When you're in Aswan don't miss the museum there. It's just north or downstream, depending how you choose to orient yourself, from the Basma Hotel. It's east and a little south (upstream) of the Cataract Hotel.

The dam is interesting but skip-able if you're deciding between it and something else. I found the unfinished obelisk fascinating as well.

Check your cruise itinerary - many of the "main" Aswan sites are usually covered on the Nile cruise. And with that in mind, I would reduce the days in Aswan and add one (at least) to the White Desert trip. Really don't know how that can be done in 1 day. We always planned it for 3 days/2 nights.

In Cairo, while seeing Islamic Cairo, don't forget about Coptic Cairo. Very interesting.

Thanks so much for your responses! Yes my friend and I were actually just talking about combining Luxor/Aswan into a 3-4 day Nile cruise. Our original plan was 3 days/2 night but someone said to us 'desert is desert' and implied there wasn't much to see! Would you be able to recommend any budget Nile cruises? Most of the ones I've found have been on the luxurious (ie. not-student budget) sides!

You have to check your cruise itinerary with your tour operator

Well, desert is desert to some, I guess. I was just thinking of the travel component to getting to the White Desert.

Can't recommend a cruise for you, but keep in mind, all (or almost all) the cruises see the major sites in Aswan and Luxor, as well as stops along the way.

There are different star rating ships going on the cruise routes-at least normally there are. Check with a company like Egypt Panorama Tours (ept@link.net)about different cruises available. They used to represent a boat called the MS Sherry that was 4 star (I think) and not as expensive as the others, but obviously went to the same sites, fed you all 3 meals a day and had the same entertainment. The boat was just older and not as shiny and new as some of the others.
As a alternative resort you can camp out on a felluca. It is not for the faint of heart, but if you are OK peeing in the bushes along the side of the river, it might just be for you. You should be able to get a good deal on that.

Hello Amanda I think it will be better if you do your itinerary like that
Day 1 arrival transfer from the airport to the hotel 3 am rest then start visit to the museum then Islamic Cairo and khan el khaily
Day 2 pyramids saqara and Memphis
Day 3 car to the oasis bahriya overnight
Day 4 white desert
Day 5 Cairo rest and overnight
Day 6 flight to Aswan day tour in Aswan and overnight
Day 7 visit to abosimble then back to Aswan to catch the Nile cruise overnight
Day 8 visit to komombo and edfu overnight in the cruise
Day 9 visit to West Bank in Luxor overnight in the cruise
Day10 check out visit the east bank in Luxor you can fly from Luxor to sharm and get one night in sharm
Day 11 transfer from sharm to nuweiba to catch the ferry to Jordan
I think this will the best way for you and you will enjoy each site you will go I prefer for you to use the flights better than the train nowadays in Egypt as the train doesn't do a good job also it will be better to fly from Luxor to sharm direct then go to nuweiba than come from Luxor to Cairo then go to nuweiba for the Nile cruises they have a good rates nowadays
Should you need any more info just write your comment and I will try to answer

I'm going to be taking the train down to Luxor Feb 2. If you can wait until Feb 3 to hear how that went, I'll come back and let you know.
Flying from Luxor to Sharm has been difficult in the past as there was only one day a week when you could do this direct without having to come to Cairo again first, then catch another flight to Sharm. Has this changed Vacationstogotravel?

Hi everyone, really appreciate all your input in helping plan our itinerary. Having taken your recommendations into consideration, I now have an updated itinerary; major changes are 2 night Nile cruise instead of 3 to make way for an extra day in Sharm- except now our trip goes for 12 days meaning one less day on Jordan (which is already a short trip). If we were to sacrifice a day which place should it be from? Aswan/Luxor/Sharm? Thanks so much for your help

- Day 1 (early morning) arrive in Cairo. Catch up on sleep then markets, Coptic Cairo, Islamic Cairo
- Day 2 Cairo- pyramids, Egyptian Museum & Museum of Antiquities
- Day 3 Desert Tour (overnight)
- Day 4 Desert Tour (overnight)
- Day 5 Back to Cairo. Catch sleeper train/fly to Aswan
- Day 6 Aswan sightseeing (Abu Simbel). Overnight in Aswan.
- Day 7: Board Nile Cruise (overnight)
- Day 8: Nile Cruise (overnight)
- Day 9: Arrive in Luxor. Overnight on in Luxor.
- Day 10: Fly to Sharm El-Sheike. Overnight in Sharm.
- Day 11: Sharm/Sinai. Sightseeing in Sharm/Sinai. Overnight in Sharm.
- Day 12: Nuweiba: Travel to Nuweiba for ferry to Jordan.

I've only heard of 3- and 4- night Nile Cruises. Have you found one that is only 2 nights?

Dear Amanda no 2 nights cruise should be 3 nights - 4 days from Aswan to Luxor and goes every Friday or Wednesday or Monday or Saturday so make sure about the days for the flight Luxor sharm there are direct flight on the following days Friday evening flight and Monday morning flight so I think it will be better for you to get the cruise on Friday from Aswan hope you consider the days enjoy your trip

Hi there, I have emailed a few tour places and they have all offered quotes for 2 night/3 day Nile cruises without any hassle. Does that mean they shouldn't be trusted?