The Timeless Nile by Royal Steamer

Fly from London Heathrow to Aswan via Cairo, and embark on the revered SS Misr for your seven-night cruise.
(D)

Visit the High Dam of Lake Nasser, and by private boat, sail to the Temple of Philae, saved from a watery grave in the lake by moving it to Agilika island. This afternoon, visit the Nubian Museum for its display of the culture and customs of Nubia’s ‘Land of Gold’ era; and enjoy a unique experience of Nubian life, as we take a motorboat north of the old Aswan Dam, sailing past lush green islands, to go ashore at Gharb Soheil. We visit one of the last multi-generational Nubian houses on the Nile’s edge, meeting the family, and learning about their lifestyle and heritage, over a cup of mint tea; and stroll through the colourful stalls of the market to return to the boat for Aswan.
(B, L, D)

Leave early this morning to tour by road (4hrs each way) to Abu Simbel, created by Ramesses II in the 13^th century BCE. The heroic proportions of the two temples were matched by the massive task of moving them up onto the plateau, 65m higher and 210m northwest of their original site, which was soon to be submerged in Lake Nasser.  Return to the ship in Aswan to sail to Kom Ombo, for an evening visit to the riverside ‘twin’ temples, dedicated to two gods, the crocodile-headed Sobek and falcon-headed Horus; and continue to Edfu for overnight mooring.
(B, L, D)

Begin the day with a visit to Edfu’s temple. Dating back to the 2^nd century BCE, and dedicated to Horus, the god of fertile Nile-side lands, it was built on the ruins of a much older temple, its huge edifice revered as one of the country’s most atmospheric ancient monuments. Enjoy the scenic riverscapes as you cruise from here to Luxor for overnight mooring.
(B, L, D)

Sail north to Qena to visit Denderah, among the best-preserved of Egypt’s temple complexes, its Temple of Hathor the largest of three on the site. Among intriguing stone carvings are an image of Cleopatra and her son, and the replica of the Zodiac which sowed doubt about biblical chronology. Return to Luxor, where the SS Misr will be moored for three nights.
(B, L, D)

A hot-air balloon ride over Luxor is an enthralling optional experience, for a bird’s eye view of the modern city wrapped around its ancient tombs and temples (early morning start before sunrise, pre-bookable £160 per person). Later, tour the west-bank Theban necropolis, the Valley of the Kings, where iconic landmarks include the monumental Colossi of Memnon, the statues soaring 60-feet high; the tiered tomb of Queen Hatshepsut; and over sixty tombs of nobles and pharaohs, those of Seti I and Tutankhamun the most famous among them; and continue to Howard Carter’s house, now a museum with maps and writings by the archaeologist.
(B, L, D)

A morning tour explores the Nile’s east bank Temple of Karnak, its acres of shrines, courts, colonnades, and obelisks linked to Luxor Temple by the two-mile Avenue of Sphinxes. Afternoon at leisure.
(B, L, D)

Disembark the SS Misr and transfer to Luxor airport for the flight to London Heathrow.
(B)