Goddess of the Nile

Fly into Cairo – a representative with our sign will assist you through immigration and customs formalities and drive you to our Cairo hotel, the Nile Ritz-Carlton.

Cairo is the largest city in the Middle East and one of the world's ten largest, with a population of 20 million. We’ll tackle Cairo later. Today, relax in your beautiful hotel. We’ll get together tonight for a lovely dinner at the hotel.

After breakfast, we'll travel back in time to visit the Step Pyramid. The 6-tier, 4-sided Pyramid is the earliest colossal stone building in Egypt. Afterward, we'll visit the carpet school in Saqqara. Here, they teach women to weave, allowing them to become self-sufficient.

Then, we visit the great Giza pyramids and the Sphinx. The Great Pyramid, built as the tomb of King Khufu, is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and is considered the greatest construction on earth. It was built using over 2.3 million blocks of limestone weighing six million tons. That much stone could create a three-foot wall around France! 

After visiting this wonder, we'll lunch at the 9 Pyramids Lounge with a breathtaking view. After lunch, we’ll head back to our hotel for a rest. 

We'll enjoy a unique dining experience tonight with a middle-class family who will open their home to us. We'll start with a short cooking demonstration and learn what life is like for the average Egyptian. Their food is scrumptious!

This morning, we’ll take a short flight to Luxor, also known as Thebes – the capital of the ancient Egyptian Empire. Luxor boasts a third of the ancient monuments of the world.

We'll visit the Valley of the Kings and Colossi of Memnon. Afterward, we'll learn about alabaster, one of the region's most important products. After a short explanation, you'll probably want to buy one of these hand-crafted items. You'll find beautiful items in all price ranges. 

It's time for lunch, and today, we're headed to the Almarsam restaurant. After eating our fill, we'll check into the Al Moudira Hotel, leaving time to relax at the pool and soak in the view of the Nile.

Around sunset, we'll take a short boat ride to the Nile's east bank to visit the Luxor temple, which is beautifully lit at night. Your jaw will surely drop in awe. Built by two pharaohs, Amenhotep III of the 14th century BC and King Ramsiss the Great, the Luxor temple is awe-inspiring. 

We'll dine al fresco at our hotel tonight.

Early this morning, consider a hot air balloon ride over the west bank of Luxor. Appreciate the sunrise view while flying over the mountains of the Valley of Kings with the monuments floating below.

After breakfast, we'll check out of our hotel and visit the Karnak temple complex, comprising a mix of crumbling temples, pylons, chapels, and other buildings. It's the second most visited sight after the Pyramids. Construction began on the complex nearly 4,000 years ago. 

After Karnak, we'll stop at a jewelry store that sells cartouches and other well-made local products in all price ranges. 

Then, we'll take an hour's drive to check into our own Dahabiya boat for a sumptuous lunch and a sail up the Nile. Life on our own traditional Egyptian boat is sublimely relaxing. One of the highlights of this trip is watching the banks of the Nile gently glide by. 

Our luxurious Dahabiya sailboat is owned by an Egyptian Captain and his partner, a lovely German woman. We’re heading upstream to El-Hegz.

This afternoon is reserved for unpacking, resting, and reading before nightfall when we’ll enjoy cocktails and dinner star gazing onboard.

After breakfast on the boat, we’ll catch a horse and carriage to visit the Edfu temple, Egypt's second-largest and best-preserved temple. 

Modern Edfu, the northernmost city of Aswan state, is famous for growing sugar cane. They must grow quite a lot because the Egyptians have a serious sweet tooth!

This afternoon, we'll visit a local village to see firsthand how people live close to the land alongside the Nile River. 

Tonight, we’ll have the pleasure of a Nile-side BBQ dinner on Fawaza Island, where we’ll anchor for the evening.

After breakfast, we'll visit Djebel Al-Silsila on the west bank of the Nile to see the chapel of King Hormohep. This chapel dates back to the 14th century BC and hosts seven shrines, each dedicated to local deities. This was also the main quarry for the sandstone that built the Egyptian temples.

Back aboard our floating home, we’ll sail on, enjoying a delightful lunch. This afternoon, take the opportunity to explore the Kom Ombo temple.

We'll have dinner on board tonight. You'll find our chef is quite remarkable and the local Egyptian wine is good. Enjoy two glasses on us with each meal.

Coffee and breakfast will be taken this morning while sailing. 

Get ready this afternoon for a refreshing swim in the Nile (it’s safe!). Afterward, we’ll sail to Aswan over lunch. 

Today, we'll visit the town of Daraw to walk through the market and meet some of the local animals. This is one of the main settings for the camel markets. 

We'll reach Aswan city in the afternoon. Take time to shop and learn about Egyptian cotton and essential oils.

We'll have our last dinner on our floating home tonight as we overnight in Aswan City.

This morning, we’ll say goodbye to the superb crew, driving drive for 3.5 hours south to see the Abu Simbel temple, one of the most impressive buildings in Egypt and the world. Abu Simbel was cut from a single rock into the mountain. Its facade is decorated with four statues of King Ramesses. We'll enjoy a yummy falafel lunch en route. 

Back in Aswan city, we’ll check into the legendary Old Cataract Hotel. This is where King Fouad once entertained, and Agatha Christie sipped cocktails and stayed for an entire year in 1937, writing “Death on the Nile.”

The majestic hotel is on a pink granite cliff overlooking the world’s longest river. This iconic place boasts a fabled guest list of royals and dignitaries. Be sure to take a dip in the pool during your stay. It's delightful. 

After check-in, we'll meet for late afternoon high tea (which will serve as your dinner) as we watch the sailboats pass by. Watching the sun go down in this setting is beyond gorgeous. 

After an early morning, you'll sleep soundly tonight in a room fit for a queen.

After breakfast, we’ll explore one of the most stunning temples in Egypt, the Philae temple. It's built on an island that witnessed the love story of the goddess Isis and her husband, Osiris. The temple dates back to the Ptolomic era in the third century BC.

Today’s lunch is at El Masry restaurant, offering traditional Egyptian food. We'll have time to visit the spice market across the street and learn why spices are so important to Egyptian culture. 

You'll have plenty of time to relax back at our luxurious hotel. Why not relax in the spa* during your time off? 

Dinner tonight is at the hotel hotel.

*Spa treatments are optional and must be paid for by the client

This morning, we'll check out and fly back to Cairo. We'll tour the Christian Coptic Cairo, dating back to the 4th century AD, and visit the hanging church built over the ruins of a Roman fortress. We'll also see the crypt where baby Jesus and the Virgin Mary stayed after they escaped the Romans.

Then, we’ll head to Islamic Cairo to visit the oldest mosque in Egypt. The mosque of Ibn Tulun dates back to the 9th century. It is the largest in Cairo. Climb its minaret to enjoy a spectacular view of Cairo. 

Lunch today is at Abu Tarek. Try Koshary, the classic Egyptian dish that everyone loves. 

Next, we'll visit the Great Egyptian Museum, housing King Tut's golden mask and coffin and hundreds of other ancient treasures. After a final run through the gift shop, we'll check into the Belle Époque Hotel in the upscale Maadi neighborhood. 

Our last meal is at the hotel tonight. The pool setting is delightful. Let's toast to ten days of discovery and lasting friendships made.

After breakfast, we’ll drive to Cairo airport. Those flying home will travel with wonderful memories of the journey of a lifetime.