Ancient Egypt & Dubai

Welcome to Cairo. Known locally as Al-Qahirah, the city is one of Africa's largest urban centres and the cultural heart of the Arab world. Its historic quarters retain the layout of medieval times, while later Ottoman and European influences shaped much of the modern city. On arrival, independently transfer to your hotel.

Today we visit the remarkable Pyramids and the Great Sphinx. The Greeks once counted these monuments among the Seven Wonders of the World, and the sheer scale of the complex continues to inspire awe. The Great Pyramid of Cheops is particularly notable, with its burial chambers open for public viewing.

Nearby stands the Sphinx, carved from natural limestone and dating to the reign of Chephren around 2620 BC. We then return to the hotel, with the rest of the day at leisure. You may wish to join one of the optional evening experiences.

Optional: Sound and Light Show at the Pyramids
This evening you may return to Giza to see the Pyramids and Sphinx illuminated under the night sky. The show uses dramatic lighting and narration to bring ancient Egypt’s legends to life. Departure approx. 6 pm. Pick-up time may vary.

Cairo - Luxor. This morning we transfer to Cairo Airport for our flight to Luxor. On arrival, we board our cruise ship, our home for the next four nights. After lunch, we explore Luxor and Karnak Temples.

Luxor Temple, largely built by Amenhotep III and Ramses II, once hosted the important Festival of Opet, which linked the pharaoh’s human role with his divine status. Karnak Temple, dedicated primarily to Amun, developed over 1,300 years and is now the largest religious complex in the world.

Optional: Sound and Light Show at Karnak Temple
You may return to Karnak after dark for an atmospheric sound and light presentation that recounts the rise of ancient Thebes.

Luxor - Edfu. After breakfast, we cross Luxor Bridge to visit the Valley of the Kings, where many New Kingdom pharaohs were laid to rest, including Tutankhamun and Ramses the Great. We visit three Royal Tombs, each featuring elaborate inscriptions and statues.We continue to the Valley of the Queens, home to dozens of tombs from the 18th to 20th Dynasties, including that of Nefertari, wife of Ramses II.

Our final visit is the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahri, built for Egypt’s only female pharaoh and aligned with Karnak Temple across the river.After lunch on board, we sail towards Edfu via Esna. Enjoy afternoon tea as we enter the lands once known as ancient Nubia, famed for its gold and strategic importance.

Optional: Hot-Air Balloon Flight Over Luxor
At sunrise, you may choose to see Luxor’s temples and desert landscapes from the air on a hot-air balloon experience.

Edfu - Aswan. After breakfast we visit the Temple of Edfu, the best-preserved ancient temple in Egypt and second in size only to Karnak. Dedicated to Horus, it stands on the site of the mythical battle between Horus and Seth.

We sail to Kom Ombo for lunch and afternoon tea before disembarking to explore its twin temples dedicated to Sobek and Haroeris. The site once hosted sacred crocodiles that basked along the Nile bank.

This evening, enjoy the fun of an Egyptian Galabeya Party as we continue sailing south.

After breakfast, you will visit the Aswan High Dam, completed in 1970, and the Old Dam from 1902. Together they transformed the region, creating Lake Nasser, the world’s largest man-made reservoir.

We continue by motorboat to Philae Temple, dedicated to Isis. The entire complex was relocated stone by stone to save it from rising waters during the dam’s construction.

Optional: Sound and Light Show at Philae Temple
This evening you may return to Philae for an immersive sound and light show that recounts the legends of Isis and Osiris.

Aswan - Cairo. After breakfast we disembark and transfer to Aswan Airport for our flight back to Cairo. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure, or you may choose an optional excursion.

Optional: Morning Visit to Abu Simbel
This morning you may fly to Abu Simbel to visit the magnificent temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari, relocated in a remarkable UNESCO-led engineering feat to avoid submersion by Lake Nasser.

Cairo - Dubai. Today you will be transferred to Cairo Airport for your flight to Dubai. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

This morning we take a half-day tour of Dubai, a city where modern innovation blends with traditional Islamic architecture. Highlights include photo stops at Jumeirah Mosque and Jumeirah Beach, along with a walk through historic Bastakiya, known for its wind-tower houses.

We visit Al Fahidi Fort, home to the Dubai Museum, before crossing Dubai Creek by abra. On the opposite bank, we explore the Spice Souk and Gold Souk, taking in the colours, aromas, and craftsmanship for which these markets are known.

Optional: Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner
This afternoon you may join a desert safari through the rolling dunes of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. After sunset, enjoy a traditional Bedouin-style camp experience with entertainment, local cuisine, and optional activities such as henna painting and short camel rides.

Independently transfer to Dubai International Airport for your flight.