Legends of sand and stone

Breakfast at the hotel. Get to know the Egyptian capital today with a tour of Cairo's most emblematic sights. Begin at the Giza plateau, home of the three Great Pyramids, built over 4,500 years ago and one of the Seven Wonders of the World! Explore the pyramids and learn about their fascinating history as you walk in the footsteps of the pharaohs.

Continue to the Great Sphinx and the Temple of the Valley to unearth more secrets of Ancient Egypt before visiting the Egyptian Museum. This world-renowned museum is home to the largest collection of jewels, relics and statues from the golden age of the pharaohs.

End the day with a walk through the lively Khan el Khalili neighbourhood, home to the largest bazaar in the city. The rest of the day is at your leisure, we recommend rounding it off with an evening tour of Cairo with dinner*. Overnight stay in Cairo.

*Optional Cairo by Night: we take a walk around the most beautiful corners of Cairo (Tahrir Square, Zamalek, Cairo Tower and the Opera House) before heading to the restaurant where we will enjoy a delicious dinner in an Egyptian restaurant. We will finish the evening with a visit to the famous Mirror Café.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, transfer to the airport for a short flight to Aswan, situated on the Nile River and known for its great importance to the Ancient Egyptian civilization. Upon arrival, head to the river to enjoy a cruise on a traditional felucca boat to see the Nile Falls. Watch life along the Nile as you travel along the river.

Afterwards, continue to the Granite Quarry, home to an unfinished ancient obelisk and the High Dam of Aswan. Transfer to the port to board your Nile Cruise Boat, your home for the next three nights. Get settled in your cabin and enjoy the views of the river. Dinner and overnight on board.

Full-board on board. Today, if you're an early riser, you have the chance to enjoy an optional excursion to Abu Simbel*, home to many rock-carved temples. Afterwards, we recommend to take the chance to book an optional visit to the Island of Philae**. A river island in the Nile where the ancient temple of the goddess Isis is located.

Afterwards, navigate northwards towards Kom Ombo. Upon arrival explore the twin Temples of Haroeris and Sobek and see the amazing Nilometer, used to measure the rising and falling levels of the Nile, an important life source in Egypt. Later, visit a unique Crocodile Mummy museum, home to a number of mummified crocodiles. Return to the ship and enjoy relaxing on board. Overnight on board.

*Optional Excursion to Abu Simbel: Visit these amazing temples, carved on the western cliff of the desert by Ramses II in the Xl century BC. See the iconic 20-metre high statues, dedicated to the god Amon Ra, and the Temple of Nefertari, dedicated to the goddess Hathor.

Please note: If you take the optional excursion to Abu Simbel, you will depart from the ship at approximately 3 a.m. to make the most of the coolest and quietest part of the day. This way, you can fully experience Abu Simbel without the crowds and avoid sightseeing in high temperatures.

**Optional Island of Philae Excursion: Discover the historic island of Philae, in the reservoir of the Old Aswan Dam. It is home to the ancient ruins of the Temple of Isis and offers a fascinating insight into life and beliefs in Ancient Egypt.

Full-board on board. Dock in Edfu today to enjoy a ride in a traditional Egyptian carriage to arrive at the Temple of Edfu in style! Spend some time exploring the temple, dedicated to the Egyptian god of Horus. It's one of the best-preserved monuments in the country as its imposing structure has been protected by the desert sands.

Back on the ship, continue to Luxor where the ancient heart of Thebes awaits you. Here, discover the Temple of Luxor, constructed by the two great pharaohs, Amenhotep II and Ramses II. Return to the ship. Overnight on board.

Breakfast on board. Continue your discovery of the ancient city of Thebes today as you head to the world-famous Valley of the Kings*, where the tomb of Tutankhamon was discovered, revealing the riches of the ancient pharaohs. It is here that the most powerful and influential kings of Ancient Egypt were buried. After exploring the site, continue to the Temple of Hatshepsut, an imposing terraced structure, located below towering cliffs.

Bid farewell to this world of ancient kings and queens as you cross the river into modern-day Luxor. Transfer to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at your leisure. We recommend an optional Karnak Temple Sound and Light Show**. Overnight stay in Luxor.

*Please note: The excursion to the Valley of the Kings includes visits to three tombs. Entrance to the tomb of Tutankhamun is not included but, if you are interested in visiting, you can buy a ticket to see this tomb at the site during your visit.

**Optional Karnak Temple Sound and Light Show: Visit the largest open-air museum in Egypt, the Karnak Temple in Luxor. Discover the secrets behind the temple's ancient name, Thebes, and explore its significant monuments.  As you wander through the ruins of this once great complex, you will be guided by the voices of the pharaohs who built this site to honor their god Amon. Watch as the temples and statues come to life with the clever use of special effects , relive the times of the ancient pharaohs with their customs and rituals as they recount the dramatic history of ancient Thebes.

Breakfast at the hotel. Set off early in the morning to visit the Karnak Temple Complex, home to a vast array of decayed temples, chapels, pylons, and other ancient buildings. Explore the ruins as you soak up the unique atmosphere and let your imagination run wild as you learn about life in Ancient Egypt. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight back to Cairo. Arrive and transfer to the hotel. The remainder of the day is free at your leisure. We recommend an optional excursion to the Saladin Citadel.* If you wish to dive even deeper into the fascinating Egyptian culture, don't miss our optional visit to the spectacular new Grand Egyptian Museum.* An unforgettable experience that will connect you with the treasures of an ancient civilization.** Overnight stay in Cairo.

*Optional Excursion to Saladin Citadel: Visit the Alabaster Mosque and medieval fortification of Saladin Citadel, perched atop a hill in central Cairo and dating back to the 12th-century. Learn about the importance of the site to Egypt's Islamic heritage before walking through the Coptic Neighborhood, home to various churches.

**Optional Visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum: Discover the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo, which houses over 50,000 artifacts spanning 7,000 years of history. With breathtaking views of the Pyramids, it features highlights such as the Hanging Obelisk and the impressive Grand Gallery, making it a truly unforgettable experience.

Please note: These activities overlap. If you book the activity packages or the Saladin Citadel visit, you won't be able to book the New Grand Egyptian Museum. In the same way, if you book the New Grand Egyptian Museum, you won't be able to book the activity packages or the Saladin Citadel visit.