Travel on an exclusive private charter of a luxury Nile dahabiya (engineless sailing boat), specifically reserved for 16 Cambridge alumni and guests, and led by Oxford Egyptologist Professor Mark Smith. This is not a standard commercial cruise, but an intimate academic expedition moving at a graceful, serene pace. Free from the crowds and noise of large ships, our traditional sailing vessel can moor at remote riverbanks and private islands, offering unhurried access to Egypt’s timeless wonders.
Designed specifically for second-time visitors and past travellers of the University of Cambridge Travel Programme, the itinerary bypasses the standard crowded stops at the Pyramids, Karnak, or the Valley of the Kings, all of which can optionally be explored via optional pre- and post-tour extensions. Instead, our curated focus in Cairo is solely on the magnificent new Grand Egyptian Museum, and in Luxor, on the magnificent but under-visited Tombs of the Nobles. In contrast to the Valley of the Kings, the colourfully decorated tombs here depict wonderfully relatable scenes of daily life, rather than the afterlife. Once on board the Dahabiya, our group will spend the next four days exploring the Nile-side sites between Luxor and Aswan, including the Ptolemaic twin temples at Kom Ombo, the masterful architecture of the Temple of Horus in Edfu and the island sanctuary of Philae Temple in Aswan. A true highlight of the voyage is a dedicated visit to Gebel el-Silsila, an ancient quarry site featuring fascinating Demotic graffiti that directly aligns with Professor Smith’s research. The Nile grows ever more beautiful the further upriver one gets, as the wide, flat agricultural valley gives way to sandstone cliffs rising ruggedly one each side, with the river punctuated by sandy islets and small fishing boats, and views of water buffalo and farmers tending plots along the narrow green ribbon of the banks.
This cruise offers a unique opportunity to forge lifelong connections with a small, cohesive group of like-minded peers, combining the atmosphere of a floating private club with the stimulation of a Cambridge seminar led by a world-renowned Oxford Egyptologist. With only 16 fellow travellers, guests will enjoy unparalelled access to Professor Smith, whether exploring the majestic temples or enjoying the intellectual camaraderie over evening dinners on the deck. An optional fly-in excursion to see Abu Simbel is available to add on the final morning.
For those with more time, or for those joining this journey who would like to visit/revisit the main sites of Cairo and/or Luxor not covered by the group tour itinerary, Temple World can quote for pre and post tour extensions with local guides, or arrange any number of private extensions elsewhere in Egypt, to Alexandria, Siwa Oasis, the Red Sea beaches or other highlights. See our ‘extensions’ tab for more details.
Highlights
- Enjoy a four-night cruise from Luxor to Aswan aboard a privately chartered luxury riverboat on the Nile, exclusively for just 16 Cambridge alumni
- Explore Cairo’s monumental Grand Egyptian Museum at Giza, the largest archaeological museum in the world
- Discover hidden, under-visited treasures including the beautifully decorated Tombs of the Nobles in Luxor and the quarries of Gebel el-Silsila.
- Moor at remote riverbanks and private islands inaccessible to large commercial cruise ships
ITINERARY
The full itinerary can be found on the Temple World website.
