Treasures of Egypt and Morocco

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. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner and meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers.

This morning, explore the Giza Plateau with your Egyptologist guide and uncover the mysteries of the Great Pyramids. Nearby, the Sphinx stands guard, carved from a single limestone ridge. Learn about the construction and importance of these sites to the Egyptians. Continue to the Grand Egyptian Museum, where ancient artefacts and modern design come together in a striking tribute to Egypt's dynastic past. Later, return to your hotel and enjoy an evening at leisure.

This morning, visit part of Cairo's historic old town by choosing to Enhance Your Journey with a guided tour of the Old Kingdom, exploring Memphis and Saqqara, or delve into Coptic Cairo on an afternoon tour which include a visit to Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church - believed to be built upon a shelter once used by the Holy Family. Later, experience the sights and sounds of the bustling Khan el Khalili bazaar.

Enhance Your Journey - Saqqara and Memphis Step back into Egypt's Old Kingdom and explore the ancient wonders of Memphis and Saqqara, home to the civilisation's earliest pyramids and enduring legacy.

Enhance Your Journey - Coptic Cairo Wander through the historic heart of Old Cairo and uncover Egypt's rich Christian heritage in the ancient Coptic district.

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 on board.

Enhance Your Journey - Luxor Museum Visit The Luxor Museum of Ancient Egyptian Art is set in an exceptional location in the ancient and world-famous town of Luxor. Located on the Nile Corniche Road, the museum overlooks the mighty Nile River, facing the Ramesseum on the west bank, with the remarkable Avenue of the Sphinxes conveniently situated nearby along the same road.

Start the day discovering the remarkable 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.

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.

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 to higher ground in a remarkable international effort to save it from being flooded by Lake Nasser.

Return to the ship for lunch on board, followed by some free time, before immersing yourself in a special Insider Experience thoughtfully curated for you. As the evening falls, consider a visit to the vibrant Night Market to be immersed in the local culture of Aswan through a different perspective as its streets come alive after dark.

Insider Experience - Felucca Sailing on the Nile Step aboard a traditional felucca and glide along the Nile, admiring the tranquil beauty of Aswan from the water.

Enhance Your Journey - Aswan Night Market Tour Wander through Aswan's lively night market, brimming with colourful stalls selling aromatic spices, fragrant oils, local textiles and handicrafts.

In a city as serene and storied as Aswan, there's always something to uncover. After breakfast, embark on a guided tour of the impressive High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk and the beautifully preserved Philae Temple. After a morning of exploration, enjoy some free time this afternoon. Late in the day, perhaps indulge in our memorable Enhance Your Journey experience at the iconic Old Cataract Hotel. Later, rejoin your vessel to set sail north to Kom Ombo.

Enhance Your Journey - Afternoon High Tea at the Old Cataract Hotel Step into colonial elegance and indulge in a traditional high tea at the legendary Old Cataract Hotel, overlooking the Nile.

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.

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, and 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.

Return to your ship for an onboard lunch, followed by free time to relax and enjoy the ship's amenities or further explore the region's rich archaeological heritage at your leisure. After a delicious dinner on board, perhaps visit Karnak Temple on an optional Enhance Your Journey activity.

Enhance Your Journey - Karnak Sound and Light Show Witness Karnak Temple in a whole new light during this atmospheric after-dark 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.

This morning after breakfast, transfer to the airport to board your included flight back to Cairo. On arrival, check in to your airport hotel and enjoy an evening at leisure.

This morning after breakfast, take your included flight from Cairo to Casablanca. On arrival, you will be met by a Travelmarvel representative and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure.

Today is yours to explore Casablanca at leisure. This evening, meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers at a Welcome Reception, followed by dinner.

Begin your day with a tour of Casablanca, taking in all the must-see sights including Anfa Boulevard, United Nations Square and Hassan II Grand Mosque. The mosque is a highlight of your Casablanca city tour: with a minaret standing at 210 metres tall, it's considered to be the highest religious building in the world. Afterwards, continue to Rabat. You'll also have time to visit the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the Hassan Tower, both significant structures in Rabat. Your journey continues to Fez where a memorable Insider Experience awaits.

Insider Experience - Fez Souks and Dining Experience Venture within the city's high medina walls to the souks, where a tangle of narrow streets reveals rug-lined alleyways and stalls selling everything from bright, fragrant spices to delicate glassware, vials of argan oil, and handmade pottery. Cap off your experience with a traditional dinner of tagine and couscous at a local restaurant, accompanied by Moroccan entertainment, including belly dancing.

Fez is Morocco's oldest imperial city, dating back to the ninth century. It was once a hub for scholars, philosophers, mathematicians and astronomers, and this morning you can delve into the city's history on a guided tour. Visit the magnificent Royal Palace and admire its seven golden gates, which symbolise each day of the week.

Continue to the Jewish Quarter of Mellah and see the striking gate of Bab Bou Jeloud before spending time exploring the World Heritage-listed Medina of Fez. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure, before a special Insider Experience this evening.

Insider Experience - Cooking Class and Dinner Experience the flavours and traditions of Morocco in this hands-on cooking class, where you'll prepare a complete Moroccan dinner from scratch. Guided by a local host, you'll learn about Moroccan cuisine, spices, and cooking methods while creating authentic dishes. Enjoy fresh mint tea and pastries as your tagine simmers, then savour your meal together in a warm, authentic atmosphere.

Explore the Roman ruins of Volubilis this morning. Sprawled across the Jebel Zerhoun plateau, this 40-hectare archaeological site is renowned as the best-preserved in Northern Africa and offers a fascinating glimpse into ancient history. Afterwards, journey to the imperial city of Meknes, home to the grand walls of Bab el Mansour. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before returning to Fez.

Set off on a picturesque journey across the Middle Atlas range, through landscapes covered in thick forest and past towering peaks towards the Sahara Desert. It's here, among the vast expanse of terracotta-coloured sands, that you'll enjoy an overnight camp stay. As the sun sets, savour traditional flavours at dinner before being entertained with local music and performances. Don't forget to take a moment to look up and soak in the star-filled desert night sky.

Discover the striking scenery of Todra Gorge today as you bid farewell to the desert and retreat to the Atlas Mountains. Todra Gorge is a natural oasis carved by the River Todra, with limestone walls reaching up to 400 metres. A haven for photography enthusiasts, the gorge is a superb spot to capture captivating shots, so be sure to bring your camera. Continue to Ouarzazate, a city often referred to as the ‘doorway to the desert'. Check in to your hotel and enjoy dinner here this evening.

Travel to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou, a striking example of traditional Moroccan earthen architecture. This picturesque city, crafted from adobe and nestled on a hillside, has starred in renowned films such as Gladiator (2000). En route to Marrakesh, stop for a tasty Insider Experience before continuing to Marrakesh, the Moroccan Southern Capital, set amid an expansive oasis amid the Atlas Mountains and the pre-desert region.

Insider Experience - Visit Tawesna Salon de Thé Visit Tawesna Salon de Thé, a cooperative eatery led by local women preserving regional culinary heritage. Enjoy a delicous, freshly prepared lunch while learning more about the cooperative, secrets and stories behind the recipes.

Spend the day exploring Marrakesh in depth, beginning with a city tour to Koutoubia Tower, the Dar El Bacha Museum, and Bahia Palace (also known as Bay Palace). Afterwards, stroll through the lively medina and maze-like souks, where you'll find colourful Moroccan slippers, pyramids of spices, terracotta tagine pots, and more. Be sure to visit the famous Jemaa el-Fna square, a bustling hub that has hosted street performers, snake charmers, fortune tellers, and musicians since the 11th century.

Your Moroccan journey comes to an end today with a transfer to the airport.