Sailing the Nile in Style

A day to remember! Meet your private Egyptologist and embark on a full day sightseeing tour of the Pyramids, Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM).
Begin your day with a visit to the impressive site of the Pyramids whose construction began in 2690 BC. The Pyramids of Mycerinus, Chefren and the Great Pyramid of Cheops are the only survivors from the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Face the mystical Sphinx, reputedly used as target practice by Napoleon’s troops.
Optional (supplement applies): Take a Camel Ride across the sands of the desert with the Pyramids in the background.

A reservation is included for lunch (own expense) at the 9 Pyramids Lounge with stunning views overlooking the ancient Pyramids of Giza. This is a unique dining experience, unlike anything else in the world (payment for lunch to be made locally at the restaurant).
View the 9 Pyramids Lounge Facebook Page for more details: https://www.facebook.com/9PyramidsLounge

This afternoon, visit the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), the world’s largest archaeological museum dedicated to one civilization, near the Great Pyramids of Giza. Spanning seven millennia, the GEM showcases over 100,000 artifacts of Egypt’s rich heritage. Enter to see the colossal statue of Ramses II in the grand atrium, then ascend the Grand Staircase, curated to reflect distinct eras of history. At the top, enjoy panoramic views of the Pyramids and explore the Tutankhamun Gallery, featuring over 5,000 treasures from the Boy King’s tomb. Continue through galleries revealing Egypt’s prehistoric roots, pharaohs, gods, and daily life along the Nile. Conclude with time to browse the museum’s shopping arcade or relax in its cafes.

 Optional Tour (supplement applies): Top off an unforgettable day with an incredible evening attending the Sound and Light Show at the Pyramids.

This morning you will be transferred to Cairo Airport for your flight to Luxor. On arrival in Luxor step aboard your Dahabiya for a week of serene sailing on the legendary Nile. A welcome lunch is served as the ship’s timeless beauty and attentive staff begin to work their magic. In the afternoon, explore Luxor’s East Bank, home to the magnificent Temple of Karnak—an awe-inspiring complex of sanctuaries, pylons, and the vast Hypostyle Hall with its 137 towering columns. The tour continues with the striking Luxor Temple, glowing in golden hues at sunset. Tonight, the dahabiya remains moored on the Nile banks of Luxor, allowing you to experience your first evening with gentle breezes, starry skies, and the echoes of ancient history.
The Sonesta Dahabiya is a sailing boat and has no motors. If required it gets towed by a tugboat from a distance, so you never feel any disturbing sounds or vibration during your trip.

Begin your day with an unforgettable visit to the fabled West Bank of Luxor. Walk in the footsteps of archaeologists through the Valley of the Kings, where Tutankhamun’s tomb was famously discovered in 1922. Nearby, visit the Valley of the Queens and the mortuary temple of Medinet Habu, one of the best-preserved temples from the New Kingdom. Stop to admire the immense Colossi of Memnon before returning to the dahabiya for lunch. By noon, the vessel sets sail southward toward Esna. As the sails rise and the Nile unfolds around you, relax on deck and watch the lush riverbanks drift by. Tonight, you’ll be moored near Esna for a peaceful evening under the stars. Innovative Travel Bonus: Entry into the tombs of Tutankhamun and Ramses VI.

After breakfast, set out on a full day of scenic sailing as the dahabiya makes its way to Edfu. This tranquil stretch of the Nile offers the perfect opportunity to unwind. Lounge on the sun deck with a book, sip a cool drink, or simply absorb the rhythms of river life - fields of sugarcane, children waving from the shore, and herons gliding across the water. The cruise arrives in Edfu around 6:00pm, where you’ll be moored beside a lush Nile island. The quiet ambiance and natural beauty of the surroundings make for a magical overnight stay.

This morning visit the magnificent Temple of Edfu, one of Egypt’s best-preserved sanctuaries dedicated to the falcon god Horus. Explore its towering pylons, intricately carved reliefs, and grand courtyards that echo with ancient ritual and myth. Returning to your dahabiya, continue the tranquil journey south, passing timeless riverside villages and palm-lined banks. As evening falls, moor beside the serene Maneeha Island near Kom Ombo for a delightful dinner on the island under a canopy of stars, surrounded by the gentle sounds of the Nile and the soft glow of lanterns along the shore.

Your morning begins with an optional visit to El Silsila, a fascinating sandstone quarry site where pharaohs once sourced materials for their temples. By early afternoon, explore the twin temple of Kom Ombo, dramatically perched along the Nile’s edge. This unique site honours two gods - Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus the Elder, with mirror-image sanctuaries and fascinating reliefs. The small yet captivating Crocodile Museum is also nearby. Return aboard for dinner as the dahabiya continues toward Aswan, mooring for the night beside a serene island close to the city.

Today offers a relaxed and graceful sail toward Aswan, with time to absorb the changing landscape and reflect on the journey so far. As the dahabiya glides closer to its final destination, pass small villages and palm-lined shores that reveal a slower, simpler way of life. Take in the gentle rhythm of the Nile, the comfort of the sun deck, and the elegant service that defines your cruise experience. The vessel moors near Aswan Bridge by afternoon, allowing for a peaceful evening in preparation for the final day’s discoveries.

Today, delve into Aswan’s modern and ancient marvels. Begin with a visit to the iconic Aswan High Dam—an engineering feat completed in 1971—and the older dam built in 1902. These monumental projects forever changed Egypt’s relationship with the Nile. Next, explore the enchanting Philae Temple, dedicated to Isis, goddess of magic and motherhood. Rescued and relocated to Agilkia Island after the creation of Lake Nasser, the temple is a testament to both ancient artistry and modern ingenuity. Return to the dahabiya for a final celebratory evening onboard.

Step back in time and explore the enchanting streets of Medieval Cairo on this private full-day tour. Begin your journey through history at Al Moez Street, a vibrant open-air museum lined with grand mosques, mausoleums, schools, and palaces from the Fatimid, Ayyubid, Mamluk, and Ottoman periods. Enter the old gates of Cairo and soak in the medieval atmosphere that still lingers in this historic district. Cross Al Azhar Street to visit Wekalet el Ghoury, a 16th-century caravanserai, and the nearby Zeinab Khatoun House, a rare example of domestic Mamluk architecture. One final taste Egyptian delights in a farewell lunch with sweeping views of Cairo’s skyline and the Citadel from Al Azhar Park. In the afternoon, visit the Mosque of Ibn Tulun, Egypt’s oldest surviving mosque, with its unique spiral minaret inspired by Samarra in Iraq. Next door, tour the Gayer-Anderson Museum, a beautifully restored Ottoman house filled with Islamic art and artifacts—also featured in the James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me. A rich, immersive experience of Cairo’s medieval soul.

This morning you will be transferred to Cairo Airport for your onward flight.

• 24/7 service and full local backup from our seven regional offices throughout Egypt
• Fast Track meet and assistance prior to immigration at Cairo Airport
• Egyptian visa for US, Canadian, New Zealand, Australian and UK passport holders
• Airport departure assistance
• 4 nights’ hotel accommodation
• 7-night Boutique Dahabiya Nile Cruise
• Daily breakfasts at hotels
• All meals on Nile Cruise
• Lunch on Day 11
• Transfers in air-conditioned transportation with licensed tourism-drdiver
• Economy Class domestic flights Cairo/Luxor and Aswan/Cairo
• Small Group sightseeing in Cairo and on Dahabiya Cruise, with English speaking Egyptologist
• Bonus entry into the tombs of Tutankhamun and Ramses VI
• Entrance fees
• Egypt Travel Notes - issued by Innovative Travel

• International airfares
• Optional tours and excursions
• Porterage
• Tipping/Gratuities (please refer to tour notes for a recommended guideline)
• Personal Expenses
• Hotel charges for minibar or any extra charges
• Egyptian Visa for non-US, Canadian, New Zealand, Australian and UK Passport holders
• Travel Insurance (compulsory)
• Any other services not clearly mentioned in the inclusions above