Princess Sarah Nile Cruise

Cross to the West Bank for the morning. Descend into three painted royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings, marvel at the terraced grandeur of Hatshepsut's temple at Deir el-Bahari, and pause beneath the towering Colossi of Memnon. Optional add-ons include the tombs of Tutankhamun or Seti I and a dawn hot-air-balloon flight over Thebes. Back aboard, lunch is served as the ship begins sailing south, passing through the Esna Lock toward Edfu. Dinner and overnight while cruising.

A horse-drawn carriage delivers you to the Temple of Horus at Edfu, the most completely preserved sanctuary of the ancient world, its walls recounting the cosmic duel between Horus and Seth. Return aboard for lunch as you sail to Kom Ombo, whose perfectly symmetrical twin temple honors the crocodile god Sobek and Horus the Elder. See the carved surgical instruments and the Crocodile Mummification Museum, then dine and overnight while sailing on toward Aswan.

This morning explore Aswan's blend of modern engineering and ancient artistry. Take in panoramic views of Lake Nasser 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. Afternoon at leisure or an optional felucca sail or Nubian village visit, with dinner and overnight in Aswan.

Enjoy a final breakfast on board before disembarking in Aswan. Travelers with time to spare can add an unforgettable 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 landmark UNESCO rescue, these monumental facades remain among Egypt's most awe-inspiring sights. We arrange your onward transfer to the airport, station or hotel.

Embark before lunch and settle in for life on the Nile. The afternoon belongs to Aswan's icons: panoramic views from the High Dam over Lake Nasser, 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 ease into the rhythm of the river.

Early risers can take 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 carries you to the wonderfully preserved Temple of Horus at Edfu, its sacred chambers and carved walls 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 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 transfer onward, closing your river journey with the West Bank's grandest monuments.