Egypt Discovery

Make your way to London Heathrow for your flight to Egypt. Welcome to Cairo, where we’ll meet you at the airport and take you directly to your luxurious hotel, set along the famous Corniche on the banks of the mighty Nile. Celebrate the beginning of your adventure this evening with a welcome dinner, the perfect chance to get to know fellow travellers.

This morning after breakfast, step back in time in the long-awaited, newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum, the world’s largest archaeological museum. The museum is home to an Aladdin’s cave of the nation’s most famous artefacts, including the entire Tutankhamun collection, and will leave you awestruck. This afternoon perhaps further explore the rich history of this city at your own pace.

You’ll bid a temporary farewell to Cairo as you take a flight to Luxor, where you'll explore the East Bank sites of Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple. Later, board your luxury floating home for the next seven nights, the MS Sun Goddess, settling in and enjoying lunch and afternoon tea. Tonight, enjoy a belly dance show before your first delicious dinner on board.

Wake early and see the rising sun cast a golden glow over the Nile. Today’s adventures will immerse you deep into Egyptology. On the West Bank and the Valley of the Kings and Queens, explore tombs constructed for Tutankhamun and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Later, visit stone statues the Colossi of Memnon. This afternoon, enjoy time to relax as your ship sails on to the ancient city of Esna, crossing the Esna Lock. Tonight, savour a captain’s welcome cocktail before dinner.

Along the banks of the Nile, remnants of ancient civilisations blur the lines between the past and the present. Stunning examples to be seen this morning include the Temple of Edfu, dedicated to Horus the falcon god, regarded as the best-preserved temple of the ancient world. Your ship will then set sail towards Kom Ombo. Time on board can be as luxurious and relaxing as you like. From watching the sunset on the top deck, spa treatments, or delicious dining, a view of the mighty Nile is never more than a glance away. Tonight, you’ll have the chance to sport traditional Egyptian ceremonial clothing at an onboard Galabeya party. 

The modern world beckons with a visit to Aswan High Dam, Egypt's biggest dam and one of the world’s largest embankment dams. The multi-purpose dam was built to assist with flooding controls and irrigation, and to provide hydroelectric power. Later, immerse yourself back into ancient times on the island of Agilika and pay homage to the goddess Isis at the relocated Philae Temple. A short boat ride to access the island offers a unique perspective of one of the nation’s most picturesque temples.

This morning, a short flight takes you to the town of Abu Simbel. Here you’ll discover the World Heritage-listed temples dedicated to Ramesses II and his beloved Nefertari, which are carved into a soaring mountainside and date to the 13th century BC. After returning to Aswan, you’ll admire the picturesque scenes and take in the laid-back nature of the charming city aboard a traditional wooden felucca sailboat as you glide along the Nile. Visit Kitchener’s Island on the eastern bank, home to Aswan’s Botanical Garden. The entire island is dedicated to lush plantings of native and exotic species, including rare Egyptian palms. To discover more about this region and its culture and traditions, you’ll enjoy a Nubian folkloric show before dinner this evening.

This morning you’ll reach the town of Kom Ombo, home to the unusual double temple of the same name. The temple is dedicated to two deities: the crocodile-headed god Sobek and the falcon-headed god Horus the Elder. Take in the well-preserved relief scenes as you wander through the remarkable temple. Return to your ship as you sail north and once again pass through Esna Lock. Originally dating back to 1908, this engineering marvel boasts an elevation of eight metres and is some 221 metres long.

Overlooking the East Bank, the modern and impressive Luxor Museum holds plentiful carefully curated treasures. Discover artworks, statues, hieroglyphic tools and more among the collection today. Tonight, venture back on land to enjoy the Karnak Sound and Light Show, where the spectacular Karnak Temple comes to life in a beautiful display exploring the history of the ancient Egyptian city of Thebes.

Today you’ll bid farewell to your ship as you leave the Nile River and fly back to Cairo. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before an evening at leisure.

At the World Heritage-listed Giza Necropolis, you’ll be able to touch and explore the three pyramids and get incredible views of the Sphinx. This evening, during a farewell dinner, you’ll be able to reflect on the amazing discoveries made throughout your journey.

Today your Egyptian adventure comes to an end. Enjoy breakfast before being transferred to the airport for your onward flight to London.