10 Days Discoveries of the Nile River Cruise & Cairo Stay - Travelmarvel Sirius
Duration:
9 Nights
From €4,055pp
September 2026
Discoveries of the Nile
Includes return flights from CORK.
Step into a land where legends and modern life exist side by side. From sacred temples and ancient tombs to vibrant cities buzzing with energy, Egypt offers a journey unlike any other with landscapes shaped by pharaohs and dynasties. Cruise the legendary Nile River aboard Travelmarvel Sirius, Travelmarvel’s brand-new river ship, and see Egypt from an unforgettable perspective. Wander through awe-inspiring temples, navigate colorful bazaars, and discover stories etched in stone.
Day 1 - Arrive Cairo
Today marks the beginning of your Egypt adventure as you arrive in Cairo. We will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.
Stay: Cairo Marriott Hotel
Day 2 - Cairo, Luxor, Embark Ship
Enhance Your Journey – Luxor Museum Visit (additional option)
This morning, take an included flight from Cairo to Luxor, where your discovery of Upper Egypt begins. On arrival, visit the vast Karnak Temple complex and walk among towering columns and sacred halls that once echoed with ancient rituals. Then, transfer to the Nile River to board your ship, the Travelmarvel Sirius, and settle in with lunch on board. This afternoon you may wish to discover a thoughtfully curated collection of ancient artefacts at the Luxor Museum, celebrated for its elegant displays and rich historical insight. This evening, enjoy a Captain’s Welcome Dinner as your ship sets sail for Dendera.
Stay: Seven Nights, Travelmarvel Sirius
Daily: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3 - Luxor, Esna
Early this morning, visit the Dendera Temple complex, one of Egypt’s best-preserved ancient sites. With your Egyptologist guide, explore the Temple of Hathor, renowned for its detailed astronomical ceiling and beautifully preserved reliefs. Wander through sacred spaces including the birth house and the Sacred Lake, once used for ritual purification. After your visit, return to your river ship for lunch and enjoy a scenic sail back to Luxor. This afternoon, continue exploring the East Bank, including the Avenue of the Sphinx, before setting sail for Esna this evening.
Insider Experience – Dendera Temple Visit
Enjoy a special visit to Dendera, where the beautifully preserved Temple of Hathor reveals intricate carvings, celestial ceilings and sacred spaces that offer a rare glimpse into ancient Egyptian spirituality.
Daily: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4 - Edfu, Aswan
After breakfast on board, step ashore to visit Esna Temple, dedicated to Khnum, the ram-headed god of creation. Admire its towering columns, lotus carvings and astronomical ceiling depicting the twelve signs of the Zodiac.
This afternoon, continue to Edfu to explore the Temple of Horus — one of Egypt’s best-preserved ancient monuments. This grand sandstone structure is dedicated to the falcon god Horus and offers a remarkable glimpse into the architectural and religious legacy of the Ptolemaic era. Travel by coach with your Egyptologist guide and uncover stories of ancient festivals once held on this sacred site.
Later, return to your ship and enjoy dinner on board as you sail towards Aswan for an overnight stay.
Insider Experience – Edfu Temple Visit
Admire the impressive Temple of Horus at Edfu, explore its towering pylons, detailed reliefs and sacred halls in honour of the falcon god.
Daily: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5 - Aswan
In a city as serene and storied as Aswan, there’s always something to uncover. This morning, tour the impressive High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk and the beautifully preserved Philae Temple. Then, enjoy free time or perhaps choose to Enhance Your Journey with High Tea at the iconic Old Cataract Hotel. This afternoon, a special Insider Experience awaits. Later this evening, you may opt to Enhance your Journey by exploring Aswan’s vibrant Night Market.
Enhance Your Journey – Afternoon High Tea at the Old Cataract Hotel (additional option)
Step into colonial elegance with a traditional high tea at the legendary Old Cataract Hotel, overlooking the Nile.
Enhance Your Journey – Aswan Night Market Tour (additional option)
Wander through Aswan’s lively night market, where colourful stalls brim with spices, textiles and local crafts.
Insider Experience – Felucca Sailing on the Nile
Glide along the Nile aboard a traditional felucca and take in the tranquil beauty of Aswan from the water, as the sun begins to set.
Daily: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6 - Abu Simbel, Kom Ombo
Today is sure to be a highlight as you take an included flight to the awe-inspiring temples of Abu Simbel. With your Egyptologist guide, explore this monumental complex, carved into solid rock under the reign of Ramses II. Admire the towering statues of the pharaoh and intricate carvings that celebrate ancient victories and divine worship. Learn how this UNESCO World Heritage site was relocated in a remarkable international effort to save it from rising waters.
After returning to your ship, enjoy lunch on board and spend the afternoon sailing north along the Nile towards Kom Ombo. Relax on deck and take in scenes of daily life along the riverbanks. This evening, dock overnight in Kom Ombo.
Daily: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7 - Kom Ombo, Luxor
This morning, step ashore to explore Kom Ombo Temple, a rare double temple dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Harwer, the falcon god of kingship. Admire its symmetrical layout and detailed reliefs, including Roman-era carvings that reveal the medical knowledge of ancient Egypt. After your visit, enjoy a relaxing sail back to Luxor.
Daily: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8 - Luxor
This morning, visit the monumental Colossi of Memnon before exploring the West Bank of the Nile in Luxor — often referred to as the world’s largest open-air museum, home to the tombs and temples of ancient Thebes. Discover the Valley of the Kings and Queens, once the sacred burial ground of pharaohs, queens and priests, and step into the awe-inspiring Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. With its dramatic cliffside setting and grand colonnades, it stands as a tribute to one of Egypt’s most powerful rulers. This afternoon, you may choose to join an optional experience to further explore the region’s rich archaeological heritage. This evening, choose to Enhance Your Journey with a visit to Karnak Temple for the captivating Sound and Light Show.
Enhance Your Journey – Karnak Sound and Light Show (additional option)
Witness Karnak Temple in a whole new light during this atmospheric evening experience. As stories of gods and pharaohs echo through the complex, the temple’s towering columns and sacred spaces are illuminated in a dramatic retelling of Egypt’s ancient past.
Daily: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 9 - Luxor, Disembark Ship
Today your Egyptian adventure comes to an end. After breakfast take an included flight back to Cairo airport and enjoy a post night stay in the Le Meridien Cairo Airport Hotel.
Daily: Breakfast
Day 10 - Depart Cairo
Early start today. Fly from Cairo back to Ireland.
Travelmarvel Sirius
Experience the Nile in style and comfort aboard the elegant Travelmarvel Sirius, a boutique river cruise ship with just 62 cabins designed for a luxurious and intimate journey.
Cabin Highlights
Spacious Cabins with Nile Views – Enjoy sweeping views of the Nile from every cabin, with large windows that bring the river and surrounding scenery right to your room.
Modern Comforts – All cabins feature air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, minibars, safes, and ample storage space.
Elegant Interiors – The décor combines modern comfort with subtle Egyptian-inspired touches, creating a serene and stylish retreat after a day of exploration.
Onboard Facilities
Sun Deck & Pool – Relax on sun loungers or take a refreshing dip in the pool while soaking up the stunning river scenery.
Wellness & Massage Room – Unwind with a massage or simply enjoy some quiet time in a peaceful setting.
Dining & Entertainment
Nefertari Restaurant – Indulge in a mix of Egyptian and international cuisine served in an elegant dining environment.
Evening Entertainment – Enjoy live music, cultural performances, and onboard activities that bring the rich heritage of Egypt to life.
Pre Cruise Stay - Cairo Marriott Hotel
Post Cruise Stay - Le Meridien Cairo Airport
Tour Highlights:
Karnak Temple
Explore Karnak, the largest religious structure ever built and a sacred site for over 2,000 years. Dedicated to the Theban Triad — Amun, Mut and Khonsu — this vast temple complex showcases the grandeur of ancient Egypt. Wander through the Hypostyle Hall, where 134 towering columns still bear traces of original paint and inscriptions. Discover the sacred lake and ceremonial avenues once used by pharaohs in rituals to honour the gods and renew cosmic order.
Valley of the Kings and Queens
Journey to the West Bank of the Nile to explore Egypt’s most sacred burial grounds. In the Valley of the King, over 60 tombs — including that of Tutankhamen — lie beneath the pyramid-shaped peak of Qurn, believed to symbolise the sun god Re. Nearby, the Valley of the Queens offers a more secluded setting, with over 90 tombs hidden in the hills, including the exquisitely decorated tomb of Queen Nefertari. Discover vivid wall paintings, rare inscriptions and sacred artefacts that reveal the rituals, beliefs and artistry of Egypt’s New Kingdom.
Aswan High Dam
A modern marvel of engineering, the Aswan High Dam transformed Egypt’s relationship with the Nile. Completed in 1970, this colossal rock-fill structure spans the river at Aswan, controlling annual floods and powering the nation with hydroelectric energy. Its creation formed Lake Nasser — one of the world’s largest man-made reservoirs — and enabled irrigation, navigation and agriculture on an unprecedented scale.
Felucca Cruise
Glide along the Nile aboard a traditional felucca — a wind-powered sailboat with broad canvas sails and cushioned decks. As the sun begins to set, take in the tranquil beauty of Aswan from the water, where palm-fringed banks and ancient silhouettes drift by. With no motor to disturb the peace, this timeless journey offers a rare moment of stillness, connection and reflection.
Temple of Dendera
Step into one of Egypt’s most elaborate temple sites, where centuries of devotion are etched in stone. Within its walls lie a basilica, two birth houses, a sacred lake, and a network of shrines and temples spanning the Pharaonic, Ptolemaic, and Roman eras. At its heart stands the Temple of Hathor — a masterpiece of ancient architecture and celestial symbolism. Wander through ornate halls, explore sacred spaces, and glimpse the famed Zodiac of Dendera — a celestial map once carved into the temple ceiling.
Flights
Monday: BA departs Cork at approx. 07:20 – arrives in Cairo approx. 17:25
Wednesday: BA departures Cairo at approx. 07:30 – arrives in Cork approx. 15:10
*Prices are based on 7 September 2026*
- Return scheduled flights from CORK
- Seven-night Nile river cruise in a Deluxe cabin on the Travelmarvel Sirius
- 1 night pre cruise hotel stay
- 1 night post cruise hotel stay
- 22 meals - 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners plus select local wine and beer included with lunch and dinner in board your Nile River cruise
- The services of a Travelmarvel Cruise Director, qualified Egyptologist Tour Directors, and expert local guides
- Transfers, port charges, tipping and entrance fees
- Exclusive charter flights within Egypt as per itinerary
- Discover the ancient Luxor Temple
Prices are based on 2 people sharing*









