Nile in Style (sailing Luxor to Aswan)

Receive a warm A&K welcome on your arrival into the Egyptian capital and transfer privately to your luxury hotel on the banks of the River Nile.

Four Seasons Cairo at Nile Plaza

Journey south of Cairo to the necropolis of Sakkara and the impressive Imhotep Museum located at the foot of the complex. In addition to the famous Step Pyramid of Zoser, (also known as Sakkara Pyramid), and the step tomb built during the reign of the Third Dynasty, Sakkara is home to different monuments and burial sites. There were 16 royal pyramids here and some still remain. The Imhotep Museum houses relics from the Saqqara area including a Ptolemaic mummy discovered during the excavation of the Pharaoh Teti's pyramid complex and a large double statue that was found near the causeway of the Unas complex. The statue depicts the 19th Dynasty High Priest of Mut, Amenemopet, and his wife. Also visit the Mereruka Tomb, one of the most exquisitely decorated tombs of the Old Kingdom.

Continue to the 4,500-year old pyramids of Giza, built for Pharaohs Cheops, the oldest and largest, Chephren and Mycerinus, the smallest. The Great Pyramid of Giza (Pyramid of Cheops) is the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still in existence. Just to the east lies the legendary Great Sphinx rising from the Giza plateau. Having inspired the imaginations of emperors, poets, artists, scholars and travellers for centuries, it remains a truly enigmatic feature of Cairo.

Four Seasons Cairo at Nile Plaza | Meals: BL

Wander through 7,000 years of history accompanied by your private Egyptologist at the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities and uncover the treasures of Tutankhamun. Designed by the French architect Marcel Dourgnon, the Egyptian Museum is home to more than 120,000 ancient artifacts including the funerary mask of Tutankhamun made from 11kg of solid gold, discovered by Howard Carter in 1925. Cairo has so much more to offer: ancient monuments, glittering mosques, imposing citadels, a labyrinthine bazaar and old Coptic churches. This afternoon, choose a walking tour of Islamic Cairo and an adventure in the Khan el-Khalili bazaar; or a visit to old Cairo including the Coptic Museum.

Four Seasons Cairo at Nile Plaza | Meals: BL

Set off on your morning flight south to Luxor where you are met and transferred to the private riverside dock to board Sanctuary Sun Boat IV, your luxurious home afloat the River Nile.

Upon arrival, you have an opportunity to visit the strikingly, graceful Temple of Luxor. After lunch on board, join your Egyptologist along with other guests from the boat* on a tour of the West Bank of Luxor to explore 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 for yourself 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.

Continue to the Temple of Hatshepsut, ancient Egypt’s first female pharaoh and regarded today as one of its most successful, as well as the Valley of the Queens, enjoying access to Queen Nefertari’s tomb, famous for the colourful artwork that adorns its walls.

On your way back to the river pass by the famed Colossi of Memnon, the two massive stone statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep II. This evening on board enjoy drinks, dinner and a cultural performance.

Sanctuary Sun Boat IV | Meals: BLD

After breakfast on board, begin your day with a visit to the Temple of Karnak, the world’s largest religious site. Spread over 200 acres, this complex of ruined temples, pylons, sacred lakes and chapels is breath-taking and an insight to the extraordinary achievements of the pharaohs.

Afterwards, continue on your cruise towards Edfu.

Sanctuary Sun Boat IV | Meals: BLD

Following breakfast, explore the extraordinary Temple of Horus, one of the best-preserved shrines in Egypt. To reach the temple, board a horse drawn carriage through town.

Back on board, lunch is served as you cruise to Kom Ombo. Venture ashore to the Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to the crocodile-god Sobek. The temple stands at a bend in the Nile where, in ancient times, sacred crocodiles basked in the sun on the riverbank. Later, afternoon tea is served in the lounge and you have the chance to take part in an Egyptian cooking lesson as you sail to Aswan, a bustling market town in the south. Tonight, an Egyptian themed event is planned on board with traditional entertainment and local cuisine.

Sanctuary Sun Boat IV | Meals: BLD

A breakfast buffet is served on board and the morning is at leisure.

After lunch, board a motorboat for the short ride to the Island of Agilika where you visit the majestic Philae Temple, a beautiful shrine dedicated to the goddess Isis, which was rescued from the rising waters of the Aswan Dam in the 1960s and rebuilt stone by stone on higher ground. Next stop is the Granite Quarries, which supplied the ancient Egyptians with most of the hard stone used in their pyramids and temples, here you will also see the Unfinished Obelisk, located in the northern region of the stone quarries.

You will also have a chance later today for a short cruise on a felucca (a typical Egyptian sailboat) around Elephantine Island, Lord Kitchener’s Botanical Gardens and the Aga Khan Mausoleum. Tonight, there will be a farewell dinner.

Sanctuary Sun Boat IV | Meals: BLD

Disembark this morning and before returning to Cairo, a short flight takes you to one of Egypt’s most awe-inspiring sights – the colossal temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari at Abu Simbel. Built by Ramses the Great on the edge of his empire to impress his might and power upon all those entering Egypt through the southern border, these massive temples were moved stone by stone in 1964 to higher ground to escape the rising waters of Lake Nasser. Following your visit fly back to Cairo where you are met and transferred to the hotel with the rest of the day at leisure.

Four Seasons at Nile Plaza | Meals: BL

Bid farewell to Egypt and transfer to the airport for your onward journey.

Meals: B

Note: This journey includes shore excursions conducted in small groups during the cruise portion of this itinerary. Should you prefer to organise a private Egyptologist and private vehicle for the duration of your cruise please contact Abercrombie & Kent and we can organise a quotation for these additional services.