MS Royal Ruby Nile Cruise

Your journey begins in Aswan, the sun-drenched southern frontier of ancient Egypt. On arrival you enjoy a complimentary transfer and step aboard your floating hotel. After settling in and having lunch, you set off to explore the **Aswan High Dam**, the modern engineering marvel that tamed the Nile’s annual floods and created the vast Lake Nasser. You then travel by motorboat to the island of Agilkia to visit the **Temple of Philae**, the sacred complex dedicated to the goddess Isis and often called the “Pearl of the Nile”. You spend your first night docked in Aswan.

The ship sets sail northwards at dawn. Your first stop is the unique **Temple of Kom Ombo**, perched dramatically on the river’s edge — a rare double sanctuary dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon-headed Horus the Elder, with a fascinating Crocodile Museum nearby. You then continue to Edfu, where a traditional horse-drawn calèche takes you to the **Temple of Edfu**, the best-preserved cult temple in all of Egypt, whose towering pylon and immaculate hieroglyphs tell the epic story of Horus’s triumph over Seth.

Enjoy a leisurely morning sailing past timeless scenes of rural Egyptian life. After crossing the Esna Lock you arrive in Luxor, the site of ancient Thebes and the magnificent capital of the New Kingdom pharaohs. This afternoon offers an optional visit to the East Bank temples: the vast **Karnak Temple Complex** with its Great Hypostyle Hall of 134 colossal columns, and — as dusk falls — the beautifully illuminated **Luxor Temple**, connected to Karnak by the ancient Avenue of Sphinxes.

Your final morning explores the Theban Necropolis on the West Bank, the land of the setting sun. You visit the world-famous **Valley of the Kings**, the final resting place of pharaohs such as Tutankhamun and Ramses II, and descend into vibrantly painted tombs. You then marvel at the striking **Temple of Queen Hatshepsut** at Deir el-Bahari, and on the way back you pause before the **Colossi of Memnon**, two massive statues of Amenhotep III that have guarded this land for over 3,400 years. After check-out you disembark, and a complimentary bonus transfer to the airport or train station brings your Nile adventure to a seamless close.

Your epic journey into the heart of ancient Egypt begins in Luxor, the site of Thebes—the glorious capital of the pharaohs. Upon your arrival, enjoy a complimentary transfer to your Nile cruise vessel. After checking in and enjoying your first lunch on the water, you’ll delve into the East Bank’s legendary treasures. First, explore the magnificent **Karnak Temple Complex**, a sprawling city of sanctuaries, pylons, and obelisks dedicated to the Theban gods. Stand in awe before the **Great Hypostyle Hall**, a veritable forest of 134 colossal columns. As evening approaches, visit the elegant **Luxor Temple**, beautifully illuminated against the night sky, and witness how successive pharaohs from Amenhotep III to Ramses II left their mark on its sacred grounds. You’ll spend the night docked in historic Luxor.

This morning, cross the Nile to the West Bank, the ancient necropolis dedicated to the journey into the afterlife. Your first stop is the world-renowned **Valley of the Kings**, where the tombs of pharaohs, including the famous Tutankhamun, were hidden for millennia. Descend into these royal crypts to admire the stunningly preserved hieroglyphs. Next, visit the breathtaking, terraced **Temple of Queen Hatshepsut**, a testament to the power of Egypt’s most famous female ruler. Before returning, pause to photograph the giant **Colossi of Memnon**, the silent stone guardians of the Theban necropolis. In the afternoon, your cruise begins its scenic journey south. Sail through the Esna Lock and continue towards Edfu to visit the **Temple of Horus**. This is the most immaculately preserved temple in all of Egypt, offering an unparalleled glimpse into Ptolemaic-era worship. We then sail overnight towards Kom Ombo.

Awake to find your ship docked at our first destination: the unique **Temple of Kom Ombo**. This fascinating Greco-Roman temple is perfectly symmetrical and dedicated to two deities: the crocodile god Sobek, representing the Nile’s fertile power, and the falcon-headed god Horus the Elder. After exploring its unique reliefs, the ancient Nilometer, and the nearby Crocodile Museum, you will re-board the ship. Spend the rest of the day enjoying a relaxing sail towards Aswan. Watch as the green, fertile banks slowly give way to the golden desert sands and dark granite rocks of Nubia, a landscape that has captivated travelers for centuries. You will overnight peacefully in the beautiful city of Aswan.

Today is dedicated to Aswan’s most iconic sites. Begin with a visit to the **Aswan High Dam**, a monumental achievement of modern engineering that reshaped the landscape of Egypt. From there, take a short motorboat ride to the relocated **Temple of Philae** on Agilkia Island. Known as the “Pearl of the Nile,” this enchanting temple complex was painstakingly saved from the rising waters of Lake Nasser and is dedicated to the goddess Isis. In the afternoon, experience the timeless tranquility of the Nile on a traditional **Felucca sailboat**. Let the gentle breeze guide you as you sail past the lush Botanical Gardens on Kitchener’s Island and get a river view of the elegant, hilltop Mausoleum of the Agha Khan. It’s a perfect, relaxing conclusion to your sightseeing adventures.

After enjoying a final breakfast aboard your cruise ship, it is time to disembark. With a heart full of memories of ancient wonders and the timeless beauty of the Nile, your journey concludes. A **complimentary bonus transfer** to Aswan’s airport or train station will be provided for your onward journey, ensuring a smooth and comfortable departure.