Nile Discovery: Luxor to Aswan in Timeless Comfort

On arrival in Luxor, you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to the historic Winter Palace Hotel, an icon of Nile-era elegance. Once the preferred address for early European explorers and archaeologists, the hotel remains a quiet monument to Egypt’s golden age of travel. Settle into your room and enjoy time at leisure to absorb the atmosphere before your Nile journey begins. Overnight at the Winter Palace.

Meals:  Nil

After breakfast at the hotel, set out on a full-day exploration of Luxor’s West Bank, beginning with the legendary Valley of the Kings. This UNESCO World Heritage site is the final resting place of Egypt’s great pharaohs, hidden within the desert hills. With an expert guide, explore a selection of elaborately decorated tombs, including the remarkable Tomb of Seti I, renowned for its vivid reliefs and finely preserved wall art that reveal ancient beliefs about death and the afterlife. Continue to the striking Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, dramatically carved into the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari. One of ancient Egypt’s most impressive architectural achievements, the temple reflects the ambition and legacy of Egypt’s most powerful female ruler. Lunch is enjoyed at a local restaurant before returning to the Winter Palace for a relaxed afternoon at leisure. Unwind in the hotel’s tranquil gardens, take a dip in the pool, or simply soak up the atmosphere of this historic grand dame overlooking the Nile. This evening, dine in the hotel gardens, where refined cuisine and warm hospitality are paired with a starlit setting. Overnight at the Winter Palace.

Meals:  B

This morning, explore the vast Karnak Temple Complex, one of the most important religious sites of the ancient world. With an expert guide, walk among towering columns, monumental obelisks and intricately carved reliefs that trace centuries of pharaonic history and devotion. After the visit, transfer to the Nile and board your traditional dahabieh for the journey ahead. The crew welcomes you on board with cool towels scented with rose water and a refreshing drink — hibiscus tea (karkade) or fresh lemonade — before you settle into your cabin. Enjoy lunch on board as the sails are raised and the dahabieh begins its gentle journey south. Spend the afternoon relaxing on deck, watching life unfold along the riverbanks as the Nile carries you towards El Hegz. Dinner and overnight on board.

Meals:  B,L,D

Early this morning, the dahabieh slips quietly along the Nile towards Elkab as first light reaches the river. Enjoy the stillness from the deck with a coffee or tea as the landscape slowly comes to life. Go ashore to explore Elkab, one of Upper Egypt’s oldest settlements. Enclosed by vast mudbrick walls, the site reveals layers of history spanning more than five millennia. Visit the Temple of Nekhbet, dedicated to the vulture goddess of Upper Egypt, and the nearby necropolis, where rock-cut tombs preserve reliefs and inscriptions that trace the evolution of ancient Egyptian society. Return to the boat and continue cruising south through some of the Nile’s most evocative scenery. Palm-lined banks, fertile fields and riverside villages drift past, offering a glimpse into daily life along the river that has sustained Egypt for thousands of years. The afternoon is yours to relax — read on deck, watch for birdlife, or simply enjoy the slow rhythm of sailing. This evening, come ashore on Fawaza Island for a relaxed barbecue under the stars. As night falls, the crew brings the island to life with soft lighting, music and traditional rhythms, creating a warm and memorable Nile evening. Overnight on board.

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning, cruise to the riverside village of Bassaw. Go ashore for a gentle walk through its colourful Nubian homes and sandy lanes, where daily life unfolds at a relaxed pace. Meet local fishermen and, if you wish, try traditional river fishing from small boats — a simple, hands-on way to connect with life along the Nile. Return to the dahabieh and continue sailing south towards Gebel Silsileh, where the Nile narrows dramatically between towering sandstone cliffs. This striking landscape once supplied much of the stone used to build Egypt’s great temples. In the afternoon, explore the site on foot, visiting the remains of the Temple of Horemheb and rock-cut shrines marked with ancient stelae, offering insight into the quarrying history of the New Kingdom and later periods. As evening falls, return on board for dinner and a peaceful night on the Nile.

Meals:  B,L,D

Cruise north to Kôm Ombo this morning and go ashore to visit its distinctive riverside temple. Uniquely dedicated to two sets of gods — Sobek, the crocodile god, and Haroeris (Horus the Elder) — the temple’s perfectly mirrored layout reveals duplicated courts, halls and sanctuaries, offering insight into ancient religious beliefs and architectural ingenuity. After the visit, return to the dahabieh and continue cruising along the Nile towards Herdiab. This afternoon, take a gentle walk through the village, where traditional sugarcane fields and fruit orchards still shape daily life. It’s a quiet, authentic encounter with rural Egypt, far removed from the crowds. As evening settles over the river, enjoy dinner on board and another peaceful night afloat.

Meals:  B,L,D

Begin the day at leisure, with the option to enjoy a refreshing swim at Herdiab Beach before the dahabieh sets sail towards Aswan. This afternoon, visit the beautifully restored Philae Temple Complex, one of Egypt’s most evocative temple sites. Rescued from rising waters following the construction of the Aswan Dam, the temples were carefully dismantled and rebuilt on a nearby island in a remarkable UNESCO-led conservation effort. Dedicated primarily to Isis, the complex dates back to around 380 BC and offers a powerful insight into both ancient devotion and modern preservation. Return to the dahabieh for a final evening on board. Tonight, gather for a farewell dinner, celebrating the journey along the Nile and the experiences shared along the way. Overnight on board.

Meals:  B,L,D

After disembarking this morning, choose from one of two included experiences: Option 1: Abu Simbel Travel south through the desert to the monumental rock temples of Abu Simbel, one of Egypt’s most extraordinary archaeological sites. Carved into the cliffs by Ramesses II, these immense temples stand near the Sudanese border and remain a powerful expression of ancient engineering, devotion and imperial ambition. Driving time is approx 3 hours each way and it will be an early morning departure from Aswan. Option 2: Kitchener Island Botanical Gardens Enjoy a gentler start to the day with a visit to the Botanical Gardens on Kitchener Island, a lush sanctuary in the heart of the Nile. Wander shaded pathways among palms, acacias and flowering plants gathered from around the world, accompanied by birdsong and river breezes — a peaceful counterpoint to the desert landscapes beyond. Later, enjoy lunch at the iconic Old Cataract Hotel, dramatically set on a pink granite cliff overlooking the Nile and Elephantine Island. The afternoon is at leisure to explore Aswan’s local souk before checking into your room mid-afternoon. As the day draws to a close, take in the sunset from the hotel terrace — a fitting finale in one of Egypt’s most storied hotels. Dinner and overnight at the Old Cataract.

Meals:  B,L,D

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before heading out for a visit to the Nubian Museum, one of Egypt’s most important cultural institutions. Created through a joint UNESCO and Egyptian initiative following the construction of the Aswan Dam, the museum preserves and celebrates Nubian history and identity. Its extensive collection traces thousands of years of civilisation, from prehistoric origins through Pharaonic, Greco-Roman, Christian and Islamic eras. Return to the hotel for lunch and a relaxed afternoon rhythm. Later, take to the Nile aboard a traditional felucca, sailing quietly past lush riverbanks, golden desert dunes and striking red granite hills. Drift by Elephantine Island, with its ancient remains and Nubian villages, and Kitchener Island, renowned for its botanical gardens — a timeless way to experience Aswan from the water. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Meals:  B,L,D

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, or a takeaway breakfast if departing early. At the appropriate time, transfer to the airport for your onward journey.

Meals:  B