Royal Ruby Nilkreuzfahrt

Cross to the West Bank for a morning among the Theban necropolis. Visit three painted royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings, the multi-terraced temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, and the towering Colossi of Memnon. Optional entry to the tombs of Tutankhamun or Seti I and a dawn hot-air-balloon flight over Thebes are available. After lunch aboard, sail south through the Esna Lock toward Edfu, with dinner and overnight while cruising.

A horse-drawn carriage carries you to the Temple of Horus at Edfu, the most completely preserved sanctuary of antiquity, its Ptolemaic reliefs portraying the cosmic duel between Horus and Seth. Lunch is served aboard as you sail to Kom Ombo, whose symmetrical twin temple honors Sobek the crocodile god and Horus the Elder. View the carved surgical instruments, ancient calendar and Crocodile Mummification Museum, then dine and overnight while sailing on to Aswan.

Explore Aswan's blend of modern engineering and ancient artistry. Enjoy panoramic Lake Nasser views from the High Dam, then board a motorboat to the island Temple of Philae, dedicated to Isis and rescued stone by stone by UNESCO. At the granite quarries, stand beside the colossal Unfinished Obelisk still lying where it cracked. The afternoon is free or an optional felucca sail or Nubian village visit, with dinner and overnight moored in Aswan.

Enjoy a final breakfast on board before disembarking in Aswan. Travelers with extra time can add an early excursion to Abu Simbel, where the rock-cut temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari face the rising sun above Lake Nasser. Relocated in a remarkable UNESCO rescue, these colossal facades rank among Egypt's most awe-inspiring monuments. We then arrange your onward transfer to the airport, train station or hotel.

Embark before lunch and settle into your cabin for a first taste of the river. The afternoon belongs to Aswan's icons: panoramic Lake Nasser views from the High Dam, a motorboat crossing to the serene island Temple of Philae dedicated to Isis, and a stop at the ancient granite quarries to see the immense Unfinished Obelisk. Return aboard for dinner and an overnight moored in Aswan as you settle into the cruise rhythm.

Early risers can join an optional dawn excursion to Abu Simbel, where the twin rock-cut temples of Ramses II and Nefertari, relocated to escape the rising waters, stand as marvels of ancient engineering. Back aboard, the ship sails north toward Kom Ombo, whose unique dual temple honors Sobek the crocodile god and Horus the Elder. Tour its medical reliefs and small museum of mummified crocodiles, then dine and overnight while sailing toward Edfu.

A horse carriage delivers you to the wonderfully preserved Temple of Horus at Edfu, its sacred chambers telling the story of Horus and Seth. Reboard and sail to Luxor with lunch served aboard. In the late afternoon explore the immense Karnak Temple Complex dedicated to Amun-Re, then catch Luxor Temple aglow at golden hour amid its statues, obelisks and floodlit courtyard. Dinner and overnight moored in Luxor.

After breakfast and check-out, cross to the West Bank for a morning among the Theban necropolis. Explore three royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings, with optional entry to Tutankhamun's tomb. Admire the cliffside terraces of Queen Hatshepsut's temple and pause beneath the Colossi of Memnon, the twin statues of Amenhotep III. We then arrange your onward transfer, closing your river journey beneath the West Bank's grandest monuments.