Summary
Short description
Uncover the Egypt's historical marvels in style combing two nights in Cairo with a relaxed 8-night cruise aboard the luxurious Sun Boat IV
Highlights
- Marvel at the wonders of the Pyramids and Tutankhamen's gold mask as you explore Cairo
- Relax in the opulent surroundings of your Sanctuary Retreats river ship on this longer, more leisurely Nile cruise
- Let included, historian-led tours introduce you to the Nile's most famous sights
- Explore the exquisite tombs of the Valleys of the Kings and Queens
- On board, enjoy everything from cocktail receptions and gourmet dining to onboard cookery classes
In Brief
- 2 Nights Cairo
- 1 Night Luxor
- 1 Night Esna
- 1 Night Kom Ombo
- 2 Nights Aswan
- 1 Night Edfu
- 2 Nights Luxor
In pictures
About
Recommended for:
February holidays | History & culture | River cruise
Laid back and utterly luxurious, this 8-night river cruise aboard either Sanctuary Sun Boat IV or Nile Adventurer sails in languid style between the Egyptian Nile's storied highlights. Beginning In Cairo, you'll visit the extraordinary Pyramids and nearby Sphinx, the world-famous Egyptian Museum and the largest bazaar in the Middle East. Once in Luxor, you'll explore the incredible Valley of the Kings, the extraordinary Temple of Karnak and countless other antiquities, before sailing south to to visit the Temples of Khnum and Kom Ombo. And then on to Aswan to explore its Unfinished Obelisk and Philae Temple before an afternoon on a felucca sail boat introduces you to a touch of the traditional. On the return journey to Luxor enjoy Edfu's immaculately preserved Temple of the Horus. Throughout, you'll be treated to five-star service, gourmet dining and Egyptologist-led tours that bring to life the extraordinary archaeological discoveries of this remarkable region.
Day by day itinerary
Day
1
UK/Cairo
With VIP lounge access included, you'll enjoy a relaxing start to your holiday before your flight to Cairo. On arrival, a private transfer will take you to your deluxe hotel, the Nile Ritz-Carlton.
Stay: Four Seasons Hotel at the First Residence
Day
2
Cairo
After breakfast, you will enjoy a full day's sightseeing of Cairo's most iconic sights with an expert private guide. The day starts with a visit to the awe-inspiring Pyramids - the only survivors of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World - and the enigmatic Sphinx at Giza. This is followed by a tour of Egyptian Museum, home to Tutankhamen's gold mask and solid gold sarcophagus, as well as an amazing range of artefacts covering 7,000 years of Egyptian history. After lunch at a local restaurant enjoy a guided tour of the labyrinthine streets of Cairo's atmospheric Khan El Khalili market, reputed to be the largest bazaar in the Middle East. The evening is free to relax at your hotel.
Stay: Four Seasons Hotel at the First Residence
Meals: B L
Day
3
Luxor
In the early morning a private transfer will take you to Cairo airport for your flight to Luxor, from where you will be taken to the Sanctuary Sun Boat IV, your opulent home for the next eight nights. Inside, contemporary furnishings meet art deco flourishes as teak flooring and flowing fabrics add further elegance. Cabins and suites come with floor-to-ceiling windows and, in some cases private balconies, while on the Sun Deck, more teak, this time paired with Egyptian marble, frames a stunning outdoor heated pool. Lunch will be served on board before your Egyptologist guides you around East Bank of Luxor, including the gradeful the Temple of Luxor, dedicated to the god Amun. In the evening, you will be greeted by your Boat Manager at a cocktail reception, to review your cruise program for the upcoming days, followed by a gourmet dinner.
Stay: Sanctuary Sun Boat IV (Deluxe) or Sanctuary Nile Adventurer (Deluxe)
Meals: B L D
Day
4
Luxor/Esna/Edfu
After a buffet breakfast, you will visit the Temple of Karnak, built over more than a thousand years by generations of Pharaohs. The great “Hypostyle Hall” is an incredible forest of giant pillars, covering an area larger than the whole of Notre Dame Cathedral. After lunch and a cruise to Esna, your Egyptologist will guide you around the Greco-Roman Temple of Khnum at Esna. The beautifully preserved Great Hypostyle Hall was built during the reign of the Roman Emperor Claudius; it was excavated from the silt that had accumulated through centuries of annual Nile floods and is about nine meters below present-day street level. Afternoon tea will be served on board during the cruise to Edfu and in the evening dinner will be served onboard.
Stay: Sanctuary Sun Boat IV (Deluxe) or Sanctuary Nile Adventurer (Deluxe)
Meals: B L D
Day
5
Edfu/Kom Ombo
After a leisurely breakfast you can enjoy a morning at leisure, enjoying the facilities including the pool, gymnasium and games room. After lunch, you will have the chance to take part in an Egyptian cooking lesson, as you continue cruising to Kom Ombo.
Following afternoon tea, 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. On the return to the boat dinner will be served whilst cruising to Aswan. Tonight’s entertainment will be an “Egyptian Night” costume party, a Nile cruise tradition that gives guests the chance to dress up in traditional Egyptian “galabeyyas”. Dinner will be a lavish buffet of Egyptian specialties.
Stay: Sanctuary Sun Boat IV (Deluxe) or Sanctuary Nile Adventurer (Deluxe)
Meals: B L D
Day
6
Aswan
Today is a day for relaxation and enjoying the facilities on board in between meals. In the evening, a gala dinner is served, with white gloved waiters serving gourmet cuisine, before the night climaxes with a Dervish show.
Stay: Sanctuary Sun Boat IV (Deluxe) or Sanctuary Nile Adventurer (Deluxe)
Meals: B L D
Day
7
Aswan
You will have a relaxing morning to enjoy breakfast at your leisure, before enjoying the facilities on board, including the pool, games room and gymnasium. After lunch, you will take a ride on a felucca (a typical Egyptian sail boat) around Elephantine Island, Lord Kitcheners Botanical Gardens and the Agha Khan Mausoleum (weather permitting, life jackets will be provided). Afternoon tea will be served in the lounge. In the evening you'll have the opportunity to sample some Egyptian wines and beers, as well as a selection of canapés, followed by a gourmet dinner.
Stay: Sanctuary Sun Boat IV (Deluxe) or Sanctuary Nile Adventurer (Deluxe)
Meals: B L D
Day
8
Aswan/Edfu
A breakfast buffet will be served on board, followed by a short motorboat ride to visit the romantic and majestic Philae Temple on the Island of Agilika. This will be followed by a visit to the Granite Quarries which supplied the ancient Egyptians with most of the hard stone used in pyramids and temples; these quarries still hold a huge unfinished obelisk. Enjoy lunch while you cruise to Kom Ombo and then spend the rest of afternoon at leisure on-board, with afternoon tea served while you continue north to Edfu. You will enjoy a second Egyptian-themed buffet menu this evening, with entertainment and dancing.
Stay: Sanctuary Sun Boat IV (Deluxe) or Sanctuary Nile Adventurer (Deluxe)
Meals: B L D
Day
9
Edfu/Esna
This morning, explore the extraordinary Ptolemaic Temple of Horus, one of the best preserved ancient monuments in Egypt, before returning to your boat for lunch on the cruise to Esna. You can enjoy the passing scenery and afternoon tea whilst continuing to Luxor, followed by dinner.
Stay: Sanctuary Sun Boat IV (Deluxe) or Sanctuary Nile Adventurer (Deluxe)
Meals: B L D
Day
10
Luxor
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast on board before a truly spectacular visit to 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 the dramatic 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. Tonight’s farewell dinner will be on board the ship in Luxor, a chance to share the extraordinary experiences from the last week with your fellow guests.
Stay: Sanctuary Sun Boat IV (Deluxe) or Sanctuary Nile Adventurer (Deluxe)
Meals: B L D
Day
11
Luxor/UK
A buffet breakfast will be served on board, before your morning check-out and flight back to the UK.
Meals: B
Map
Pricing
Any element of this cruise can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.
Accommodation rating:
11-day river cruise holiday
from £5,845 pp incl. flights
2025 departures
June to August dates
from £4,545 pp. incl. flights
May & September dates
from £5,205 pp. incl. flights
April & December (apart from Christmas & Easter)
from £6,885 pp. incl. flights
Rest of the year (apart from Christmas & Easter)
from £7,935 pp. incl. flights
- Return scheduled flights from the UK
- Private transfers throughout
- Two nights in deluxe accommodation in Cairo with daily breakfast
- Full day sightseeing in Cairo with private guide and lunch
- 8-night luxury Nile cruise aboard Sanctuary Sun Boat IV or Nile Adventurer with guided touring and meals as indicated in the itinerary
- UK airport lounge access on departure (subject to departure airport and terminal)
Ask one of our specialists about adding an excursion from Aswan to Abu Simbel by scenic flight.
Additional supplements apply for travel over Easter, Christmas and New Year periods, please call for details.
Terms & Conditions
Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room; prices are subject to availability and possible change; normal booking conditions apply.
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