Cruzeiro Farida pelo Nilo

Cross to the West Bank for the morning's highlights: the Valley of the Kings, where three royal tombs cut deep 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 ship casts off and sails south past green riverbanks and villages, slipping 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, where reliefs recount the falcon god's battle with Seth. Lunch is served as you sail to Kom Ombo, home to a rare symmetrical temple honoring both Sobek the crocodile god and Horus the Elder, complete with surgical-instrument carvings and a crocodile mummification museum. Dinner and overnight sailing on toward Aswan.

This morning explore the engineering marvel of the Aswan High Dam, then take a motorboat to the island Temple of Philae, dedicated to the goddess Isis and rescued stone-by-stone from rising waters. Stand beside the colossal Unfinished Obelisk in its ancient granite quarry. Lunch is aboard, with the afternoon free for leisure, an optional felucca sail, or a colorful Nubian village visit by Nile boat. Dinner and overnight in Aswan.

Enjoy a final breakfast aboard before disembarking in Aswan. Those with extra time can add an early-morning excursion to the monumental rock-cut temples of Abu Simbel, raised by Ramses II for himself and Queen Nefertari and relocated above Lake Nasser in a celebrated UNESCO rescue. Your Travel Joy Egypt representative assists with onward transfers to your hotel, the airport, or your next adventure.

Embark before lunch in Aswan and begin your river journey with an afternoon of highlights. Visit the Aswan High Dam with its sweeping views over Lake Nasser, glide by motorboat to the elegant island Temple of Philae sacred to Isis, and pause at the Unfinished Obelisk in the pharaohs' granite quarry to see how these giants were hewn. Return aboard for dinner and your first overnight moored in Aswan.

Early risers can add the optional excursion to Abu Simbel to see the rock-cut temples of Ramses II and Nefertari. Afterward, the ship sails to Kom Ombo, where a unique twin temple honors Sobek the crocodile god and Horus the Elder side by side, with reliefs of medical instruments and a museum of mummified crocodiles. Lunch and dinner are served aboard as the ship continues sailing toward Edfu overnight.

A horse carriage takes you to the Temple of Horus at Edfu, the best-preserved temple in Egypt, with its great pylon and sacred sanctuary. Lunch is served as you sail on to Luxor. In the afternoon you tour the immense Karnak Temple Complex dedicated to Amun-Re, then Luxor Temple glowing at golden hour with its obelisk and illuminated courtyards. Dinner and overnight moored in Luxor.

After breakfast and check-out, cross to the West Bank for the grand finale: the Valley of the Kings with three royal tombs and an optional visit to Tutankhamun's tomb, the striking limestone Temple of Queen Hatshepsut set against the cliffs, and the imposing Colossi of Memnon guarding the Theban plain. Your guide then assists with your transfer onward, closing a memorable voyage along the Nile.