Step into ancient history with a visit to the iconic Giza Plateau. The Great Pyramid of Khufu, built over 4,500 years ago, was the tallest structure in the world for nearly four millennia. You’ll learn about the extraordinary construction methods and the spiritual beliefs surrounding pyramid building. Next, behold the mighty Sphinx, a symbol of royal power. After lunch, journey to the ruins of Memphis, once the capital of the Old Kingdom, and conclude at Saqqara, where the Step Pyramid of Djoser—humanity’s first stone monument—still inspires awe with its innovative design.

Today offers a deeper insight into Cairo’s multi-faith heritage. Begin in Coptic Cairo, where the Hanging Church, built over the Roman fortress gate, showcases intricate icons and religious art. Visit the Museum of Christian Antiquities for rare relics. Next, dive into Egypt’s Pharaonic era at the Egyptian Museum, home to thousands of artifacts, including Tutankhamun’s golden mask. Then, enjoy lunch aboard a traditional felucca — a timeless experience sailing the Nile. Your final stop is the Grand Egyptian Museum, a marvel of modern architecture showcasing colossal statues and the latest Tutankhamun exhibits.

After breakfast, fly to Aswan — Egypt’s gateway to Nubia. Transfer to your deluxe Lake Nasser cruise, your floating hotel for the next four nights. After settling in, attend a vibrant Nubian show on board, featuring traditional music and dance from the region’s indigenous people. Let the rhythms of the south set the tone for your extraordinary voyage across the hidden waters of ancient Nubia.

Begin your Lake Nasser cruise by visiting the majestic Temple of Kalabsha. Originally located near the High Dam, this temple dedicated to Mandulis was painstakingly dismantled and rebuilt here to escape submersion. Adorned with Greco-Roman carvings and early Christian symbols, it reflects Egypt’s layered spiritual history. Return to your ship and sail past Nubian landscapes to Wadi El-Sebua, where the captain’s cocktail party awaits under the stars.

This morning, discover the mystical Wadi El-Sebua Temple, built by Ramesses II and named after the sphinx-lined avenue leading to its gates. Sail onward to the remote Amada Temple, the oldest monument on Lake Nasser. Within its modest stone walls, remarkably preserved reliefs depict religious rituals and royal decrees from the 18th Dynasty. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Galabeya party where guests are invited to wear local attire and celebrate with music and dance.

Cruise to the southern reaches of Lake Nasser and marvel at the grand temples of Abu Simbel. These masterpieces of New Kingdom engineering were carved into the mountainside by Ramesses II and feature colossal statues over 20 meters high. Their relocation in the 1960s to avoid flooding is one of UNESCO’s greatest achievements. As the day ends, take your seat for the spellbinding Sound & Light Show, which brings these silent sentinels to life through narration, lights, and music.

Disembark and drive to Aswan, the frontier town where ancient Egypt met Nubia. Visit the High Dam, an icon of modern engineering that tamed the Nile. Then, cruise to the island of Agilkia to explore Philae Temple — once submerged but now magnificently restored. This island sanctuary dedicated to the goddess Isis is a spiritual marvel, its pylons adorned with vivid carvings of rituals and myths.

Today’s journey along the Nile brings you to Kom Ombo, where the only dual temple in Egypt honors both Horus the falcon and Sobek the crocodile. Learn about ancient medical instruments and mummified crocodiles on display nearby. Continue to Edfu, where horse-drawn carriages await to carry you to the Temple of Horus. Hidden under sand for centuries, this grand structure’s inner sanctum and towering columns offer an eerie, sacred ambiance. Return on board for a festive Galabeya night with music, local dress, and dance.

Start your day with a hot air balloon flight over Luxor — a breathtaking panorama of temples, fields, and tombs as the sun rises. On land, visit the Valley of the Kings, burial site of Egypt’s greatest rulers. Walk among colorful tombs where hieroglyphs guide souls to the afterlife. Visit the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, one of the few women to rule as pharaoh, and pause at the Colossi of Memnon. In the afternoon, journey through Karnak, the world’s largest temple complex, then walk the Avenue of Sphinxes connecting it to Luxor Temple — a spiritual boulevard used for processions since the New Kingdom.

Your Egyptian odyssey concludes today. After disembarking the cruise, transfer to Luxor airport for your onward flight. Anteros Travel’s team will ensure a smooth departure. As you soar above the Nile Valley, let the memories of ancient gods, timeless temples, and warm hospitality accompany you home.