Mövenpick MS Darakum: 13 Days Nile Cruise from Aswan to Cairo

Your detailed trip plan

A suggested sequence — every flight, hotel and day can be changed.

• 2Destinations
• 7Transport

1. 12 Feb

   Aswan

   Stay from
   

   • Egypt
   • 12 nights

   Aswan is a city in the south of Egypt, some 680km south of Cairo, just below the Aswan Dam and Lake Nasser, with a population of 275,000. Aswan is far more relaxed and smaller than Cairo and Luxor. Aswan is the smallest of the three major tourist cities on the Nile. Aswan is calming and relaxing and has a laid-back feel to it. Aswan has some unique gems. Rock cut monument Abu Simbel, to the south is one of Egypt's most daring symbols of Egyptian power. The sanctuary temples of Philae and Kalabsha present excursions reminiscent of Greece. Other places worth visiting in Aswan include: The dual temples of sobek and horus at Kwam Umbu, and the well preserved temple of horus at Idfu. Aswan is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the beauty of the Nile.
2. 12 Feb

   13 Days Nile Cruise - Aswan to Cairo (Mövenpick MS Darakum)

   Guided tour
   

   • days 1–13

   Day 1: Embarkation in Aswan (L, D)

   Your Nile adventure begins in Aswan with embarkation aboard the elegant Mövenpick MS Darakum, a Moroccan-inspired 5-star vessel that will be your floating home for the next twelve nights. After settling into your cabin, enjoy a relaxed lunch served as a set menu or buffet, followed by the ship's traditional afternoon tea service at 17:00 on the sun-drenched deck overlooking the Nile. As evening falls, a light dinner of snacks or buffet fare is served on board before you spend your first overnight in Aswan, soaking in the atmosphere of this legendary Nubian gateway city.

   
   

   Day 2: Aswan - High Dam, Philae Temple & Nubian Museum (B, L, D)

   After breakfast on board, set out to explore Aswan's most iconic landmarks, beginning with the mighty High Dam, an engineering marvel that reshaped modern Egypt, followed by a visit to the enchanting Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis and rebuilt on its own island. Return to the ship for an international buffet lunch before heading out again in the afternoon to the Nubian Museum, home to remarkable artifacts chronicling Nubian civilization. Back on board, unwind with the ship's signature afternoon tea, then enjoy a Lebanese buffet dinner followed by a lively Nubian Party celebrating the culture of the region, before another overnight stay in Aswan.

   
   

   Day 3: Aswan to Kom Ombo - Kom Ombo Temple (B, L, D)

   Following breakfast and a BBQ lunch on board, the Mövenpick MS Darakum sets sail toward Kom Ombo, gliding along the Nile's timeless waters. Upon arrival, visit the unique double temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated jointly to the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Horus - a rare and fascinating example of ancient Egyptian symmetry and religious duality. Back aboard, enjoy the ship's afternoon tea service before a festive Gala Dinner. The ship then continues sailing toward Edfu overnight, so you can wake up ready to continue the journey.

   
   

   Day 4: Sailing to Luxor via Esna Lock - Edfu Temple (B, L, D)

   Rise early for breakfast before visiting the magnificently preserved Edfu Temple, one of the best-conserved temples in all of Egypt, dedicated to the falcon god Horus. Afterward, the cruise continues sailing toward Luxor, passing through the Esna Lock, a fascinating piece of Nile engineering. Enjoy a Mexican buffet lunch on board as the scenery drifts by, then relax during the afternoon tea service before a Mediterranean buffet dinner. The ship arrives in Luxor for an overnight stay, ready for a day of temple exploration ahead.

   
   

   Day 5: Luxor - Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Karnak & Luxor Temples (B, L, D)

   Luxor, often called the world's greatest open-air museum, takes center stage today. Cross to the West Bank to explore the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens, along with the stunning Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, carved dramatically into the cliffs. After a light buffet lunch back on board, head to the East Bank to admire the colossal Karnak Temple complex and the elegant Luxor Temple, both testaments to the grandeur of ancient Thebes. In the evening, enjoy afternoon tea, a French buffet dinner, and a mesmerizing belly dancers show before overnighting in Luxor.

   
   

   Day 6: Sailing to Qena - Dendara Temple, Naga Hammadi (B, L, D)

   After breakfast, the ship sails toward Qena, where you'll disembark to visit the beautifully preserved Dendara Temple, dedicated to the goddess Hathor and renowned for its richly decorated ceilings and reliefs. A BBQ lunch is served on board before the visit, and afterward you'll return to the ship in Qena as it continues sailing toward Naga Hammadi. Enjoy the customary afternoon tea service and an Indian buffet dinner as the Nile scenery rolls past, before settling in for an overnight stay in Naga Hammadi.

   
   

   Day 7: Sailing to El Balyana - Abydos Temple, Sohag (B, L, D)

   Early risers will enjoy the tranquil sail toward El Balyana via Abu Homar's bridge and lock, arriving in time for breakfast on board. From there, visit the sacred Abydos Temple, one of Egypt's oldest and most spiritually significant sites, closely associated with the cult of Osiris. After the visit, the ship sails on to Sohag, where an English buffet lunch, afternoon tea, and an Oriental buffet dinner are served. The evening culminates in a spirited Galabia Party, a colorful cultural celebration, before overnighting in Sohag.

   
   

   Day 8: Sailing to Tel El Amarna - Prince Tawdrous Monastery (B, L, D)

   The cruise continues in the early hours from Sohag toward Tel El Amarna, home to the fascinating "Amarnian experience," passing through Asyout's lock along the way. After breakfast, the ship passes the lock and continues to Tel El Amarna, with a BBQ lunch served on board. During the afternoon, the boat pauses in front of the Prince Tawdrous Monastery, allowing guests to view this historic religious site from the water while the onboard guide shares insights into its significance. The day closes with afternoon tea and an Italian buffet dinner, followed by an overnight stay in Tel El Amarna.

   
   

   Day 9: Tel El Amarna - Royal Tomb of Akhenaten, Tuna El Gebel, Minya (B, L, D)

   Explore the northern tombs of Tel El Amarna, including the Royal Tomb of Akhenaten, the Northern Palace, and the Small Temples of Aten, all connected to the fascinating Amarna Period of ancient Egyptian history. The excursion continues with a visit to Ashmunein and Tuna El Gebel, known for their ancient necropolises. A light buffet lunch is enjoyed on board as the ship sails toward Minya, followed by the usual afternoon tea service. In the evening, savor an Asian buffet dinner and join the festive Folklore Party before an overnight stay in Minya.

   
   

   Day 10: Minya - Beni Hassan Tombs, Beni Suif (B, L, D)

   After breakfast, venture to the Beni Hassan tombs, an approximately one-hour drive from the Minya dock, to explore the Tomb of Baqet III, Tomb of Khety, Tomb of Amenemhet, and Tomb of Khnumhotep II - remarkable rock-cut tombs offering insight into life in ancient Egypt. Following the roughly two-hour visit, return to the boat as it sails onward to Beni Suif. Enjoy a BBQ lunch and the ship's afternoon tea service, followed by a lively Moroccan buffet dinner accompanied by a live singer, and a fun Quiz Night before arriving and overnighting in Beni Suif.

   
   

   Day 11: Sailing to Cairo - Coptic Cairo Tour (B, L, D)

   The Mövenpick MS Darakum sails onward to Cairo, Egypt's vibrant capital, with breakfast served on board along the way. In the afternoon, embark on a fascinating Coptic Cairo tour, visiting the historic Hanging Church, the Coptic Museum, and the Jewish Synagogue - together tracing the rich religious diversity of the city through the centuries. Back on board, enjoy the ship's afternoon tea, followed by a Set Menu dinner and an entertaining Oriental Tkht show, before overnighting in Cairo.

   
   

   Day 12: Cairo - Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & Grand Egyptian Museum (B, L, D)

   No visit to Egypt is complete without standing before the Giza Pyramids and the enigmatic Sphinx, and today's excursion brings you face to face with these ancient wonders of the world. After a seafood buffet lunch on board, continue to the eagerly anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum, home to an extraordinary collection of Egyptian antiquities. Return to the ship for the afternoon tea service and a flambé dinner, capping off a memorable day with an overnight stay in Cairo.

   
   

   Day 13: Disembarkation in Cairo (B)

   After a final breakfast on board the Mövenpick MS Darakum, it's time to disembark in Cairo, bringing your unforgettable twelve-night Nile cruise to a close, having journeyed through more than 7,000 years of Egyptian history from Aswan to Cairo.

   
   

   B = Breakfast | L = Lunch | D = Dinner

3. 24 Feb

   Cairo

   Stay from
   

   • Egypt

   Cairo, one of the largest cities in both Africa and the Middle East, is the capital of Egypt. Cairo has been a centre of great importance to many civilisations, cultures and religions. From Pharaonic and Greco-Roman to Ottoman and European, and passing by Jewish, Christian, and Islamic, each of its identities has left a strong imprint on Cairo, thus making it one of the most fascinating cities in the world. The Giza Plateau, that includes the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, is the only remaining monuments of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the country's most famous tourist attraction. The sheer mass of the pyramids is awe inspiring. Islamic Cairo, the centre of historic Cairo, is best done on foot. Located east of downtown, it is full of charming little mosques and water fountains. The most important sites to visit are the Citadel, Mohamed Ali Mosque, Khan el Khalili, the main bazaar, some historic mosques and displays of medieval architecture, as well as some of Cairo's Turkish baths or Hammams. No visit to Cairo is complete without seeing the Egyptian Museum. Exotic atmosphere, chaotic traffic, thousands of minarets, noise, charming people, Cairo is a fascinating city. Few cities in the world surpass Cairo in number of monuments or architectural styles. Cairo is not an ordinary city, Cairo is a whole world.