Luxury Egypt Nile Cruise & Red Sea Relaxation - 7 Days

Highlights

• Enjoy spectacular Nile Valley scenery on a luxury cruise down the famous river
• Stop for private tours of iconic sites like the Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple
• Go snorkeling, diving, and boating on the turquoise waters of Sharm el-Sheikh

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Aswan, Board Cruise Ship, Sightseeing Tour

Welcome to Egypt! You've got just seven days to experience the highlights of a country whose countless wonders and antiquities date back thousands of years. Lucky for you, you'll do this efficiently as you cruise between ancient landmarks on a luxury cruise up the Nile River. After a connecting flight in Cairo, you'll arrive in Aswan. Located on the river's east bank, this is one of the great Nile cities—a place rich in history and culture. It's renowned for its idyllic riverine setting, with palm-fringed islands, granite outcrops, and shimmering waters that create a picture-postcard backdrop.

A driver will pick you up and transfer you to the port, where you'll board the Sonesta Sun Goddess, a luxury vessel that will be your home for the next few nights. The craft is big enough to offer plenty of comfort and luxury services but small enough to provide more intimacy than the competition. For example, the Sun Goddess features 30 staterooms, while most other riverboats have 60-80. It's also one of the few boats whose suites offer balconies—perfect for relaxing and enjoying a sundowner cocktail.

After dropping off your bags, you'll meet a private guide and embark on your first sightseeing tour of Egypt. Highlights in Aswan include the Temple of Philae, an island temple complex that dates to the fourth century BCE and is dedicated to the goddess Isis. Then, continue to Egypt's engineering achievement of the modern era, the Aswan High Dam, to admire the sweeping views. You'll also stop at the Unfinished Obelisk. This massive granite monolith measures 138 feet (42 m), making it the world's largest known ancient obelisk. Later, you'll return to the ship and overnight on the water.

Day 2: Cruise to Esna, Visit Kom Ombo & Temple of Horus

Time to cast off! As you enjoy a leisurely breakfast on board the Sun Goddess, the ship will cruise north to Edfu, a city on the west bank of the Nile. On the way there, you'll stop at Kom Ombo. This temple was built during the Ptolemaic Dynasty from 180-47 BCE and is dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile-headed God of fertility, and the falcon-god Horus. It features duplicate halls and sanctuaries for each deity, creating a harmonious layout. During a private tour, you can admire the intricately carved reliefs and hieroglyphics that narrate stories of ancient rituals and medical practices.

Later, you'll arrive in Edfu and disembark once again to visit its most famous landmark, the Temple of Horus. Constructed between 237 BCE and 57 BCE, this is one of the best-preserved shrines in Egypt. You can still make out many intricate inscriptions. After visiting the temple, you'll return to the Sun Goddess and sleep on board as the vessel continues north overnight to the city of Esna. 

Day 3: Cruise to Luxor, West Bank Tour

This morning, the Sun Goddess will arrive at its final destination, Luxor. This small city in the Nile Valley was once the capital of ancient Thebes and is a veritable open-air museum due to its many historical landmarks. Upon arrival, you'll meet your local guide for a private tour of Luxor's many highlights around the city's West Bank and the famed Valley of the Kings.

Here, you'll marvel at rock-cut tombs built for kings and pharaohs, buried between the 16th and 11th centuries BCE. You'll also visit the Tomb of Tutankhamun and the beautiful Temple of Deir el-Bahari, a complex of mortuary temples and tombs, including the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Another highlight is a stop at the Colossi of Memnon to see the imposing statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III that guard the entrance of his memorial temple. At the end of the day, you'll return to the ship.

Day 4: Disembark Cruise Ship, Luxor Highlights Tour: Habu Temple & Tomb of Nobles

Bid farewell to the Sun Goddess this morning as you transfer to your luxury hotel, the Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor. This 5-star colonial-style hotel was built in the 19th century and features a grand facade and well-manicured gardens overlooking the Nile and the Theban Necropolis. Its beautifully appointed rooms feature parquet floors with luxurious furnishings, crystal chandeliers, and terraces overlooking the river. If you like, take a dip in the Olympic-style pool, followed by a treatment at the on-site spa. You can also grab a bite in the signature restaurant or enjoy your meal in the garden amid Nile views.

Don't get too comfortable because after checking in, you'll meet a private guide to tour Luxor's other highlights. First up is the ancient Habu Temple, built during the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses III in the 12th century BCE, and featuring dazzling hieroglyphs and inscriptions. Continue to Carter House, where the famous British archaeologist Howard Carter lived while searching for the Tomb of King Tutankhamun. The tour ends with a visit to the Tombs of the Nobles, where some of Egypt's most powerful historical figures are buried. Afterward, you'll transfer back to your hotel.

Day 5: Fly to Sharm el-Sheikh, Optional Mount Sinai Overnight Adventure

Say goodbye to the wonders of the Nile as you transfer to the airport for the one-hour flight to Egypt's southern Sinai Peninsula and Sharm el-Sheikh, the nation's most famous beach resort town on the gorgeous Red Sea coast. Befitting the scenery, you'll stay at the Steigenberger Alcazar, a top-notch 5-star resort next to palm-fringed beaches. The elegant rooms feature luxurious amenities like plush king beds, marble baths, and private balconies with garden or sea views. There's also a pool, spa, tennis courts, and multiple bars and restaurants serving a variety of international cuisines.

Spend the rest of today relaxing by the pool or soaking up some sun at the beach. If you're feeling adventurous, you can embark on an epic overnight excursion to St. Catherine's Monastery. Located at the foot of Mount Sinai, this Greek-Orthodox religious center, built between 548 and 565 CE, is the world's oldest continuously inhabited Christian monastery. It was actually built on the site where Moses is said to have encountered God speaking to him from a burning bush. You'll leave your hotel just before midnight and start a trek from the monastery, reaching the summit of Mount Sinai in time for the sunrise.

Day 6: Sharm el-Sheikh Activities: Snorkeling, ATV Safari & Bedouin Village

The day is yours to enjoy Sharm el-Sheikh however you like. If you have yet to experience the full glory of the coast's famous corals, grab your swimsuit and sunscreen and join a morning snorkeling tour to Ras Mohammed National Park. Known for world-class diving and snorkeling, this protected site has more than 130 coral reefs and diverse marine life like tropical fish, eels, rays, sea turtles, reef sharks, and even bottlenose dolphins. The boat will take you to several other stops around the famous White Island, where the gulfs of Suez and Aqaba meet, and you'll enjoy a barbecue lunch on deck in between dives.

Later on, head into the surrounding desert, where you can embark on an ATV safari to explore the vast sand dunes in an exhilarating fashion. For something slower-paced, take a 20-minute camel ride to Bedouin camp for an authentic dinner against the backdrop of a glorious sunset. After a fire show accompanied by traditional shisha (apple-flavored tobacco), you'll meet an astronomy guide at the telescope area for stargazing under the clearest desert skies.

Day 7: Fly to Cairo, Depart 

After one final laze on the beach, it's time to un-sink your feet from the sand and prepare for your flight departure. In the morning, you'll transfer to the airport in Sharm el-Sheikh and board a plane north to Cairo, where you'll catch your connecting flight home. Until next time!

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