Your journey begins in Luxor, where you’ll be warmly welcomed by your guide and transferred to board your elegant dahabiya. After settling into your cabin, enjoy a leisurely breakfast as you prepare for a full day of exploring the treasures of Luxor. Your guide will take you to the Valley of the Kings, Egypt's ancient pharaohs' burial site. This UNESCO World Heritage site holds over 60 tombs carved into limestone cliffs, decorated with vibrant, millennia-old paintings. You'll visit tombs of legendary rulers, including boy king Tutankhamun, whose nearly intact tomb was found in 1922. Your guide will explain the afterlife beliefs, symbolic art, and engineering marvels of these eternal sanctuaries. The cool tomb interiors contrast with the desert sun, adding to the mystery. Admire hieroglyphs still glowing with color and imagine the sacred rituals performed here before moving on to your next adventure.

Next, you visit the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, an architectural masterpiece carved into the cliffs. Rising in three terraces, this temple honors Egypt's only female pharaoh. Your guide will share stories of her reign and building projects. Stroll the colonnades and admire reliefs depicting her divine birth and the Punt expedition perfect moment to reflect on ancient history. a Next, stop briefly at a local alabaster workshop and bazaar, where artisans preserve ancient carving techniques. See how alabaster was crafted using simple tools and skilled hands. There's no pressure to buy - enjoy the experience and gain appreciation for this timeless craft.

After Hatshepsut Temple, your guide will take you the Colossi of Memnon, the towering statues of King Amenhotep III. Standing at an impressive 18 meters high, these monumental guardians have watched over the Theban Necropolis for more than 3,000 years. Your guide will share the legends surrounding the Colossi, including the mysterious "singing" sound they were said to make at dawn in ancient times. Admire the incredible craftsmanship of the statues, noting the intricate details carved into their faces, bodies, and bases. From this vantage point, you can glimpse the surrounding landscape, including nearby temples, ruins, and the vast desert stretching toward the Nile. Photographers will find endless opportunities here, capturing the majesty of the statues and the dramatic play of light and shadow as the sun rises. Your guide will provide context about the Colossi's historical significance, their role in royal funerary practices, and the cultural legacy they continue to represent today.

Then we will cross to the East Bank of Luxor, where the mighty Karnak Temple Complex awaits — the largest religious structure ever built. Its main temple, dedicated to Amun-Ra, was expanded by pharaohs across 2,000 years. Walk through vast courtyards and gateways, and stand beneath the towering columns of the Great Hypostyle Hall, their surfaces carved with hieroglyphs that still echo stories of divine glory. Pause at the Sacred Lake, once used for purification rituals. Your guide will share the legends of rulers who shaped Karnak, from Seti I and Ramses II to Hatshepsut. With its grandeur, spirituality, and artistry, Karnak is more than a temple — it is a chronicle of ambition and devotion that inspires awe after 3,000 years. After photos, return to your cruise ship for lunch. Spend the afternoon on the sundeck as the breeze carries you along the Nile, passing villages and palm groves. Dinner is served on board as you approach Esna, ready for the next chapter of your journey.