Today, step into a city where time doesn’t flow — it collides.

With your private Egyptologist, explore the Citadel of Saladin, a 12th-century fortress that once guarded the city against Crusaders. Within its ramparts gleams the Alabaster Mosque of Muhammad Ali, whose domes rise like prayers etched in stone. From here, take in a sweeping view of old Cairo — minarets rising like ink strokes from a script written by history itself.

Continue to the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, home to the treasures of Tutankhamun. See his golden mask, chariots, and the funerary items that once lay hidden in the Valley of the Kings. Each gallery is a whisper from the past — pharaohs, gods, and artists suspended in time.

Then, plunge into Khan El Khalili Bazaar, Cairo’s sensory theatre. Here, life unfolds in its most fragrant, colorful form: handwoven carpets, polished brass, amber perfumes, and the hypnotic rhythm of merchants calling to passersby. Sip strong coffee at a century-old café or lose yourself in the scent of cardamom and hibiscus.

Return to your luxury hotel, the Nile glimmering beneath your window.

• Accommodation: Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza (or similar)
• Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, board a short domestic flight to Luxor, the site of ancient Thebes, once the glorious capital of Egypt’s New Kingdom for over 1,300 years.

You’ll be transferred in comfort to your elegant Nile cruise ship — the River Tosca (or similar) — where check-in is greeted with cool towels, exotic floral arrangements, and the soft melodies of live oud music.

In the afternoon, set off on an unforgettable visit to the Temple of Karnak — a sacred city within a city. Built and expanded over 2,000 years, its grand hypostyle hall with 134 colossal columns remains one of the world’s most awe-inspiring architectural wonders. Sphinx-lined avenues, colossal obelisks, and hieroglyphic carvings speak of Egypt’s golden age.

As twilight falls, enjoy a Welcome Reception and Dinner aboard your ship. Toast to the beginning of your river journey, as the Nile cradles your dreams beneath a sky of infinite stars.

• Accommodation: River Tosca Nile Cruise – 5★ Super Deluxe (or similar)
• Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Your journey through Egypt's spiritual past continues with two astonishing temple visits. Begin with the Temple of Luxor, standing proud in the heart of the modern city and once the ceremonial centre of the ancient capital Thebes. As you wander through its grand colonnades and gaze upon statues of Ramses II, your guide will illuminate how this temple played host to the annual Opet Festival—a lavish celebration of fertility, kingship, and divine renewal.

Next, travel northward to Dendera, a jewel of Egyptian heritage tucked away from the usual tourist trail. Here stands the magnificent Temple of Hathor, goddess of love and motherhood. Its ceiling still bears vivid astronomical scenes, including the famous Dendera Zodiac, a celestial chart that captured the Egyptian fascination with the heavens. You'll also have the rare chance to explore subterranean crypts where priests once carried out sacred rituals, and marvel at depictions of Cleopatra VII carved in high relief.

Return to your cruise in time for a gourmet dinner as the Nile glimmers beneath the evening stars.

Early this morning, step into the echo of eternity in Luxor’s West Bank. First, stand before the towering Colossi of Memnon, guardians of a vanished mortuary temple built by Amenhotep III. Then delve deep into the Valley of the Kings, the fabled necropolis where pharaohs of the New Kingdom found their eternal rest. Walk through tombs adorned with ancient hymns and cosmic maps, and if available, behold the tomb of Tutankhamun himself—a chamber once sealed with secrets for 3,000 years.

Continue to the Temple of Hatshepsut, Egypt’s pioneering female pharaoh. Her mortuary temple, carved into sheer limestone cliffs, is a testament to architectural genius and royal ambition. Return to your ship for lunch and a tranquil afternoon as you begin sailing south.

Wake to the rhythmic hum of the Nile and the sight of Kom Ombo’s riverside temple emerging in the golden light. Unlike any other, this dual-temple honours two gods—Sobek, the crocodile-headed deity of fertility and chaos, and Horus the Elder, protector of kings. Walk through mirrored halls and sanctuaries, and don’t miss the on-site Crocodile Museum where over 300 mummified reptiles lie in silent testimony to ancient beliefs.

Later, a serene birdwatching excursion awaits aboard a small skiff. Glide along the palm-fringed riverbanks while spotting herons, kingfishers, and perhaps even the elusive African fish eagle. This gentle communion with nature is a perfect counterbalance to the grandeur of the temples.

Aswan wakes slowly, bathed in a warm golden light, its morning sun gliding over the shimmering Nile. Today’s journey begins with an awe-inspiring look at the Aswan High Dam—a marvel of modern engineering that reshaped Egypt’s destiny. Next, you'll stand before the ancient Unfinished Obelisk, still etched into the bedrock of its quarry, a silent testament to the precision and ambition of pharaonic craftsmanship.

Later, step onto Agilkia Island where the resplendent Philae Temple rises like a mirage. Dedicated to the goddess Isis, the temple’s colonnades and carvings whisper of love and rebirth. In the afternoon, let the wind cradle you on a traditional felucca sailboat as you drift gently along the river, savoring high tea at the iconic Old Cataract Hotel—once a muse to Agatha Christie’s mystery and elegance. The Nile doesn’t just reflect sunlight—it reflects stories, and today, you live inside one.

The choice is yours today—immerse yourself in quiet luxury or embrace one of Egypt’s most awe-inspiring monuments.

For those who choose adventure, an early morning flight takes you to the colossal temples of Abu Simbel. Hewn from sandstone cliffs by Ramses II and saved from inundation by an international rescue mission, these monuments stand as a triumph of devotion and ingenuity. Towering statues gaze over Lake Nasser, their majesty undimmed by time.

If you stay behind, allow Aswan to enchant you at a gentler pace. Wander the colorful Nubian villages, shop for hand-painted crafts, or sip hibiscus tea on a shaded terrace. The pace of Aswan is slow—on purpose—so you can feel each heartbeat of the Nile.

Today you dock at the sleepy riverside town of Esna, where the past lies hidden beneath the earth. The Temple of Khnum, once buried under centuries of sand and homes, now stands proudly restored. Step inside to behold towering columns covered in brilliant carvings—among them the last known hieroglyphic inscriptions ever etched in ancient Egypt. Your Egyptologist guide will decode the stories locked in stone, bringing myth and ritual vividly to life.

As you return to the ship, the late afternoon sun casts warm amber light across the deck. The air is rich with the scent of cardamom tea. The luxury here isn’t just in the surroundings—it’s in how deeply you feel Egypt’s soul unfold with every passing hour.

This morning, your luxury cruise adventure glides to its conclusion as you disembark in Luxor. A private transfer whisks you to the airport for your return flight to Cairo, where you'll check in once more at the opulent Four Seasons Nile Plaza or the timeless Nile Ritz-Carlton (or similar), overlooking the eternal river.

The afternoon offers a treasure of its own — a visit to the long-anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum (for departures after July 2025), a modern architectural masterpiece housing the most comprehensive collection of Egyptian antiquities ever assembled. Walk through the halls where the full Tutankhamun collection dazzles, restored and displayed in its entirety for the very first time. For those visiting prior to the official opening, a Masterpiece Collection Experience provides a preview of its greatest artefacts. The museum visit is guided by one of Anteros Travel’s expert Egyptologists, giving you context and insight that deepens every encounter with the past.

No journey to Egypt would be complete without standing face to face with the ancient guardians of time — the Pyramids of Giza. Today, with your personal Egyptologist, you’ll unlock the stories carved into these stones. Walk beneath the shadow of the Great Pyramid, marvel at its engineering perfection, and meet the iconic Sphinx whose riddles have stirred the imaginations of travellers for centuries.

You’ll also have time to explore the Solar Boat Museum, home to the reconstructed ‘sun boat’ buried beside the Pyramid of Khufu, once intended to carry the Pharaoh into the afterlife. From here, journey to Saqqara, the necropolis of ancient Memphis, where the Step Pyramid of Djoser predates even Giza’s wonders. This day is a love letter to the mysteries of ancient architecture and the enduring human drive to leave a mark upon eternity.

After a final lavish breakfast overlooking the Nile, a private transfer arranged by Anteros Travel will escort you to Cairo International Airport. As your unforgettable journey draws to a close, you’ll carry home the warmth of Egypt’s golden sun, the majesty of its monuments, and the quiet echo of the Nile — whispering that you are always welcome to return.