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Egypt Tour 8 Days “Smile of the Sphinx”: why it is our English-speaking bestseller
After an 8-day Egypt tour that packs in the Egypt everyone comes for (the pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, the Valley of the Kings, the temples of Karnak, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae) while still giving you English-speaking comfort and a proper sail on the Nile? The Smile of the Sphinx is our answer, refined year on year for British travellers seeing Egypt for the first time. It links the classic trio of Cairo, Luxor and Aswan in the order that makes most sense to someone arriving on the banks of the Nile for the very first time.
Across 8 days and 7 nights, this English-guided tour of Egypt carries you from Cairo (3 nights at a 5-star hotel in the city centre) down to the Nile valley, where you spend 4 nights on a 5-star Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan. From the moment you touch down in Cairo, it is all handled: a VIP airport welcome, private transfers, your own dedicated English-speaking Egyptologist, full board on the ship, breakfast at the Cairo hotel, the Cairo to Luxor internal flight, tickets to every archaeological site on the programme, and WhatsApp support around the clock for the whole trip.
The strongest value for money on the UK market: an affordable tour of Egypt with nothing stripped out of it
Priced from £1,150 per person sharing a double room (Standard version, internal flights included; your flights to Egypt are booked by you, so you are free to hunt down the best fare from home), the Smile of the Sphinx sits 10 to 20% under comparable tours sold by the big high-street operators. If a cheap Egypt tour is what you are after, but not at the expense of quality (English-speaking guide, 5-star standards, full board), look no further.
And there are no hidden extras behind that price: no compulsory excursions, no obligatory supplements, no forced stops at partner shops. The only chargeable options are spelt out clearly: the optional Abu Simbel day trip (+ £140 / person, well worth it but genuinely optional, since it means a 3am start) and add-on stays in Hurghada, Marsa Alam or Siwa on request.
Why pick the "Smile of the Sphinx" over any other 8-day tour of Egypt?
Around ten different 8-day Egypt tours compete for British travellers at prices around £1,080 - £1,230. What sets ours apart comes down to 5 things we have been refining since 2020:
- Your own English-speaking guide: one English-speaking Egyptologist stays with you from Cairo through to boarding at Luxor and throughout the cruise. No changing of guides, and nothing relayed through a second language. We select our guides for the quality of their English (C1/C2 level) and for their knack of matching the pace to the people in front of them.
- An itinerary built for a first visit: 8 days is enough to take in the essentials without haste. The sequence (Cairo, flight to Luxor, embarkation) is arranged to cut travelling time and stretch your time at the sites. The cruise finishes in Aswan and your return to Cairo is included.
- 4 nights on a 5-star Nile cruise: a ship of genuine 5-star grade (not an ageing 4-star with a new badge), an outside cabin with a large picture window, a sun deck with pool, full board throughout (buffet breakfast, themed lunches, fine dining at night) and Wi-Fi on board.
- A 5-star hotel in Cairo: 3 nights at a 5-star property in the city centre (Giza or Zamalek, subject to availability), buffet breakfast included, and a Nile or pyramid view on request depending on the season.
- Genuine flexibility: departures guaranteed from a single booking (no hidden minimum numbers), tailoring at no charge on request (shifting dates, changing category, adding Abou Simbel or Hurghada), instalment payment at no extra cost, and flexible cancellation terms confirmed in writing
Tried and trusted by British travellers
Since the Smile of the Sphinx first ran in 2020, British travellers have picked this tour as their introduction to the Egypt of the pharaohs. Its average score stays above 4.8/5 (check the verified Facebook and Google reviews, plus the 3 recent testimonials further down this page). After a first Smile of the Sphinx, many go on to book another of our tours, which tells you the trip leaves people wanting to return for longer, deeper and slower travel (a Dahabiya cruise, our 12-day tour, the Western Desert).
Choose your comfort level
The Smile of the Sphinx comes in three versions, so it can match both your budget and what you expect from the trip. Everything on the programme (the sites, the route, the English-speaking guide, the transfers) is the same whichever version you choose: the only thing that changes is the grade of hotel and ship.
Standard
£1,150/ person (double room)
- Hotel 5★ Cairo city center
- Boat 5★ standard cabin lower deck
- Full board cruise
- Dedicated English-speaking guide
- All entries + transfers
Confort - Populaire
£1,300/ person (double room)
- Hotel 5★ Cairo pyramid view
- Boat 5★ deluxe cabin upper deck
- Full board cruise
- Dedicated English-speaking guide
- 1 Nile felucca dinner cruise included
Luxury
£1,690/ person (double room)
- 5★ Marriott or Four Seasons Nile Hotel
- Boat 5★ suite with private balcony
- Full board + open bar
- Private English-speaking guide
- Abu Simbel included
Reduced rates for children aged 6 to 11 sharing a room with 2 adults. Departures guaranteed from a single traveller. Single supplement: +£270 / +£350 / +£500 according to the version.
Why book the Smile of the Sphinx through Sem Élégant Voyage?
🗣️ 100% English-speaking
A single English-speaking Egyptologist with you all the way from Cairo to Aswan. Brochures, WhatsApp messages and after-sales care all in English. Nothing lost in translation.
💰 Domestic flights included, fair price
From £1,150 / person, domestic domestic flights included: you retain the freedom to organize your flight to Egypt as you wish. No hidden commission, no compulsory shopping.
👨👩👧 Family friendly from 6 years old
A gentler pace, and the pyramids and the ship keep children enthralled. Reduced rates for ages 6 to 11. Cots on request.
🔒 Total flexibility
Departures guaranteed from a single traveller. Instalment payment at no extra cost. Flexible cancellation terms. Tailor the trip however you like.
📱WhatsApp 24/7
One direct line for UK clients, +20 10 96569859, answered within 30 minutes while you are travelling. Every booking is looked after personally by our team.
⭐ Rating 4.8/5
Since 2020, British travellers have booked the Smile of the Sphinx. Verified Facebook and Google reviews appear further down.
Your questions answered: the 8-day Smile of the Sphinx tour of Egypt
Why is the Smile of the Sphinx your best-selling tour since 2020?
Because nothing else balances quality, price and experience so well for a first English-guided visit to Egypt. In 8 days you cover every essential (the pyramids, the Valley of the Kings, Karnak, Philae, a Nile cruise) at a comfortable pace. The tour is well established, every supplier is hand-picked by our management, and the price stays within reach. British travellers have rated it, averaging 4.8/5.
Why is Abu Simbel not included in the standard curriculum?
To keep the price accessible and the pace civilised. Abu Simbel means a very early start (3am out of Aswan) and a sizeable supplement (+£140 / person). We make it available as an option for anyone who wants it: the site is extraordinary and we do recommend it, but it should be a considered choice. On the Luxury version, Abu Simbel is included as standard.
Is this tour suitable for children?
Yes, without hesitation. The pace suits them, the sites captivate them (the pyramids, the mummies in the Grand Egyptian Museum, the vast temples of Karnak), and the cruise ship with its pool is always a hit. We suggest the tour from age 6 and offer a reduced rate for children aged 6 to 11 sharing a room with two adults. Cots and pushchairs can be supplied on request at no charge.
What is the best month to do the Sphinx Smile?
The best months are October to April, when daytime temperatures run between 22 and 30°C. January and February are the coolest, and the most comfortable for a day out in Cairo. March, April, October and November give the best balance of weather and price. May to September is very hot (35 - 42°C); we then move the visits to the early morning, and prices come down for the low season.
Are domestic flights in Egypt included?
Yes, domestic domestic flights are included in the price - in particular the flight Cairo - Luxor and theft Aswan - Cairo. We organize all air travel within Egypt for you so that you can move from one location to another effortlessly. Your flight to Egypt remains your responsibility and allows you to choose the best option from your departure airport.
What additional budget should I plan for on site?
Allow around £150-£230 / person for the whole trip, covering: tips for your guide and driver (we suggest /day/person for the guide, /day/person for the driver, and £20 for the crew at the end of the cruise), drinks outside the included meals (soft drinks, alcohol, coffee other than at breakfast), souvenirs and handicrafts, and optional extras (Abou Simbel, the sound and light show at Karnak, the spa on board). The Egyptian visa (30 USD on arrival, or the online e-visa) is not included.
Can I customize the itinerary (add Abu Simbel, Hurghada, Siwa)?
It is, and tailoring costs nothing. The add-ons people ask for most: Abu Simbel (+£140 / day), a Hurghada or Marsa Alam stay of 3 to 5 nights (+£270-£580 depending on the hotel), 3 nights in Siwa (+£500), or swapping the 5★ ship for a traditional dahabiya (+£270 / person for 4 nights). We can also change the dates, the hotels and the tempo (a rest day on the beach at Alexandria, say). Chat to us on WhatsApp
What is the difference between the Smile of the Sphinx and your Legend of Osiris tour?
The Smile of the Sphinx (8 days) is our "first-timer essentials" tour: Cairo plus a 4-night Luxor to Aswan cruise, taking in the headline sites. The Legend of Osiris (9 days) is a more contemplative trip that adds the temples of Dendera and Abydos (essential for anyone drawn to Egyptian mythology, and seldom found on standard tours). Never been to Egypt? Choose the Smile of the Sphinx. Been before, or a mythology enthusiast? Choose the Legend of Osiris. And if Abu Simbel must be part of the core itinerary, look at the Glory of the Gods (10 days).
Do I need a visa and how do I get it?
Yes, British passport holders need a tourist visa. There are three ways to get one: (1) a visa on arrival at Cairo Airport (30 USD in cash, quick and straightforward), (2) the Egyptian e-visa from visa2egypt.gov.eg (30 USD, to be sorted 7 days before you travel), or (3) a visa from the Egyptian consulate in London. Your passport must remain valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date. Once your booking is confirmed we send a reminder with precise instructions.
How to book and what are the cancellation conditions?
Booking: ask for a free quote on WhatsApp (we reply within 2 hours) or by email. Instalment payment at no extra cost is available (UK and EU cards).
Flexible cancellation terms apply, set out in writing when you book. We also offer COVID cancellation cover (+£30 / person), protecting you against any medical reason right up to the day before departure.
What British travellers make of the Smile of the Sphinx
Nothing counts more with us than what our travellers say once they are home from the tour. Below are three recent Facebook testimonials from people who took the Smile of the Sphinx (or one of its variants) during 2025.
"Ahmed, thank you for your knowledge and guidance, which made our holiday exceptional. Because of you we found treasures we never knew existed! Hopefully back soon for more adventures."- Christophe Salvignol, voyageur English-speaking, novembre 2025 (source Facebook)
"An Egypt trip with Sem Élégant Voyage we will never forget! The planning, the guide, the hotels and the cruise were all spot on. I could not recommend this agency more highly for a holiday in Egypt that simply works."- Brigitte Gledel, voyageuse English-speaking, octobre 2025 (source Facebook)
"Our warmest thanks for such a wonderful Egyptian holiday. Cairo through to Aswan, every detail was handled flawlessly. Ahmed and his team are attentive and thoroughly professional. We would do it all again without a second thought!"- Michele Degros, voyageuse English-speaking, septembre 2025 (source Facebook)
