Afternoon non-stop flight by EgyptAir from London Heathrow to Cairo (4 hours 40 minutes). On arrival you will be met and taken direct to Le Meridien Pyramids Hotel at Giza. You may request a guaranteed Pyramid View Room for a supplement of £54 per person (twin share) for the duration of your stay.

At leisure in Cairo. The bustling vibrancy of Cairo hides a wealth of hidden treasures amongst its labyrinthine streets and alleys. You have ample opportunity to find for yourselves the truly staggering array of historical and cultural gems that wait to be discovered. From the magnificent splendours of the Pyramids and Sphinx, to the majestic testaments to the city’s Coptic and Islamic past, Cairo’s colourful streets and bazaars are overflowing with wonders.

Take the opportunity to enjoy some of the available excursions within this historical city.

Morning flight to Luxor (1 hour 5 minutes) and embark on the MS Radamis I in time for lunch. This afternoon explore the magnificent remains of the XVIIIth Dynasty temples of Luxor and Karnak. Luxor Temple was built over 4000 years ago, and represents the epoch of the once mighty city of Thebes and the worship of the god Amun. Karnak Temple was built over 4,000 years ago, Karnak’s immense Hypostyle Hall alone contains the phenomenal sight of 134 towering columns of intricate stonework. This evening overnight in Luxor.

There is the option of rising at dawn to take a hot air balloon flight over Luxor. Please advise at the time of booking if you would like to take this excursion (please see ‘Pre Bookable Option Excursions’ below). This morning after breakfast cross over to the West Bank to visit the tombs of the Pharaohs, the romantic Valley of the Kings where Howard Carter famously discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922. Continue to the Valley of the Queens, the magnificent mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari and the Colossi of Memnon, before returning to the boat for lunch. Following your sightseeing you will return to the boat and sail to Esna. This afternoon is at leisure. This evening enjoy a welcome reception and dinner on board. Overnight at Esna.

This morning cross through the lock and sail to Edfu. After lunch visit the superb Ptolemaic Temple of Horus (237 BC) at Edfu and then continue to Kom Ombo where you will moor overnight.

After breakfast visit the riverside temple at Kom Ombo, dedicated to two gods, Sobek, the crocodile god and Horus, god of the morning sun. Continue sailing to Aswan and after lunch visit the High Dam, The Unfinished Obelisk and the beautiful Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis, rescued from the rising waters of Lake Nasser when the dam was constructed. This evening you will overnight in Aswan.

Disembark the Radamis I after breakfast and transfer to the Eugenie in time for lunch. This afternoon begin exploring the remarkable desert landscapes of Lake Nasser, visiting the Greco-Roman Kalabsha Temple, as well as the Temple of Beit el-Wali and the Kiosk of Kertassi, both built by Ramses II. Overnight in Aswan. You may wish to request a cabin on the Upper Deck (from £27 per person) for the duration of your stay on the Eugenie, 3 nights (based on twin sharing).

A cruise on Lake Nasser differs from a Nile river cruise in several ways. Bereft of towns and villages, the tranquillity and serenity of its remarkable desert setting is simply breathtaking, the ever-changing colours of the landscape a constant delight. Many of the sites can only be visited from the lake and transferring ashore in tender boats our excursions are accessed by way of small gangplanks, making the cruise potentially unsuitable for passengers who require assistance or have difficulties with mobility. Sailing on to Wadi el Seboua you will pass through the Tropic of Cancer. This afternoon visit the stunning Wadi El Seboua Temple, as well as the relocated temples of Meharakka and Dakka, before continuing to Amada, where you will overnight.

After breakfast, visit the Temple of Amada, site of the lake’s oldest monuments, as well as the Temple of Derr and the tomb of Penout before sailing to Kasr Ibrim. The citadel of Kasr Ibrim presents you with the only monument on Lake Nasser to have remained in its original location. As entrance is not permitted to this site your guide will give a talk from the sundeck. After your visit here you then head for surely one of the highlights of your journey, the magnificent rock-cut temples of Abu Simbel. Mooring overnight here you have an opportunity to enjoy its fabulous Sound and Light show this evening.

This morning disembark the Eugenie after breakfast. Fly on EgyptAir from Abu Simbel to Aswan (45 minutes) and continue by EgyptAir to Cairo (1 hour 25 minutes). On arrival in Cairo transfer to Le Passage Heliopolis Hotel for 1 night.

Transfer to the airport for the morning non-stop EgyptAir flight back to London Heathrow.