Itinerary
- Day 1
Cairo to Luxor
You'll fly south to Luxor this morning and head straight into exploration. The Temple of Karnak is your first stop, and it's the largest religious complex in the world with massive columns and hieroglyphics covering the walls. After walking through Karnak, you'll board your luxury river cruise ship and then check out the Temple of Luxor before settling in for dinner and a traditional belly dance performance on board.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Temple of Karnak
- Board AmaDahlia river cruise ship
- Visit Temple of Luxor
- Traditional folkloric belly dance performance on board
Landmarks/POIs Temple of Karnak Temple of Luxor - Day 2
Luxor
This is a full day exploring ancient royal burial sites. You'll start at the Valley of Queens and the Valley of the Kings, including the tomb of King Tutankhamun and rare access to Seti I's Tomb. Later you'll see the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon standing guard over the valley. Back on the ship by evening, there's an optional informal cooking class if you're interested in learning some local techniques.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Valley of Queens
- Visit Valley of the Kings including Tutankhamun tomb
- Visit Seti 1 Tomb
- Visit Temple of Hatshepsut
- View Colossi of Memnon
Optional Activities
- Informal cooking class on board
Landmarks/POIs Valley of Queens Valley of the Kings Temple of Hatshepsut Colossi of Memnon - Day 3
Luxor to Aswan
The Temple of Edfu is one of Egypt's best-preserved temples and it's dedicated to Horus the falcon-headed god. You'll spend the morning exploring its intricate details and architecture. After that, the ship cruises south along the Nile toward Aswan, giving you plenty of time to relax on deck and take in the river scenery as you float south.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Temple of Edfu
Landmarks/POIs Temple of Edfu - Day 4
Aswan
You have free time in Aswan, or there's an optional early morning flight to Abu Simbel if you want to see the 3,000-year-old temples of Ramses II. Later in the day, you'll take a peaceful felucca sailboat ride around Elephantine Island. High tea at the historic Old Cataract Hotel is available as an option, followed by belly dance entertainment back on the ship.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Felucca sailboat ride around Elephantine Island
- Traditional folkloric belly dance on board
Optional Activities
- Optional early morning flight to Abu Simbel (must be prebooked)
- Optional late afternoon high tea at Old Cataract Hotel
Landmarks/POIs Abu Simbel Elephantine Island Old Cataract Hotel - Day 5
Aswan to Luxor
A motorboat takes you to the Philae Temple complex with its beautifully restored hieroglyphs. From there you'll visit a colorful Nubian village on Hisa Island to meet local people and see how they live. The Great Temple of Kom Ombo is next, with its dramatic columns overlooking the Nile. By evening the ship sails back toward Luxor, and you'll celebrate local customs with a Galabeya Party on board.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Philae Temple complex
- Visit Nubian village on Hisa Island
- Visit Great Temple of Kom Ombo
- Galabeya Party celebration with traditional Egyptian attire
Landmarks/POIs Philae Temple Temple of Kom Ombo - Day 6
Luxor
This morning you cruise along the Nile from Esna to Luxor at a relaxed pace. Once you arrive, you'll revisit the Temple of Karnak and then check out a museum to learn how papyrus is made and discover this ancient art form. The Temple of Luxor gets another visit, and afterward you can either relax on the ship or walk through the colorful Luxor Market with its spices, jewelry, and various crafts.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic cruise from Esna to Luxor
- Explore Temple of Karnak
- Learn papyrus making at museum
- Visit Temple of Luxor
Optional Activities
- Visit colorful Luxor Market
Landmarks/POIs Temple of Karnak Temple of Luxor Luxor Market - Day 7
Luxor to Qena to Luxor
You'll sail to Qena to explore the Temple of Hathor at Dendara, which is the best-preserved temple in Egypt. One of the highlights here is the rare back wall relief showing Cleopatra with her son Caesarion. After seeing these intricate carvings and the temple's well-maintained structures, the ship sails back to Luxor.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Temple of Hathor at Dendara
Landmarks/POIs Temple of Hathor - Day 8
Luxor to Cairo
You'll disembark in Luxor and fly back to Cairo for your final day. The Abdeen Presidential Palace is on the schedule, one of the world's most luxurious palaces with multiple museums inside including the Silver, Arms, Royal Family, Presidential Gifts, and Historical Documents museums. Lunch at the palace is special, and then you'll explore historic Coptic Cairo with the Hanging Church and Ben Ezra Synagogue before wrapping up your trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Special lunch at Abdeen Presidential Palace)
Included Activities
- Fly from Luxor to Cairo
- Visit Abdeen Presidential Palace with private tour
- Special lunch at Abdeen Presidential Palace
- Visit Hanging Church
- Visit Ben Ezra Synagogue
Landmarks/POIs Abdeen Presidential Palace Hanging Church Ben Ezra Synagogue
