Sanctuary Sunboat III

Fly to Cairo

Arrive in Egypt’s capital city and privately transfer to your hotel. Stay three nights at the Four Seasons First Residence, which is centrally located in Cairo and overlooks the lush botanical gardens. (N)

Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Cairo

Enjoy a half-day tour of The Egyptian Museum, the oldest archaeological museum in the Middle East. The building houses a vast collection of pharaonic treasures, including statues, sarcophagi and jewellery. Afterwards, you have the option to visit the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation, which provides an insightful chronology of the country’s ancient kingdoms. (B)

Cairo • Giza

Embark on a half-day tour of Giza’s famous pyramids, including the Pyramid of Khufu – the last standing of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Your afternoon is at leisure, or opt to visit the Grand Egyptian Museum, the world’s largest archaeological museum. (B)

Luxor

Fly to Luxor from Cairo. Board the Sanctuary Sunboat III vessel for a four-night luxury Nile cruise. You have the option to visit Luxor Temple, whose entrance is guarded by imposing statues of Ramesses II. After lunch on board, visit the west bank of Luxor to explore the Valley of the Kings. Visit a tomb in either the Valley of the Queens or the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Pass the Colossi of Memnon on return to the boat. (B, L, D)

Luxor • Esna

Tour Luxor’s east bank, visiting the Temple of Karnak – a complex of millennia-old temples, chapels and gates. Sail to Esna. After lunch, enjoy a guided tour of the Graeco-Roman Temple of Khnum alongside an Egyptologist. Return to your ship in time for afternoon tea. (B, L, D)

Edfu • Kom Ombo

After breakfast on board, visit the Temple of Edfu, built to honour Horus, the falcon-headed god. Return to the ship for lunch, cruising to Kom Ombo. Visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, which is unusual for its dual design honouring the ancient gods of Horus and Sobek. This evening’s on-board entertainment is an Egyptian-themed costume party with the opportunity for guests to dress up in traditional ankle-length garments called galabeyyas. (B, L, D)

Agilika • Elephantine Island

Board a motorboat for a short ride to visit the Philae Temple on Agilika Island. Afterwards, visit the granite quarries used by the ancient Egyptians, which still hold a huge unfinished obelisk. After lunch on board, you have the opportunity to sail on a felucca (a traditional Egyptian sailboat) around Elephantine Island, Lord Kitchener’s Botanical Gardens and the Agha Khan mausoleum. Back on board, attend the farewell gala dinner. (B, L, D)

Aswan • Cairo

Disembark after breakfast on board. You have the option to visit Abu Simbel. Transfer to Aswan airport and fly to Cairo. Overnight at the 5-star Intercontinental CityStars hotel. (B) 

Fly to the UK

Transfer to Cairo Airport and return to the UK. (B)