Aswan to Luxor

You board Sanctuary Sun Boat IV at a private dock in Aswan and receive a traditional musical welcome. After lunch, you take a traditional felucca sail around Elephantine Island, weather permitting, and explore the area known for its archaeological sites. Back onboard, you enjoy afternoon tea in the lounge with an oud trio, followed by dinner prepared by the onboard chefs.

You explore Agilika Island and the nearby Philae temple complex, which was relocated to protect it from flooding. You see the temple’s hieroglyphic reliefs and visit the Granite Quarries. After lunch and afternoon tea, you cruise to Kom Ombo and visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to Sobek. You finish the day with dinner onboard and a movie night.

Post breakfast, the day begins with a visit to the dramatic Temple of Edfu on the Nile’s west bank – one of the best-preserved shrines in Egypt, built between 237 and 57BC. Marvel at the inscriptions on its walls, which reveal much about language, myth and religion during the Hellenistic period in the country.

Back on board, guests can join an Egyptian cooking class, followed by afternoon tea, as the boat sails to the city of Luxor (formerly the ancient city of Thebes). It reads like a Who’s Who of ancient sites: the Temple of Luxor with its imposing obelisk, where an Egyptologist guide shares insightful stories; the iconic Valley of the Kings and the Queens, hidden away in the rocky folds of the landscape.

In the evening, guests enter into the spirit of local life as they dress in traditional galabeyya robes for an Egyptian Night on board, featuring a lavish dinner followed by dancing.

The jewel in the crown awaits today: the Valley of the Kings, where, for nearly 500 years, some 65 rock-cut tombs and chambers were excavated for nobles and pharaohs, followed by a visit to the nearby Valley of the Queens and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut.

The final archaeological showstopper is the Temple of Karnak, a complex of temples, pylons and chapels which guests explore with an Egyptologist guide.

Back on the boat, afternoon tea allows for some downtime. The voyage concludes with a gala dinner with white-gloved waiters serving gourmet cuisine, plus a dervish show.

After an early breakfast, check out at 8 am and prepare for your flight home.