Egypt & the Nile - A Luxury Small Group Journey (2023)

Arrive in Cairo, where you are met by your A&K representative and transferred to your historic hotel ideally situated near the last remaining Ancient Wonder of the World — the Great Pyramid of Giza.

Marriott Mena House Hotel

This morning, join your expert A&K Egyptologist for an exploration of the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities (or the Grand Egyptian Museum, upon its opening) to view its huge collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts. Tonight, gather with your fellow guests for a welcome dinner.

Marriott Mena House Hotel | Meals: BLD

Today, roam the Giza Plateau, site of the pyramids of Mycerinus and Chephren as well as the Great Pyramid, built in the Fourth Dynasty (approximately 2690 BC). Revel in the opportunity to enter the interior of one of these legendary structures, and marvel at the massive stones used to construct them. View the Great Sphinx backdropped by the pyramids, a setting that has captured the imaginations of adventurers for centuries.

Marriott Mena House Hotel | Meals: BLD

Fly to Luxor, site of the ancient city of Thebes. Begin your full day of exploring by visiting the striking Temple of Luxor. View the three large statues of Ramses II along the front of the temple pylons, the Courtyard of Ramses II and the Colonnade of Amenhotep III, with its 15-metre-high columns. Walk in their shadows, as visitors have done since antiquity, and ponder the astonishing feats of engineering it took to create them. Then, step aboard ‘Sanctuary Sun Boat IV,’ an elegant river cruiser renowned for the warmth and attentiveness of its service staff. Enjoy lunch on board before disembarking to explore the west bank of the Nile river and the Necropolis of Thebes, and view the Colossi of Memnon. Continue to the architecturally stunning Temple of Hatshepsut, ancient Egypt’s first female pharaoh and regarded today as one of its most successful. Carry on to the Valley of the Kings, burial ground of the pharaohs and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For a period of 500 years beginning in the 16th century BC, tombs were built along this valley for pharaohs and nobles, including that of “the boy king,” Tutankhamun. Enter the tomb of Tutankhamun — found in 1922 by British archaeologist and Egyptologist Howard Carter — to discover the secrets of this storied chamber. Next, descend into the beautifully decorated tomb of Seti I, the father of Ramses II, one of the best-preserved tombs in the valley.

‘Sanctuary Sun Boat IV’ | Meals: BLD

Journey once more to the east bank of the Nile, this time visiting the Temple of Karnak, where generations of pharaohs wished to record their names. Walk through the Great Hypostyle Hall, strolling among its expertly aligned columns, which soar 25 metre high. This afternoon, cruise to Esna and visit the Temple of Khnum to marvel at its superb art and hieroglyphics.

‘Sanctuary Sun Boat IV’ | Meals: BLD

Today, view the Temple of Horus, falcon-headed god of the sky. Built in 230 BC by Ptolemy III, this amazingly well-preserved and colourful structure reveals what temple worship in ancient Egypt was like. Back on board, learn to prepare local dishes during a Chef ’s Table experience: a cooking lesson with an onboard chef. Later this afternoon, enjoy a refreshing Scenic Sundowner as you cruise to Kom Ombo. Disembark at Kom Ombo (hill of gold) to visit the Greco-Roman temple dedicated to Haroeris (the sun god) and Sobek (the crocodile god), whom some ancient Egyptians considered the creator of the world. View the mummified remains of several crocodiles that once basked along the ancient Nile shore, just as their descendants do today.

‘Sanctuary Sun Boat IV’ | Meals: BLD

Cruise to Aswan and proceed to the ancient granite quarries and site of the Unfinished Obelisk. Illustrating the skills of Egypt’s stonemasons, this monolith is taller than any other ancient Egyptian obelisk. Board a motorized boat to picturesque Philae Temple on the island of Agilika. A sacred complex dedicated to the goddess Isis, it reflects a fusion of three great civilizations: Egyptian, Greek and Roman. Later, Ride Like a Local around the Aswan Islands in a felucca (traditional sailboat).

‘Sanctuary Sun Boat IV’ | Meals: BLD

Today, bid farewell to ‘Sanctuary Sun Boat IV,’ disembarking to fly to Abu Simbel and discover the commanding twin temples of Ramses II and his wife, Queen Nefertari. The former’s façade is dominated by four 22-metre-tall statues of the pharaoh. Perhaps even more impressive, this entire site was disassembled and moved here to save it from the floodwaters caused by the construction of the Aswan High Dam. Return to Cairo for an evening at leisure.

Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza | Meals: B

Drive to Sakkara, site of hundreds of tombs and 14 pyramids, including the famous Step Pyramid of Djoser. After lunch, enjoy one of these Design Your Day activities:

• Discover Coptic Cairo, visiting a church built where the Holy Family stayed, as well as St. Barbara and the Church of the Virgin Mary.
• Tour Islamic Cairo, including a walk in El-Moaz Street, and the Khan el-Khalili Bazaar.
• View the Royal Mummies, and countless other artifacts, as you tour the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization.

This evening, gather with your fellow guests to reflect on your journey through Egypt and along the Nile at a farewell dinner.

Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza | Meals: BLD

After breakfast, transfer to the airport and depart.

Meals: B

Internal air included: Cairo/Luxor; Aswan/Abu Simbel/Aswan/Cairo
This journey contains some active elements.
Minimum age is 10 years.
First group event: welcome briefing at 8:30 a.m. on Day 2.
Last group event: farewell dinner at 7:00 p.m. on Day 9.
Departures are guaranteed to operate with a minimum of 2 guests.
Routes may run in reverse on select departures (Aswan/Luxor instead of Luxor/Aswan).

Please note: Multiple groups of 18 A&K guests and other passengers may be travelling on board the ship simultaneously.

Included with every Luxury Small Group Journey

• English-Speaking Resident Tour Director and Local Guides
• Hand-Selected Luxury Accommodations
• Airport Meet and Greet with Private Transfers
• Travelling Bell Boy Luggage Handling
• Breakfast in Bed on Select Days
• Full Breakfast Daily; Select Lunches and Dinners
• Your Choice of Activity on Design Your Day
• Traveller’s Valet Laundry Service
• Internet Access
• Entrance Fees, Taxes and All Gratuities Except Resident Tour Director
• 24/7 A&K On-Call Support
• Guaranteed Departures with Just Two Guests

Please note: Some departures on the following dates will be sailing on board the 'Sanctuary Nile Adventurer' on Days 4-7, and will stay at the Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at the First Residence on Days 1-3 and 8-9.
9 May, 13 May, 17 May, 30 August, 3 September, 11 September, 17 October, 21 October, 29 October, 10 November, 14 November, 22 November, 26 November & 30 November 2023.

Talk to one of our expert Journey Designers or your travel agent about booking this tour as a private journey for your own small group with family or friends. Or, if you would prefer to travel privately, find out more about creating the perfect bespoke tailor-made journey based on this itinerary.