Avalon Waterways invites cruisers to explore the world's most fascinating destinations with unmatched intrigue, curiosity, wonder, and joy. Along the way, you’ll discover sights to see, encounter people to meet, engage in customs to sample, and indulge in cuisine to savor. When you’re ready to travel again, Avalon Waterways is here to support you.
Embark on an adventure to ancient Egypt, and its modern enjoyments on a Nile River cruise for the ages. Explore the pyramids and Sphinx of Giza upon arrival in Cairo. See the treasures of King Tutankhamun’s tomb in Cairo’s Egyptian Museum. (Note: upon its opening the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza will replace Cairo’s Egyptian Museum in this itinerary.) In Old Cairo, visit the Alabaster Mosque, situated on the summit of the Citadel. Visit Abu Serga Church built on the spot where the Holy Family stopped and rested towards the end of their journey to Egypt. Also see the 4th century Church of the Virgin Mary (called the Hanging Church), built on the remains of an old Roman Babylon fortress. These and more exciting discoveries are to be found as you see Egypt’s incredible monuments to pharaohs and gods of Egyptian history.
Fly to Luxor to embark on your Nile River cruise. You’ll visit the monument of Karnak with its ancient Avenue of the Sphinxes and the Temple of Amun-Ra as well as Luxor Temple. Visit the valley of Kings and Valley of Queens, where the pristine tomb of King Tutankhamun was found with undisturbed riches and splendor. This incredible cruise on the Nile River takes you to amazing ancient sites, including the Temple of Edfu, twin temples at Kom Ombo, devoted to the crocodile god Sobek-Ra and the falcon god Horus. Ponder the magnitude of the task of building the pyramids with a visit to the granite quarries-where an unfinished obelisk still remains. Visit the Temple of Isis, then take a return flight to Cairo to explore the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization and its Hall of Mummies before a felucca ride on the Nile and the chance to browse the bustling maze of the endless bazaar in Cairo’s medieval alleys.
Join us for this once-in-a-lifetime vacation tour in Cairo, expedition to Egypt’s ancient pyramids and temples, and a Nile River cruise you’ll never forget.
The MS Farah: An Elite Ship on the Nile
In Arabic, Farah means Happiness and Joy. In this spirit, you'll sail on the MS Farah-one of Egypt's most elite ships on the Nile. Cruise in style and comfort, while enjoying the mysterious and magnificent sights and experiences only found in the Egyptian landscapes. The MS Farah ship offers 56 deluxe cabins and 2 Royal Suites that feature style and comfort with oversized French balconies that are virtually wall-sized. Avalon insists on the best view and the best crew to treat you like royalty while exploring the treasures of the pharaohs on this Nile River cruise!
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Exploring the Nile River aboard the MS Farah is an elegant, first-class experience with a touch of mystery combined with an old world spirit of adventure, and state-of-the-art comfort, of course! Avalon's Nile River cruise aboard the MS Farah carries you into the exotic world of pharaohs, explorers, and legends, while introducing you to locals who share the traditions of generations.
Itinerary Highlights:
- Day 1: Arrival in Cairo.
- Day 2: Visit the Egyptian Museum, the Sphinx, and the Great Pyramid of Giza.
- Day 3: Explore Old Cairo, Memphis, and Sakkara.
- Day 4: Fly to Luxor, embark on your Nile River cruise, and visit the Karnak complex and Luxor Temple.
- Day 5: Venture to the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens.
- Day 6: Visit Edfu Temple and Kom Ombo.
- Day 7: Explore Aswan, including the Philae Temple and the High Dam.
- Day 8: Return to Cairo.
- Day 9: Tour the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization and browse the Khan al Khali Souk bazaar.
- Day 10: Departure from Cairo.
A Detailed Look at a Taste of Egypt Itinerary:
Day 1: CAIRO, EGYPT
Welcome to Cairo, “Mother of the World”
Day 2: CAIRO
Desert Sands and Secrets of the Sphinx
CLASSIC Enjoy a visit the Egyptian Museum. Peruse King Tutankhamun’s fabulous treasures and many other priceless artifacts of ancient Egypt.
CLASSIC Take a close-up look at one of the World’s Seven Wonders and guardian of the great pyramids, the enigmatic Sphinx, and the Great Pyramid of Giza. Cheops, with an original height of 496 feet, is the most colossal pyramid ever built, and of course enjoy the visit to the newly discovered Noble Tombs.(B)
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Day 3: CAIRO
Ancient Cairo, a Boy King, and the Christ Child
CLASSIC Drive to walled city of Old Cairo, with Saladin’s 12th-century citadel, and the Alabaster Mosque of Mohammed Ali. Afterwards drive to Memphis to admire the statue of Ramses II
Afterwards, enjoy lunch in a local restaurant.
CLASSIC Drive to Sakkara, a vast desert necropolis built for kings and nobles, and its “Stairway to the Sky,” the oldest of all pyramids. Also admire the special tomb of Mary Roca and the Step Pyramid of King Zoser.(B,L)
Day 4: CAIRO-LUXOR (EMBARKATION)
The World’s Greatest Open-Air Museum
Fly 300 miles up the Nile Valley to Luxor to embark on your Nile River cruise.
CLASSIC See the stunning monuments of Karnak complex, developed over more than 1000 years. Walk among the pillars of the colossal Temple of Amun Ra for an experience you will treasure for a lifetime.
Embark your ship and enjoy your first lunch onboard.
CLASSIC In the afternoon enjoy a visit to Luxor temple, one of the two primary temples on the east bank, together with Karnak.
This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LUXOR(B,L,D)
Day 5: LUXOR-EDFU
Royal Resting Places of Kings and Queens
CLASSIC Venture to the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens on the west bank of the Nile where generations of pharaohs and nobles were entombed in Cliffside crypts. See where 63 royal tombs have thus far been discovered, of which one was virtually intact-the splendid tomb of Tutankhamun discovered in 1922. Visit Deir El-Bahri, Queen Hatshepsut’s monumental rock temple. Stop for pictures at the two Colossi of Memnon guarding the valleys.
DISCOVERY This afternoon, join an exclusive lecture on this ancient civilization by your Egyptologist while sailing to Edfu.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN EDFU(B,L,D)
Day 6: EDFU-KOM OMBO-ASWAN
Egyptian Gods of the River and Sky
CLASSIC This morning visit Edfu Temple, also known as the Temple of Horus with its menacing black stone statue of the falcon god.
Enjoy a leisurely sail to Kom Ombo.
DISCOVERY While sailing enjoy a Egyptian cooking class.
CLASSIC Enjoy beautiful Kom Ombo for a short walk to its bluff-top twin temples. The right side is dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek-Ra, while the left side is dedicated to the falcon god Horus.
This evening enjoy a party night on board.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ASWAN (B,L,D)
Day 7: ASWAN
Temples from Above and Islands Below
This morning, consider joining a Guided Optional Excursion of the massive sandstone temples of Abu Simbel (by coach).
CLASSIC Board a motorboat and cross the blue waters of the Nile. En route, see the ancient water measurement system, “Nilometer,” on the Nile’s Elephantine Island and the splendid Aga Khan Mausoleum.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ASWAN(B,L,D)
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Day 8: ASWAN (DISEMBARKATION)-CAIRO
Work in Progress and the Goddess Isis
CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Excursion at to explore the Granite Quarries that supplied ancient Egypt with its hard stones for the pyramids in Giza. See the famous unfinished obelisk, still remaining in the quarry. Board a motor launch to the island of Agilika between the two dams and visit the Temple Of Isis, which was dismantled from the submerged island of Philae and reassembled here. Take a photo stop at the gigantic Aswan High Dam, completed in 1970. Board your flight back to Cairo later today.(B)
Day 9: CAIRO
Amazing Civilization and Marketplace Mazes
CLASSIC Start the day with a guided tour of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. No visit would be complete without time to experience the Royal Mummies’ Hall, considered the crown jewel of the museum.
CLASSIC Drive to “Coptic Cairo” to Abu Serga Church, not only the oldest church in Egypt but built on the spot where the Holy Family stopped and rested towards the end of their journey to Egypt. Proceed to visit the hanging church, which dates back to the fourth century, built on the remains of an old Roman Babylon fortress. Walk to see Cairo’s oldest Jewish synagogue, founded in the 9th century.
CLASSIC Take in a full panoramic view of Cairo from the Nile River-on board a traditional wooden sailing vessel (Felucca) and enjoy a typical Egyptian light lunch.
CLASSIC Browse the maze of shops in the vast labyrinths of the Khan al Khali Souk bazaar and Medieval alleyways. This evening, consider attending an Optional Dinner Cruise on the Nile to celebrate your Egyptian adventure.(B,L)
Day 10: CAIRO
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Health and Safety Protocols
Your safety, as well as the safety of employees and partners, has always been the top priority, which is why new physical distancing and cleaning measures have been put in place on all tours. Avalon is dedicated to giving guests a safe, stress-free getaway. Avalon goes the extra mile to ensure your home away from home, your Avalon ship, is clean and safe throughout your voyage. This includes enhanced cleaning and hygiene protocols, followed with the utmost diligence, including twice daily stateroom cleaning and hourly cleaning of the ship’s common areas.
Healthy crews help keep a healthy cruise, and Avalon goes to great lengths to ensure that’s the case. Medical certificates for each crew member are required prior to start of sailing season, and daily temperature checks along with regular health screenings have been instituted. The aim is that your cruise leaves you as healthy as-and happier than-when you left. Avalon Waterways’ health and safety guidelines and protocols (The Avalon Assurance Program) have been developed in partnership with IGI Limited, a company that specializes in travel-related health and safety measures, and long-time industry consultant Ian Greaves.
Key Health Measures:
- Onboard health screening, including touch-free temperature-check, for all guests and crew.
- Guest temperatures will be checked at embarkation and when returning to the ship throughout the cruise.
- Enhanced cleaning and hygiene protocols.
- Medical certificates required for each crew member prior to the start of the sailing season.
- Daily temperature checks and regular health screenings for crew members.
And cruising with Avalon removes many “touch points” of travel, including luggage handling, checking in and out of hotels, and the purchase of sightseeing tickets. All this ensures only hearts are touched, not hands. And safety extends off the ship, as well. Shore excursions include expedited entry into must-see attractions, which means no waiting in long, crowded queues of people. Avalon’s unique Suite ShipSM design means extra space throughout the ship. With 15% fewer guests than the average river cruise, Avalon assures that each guest has room to stretch out and relax. Guests are asked to keep a close eye on how they’re feeling and report any new symptoms to a crew member so we can make sure they get the help they need. If anyone should become ill while traveling, they’ll be asked to isolate until they can be seen by a medical professional.
Promotions and Deals
Take advantage of special promotions to make your Avalon Waterways experience even more affordable. Here are a few examples:
| Promotion | Details | Booking Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Single Supplement Waived | Waive the single supplement fee on select 2025 Mekong river cruises (Category B only). | December 31, 2025 |
| $1500 Off Peruvian Amazon with Galapagos Island Cruise | Receive $1500 off per couple ($750 per person) on select 2025 cruises. | December 10, 2025 |
| Save $500 per couple on 2026 Taste of Egypt River Cruise | Receive $500 off per couple ($250 off per person) on the cruise/land price. | December 10, 2025 |
| Save $500 on 2025 From the Inca Empire to the Peruvian Amazon | Receive $500 off per couple ($250 off per person) on the cruise/land price. | December 10, 2025 |
| Save $3,000 on 2025 Avalon Waterways Mekong River Cruises | Receive $3,000 off per couple ($1500 off per person) on select cruises. | December 10, 2025 |
Be sure to check the terms and conditions for each promotion, as availability may be limited and restrictions may apply.
Explore the wonders of the Nile River with Avalon Waterways!
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