Upon arrival at Cairo Airport, transfer to the hotel. Le Passage Hotel & Casino 4* or similar.

Discovery of the Giza Plateau and its famous pyramids: Khufu, the largest of the three and the only surviving Wonder of the Ancient World; Khafre, distinguished by its elevated position, which gives it a more imposing appearance; and Menkaure, the smallest. Stop at the Sphinx, an impressive 73m-long statue. Afternoon visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), home to the world's largest collection of Pharaonic artifacts. (B-L-D)

Transfer to Cairo Airport and flight to Luxor. Upon arrival, transfer to the port and embarkation aboard the ship. Lunch and dinner on board. MS Nile Marquise or similar (B-L-D)

Following breakfast, discovery of the west bank of the Nile and ancient Thebes. Visit to the Valley of the Kings, burial site of the pharaohs of the New Kingdom, including exploration of three rock-cut tombs. Continue to Medinet Habu Temple, the remarkable funerary temple of Ramses III, renowned for its impressive scale and well-preserved colourful decorations. Photo stop at the Colossi of Memnon. Lunch on board, followed by sailing toward Esna. (B-L-D)

Morning sailing to Edfu. Lunch, followed by a visit to the magnificent Temple of Horus, one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt. A masterpiece of the Ptolemaic era, it is renowned for its imposing pylon, intricate reliefs and majestic black granite falcon statues representing the god Horus. Discovery of the courtyards and sanctuaries that reflect the religious richness of ancient Egypt. Return to the ship and continuation of the cruise to Kom Ombo. (B-L-D)

Visit to Kom Ombo Temple, beautifully situated on the banks of the Nile. Unique in Egypt, this Ptolemaic sanctuary is dedicated to two deities: Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus the Elder, the falcon god. Its symmetrical architecture and remarkably preserved reliefs make it a fascinating site. Sailing to Aswan. Visit to Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis and rescued from rising waters through a UNESCO-led preservation project. Stop at a papyrus institute. (B-L-D)

Free morning or optional coach excursion to Abu Simbel ($). After lunch, embarkation aboard a traditional felucca for a scenic sailing experience on the Nile. Discovery of the peaceful landscapes surrounding Kitchener Island and Elephantine Island, true gems of the river. Stop on Kitchener Island for a visit to its beautiful botanical garden, renowned for its rich collection of exotic plants. Return at the end of the excursion, followed by free time to enjoy the remainder of the afternoon. (B-L-D)

Day of sailing. (B-L-D)

Visit to Karnak Temple, the largest religious complex of ancient Egypt, developed over nearly 2000 years in honour of the god Amun. Its magnificent sanctuaries, pylons and columns reflect the grandeur of Egypt’s greatest pharaohs. Lunch on board. Continued discovery with a visit to Luxor Temple, dedicated to Amun-Ra and built during the reigns of Amenhotep III and Ramses II. Its entrance is marked by an obelisk, while its twin now stands in Place de la Concorde in Paris. (B-L-D)

Transfer to Luxor Airport and flight to Cairo. Lunch, followed by discovery of Cairo with a visit to the Citadel of Saladin and the majestic Mosque of Muhammad Ali, known as the “Alabaster Mosque” for its gleaming white stone. Superb panoramic view of the Egyptian capital from its terrace. Continue with a stroll through the Khan el-Khalili souks, a famous historic bazaar renowned for its lively alleyways, traditional crafts, spices, jewellery and local shops. (B-L)

Transfer to Cairo Airport. (B)