Itinerary
Day 1 – Cairo: Upon arrival in Cairo International Airport (international flights booked separately), you will be met by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. Overnight here.
Day 2 – Sanctuary Sun Boat IV: Transfer to Cairo Airport, then fly to Luxor to start the day at the Temple of Karnak, built over a thousand years by generations of Pharaohs. Later, transfer to your 5-star deluxe Nile cruise where you will be welcomed by the reception staff. Lunch will be served on board followed by a visit to the West Bank of Luxor to explore the Valley of the Kings. You will also have the chance to visit at least one tomb in the Valley of the Queens and visit the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. On the way back to the Nile River, you will pass by the famed Colossi of Memnon, known in Ancient Greek times for their haunting voices at dawn. In the evening you will be greeted by your Boat Manager for a cocktail reception, who will review your cruise program for the upcoming days. Enjoy cocktails and a selection of canapés, followed by a gourmet dinner.
Day 3 – Sanctuary Sun Boat IV: A breakfast buffet will be served on board as you cruise northwards to Qena. Enjoy a morning visit to the Ptolemaic Temple of Goddess Hathor in Denderah, complete with a massive stone roof, dark chambers, underground passages and towering columns inscribed with hieroglyphs. Hathor was the goddess of pleasure and love, often associated with Aphrodite. Return to the boat for lunch as we sail back to Luxor. Afternoon tea will be served on board. Next, our Egyptologist will guide you on a tour of the East Bank of Luxor to the strikingly graceful Temple of Luxor dedicated to the God Amun. Enjoy dinner on board, followed by a belly dancer and whirling dervish show.
Day 4 – Sanctuary Sun Boat IV: Breakfast will be served on board as you cruise to Edfu, followed by a morning visit to explore the extraordinary Temple of Horus. Enjoy lunch and afternoon tea on board and take part in an Egyptian cooking lesson, as you continue cruising to Kom Ombo. In the afternoon visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to the crocodile-god Sobek. The temple stands at a bend in the Nile where in ancient times sacred crocodiles basked in the sun on the riverbank. Tonight’s dinner on board will be an “Egyptian Night” costume party for all guests, with a chance to dress up in traditional Egyptian “galabeyya”. Dinner will be a lavish buffet of Egyptian specialties, followed by oriental music and dancing for everyone.
Day 5 – Sanctuary Sun Boat IV: A breakfast buffet will be served on board as you cruise to Aswan, followed by a short motorboat ride to visit the majestic Philae Temple on the Island of Agilika. Next, we proceed to the Granite Quarries, which supplied the ancient Egyptians with most of the hard stone used in pyramids and temples and still hold a huge unfinished obelisk. After lunch on board, take a ride on a felucca (a typical Egyptian sailboat) around Elephantine Island, Lord Kitchener’s Botanical Gardens, and the Agha Khan Mausoleum. Afternoon tea will be served in the lounge. Tonight’s farewell dinner will be a gala dinner, with white-gloved waiters serving gourmet cuisine.
Day 6 – Cairo: After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport. Here you will be met by your local guide and taken on a brief Abu Simbel excursion. Following, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Cairo, upon arrival you will be met by a local representative and transferred to your hotel for overnight.
Day 7 – Cairo: After breakfast, you will be taken on your full day tour. Enjoy visits to the Egyptian Museum, Mummies Room, Pyramids & the Solar Boat Museum. Enjoy lunch at Le Pacha Restaurant. Following your tour, return to your hotel for overnight.
Day 8 – End Of Itinerary: At a time advised, you will be transferred to Cairo International Airport for your international departing flights home (international flights booked separately).
Interested in this trip? Give us a call or drop us an email.
