SHORTLIST

Treasures of Egypt and the Nile

Cairo → Cairo

Discover the timeless beauty of Egypt as you explore this remarkable destination. Feel the pulse of Cairo, a city where ancient wonders meet modern charm. Journey through landscapes shaped by history, from iconic monuments to vibrant local culture. Cruise the legendary Nile River aboard Travelmarvel's new Egypt river ship, Travelmarvel Sirius and uncover stories carved in stone. From awe-inspiring temples to bustling bazaars, every moment in Egypt is rich with intrigue and adventure.

Highlights
  • Uncover the layers of Egypt’s capital on a guided city tour. Stand before the Great Pyramids and Sphinx of Giza — timeless symbols of ancient ingenuity that continue to inspire awe. Visit the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), home to the world’s largest collection of Pharaonic treasures, where Tutankhamen’s legacy and Egypt’s golden age come vividly to life. Wander through the alleyways of Old Cairo, where centuries-old churches and mosques reflect a rich tapestry of faith and culture. End your day at Khan el Khalili bazaar, a sensory feast of spices, silver and storytelling.

  • Explore Karnak, the largest religious structure ever built and a sacred site for over 2,000 years. Dedicated to the Theban Triad — Amun, Mut and Khonsu — this vast temple complex showcases the grandeur of ancient Egypt. Wander through the Hypostyle Hall, where 134 towering columns still bear traces of original paint and inscriptions. Discover the sacred lake and ceremonial avenues once used by pharaohs in rituals to honour the gods and renew cosmic order.

  • Journey to the West Bank of the Nile to explore Egypt’s most sacred burial grounds. In the Valley of the King, over 60 tombs — including that of Tutankhamen — lie beneath the pyramid-shaped peak of Qurn, believed to symbolise the sun god Re. Nearby, the Valley of the Queens offers a more secluded setting, with over 90 tombs hidden in the hills, including the exquisitely decorated tomb of Queen Nefertari. Discover vivid wall paintings, rare inscriptions and sacred artefacts that reveal the rituals, beliefs and artistry of Egypt’s New Kingdom.

  • A modern marvel of engineering, the Aswan High Dam transformed Egypt’s relationship with the Nile. Completed in 1970, this colossal rock-fill structure spans the river at Aswan, controlling annual floods and powering the nation with hydrlectric energy. Its creation formed Lake Nasser — one of the world’s largest man-made reservoirs — and enabled irrigation, navigation and agriculture on an unprecedented scale.

  • Glide along the Nile aboard a traditional felucca — a wind-powered sailboat with broad canvas sails and cushioned decks. As the sun begins to set, take in the tranquil beauty of Aswan from the water, where palm-fringed banks and ancient silhouettes drift by. With no motor to disturb the peace, this timeless journey offers a rare moment of stillness, connection and reflection.

  • Step into one of Egypt’s most elaborate temple sites, where centuries of devotion are etched in stone. Within its walls lie a basilica, two birth houses, a sacred lake, and a network of shrines and temples spanning the Pharaonic, Ptolemaic, and Roman eras. At its heart stands the Temple of Hathor — a masterpiece of ancient architecture and celestial symbolism. Wander through ornate halls, explore sacred spaces, and glimpse the famed Zodiac of Dendera — a celestial map once carved into the temple ceiling.

Tour details
Tour Provider Travel Marvel
Price From
$7,195
Number of Days
11
Start Location
Cairo, Egypt
End Location
Cairo, Egypt
Age Range
Avg. 45+
Group Size
10 to 45
Tour Style
Premium
Tour Themes
No specific theme
Physical Rating
Easy to Moderate
Itinerary Open all
Day 1 - Arrive Cairo

Today marks the beginning of your Egypt adventure as you arrive in Cairo. We will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner and meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers. 

Day 2 - Cairo

This morning, explore the Giza Plateau with your Egyptologist guide and uncover the mysteries of the Great Pyramids. Nearby, the Sphinx stands guard, carved from a single limestone ridge. Learn about the construction and importance of these sites to the Egyptians. Continue to the Grand Egyptian Museum, where ancient artefacts and modern design come together in a striking tribute to Egypt’s dynastic past. Later, return to your hotel and enjoy an evening at leisure.

Day 3 - Cairo

This morning, visit part of Cairo’s historic old town. Choose to Enhance Your Journey with a guided tour of the Old Kingdom, exploring Memphis and Saqqara, or delve into Coptic Cairo, including Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church — believed to be built upon a shelter once used by the Holy Family. Later, experience the sights and sounds of the bustling Khan el Khalili bazaar.

Enhance Your Journey – Coptic Cairo

Wander through the historic heart of Old Cairo and uncover Egypt’s rich Christian heritage in the ancient Coptic district.

Enhance Your Journey – Saqqara and Memphis

Step back into Egypt’s Old Kingdom and explore the ancient wonders of Memphis and Saqqara, home to the civilisation’s earliest pyramids and enduring legacy.

Day 4 - Cairo, Luxor, Embark Ship

This morning, take an included flight from Cairo to Luxor, where your discovery of Upper Egypt begins. On arrival, visit the vast Karnak Temple complex and walk among towering columns and sacred halls that once echd with ancient rituals. Then, transfer to the Nile River to board your ship, the Travelmarvel Sirius, and settle in with lunch on board. This afternoon, explore the beautiful Luxor Temple, linked to Karnak by the Avenue of the Sphinx and once the centre of Egypt’s most important religious festival. This evening, enjoy a Captain’s Welcome Dinner as your ship sets sail for Dendera.

Day 5 - Luxor, Esna

Early this morning, visit the Dendera Temple complex, one of Egypt’s best-preserved ancient sites. With your Egyptologist guide, explore the Temple of Hathor, renowned for its detailed astronomical ceiling and beautifully preserved reliefs. Wander through sacred spaces including the birth house and the Sacred Lake, once used for ritual purification. After your visit, return to your river ship for lunch and enjoy a scenic sail back to Luxor. This afternoon, continue exploring the East Bank, including the Avenue of the Sphinx, before setting sail for Esna this evening.

Insider Experience – Dendera Temple Visit

Enjoy a special visit to Dendera, where the beautifully preserved Temple of Hathor reveals intricate carvings, celestial ceilings and sacred spaces that offer a rare glimpse into ancient Egyptian spirituality.

Day 6 - Edfu, Aswan

After breakfast on board, step ashore to visit Esna Temple, dedicated to Khnum, the ram-headed god of creation. Admire its towering columns, lotus carvings and astronomical ceiling depicting the twelve signs of the Zodiac.

This afternoon, continue to Edfu to explore the Temple of Horus — one of Egypt’s best-preserved ancient monuments. This grand sandstone structure is dedicated to the falcon god Horus and offers a remarkable glimpse into the architectural and religious legacy of the Ptolemaic era. Travel by coach with your Egyptologist guide and uncover stories of ancient festivals once held on this sacred site.

Later, return to your ship and enjoy dinner on board as you sail towards Aswan for an overnight stay.

Insider Experience – Edfu Temple Visit

Admire the impressive Temple of Horus at Edfu, explore its towering pylons, detailed reliefs and sacred halls in honour of the falcon god.

Day 7 - Aswan

In a city as serene and storied as Aswan, there’s always something to uncover. This morning, tour the impressive High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk and the beautifully preserved Philae Temple. Then, enjoy free time or perhaps choose to Enhance Your Journey with High Tea at the iconic Old Cataract Hotel. This afternoon, a special Insider Experience awaits. Later this evening, you may opt to Enhance your Journey by exploring Aswan’s vibrant Night Market.

Enhance Your Journey – Afternoon High Tea at the Old Cataract Hotel

Step into colonial elegance with a traditional high tea at the legendary Old Cataract Hotel, overlooking the Nile.

Enhance Your Journey – Aswan Night Market Tour

Wander through Aswan’s lively night market, where colourful stalls brim with spices, textiles and local crafts.

Insider Experience – Felucca Sailing on the Nile

Glide along the Nile aboard a traditional felucca and take in the tranquil beauty of Aswan from the water, as the sun begins to set.

Day 8 - Abu Simbel, Kom Ombo

Today is sure to be a highlight as you take an included flight to the awe-inspiring temples of Abu Simbel. With your Egyptologist guide, explore this monumental complex, carved into solid rock under the reign of Ramses II. Admire the towering statues of the pharaoh and intricate carvings that celebrate ancient victories and divine worship. Learn how this UNESCO World Heritage site was relocated in a remarkable international effort to save it from rising waters.

After returning to your ship, enjoy lunch on board and spend the afternoon sailing north along the Nile towards Kom Ombo. Relax on deck and take in scenes of daily life along the riverbanks. This evening, dock overnight in Kom Ombo.

Day 9 - Kom Ombo, Luxor

This morning, step ashore to explore Kom Ombo Temple, a rare double temple dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Harwer, the falcon god of kingship. Admire its symmetrical layout and detailed reliefs, including Roman-era carvings that reveal the medical knowledge of ancient Egypt. After your visit, enjoy a relaxing sail back to Luxor.

This evening, choose to Enhance Your Journey with a visit to Karnak Temple for the captivating Sound and Light Show.

Enhance Your Journey – Karnak Sound and Light Show

Witness Karnak Temple in a whole new light during this atmospheric evening experience. As stories of gods and pharaohs echo through the complex, the temple’s towering columns and sacred spaces are illuminated in a dramatic retelling of Egypt’s ancient past.

Day 10 - Luxor

This morning, visit the monumental Colossi of Memnon before exploring the West Bank of the Nile in Luxor — often referred to as the world’s largest open-air museum, home to the tombs and temples of ancient Thebes. Discover the Valley of the Kings and Queens, once the sacred burial ground of pharaohs, queens and priests, and step into the awe-inspiring Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. With its dramatic cliffside setting and grand colonnades, it stands as a tribute to one of Egypt’s most powerful rulers. This afternoon, you may choose to join an optional experience to further explore the region’s rich archaeological heritage. This evening, enjoy a special Farewell Dinner on board as you reflect on your journey through Egypt.

Enhance Your Journey – Luxor Museum Visit

This afternoon, discover a thoughtfully curated collection of ancient artefacts at the Luxor Museum, celebrated for its elegant displays and rich historical insight.

Day 11 - Luxor, Disembark Ship, Depart Cairo

This morning after breakfast take an included flight back to Cairo airport where your Egypt adventure comes to an end.

Departure dates
All pp pricing is based on twin share occupancy. Single supplements will apply
Start End Availability Price NZD
05 Sep 2026 15 Sep 2026 Available $7,195
12 Sep 2026 22 Sep 2026 Available $7,195
19 Sep 2026 29 Sep 2026 Available $7,895
26 Sep 2026 06 Oct 2026 Available $7,895
03 Oct 2026 13 Oct 2026 Available $7,595
10 Oct 2026 20 Oct 2026 Available $7,895
17 Oct 2026 27 Oct 2026 Available $8,295
24 Oct 2026 03 Nov 2026 Available $8,295
31 Oct 2026 10 Nov 2026 Available $8,295
07 Nov 2026 17 Nov 2026 Available $8,295
14 Nov 2026 24 Nov 2026 Available $8,295
21 Nov 2026 01 Dec 2026 Available $8,295
28 Nov 2026 08 Dec 2026 Available $8,295
09 Jan 2027 19 Jan 2027 Available $8,295
16 Jan 2027 26 Jan 2027 Available $8,295
23 Jan 2027 02 Feb 2027 Available $8,295
30 Jan 2027 09 Feb 2027 Available $8,295
06 Feb 2027 16 Feb 2027 Available $8,295
13 Feb 2027 23 Feb 2027 Available $8,295
20 Feb 2027 02 Mar 2027 Available $8,295
27 Feb 2027 09 Mar 2027 Available $8,295
06 Mar 2027 16 Mar 2027 Available $8,295
13 Mar 2027 23 Mar 2027 Available $8,295
20 Mar 2027 30 Mar 2027 Available $8,295
27 Mar 2027 06 Apr 2027 Available $8,295
03 Apr 2027 13 Apr 2027 Available $7,695
10 Apr 2027 20 Apr 2027 Available $7,695
17 Apr 2027 27 Apr 2027 Available $7,695
24 Apr 2027 04 May 2027 Available $7,595
01 May 2027 11 May 2027 Available $7,595
04 Sep 2027 14 Sep 2027 Available $7,695
11 Sep 2027 21 Sep 2027 Available $7,695
18 Sep 2027 28 Sep 2027 Available $7,895
25 Sep 2027 05 Oct 2027 Available $7,895
02 Oct 2027 12 Oct 2027 Available $7,895
09 Oct 2027 19 Oct 2027 Available $8,195
16 Oct 2027 26 Oct 2027 Available $8,695
23 Oct 2027 02 Nov 2027 Available $8,695
30 Oct 2027 09 Nov 2027 Available $8,695
06 Nov 2027 16 Nov 2027 Available $8,695
13 Nov 2027 23 Nov 2027 Available $8,695
20 Nov 2027 30 Nov 2027 Available $8,695
27 Nov 2027 07 Dec 2027 Available $8,695