LONG NILE CRUISE & LAKE NASSER

 Limited to 27 guests

Explore the Land of the Pharaohs on the longest cruise across Egypt including VIP visits to two of the most important sites in the country – Giza Pyramids Plateau and Grand Egyptian Museum – with none other than their Archaeology Directors. Your 20-day journey starts on the Nile, the “father of African rivers”, and continues on Lake Nasser, one of the largest reservoirs in the world. Sail in luxury from Cairo, where you have VIP entry to the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx, through the less-visited but no less impressive sites of Middle Egypt to Luxor and Aswan, and then all the way to Abu Simbel.

Discover Ancient Nubia and the Treasures of Egypt with Expert Guidance

Along the way, see the monuments and ruins of ancient Nubia and discover ornate temples, rock-cut tombs and hidden gems. Finally, top off the tour with a visit the country’s newest landmark, the Grand Egyptian Museum, home to an immense collection of ancient treasures, including King Tut’s golden mask. Throughout the journey, your Egyptology Expert will share the secrets of this ancient land, and your cruise ship staff will see to your every need.

VIP TOUR OF THE GRAND EGYPTIAN MUSEUM*

Explore the country’s latest landmark in the company of Dr. Tarek Tawfik, one of the Director of the Grand Egyptian Museum Project. It’s your one-off chance to gain exclusive insight into the largest collection of artifacts from the time of the pharaohs.

PRIVATE ENTRY TO THE GIZA PLATEAU

Visit the most iconic historic site in the world outside regular hours for an intimate and crowd-free experience.

PRIVATE ENTRY TO THE GREAT PYRAMID

Explore the Pyramid of Khufu – including two chambers that are closed to the public – without any other tourists.

SPECIAL ACCESS TO THE GREAT SPHINX ENCLOSURE

Marvel at a once-in-a-lifetime chance to touch the Great Sphinx and watch the sunrise from between its huge paws.

_{*The tour itinerary will include a visit to the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities at Tahrir Square until the Grand Egyptian Museum opens.}

Long Nile Cruise – Enjoy 15 days of luxury during the longest cruise across Egypt – from Cairo to Aswan.

Lake Nasser Cruise – Sail from Aswan to Abu Simbel across Lake Nasser to see the monuments of ancient Nubia on a 5-day cruise.

Cairo & Pyramids – Discover the diverse capital of Egypt. Begin your journey at Saqqara, home to the first pyramid ever built by the Egyptians, the Step Pyramid of Djoser. See two early pyramids in Dahshur and take in the sight of the magnificent Pyramids of Giza and the enigmatic Sphinx.

Memphis – Visit Egypt’s first capital and gaze up at a monumental 35-foot-tall statue of Ramses II.

Grand Egyptian Museum* – Delve into the world’s largest collection of pharaonic treasures, including King Tut’s famous golden mask.

Middle Egypt & Tell el-Amarna – Visit the archaeological site of Tell el-Amarna, which was once the capital city of Akhetaten. See rock-cut tombs that date to the Middle Kingdom at Beni Hassan and explore Tuna el-Gebel with its temples, tombs and animal mummies.

Abydos & Dendera – Discover Abydos Temple, the burial place for the first kings of unified Egypt, and Dendera Temple, one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt.

Luxor – Unveil the secrets of the ancient city of Thebes by visiting the enormous Karnak and Luxor Temples. Explore the royal tombs of the pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings and their wives’ tombs in the Valley of the Queens, including the beautiful Nefertari’s tomb. Visit the great Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, and admire the Colossi of Memnon, two massive stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III.

Edfu & Kom Ombo – Visit the marvelous Temple of Edfu, one of the best-preserved ancient temples in Egypt, and the Greco-Roman Temple of Kom Ombo.

Aswan – Admire the Unfinished Obelisk, the world’s largest ancient obelisk, and discover the Temple of Philae, beautifully located on an island. Marvel at the feat of engineering behind the 2-mile-long Aswan High Dam and visit the Nubian Museum, which houses more than 3,000 artifacts.

Nubia – Start with Kalabsha Temple, the largest free-standing temple in Nubia, and the nearby rock-cut temple of Beit el-Wali. Discover the Temple of Wadi el-Sebua, from the time of Ramses II. Explore the Temple of Amada, the oldest temple in Nubia, and the Temple of Derr, which boasts well-preserved reliefs. Visit the beautiful tomb of Penout and view the Citadel of Kasr Ibrim, where archaeologists found the world’s largest collection of Old Nubian scripts.

Abu Simbel – Explore the magnificent temples of Abu Simbel during two unforgettable days and take in the magnificent panoramic view from the cruise ship.

Historic Cairo – Experience the exotic vibe of Cairo and explore the city’s two historic architectural gems, the Saladin Citadel and the Alabaster Mosque.

Cultural Experiences – Meet with Nubians and experience their way of living by visiting their homes and local school. Stroll through the most atmospheric old souks in Luxor and Aswan. Connect with locals and enjoy authentic traditional musical performances.

_{*The tour itinerary will include a visit to the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities at Tahrir Square until the Grand Egyptian Museum opens.}

Day 1 – Arrival in Cairo

When you arrive at Cairo International Airport, an Archaeological Paths’ representative greets you and helps you with visa and airport procedures. You are then transferred to a luxurious 5-star cruise ship to begin your unforgettable journey through Egypt’s ancient history.

Day 2 – Saqqara  /  Memphis  /  Dahshur

After an orientation with Archaeological Paths’ representatives, you visit the ancient necropolis of Saqqara. Admire the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the oldest pyramid in Egypt, built 4,700 years ago by the legendary architect Imhotep. You also visit the elaborately decorated Tomb of Mereruka and the Pyramid of Teti, which boasts one of the oldest pyramid texts ever discovered. Wrap up your sightseeing in Saqqara with a visit to the Imhotep Museum.

After lunch, you visit the ruins of Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt, where you gaze up at a monumental 35-foot-tall statue of Ramses II carved from limestone. Then you head to Dahshur, home to the Bent and Red Pyramids, built for Pharaoh Snefru. These pyramids are among the oldest, largest and best preserved in Egypt.

Day 3 – Private Entry to the Giza Plateau  /  Special Access Between the Paws of the Great Sphinx  /  Private Entry to the Great Pyramid of Khufu  /  VIP tour of the Grand Egyptian Museum with Dr. Tarek Tawfik*

In the morning, when the entire Giza Plateau remains closed to other tourists, Archaeological Paths’ guests have exclusive access to this iconic ancient site. This crowd-free experience is typically offered only to royals, heads of state and other honored guests.

First, you enjoy private entry to the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still standing today. During the entire visit, you are accompanied by an Egyptology Expert who leads you through the Great Pyramid’s interior and vividly describes its history, construction, and mythology.

On top of accessing the pyramid privately and seeing the King’s Chamber, the Director of the Giza Pyramids opens for you two additional chambers – the Queen’s Chamber and the Subterranean Chamber, both closed to the public.

Next, you have VIP access to the Great Sphinx Enclosure. While other tourists see the Sphinx only from a distant observation terrace, you stand right in front of the world’s most recognizable sculpture. 

During this visit, you will be joined by none other than Dr. Ashraf Mohie El-Din, Director General of the Giza Pyramids Plateau. He invites you to join him on an exclusive VIP tour of the Giza Plateau and Great Sphinx, where he will bring to life the undisclosed secrets of this iconic site. During this unique experience, You will gain access to exclusive insights into recent excavations, groundbreaking research, and discoveries that have yet to be made public. You’ll be captivated as Dr. Mohie El-Din describes a restoration project underway at the Great Sphinx and reveals the hidden tunnels that lie beneath it. You will also be privy to the latest scientific and archaeological breakthroughs made by his team.

Afterward, you visit the stone quarry of Giza and explore the Valley Temple of Khafre, which was used for the pharaoh Khafre’s mummification and purification before burial. Finally, take in a picturesque overview of the pyramids from a panoramic viewpoint.

VIDEO - THE GIZA PLATEAU with Archaeological Paths - explore differences

Your visit to the Giza Plateau might be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so you want to be sure it is extraordinary. The tour company you choose makes all the difference. Compare two different ways to visit the world’s most iconic archaeological site and see how much of a difference it makes traveling with Archaeological Paths!

In the afternoon you visit the long-anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum*. It is home to the world’s greatest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts, preserving 7,000 years of Egyptian history.

You will explore the museum’s treasures with Dr. Tarek Tawfik, the former Director General of the museum. Dr. Tawfik oversaw this mammoth project for many years, including moving 50,000 artifacts from other museums to their new home. He will give you an insider’s perspective into how it was built as he leads you through the museum’s galleries and exhibits. Learn about the inside story and secrets of the museum with someone who was instrumental in its planning.

The highlight of the visit is the spectacular Pharaoh Tutankhamun collection, displayed in its entirety for the first time. Also not to be missed among the most valuable collection of Egyptian antiquities is the Khufu Solar Boat, which symbolically transported the Pharaoh Khufu from the living world to the afterlife.

*The tour itinerary will include a visit to the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities at Tahrir Square until the Grand Egyptian Museum opens.

Day 4 – Sailing from Cairo to Beni Suef

Enjoy the stunning views from the cruise ship’s sundeck while sailing from Cairo to Beni Suef. The river here is very shallow and only about a quarter of a mile wide. The mountains on the east side reach down to the riverbanks. They are bare, white and sandy, and their appearance changes with each passing mile.

Before dinner, you are invited to the captain’s cocktail party, where you meet the crew and taste delicious local and international cocktails.

Day 5 – Sailing from Beni Suef to Minya  /  Q&A Session

Spend the day sailing to Minya. While enjoying your cruise, don’t miss an engaging Q&A session with your Egyptology Expert who answers your questions and shares beyond-the-guidebook knowledge about ancient Egypt. Enjoy lunch and dinner on board to the accompaniment of traditional folk music.

Day 6 – Tuna el-Gebel  /  Temple of Thoth  /  Beni Hasan

After breakfast, you visit Tuna el-Gebel, an expansive site with a variety of temples and tombs. There, you explore the catacombs of the god Thoth, which used to store millions of animal mummies, and admire the tombs of Isadora and Petosiris with their exquisite paintings.

Next, you explore the great Temple of Thoth, an open-air museum that contains ancient treasures excavated quite recently. Continue to Beni Hasan to see the rock-cut tombs of Middle Kingdom nobles. Carved into the limestone cliffs, the tombs give a rare insight into the everyday life, customs and beliefs of ancient Egyptians.

Day 7 – Tell el-Amarna  /  Prince Tawdrous Monastery  /  Sailing from Minya to Asyut

You continue sailing through Middle Egypt this morning, reaching Tell el-Amarna. This is where Pharaoh Akhenaten pursued his vision of a society dedicated to the cult of one god – Aten, the sun god – later considered heretical. Visit the nobles’ tombs with wall reliefs unequaled anywhere else in Egypt.

While sailing toward Asyut, you stop in front of Prince Tawdrous Monastery to view it from the boat. Tonight’s onboard dinner features exquisite Egyptian cuisine and an Egyptian Night costume party in traditional galabeyas.

Day 8 – Sailing from Asyut to Sohag  /  Q&A Session

Today, you can relax while cruising the Nile toward Sohag. Enjoy a drink on the beautiful sundeck while admiring the local wildlife, flourishing green fields, picturesque villages, palm trees and desert in the distance. Have a swim in the pool or use the ship’s spa, jacuzzi or gym facilities. With all these possibilities for relaxation, do not miss another fascinating Q&A session with your Egyptology Expert. This time it focuses on the country’s modern history and daily life of Egyptians. Gain inside knowledge about Egyptian culture and customs right from the source.

Day 9 – Abydos Temple  /  Sailing from Sohag to Nag Hammadi

In the morning, you arrive at Abydos, the holy city of Osiris. There, you visit the Abydos Temple – also known as the Temple of Seti I, who began its construction. The temple is built of white limestone and, artistically, represents an attempt to restore the old ways after the heresies of Akhenaten. The temple once was the holiest site in the land and the burial place for the first kings of unified Egypt.

In the afternoon you return to your ship and begin sailing to Nag Hammadi. Enjoy the rest of the day relaxing and admiring beautiful landscapes around you.

Day 10 – Dendera Temple  /  Sailing from Nag Hammadi to Luxor

Today you visit Dendera, a temple complex with many chapels and shrines. Its main temple – one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt – is dedicated to the goddess Hathor. It sets itself apart from other temples by its colossal columns and spectacular ceilings covered with vibrant and colorful paintings.

Day 11 – Valley of the Kings  /  Valley of the Queens  /  Temple of Hatshepsut  /  Colossi of Memnon  /  Luxor Market

This is your first day in Luxor, the ancient capital city of Thebes. After breakfast, a short motorboat ride across the Nile takes you to the Valley of the Kings. It was a royal cemetery for over 500 years, and 62 pharaohs and other nobles were buried there. In the Valley, you see some of the best-known tombs, including King Tutankhamun’s, which was famously found intact in 1922 by British archaeologist Howard Carter.

The Valley of the Queens is your next stop. It served as the burial site for the queens and some of the children of the 19th and 20th Dynasty pharaohs. You visit four very well-preserved tombs including Nefertari’s, which is regarded as the most beautiful in Egypt because of its vivid and ornate paintings. Later, you visit the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, one of the most characteristic temples in Luxor. It was built for the most successful female pharaoh to rule over Egypt. On the way back to the cruise ship you stop to admire the Colossi of Memnon, two massive stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III.

Before dinner, enjoy a traditional belly dance performance. In the evening you explore Luxor Market, an authentic, open-air souk. There, you have a chance to connect with locals at every turn and sample regional delicacies.

Day 12 – Karnak Temple  /  Luxor Temple  /  Sailing from Luxor to Edfu

On your second day in Luxor, you visit famous Karnak, the largest temple complex in the world. Walk through the avenue of sphinxes, gaze up at the towering 97-foot-tall obelisk and wander among the massive pillars of the Great Hypostyle Hall.

Then, it’s on to the magnificent Luxor Temple. It was built over hundreds of years by the New Kingdom pharaohs including Tutankhamun and Ramses II. To this day the temple is one of the greatest reflections of the pharaohs’ power and supremacy.

Later you can enjoy refreshments on the cruise ship’s sundeck while sailing to Edfu or avail yourself of some of the ship’s other amenities.

Day 13 – Edfu Temple  /  Sailing from Edfu to Kom Ombo  /  Q&A Session  /  Kom Ombo Temple  /  Sailing from Kom Ombo to Aswan

Begin the day with a visit to the marvelous Temple of Edfu. It is among the best-preserved ancient temples in Egypt, built between 237 and 57 BC, and dedicated to the falcon god Horus. On the way along the Nile to the next site, take part in the third Q&A session with your Egyptology Expert. The sites you have seen over the past few days as well as those you have yet to discover are great talking points.

In the afternoon you visit the Greco-Roman Temple of Kom Ombo. It was built between 205 and 180 BC as a place of worship for two gods: Horus and Sobek, the crocodile god. The day ends with a visit to the Crocodile Museum, which houses a collection of mummified crocodiles and ancient carvings.

Day 14 – Unfinished Obelisk  /  Nubian Museum  /  Nubian Village  /  Aswan Old Souk

Start your sightseeing in Aswan with a visit to the Unfinished Obelisk, the largest-known ancient obelisk, lying on its side in a stone quarry. It measures around 140 feet tall and weighs nearly 1,200 tons. Later, you visit the Nubian Museum. It houses more than 3,000 artifacts and serves as a focal point for Nubian culture from prehistory to the present day.

After lunch, a motorboat ride takes you through the cataracts of the Nile to a Nubian village. There, you meet the Nubians and visit their homes and local school to experience their way of living. Back on board the cruise ship, you enjoy a Nubian party featuring traditional music and folk dances.

In the evening you stroll through the Aswan Old Souk, an atmospheric open-air market. Don’t forget to try the local shisha and taste some traditional Egyptian tea.

Day 15 – Temple of Philae  /  Aswan High Dam

Today your sail along the Nile comes to an end. It is, however, the beginning of another amazing cruise on Lake Nasser, a vast reservoir in the middle of the desert.

After lunch, you take a motorboat ride to the Temple of Philae, beautifully located on an island. The temple was built in 208 BC and dedicated to the goddess Isis. On the way back to the cruise ship, you stop to see the imposing 2-mile-long Aswan High Dam. Its construction began in 1960, lasted 8 years and cost $1 billion. The dam ended the cycle of flood and drought in the Nile River region.

In the evening you are invited to the captain’s cocktail party, where you mix with another crew and sample classic and creative cocktails.

Day 16 – Kalabsha Temple  /  Beit el-Wali Temple  /  Kiosk of Qertassi  /  Sailing from Aswan to Wadi el-Sebua

Bid farewell to Aswan and begin your exploration of the Nubian region of southern Egypt. Start with Kalabsha Temple, constructed in the Ptolemaic and Roman period. It has been described as “amongst the most precious remains of Egyptian antiquity”. The next stop is Beit el-Wali, a small rock-cut temple dedicated to Amun-Ra. It boasts a patio decorated with spectacular scenes from the military campaigns of Ramses II. Later, visit the Roman Kiosk of Qertassi that commands fine views of Lake Nasser.

While crossing the Tropic of Cancer on the way to Wadi el-Sebua, enjoy lunch and authentic Egyptian tea.

Day 17 – Temple of Wadi el-Sebua  /  Sailing from Wadi el-Sebua to Amada  /  Temple of Amada  /  Temple of Derr  /  Tomb of Penout

In the morning you visit the site of Wadi el-Sebua, which means “Valley of the Lions” – so called for the avenue of sphinxes that leads up to the temple built during the reign of Ramses II. Its remote location gives visitors the feeling that they are discovering this temple for the first time.

Next, explore the Temple of Amada, the oldest temple in Nubia, dedicated to the god Amun.

The Temple of Derr is your next stop. The only rock-cut temple in Nubia boasts well-preserved reliefs illustrating the Nubian campaign of Ramses II, who, accompanied by his famous pet lion, is smiting his enemies. Finally, admire the beautiful tomb of Penout, a high-ranking official who lived at the time of Ramses IV.

Day 18 – Sailing from Amada to Kasr Ibrim  /  The Citadel of Kasr Ibrim  /  Sailing from Kasr Ibrim to Abu Simbel  /  Abu Simbel Temples

Today you sail to Kasr Ibrim, the only ancient site in lower Nubia not to have been submerged by Lake Nasser. You view the Citadel of Kasr Ibrim from the ship’s sundeck, as visitors are not permitted to go ashore. The citadel features a range of different architectural styles, thanks to the area’s occupation by ancient Egyptians, Romans and, later, Coptic Christians. Archaeologists have uncovered here the world’s largest collection of Old Nubian texts.

Another sail brings you to Abu Simbel. There, you explore the majestic Abu Simbel Temples, one of the most impressive monuments of ancient Egypt. The temples were carved out of the mountainside in the 13th century BC for Ramses II and his wife Nefertari.

Day 19 – Abu Simbel Temples  /  Saladin Citadel & Alabaster Mosque of Muhammad Ali  /  Farewell Dinner

In the morning, you revisit the Abu Simbel Temples. Take beautiful pictures of four colossal statues of the pharaoh facing the rising sun and looking out over a crystal-clear lake.

Then, a short flight takes you back to Cairo to top off the tour with a visit to the 12th-century Islamic fortress, known as the Saladin Citadel, and the Alabaster Mosque of Muhammad Ali. The mosque was built on the summit of the citadel between 1830 and 1848, bringing an unparalleled contribution to the skyline of Cairo.

In the evening, during the farewell dinner, enjoy live music and celebrate your unforgettable journey across Egypt.

Day 20 – Departure from Cairo

After breakfast, you are transferred to Cairo International Airport for your flight back home.

Please find below a brief summary of the Pre- and Post- Tours. To read the full description of the Extensions, please download our Extensions Travel Brochure – CLICK HERE TO VIEW BROCHURE.

PRE-TOURS:

CAIRO MUSEUMS (1-day add-on)

During this one-day add-on, visit two of Cairo’s most important museums.* First, explore the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Tahrir Square. It was built in 1902, and its iconic pink-toned walls in the midst of downtown Cairo still house an extensive collection of pharaonic antiquities. After lunch, visit the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. Just opened in 2017, the museum tells the story of Egypt’s rich history and contribution to world cultures – from ancient times through the Greco-Roman, Coptic, and Islamic periods – with fascinating exhibitions and artifacts, including royal mummies of the greatest pharaohs.

Price: $795 per person for a double room or $995 for a single room. The add-on includes accommodation for 1 night at the same hotel as during the main tour.

POST-TOURS:

ALEXANDRIA (1-day add-on)

The tour starts in the morning with a 3-hour drive on an air-conditioned bus. Alexandria is the second largest city in Egypt, famous for its Greco-Roman remains and Mediterranean character. The city was founded by Alexander the Great in 332 BC and was the capital of Egypt for more than 300 years. The add-on covers all highlights, including the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the catacombs of Kom ash-Shuqqafa, the Roman Amphitheater, the harbor of Alexandria with the picturesque Citadel of Sultan Qaitbay, and the place where the famous Lighthouse of Alexandria – one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World – once stood. In the evening you return to your hotel in Cairo for dinner and overnight stay.

Price: $795 per person for a double room or $995 for a single room. The add-on includes accommodation for 1 night at the same hotel as during the main tour.

JORDAN (5-day add-on)

Experience Jordan on a fascinating tour to a land of ancient wonders. Unveil the secrets of the Rose City of Petra, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the desert of Wadi Rum, also known as the Valley of the Moon, with its prehistoric petroglyphs and ever-changing landscape of otherworldly rock formations. Take a relaxing dip in the Dead Sea and visit Mount Nebo, from where Moses is believed to have seen the Promised Land.

EXCLUSIVE VIP EXPERIENCE:

Petra with an archaeologist: Explore Jordan’s most famous site together with one of the leading archaeologists working there. Learn about the latest research and discoveries made in Petra and uncover the secrets of the Treasury, Petra’s most magnificent temple.

Price: $4985 per person for a double room. Single supplement costs $995. The add-on starts the day after the Egypt tour ends. You should purchase an additional night at the hotel, so you can use that day to rest, or take part in our 1-day post-tour add-on which includes the cost of the additional night.

MS Steigenberger Cruises

MS Steigenberger Omar El Khayam

Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at The First Residence

Prices Starting From:
• $12,985 – Double Occupancy
• $2,985 – Single Supplement

Payment Schedule:
• $1,200 deposit – during booking
• Remaining balance – 90 days before the tour

Price Includes:
Exclusive VIP Experiences as indicated in the itinerary; Special Guests as indicated in the itinerary; Luxury Accommodations as indicated in the itinerary; All sightseeing tours and entries as indicated in the itinerary; Meals as indicated in the itinerary; English-speaking Egyptology Expert as a tour guide; English-speaking Travel Concierge; Domestic airfare; Bottled water during sightseeing; Transfers in air-conditioned buses; Reception at the airport and airport transfers on standard arrival and departure days; Basic health insurance (to download the Terms and Conditions of travel insurance click here); Taxes.

Not Included:
International airfare (we can assist you with the booking); $25 entry visa (issued and paid in cash on arrival at Cairo International Airport); Tips; Soft and alcoholic beverages; Personal expenses

In order to book your place on the Long Nile Cruise & Lake Nasser tour, please click below on the Book Now button and follow the instructions.

Next, please make the deposit payment to confirm your place on the tour. Since the number of places is limited, we encourage you to book the tour as soon as possible. Please contact us if you have any questions.

E-mail: contact@archaeologicalpaths.com

USA phone: 917-724-2772
Other countries: +1 917-724-2772

Office hours: 8am–8pm EST Monday–Friday &  9am–5pm EST Saturdays.