Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Egypt – Cairo – Luxor – The Nile - Aswan
100% customisable for you
Wave goodbye to the UK because your Egyptian adventure starts today. After speeding through airport security, enjoy some downtime before catching your five-hour flight from the UK to Cairo. Upon arrival, our representative will present you with your tourist visas and a portable Wi-Fi router. Then you’ll be whisked away in an air-conditioned private transfer to your hotel. After dropping off your bags, enjoy your first Egyptian supper in the hotel’s restaurant.
Be ready bright and early today as we’ve arranged a private tour of Cairo’s must-see sight - the Pyramids of Giza. The Pharaohs built these massive tombs 4,500 years ago, and they certainly live up to their name as one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Our expert guide will start by showing you the Great Pyramid of King Khufu, which is the oldest and largest of the pyramids, followed by the Pyramids of Khufu’s son Khafre and his grandson Menkaure. You guide will know the fascinating history behind the pyramids and the best spots for photo opportunities, including a stunning view of the city and the iconic Sphinx.
Refuel with a quick lunch before exploring the adjacent Grand Egyptian Museum – a modern architectural wonder showing the best of ancient Egypt, including the most famous treasures of Tutankhamun and the solar boat of Khufu.
This morning, we highly recommend visiting some highlights of central Cairo. Explore a couple of special mosques, the buzzing Khan Al Khalili market, or the significant churches that represent the history of the Coptic Christians, who still make up around 10% of the nation's population.
In the afternoon, your driver will whisk you from your hotel to the airport for a domestic flight to Luxor. On arrival, you'll be transferred to your hotel in the heart of the city.
This morning, board the Steam Ship Sudan to begin your idyllic adventure along the Nile in the spirit of the ‘Golden Age’ of luxury travel. This authentic 19th-century steamship, which inspired Agatha Christie to write Death on the Nile, has interiors that evoke the stye of the Belle Epoque. Settle into your Edwardian cabin or suite while a gourmet lunch is prepared and served on board.
After lunch you will visit the Temple of Karnak, one of the largest and most impressive archaeological sites in Egypt. Under the command of the Pharaohs, this awe-inspiring ancient city was built over 2,000 years.
Back on board, the steamship will travel towards Qena, located north of Luxor. Little frequented by cruise boats, this part of the Nile offers stunning sunset panoramas of the coast. Enjoy dinner on board and dock overnight at Qena Quai.
This morning's excursion is reached by road, with a two-hour drive to the holy city of Abydos. Here, you can explore the Temple of Seti with your guide – its richly decorated interiors feature intricate carvings and colourful bas-reliefs that mark the birth of Ramesside art.
On your way back, visit the beautiful Temple of Dendera that lies in a secluded spot where fertile land meets the desert. Dedicated to the goddess Hathor, it’s one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt.
Marvel at the famous ‘Dendera Zodiac’ ceiling, featuring a detailed map of constellations, as well as its underground crypts, hidden chambers and twisting stairways, all carved with hieroglyphs. Climb to the roof for stunning panoramic views of the desert landscape.
Afterwards, enjoy lunch back on board the steamship and spend a relaxing afternoon as it cruises to Luxor, where you’ll have dinner and dock overnight.
The steamship departs early this morning, giving you plenty of time to explore today’s first stop: the Valley of the Kings. Home to the burial chambers of the great Pharaohs of the 16th to11th centuries BC, there are 63 magnificent temples of eternal life lining this limestone valley, including the beautiful tombs of Ramesses VI and Seti I, and Tutankhamun's Tomb, famously discovered by Howard Carter in 1922. Also visit Deir el-Medina, including the remains of the village inhabited by the key artisans, and the Valley of the Nobles.
After a gourmet lunch in the elegant dining room, the Steam Ship Sudan continues to Esna, 40 miles south of Luxor. After passing through the lock at Esna, night begins to fall as you journey under the star-filled sky towards Edfu, a further 30 miles downstream and your base for the night. Be sure to enjoy the views on deck with a refreshing sundowner.
It's another early start today to visit the Temple of Edfu, built in honour of Horus, the falcon-headed sky god. Experts consider it one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt – likely because it was buried under a protective layer of sand until it was excavated by the French Egyptologist, Auguste Mariette, in the 1860s after being abandoned by the Roman Empire in 391 AD.
Rejoin the Steam Ship Sudan for another decadent lunch while you journey onwards to Kom Ombo, 90 miles south. Your guide will come with you to see the Kom Ombo Temple, which dates back to 180 BC during the Ptolemaic era and dedicated to Horus and Sobek, the crocodile god.
Back on deck, watch the sun slowly setting behind the temple, before dinner and drinks are served as night falls. The Steam Ship Sudan will stay docked here for the night.
After breakfast, enjoy plenty of deck viewing time on your last full day on board the Steam Ship Sudan as you make the final 30-mile journey to Aswan, at the southern end of the fertile Nile valley. With your guide, explore the Temple of Philae, dedicated to the Goddess Isis, the universal mother who reigned over life, death and resurrection.
Philae was one of Egypt’s most important shrines until 550AD when the Byzantine Emperor, Justinian, ordered its closure after 4,000 years of worship. During the 1960's when the construction of Aswan's High Dam was underway, the temple was dismantled and rebuilt on its current site at Agilkia Island.
Later, meander through the bustling, colourful markets before returning to the steamship for dinner. To make your last night a little special, there’s an option for evening entertainment at the Sound & Light show that illuminates and brings the temple back to life.
This morning, leave the teak decks of the Steam Ship Sudan behind and settle into a comfortable land-based hotel in Aswan. Today is yours to spend as you like, but we suggest making the most of your last day in Egypt by heading back onto the water and taking a boat to some of the pretty Nubian villages nearby. After all the excitement of the last week, you might just want to relax by your hotel's pool and enjoy the beautiful desert and river views.
As dusk starts to fall, we recommend heading into Aswan, where there’s a thriving market that’s perfect for picking up last-minute gifts or trinkets, and atmospheric restaurants to enjoy the last dinner of your holiday.
Sadly, the time has come to head back home and after breakfast your driver will be waiting to take you to Aswan airport. From here, catch a domestic flight to Cairo, which takes around an hour and a half, then connect onto an international flight to the UK ready for home sweet home.
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
