DAYS
12
TOUR CODE
AENC-27
COST
£6495
DAYS
12
TOUR CODE
AENC-27
COST
£6495
This privately chartered cruise aboard a traditional dahabiya will allow us to view Egypt's sacred landscape and monumental architecture – including the famous Valley of the Kings – as the ancient Egyptians themselves might once have.
Overview
Embark on a remarkable journey with ACE along the Nile, from the serene city of Aswan, nestled in the heart of ancient Nubia, to the captivating ‘open-air museum’ of Luxor, where many of Egypt’s most magnificent treasures await. This unforgettable cruise aboard a classic and comfortable dahabiya (exclusively chartered for our group) begins with an exploration of the historical wonders in and around Egypt’s vibrant capital of Cairo.
At the desert’s edge in Saqqara lies the necropolis for the ancient capital of Memphis, home to the oldest pyramid ever built, the renowned Step Pyramid (Pyramid of Djoser). A significant centre during the Old Kingdom, it continued to be used for non-royal burials throughout the Ptolemaic and Roman eras. Meanwhile, dating to the Fourth Dynasty, the monumental Giza Necropolis showcases the incredible burial tombs of Pharaohs Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure. Here, we will be captivated not just by the imposing scale of these structures but also by their intricate interiors, where walls and ceilings are richly adorned with exquisite gold and blue decorations and ancient hieroglyphics.
Complementing our onsite excursions, we are delighted to be including a visit to the newly-opened Grand Egyptian Museum, which displays a complete collection of treasures from Tutankhamun’s Tomb and his renowned gold funerary mask among other extraordinary artefacts.
From Cairo we fly to Aswan to board the Nile Lily. From here we will make an excursion to Agilkia Island, the idyllic stage for a remarkable series of monuments saved from the flooded island of Philae, along with Aswan High Dam and a tour of the famous granite quarries. Also from Aswan, an optional flight to Abu Simbel will offer guests the opportunity to discover the Great Temple of Ramses II on the shores of Lake Nasser, justly acclaimed as one of the world’s most splendid architectural ensembles.
Journeying along the river, we will survey a range of fascinating temples and archaeological ruins. Esna, located some thirty miles south of Luxor, boasts the miraculously preserved Temple of Khnum, the ram-headed god revered by the Egyptians as the guardian of the source of the Nile. An international team has spent five years cleaning and restoring the temple’s ceiling so travellers can now view a wondrous array of astronomical reliefs, images of vultures and hieroglyphics.
At Edfu, the most complete of all Egyptian temples, we will admire the vivid reliefs recounting the dramatic struggle for power between Horus and Set. The Ptolemaic ruins of Kom Ombo, standing sentinel on a bend in the Nile, provide the most striking of settings for the Temple of Sobek and Haroeris, dedicated to the crocodile god and his falcon-headed counterpart.
On arrival in Luxor, we will spend a couple of days discovering the city’s peerless ancient sites, including the monumental ‘East Bank’ temples of Luxor and Karnak and the world-renowned ‘West Bank’ tombs and temples, including the necropolis of the pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings.
Our tour concludes with a visit to the Old Egyptian Museum in Cairo, which charts Egypt’s past from the Pre-Dynastic to Graeco-Roman periods, and is the oldest archaeological museum in the Middle East. Within the city centre, we will wander Coptic Cairo, visiting Egypt’s oldest synagogue Ben Ezra Synagogue and the Hanging Church, one of the oldest churches in Egypt.
Tour Director
Katharina Zinn
Katharina Zinn is an interdisciplinary Egyptologist teaching Egyptology, heritage and museum studies and ancient civilisations.
This tour will be led by Katharina Zinn, PhD, is an interdisciplinary Egyptologist teaching Egyptology, heritage and museum studies and ancient civilisations. In addition to Egyptology, her research and teaching is inspired by visual and material culture studies, museum studies, heritage, archaeology, anthropology, Ancient History and Classical Studies as well as reception studies. Katharina’s latest projects explore the connection of heritage and history with a wider range of artists (fine arts, dance, poetry, performance, AI, game design) and enabling the interpretation of archaeological museum objects to a wide range of audiences in and outside museum settings in order to foster belonging and identity through ancient objects. Katharina is passionate about research, teaching and community engagement.
– A 2026 ACE traveller
Our Accommodation
We will also stay at the 5-star Sofitel El Geizrah in Cairo. This luxury hotel is well-situated allowing for exploration around Cairo and to our sites, as well as a private promenade on the Nile and stunning views.
Our Vessel
Nile Lily is a faithful replica – complete with period furniture – of a 19th century dahabiya, a two-masted sailing yacht that once was a common sight on the Nile in the days of the monarchy, when travellers meandered from temple to temple. On board, Guests will enjoy characterful and traditional comforts, alongside more modern conveniences, including air conditioning, en-suite cabins and international and Egyptian cuisine, as well as the highest levels of service.
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Nile Lily
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The deck
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An example of a twin cabin
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Communal area
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An example of a double for single use cabin
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Nile Lily dining room
Itinerary
Day 1
Depart London Heathrow 0940 on Egyptair, arriving Cairo 1535. Two nights in Cairo at Sofitel El Geizrah.
Day 2
Pyramids of Giza, Great Sphinx and the new Grand Egyptian Museum (extensive archaeological museum, containing a full collection of Pharaonic treasures from the tomb of Tutankhamun, and Solar Boat Museum with original Pharaonic vessel). Short evening talk: An Introduction to Ancient Egypt.
Day 3
Whole day excursion to Saqqara (including Step Pyramid and mastabas with remarkable paintings) and Memphis (limestone Colossus of Ramses). Transfer to Cairo Airport for flight to Aswan. Embark Nile Lily for eight nights.
Day 4
By motorboat to Agilkia Island (superb Ptolemaic monuments including Philae Temple), followed by visits to Aswan High Dam (one of the engineering wonders of the world) and ancient granite quarries.
Day 5
Optional excursion by air to Abu Simbel for Great Temple of Ramses II on shores of Lake Nasser (at a supplement), or free time on board. Afternoon: by motorboat to Elephantine Island.
Day 6
Visit to Temple of Sobek and Haroeris at Kom Ombo. Cruise to Edfu.
Day 7
Visit to Ptolemaic Temple of Horus (most complete of all Egyptian temples) at Edfu. Cruise to Esna.
Day 8
Visit to Temple of Khnum (great hypostyle hall) at Esna. Cruise to Luxor.
Day 9
West Bank: Valley of the Kings (choice of tombs including Tutankhamun), Temple of Queen Hatshepsut (mortuary temple of 15th century Egyptian queen), Colossi of Memnon, Ramesseum, Medinet Habu and Deir el-Medina.
Day 10
East Bank: Vast temple complex of Karnak, Avenue of Sphinxes and Temple of Luxor.
Day 11
Disembark the Nile Lily and continue to Luxor for flight to Cairo. Visits in Coptic Cairo: churches, Ben Ezra Synagogue and Coptic Museum. Overnight in Cairo at Sofitel El Geizrah.
Day 12
Morning visit to the Old Egyptian Museum. Depart Cairo 1650, arriving Heathrow 2105.
Our Route
Frequently Asked Questions
To read our full list of frequently asked questions please visit our general FAQs here.
What is the maximum group size of this tour?
What is the deposit cost for this tour?
What tour staff will be on this tour?
Am I fit enough to travel on this tour?
Fitness Requirements
The majority of ACE Cultural Tours are active in nature. To make the most of our time in a destination and provide excellent value for money, they are busy – there are often several visits included each day. As such, our tours require a certain minimum level of physical and mental fitness, mobility and stamina.
Many visits will involve navigating several steps, uneven ground, steep ascents and descents, and could involve embarking and disembarking aircraft, coaches, trains and cruise vessels. Plenty of walking, punctuated by lengthy periods of standing, is the norm. Some tours may involve long coach journeys.
It is essential that all customers are sufficiently fit and able enough to fully participate. Furthermore, every tour comprises a group of guests. We cannot allow the entire group to be negatively impacted by one participant, either holding up the pace we reasonably need to maintain or disproportionately requiring the attention and support of the tour staff.
We carefully consider the intensity, fitness and other requirements of each itinerary and describe them on the tour pages of our brochures and website. Please study these descriptions closely. When you call to book, we will reiterate those requirements and ask you to confirm that all group members are indeed fit enough and otherwise able to meet the criteria. It is your responsibility to answer fully and honestly. If it transpires that you are not able to keep pace with the tour and/or it reasonably appears you are negatively impacting (or are reasonably likely to negatively impact) the enjoyment of the rest of the group (including their ability to complete all scheduled visits), we may ask you to sit out certain days/visits, take a taxi at your own expense (if available in the location), or even, if we consider there is no other reasonable alternative, ask you to leave the tour and make your own way home.
This tour requires a good level of fitness as, although our itinerary is not strenuous, we have a full programme of visits. Participants must be prepared for walking over rough ground and in dimly lit temples, using small river boats, and walking over steps, stairs, narrow gangplanks and boat roofs. Crew members are usually available to assist but participants must have a good level of mobility and balance. Please be aware that temperatures are also likely to be warm and days will be long. Sites may also have little to no shade and limited opportunities to sit down; in particular the West Bank and Saqqara are open sites with no cover. We recommend consulting ACE’s usual fitness requirements as outlined in our Booking Terms & Conditions.
As a minimum, participants should be able to successfully complete the following self- assessment tests:
- Walk for one hour at a reasonable pace and without needing to take a break to rest
- Climb at least two flights of stairs at a reasonable pace
- Stand unaided for at least 30 minutes
- Stand up and sit down ten times in one minute
- Carry or otherwise move your own luggage
Please ensure you have read and understand our full fitness requirements as described in our terms and conditions.
Practicalities
Optional Abu Simbel excursion
At a supplement, we hope to include an optional excursion by air to Abu Simbel on Day 5, giving participants the opportunity to visit the Great Temple of Ramses II on the shores of Lake Nasser. Please note that this excursion must be pre-booked and cannot be guaranteed as it is dependent upon flight availability nearer to departure. Please speak to a member of our Sales team for more information.
UK Government Travel Advice
For additional travel information from the UK government please consult the following pages.
Cost Details
Treasures of the Nile: A Voyage through Ancient Egypt
April 3 - 14, 2027
Included: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded cabin/premium room, eleven breakfasts, ten lunches with water, soft drink & coffee, eleven dinners with water, soft drink & coffee (wine included on board Nile Lily), excursions & admissions, all gratuities & all taxes.
Not Included: visa, travel insurance, optional excursion by air to Abu Simbel on Day 5 £450, double cabin/premium room for single use supplement on request. Nile view rooms at Sofitel El Gezirah available at a supplement and on request.
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Get in Touch
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