Egypt and the Nile River Cruise

Today marks the beginning of your Egypt adventure as you arrive in Cairo. We will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner and meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers. 

This morning, explore the Giza Plateau with your Egyptologist guide and uncover the mysteries of the Great Pyramids. Nearby, the Sphinx stands guard, carved from a single limestone ridge. Learn about the construction and importance of these sites to the Egyptians. Continue to the Grand Egyptian Museum, where ancient artefacts and modern design come together in a striking tribute to Egypt’s dynastic past. Later, return to your hotel and enjoy an evening at leisure.

This morning, visit part of Cairo’s historic old town by choosing to Enhance Your Journey with a guided tour of the Old Kingdom, exploring Memphis and Saqqara, or delve into Coptic Cairo on an afternoon tour which include a visit to Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church — believed to be built upon a shelter once used by the Holy Family. Later, experience the sights and sounds of the bustling Khan el Khalili bazaar.

This morning, take an included flight from Cairo to Luxor, where your discovery of Upper Egypt begins. On arrival, visit the vast Karnak Temple complex and walk among towering columns and sacred halls that once echoed with ancient rituals. Then, transfer to the Nile River to board your ship, and settle in with lunch on board. This afternoon you may wish to discover a thoughtfully curated collection of ancient artefacts at the Luxor Museum, celebrated for its elegant displays and rich historical insight. This evening, enjoy a Captain’s Welcome Dinner as your ship sets sail for Dendera.

Early this morning, visit the Dendera Temple complex, one of Egypt’s best-preserved ancient sites. With your Egyptologist guide, explore the Temple of Hathor, renowned for its detailed astronomical ceiling and beautifully preserved reliefs. Wander through sacred spaces including the birth house and the Sacred Lake, once used for ritual purification.

After your visit, return to your river ship for lunch and enjoy a scenic sail back to Luxor. This afternoon, continue exploring the East Bank, including the Avenue of the Sphinx, before setting sail for Esna this evening.

After breakfast on board, step ashore to visit Esna Temple, dedicated to Khnum, the ram-headed god of creation. Admire its towering columns, lotus carvings and astronomical ceiling depicting the twelve signs of the Zodiac.

This afternoon, continue to Edfu to explore the Temple of Horus — one of Egypt’s best-preserved ancient monuments. This grand sandstone structure is dedicated to the falcon god Horus and offers a remarkable glimpse into the architectural and religious legacy of the Ptolemaic era. Travel by coach with your Egyptologist guide and uncover stories of ancient festivals once held on this sacred site.

Later, return to your ship and enjoy dinner on board as you sail towards Aswan for an overnight stay.

In a city as serene and storied as Aswan, there’s always something to uncover. This morning, tour the impressive High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk and the beautifully preserved Philae Temple. Glide along the Nile aboard a traditional felucca and take in the tranquil beauty of Aswan from the water, as the sun begins to set.  

Today is sure to be a highlight as you take an included flight to the awe-inspiring temples of Abu Simbel. With your Egyptologist guide, explore this monumental complex, carved into solid rock under the reign of Ramses II. Admire the towering statues of the pharaoh and intricate carvings that celebrate ancient victories and divine worship. Learn how this UNESCO World Heritage site was relocated in a remarkable international effort to save it from rising waters.

After returning to your ship, enjoy lunch on board and spend the afternoon sailing north along the Nile towards Kom Ombo. Relax on deck and take in scenes of daily life along the riverbanks. This evening, dock overnight in Kom Ombo.

This morning, step ashore to explore Kom Ombo Temple, a rare double temple dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Harwer, the falcon god of kingship. Admire its symmetrical layout and detailed reliefs, including Roman-era carvings that reveal the medical knowledge of ancient Egypt. After your visit, enjoy a relaxing sail back to Luxor.

This morning, visit the monumental Colossi of Memnon before exploring the West Bank of the Nile in Luxor — often referred to as the world’s largest open-air museum, home to the tombs and temples of ancient Thebes.

Discover the Valley of the Kings and Queens, once the sacred burial ground of pharaohs, queens and priests, and step into the awe-inspiring Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. With its dramatic cliffside setting and grand colonnades, it stands as a tribute to one of Egypt’s most powerful rulers. 

This morning after breakfast take an included flight back to Cairo airport where your Egypt adventure comes to an end.