A true bucket-list destination, Egypt enchants visitors with its natural beauty, rich culture, and ancient history. Immerse yourself in this awe-inspiring country with an expert Egyptologist guide by your side.
Includes
12 Day Uniworld Boutique River Cruise
7-night cruise in a riverview stateroom on the elegant S.S. Sphinx
4 nights in Cairo at the Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza or at the Nile Ritz-Carlton (or similar)
Complimentary house wine, local beer, soft drinks, tea, and coffee will be served during lunch and dinner onboard
8 days of excursions, all fully hosted by English-speaking trained Egyptologists
Gratuities for onboard and onshore personnel (ship staff, crew, Cruise/Tour Manager or Egyptologist, local experts, drivers) are included both during the cruise/tour as well as on any pre- or post-cruise land extensions
Excludes
Flights
Arrival / departure transfers
Visas
Travel Insurance
Items of a personal nature
Extras
Note
The itineraries presented are subject to modification due to water levels, closures because of public holidays or other uncontrollable factors. Every effort will be made to operate programs as planned, but changes may still be necessary throughout the cruise. This day-to-day schedule is subject to change. Your final day-to-day schedule will be provided onboard on the first day of your cruise.
This program is an active one, including plenty of walking and early starts on most days to take advantage of the favorable morning weather. Flights between Cairo and Luxor may require wake-up calls at 5:00am or earlier. Please contact your travel agent for additional details.
*Note: Due to cultural differences and other factors, the beverage policy for our Egypt program differs from our European programs.
Highlights
7-night cruise onboard the elegant S.S. Sphinx
4 nights Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza or at the Nile Ritz-Carlton
All meals onboard
Carefully curated excursions
Itinerary
Day 1: Cairo
Arrive at Cairo International Airport. If your cruise/tour package includes a group arrival transfer or if you have purchased a private 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).
Day 2: Cairo
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 an unsurpassed collection of priceless artifacts, including mind-boggling treasures once buried with the boy king Tutankhamen.
Note: Dressing modestly is recommended as a show of respect for the culture and customs of the Egyptian people. In particular, women should ensure that shoulders are covered and legs are concealed at least to the knee on all shore excursions throughout this itinerary.
Day 3: Cairo, fly to Luxor (embark) cruising the Nile river, Dendera
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, you’ll revel in a Welcome Reception and Dinner onboard.
Note: Flights to Luxor depart early in the morning to take advantage of more favorable weather and traffic conditions, and to optimize tour scheduling.
Before dinner onboard this evening, guests will be treated to a folkloric dance performance. A local band of dancers, in traditional costumes representing different Egyptian districts, will perform a Whirling Dervish show.
Day 4: Dendera, cruising the Nile river, Luxor
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. It was built over hundreds of years and even in ruins it is still an extraordinary place. You’ll also visit the Temple of Hathor, dedicated to the goddess of love and beauty.
Day 5: Luxor, cruising the Nile river, Kom Ombo
The word “colossal” will take on a whole new meaning after today’s excursion to the gigantic twin statues known as the Colossi of Memnon. And that’s just the beginning—you’ll also visit the temple of one of Egypt’s rare female pharaohs as well as 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.
After dinner onboard tonight, guests will enjoy a Galabeya Party with music, dancing and singing by crew members. Guests are encouraged to bring their own Galabeya clothing.
Day 6: Kom Ombo, cruising the Nile river, Aswan
After visiting a temple dedicated to a crocodile god today (don’t miss the display of some of the 300 mummified crocs found in the local area), hop aboard a small boat for a bird-watching excursion along the Nile.
Day 7: Aswan
Today is an epic day, filled with wonders from start to finish. You’ll visit a marvel of modern engineering—the Aswan High Dam—as well as the Unfinished Obelisk and the beautiful Philae Temple complex, which was moved from one island to another back in the 1970s. But wait, there’s more. You’ll also 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.
After dinner onboard this evening, you’ll be treated to an enchanting Nubian show featuring traditionally attired performers, live music and dancing.
Day 8: Aswan, cruising the Nile river, Edfu
Spend the day at leisure or join us for an optional excursion to see the magnificent temples of Abu Simbel.
Day 9: Esna, cruising the Nile river, Luxor
On today’s excursion, you’ll learn how the Temple of Esna was buried under debris for many centuries and is one of the last great Egyptian temples ever built. Your Egyptologist guide will share all sorts of fascinating insights about this significant cultural site and show you the façade bearing the last known hieroglyphic inscriptions ever recorded in Egypt.
Later, savor the Nile’s majestic scenery as the ship cruises to Luxor.
Day 10: Luxor (disembark), fly to Cairo
Disembark in Luxor and transfer to the airport for your return flight to Cairo. Then, check in to your luxury hotel where you’ll have time to relax before dinner.
Note: Flights to Cairo depart early in the morning to take advantage of more favorable weather and traffic conditions, and to optimize tour scheduling.
Day 11: Cairo
It’s a day of Bucket List Moments today as we venture to see a number of amazing monuments—including the enigmatic Great Sphinx. You’ll have a thrilling opportunity to view the pyramids from an up-close perspective, the only way to fully appreciate their remarkable size and grandeur.
Day 12: Depart Cairo
Check out of your hotel and transfer to the Cairo International Airport for your flight home, or extend your trip with a memorable optional extension in Jerusalem.
Note: Ship schedule and order of sightseeing may change throughout the itinerary. Tour to port of destination by motorcoach and substitute visits to other sites may occur during your trip due to the impact of water levels, closures because of public holidays or other uncontrollable factors.
Ship info
S.S. Sphinx
Uniworld's S.S. Sphinx is a jewel on the Nile, bringing the epitome of luxury river cruising to Egypt. Launched in 2020, this meticulously crafted vessel offers a singular experience as it navigates the iconic river, showcasing the rich history and mesmerizing landscapes of Egypt.
Prices are per person twin share, include discounts, and are subject to availability and rate of exchange changes. Offers above are a guide only and will vary depending on departure date, our guide price is based on the cheapest departure within the stipulated season and availability is correct at time of loading. Visas may be necessary and insurance is essential. Pentravel and Tour Operator terms and conditions apply, and can be requested. Excludes flights, transfers, visas, travel insurance and anything not mentioned. Savings are not valid on all itineraries and/or departure dates, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. High season supplements and block out dates may apply, pricing varies pending departure date. Package excludes flights. You can do optional free-time add-on experiences in your free time and pay for them as you travel (additional costs apply). Uniworld reserves the right to withdraw promotional offers and adjust savings anytime. All savings / discounts mentioned have already been included in the advertised price. Savings featured are for cruise or cruise/tour only and is not applicable to airfare, extensions or other optional vacation add-ons. Savings are not combinable with other public offers. Offer is capacity controlled and may be modified or withdrawn at any time.
SAVE 20% per person. Book by 31 May 2025 to be eligible for this offer. Note: Reduced pricing shown above is inclusive of The Great River Cruise Sale discount. All fares and savings listed are in South African rand. Savings featured are for cruise or cruise/tour only. Savings featured are per person based on double occupancy, and do not apply to other optional holiday add-ons. Rates and savings vary by itinerary and departure date. All applicable discounts are applied sequentially; fixed savings amounts are deducted prior to applying any percentage-based discounts. Offer is capacity controlled and may be modified or withdrawn at any time. Other restrictions may apply.
Pentravel and Tour Operator reserves the right to withdraw or amend promotional offers at any time. These packages are based on CASH price. E&OE;.
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