In the Wake of Cleopatra

The River Nile by sail! This is a traveler’s dream journey—exploring the Nile by dahabiya, a private two-masted river yacht that holds just 12 passengers and hearkens back to a nostalgic and elegant era of travel. With our expert Egyptologist by our side, we sail the river from Luxor to Aswan, discovering the great Pharaonic monuments that abound in this legendary river valley and exploring fascinating out-of-the-way sites little visited by other travelers, including Nile villages where we experience a timeless way of life. The great sites of Cairo, the breathtaking royal tombs of New Kingdom pharaohs, and the awe-inspiring temples of Abu Simbel—they’re all on this ultimate odyssey amid the eternal wonder that is ancient Egypt.

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-3
Cairo and the Great Pyramids

The Great Pyramids at Giza epitomize the mystery of ancient Egypt. We explore these wondrous tombs of the Pharaohs, then visit the lion-headed Sphinx, ancient Memphis, and the necropolis at Sakkara. At the Egyptian Museum, we feast our eyes on the treasures of young King Tut, including his famous mask of solid gold—the icon of Egypt.

Day 4
Luxor / Karnak Temple

In Luxor, ancient Egypt’s New Kingdom capital, we visit stupendous Karnak, with its forest of stone columns, and the Luxor temple, a strikingly graceful piece of architecture on the banks of the Nile.

Days 5-9
Valley of the Kings / Sailing the Nile

Across the Nile from Luxor is the Valley of the Kings, where Howard Carter made his epic discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamen in 1922. We explore the amazing tombs and mortuary temples of the valley, including the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, which merges with the sheer limestone cliffs as if nature herself had built this extraordinary monument. At Esna, with its Greco-Roman Temple of Khnum, we embark aboard our dahabiya, which can navigate not only on the main river but also in the maze of canals along its banks. This allows us to visit lesser-known sites such as El-Kaab, home of Nekbet, the vulture goddess of Upper Egypt, along with famed Nile-side temples including Edfu, the best preserved ancient temple in Egypt, and Kom Ombo, on a high dune overlooking the Nile. Along the way, we enjoy a barbecue and a picnic at beautiful spots, and one evening, we moor at Cobania Island for a visit with local villagers.

Days 10-12
Aswan / Abu Simbel / Cairo

We disembark and fly to Abu Simbel to see the colossal Nile-side temples of Ramses, carved into cliff faces in the 12th century BC. After exploring Cairo’s fascinating Coptic sites including the old Fortress of Babylon, depart on Day 12, or join our Alexandria or Jordan Extension.

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What the Trip is Like

The trip is rated Level 1+, Easiest. It is an overland touring trip with day walks exploring the fascinating ruins and wonderful towns in this ancient and modern civilization. Please note that we have several early morning starts, especially on days with air travel.

Explanation of Trip Levels