Your journey begins today with visits to some of Egypt's most iconic landmarks. Your first destination is the renowned Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Following this, you will head into central Cairo to immerse yourself in Pharaonic history at the Egyptian Museum, which also houses the treasures from King Tutankhamun's tomb. The evening will be enjoyed aboard your Nile Cruise boat in Cairo.

Today, we journey to the outskirts of Cairo to delve deeper into the history and development of pyramid construction, as well as the rich legacy of Egyptian civilisation. Our first stop is Saqqara, an expansive desert burial site constructed for the pharaohs and elites of the Old Kingdom. Here, we will explore Zoser's 'step' pyramid, followed by a visit to the nearby Imhotep Museum, where we can learn more about Memphis and the surrounding area's history. Afterward, we'll proceed to Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt.
Later, we’ll enjoy a guided tour of the Coptic district in Cairo, where the Romans built the Babylon fortress. The Church of St. Mary, also known as the Hanging Church, was erected atop the ruins of two towers from the fortress. Our next stop will be St. Sergius Church, believed to be the resting place of the Holy Family. We’ll also take the opportunity to visit the Coptic Museum.

Today, we begin our journey southwards to Beni Suef. As the vessel glides along the Nile, you will have the opportunity to observe rural Egyptian life unfolding before you. The entire day is yours to relax and take full advantage of the ship's facilities.

We begin our cruise early today, prior to breakfast. The voyage to Minya is a lengthy one, and we plan to arrive there just after lunch, around 2pm. Once we arrive, we will spend the afternoon visiting the nearby sites. Our first stop will be Tuna al-Gebel, where you’ll explore the Tomb of Petosiris, an intriguing blend of Greek and Egyptian architectural styles. Following this, we will head to Ashmunein, the site of Hermopolis, once a significant city in antiquity, before returning to your cruise ship for the night in Minya.

This morning, we will head to Tuna al-Gabel, a site named after the ancient necropolis nearby. In Pharaonic times, this area served as a religious centre where pilgrims gathered to honour the god Thoth. Many of these pilgrims brought Ibises and Baboons to offer to the priests, who would embalm them. It is estimated that more than 2 million of these animals were sacrificed here. The embalmed remains were placed in a necropolis, some believe extending as far as Hermopolis. The tomb of Petosiris and his family is the best-preserved site at Tuna al-Gabel. Petosiris, who lived during the reign of Alexander the Great, is entombed in a structure that exhibits a blend of Greek and Egyptian architectural styles.

Later, we will visit Beni Hassan. Of the 39 tombs here, most remain unfinished; however, they showcase the transitional phase between the traditional Mastaba tombs of the Old Kingdom and the deeper cut tombs found in the Valley of the Kings. During the Middle Kingdom, provincial officials began to assert their independence by commissioning elaborate tombs in their local regions, rather than opting for burial sites such as Saqqara. The tombs are adorned with Pharaonic symbols and distinctive murals, including depictions of wrestling scenes. We will spend the night on board in Minya.

Embark on a journey to Tel El Amarna, where you'll immerse yourself in the unique 'Amarnian experience'.

Explore the northern tombs of Tel El Amarna, including the Royal Tomb of Akhenaten, the northern palace, and the small temples dedicated to Aten. As you pass Prince Tawdrous Monastery, your guide will share insights into the significance of this historic site.

We will enjoy a peaceful day today, cruising south to Sohag. Meals will be provided throughout the day, and you'll have the chance to unwind by the pool on board, while observing the traditional Egyptian life along the banks of the River Nile. In the evening, music will be played in the bar.

Our excursion today will guide us to Abydos, the legendary birthplace of Osiris. The ancient Egyptians believed that after Osiris was murdered by his brother Seth, he was resurrected at Abydos. It was here that Osiris was bestowed with the powers to reign as the lord of the Afterlife.
During our time in Abydos, you'll also explore the temple of Seti I, the founder of Abydos. Although the temple was not completed in Seti's lifetime, it was eventually finished under the reign of his famous son, Ramses II.
Afterwards, we’ll return to the boat and cruise towards Naga Hammadi, passing through the Naga Hammadi Bridges.

Today, we journey a bit further south to the Temple of Dendera. This significant temple is devoted to Hathor – the goddess of joy, dance, and love. The ancient Egyptians held the belief that Hathor possessed healing abilities, which is why they would often bring the ill to Dendera for treatment. After spending ample time discovering the temple, we will resume our sail towards Luxor. In the evening, we will be entertained by a belly dancer, showcasing traditional performances.

Luxor is commonly known as the largest open-air museum in the world, and this morning we crossed the Nile at dawn to start our exploration of the West Bank. The West Bank is home to the Valley of the Kings, where the ancient tombs continue to uncover their secrets, making it one of the most significant archaeological sites globally. Our itinerary covers several of these Pharaonic tombs, along with the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut.

Today, we'll have breakfast on board before exploring the vast Karnak temple complex, which was once the religious heart of Thebes and Upper Egypt. This grand site was connected to Luxor by a long avenue lined with sphinxes, and the entire complex was also connected to the Nile through a canal that carried the sacred boats of the god Amun. Entering through a smaller avenue of sphinxes built by Ramesses II, you arrive at the colossal pylon entrance. Within the expansive Courtyard, there are three chapels dedicated to the gods Amun, Khons, and Mut. The awe-inspiring Hypostyle Hall boasts 134 towering columns, each intricately carved with scenes of gods and pharaohs, with hieroglyphic inscriptions adorning the walls.
We'll also visit the smaller Luxor temple, located in the heart of the city. You will then have a little more free time in Luxor before the boat continues its journey south towards Edfu, where we will spend the night on board.

Today, we explore the magnificent riverside Temple of Edfu, dedicated to the god Horus. This temple is one of the best-preserved in Egypt, making it a visit you certainly don't want to miss. Continuing our journey southwards towards Aswan, we will make a stop at the remarkable double temple of Komombo, which honours the gods Sobek and Horus. The temple's distinctive design ensures perfect symmetry along its central axis. During your visit, you may also have the opportunity to view one of the mummified crocodiles on display here. After Komombo, we will continue our sail towards Aswan, where you will spend the night on board.

This morning, we embark on a brief boat ride to the stunning Philae Island Temple. We will also drive over the Aswan High Dam, which controls the waters of Lake Nasser. After lunch, we’ll have some time to explore the Nubian Museum, where you can discover more about the Nubian people who reside in much of southern Egypt.

Your tour concludes today after breakfast, though you may choose to take an optional sunrise excursion to the magnificent temples of Abu Simbel, located on the shores of Lake Nasser. This tour requires an early start, with a return to Aswan anticipated by 1pm. We suggest scheduling a departure flight from Aswan no earlier than 6pm to account for potential delays on the return journey from Abu Simbel.

If needed, we can arrange additional hotel nights in Aswan, as well as international flights into Cairo and out of Aswan (returning via Cairo with EgyptAir). Please enquire for further details.

Upon arrival at Cairo Airport, you will be met and welcomed, then transferred directly to your Nile cruise boat. The remainder of the day is yours to settle in, unwind on board, or begin exploring Cairo. The evening will be spent docked on the Nile in Cairo. Additional hotel nights in Cairo are available should you wish to arrive earlier.

Today, your tour begins with visits to some of Egypt's most renowned landmarks. Your first destination is the iconic Pyramids and Sphinx in Giza, one of the ancient world's seven wonders. Afterward, you’ll head to central Cairo to delve into Pharaonic history at the Egyptian Museum, which also houses the treasures from King Tutankhamun's Tomb. In the evening, you will relax on board your Nile Cruise boat in Cairo.

Today, we journey to the outskirts of Cairo to gain a deeper understanding of the history and development of pyramid construction and Egyptian civilisation. Our first stop is Saqqara, an extensive desert necropolis created for the kings and nobility of the Old Kingdom. Here, we’ll explore Zoser’s 'step' pyramid and the nearby Imhotep Museum, where we’ll delve further into the history of Memphis and the region. Following this, we’ll visit Memphis, once the capital of Ancient Egypt.

Later, we’ll enjoy a guided tour of Cairo’s Coptic quarter, where the Romans built the Fortress of Babylon. The Church of St. Mary, often referred to as the Hanging Church, was constructed over the ruins of two towers of this fortress. Our next destination is St. Sergius, believed to be a resting place of the Holy Family. We’ll also make time to visit the Coptic Museum.

Today, we begin our journey southwards to Beni Suef. As the ship glides along the Nile, you’ll have the chance to observe scenes of rural Egyptian life unfolding onshore. The day is yours to relax and enjoy the ship’s facilities at your leisure.

We begin our cruise early this morning, before breakfast. The journey to Minya is lengthy, and we plan to arrive there just after lunch, around 2 pm, where we will spend the afternoon visiting nearby sites. Our first stop of the afternoon is Tuna al-Gebel, where you’ll explore the Tomb of Petosiris, a remarkable blend of Greek and Egyptian architectural styles. Following this, you’ll visit Ashmunein, the site of the ancient city of Hermopolis, before returning to spend the night aboard the cruise ship in Minya.

This morning, we’ll explore Tuna al-Gebel, named after the nearby ancient necropolis. During the Pharaonic era, this area served as a pilgrimage site where devotees came to honour the god Thoth. Pilgrims often brought ibises and baboons as offerings, which priests would then embalm. It’s believed that more than two million of these animals were sacrificed here. Their mummified remains were placed in a necropolis, which some suggest extends all the way to Hermopolis. Tuna al-Gebel’s most well-preserved site is the tomb of Petosiris and his family. Petosiris, who lived during Alexander the Great’s time, is remembered for his tomb’s unique blend of Greek and Egyptian architectural styles.

In the afternoon, we’ll visit Beni Hassan. Of the 39 tombs here, most remain unfinished, yet they reflect the transition from the traditional Old Kingdom mastaba tombs to the deeply cut tombs seen in the Valley of the Kings. This Middle Kingdom period marked a shift as local dignitaries commissioned elaborate burials in their own regions, moving away from centralised sites like Saqqara. The tombs are adorned with Pharaonic symbols and remarkable murals, including rare depictions of wrestling scenes. Overnight stay on board in Minya.

Today, you will journey to Tel El Amarna, the site of the 'Amarnian experience'.

• Explore the northern tombs of Tel El Amarna.
• Visit the Royal Tomb of Akhenaten.
• Discover the northern palace and the smaller temples dedicated to Aten.
• Pause in front of the Prince Tawdrous Monastery to admire its structure from the boat (your guide will provide insights into the monastery's significance).

Today will be a tranquil day as we sail southwards towards Sohag. Throughout the day, meals will be provided, and you'll have the chance to unwind by the pool, taking in the sights of everyday Egyptian life along the River Nile. In the evening, live music will be playing in the bar.

Our excursion today will lead us to Abydos, the birthplace of the Osiris myth. The ancient Egyptians held that Osiris was brought back to life at Abydos after being slain by his brother Seth. He was then endowed with the powers to become the ruler of the Afterlife.
During our visit to Abydos, you will also explore the Temple of Seti I, who established the city. Although the temple was left incomplete during Seti's reign, it was eventually finished under the rule of his renowned son, Ramses II.
Afterward, we will return to the boat and cruise towards Naga Hammadi via the Naga Hammadi Bridges.

Today, we journey a bit further south to the Temple of Dendera. This significant temple is devoted to Hathor – the goddess of joy, dance, and love. The ancient Egyptians believed Hathor possessed healing abilities, and as a result, they frequently brought their ailing ones to Dendera in hopes of a cure. After spending ample time exploring the temple, we’ll proceed with our journey towards Luxor. In the evening, a belly dancer will join us to provide traditional entertainment.

Luxor is commonly known as the largest open-air museum in the world. This morning, we crossed the Nile at dawn to begin our journey on the West Bank. It is the site of the Valley of the Kings, where the timeworn tombs continue to uncover their mysteries, making it one of the most significant archaeological locations globally. Our excursion will take us through several of these ancient royal tombs, as well as the temple dedicated to Queen Hatshepsut.

Your tour concludes today after breakfast, but you may wish to extend your stay in Luxor.

We are able to help arrange additional hotel accommodation in Aswan if needed, as well as international flights into Cairo and departing from Luxor (these will connect via Cairo with Egypt Air). Please enquire for further details.