Treasures of Egypt and the Nile

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.

Enhance Your Journey – Saqqara and Memphis

Step back into Egypt’s Old Kingdom and explore the ancient wonders of Memphis and Saqqara, home to the civilisation’s earliest pyramids and enduring legacy.

Enhance Your Journey – Coptic Cairo

Wander through the historic heart of Old Cairo and uncover Egypt’s rich Christian heritage in the ancient Coptic district.

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, the Travelmarvel Sirius, 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 on board.

Enhance Your Journey – Luxor Museum Visit

The Luxor Museum of Ancient Egyptian Art is set in an exceptional location in the ancient and world-famous town of Luxor. Located on the Nile Corniche Road, the museum overlooks the mighty Nile River, facing the Ramesseum on the west bank, with the remarkable Avenue of the Sphinxes conveniently situated nearby along the same road.

Since the early steamers visited Egypt in the nineteenth century, Luxor has remained a tourist hotspot. Situated on the east side of the Nile in the centre of The Nile Valley, Luxor is an ideal location for tours and trips to surrounding places of interest.

Start the day discovering the remarkable 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.

Insider Experience – Dendera Temple Visit

Enjoy a special visit to Dendera, where the beautifully preserved Temple of Hathor reveals intricate carvings, celestial ceilings and sacred spaces that offer a rare glimpse into ancient Egyptian spirituality.

Edfu is an Egyptian town of The Nile Valley situated halfway between Luxor and Aswan, on the west bank of the Nile. The town is popular with tourists for being home to one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt, dedicated to the sky god of the Nile, Horus.

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.

Insider Experience – Edfu Temple Visit

Admire the impressive Temple of Horus at Edfu, explore its towering pylons, detailed reliefs and sacred halls in honour of the falcon god.

Abu Simbel is a site situated on the west bank of Lake Nasser in The Nile Valley. It lies south of Aswan and is frequented by day visitors who come to visit The Sun Temple of Ramses ll.

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 to higher ground in a remarkable international effort to save it from being flooded by Lake Nasser.

Return to the ship for lunch on board, followed by some free time, before immersing yourself in a special Insider Experience thoughtfully curated for you. As the evening falls, consider a visit to the vibrant Night Market to be immersed in the local culture of Aswan through a different perspective as its streets come alive after dark.

Insider Experience – Felucca Sailing on the Nile

Step aboard a traditional felucca and glide along the Nile, admiring the tranquil beauty of Aswan from the water.

Enhance Your Journey – Aswan Night Market Tour

Wander through Aswan’s lively night market, brimming with colourful stalls selling aromatic spices, fragrant oils, local textiles and handicrafts.

Aswan is Egypt’s southernmost city and remains hot and dry all year round. It is considered the most picturesque setting on the Nile and serves as a base for tourist excursions to many local sites of interest.

In a city as serene and storied as Aswan, there’s always something to uncover. After breakfast, embark on a guided tour of the impressive High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk and the beautifully preserved Philae Temple. After a morning of exploration, enjoy some free time this afternoon. Late in the day, perhaps indulge in our memorable Enhance Your Journey experience at the iconic Old Cataract Hotel. Later, rejoin your vessel to set sail north to Kom Ombo.

Enhance Your Journey – Afternoon High Tea at the Old Cataract Hotel

Step into colonial elegance and indulge in a traditional high tea at the legendary Old Cataract Hotel, overlooking the Nile.

Since the early steamers visited Egypt in the nineteenth century, Luxor has remained a tourist hotspot. Situated on the east side of the Nile in the centre of The Nile Valley, Luxor is an ideal location for tours and trips to surrounding places of interest.

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.

Since the early steamers visited Egypt in the nineteenth century, Luxor has remained a tourist hotspot. Situated on the east side of the Nile in the centre of The Nile Valley, Luxor is an ideal location for tours and trips to surrounding places of interest.

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, and 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. Return to your ship for an onboard lunch, followed by free time to relax and enjoy the ship's amenities or further explore the region's rich archaeological heritage at your leisure.

After a delicious dinner on board, perhaps visit Karnak Temple on an optional Enhance Your Journey activity.

Enhance Your Journey – Karnak Sound and Light Show

Witness Karnak Temple in a whole new light during this atmospheric after-dark experience. As stories of gods and pharaohs echo through the complex, the temple’s towering columns and sacred spaces are illuminated in a dramatic retelling of Egypt’s ancient past.

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