Discovery Passage

Good To Know

Read our full Essential Travel Information guide.

Trip Overview

Ten days, one country, told the way it should be — Cairo's monuments first, then Aswan's quiet, then the river carrying you home to Luxor.

Trip Highlights

Ten moments that turn a well-planned trip into the complete story of ancient Egypt.

• Giza & Saqqara: The Great Pyramids, the Great Sphinx, and the Step Pyramid of Djoser — the world's oldest large-scale stone monument.
• Grand Egyptian Museum: The complete Tutankhamun collection, shown together for the first time.
• Philae Temple by Boat: Reach the Temple of Isis on Agilkia Island by a short private boat crossing.
• Traditional Nubian Village: Meet local families and browse handicrafts in a Nubian village on the Nile's West Bank near Aswan.
• Abu Simbel ExcursionOptional — Additional Cost: Ramses the Great's colossal rock-cut temple near the Sudanese border.
• St. Simeon Monastery & Felucca Sail: A camel ride to the clifftop monastery above Aswan, then a felucca sail past Elephantine Island — found only on this itinerary.
• Kom Ombo's Twin Sanctuaries: A rare double temple, dedicated equally to Sobek and Horus, standing directly on the Nile's bank.
• Edfu by Horse-Drawn Carriage: Arrive at the best-preserved temple in Egypt the traditional way, from dock to entrance.
• Valley of the Kings: Descend into the tombs of New Kingdom pharaohs, cut deep into the Theban hills.
• Karnak & Luxor Temples: Walk the Hypostyle Hall's 134 towering columns and the colonnaded avenue linking Egypt's two grandest temples.

Trip Gallery

A glimpse of the landscapes, details, and moments that make this journey unforgettable.

Trip Route Map

The journey opens in Cairo with Giza, Saqqara and the Grand Egyptian Museum, then flies south to Aswan. The ship sails downstream from Aswan to Luxor, calling at Kom Ombo and Edfu along the way, with an optional excursion to Abu Simbel before departure — the reverse direction of COMETRA's Classic Nile Voyage, timed for a relaxed ten days overall.

Extensions

Ten days, however full, is still a chosen slice of a country that rewards more time than any itinerary can hold.

Upon request, we build pre- and post-trip extensions around your dates — shaped by where your journey starts, where it ends, and what's calling to you beyond it.

Pre-Trip Extension

Arrive a night or two before Day 1 and Cairo stops being a blur between flights. A day trip to Alexandria trades the desert for the Mediterranean coast; a private evening at the Sphinx Sound & Light Show puts Giza's monuments in a different kind of light entirely; or simply take the extra night to let jet lag settle before the itinerary asks anything of you. Tell us what you're drawn to, and we'll build the days around it.

Post-Trip Extension

The itinerary ends in Luxor, and it's a good place to slow down before flying home. A hot air balloon flight over the Valley of the Kings is the obvious extension — you've already walked among the tombs, now see them from above. Or trade temples for a few unhurried days on the Red Sea coast at Hurghada, a short flight away. However you'd like to close the journey, we'll shape it around you.

Optional Excursions

Not every unforgettable moment fits inside a fixed itinerary — these are the ones worth stepping outside it for.

This is a standard section included across all Cometra Travel trip plans, featuring excursions available at an additional cost. Your final itinerary may already include one or more of these experiences, depending on the services and arrangements confirmed in your final agreement with Cometra Travel. Any excursion included in your confirmed itinerary will therefore be considered part of your trip, even if it appears in this section.

Prices shown are indicative only and may vary depending on several factors, including the number of participants, season, and the style or level of service selected. For the most accurate pricing and availability, please contact Cometra Travel.

Each excursion includes the associated arrangements and expenses, including private transportation, an expert guide, entrance fees, gratuities, and applicable taxes, unless otherwise specified.

Hot Air Balloon Flight, Luxor

Rise before dawn for a hot-air balloon flight over Luxor, ascending gently above the Nile as the first light of day washes the ancient landscape in gold. From the quiet of the sky, watch the Valley of the Kings, temple ruins and fertile fields emerge below, with the Nile winding between the desert and green riverbanks. As the sun climbs higher, the monumental scale of ancient Thebes reveals itself from an extraordinary perspective — an unforgettable moment of stillness, beauty and discovery. Touch down after this serene flight and toast the morning with a refreshing drink before returning to your hotel, carrying with you a rare view of Luxor as few ever experience it.

Guide Price: $140 per person

Nubian-Style Dinner, Aswan

Glide by private motorboat through the Nile's gentle cataracts and sheltered islands, where timeless Nubian landscapes unfold around you and every turn offers a striking view. Step ashore in a riverside village and leave the familiar tourist paths behind, walking deeper into the community to discover a more intimate side of Nubian life. As evening settles over the Nile, join a local family in their home for an unhurried encounter with Nubian culture, traditions and warm hospitality. Share stories over a lovingly prepared homemade dinner, discovering the flavors and customs that have shaped life along this stretch of the river for generations. Then, beneath the evening sky, return by boat to your hotel, carrying with you a genuine connection to Nubia.

Guide Price: $40 per person

Calèche Ride, Luxor

Set out by traditional horse-drawn calèche through Luxor's lively streets and quieter neighbourhoods, experiencing the city at a relaxed, unhurried pace. Pass local markets, historic buildings and everyday scenes of life along the Nile, with time to pause for photographs and discover a side of Luxor beyond its ancient monuments. Enjoy the gentle rhythm of the horses and the charm of this timeless mode of transport before returning to your hotel or cruise, carrying a taste of authentic Luxor and its everyday life.

Guide Price: $35 per person

Visit Abu Simbel by Bus

Leave Aswan in the early morning with a freshly prepared breakfast box for the journey south through the Nubian desert. After around 3.5 hours on the road, arrive at Abu Simbel to explore the magnificent temples of Ramesses II and Queen Nefertari, carved into the desert and overlooking Lake Nasser. Take time to admire their colossal façades, richly decorated halls and remarkable ancient stories before beginning the return journey to Aswan. Arrive back around lunchtime, with the afternoon free to relax and enjoy your hotel or continue your Nile experience.

Guide Price: $130 per person

Visit Abu Simbel by Flight

Rise early and take a short flight from Aswan to Abu Simbel, watching the vast Nubian desert unfold beneath you. Explore the magnificent temples of Ramesses II and Queen Nefertari, carved into the cliffs overlooking Lake Nasser, and discover their monumental façades, richly decorated chambers and enduring stories. Enjoy a leisurely return flight to Aswan, arriving with the rest of the day free to relax, explore or continue your Nile experience.

$500 per person (based on flight costs and availability)

Extra Felucca Sail

Step aboard a traditional felucca and let the Nile set the pace as you sail gently beneath the Egyptian sun. With nothing but the whisper of the wind in the canvas and the rhythm of the river, drift past palm-fringed banks, timeless villages and scattered islands, watching daily life unfold along the water. Far from the bustle of the modern world, this intimate journey offers a rare sense of stillness and connection to the river that has shaped Egypt for millennia. Pause on a quiet island or secluded riverbank to savour the scenery, perhaps with a refreshing drink as the light softens across the Nile. As the afternoon fades, sail back at an unhurried pace, carrying with you the simple pleasure of experiencing Egypt as generations before you have done.

Guide Price: $20 per person

Camel Ride to St. Simon

After breakfast, cross to the West Bank by motorboat and enjoy a short camel ride across the flat desert, accompanied by a local Nubian camel minder—or choose to walk alongside the camels. Continue to St. Simon's Monastery, a remarkable desert sanctuary carved into the hills, offering a glimpse into the region's early Christian heritage and monastic traditions. Afterwards, return by camel or on foot to the river and cross back by motorboat to your hotel or cruise, carrying with you a sense of adventure and memories of an authentic, rich experience.

Guide Price: $45 per person

Hotel Room & Suite Upgrades

Upgrade your accommodation to suites or premium room categories at any hotel. Subject to availability and additional supplement.

Supplements forwarded on request

Inclusions & Exclusions

Accommodation Plan

Marriott Cairo or similar

2 nights  ·  Day 1 – Day 3

Movenpick Aswan or similar

2 nights  ·  Day 3 – Day 5

MS Concerto II or similar, Nile Cruise Ship (Aswan – Luxor)

3 nights  ·  Day 5 – Day 8

Hilton Luxor or similar

2 nights  ·  Day 8 – Day 10

All accommodations based on standard room type. Upgrades subject to availability and additional supplement.

Terms, Payment & Cancellation

Payment Policy

The payment schedule below is a general guideline and may vary based on the season, number of travelers, booking date, and requested services. We will always work with you to provide the most suitable payment terms and ensure your journey is confirmed with confidence.

Payments are received by bank wire transfer with no transfer fees charged to COMETRA Travel.

Cancellation Policy

• Cancellations received 90+ days before arrival: full refund less USD 200 administration fee.
• Cancellations received 90–60 days before arrival: 25% cancellation charge.
• Cancellations received 60–45 days before arrival: 50% cancellation charge.
• Cancellations received 45–15 days before arrival: 75% cancellation charge.
• Cancellations received less than 15 days before arrival: no refund.

All cancellations must be submitted via official email. The price quoted is guaranteed in USD upon receipt of deposit. Any government-imposed changes to entrance fees, fuel surcharges, or taxes may affect the final price.

Cometra Terms

• COMETRA Travel Egypt is committed to providing all services on a fully private basis. No other travellers will be mixed into your journey.
• The trip plan is flexible. COMETRA holds the right to amend or reschedule any service based on local conditions, weather, or safety considerations — with no refund or compensation applicable, while every effort is made to reschedule.
• Best travel months: October to April.
• Suitable for ages 6 and above. Travellers with mobility difficulties may require special arrangements — please contact us in advance.

Read our full Booking & Cancellation Policy and Privacy Policy.

Sustainability & Community

COMETRA Travel is committed to preserving Egypt's incomparable heritage for future generations. This journey features low-impact transportation options, actively supports local communities, and offers guests the meaningful opportunity to volunteer by helping clear litter at select sites — leaving each place better than we found it.

We also encourage thoughtful contributions during community visits. Small gifts or school supplies are warmly welcomed when visiting local villages, as a gesture of genuine respect and cultural exchange. Please speak with a member of the COMETRA team before or during the trip for guidance and further information.

Read our full Sustainability Policy.

Have more questions? Visit our full FAQ page.