After diving the fantastic Red Sea, experience the wonders of Ancient Egypt on a fabulous Nile cruise followed by exciting Cairo!
From our LGBTQ+ Red Sea liveaboard, we'll be transferred across the Eastern Sahara to Luxor, where you'll be amazed by the Temple of Karnak, the Valley of Kings, and the temple of Queen Hatshepsut. There we'll board our small cruise ship for a four-night adventure up the Nile accompanied by our own English-speaking Egyptologist, stopping along the way at stunning temples built on the banks of the river. After our cruise, we'll fly to Cairo to visit the Giza Pyramids and the new Grand Egyptian Museum.
"All Egypt is the gift of the Nile." - Herodotus
Travel with us to experience Egypt in comfort, safety, and style!
Luxor to Aswan Nile Cruise Highlights:
The Temple of Karnak
Built in the 20th century B.C., it is the biggest of the ancient Egyptian temples and was the seat of the god Amun, and the administrative capital of the country. A visit to the temple begins at the sacred quay, decorated with a Nilometer showing flood levels of the Nile and then passes through an avenue, bordered by statues of ram-headed sphinxes, to the temple itself. Inside the temple there is an open courtyard with a smaller temple on the left-hand side. Then there is a large hypostyle hall, built during the reigns of Seti I and Rameses II, containing 134 pillars, twelve of which are topped with capitals in the form of open papyrus flowers.
The Luxor Temple
Built by Amenhotep III as a private residence for god Amun, but Rameses II later added statues of himself to either side of the temple: two seated and two standing. Inside there is an open coutyard built by Rameses II, comprising a pillared colonnade; and a second courtyard by Amenhotep III with pillars decorated with papyrus designs. The Luxor Museum contains a remarkable collection of ancient Egyptian sculpture found during the course of restoration at the Karnak and Luxor temples.
 The Valley of the Kings
This site contains a large number of tombs of the Kings and Pharoahs, including the tombs of: Seti I, Rameses II, Horemheb and Tutankhamun, which was the only tomb to be discovered intact.
The Temple of Edfu
This temple dates to the Ptolemaic period and is the largest and most complete of the different temples situated along the banks of the Nile. It is located in the city of Edfu. It was a center of the cult of Horus.
The Temple of Kom Ombo
The double temple dates to the Ptolemaic period and its inscriptions contain references to the Ptolemies and to the Roman Emperors, Domitian, Trajan, and Caracalla.
Optional Abu Simbel Flight Excursion:
Visit the stunning temple of Abu Simbel, an entire mountain face moved above the rising waters of Lake Nasser after the completion of the Aswan High Dam.
Followed by Cairo Highlights:
- The Great Pyramid of Cheops (Khufu) – The Great Pyramid is situated in Giza and is one of the Seven Wonders on the World. Cheops, the second Pharaoh of the IVth Dynasty, built it. It once rose to a height of 146 meters. Owing to natural wear and tear, however, its present height is 137 m.
- The Sphinx – The Sphinx is one of the most famous monuments of ancient Egypt. It stands as a guardian of the ancient necropolis.
- The new Grand Egyptian Museum, including the golden mask of King Tutankhamen
Tentative Itinerary
The tour dovetails perfectly as an extension to our Egyptian Red Sea liveaboard and includes air-conditioned coach transfer between the liveaboard and the Nile cruise ship.
LGBTQ+ Red Sea Liveaboard: October 19-26, 2023 (Monday – Monday): including 6 days of diving.
Nile Cruise + Cairo Itinerary:
- October 26 (Monday):
Motorcoach transfer from Port Ghalib after disembarking Scuba Scene (non-divers fly in to Luxor). Afternoon guided tour of the jaw-dropping Temple of Karnak and the Temple of Luxor.
Overnight in Luxor.
- October 27 (Tuesday):
Visit Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, and the Colossi of Memnon. Cool off and enjoy lunch during our sail to Esna, crossing the locks there. This is an exciting place to buy a traditional galabeya from the vendors in rowboats. Overnight in Esna.
- October 28 (Wednesday):
Sail to Edfu and visit the Temple of Horus in Edfu. Sail to Kom Ombo and visit the Kom Ombo Temple dedicated to two gods, Haroeris and the Crocodile God Sobek.
- October 29 (Thursday):
Sail to Aswan. Visit the Unfinished Obelisk, High Dam, and the Temple of Philae.
Afternoon felucca sail. Overnight in Aswan.
- October 30 (Friday):
Optional flight excursion to Abu Simbel, or morning at leisure. Disembark and fly to Cairo.
Overnight Cairo.
- October 31 (Saturday):
Tour of the Giza plateau featuring the Great Pyramid and Sphinx, plus the new Grand Egyptian Museum where you will be amazed by King Tut's treasures. Overnight Cairo.
- November 1 (Sunday):
Depart for home anytime.
Itinerary subject to modification.
Included:
- Four-night Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan, including meals and guided sightseeing.
- Two nights hotel in Cairo, double occupancy, and sightseeing
- Tourist site entrance fees
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner on cruise. Daily breakfast, two lunches, and two dinners in Cairo.
- English speaking guide throughout
Not included:
- International and domestic airfare
- Scuba Scene LGBTQ+ liveaboard October 19-26, 2026 ($1995 Early Booking Special)
- Optional flight excursion to Abu Simbel if desired (currently $375)
- Egyptian Visa ($25 upon arrival)
- Travel Insurance (required for this expedition)
- Any additional hotel nights before the liveaboard or in Cairo
Deposit:
A $500 deposit is due upon booking. Interim deposit of $750. Balance due 90 days prior to departure.
Travel to Egypt
- From North America, you can fly non-stop from JFK on EgyptAir, a Star Alliance member airline, to arrive in Cairo and connect to Hurghada for the liveaboard or Luxor for the Nile cruise. Or book one of the many flight options via Europe - whatever is convenient for you.
- Plan to depart from Cairo on Sunday, November 1.
- Additional hotel nights can also be arranged for early arrivals or longer stays.
- E-mail us for assistance with international flight selection.
We'll be happy to help you find the best option online for your flights.
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