tea and juices
- Alcoholic beverages included: local beers, wines and spirits
Note: No beverages included on the Nile River Cruise, if you don’t avail of the package
Duration: 4 days (throughout the duration of the cruise)
Activity Level: Easy
Price: $225 USD (2026)
Pyramids Sound & Light Show
Thousands of years have passed since the pharaohs walked on earth, and the mystery behind these pyramids still endures. Step through a portal to ancient times, with the memorable Pyramids Sound and Light Show. The Sound Light show pyramids will take you on a journey thousands of years back, bringing the Egyptian legacy back to life!
Inclusions
Entrance to the Pyramids Sound & Light Show with round trip transportation
Duration: Approx. 3 Hours (Evening)
Activity Level: Moderate
Price: $75 USD (2026)
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