My Honest Take on the 8-Day Pyramids, Luxor & Aswan Train Adventure

You know, for the longest time, I’ve had this idea of what Egypt would be like, pretty much built from movies and documentaries. The enormous pyramids, the golden masks, all that stuff. So, when this ‘8 Days 7 Nights to Pyramids, Luxor & Aswan by Train’ package for 2025 came across my screen, it really seemed like a pretty straightforward way to see all the big things without the headache of planning it all myself. I decided to go for it. As I was saying, this review is basically me giving you the lowdown on what it was actually like. I want to share my honest thoughts, the truly good parts, and some things you should probably know before you decide to book it for yourself. At the end of the day, it’s about figuring out if a trip like this is the right fit for you.

Day 1 & 2: First Impressions of Cairo and the Great Pyramids

Okay, so arriving in Cairo is, well, an experience. The city is a full-on sensory overload from the second you step out of the airport, you know? The sounds of traffic are constant, and there’s just an incredible amount of energy everywhere. The first day of the tour gets you settled, but then it really hits the ground running. You’re pretty much whisked away to Giza. Seeing the Pyramids and the Sphinx for the first time is actually kind of breathtaking. Honestly, pictures and videos you’ve seen just don’t do them justice. Their size is just, like, totally immense, and standing there makes you feel very, very small in a really profound way. You’re looking at something that has stood there for thousands of years, which is just a wild thought. A bit of friendly advice, by the way, is to wear the most comfortable shoes you own. Seriously. You walk a lot more than you might think over sand and uneven ground, so your feet will definitely thank you for it later.

The Overnight Sleeper Train Experience from Cairo to Aswan

So, a really big piece of this tour is the overnight sleeper train that takes you from Cairo all the way south to Aswan. Let’s get into what that’s really like. The cabins are, as you might guess, a little on the small side. It’s more or less a compact space with two beds that fold down and a small sink. Honestly, it’s not a luxury hotel, but it was surprisingly clean and pretty much had everything you needed for the one night. The ride itself is a bit bumpy, so you might not have the deepest sleep of your life. But then, in the morning, you get to look out the window, and that kind of makes it all worth it. The landscape just completely changes from the city to these really green fields along the Nile. It’s a really unique way to see the country change right before your eyes.

To be honest, the train almost felt like it was part of the adventure itself, not just transportation. It’s a very different vibe from just hopping on a plane, you know?

A little tip, the dinner and breakfast they serve on the train are quite basic. The meal is fine, but if you’re someone who likes to snack or has a big appetite, you might want to pack some of your own favorite snacks and drinks for the trip. It’s about a 12-hour ride, after all, so it’s a good idea to be a little prepared just in case.

Days 3-5: The Slower Pace and Serene Sights of Aswan and the Nile

After the crazy energy of Cairo, arriving in Aswan feels like you’ve entered a completely different country. The whole vibe is just so much more relaxed and peaceful. This is where the tour sort of slows down a little, which is frankly a welcome change of pace. You’ll usually visit places like the Aswan High Dam, which is an incredible feat of modern engineering, and the Unfinished Obelisk, which kind of gives you a peek into how these ancient monuments were actually carved. But the absolute highlight of Aswan, for me at least, was Philae Temple. You literally have to take a small motorboat to get to the island where it’s located, and the temple itself is just beautiful. It’s dedicated to the goddess Isis and it’s almost magical, floating on its own little island like that. It’s just a little different from the other temples you’ll see.

This part of the trip also included a ride on a felucca, which is a traditional wooden sailboat. This was, hands down, one of my favorite moments. There’s really nothing quite like just gently sailing on the Nile as the sun starts to set. It’s incredibly quiet and just gives you a moment to really soak everything in. Aswan is basically the part of your trip where you can take a deep breath and just appreciate the amazing surroundings without feeling rushed. It’s a nice little break before you head on to the intensity of Luxor.

Read our full review: Pyramids Luxor Aswan Train Package Full Review and Details

Cruising North: Kom Ombo, Edfu, and Arriving in Luxor

Okay, so to get from Aswan to Luxor, you’ll typically take another train. This ride is much shorter than the overnight one, only a few hours. A lot of these tour packages plan for stops along the way at two pretty important temples: Kom Ombo and Edfu. The Temple of Kom Ombo is really interesting because it has this unique dual design. It’s sort of split perfectly down the middle, with one side dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and the other side to the falcon god Horus. So, everything inside is duplicated—two entrances, two courts, two sanctuaries. It’s a really neat concept. Next, you have the Temple of Edfu. This place is huge, and it’s one of the best-preserved ancient monuments in Egypt. Walking through its massive gateway and into the main hall, with all the columns towering over you, honestly makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. It’s pretty much intact, so you can really get a sense of the scale and grandeur of these ancient holy places. These stops are fantastic, but you can feel the excitement building because, really, they’re just an appetizer for the main course that is Luxor.

Days 6 & 7: Exploring Luxor, the World’s Biggest Open-Air Museum

Seriously, they call Luxor the world’s greatest open-air museum, and I’ve got to say, they are not exaggerating one bit. The place is just overflowing with history. The tour usually splits Luxor into two parts: the East Bank and the West Bank. The East Bank is basically the city of the living. This is where you find the absolutely massive Karnak Temple complex. Honestly, “massive” doesn’t even cover it. You could pretty much wander around its Great Hypostyle Hall, with its 134 gigantic columns, all day long. Right nearby is Luxor Temple, which is super impressive, especially at night when it’s all lit up.

Then you’ve got the West Bank, the city of the dead. And this, for many people, is the real reason you come to Luxor. It’s where you’ll find the legendary Valley of the Kings. You actually get to go down into the tombs of pharaohs like Ramesses IV and Merenptah. The amazing thing is that the paint on the walls inside these tombs, which is thousands of years old, still looks so fresh and colorful. It’s pretty unbelievable, you know? Nearby are other huge sites like the Temple of Hatshepsut, a stunning terraced structure built into a cliffside, and the giant Colossi of Memnon statues. Just be prepared; the days in Luxor are typically very full, but everything you see is just absolutely worth it.

What to Pack, What to Expect, and Final Thoughts

Alright, so if you are thinking this 8-day train tour is for you, here are a few final pieces of advice, sort of like things I wish I knew a bit more about beforehand. For packing, light and modest clothing made of cotton or linen is really your best friend. The sun is pretty intense. So a good hat, powerful sunscreen, and a solid pair of sunglasses are totally non-negotiable. And I’ll say it again: comfortable shoes are absolutely a must-have. You will be on your feet a lot.

In terms of what to expect from the schedule, just know that this is a rather fast-moving trip. You pack a lot into eight days. This isn’t really a lay-by-the-pool kind of holiday; it’s an adventure that’s constantly on the move. Your guide is also a huge part of the experience. A good, knowledgeable guide doesn’t just show you the sights; they tell you the stories behind them, which really brings everything to life. Anyway, one last practical thing: you definitely want to have small bills of Egyptian pounds with you. You’ll need them for tipping—which is a very common part of the culture for all kinds of services—and often for using public restrooms. So, being a little prepared with small cash just makes things go a lot smoother, you know?

Quick Takeaways for Your Egypt Trip

• The pace is pretty fast, so you should be ready to wake up early and have packed days.
• The sleeper train is definitely an experience in itself, just manage your expectations about the cabin space.
• Aswan is kind of a welcome, chill break between the non-stop nature of Cairo and Luxor.
• Honestly, bring more small cash for tipping than you originally think you might need. It’s just part of how things work there.
• A good guide can literally transform your trip from just seeing old ruins to understanding a fascinating history.

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