Overview
This is a traveler’s dream journey: exploring the Nile by private dahabiya, a traditional two-masted Nile sailing yacht that hosts just 10 guests. With our expert Egyptologist, we sail from Luxor to Aswan, discovering stunning pharaonic monuments including Nile-side Kom Ombo, with its crocodile motif, and lesser-known sites like Nekbet, abode of the vulture goddess. We’ll bring you to fascinating out-of-the-way places where bigger vessels can’t go, including tranquil Nile farming villages with a timeless way of life. The breathtaking royal tombs of the New Kingdom pharaohs, awe-inspiring Abu Simbel, the romantic ambiance of our private sailing vessel—they’re all on our unique odyssey amid the eternal wonder that is ancient Egypt.
Everything was just perfect! I couldn't have imagined a better trip. The food was amazing, the service, the guide, the group, the hotels, the boat, the pace, the sites, the villages, the Nile! Thank you so much for an incredible trip!
— Ginger P., Boulder, CO
Days 1-3
Great Pyramids / Sphinx
In Cairo, we witness the power of the Great Pyramids, built by the pharaohs Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure to stand for eternity. We’ll also explore the massive structure known as the Sphinx, carved from the bedrock of the Giza Plateau, the fascinating Solar Boat on the south side of Khufu’s Pyramid, and the incomparable Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, with its amazing treasures of the young King Tutankhamen.
Great Pyramids / Sphinx - Days 1-3
Mena House
Days 1 to 3 (3 nights), Cairo, EgyptOriginally built as a royal hunting lodge for Khedive Ismail, ruler of Egypt from 1863 to 1879, the Mena House was bought and converted into a hotel in the 1880s. People love this place for a compelling reason—it’s literally right across from the pyramids—and we always reserve pyramid view rooms. Location aside, the century-old Mena House is a fine hotel in its own right, with a historic wing with an opulent Arabesque interior, several modern wings, restaurants, two tennis courts, a lushly landscaped garden, and a huge swimming pool with views of the Great Pyramids. The Mena House has hosted sultans, pashas, royals, and statesmen during more than a century of service as one of the world’s grand hotels. This is where Roosevelt and Churchill initiated the D-Day plan and where the discussions of the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel began.
Days 4-9
Luxor / Karnak / Valley of the Kings / Sailing the Nile / Aswan
Flying to Luxor, we walk through the forest of stone columns at stupendous Karnak Temple and visit the graceful Luxor Temple on the banks of the Nile. In the Valley of the Kings, we explore magnificent tombs built for generations of pharaohs. One of them, the grand Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Egypt’s only female pharaoh, merges with the sheer limestone cliffs around it as if nature herself had built this extraordinary monument. Embarking aboard our dahabiya, the L'Orient, we’ll settle into our air-conditioned cabins and set out for a five-day sail. Our vessel gives us access to lesser-known sites such as El-Kaab, the pre-Dynastic capital of Upper Egypt, as well as famed Nile-side temples including mammoth Edfu, dedicated to the falcon-headed god Horus, who served as the protector and patron of the pharaoh. One evening, we head ashore for a candlelit barbecue at Maniha Island, and on another, we moor at Cobania Island for a visit with local villagers. At Aswan, we visit romantic Philae Temple, a pilgrimage site for thousands of years, and walk through the outdoor market.
Luxor / Karnak / Valley of the Kings / Sailing the Nile / Aswan - Days 4-9
Hilton Luxor Resort and Spa
Day 4 (1 night), Luxor, EgyptThe newly renovated Hilton Luxor Resort and Spa enjoys an ideal location set right on the water’s edge of the Nile River. With floating feluccas in the distance and the sound of rustling palms in the breeze, we love this place for its relaxing guest rooms, comfortable beds, and access to garden terraces or private balconies overlooking the Nile. Be sure to enjoy a drink at the Sunset Bar with fantastic views of the West Bank or unwind at their Oasis Pool Bar with in-pool seating!
Days 10-11
Abu Simbel
We disembark and fly to Abu Simbel to see the colossal temples of Ramses II, carved into cliff faces in the 12th century BC and still radiating power across the landscape. Depart on Day 11 via Cairo, or join one of our trip extensions.
Abu Simbel - Days 10-11
Heliopolis Towers
Day 10 (1 night), Cairo, EgyptConveniently located just five minutes from the Cairo airport, this large 247-room hotel is set around a huge glass-enclosed atrium decorated with 30-foot palm trees, planter boxes, and water fountains. There are several good restaurants and a large outdoor swimming pool.
In the Wake of Cleopatra
