10 Day Egypt’s Nostalgic Nile by Dahabiya

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.

Sonesta St George Hotel Luxor (5-star)

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.

Sonesta St George Hotel Luxor (5-star)

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.

MS Livingstone (5-star)

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.

MS Livingstone (5-star)

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.

MS Livingstone (5-star)

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.

MS Livingstone (5-star)

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.

MS Livingstone (5-star)

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.

MS Livingstone (5-star)

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.

MS Livingstone (5-star)