Morning non-stop flight by bmi to Cairo (4 hours 40 minutes). On arrival you will connect with your EgyptAir flight to Aswan (1 hour, 25 minutes) and embark on the Zahra, your exclusive ‘dahabiyya’, for a relaxing week spent cruising, sketching and painting on the Nile. This afternoon visit the High Dam, Old Dam and the beautiful Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis, rescued from the rising waters of Lake Nasser when the dam was constructed. Overnight at the private mooring near Aswan.

Ramses II, the setting of this magnificent structure, besides the shores of Lake Nasser, makes it one of the most spectacular of Egypt’s ancient sites. Please advise at the time of booking if you would like to take this excursion (please see ‘Pre Bookable Option Excursions’ below). Introduction/welcome talk and demonstration with Sherree Valentine Daines later this morning. In the Afternoon stroll with Sherree around Aswan town and the market to sketch local scenes and gather inspiration. Once more overnight at your private mooring near Aswan.

This morning you will sail to Kom Ombo to visit the Ptolemaic temple, uniquely dedicated to two gods – the falcon god Horus and Sobek, the crocodile god. Its superb location overlooking the Nile and perfect double symmetry make this one of the most picturesque on the river. You may sketch local scenes during the sightseeing trips and Sherree will host an evening painting demonstration. Overnight private mooring beside a Nile island.

This morning you will sail to Edfu where you will visit the magnificent and spectacularly preserved Temple of Horus at Edfu, constructed in the 3rd century BC and, after Karnak, the largest temple in Egypt. Morning and afternoon painting classes on deck with Sherree. Overnight private mooring beside a Nile island.

Today will be a leisurely day. After breakfast, commence your journey to Esna, cross the lock and onwards to Luxor, where the boat moors overnight. Morning and afternoon painting classes on deck with Sherree.

Today 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, Medinet Habu and the Colossi of Memnon. You may sketch local scenes during the sightseeing. Return to your dahabiyya for an afternoon at leisure. Late afternoon stroll through Luxor market to sketch local scenes with Sherree. This evening you will overnight at our mooring near Luxor.

A leisurely morning is planned, affording the time to relax and take in the surroundings. After lunch visit Luxor’s East Bank, taking time to explore the magnificent settings of the Luxor and Karnak Temples. These sumptuous monuments, built over 4000 years ago, represent the epoch of the once mighty city of Thebes and the worship of the god Amun. Karnak’s immense Hypostyle Hall alone contains the phenomenal sight of 134 towering columns of intricate stonework. There will be time to make sketches at both of these majestic temples. Return to your dahabiyya for dinner. Evening farewell painting demonstration with Sherree Overnight mooring in Luxor.

Today bid farewell to the crew and disembark the boat after breakfast, before taking the EgyptAir flight back to Cairo (1 hour 5 minutes) to connect with the bmi flight to London Heathrow.