Splendours of Egypt & the Nile

Arrive at Cairo International Airport. If you have arranged a Uniworld arrival transfer, a Uniworld representative will be on hand to greet you and escort you to the opulent Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza or to the stunning Nile Ritz-Carlton (or similar).

The ancient quarter of Cairo is intense — the colors, the sounds, the density of people — and it’s likely been this way for thousands of years. Your local expert will show you a 12th-century citadel, the beautiful Alabaster Mosque, and the Grand Egyptian Museum.
Citadel of Salah Al-Din, The Alabaster Mosque and Grand Egyptian Museum: Your tour of this historic city includes a visit to the Citadel of Salah al-Din, a massive compound containing mosques and museums and offering breathtaking views of Cairo. Founded in the seventh century by Arab conquerors, the Fatimid dynasty rulers made Cairo their capital and named it al-Qahira. The great sultan Salah al-Din built his citadel in the 12th century as a government centre and bulwark against invading armies of Crusaders; for more than 700 years it was the home of Egypt’s rulers. His masterpiece was the great Alabaster Mosque, also known as the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, with two slender minarets and a beautiful Turkish-style interior lit by lamps suspended from an intricately decorated ceiling. The day concludes with a guided visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum, the largest archaeological museum in the world.

Prepare to be amazed at the legendary Temple of Karnak, a massive and absolutely astounding site with gigantic columns, broad avenues lined with stone sphinxes and halls of truly epic proportions. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Reception and Dinner onboard.
Temple at Karnak: After a short flight to Luxor on the east bank of the Nile, stroll through the grand avenues of sphinxes and halls of gigantic columns of the magnificent Temple of Karnak. This vast complex was originally established during the Middle Kingdom (1991-1633 BC), and various dynasties over the next 1,300 years continued to expand it. The UNESCO-designated Karnak complex is composed of three main temples, smaller enclosed temples and several outer temples, the largest dedicated to Amun. The dazzling Great Hypostyle Hall is an imposing forest of 134 enormous sandstone columns in the form of papyrus stalks. Board S.S. Sphinx and set sail for Dendera, where a Gala Reception and dinner welcome you onboard this evening.

Luxor is a city on the east bank of the Nile River in southern Egypt. It’s on the site of ancient Thebes, the pharaohs’ capital at the height of their power, during the 16th–11th centuries B.C. Today’s city surrounds 2 huge, surviving ancient monuments: graceful Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple, a mile north. The royal tombs of the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens are on the river’s west bank

Dendera, also spelled Denderah, ancient Iunet, Tentyris or Tentyra is a small town and former bishopric in Egypt situated on the west bank of the Nile, about 5 kilometres south of Qena, on the opposite side of the river. It is located approximately 60 kilometres north of Luxor and remains a Latin Catholic titular see.

Like its twin shrine the Temple of Karnak, the Temple of Luxor stands on the site of ancient Thebes, the once flourishing capital of Egypt’s New Kingdom. Built over hundreds of years, even in ruins it remains an extraordinary place. Today also brings a visit to the Temple of Hathor, dedicated to the goddess of love and beauty.
Temple of Hathor: The impressive Temple of Hathor at Dendera was dedicated to the goddess of love and beauty. Dating to Egypt’s Ptolemaic era, built between 125 BC and AD 65, it is one of the best-preserved temples in all of Egypt and features a rare bas-relief of Cleopatra with Caesarion, the son she bore to Julius Caesar. Return to Luxor for free time before visiting the ancient Temple of Luxor, constructed over hundreds of years beginning around 1400 BC and dedicated to the god Amun.

Luxor is a city on the east bank of the Nile River in southern Egypt. It’s on the site of ancient Thebes, the pharaohs’ capital at the height of their power, during the 16th–11th centuries B.C. Today’s city surrounds 2 huge, surviving ancient monuments: graceful Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple, a mile north. The royal tombs of the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens are on the river’s west bank

The word “colossal” takes on a whole new meaning after today’s excursion to the gigantic twin statues known as the Colossi of Memnon. The day also brings a visit to the temple of one of Egypt’s rare female pharaohs and the Valley of the Kings, used as a royal burial place for nearly 500 years and where the mummified remains of Tutankhamen are on display.
Colossi of Memnon, Temple of Hatshepsut and Valley of the Kings: The Colossi of Memnon stand sixty feet tall, depicting Pharaoh Amenhotep III seated on his throne and gazing eastward toward the rising sun. The Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahri is one of Egypt’s most distinctive landmarks, built into the face of steep cliffs and constructed of limestone rather than sandstone, unlike any other funerary temples of the New Kingdom. The Valley of the Kings, used for royal burials for nearly 500 years, is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. It was here that the mummified remains of the boy king Tutankhamen are still on display. Return to the ship and set sail for Kom Ombo. This evening, a festive onboard Galabeya party features traditional Egyptian music.

Kom Ombo or Ombos or Latin: Ambo and Ombi – is an agricultural town in Egypt famous for the Temple of Kom Ombo. It was originally an Egyptian city called Nubt, meaning City of Gold. Nubt is also known as Nubet or Nubyt. It became a Greek settlement during the Greco-Roman Period.

After visiting a temple dedicated to two gods including the crocodile god Sobek, take a ride in a felucca, a traditional Egyptian sailboat, and enjoy afternoon tea at a famous hotel depicted in Agatha Christie’s novel Death on the Nile.
Kom Ombo Temple: Unlike most ancient Egyptian temples, the Kom Ombo Temple is dedicated to two gods: the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Horus the Elder. Construction began under the reign of Ptolemy VI Philometor (180-145 BC). Several of the 300 crocodile mummies discovered in the vicinity are displayed inside the temple.
Felucca Ride and Sunset Tea at the Old Cataract Hotel Aswan: Sail serenely down the Nile in a felucca, a small traditional boat with large triangular sails, experiencing the river as Egyptians have for a thousand years. Later, relax over tea at the historic Old Cataract Hotel Aswan, a colonial-era gem that counts Winston Churchill and Princess Diana among its former guests and which inspired Agatha Christie’s acclaimed mystery novel Death on the Nile. Note: feluccas are wind-powered and will operate only if weather conditions permit.

Aswan, a city on the Nile River, has been southern Egypt’s strategic and commercial gateway since antiquity. It contains significant archaeological sites like the Philae temple complex, on Agilkia Island near the landmark Aswan Dam. Philae’s ruins include the columned Temple of Isis, dating to the 4th century B.C. Downriver, Elephantine Island holds the Temple of Khnum, from the Third Dynasty.

A day filled with wonders from start to finish. Visit a marvel of modern engineering in the Aswan High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk, and the beautiful Philae Temple complex, which was relocated from one island to another in the 1970s. Also today, a small boat bird-watching excursion along the Nile.
Aswan High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk and Temple of Isis: The Aswan High Dam, completed in the 1970s, is 11,800 feet long and has a reservoir capacity nearly five times that of the Hoover Dam. The Unfinished Obelisk, commissioned by Queen Hatshepsut but never completed due to a flaw discovered in the stone, would have been the largest and heaviest obelisk ever attempted. The Philae Temple complex was painstakingly transferred to the island of Agilkia to save it from the rising waters of Lake Nasser, a UNESCO-funded endeavour that took 10 years to complete.
Life on the Nile Tour by Motorboat: Take a small boat along the banks of the Nile on a bird-watching excursion, watching for herons, kingfishers, vultures, sunbirds and other wildlife that thrive in the marsh grass along the riverbanks. Note: Egypt prohibits the use of binoculars and may confiscate them at airport security.

Spend the day at leisure or join an optional excursion to see the magnificent temples of Abu Simbel.

Kom Ombo or Ombos or Latin: Ambo and Ombi – is an agricultural town in Egypt famous for the Temple of Kom Ombo. It was originally an Egyptian city called Nubt, meaning City of Gold. Nubt is also known as Nubet or Nubyt. It became a Greek settlement during the Greco-Roman Period.

Edfu is an Egyptian city, located on the west bank of the Nile River between Esna and Aswan, with a population of approximately sixty thousand people. Edfu is the site of the Ptolemaic Temple of Horus and an ancient settlement, Tell Edfu. About 5 km south of Edfu are remains of ancient pyramids.

Learn how the Temple of Esna was buried under debris for many centuries and is one of the last great Egyptian temples ever built. An Egyptologist guide will share insights about this significant cultural site and the facade bearing the last known hieroglyphic inscriptions ever recorded in Egypt.
Temple of Khnum: The Late Roman Temple of Esna lies on the west bank of the Nile about 55 kilometres south of Luxor and is just a short walk from the ship through the local market. Dating from the Ptolemaic and Roman period (180 BC to AD 251), it features inscriptions praising Khnum, the ram-headed god of creation, a hypostyle hall with 24 pillars, and a ceiling depicting Egyptian astronomical figures and Roman zodiac signs. At the foot of the facade are the last known hieroglyphic inscriptions ever recorded in Egypt.

Luxor is a city on the east bank of the Nile River in southern Egypt. It’s on the site of ancient Thebes, the pharaohs’ capital at the height of their power, during the 16th–11th centuries B.C. Today’s city surrounds 2 huge, surviving ancient monuments: graceful Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple, a mile north. The royal tombs of the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens are on the river’s west bank

Disembark in Luxor and transfer to the airport for the return flight to Cairo. After checking in to your luxury hotel, time to relax and explore Cairo at your leisure.

Cairo, Egypt’s sprawling capital, is set on the Nile River. At its heart is Tahrir Square and the vast Egyptian Museum, a trove of antiquities including royal mummies and gilded King Tutankhamun artifacts. Nearby, Giza is the site of the iconic pyramids and Great Sphinx, dating to the 26th century BC. In Gezira Island’s leafy Zamalek district, 187m Cairo Tower affords panoramic city views.

A day of extraordinary encounters as the journey continues to some of Egypt’s most iconic monuments, including the enigmatic Great Sphinx and an up-close visit to the ancient Pyramids.
Pyramids at Giza, the Great Sphinx and Sakkara: At the Giza Necropolis, the Great Sphinx awaits, with the body of a crouching lion and the head of a man, the largest monolith statue in the world, believed to have been built in the 26th century BC during Khafre’s reign. The Pyramids of Giza are the only surviving Wonder of the Ancient World; the oldest and largest, Khufu, stood about 50 stories high when completed around the 26th century BC. Also today, the Step Pyramid of King Zoser in nearby Sakkara, the oldest pyramid in the world and the prototype for all subsequent pyramids.

Check out of your hotel and transfer to Cairo International Airport for your flight home. Alternatively, extend the journey with an optional post-cruise extension to Jerusalem or the Red Sea. Speak with a Cruiseabout consultant for availability and details.