We begin our immersion into Ancient Egypt with a morning visit to the Egyptian Museum, home to more than 120,000 artefacts. Here, you’ll come face-to-face with the dazzling burial treasures of King Tutankhamun, whose tomb was famously discovered intact in 1922 by Howard Carter. Gilded beds, ornate jewelry, and the iconic gold death mask are displayed in reverent silence.

Next, we visit the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, a beautifully curated museum where you’ll view the Royal Mummies Hall, a haunting and awe-inspiring experience. Seeing the actual remains of Ramses II and Hatshepsut — rulers whose names echo through 3,000 years — offers a moving connection to the people behind the legends.

In the afternoon, plunge into the colorful chaos of Khan El-Khalili Bazaar, Cairo’s historic market dating back to the 14th century. Here, the scent of spices mingles with incense as artisans offer brass lanterns, handwoven scarves, and fragrant perfumes.

Note: From 3 July 2025, the Grand Egyptian Museum will replace the Egyptian Museum visit.

Overnight: Steigenberger Pyramids Hotel (or similar)

Meals: Breakfast

This morning is dedicated to one of the most iconic sights on Earth: the Giza Plateau. Towering above the desert, the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the last remaining Wonder of the Ancient World, rises with jaw-dropping grandeur. Alongside it stand the slightly smaller pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure, each a marvel of architectural precision and cosmic alignment.

At the foot of the plateau rests the Great Sphinx, its lion’s body and human face carved from a single limestone ridge — a monument shrouded in mystery. Was it a guardian? A king’s portrait? Our Egyptologist reveals the theories as you explore.

Optional tickets allow entry into the pyramids themselves — a claustrophobic but thrilling descent into royal tombs.

Overnight: Steigenberger Pyramids Hotel (or similar)

Meals: Breakfast

Rise early for a short domestic flight to Luxor, the ancient city of Thebes and one of the richest archaeological sites in the world. Upon arrival, we tour the Karnak Temple Complex, once the largest religious sanctuary on Earth. Dedicated to Amun-Ra, Karnak evolved over 2,000 years and includes the Hypostyle Hall, a forest of 134 giant columns etched with celestial prayers.

Nearby lies the Luxor Temple, connected to Karnak by an ancient avenue of sphinxes. Lit beautifully in the afternoon sun, this temple was used for the crowning of kings — and may even have seen Alexander the Great’s coronation.

Board the luxurious Sun Boat Sanctuary, where timeless elegance meets modern luxury. Enjoy lunch onboard and unwind as the Nile gently flows past your window.

Overnight: Sun Boat Sanctuary (or similar)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, we cross to the West Bank of Luxor, land of the dead in ancient Egyptian belief. Our destination is the Valley of the Kings, where more than 60 royal tombs were carved into limestone hills. Step inside elaborately painted burial chambers designed to guide the dead to the afterlife.

Your ticket includes entrance to three major tombs, with optional add-ons like the tomb of Tutankhamun, whose surprisingly modest chamber still houses his mummy, and Ramses VI, with its dazzling blue ceiling of stars.

We then visit the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, Egypt’s most successful female pharaoh. Built into towering cliffs, this terraced marvel defies the desert’s severity with its symmetry and grace.

Before returning to the ship, we pause at the Colossi of Memnon, two 18-meter-high statues of Amenhotep III that have stood watch over the Theban necropolis for 3,400 years.

Set sail this evening as golden light drapes the Nile — a magical moment to watch from the upper deck.

Overnight: Sun Boat Sanctuary (or similar)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we reach Edfu, home to the best-preserved temple in Egypt. The Temple of Horus is a stunning example of Ptolemaic architecture and mythology. Built between 237 and 57 BCE, its massive entrance pylon and perfectly proportioned court echo a time when Greek and Egyptian cultures merged.

By late afternoon, we dock at Kom Ombo, a unique dual temple dedicated to two gods: Haroeris (a form of Horus) and Sobek, the crocodile deity associated with fertility and protection. Reliefs of surgical tools in the temple hint at the ancient medical knowledge once practiced here.

Return to your sanctuary on the water as the ship cruises toward Aswan.

Overnight: Sun Boat Sanctuary (or similar)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Wake up in Aswan, a sun-drenched town with a rich Nubian heritage. This morning offers an optional excursion to Abu Simbel, one of Egypt’s most astounding feats. These rock temples were carved in the 13th century BCE and later relocated piece by piece in the 1960s to escape the rising waters of Lake Nasser. The 20-meter statues of Ramses II, aligned to light the inner chamber twice a year, remain an awe-inspiring sight.

Alternatively, explore Aswan’s bazaar, brimming with Nubian spices, handmade crafts, and souvenirs. You may also choose to visit the Nubian Museum, a beautiful cultural archive preserving the identity of this vibrant people.

Overnight: Sun Boat Sanctuary (or similar)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we visit the Temple of Philae, once located on Philae Island and painstakingly relocated to Agilkia Island after the construction of the Aswan High Dam. Philae was one of the last bastions of ancient religion — where the cult of Isis, the mother goddess, endured long after the Roman conquest.

We also view the Aswan High Dam, an engineering marvel completed in 1970 that gave Egypt control over its seasonal Nile floods.

In the afternoon, board a traditional felucca, the graceful sailboat of the Nile, and drift past elephantine rocks, palm-lined shores, and the gentle rhythms of river life.

Overnight: Basma Hotel, Aswan (or similar)

Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy breakfast overlooking the Nile before transferring to the airport for your return flight. If you’re not ready to leave, Anteros Travel can arrange an extended stay to the Red Sea, Alexandria, or even across the border to Jordan.

Egypt has a way of staying with you — in your dreams, your photographs, and the way you see the world.

Meals: Breakfast