Cairo and a Dahabiya on the Nile

Begin on the Giza Plateau with the Great Pyramid of Khufu, then step inside the Pyramid of Khafre to its burial chamber before standing face to face with the Sphinx and its Valley Temple. After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to Memphis, Egypt's first capital, for the colossal statue of Ramses II, and end at Saqqara with the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the first pyramid ever built.

A morning in the Grand Egyptian Museum with Tutankhamun's gold, then the Hanging Church and the old Coptic quarter, and an evening walk through the Khan el-Khalili bazaar. Lunch at a local restaurant.

A morning flight to Luxor, Karnak and Luxor Temple with your Egyptologist, then you board your dahabiya. Dinner on the open deck and the first night moored by the riverbank.

The Valley of the Kings, the temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. Back on board, the sails go up and you glide south past villages and palm groves to the Esna lock.

A horse carriage to the temple of Horus at Edfu, then an afternoon of sailing to Gebel el-Silsila, the ancient sandstone quarries with their rock shrines. Swim if the river is calm, and dinner under the stars.

The double temple of Kom Ombo and its crocodile museum, then a slow sail to a quiet island where the crew sets up an evening by the water.

Arrive in Aswan, disembark after breakfast and take a motorboat to the temple of Philae. Afternoon flight to Cairo and a transfer to your hotel.

Breakfast, then your personal assistant takes you to the airport and helps you with check-in.