Hello everyone, it’s that time again. Time for a tour to Egypt. In March of 2026, we’re offering a new itinerary in the Nile Valley. This one is called the New Kingdom Cruise. It lasts for ten days, with a special focus on the south, the monuments of Elephantine (Aswan) and Lake Nasser. We ride a cruise boat, organised by Ancient World Tours, and visit monuments of Thutmose III, Sety I, Ramesses II, and even the Roman Emperors.
For costs and booking, visit the following link and use the password KALABSHA https://www.ancient.co.uk/holiday/history-of-egypt-podcast-2026-the-nubian-cruise/. Places strictly limited (though we will have a waiting list).
Day 1: Cairo
Friday 20th March 2026. Our journey begins in Cairo. After you arrive on your personal flights, tour representatives will meet you at the airport and take you straight to our hotel. Conveniently, we’re using the Meridien Hotel right next to the airport; so it’s a swift and easy walk to your accommodation. Spend the first day settling in, adjusting to the time zones, and get ready for the beginning.
Day 2: NMEC and Heliopolis
Saturday 21st March. On Day 2 we start the tour properly. First, we head to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. This is a lovely centre in eastern Cairo, where you’ll see artefacts from the full spectrum of Egypt’s history; and you’ll come face to face with the royal mummies. A crypt, beneath the museum, holds the rulers of the 18th, 19th, and 20th Dynasties. You’ll see rulers like Thutmose III, Queen Tiye, Sety I, Ramesses II, and more. After that, a special treat. Ancient World Tours have arranged a private visit to the museum laboratories. You’ll get to see the amazing conservation work that takes place in the National Museum, and how they clean, restore, and protect artefacts and mummies. It’s an exciting addition that the general public doesn’t get to see. A great way to start our tour.
After the National Museum we head to Heliopolis, to see the ruins of the sun temple dedicated to Ra. By that point, it is the afternoon, and we are heading south. A quick trip to the airport from our hotel and we board a flight directly to Aswan. We check into a hotel on the island of Elephantine (the Movenpick Hotel), and settle in for the next phase.
Day 3: Elephantine
Sunday 22nd March. Day 3 begins on the Nile. We take a boat from Elephantine Island to the ancient tombs that line the cliffs. Here, you’ll see monuments like the tomb of Harkhuf, of the Old Kingdom, and the story he told about bringing a special gift for the child king Pepy II. You’ll see tombs of the governors, who ruled this region as the Old Kingdom declined. And you’ll get spectacular views over the Nile and island.
After lunch, at the hotel, we head out to Elephantine itself. We visit the town, that developed in the Old Kingdom and continued to grow right through history. We see unusual sites like a truly ancient temple, of the earliest periods, which is closer to a cave than the grand monuments of later centuries. We see a pyramid, established by Huni or Sneferu, which is on the island. And of course, we see the town, and the Nilometer, where priests would measure the rising waters and plan ahead for the farming season. Then it’s back to our hotel for a well deserved rest.
Day 4: Quarries and Islands
Monday 23rd March. Day 4 is a big one. First, we take a boat to the rock islands in the Nile. We see monuments of ancient officials and travellers, including the famous “Famine Stela,” that tells a tale of the Old Kingdom and the wisdom of Imhotep. After that, we head to the granite quarries at Aswan – the place where rulers like Hatshepsut, Thutmose III, Sety I and Ramesses II acquired the stone they needed for obelisks and colossi. We’ll even see the Unfinished Obelisk, one of the largest ever conceived, that the builders failed to extract and left in the quarry. It’s one of the marvels of the region; and we’ll learn something about how they extracted these monuments.
After the quarries, our cruise begins. We check out of our hotel and head to our boat, the MS Omar el Khayam. Our stay upon the boat is full board, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And with the sun setting over Elephantine, we’ll set off up the Nile.
Day 5: Sailing with the Romans
Tuesday 24th March. You’ll wake up aboard the Omar el Khayyam. And our first stop is the grand temple of Kalabsha. Established in the days of Augustus, the first Roman Emperor, and has building work and inscriptions of Roman governors and Kings from Nubia. A grand monument, that I’ve never seen in person; I’m excited to visit.
From Kalabsha we take a short walk to the temple of Beit el Wali. This is a monument inscribed for Ramesses II but (as I’ll show you) probably started by Sety I. Nearby, there is a Roman kiosk, known as Qertassi, which makes an evocative stand overlooking the lake.
Day 6: Amunhotep, Akhenaten, Ramesses
Wednesday 25th March. On Day 6, we arrive at the temple of Wadi es Seboua. Established by Amunhotep III, vandalized by Akhenaten, and then expanded under Ramesses II. Here, I’ll tell you tales of those rulers and the god Amun-Ra, who rules in these shrines.
After that, we go the temples of Dakka and Marharraqa. Dakka is a Greco-Roman monument, dedicated to Djehuty (or Thoth). It is one of the better preserved temples in the region, giving us a great sense of the architecture and designs of an ancient God’s House. Then, the temple of Maharraqa is devoted to Aset (Isis) and Usir (Osiris) in his later form Serapis. Here, I’ll tell you tales of the Roman governors and their wars in the south; and we’ll learn about the complex religious history of this region.
In the afternoon, we’ll carry on to the Temple of Amada. Established by Thutmose III for the gods Amun and Ra-Horakhty. Inside the temple you’ll see beautiful colours, still preserved after three thousand years. And nearby, we’ll visit the temple of Derr (built for Ramesses II) and a rare sight, a tomb, belonging to the official Pennut, again with beautiful paintings and images preserved.
After that very full day, it’s back to the boat for a quiet rest on the Nile. You’ll need it, because the next day is…
Day 7: Abu Simbel
Thursday 26th March. Abu Simbel. The great monument of Ramesses II and Queen Nefertari. We’ll see images, and hear stories, of the Battle of Kadesh, and the King’s diplomacy with the Hittites of Anatolia. There will be time to learn about the salvage project, that saved the temples from destruction in the 1960s. As we spend most of the day here, there will hopefully be some quiet time; the crowds tend to bus in, during the early morning, then disappear around lunch. If we’re lucky, we might get the temples on a quiet afternoon. In the evening, we’ll stay and watch the dramatic Sound & Light Show, that shines upon the temples. Should be grand.
Day 8: Return to Cairo
Friday 27th March. On Day 8, we bid farewell to our ship. We take a bus from Abu Simbel back to Aswan. Then, we fly back to Cairo, and return to our hotel (the Meridien) for two more nights. Again, take your rest, because the next day is…
Day 9: The Grand Egyptian Museum
Saturday 28th March 2026. By the time we visit Egypt, the GEM will be fully, completely open. You’ll see the wonderful artefacts and monuments that fill the main galleries. Then, you’ll visit the treasures of Tut’ankhamun, in their own special halls, many of which are going on display for the first time since their discovery. Finally, the epic “Khufu Ship” occupies a gallery of its own. You’ll see the massive boat, of the builder of the Great Pyramid. The GEM is a full day in itself, easily. You’ll have as much time as you like to experience its wonders.
Day 10: Departures
Sunday 29th March. Our journey ends on Day 10. Back in our hotel, next to Cairo Airport, tour representatives will assist you with preparation and check-in. From the door of your room to the departure lounges of Cairo Airport, you’ll be in their capable hands. And you’ll depart Egypt having seen wonders, many of them off-the-beaten-track. Hopefully, you’ll already be planning your next journey to the Nile Valley.
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The New Kingdom Cruise is going to be a lot of fun. I’ve never done a cruise on the Nile myself, and while I’ve studied most of these monuments in books, I’ll be visiting a lot of them for the first time; so, I really hope you’ll join me on this adventure. Come spend time on the Nile, experience a more leisurely and ancient pace of travel; and get to grips with the landscape, environment, and wonders of the New Kingdom and beyond.
I hope to see you there!
For costs and booking, visit the following link and use the password KALABSHA https://www.ancient.co.uk/holiday/history-of-egypt-podcast-2026-the-nubian-cruise/. Places strictly limited (though we will have a waiting list).
