We flew into Cairo in the fall of 2010, spent four nights (Pyramids, Egyptian Museum, Coptic Cairo, City of the Dead, Memphis, Sakkara, Khan al Khalili Bazaar, Citadel, Mohammed Ali Mosque etc.) and then flew to Aswan where we boarded a river cruise - two nights in Aswan, one in transit and one in Luxor. The side trip to Abu Simbel was done the first morning we were in Aswan - I would not miss that part. We visited a Nubian village, Philae Temple, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor Temple and the Temple of Karnak. We also visited the Valley of the Kings while in Luxor.

We used Egyptian Quality Tours (http://egyptqualitytours.com/) and were completely satisfied with their work. A year ago (spring 2011) we had some friends who were somewhat reluctant to go after the Arab Spring, but we hooked them up with EQT and they were very satisfied with the program. EQT can set up the full package or parts that you designate.

You can also take a loook at this post: http://www.fodors.com/community/africa-the-middle-east/guided-tour-recommendations-for-egypt.cfm

Kevin - you make me blush!

Glad to hear about a trip to Egypt, a wonderful country/people even during the recent upheavals. Lots of recent threads on this subject... so as usual, read thru and the link above is a good start. Once you get started, am sure others will have comments/suggestions.

When we visited, spent 2.5/days in/around Cairo* - Giza, Sphinx, Saqqara, Memphis - flight to Abu Simbel, flight back to Aswan for 4/day cruise to Luxor, then back to Cairo, old/Coptic and the bazaar... even a day to catch our breath and 'chill.'

*including a night at the opera - Aida - with the Pyramids as background... amazing and lucky for us as our schedule worked. Not sure whether this is still being conducted and from year-to-year can be conducted at Luxor or Aswan... ask.

Of late, Debbie of Casual Cairo (casualcairodetours.com) a regular poster, has been recommending in place of the cruise, via road from Aswan/Luxor or vice versa. Do contact her. Also Lady Egypt has been used by many, so you have a few resources to get started.

Thanks for replies. I would like to take my family to Cairo, Luxor and Abu Simbel, at least. Trying to decide whether to use an operator or book myself.

Anyone know of any two night Aswan to Luxor Nile cruises? We will only have seven full days there.

Also trying to figure out flying to Abu Simbel.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Kevin from California

If you want only 2 nights on the river, I think your only option is to use a felluca and get off after two nights and take road transport from whatever point they get you to. That would NOT be my choice as (for me) I don't what to spend the night on a felluca any more, and the road transport will probably be a micro bus (often referred to as a coffin on wheels) The young or adventurous don't mind these forms of transportation, and most likely you'd be fine - hundreds of tourists survive them all the time.
The Nile Cruise boats shortest cruise is usually from Aswan to Luxor and 3 nights 4 days, and generally start on Friday and end on Monday....so you have organize your time for those days exactly. You could disembark as soon as you arrive in Luxor if you only want 2 nights, but you will likely miss much of the site seeing in Luxor and certainly the belly dancer show in the evening. I think most of the belly dancers live in Luxor so they save that show for when they are docked there - that might not always be the case, but if it matters you'd want to figure it out.

Consider:
2/days in Cairo,
fly to Abu Simbel (this only requires few hours) before
flight back to Aswan (by 12N-1pm), board cruise for 3/nts... seeing temple sights along the way.

When disembarking at Luxor, besides the sightseeing that is included to Valley of Kings/Queens...
a 1/nt here (hotel) to visit - Luxor and Karnak (though these are often included in cruise package), but it's a quaint town to enjoy strolling, the souk, museum.
Then fly back to CAI, a dayroom (if needed) and home.