Ancient Treasures, Legendary Temples & Nile Cruising

After breakfast, begin your exploration of Cairo at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. Its collection spans Egypt’s history from ancient times to the present, and the Royal Mummies Hall offers an opportunity to see several of the country’s most celebrated rulers. Continue to Old Cairo, one of the city’s historic religious districts. Visit the Hanging Church, known for its architecture and long history, followed by St. Sergius, a church closely associated with Egypt’s early Christian heritage. After lunch, travel to the Citadel of Saladin, a medieval fortress set above the city. Visit the Mosque of Mohamed Ali, whose domes and minarets form one of Cairo’s most recognizable landmarks. Overnight in Cairo. (B,L)

After breakfast, travel to the Giza Plateau to see the Great Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure. These monumental structures have dominated the desert landscape for thousands of years. You will also see the Sphinx, whose human face and lion’s body have watched over the plateau since antiquity. After lunch, continue to the Grand Egyptian Museum. Explore its extensive collection of artifacts from across Egypt’s ancient history, including treasures associated with Tutankhamun. After your visit, return to your hotel. Overnight in Cairo. (B,L)

After breakfast, transfer to Cairo Airport for your flight to Luxor. Upon arrival, continue to your Nile cruise ship and embark. After lunch on board, visit the East Bank’s celebrated temple complexes. At Karnak, explore a vast precinct built and expanded by generations of rulers, with monumental gateways, columns, and sanctuaries dedicated to the gods of Thebes. Continue to Luxor Temple, whose impressive setting and ancient monuments reflect the city’s long religious history. Return to the ship for dinner and your first overnight on board. (B,L,D)

An optional early-morning hot-air balloon ride over Luxor’s West Bank is available at an additional cost and is subject to weather conditions. After breakfast, cross to the West Bank, where royal tombs, temples, and monumental statues tell the story of ancient Thebes. Visit the Valley of the Kings, burial place of many New Kingdom pharaohs, and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, set against a dramatic backdrop of cliffs. Continue to Madinat Habu, known for its extensive temple complex, and stop at the Colossi of Memnon, two imposing statues that have stood guard over the Theban necropolis for centuries. Return to the ship and sail toward Esna, enjoying the changing scenery along the Nile. Dinner and overnight on board. (B,L,D)

Continue sailing to Edfu, where you will visit the Temple of Horus. Dedicated to the falcon-headed god, it is among Egypt’s best-preserved temples and offers a vivid sense of the scale and detail of ancient religious architecture. Return to the ship and sail onward to Kom Ombo. Here, visit the unusual double temple dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus, the falcon god. Continue to the Crocodile Museum, where preserved crocodiles and related objects provide a glimpse into the role of these animals in ancient Egyptian beliefs. Return to the ship for dinner and overnight on board. (B,L,D)

Sail toward Aswan, passing stretches of riverbank where villages, cultivated fields, and desert landscapes meet along the Nile. Once in Aswan, enjoy a traditional felucca ride, taking in views of Kitchener’s Island and the Agha Khan Mausoleum from the water. The gentle sail offers a relaxed way to appreciate the river and its surroundings. Return to the ship for dinner and overnight in Aswan. (B,L,D)

Early in the morning, transfer to Aswan Airport for your included flight to Abu Simbel. Visit the Great Temple of Ramses II, renowned for its monumental façade and grand rock-cut interiors, followed by the nearby temple dedicated to Queen Nefertari. After your visits, fly back to Aswan and continue to the airport for your flight to Cairo. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Cairo. (B)

After breakfast, travel to Saqqara, one of Egypt’s most important ancient burial grounds. Visit the Step Pyramid of Djoser, a landmark in the development of pyramid architecture, along with selected tombs that offer a closer look at ancient Egyptian funerary art and traditions. Continue to Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt, to see its archaeological remains and the colossal statue of Ramses II. After exploring the site, return to your Cairo hotel. Overnight in Cairo. (B,L)

After breakfast, transfer to Cairo International Airport for your departure flight. (B)