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 adjust 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! With a population of 20 million, it is the largest city in the Middle East and one of the world's ten largest. We’ll tackle Cairo later. Today, relax in your beautiful hotel, The St. Regis Cairo. Book a massage at the hotel spa, float in the indoor or outdoor pool and jacuzzi, or walk along the Nile. The People of Egypt Walkway is 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 Giza, contains ancient burial grounds of Egyptian royalty. The six-tier, four-sided Pyramid is the earliest colossal stone building in Egypt. Afterward, we'll visit a carpet school where women learn to weave, becoming more 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 the glorious architecture, we'll have lunch at the 9 Pyramids Lounge, which offers a breathtaking view. Then, we’ll return 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. Luxor was the capital of the ancient Egyptian Empire and boasts one-third of the world's ancient monuments.

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—and 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 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 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, enjoying vegetables grown on the hotel farm and locally raised meats and fish. 

Early this morning, consider a hot air balloon ride over the west bank of Luxor. You can 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. Two pharaohs built the temple: Amenhotep III in the 14th century BC and King Ramses the Great. 

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

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

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

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

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

Modern Edfu, the northernmost city of Aswan state, is famous for its sugar cane. The Egyptians have a serious sweet tooth, so they must grow quite a lot!

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. We'll 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 dedicated to local deities. It was also the main quarry for the sandstone used to build 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 to be quite remarkable, and the local Egyptian wine is good. Enjoy two glasses on us with each meal. 

We'll have coffee and breakfast today as we travel down the Nile.

Prepare for a refreshing swim in the Nile (it’s safe!). We’ll sail to Aswan over lunch. 

Today, we'll visit Daraw, one of the primary camel market villages, to walk through the market and meet some local animals. 

We'll reach Aswan city in the afternoon. Here, we'll visit a colorful Nubian village to take pictures, learn Nubian customs, and have lunch. Later, we'll shop and learn about Egyptian cotton and essential oils.

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

Today, we’ll say goodbye to our superb crew. We'll wake up early to drive 3.5 hours south to explore the Abu Simbel temple, one of Egypt's most impressive buildings. Abu Simbel was cut into the mountain from a single rock. Its facade is decorated with four statues of King Ramesses. En route, we'll enjoy a yummy falafel lunch. 

We’ll check into the legendary Old Cataract Hotel in Aswan City. 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 Ptolemaic 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 to Islamic Cairo to visit the oldest mosque in Egypt, the mosque of Ibn Tulun, which dates back to the 9th century. It is also the largest mosque in Cairo. Climb its minaret to enjoy a spectacular view of the city. 

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, 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.