6 Night Passage Through Egypt Cruise from Aswan

Fly via private charter flight to southern Nubia, traversing almost the entire length of Egypt, and the remarkable site of Abu Simbel, on a sun-baked island in the azure waters of Lake Nasser. Two temples are found here; one large, dedicated to Ramses II's victory at Kadesh, and one small, dedicated to his beloved Queen Nefertari. Constructed in the mid 13th century BC, Abu Simbel was excavated from the sand in 1817. The temples were moved piece-by-piece to where it sits today to avoid being lost again, this time not to sand and neglect but to the creation of modern Lake Nasser. After lunch, we reboard our privately-chartered aircraft to Aswan to embark the elegant, privately-chartered Oberoi Philae, our home for the next six nights, in time for dinner. Onboard you will find spacious cabins, warm public areas, and a welcoming Egyptian crew offering impeccable service. (B,L,D)

Aswan enjoys a glorious location on the Nile, backed by hills, with granite rocks protruding from the riverbed and sailboats (called feluccas) plying the water. It is just downstream of the northernmost Nile cataract, which historically made it a frontier town and a trading center with Nubia. This morning we visit the fine Nubian Museum, where you'll learn about the Nubian history and culture of Upper Egypt, as well as the architectural marvel that is Abu Simbel. Next is a special High Tea at the legendary Old Cataract Hotel, from where commanding views of the Nile and Elephantine are sure to please. End the day with a relaxing sail on a traditional felucca as the Nubian crew sing local songs and show you the beauty of the cataracts in the afternoon light. This evening, enjoy a Nubian cultural show onboard Oberoi Philae. (B,L,D)

Early this morning, enjoy the lovely Temple of Isis on the island of Philae, from which the Oberoi Philae gets its name. In Greek, Philae means "the end" and the island was aptly named due to its border with ancient Nubia. Like Abu Simbel, the Temple of Isis would have been lost to the floods caused by the building of the High Dam if not painstakingly dismantled, moved, and reconstructed at its present location. Visit a granite quarry to learn about how massive obelisks and other structures were carefully cut from solid rock and transported to the river for sailing the Nile. Get a good look at an unfinished obelisk on site before casting off from Aswan on the most luxurious ship on the Nile and continue our adventure in Kom Ombo. Set strikingly atop a hill overlooking the Nile we visit Kom Ombo in the afternoon, built during the Ptolemaic era, dedicated to two gods-hawk-headed Haroeris and crocodile-headed Sobek. It is richly decorated, and even has a hieroglyphic calendar. Enjoy more time onboard where you can relax, dip into the ship's library of Egyptian history, or take a cool swim in the pool. Presentations and recap onboard will cover Egyptology as well as modern Egypt plus photo instruction that take into account the sites and lighting you are experiencing. We overnight in Edfu. (B,L,D)

After early sailing to Esna, walk to the nearby Temple of Khnum, which lies beneath the contemporary town of Esna and has not been fully excavated. Your Egyptologist will explain how silt from centuries of the Nile's annual floods buried the temple, which sits below street level. Walk back to the ship through the narrow streets of Esna, talking with locals, sharing stories and smiles, and learning about everyday Egyptian small-town life. After lunch, we have time to cruise and marvel at the rich and verdant riverbanks and farmland that has sustained life along the Nile for thousands of years. Enjoy the views from your suite or join your friends in the lounge or on the top deck to watch life and history go by. We'll continue our program with presentations from our Egyptologists and certified photo instructor later this afternoon.

After early cruising to Qena, we visit the Temple of Dendera, constructed during the time of the Roman emperors, noted for its dramatic columns and magnificent ceilings. The reliefs on the temple walls depict the empress Cleopatra. Hundreds of years of black soot was delicately removed to reveal the stunning and colorful artwork beneath, considered among the finest in all Egypt. Return to the ship for lunch and time to enjoy sailing through some of Upper Egypt's most stunning scenery in route back to Luxor where we'll tour the Luxor Museum, which contains some of Egypt's finest statuary, beautifully lit and displayed, including the mummies of Ahmose I and Ramesses I. (B,L,D)

Rise early for an optional hot-air balloon ride and a panoramic view of the Luxor area. This morning we will cross the Nile to the fabled West Bank and Valley of the Kings, burial ground for hundreds of years to Egypt's greatest pharaohs. Explore and photograph the tombs of Seti I and Tutankhamun. Visit the Valley of the Queens and the most remarkable tomb of them all: that of Nefertari. Vivid paintings show the queen's beauty and depict her journey to the afterlife in exquisite color and quality found nowhere else in Egypt. See the temple of Hatshepsut, dramatically set beneath sandstone cliffs. Return to the ship for lunch and time to explore Luxor at your leisure. (B,L,D)

Disembark Oberoi Philae and visit Karnak Temple. For 2,000 years some 30 pharaohs added their own monuments and shrines to this vast temple. The 134 columns of the great hall create a forest of stone 70 feet high, while the towering obelisk of Queen Hatshepsut shadows the rear of the temple. The reliefs and carvings, created by some of Ancient Egypt's finest artisans, are dramatic. After lunch, we board our privately-chartered aircraft to Cairo and check into the 5-star InterContinental Citystars Hotel. Gather for our final dinner with the group this evening. (B,L,D)