Secrets of Egypt and the Nile

March 17 – 28, 2023 • Includes 3 Nights in Cairo pre-cruise, 7 Nights Cruise Roundtrip Luxor, and 1 Night in Cairo post-cruise.

$400 per person deposit required to reserve your cabin

**Book by March 10 and receive 2022 pricing for your 2023 cruise – a huge 10% savings.

Corinne and Douglas
Hosted by Corinne Goodman, Founder, and Douglas Herbert, Vice President

We are thrilled to now take you to a fascinating new destination: Egypt. Allow yourself to be treated to a connoisseur’s discovery of this ancient civilization as only AmaWaterways can provide – with an unparalleled 11-night Nile River cruise and land experience that includes exquisite cuisine, authentic experiences and the extraordinary service for which AmaWaterways is renowned. Sail aboard the luxurious, newly designed AmaDahlia and explore ancient wonders, such as the beguiling Temple of Luxor and the mystifying Valley of the Kings and Queens. Plus, come face-to-face with the last survivor of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Great Sphinx and the three Pyramids of Giza. This unforgettable itinerary includes exclusive experiences, such as a private tour of the tomb of Queen Nefertari and a private lunch at the Abdeen Presidential Palace. Uncover the many mysteries and secrets that have shaped Egypt’s past and continue to influence the future of this remarkable land.


What’s Included

CAIRO (PRE-CRUISE) 3 NIGHTS

  • Visits to the Hanging Church and Ben Ezra Synagogue
  • Arrival airport transfer
  • 3 nights at the 5-star Four Seasons Cairo at the First Residence in a Superior room, including daily breakfast and complimentary Wi-Fi
  • Welcome Reception with tapas and drinks
  • Full-day Cairo tour with visit to the Egyptian Museum, home to King Tut’s treasures, lunch at the famous Naguib Mahfouz Restaurant in Khan El Khalili
  • Bazaar and visits to Citadel of Salah Ed-Din and Alabaster Mosque
  • Visit the ancient sites of Memphis, including the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx and the Solar Boat Museum and lunch at the historic Mena House Hotel

AMADAHLIA 7 NIGHTS “SECRETS OF THE NILE” RIVER CRUISE

  • 7-night river cruise in elegantly appointed accommodations
  • Fine dining with a variety of choices, including The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant
  • Wine, beer and soft drinks included during lunch and dinner
  • Sip & Sail cocktail hour
  • Welcome Cocktail, Welcome Dinner, Captain’s Cocktail and Gala Dinner
  • Nightly entertainment including a belly dance show, Galabeya Party and Darawish Show
  • A variety of small group guided shore excursions
  • Exclusive visits to the Tomb of Queen Nefertari and a Nubian village
  • Fitness room, sun-deck pool, hair and nail salon and a massage room
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi

CAIRO (POST-CRUISE) 1 NIGHT

  • One night at the 5-star Four Seasons Cairo at the First Residence in a Superior Room with breakfast and complimentary Wi-Fi
  • Exclusive private tour of the Abdeen Presidential Palace
  • Special farewell lunch at the palace
  • Departure airport transfer

NOTE:  OPTIONAL PRE-CRUISE EXTENSIONS TO DUBAI OR JORDAN AND POST-CRUISE TO ISRAEL ARE IN DEVELOPMENT AND AVAILABLE SOON.


Detailed Itinerary

March 17, 2023:  Arrival into Cairo
Arrive in Cairo, where you’ll be met by an AmaWaterways representative who will help you with your luggage and the customs and immigration process. With your baggage and customs taken care of and a new stamp in your passport, you will now be driven to your hotel.

March 18, 2023:  Cairo
A full day of captivating attractions await, beginning with the exquisite Egyptian Museum, with its 120,000 artifacts on display. Home to some of the greatest masterpieces ever crafted, its unique collection of Pharaonic art includes mummies and the priceless treasures of Tutankhamen, the Boy King. Afterwards, venture to the bustling and colorful 14th-century Khan el-Khalili for a welcome lunch at the famous Naguib Mahfouz Restaurant, named after one of Egypt’s most well-known authors. Afterward, tour El-Moez Street, one of Cairo’s most remarkable historic places. Then, visit the Mosque of Muhammad – also known as the Alabaster Mosque – which majestically sits on the summit of the Citadel of Saladin’s courtyard. From the arcaded courtyard, enjoy the breathtaking view across the city to the Pyramids of Giza. Inside the Mosque, marvel at an ornate interior and a splendid array of lamps suspended from the intricately decorated ceiling. (B, L)

March 19, 2023:  Cairo
Discover the monuments at the UNESCO-designated ancient capital of Memphis. You’ll visit the huge statue of Ramses II, the Alabaster Sphinx and the necropolis of Sakkara – site of the famous step pyramid of King Zoser, the oldest pyramid on earth. You’ll then go to the Great Sphinx and the iconic Giza complex, which consists of three large pyramids built between 2589 BC and 2504 BC Another ancient wonder you’ll encounter is the Khufu solar boat designed to carry the pharaoh across the sky with the Sun God, which is restored and preserved in the Giza Solar Boat Museum. Today’s adventure concludes with a lovely lunch at the famous Mena House, a historic palatial hotel, based in the shadow of the great Pyramids of Giza. (B, L)

March 20, 2023:  Cairo – Luxor – Embarkation
After checking out of the hotel, take a morning flight south to Luxor—formerly known as Thebes, the capital city of the New Kingdom of Upper Egypt. Luxor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to two astonishing temples—Karnak and Luxor. Luxor is also your gateway to many of Egypt’s vast treasures that you’ll discover throughout your Nile River Valley cruise, so it is here that you’ll be welcomed aboard the AmaDahlia. During the late afternoon, you will visit the Temple of Luxor, constructed over hundreds of years by Amenhotep III, Ramses II, Tutankhamun and other pharaohs. After your visit, continue to experience Egyptian magic with a traditional folkloric-style belly dance on board the AmaDahlia. (B, L, D)

March 21, 2023: Luxor – Edfu
Visit the tombs of ancient Egypt in the Valley of the Kings— one of the most famous archeological sites in the world. The spectacular rock-cut tombs located on the west bank of Luxor include that of the enigmatic King Tutankhamun, whose mummified remains are still here on display. Afterwards, go to Deir el-Bahri to see the Temple of Hatshepsut, one of Egypt’s most successful pharaohs and its first female ruler. Next, you’ll visit the Valley of Queens, home to the mummified remains of more than 30 queens and princesses, including Nefertari’s Tomb, where you’ll enjoy exclusive access. Your day’s adventure concludes with an up-close view of the Colossi of Memnon—two gigantic statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III. Once back on board the AmaDahlia, cap the day off with a Captain’s Welcome Cocktail. (B, L, D)

March 22, 2023: Edfu – Aswan
The city of Edfu is best known for one of Egypt’s most remarkably preserved temples, dedicated to Horus, the falcon-headed god. Built in 230 BC, it is the second-largest temple in Egypt and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with walls that display compelling details about the religion and language of the country’s Greco-Roman period. After visiting Edfu, relax on board and take in the Nile River’s timeless landscapes as the ship continues onward to Aswan, and then in the evening, celebrate your inner Egyptian at an onboard Galabeya party. Don traditional Egyptian attire, meet new friends, toast to adventures past and future, dance and bask in the glory of the Egyptian night. (B, L, D)

March 23, 2023: Aswan
Enjoy free time in Aswan or go on an optional excursion to Abu Simbel. If you choose the optional excursion, you’ll take an early morning flight to Lake Nasser to the more than 3,000-year-old Abu Simbel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dedicated to Ramses II, one of the most active of pharaohs, along with the smaller temple dedicated to his chief wife Queen Nefertari. The front of the main temple has four gargantuan statues of Ramses II on his throne, each measuring nearly 70 feet high and discovered half buried in sand in 1813. During the afternoon, take a peaceful ride in a felucca, a traditional Egyptian sailboat, to the colorful Nubian Village of Hessa. Meet the warm and friendly Nubian people who will welcome you to their village. Enjoy lunch here before going back to the ship. Tonight, there is an optional outing to a sound and light show at Philae Temple. (B, L, D)

March 24, 2023: Aswan – Esna
Visit the Aswan High Dam and then the Unfinished Obelisk, commissioned by Queen Hatshepsut. Next, explore the UNESCO-designated Philae Temple complex, with one of the most stunningly restored and preserved hieroglyphs in Egypt, built between 380 BC and 362 BC and dedicated to the goddess Isis, the wife of Osiris and mother of Horus. After your visit here, cruise to the Great Temple of Kom Ombo, where its soaring columns dramatically rise above the Nile River. Unique in Egypt, this temple is dedicated to two gods—the crocodile god, Sobek, sitting on the right; and the falcon-headed Haroeris, “The Good Doctor.” Once back on board the AmaDahlia, enjoy an afternoon of scenic sailing to Esna, where you’ll spend the night before sailing back to Luxor. (B, L, D)

March 25, 2023: Esna – Luxor
Spend the morning cruising back to Luxor, where you’ll explore the Temple of Karnak, the largest religious complex in Egypt and one of the largest in the world, covering about 200 acres in a vast network of columns, hieroglyphics, obelisks, sphinxes and colossi—even a lake. Built over the course of 1,300 years, it is overwhelming. 80,000 laborers took part in its creation during the 19th dynasty alone. Despite its rich history, the temple lay hidden until the 19th century. The effort to restore it continues still. The Hypostyle Hall is a great architectural marvel and filled with its roof blocks, supported by colossal 134 columns standing at 70 feet high, with 12 larger columns standing at 80 feet high lining the central aisle. It is still the largest room of any religious building in the world. (B, L, D)

March 26, 2023: Luxor – Qena – Luxor
Set sail to Qena to explore the Great Temple of Abydos of Seti I, one of the lesser-known pharaohs of the New Kingdom of ancient Egypt. Next, you’ll go to Dendara to visit the best-preserved temple in Egypt, the Temple of Hathor – the Goddess of Love, to whom the powers of joy, feminine love and motherhood were attributed. The temple was built by Ptolemy and a group of Romans who worshipped her; so don’t miss the back of the temple where there is a relief depicting Cleopatra with Caesarion, her son by Julius Caesar, the Roman Emperor who brought us the months of July and August. Following your visit here, sail back to Luxor. (B, L, D)

March 27, 2023: Luxor – Cairo – Disembarkation
Disembark the ship in Luxor and fly back to Cairo where you will be taken to the Abdeen Presidential Palace, considered one of the most luxurious palaces in the world. The palace consists of multiple museums, including the Silver Museum; the Arms Museum; the Royal Family Museum; a Presidential Gifts Museum and a Historical Documents Museum, which is a relatively new addition. It is also one of the official residences and places of work for the President of Egypt. Afterwards, be treated to a very special lunch at the palace. Finally, you’ll explore the old part of the city, which includes Coptic Cairo, where the Hanging Church and Ben Ezra Synagogue are located. (B, L)

March 28, 2023: Cairo
Bid farewell to Cairo and prepare for your flight home. (B)

Optional Pre-Cruise and Post-Cruise Touring Available Soon

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Pre-Cruise info for Dubai and Jordan Coming Soon (In Development)

Post-Cruise Info for Israel Coming Soon (In Development)

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How to Book

A deposit of $400 per person is required to secure a specific cabin. Call (888) 229-0082 or email cgoodman@downunderendeavours.com to secure your spot!


Room Categories and Availability

* Availability as of March 5, 2021

Category GS

$8,998 per person (based on 2 passengers)

  • Suite
  • Lily Deck
  • 430 sq. ft.
  • French Balcony & Outside Balcony

Category MS

$8,398 per person (based on 2 passengers)

  • Suite
  • Lotus Deck
  • 400 sq. ft.
  • French Balcony

Category SA

$8,198 per person (based on 2 passengers)

  • Suite
  • Lily Deck
  • 370 sq. ft.
  • French Balcony & Outside Balcony

Category SB

$7,998 per person (based on 2 passengers)

  • Suite
  • Lotus Deck
  • 370 sq. ft.
  • French Balcony & Outside Balcony

Category C

$6,898 per person (based on 2 passengers)

  • Lotus Deck
  • 226 sq. ft.
  • French Balcony

Category D

$5,998 per person (based on 2 passengers)

  • Acacia Deck
  • 194 sq. ft.
  • Fixed Windows

Category E

$5,699 per person (based on 2 passengers)

  • Acacia Deck
  • 194 sq. ft.
  • Fixed Windows

Ship Configuration and deckplan for the AmaDahlia