Goddess of the Nile

Book your round-trip flight to Cairo International Airport (CAI). The trip officially starts tomorrow, October 24th, 2025, but if you're flying overnight to get to Egypt, consider arriving a day early to rest, relax and get acclimated to the local time. You'll find an Arrive 1 Day Early in Cairo option in the Add-Ons section.

A representative with our sign will assist you through immigration and customs formalities and drive you to our Cairo hotel.

Welcome to Cairo! 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 The St. Regis Cairo. At the hotel you can book a massage at their spa, float in their indoor or outdoor pool and jacuzzi or take a walk along the Nile. The People of Egypt Walkway is directly in front of the 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. Saqqara, in the Giza containing ancient burial grounds of Egyptian royalty. The 6-tier, 4-sided Pyramid is the earliest colossal stone building in Egypt. Afterward, we'll visit a carpet school where they teach women to weave, allowing them to become self-sufficient.

Next, we visit what you've all been waiting for - 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 soaking in 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. 

Tonight we'll savor a unique dining experience...shhh...it's a secret.

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 where King Tut is buried, Queen Hatshipsut's temple - a powerful woman who once ruled the country as well as the Colossi of Memnon. 

After the visit, we'll learn about alabaster, one of the region's most important products. After a short explanation, you'll might want to buy one of these handcrafted 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 our lunch we'll check into the Al Moudira Hotel, leaving time to relax at the pool and soak in the view of the Nile.

We'll dine al fresco in our hotel's gorgeous courtyard tonight on vegetables grown at their own farm as well as locally raised meats and fish. 

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. 

Next we'll visit the stunning Luxor temple - 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 truly awe-inspiring. 

After the temples 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 arrive and check into our own Dahabiya La Rose 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. 

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

*The balloon ride is an add-on at extra cost

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 a very special meal with music and dancing with our crew as we relish a Nile-side BBQ dinner on Fawaza Island, our 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, we'll 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 underway.

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 villages for the camel markets. 

We'll reach Aswan city in the afternoon. Here we'll visit a colorful Nubian village for picture taking and lunch. We'll learn some of Nubian customs here. Later we'll make 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.

Today we’ll say goodbye to our superb crew waking up early to drive for 3.5 hours south to explore the Abu Simbel temple, one of the most impressive buildings in Egypt and indeed 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 grand hotel 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 enjoy the spa* during your time off? 

Dinner tonight is at our 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  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.

Next we’ll head over 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 adores.

Finally, 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.