H/S Kon Tiki Nile Cruise

Cross to the West Bank for the Valley of the Kings, where three royal tombs cut into the Theban cliffs blaze with afterlife scenes, the terraced Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, and the towering Colossi of Memnon. Lunch is served as the Kon Tiki sails south past villages and through the Esna Lock. An optional sunrise hot-air balloon over ancient Thebes can be arranged. Dinner and overnight sailing toward Edfu.

A horse-drawn carriage carries you to the Temple of Horus at Edfu, the most completely preserved temple of the ancient world, whose Ptolemaic reliefs recount the falcon god's battle with Seth. Lunch is served as you sail to Kom Ombo, a rare symmetrical temple honoring Sobek the crocodile god and Horus the Elder, with carvings of medical instruments and a crocodile mummification museum. Dinner and overnight sailing onward to Aswan.

Begin at the Aswan High Dam, the modern marvel that tamed the Nile, with panoramic views over Lake Nasser, before taking a boat to the island Temple of Philae, sacred to Isis and relocated stone-by-stone in a famed UNESCO rescue. Visit the colossal Unfinished Obelisk in its granite quarry. Lunch is aboard, with the afternoon free for an optional felucca sail or a colorful Nubian village visit. Dinner and overnight in Aswan.

Enjoy a final breakfast aboard before disembarking in Aswan. Travelers with extra time can add an early-morning excursion to Abu Simbel, the monumental rock-cut temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari that face the rising sun and were relocated above Lake Nasser in a celebrated UNESCO project. Your Travel Joy Egypt representative assists with your onward transfer to the airport, your hotel, or your next destination.

Embark before lunch in Aswan and ease into life on the river. The afternoon tour visits the Aswan High Dam, which controls the Nile's flow and offers panoramic views of Lake Nasser, the romantic island Temple of Philae reached by motorboat and dedicated to the goddess Isis, and the Unfinished Obelisk resting in the ancient granite quarries. Return aboard for dinner and your first overnight moored in Aswan.

Early risers may add the optional excursion to Abu Simbel to admire the rock-cut temples of Ramses II and Nefertari. The ship then sails to Kom Ombo, where a unique twin temple honors Sobek the crocodile god and Horus the Elder, complete with medical reliefs and a small museum of mummified crocodiles. Lunch and dinner are served aboard as the Kon Tiki continues sailing toward Edfu overnight.

A horse carriage takes you to the Temple of Horus at Edfu, one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt, where the story of Horus and Seth unfolds across vividly carved walls. Lunch is served as you sail on to Luxor. In the afternoon you explore the immense Karnak Temple Complex dedicated to Amun-Re, then Luxor Temple glowing at golden hour with its giant statues and illuminated courtyard. Dinner and overnight moored in Luxor.

After breakfast and check-out, cross to the West Bank for the finale: the Valley of the Kings with three royal tombs hidden in the desert hills and an optional visit to Tutankhamun's tomb, the striking limestone Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, and the two majestic Colossi of Memnon of Amenhotep III. Your guide then assists with your onward transfer, closing a memorable voyage along the Nile.