Passage Through Egypt - Nile River Cruise

Arrive in Cairo, the ancient capital of Egypt, and check in to the five-star St. Regis hotel, your home for the next three nights.

Arrival Time: Arrive after 3:00 p.m. local time.
Arrival City: Cairo, Egypt

Your journey begins with an exploration of Egypt’s most iconic landmarks: the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Discover the incredible story behind the Pyramid of Cheops, constructed from more than two million stone blocks by tens of thousands of workers over the course of 20 years. Nearby, marvel at the legendary Sphinx, carved from a single massive block of stone and featuring the head of Pharaoh Chefren on the body of a lion. Enjoy privileged access beyond the barrier for a rare, up-close encounter with this iconic monument.

Step inside the Great Pyramid and follow the narrow passageway of the Grand Gallery to the burial chamber of Cheops. As your Egyptologist shares fascinating stories and insights that bring ancient history to life, your National Geographic–Lindblad Expeditions certified photo instructor will be by your side to help you capture the moment.

After lunch, explore the galleries of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) with expert Egyptologists. Witness the 3,200-year-old statue of Ramses II in the Grand Hall, the Solar Boat, the riches of King Tut and select treasures from the prehistoric to the Greco-Roman period. Enjoy a festive welcome reception before dinner at the hotel this evening.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, journey to Saqqara, home to the remarkable Step Pyramid of Pharaoh Zoser—a revolutionary design that marked the beginning of pyramid building. Here, you’ll also discover some of Egypt’s most enchanting wall paintings and reliefs, depicting scenes of harvests, fishing, music and dance. Explore the mastaba of Mereruka, the largest and most elaborate tomb in Saqqara. Though not of royal blood, Mereruka—known also as Meri—served as Chief Justice and Vizier to Pharaoh Teti of the Sixth Dynasty, and his wealth and status are reflected in the tomb’s exquisite artistry.

After lunch at a local restaurant, explore the Khan el Khalili bazaar, the city’s largest and most famous market, dating back to the 14th century. Wander its lively alleys filled with filigreed silverwork, semiprecious stones and colorful keepsakes. Continue your stroll along El Moez Street, one of Cairo’s oldest thoroughfares, dating to the 10th century. Admire the stunning Islamic architecture as you arrive at the Qalawun Complex—a magnificent ensemble of a mausoleum, madrasa and hospital, celebrated as one of the finest examples of Islamic architecture in Egypt.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Fly by private charter to Luxor in Upper Egypt, and step into the heart of ancient Thebes. Your visit begins at the awe-inspiring Karnak Temple—a monumental complex that evolved over some 2,000 years as 30 pharaohs contributed their shrines and monuments, creating the largest religious structure ever built. The Great Hypostyle Hall, with its 134 colossal columns rising nearly 70 feet high, feels like a stone forest—a breathtaking testament to human devotion and artistry. At its rear stands the towering obelisk of Queen Hatshepsut, casting its shadow over intricate reliefs and carvings crafted by Egypt’s finest artisans.

After lunch, check in at the elegant Sofitel Winter Palace (or similar). In the evening, visit the exquisite Luxor Temple, majestically guarded by colossal statues of Ramses II. A place of worship for more than three millennia, its grand pylons, graceful columns and imposing statues are especially mesmerizing after sunset, when the temple glows with ethereal light.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Begin the day with a visit to the Temple of Dendera in Qena, a short drive from Luxor. Built during the reign of the Roman emperors, this remarkably well-preserved sanctuary was once shrouded in centuries of soot. Careful restoration has revealed its brilliant colors and exquisite reliefs, including depictions of Empress Cleopatra that stand among the finest examples of late Egyptian art.

Return to Luxor for lunch, followed by an afternoon at leisure. Enjoy the tranquil comforts of your hotel or wander through the timeless streets of the city, where echoes of ancient Thebes linger in every corner. Before dinner, gather for an engaging presentation by your Egyptologists, delving deeper into the wonders and mysteries you’ve encountered along the Nile.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Set out early this morning for the West Bank of the Nile and the fabled Valley of the Kings, the final resting place of Egypt’s greatest pharaohs. Step into history as you explore and photograph the tombs of Seti I and Tutankhamun, masterpieces of ancient craftsmanship. Continue to the Valley of the Queens to visit the most celebrated tomb of all—Nefertari’s. The queen’s tomb is adorned with radiant paintings depicting her beauty and her journey to the afterlife, their colors and artistry unmatched anywhere in Egypt. Nearby, admire the magnificent Temple of Hatshepsut, dramatically nestled beneath towering sandstone cliffs.

Later, embark the elegant Oberoi Philae, your luxurious home for the next four nights. Enjoy lunch on board as the ship begins its journey along the storied Nile. From the deck, take in the timeless scenery—glimpses of daily life that have unfolded here for millennia. In the afternoon, enjoy insightful presentations from your Egyptologists and certified photo instructor as the ship passes through the Esna Lock.

*Note: The tomb of Nefertari is temporarily closed for renovation. In the meantime, you will instead visit the spectacular Ramesseum, the funerary temple of Ramses II.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, step ashore for a short walk to the nearby Temple of Khnum in the town of Esna. Still only partially excavated, the temple lies about nine meters below the current level of the Nile—buried for centuries beneath layers of silt deposited by the river’s annual floods. On your walk back to the ship, glimpse everyday life in a traditional Egyptian town.

Once back aboard, relax as Oberoi Philae sails toward Edfu. You might enjoy a refreshing swim in the pool or explore the ship’s library of Egyptian history. In the afternoon, visit the majestic Temple of Edfu—the second largest in Egypt—dedicated to Horus, the falcon-headed god of kingship and the sky. Built on the legendary site of the battle between Horus and Seth, the temple’s carvings and inscriptions recount their eternal struggle between order and chaos. Here, ancient rituals were performed to uphold cosmic balance and renew the divine authority of Egypt’s kings.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Spend the morning sailing the Nile toward Kom Ombo. Perched dramatically on a hill overlooking the river, the Temple of Kom Ombo is unique in its dedication to two deities—the hawk-headed Haroeris and the crocodile-headed Sobek. Built during the Ptolemaic era, the temple’s richly adorned walls feature intricate reliefs, including a fascinating hieroglyphic calendar that records ancient festivals and rituals.

Following your visit, continue your journey south to Aswan, where golden hills frame the horizon and feluccas bob in the shimmering waters. Once a bustling frontier town and vital trading post with Nubia, Aswan remains a place of striking beauty and timeless charm.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, visit the enchanting Temple of Isis on the island of Philae—the namesake of the Oberoi Philae. Like Abu Simbel, this sacred temple was saved from the rising waters caused by the construction of the Aswan High Dam, meticulously dismantled and reconstructed on higher ground to preserve its splendor. Next, explore a nearby granite quarry, where ancient engineers once carved massive obelisks directly from the rock before transporting them down the Nile to honor their gods and pharaohs.

In the afternoon, visit the Nubian Museum, where beautifully curated exhibits celebrate the rich history, art and culture of Nubia. Later, relax aboard a traditional felucca as it glides across the Nile. Conclude the day with a festive reception, dinner and a vibrant Nubian cultural performance.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Disembark Oberoi Philae and board a private plane bound for southern Nubia and the awe-inspiring temples of Abu Simbel. Set on a sun-drenched rise above Lake Nasser, this remarkable site is home to two temples: the grand sanctuary of Ramses II, commemorating his triumph at Kadesh, and a smaller, more intimate temple honoring his beloved Queen Nefertari. Carved in the mid-13th century B.C., the temples lay buried in sand until their rediscovery in 1817. In one of the greatest feats of modern archaeology, both were later moved—stone by stone—to their current location to save them from the rising waters of the newly formed lake.

After lunch, reboard your chartered plane for the flight back to Cairo and check in at the InterContinental Citystars Hotel in the stylish Heliopolis district. This evening, gather with your fellow travelers for a final dinner, reflecting on the unforgettable journey through Egypt’s timeless wonders.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for flights home.

Departure Time: Anytime
Departure City: Cairo, Egypt

Meals Included: Breakfast

All day-by-day breakdowns are a sampling of the places we intend to visit, conditions permitting.