Take a journey back in time as your cruise the Nile River on board the Sanctuary Sun Boat III past ancient Egyptian ruins. Embark in Luxor and visit the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens, as you sail down the Nile River pass by the famed Colossi of Memnon. Enjoy visits to several temples including Temple of Hathor, Luxor Temple and Temple of Kom Ombo. Learn about the history of this region and take an authentic Egyptian cooking class. This relaxed 5-day river cruise is a great introduction to all Egypt has to offer!
Highlights
Explore the Temple of Karnak, built over a thousand years
Ride on a felucca, an Egyptian sail boat, around Elephantine Island
Tour the East Bank of Luxor with your Egyptologist guide
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Start the day at the Temple of Karnak built, over more than a thousand years, by generations of Pharaohs. Transfer to your 5-star deluxe Nile cruise boat, Sanctuary Sun Boat III, 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. Visit at least one tomb in the Valley of the Queens and visit the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. On the way back to the river Nile, pass by the famed Colossi of Memnon, known in Ancient Greek times for their haunting voices at dawn.
In the evening you are greeted by your Boat Manager for a Cocktail Reception, who reviews your cruise program for the upcoming days. Complimentary cocktail and a selection of canapés are served followed by a gourmet dinner.
Breakfast buffet on board while 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.
Afternoon tea is served on board, from which your Egyptologist guides you on a tour of the East Bank of Luxor, to the strikingly graceful Temple of Luxor dedicated to the God Amun.
Cruise to Edfu with a morning visit to explore the extraordinary Temple of Horus. There is an Egyptian cooking lesson presented on board. 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 is an "Egyptian Night" costume party for all guests, with a chance to dress up in traditional Egyptian "galabeyya".
Sail to Aswan followed by a short motorboat ride to visit the majestic Philae Temple on the Island of Agilika. Next, 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.
In the afternoon (weather permitting) take a ride on a felucca, a typical Egyptian sail boat, around Elephantine Island, Lord Kitchener's Botanical Gardens, and the Agha Khan Mausoleum (life jackets will be provided).
Day 5: Disembark in Aswan
1 Breakfast
Enjoy a final breakfast on board before disembarking in Aswan.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$2,040
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Nile Deck Cabin
55.8 ft². Twin or King beds. A/C, window, private bath with shower & hairdryer, satellite TV & in-house movies, and mini-bar.
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Promenade Deck Cabin
55.8 ft². Twin or King beds. A/C, window, private bath with shower & hairdryer, satellite TV & in-house movies, and mini-bar.
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Presidential Suite
95.1 ft². Queen bed. A/C, window, private bath with bathtub & hairdryer, satellite TV & in-house movies, and mini-bar.
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Royal Suite
118.1 ft² Twin or King beds. A/C, window, private bath with bathtub & hairdryer, satellite TV & in-house movies, and mini-bar.
Notes
All Prices are per person, twin share and include taxes and surcharges. Single supplement pricing available upon request.
Initial deposit is 30%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
Gale Cantor
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
1 day ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.