From Cairo to Aswan: 14-Nights Nile Cruise Journey

Upon landing in Egypt, proceed with customs & immigration procedures. Meet our Representative who will assist you and also transfer to your Cairo Hotel. Overnight in Cairo.

Breakfast at your hotel. Early morning transfer to Cairo airport for your flight to Aswan Upon arrival, meet our representative, who will assist you with transferring to your Nile River Cruise. Sail the Nile stopping at some of Egypt’s most remarkable archaeological sites. All your off-shore excursions and meals are included. Onboard, the atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable, with opportunities to sunbathe on deck, and take in breathtaking sunsets over the water. Overnight on board in Aswan.

Enjoy Breakfast on board. Enjoy a Felucca ride along the Nile. Felucca is a traditional Egyptian sailing boat. Along the way stop by a Nubian Village. Nubian Villages are known for its vibrant, rainbow-painted houses and friendly people. Nubians have a unique culture as they are the world's oldest population with a rich tradition and distinct language. Continue with a visit to Aswan’s Botanical garden where you find a vast array of tropical plants.

After an early breakfast on board, prepare for an exciting day of exploration. Join your guide for today's excursion to the Aswan High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk, and Philae Temple. The Aswan High Dam is one of Egypt's most popular modern landmarks, built to protect the Nile Valley from seasonal flooding and to generate valuable hydroelectric power.
Many archaeological sites were submerged after the dam's construction; however, remarkable efforts saved and relocated treasures like Abu Simbel and Philae. Next, visit the Unfinished Obelisk, an immense monument carved from a single piece of granite. Work was halted when a large crack appeared, offering insight into ancient stone-working techniques. Continue to the Temple of Philae. The original temple was submerged after the dam was built but was painstakingly disassembled and relocated to Agilkia Island, south of Aswan. Dedicated to the goddess Isis, Philae stands as a stunning example of ancient Egyptian architecture and religious devotion. Tour downtown Aswan before returning to the cruise. Visit the second-largest Coptic Orthodox Cathedral, renowned for its unique architecture and richly decorated interior. Then, visit the El-Tabia Mosque, which beautifully blends traditional Islamic and Nubian influences. End the day with a visit to the vibrant tourist market. Aswan is renowned for its colourful handicrafts and traditional Nubian items.

After breakfast on board, meet your guide in the lobby for today's visit to the Abu Simbel Temples. The Abu Simbel Temples were relocated from their original site to prevent them from being submerged by flooding. Abu Simbel is a UNESCO World Heritage site, consisting of two massive rock temples built over 3,300 years ago.
They were rescued from submersion caused by the construction of the Aswan Dam and rebuilt above the new shoreline.
This relocation project is regarded as one of the most remarkable achievements in modern engineering. Enjoy lunch on board as you sail to Kom Ombo. You will then join your guide to visit Kom Ombo Temple. The Temple of Sobek at Kom Ombo is uniquely dedicated to two gods: Sobek, the crocodile god and god of fertility, and Haroeris, the falcon-headed god. You will also visit the adjacent Crocodile Museum. Enjoy dinner on board as you sail to Edfu.

After breakfast on board, join your guide for today's excursion to the Edfu Temple. Edfu Temple is dedicated to the falcon god Horus and is renowned for its grand entrance, adorned with intricate relief carvings. Edfu is considered one of Egypt's best-preserved ancient temples. Enjoy lunch and dinner on board as you sail to Luxor.

After early breakfast on board, meet your guide in the lobby for a tour of the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon, and Karnack Temple. The Valley of the Kings is the final resting place of Egypt’s most powerful pharaohs; the site contains more than sixty tombs. Your tour includes a visit to one of the tombs. While none of the tombs contain treasures, their chambers are beautifully decorated with hieroglyphs that recount the history of Ancient Egypt. Your tour continues with a visit to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, one of ancient Egypt’s longest-reigning female rulers. Built directly into the cliff face, this temple is considered one of the most spectacular in Egypt. The Karnak Temple-Complex is considered one of the most fascinating open-air museums, with its Great Hypostyle Hall home to 134 large columns that soar up to twenty meters. On your way back to the ship, stop by the Colossi of Memnon. These two colossal stone statues are over 3,400 years old and weigh 720 tons each. They depict Pharaoh Amenhotep III and his wife.

Breakfast on board, enjoy the view and the amenities on cruise as you sail to Qena.In Qena meet your guide at the Lobby for todays off shore Excursion at Dendera Temple. Dendera is the temple of Hathor, an architectural masterpiece from the Hellenistic period, completed during Roman times. Here, you’ll find artistic depictions of Cleopatra and her son by Julius Caesar, as well as the stunning hieroglyphics on the temple ceiling-considered the most vibrantly colored in Egypt. Dendera is also renowned as the site where the French discovered the famous Zodiac of Dendera. It is a widely known relief found in a late Greco-Roman temple, containing images of the zodiac system still recognized today. In 1820, it was removed from the temple ceiling by Frenchmen and later replaced with a copy. The real bas-relief is now in the Louvre. Lunch and Dinner on board as you sail to Nagaa Hammadi.

Start your morning with breakfast on board as you sail to Al Bayana. Upon arrival, your guide will take you on an offshore tour of the Abydos Temple. Abydos was a major religious center, connected to the Osiris myth and beliefs about the afterlife. The temple is known for its detailed carvings and craftsmanship.
Abydos is home to the Abydos King List, which records the names of ancient Egyptian rulers and offers historical insight.
Unlike more frequented sites such as the Valley of the Kings, Abydos offers a serene and uncrowded atmosphere, allowing for a more intimate exploration of its wonders. Enjoy lunch on board as you sail to Sohag. Upon arrival, meet your guides in the lobby for a tour of the White and Red Monasteries. The city of Sohag is one of the major Coptic Christian areas of Upper Egypt. Well known for its ancient Coptic Orthodox monasteries dating back to the 4th. century. Both the Red and White Monasteries are architectural marvels, boasting fortress-like exteriors inspired by ancient Egyptian temples and interiors adorned with 5th century stunning frescoes. The Red Monastery, constructed of distinctive red burnt brick, stands in striking contrast to the nearby White Monastery, built of white limestone. these two sites are among Egypt's most notable Christian monuments. Return and enjoy a walk along the corniche before boarding your cruise. Sohag’s Corniche is a beautiful riverside promenade along the Nile.

Breakfast on board as you sail toward Tel Ell-Amarna, taking in the scenic views along the way. Today, enjoy a leisurely day aboard the cruise, with time to relax. Tel Ell-Amarna was established as the capital city by Pharaoh Akhenaten and was devoted to the sun god Aten. The city features remarkable ruins and unique architecture designed to emphasize Aten's power. The famous Amarna Letters tablet was discovered here in 1887, shedding light on ancient diplomacy.

After breakfast on board, join your guide for today’s excursion to Tuna EL-Gebel, Tell El-Amarna, and the Royal Tomb. Tuna EL-Gebel is the ancient necropolis of Khmun. It features a combination of human tombs and catacombs filled with mummified animals, such as ibises and baboons sacred to the god Thoth. It is known as the largest Greco-Roman necropolis. Next, visit Tell El-Amarna, which was a worship center for Pharaoh Akhenaten. The ruins are well preserved because the city was only used for a brief period before being abandoned after Akhenaten’s death. Here, you will visit the Royal Tomb, which is cut into the cliff and offers insights into burial practices during the Amarna period. The tomb was designed to accommodate burials of the royal family, although the bodies were eventually moved to the Valley of the Kings when the city was abandoned. Enjoy lunch on board as you sail to Minya, arriving by the afternoon. Minya, situated in the heart of the Nile Valley, is a vibrant and bustling city renowned for its ancient ruins and lively traditional markets. In the afternoon, you will visit a local tourist market, where you can purchase souvenirs and browse a variety of textiles, spices, and handicrafts.

After breakfast on board, meet your guide at the lobby for a visit to the Beni Hassan Tombs. The Beni Hassan Tombs are ancient rock-cut tombs dating back to Egypt’s Middle Kingdom, carved into limestone cliffs overlooking the Nile. They are renowned for their vivid wall paintings, which depict scenes of daily life, sports, and warfare, offering a rare glimpse into the world of Egyptian nobles nearly 4,000 years ago. Lunch on board as you sail to Beni Suef, arriving by the afternoon. Beni Suef, situated in central Egypt, boasts a rich history and a vibrant cultural legacy. Celebrated for its stunning landscapes and ancient monuments, it is one of Egypt's largest cities. Its prime location along the Nile River has been central to its significance throughout the centuries. In the afternoon, you can visit the local market or relax on board. Beni Suef is renowned for its handcrafts such as pottery and woodwork.

Enjoy breakfast on board as you sail to Cairo. Upon arrival, meet your guide in the lobby for today's tour of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization and Khan El Khalili Bazaar. One of the main highlights of the Ancient Museum of civilization is the Royal Mummies' Hall, is specifically designed to showcase the mummies of ancient Egyptian kings and queens. The design aims to provide visitors with the sensation of walking through the Valley of the Kings, where most of these mummies were originally discovered. The hall features a total of 20 royal mummies, including 18 kings and 2 queens, from the 17th to the 20th dynasty. Continue to Khan El Khalili, a vibrant and bustling medieval market filled with souvenirs, spices, and perfumes, where you can enjoy haggling for unique items.

Start your day with breakfast on board. Then, join your guide for today’s excursions to visit the iconic Pyramids of Giza complex - one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World that remains in one piece, and the GEM. The pyramids are named after the Pharaohs who built them; Khufu is the tallest, followed by Khafre and Menkaure, which is the one located in the front. The Pyramids are not decorated inside, and there are no treasures or mummies. You can visit them inside by purchasing a separate ticket. Although it is safe to tour the pyramids inside, you must be relatively fit since you go through steep stairways and low passages; some people also find it claustrophobic. After exploring the pyramids, enjoy lunch on board. In the afternoon, visit the New Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), where you can view the entire contents of the intact tomb of the boy king Tutankhamun, displayed together for the first time since it was found by British Egyptologist Howard Carter. Highlights include Tutankhamun's gold mask, throne, and chariots. Apart from housing a fantastic array of unseen artifacts, this modern building also offers a stunning panoramic view over the Pyramids, linking Egypt's past and present culture in one site.

After breakfast on board, join your guide for an excursion to Memphis and Saqqara. Memphis was the first ancient capital of Egypt. Once a powerful political and religious center, it is home to impressive relics, including colossal statues of Ramses II and the giant Alabaster Sphinx. Visiting Memphis offers a fascinating glimpse into Egypt’s earliest dynastic history and royal legacy, with a quick stop packed with iconic monuments and historical wonders. Next, explore the archaeological site of Saqqara, a vast necropolis renowned for the Step Pyramid of King Djoser - the oldest pyramid in Egypt.