Long Nile Cruise Adventure

On arrival at Cairo International Airport, we meet and assist with visa formalities and luggage, then provide a comfortable transfer to your city hotel. As we drive through the lively streets, you get a first glimpse of Egypt’s bustling capital. The rest of the day is yours to relax, explore local cafés or simply wander and soak up the city’s vibrant energy before the journey continues.

An early start takes us to the Egyptian Museum for a captivating introduction to royal treasures and ancient artefacts, including the celebrated finds of Tutankhamun. We then delve into Coptic Cairo – visiting the Hanging Church, the Coptic Museum and the Ben Ezra Synagogue – to trace early Christian and Jewish heritage. From central Cairo we drive to the Giza Plateau where the city gives way to desert vistas. We stand before the Great Pyramids – the last surviving Wonder of the Ancient World – and continue to the enigmatic Great Sphinx guarding the sands. In the afternoon we return to Cairo, watching the vibrant streets slip by, and unwind at the hotel.

We leave Cairo for Memphis, travelling along the Nile’s west bank past fertile fields to the former capital of the Old Kingdom. We explore the open–air museum, admiring the colossal statue of Ramses II and other artefacts that evoke Egypt’s earliest dynasties. Continuing to nearby Saqqara, we discover Djoser’s Step Pyramid – a landmark of architectural innovation that charts the evolution of royal tombs. After our visits we return to Cairo to rejoin the cruise boat and continue touring, then explore the Grand Egyptian Museum for a deeper look at Egypt’s royal past, including the treasures of Tutankhamun.

We set sail south from Cairo towards Beni Suef as rural scenes, small villages and green fields drift by. The day is at leisure while we cruise – you can unwind on deck and watch the landscape slip past. We savour meals, take in the Nile views and enjoy entertainment on board before mooring for the night.

We continue south from Beni Suef to Minya along quieter reaches of the Nile, watching everyday life unfold on the riverbanks. On arrival in Minya, you have time to relax on board and take in the scenery, before we soak up the city’s Upper Egyptian atmosphere and enjoy an evening folkloric show.

From Minya we drive across the desert to Tuna el–Gebel and Ashmunein, passing rural communities en route. We explore tombs, chapels and temple ruins that span pharaonic to Greco–Roman periods in the ancient city of Thoth. Returning to the boat near Minya, we continue by road to the cliffside tombs of Beni Hassan, visiting Middle Kingdom burials with vivid painted scenes of daily life, wrestling and trade.

We sail from Minya to the historic site of Tel El Amarna, relaxing on deck as the river winds between desert cliffs and cultivated fields. We explore Akhenaten’s short–lived capital – visiting nobles’ tombs, the Royal Tomb area, the Northern Palace and temples to the Aten. We then continue towards Assyut, passing the cliffside Prince Tawdrous Monastery as our guide explains its history, and round off the day with a barbecue dinner and a lively Galabia Party on board.

We cruise from Assyut to Sohag through the rural heart of Upper Egypt on a long, tranquil stretch of sailing. It’s a leisurely day – we enjoy buffet meals between spells of Nile gazing – and you can unwind in your cabin, read a book or simply watch the ever–changing views slide by.

Before dawn we sail from Sohag towards El Balyana for our visit to Abydos, one of Egypt’s most important cult centres. We explore the Temple of Seti I, dedicated to Osiris and other gods, admiring exquisitely carved reliefs and learning about their significance. We then return to the boat and continue towards Naga Hammadi, navigating locks and bridges en route, with lunch on board and an evening barbecue as the journey continues.

Today we visit the beautifully preserved Temple of Dendera, dedicated to Hathor, goddess of love and music. We sail along the Nile from the Naga Hammadi area towards Luxor, disembark near Qena and drive through the countryside to the site. At Dendera we explore richly decorated halls, rooftop chapels and remarkable astronomical ceilings before returning to the river.

We cross from Luxor’s East Bank to the West Bank, entering the desert hills that guard the necropolises of the New Kingdom. We explore the Valley of the Kings, stepping inside beautifully painted tombs that reveal beliefs about the afterlife and the power of the royal court, before admiring the elegant terraces of Queen Hatshepsut’s mortuary temple set beneath dramatic cliffs.

From your hotel in Luxor we set off for an afternoon at the majestic Karnak complex – a vast sanctuary to Amun–Ra with a forest of columns, a tranquil sacred lake and intricate reliefs that evoke New Kingdom grandeur. We then follow part of the Avenue of Sphinxes towards Luxor Temple to uncover how festivals and royal ceremonies once animated its graceful colonnades. We finish by embarking on a relaxing Nile cruise from Luxor to Edfu, settling into the serene rhythm of the river as ancient temples, palm groves and riverside villages glide past.

We begin at the magnificent Temple of Horus in Edfu, one of the best preserved in Egypt, where towering columns and crisp hieroglyphs showcase Ptolemaic craftsmanship. We continue downstream to Kom Ombo – you can take in sweeping Nile views as daily life unfolds along the banks – and explore the unique double temple dedicated to Sobek and Horus. We then cruise south to Aswan, enjoying tranquil vistas of palm–lined shores and traditional feluccas under sail.

We start at the mighty High Dam in Aswan, a landmark of modern engineering that reshaped the river and created Lake Nasser. We then sail to the island sanctuary of Philae to explore the temple of Isis, where intricate carvings and serene surroundings echo centuries of devotion. Finally, we visit the Nubian Museum to delve into the culture and history of Nubia through thoughtfully curated displays.

Your morning is free in Aswan – you might browse the colourful markets, stroll the Corniche beside the Nile or visit the Nubian Museum for further insight into the region. We then transfer you from the cruise boat to Aswan International Airport for your departure. You conclude your long Nile cruise and leave Egypt.