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 experiencing fascinating Nile settings where bigger vessels can’t go. The royal tombs of the New Kingdom pharaohs, awe-inspiring Abu Simbel, and a romantic sailing vessel make this an unforgettable odyssey through 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
Itinerary at a Glance
Days 1-3
Pyramids of Giza / Sphinx
In Cairo, we visit the incomparable new Grand Egyptian Museum, which counts among its wonders the golden treasures of the young King Tutankhamun. We then witness the grandeur of the Pyramids of Giza, the monumental tombs of the pharaohs Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure and their queens. Nearby, we’ll visit the mysterious lion-headed Great Sphinx, the protector of the pyramids, carved from the bedrock of the Giza Plateau.
Days 4-9
Luxor / Karnak / Valley of the Kings / Sailing the Nile / Aswan
We fly to Luxor, a city built on the site of ancient Thebes. The all-powerful Theban pharaohs showed their prowess by building elaborate monuments here and along the valley of the Nile. We walk amid the stone columns of the stupendous Temple of Karnak and visit graceful Luxor Temple on the banks of the Nile. In the Valley of the Kings, we explore magnificent tombs including the grand Temple of Hatshepsut, Egypt’s most famous female pharaoh. Embarking aboard the Lazuli III-L’Orient, with its air-conditioned cabins, our five-day sail gives us access to lesser-visited sites such as El Kab, the pre-Dynastic capital of Upper Egypt, and famed Nile-side temples including mammoth Edfu, dedicated to the falcon-headed god, Horus. One evening, we enjoy a candlelit barbecue at Maniha Island, and on another, we moor at Cobania Island for a visit with villagers. At Aswan, we visit romantic Philae Temple, a pilgrimage site for thousands of years.
Days 10-11
Abu Simbel
At Abu Simbel, we see the colossal temples of Ramses II, the most powerful pharaoh of the New Kingdom. The temples were carved into cliff faces in the 12th century BC and are still an imposing sight today. Depart on Day 11 via Cairo, or join one of our trip extensions.
In the Wake of Cleopatra
Highlights
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