Magic of the Nile
🕐 DURATION
11 days, 10 nights
📅 Departure Dates: Multiple departures available until 31 December 2026
Book before 30 November 2025 and save $1250 per person on 10+ night stays on all departures between 1 November 2025 – November 2026*.
- From $4,098 per person twin share*
- From $4,098 per person, sole traveller*
☀Staring in awe at the sheer scale of the temple complexes of Karnak and Luxor. Feeling the breeze on our face, as we sail the Nile aboard a felucca. Visiting the captivating Temple of Philae, painstakingly relocated by UNESCO – piece by piece.
Sail along the Nile on this river cruise and discover why this mighty river is the lifeblood of Egypt. Journey back in time and wander amongst the sand covered tombs and temples of Luxor, Karnak and the Valley of the Kings and gaze upon an incredible feat of engineering and ingenuity at Aswan High Dam. We’ll watch life unfold along the palm-tree lined riverbanks, take in views across verdant deltas and be astounded by some of the most spectacular ancient wonders of the world.
Our team can also assist with booking International flights and accommodation as part of your overall travel plans.
Please note: prices are subject to availability at the time of booking and may change or be withdrawn at any time without notice.
Itinerary
| Arrive | Details | Depart | Day 1 | Luxor - Join your tour group at the hotel. | 12:00 | Day 2 | Luxor - Today is free. Take in the swaying palms and sweeping views across the mighty Nile from several vantage points across the hotel’s elegant communal areas, as you enjoy a spot of sunbathing and reading. If you’d like to explore, take a stroll to the nearby shopping district and wander the eclectic shops. | Day 3 | Luxor - Today, there’s more time to relax poolside. Or you can take an optional excursion to the fascinating Dendera temple complex. Its honey-hued Temple of Hathor is home to gloomy yet astounding chambers, crypts and flawless hieroglyphs. It was here too that the celebrated Dendera zodiac was discovered, one of the world’s earliest recorded depictions of the zodiac. | Day 4 | Luxor - This morning, we transfer to our ship for a seven-night cruise along the Nile aboard MS Livingstone - a small but luxurious ship that carries 124 passengers, with 65 cabins, a restaurant, two bars, spa, swimming pool, Jacuzzi and library. Once settled in, we’ll head out on an included excursion to the East Bank of Luxor to experience the astounding temple complexes of Karnak and Luxor, two sites once linked by the wonderful Avenue of Sphinxes. Karnak is a breathtaking complex of more than 100 hectares with immense pylons and obelisks, tranquil lakes and sanctuaries and the Hypostyle Hall, where 134 soaring columns, each with a diameter of more than 3m, are arranged in perfect geometric rows. The slightly smaller, yet still vast site of Luxor temple complex is just as impressive. Afterwards, we’ll return to the ship to freshen up before our evening meal. Excursions & visits: Visit the East Bank of Luxor, including the Temples of Karnak and Luxor (afternoon) | Day 5 | Luxor - Edfu - Today, we head out to explore the West Bank, beginning at the spectacular Valley of the Kings. Our guide will introduce a few of the most impressive tombs and you may also choose to enter the plainer, ‘cursed’ Tomb of Tutankhamun (extra charge). We also visit the impressive mortuary temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon, before returning to the ship. We continue our Nile cruise, sailing to Edfu, where we’ll moor overnight. Day 6 - Kom Ombo - Aswan | Day 6 | Kom Ombo - Aswan - There can be few more serene ways for you to pass time than sailing down the Nile on a river ship. We sail to the fascinating Greco-Roman double-temple of Kom Ombo, arriving late morning. A temple dedicated to the falcon-headed Horus, Egyptian god of the sky, hunting and war; and crocodile god Sobek, the god of the Nile, creator of the world, and worshipped for his strength and fertility. We return to the ship and set sail to Aswan. Excursions & visits: Visit the Temple of Kom Ombo (morning) | Day 7 | Aswan - Today pays tribute to ancient and modern feats of architectural engineering, with visits to the 111m-high Aswan High Dam and then a motorboat ride to the Temple of Philae - painstakingly relocated by UNESCO to protect the temple from the dam’s floods. It’s perhaps Egypt’s most captivating and beautiful temple and an optional light show in the evening brings to life ancient stories of gods and goddesses, under a magical glow. Excursions & visits: Visit to the Aswan High Dam and Temple of Philae (morning) | Day 8 | Aswan - This morning is for leisure. Relax on deck with a good book, or perhaps explore the riverside city independently. Alternatively, choose an optional excursion to the legendary Abu Simbel, built by Ramses II. In the afternoon, we’ll feel the wind on our faces as we travel by felucca to the serene botanical gardens on Kitchener’s Island - a peaceful paradise of exotic birds and bright flowers. | Day 9 | Aswan - Edfu - We visit the Nubian Museum this morning, a stunning showcase of Nubia’s history, art and culture. Later, we’ll continue making our way back to Luxor, stopping overnight in Edfu. Excursions & visits: Visit to the Nubian Museum (morning) | Day 10 | Luxor - The day is free on board, as a serene morning of sailing awaits. Drink in the views of everyday life on the Nile, before we arrive back in Luxor this afternoon. | Day 11 | Luxor - Say goodbye to your tour group for your onward travel. | 06:00 |
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Highlights
- Visit the East Bank of Luxor, including the Temples of Karnak and Luxor
- Visit the West Bank of Luxor, including the Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon
- Visit to the Aswan High Dam and Temple of Philae
- Visit the Temple of Kom Ombo
- Sail on a felucca to Kitchener’s Island
- Visit to the Nubian Museum
Inclusions
- 29 meals – 10 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 10 dinners
- 3 nights in hotel
- 7 nights cruise on MS Livingstone
- Drinks with lunch and dinner at the hotel and drinks on board between 11am and 10pm
- Single-entry tourist visa
Exclusions
- Return International Airfares
- Travel Insurnace
- Visas
Fine Print
- Prices are subject to availability
- Fare includes all taxes and port charges
- Travel insurance not included; customers are advised to purchase appropriate cover after booking
- Itinerary is subject to change without notice
- Visas/ESTA’s are not included
- All travellers must have a valid passport for international travel and many countries require at least 6 months validity from the date of return and some countries require a machine-readable passport.
Extras
TRAVEL ADVICE: We recommend that you contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or visit their website at www.smartraveller.gov.au for general travel advice, as well as specific advice (including safety alert levels) relating to the destination you wish to visit. You can also register your travel plans with DFAT, so that you may be more easily contacted in an emergency.
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