Pharaohs & Pyramids
13 Days | 11 Guided Tours | 1 Country
Uncover the ancient secrets of Egypt amid the welcoming culture of today. See the pyramids from astride a majestic camel. Explore the Temple of Karnak’s 136 soaring pillars. Visit Queen Nefertari’s tomb in the Valley of the Queens. Skim the waters of the Nile by traditional felucca. Enjoy the fragrances of Aswan’s spice market. Join our expert Egyptologists on a 12-day cruisetour through Egypt on board our modern Nile ships, owned and operated by Viking.
From AUD$11,595pp Standard Stateroom | AUD$13,895pp Veranda Stateroom based on departing 05 Aug 2027 from Cairo. Cruise subject to availability.
Fly Free & Flexible deposit available on select River Cruise sailing with Viking valid on bookings made up until 31 Mar 2026.
Cruisetour Itinerary
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Arrive and check in to your hotel. It has been said of Egypt’s exhilarating capital, “He who has not seen Cairo has not seen the world.” Certainly, the heart of the nation beats with an unbridled passion in this city made prosperous over millennia as a stopover for Sahara caravans on trade routes to Byzantium. Amid the stimulating strum, the insistent beauty of everyday life reigns here, with the serene Nile sliding through like an entrancing serpent. Cairo’s very age mesmerizes; its monuments have stood here for more than 5,000 years.
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For centuries, Cairo has played a central role in religious and cultural developments in Egypt. Today, the city is home to the only Wonder of the Ancient World still intact—the Great Pyramid of Giza. And the city’s historic district, Old Cairo, boasts the world’s highest concentration of Islamic architecture. In addition to these monuments, Cairo has been making efforts as a member of the UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art to preserve its traditional craftwork heritage including glassblowing, coppersmithing, pottery, ceramics and jewelry.
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A captivating world that has withstood the tests of time unfolds beyond the medieval walls enclosing Old Cairo. Muizz Street, named for the Fatimid caliph who established Cairo as Egypt’s capital in 969, was the city’s main thoroughfare, running between the 11th-century city gates Bab al-Futuh and Bab Zuweila. Its splendid Islamic architecture—from elegant mosques and mausoleums to ornate palaces and former residences of Egyptian dignitaries and prominent merchants—provides a glimpse into the glory of the Fatimid dynasty and the periods that followed.
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After breakfast, check out of your hotel and fly to your embarkation city. Luxor is set on the east bank of the Nile River and once served as the capital of Egypt’s New Kingdom. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site lined with beautiful colonial hotels and some of the world’s most ancient and significant ruins. Many consider this city, watched over by graceful single-sailed feluccas plying the Nile, one of the world’s great open air museums. The sprawling Temples of Luxor and Karnak on the east bank are linked by the ancient Avenue of the Sphinxes. On the west bank, in the Valley of the Kings, lie the tombs of Egypt’s great pharaohs.
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Known in ancient Egypt as Caene, Qena’s situation on the banks of the Nile River has bolstered its prosperity over millennia. Merchants and travelers have long journeyed here from the Red Sea, through the valley, bringing goods from Persia and beyond. The Sheikh el-Qenawi Mosque on the main square serves as a monument to the city’s rich and all-embracing Islamic and Sufi past. Qena is mostly known as the gateway to the magnificent ruins of the Dendera Temple. Its stone gate and towering columns adorned with hieroglyphics are some of Egypt’s best-preserved structures.
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Luxor lies amid what is arguably one of the world’s largest archaeological sites: Thebes, once a thriving imperial capital. In antiquity, the Nile River ran through Thebes, dividing it into a “City of the Living” and a “City of the Dead.” The former referred to the east bank (modern-day Luxor) as this was where the majority of the city’s population—and at times, Egypt’s rulers—made their home. The west bank (known today as Kurna) was designated the latter as it served as a necropolis, dotted with the lavish resting places of royalty and other nobility.
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Ancient Egyptians knew Esna as Latopolis, named for the largest of the perch species that swam in the Nile’s sacred waters. Its ancient past lives on in the colorful street market overflowing with fabrics, carpets, brassware, mother-of-pearl keepsakes and more. Esna’s glorious Temple of Khnum is celebrated for its 1st-century Roman Hypostyle Hall, 24 columns topped with intricately carved floral capitals. Its walls are adorned with images of Roman emperors making offerings to Egyptian gods.
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Aswan stands at what was once the northern border of ancient Nubia, a remarkable region that encompassed the land eastward from the Libyan Desert to the Red Sea and northward from central Sudan to southern Egypt. As a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art, present-day Aswan strives to preserve its rich heritage. Its efforts include the Aswan Folk Dance Troupe that performs internationally, the Nubian Museum showcasing Nubian daily life and craftwork, and the Aswan International Symposium of Sculpture encouraging the practice of ancient Egyptian granite stone carving.
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Located at the first cataract of the Nile, a set of rapids coursing through a rocky riverbed, Aswan has long been a terminus town on the Nile. Today, the trading tradition continues in the city’s lively market near the Nile’s banks. The city also thrived due to the massive quantities of granite quarried here to build the country’s countless ancient temples, obelisks and pyramids. In the 1960s, completion of the Aswan High Dam created Lake Nasser. As the lake rose, the city became a magnet for archaeologists intent on saving ancient temples from submersion.
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Edfu is steeped in Egyptian legend. In this sacred place, ancient myth says that the falcon god Horus battled his uncle Seth after Seth brutally killed Horus’s father Osiris. To honor Horus, the people of Edfu built a grand temple from 237 to 57 BC, a young structure by Egyptian standards. Egyptologists have paid particular interest to its design, as it closely resembles that of much older temples. Nearby, an ancient settlement provides hints of life along the Nile, with its interesting artifacts dating as far back as 3100 BC.
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After breakfast, disembark your ship and fly to your destination. Arrive and check in to your hotel. Souks (marketplaces) are central to Egypt’s social, cultural and economic traditions. A microcosm of the city, they provide a glimpse into local life, history, art, crafts and food. And in Cairo, they are in abundance, with one of its most notable lying in the historic heart of the city. Originally established as a caravansary in 1382, Khan el-Khalili is not only the largest souk in Cairo, but also the oldest in the Middle East. Its vast labyrinth of passageways is lined with bustling stalls and shops offering a wide range of goods.
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Cairo, Egypt
Bid farewell to your fellow guests and journey home. Or spend more time exploring, perhaps joining one of our extensions.
Viking Osiris Nile River
Viking Inclusive Value
Pricing covers everything you need—and nothing you don’t.
8 day cruise with river view stateroom
4 nights accommodation in Cairo
One complimentary shore excursion in each port of call
All onboard meals
Beer, wine & soft drinks with onboard lunch & dinner
Enrichment lectures and destination performances
24-hour specialty coffees, teas & bottled water
Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)
Port taxes & fees
Onboard tipping & gratuities
Extend Your Journey
Add more discovery to your adventure with Viking’s Pre- and Post-Cruise Extension packages. Whether you explore your embarkation or disembarkation city in more depth—or venture somewhere entirely new—these thoughtfully curated stays let you make the most of your overseas flight and travel time.
Available in a selection of exciting destinations, extension options vary by itinerary and are subject to change.
Pre Cruise: Cairo
Discover the heart of Cairo, a historic city where past and present mingle to create an enchanting tapestry of vibrant culture, timeless traditions and bustling modernity. Explore streets lined with mosques, madrasas and bazaars while immersing yourself in more than a thousand of years of history.
Includes 2 nights Cairo including breakfast daily, 1 guided tour of Old Cairo & its Coptic Quarter, services of a Viking Host and all transfers. Jan-Dec from AU$1,199 per person.
Pre Cruise: Jerusalem
Visit Israel’s fascinating capital, where ancient history and a vibrant culture await you. Discover Jerusalem’s historic, archaeological and holy sites.
Includes 4 nights Jerusalem, 8 meals: 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 dinner. 3 guided tours: Bethlehem Walking Tour; Jerusalem City Tour; Israel Museum Tour & Marc Chagall-Stained Glass. Fully escorted by your Viking Host, flight from Tel Aviv to Cairo and all transfers
Aug-Sep AU$4,499 Oct-Nov AU$4,999 Dec AU$4,499 per person.
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RIVER OFFERS TERMS & CONDITIONS
TERMS & CONDITIONS APPLICABLE FOR BOOKINGS MADE BETWEEN 02 DECEMBER 2025 – 31 MARCH 2026 AT 6pm (AEDT) ON ALL RIVER SAILINGS (2025-2028)
Prices are per person, in Australian dollars and for Australian and New Zealand residents only. They are based on double occupancy and correct at time of printing. Prices include all advertised discounts, and all offers are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time. All offers are only valid for new bookings and only on selected departures made between 02 December 2025 – 31 March 2026 at 6pm (AEDT) unless sold out prior.
A partially refundable deposit of AU$1,000 per person (in the form of a future cruise voucher less an AU$100 cancellation fee) is required to secure a confirmed reservation within 3 days of booking otherwise reservation may automatically cancel.
Once deposit payment has been made, standard cancellation penalties apply. When booking airfares through Viking (including when taking advantage of a special offer that includes air travel), standard airline cancellation fees also apply.
Displayed prices indicate the lowest available pricing across all available sailings from 2025 to 2028 and may have different offers applicable from those advertised for the promoted sailing years. Pricing for each itinerary can vary at short notice as availability changes and sailings close for the current season.
Complete terms and conditions may be found in the Passenger Ticket Contract.
Flexible Deposit Policy (01 April 2024 – 31 March 2026 at 6PM AEDT) Terms & Conditions.
Our flexible deposit policy applies to new reservations only made between 01 April 2024 – 31 March at 6pm AEDT and is combinable with all other Viking offers available.
Under our flexible deposit policy, qualified guests can cancel their booking before final payment due date and receive deposit back in the form of a future cruise voucher less a AU$100 per person cancellation fee.
Guests will have 24 months to select their new date and use their Future Cruise Voucher to make a new reservation on any river, ocean, or expedition cruise.
When booking airfares through Viking (including when taking advantage of a special offer that includes air travel), standard airline cancellation fees will also apply. In some cases, airfares will be non-refundable. In the event of cancellation, these fees will be deducted from the deposit paid, and therefore the future cruise voucher issued.
The future cruise voucher can be used on any new Viking cruise and will be applied at booking and must be redeemed by the expiration date prior to final payment.
The future cruise voucher has no cash value and will be applied as a ’Booking Discount’.
Once the voucher is redeemed, it cannot be re‐issued or used towards another cruise, and any unused balance of the voucher is lost and has no cash value.
Valid future cruise voucher is non-transferable.
APPLICABLE FOR BOOKINGS MADE BETWEEN 02 DECEMBER 2025 – 31 MARCH 2026 AT 6pm (AEDT) ON 2026, 2027 & 2028 SAILINGS ONLY.
Fly Free Economy Flights up to the value of AU$2,500pp when booking flights with Viking.
Fly Free is economy flight(s) for both guests up to the value of AU$2,500 per person (pp) to/from Australia/New Zealand.
If the flight cost exceeds AU$2,500pp the difference must be covered by the guest, to be paid at the time of flight booking.
If flights are cheaper than AU$2,500pp the unused portion of the air funds will be waived and cannot be transferred towards any other portion of the booking or any other person.
A guest can request the AU$2,500pp to be used towards a flight upgrade from economy to a higher cabin class (booked through Viking) with AU$2,500pp off the higher cabin airfare. The difference in flight cost must be covered by the guest and be paid at the time of flight booking.
Applicable if flights are booked through Viking and must be booked in conjunction with a selected 2026/2027/2028 Viking River cruise.
Flights are Viking’s choice of airline for selected major gateways in AU/NZ: ADL/AKL/BNE/CBR/CHC/CNS/DRW/HBA/LST/MEL/OOL/PER/SYD/WLG.
Guest must return their air form to Viking within 14 business days of receiving request for flights, otherwise Viking reserve the right to remove the free air promo and apply the respective in lieu of flights discount.
Guest may not request to change to flights included promotion post campaign end date of 31 March 2026.
Viking will reach out to you or your travel advisor once flights are in the date range, at this point you may nominate your preferred departure/arrival dates.
Both guests must be on the same airline booking (PNR) and fly together in both directions, in the same cabin class.
Guests within the same booking must select the same offer.
Solo guests for River cruises can use up to AU$5,000 per booking towards their flights. Any unused portion of the air funds will be waived and cannot be transferred towards any other portion of the booking or any other person or booking.
Valid on bookings made between 02 December 2025 – 31 March 2026 at 6pm (AEDT).
Please use code FFE25 to activate the Fly Free offer when booking online or via the Contact Centre.
Guests can only redeem one offer per booking either Fly Free OR Business Class Air Credit OR Save and book Cruise Only.
If no code is selected when booking via online, the Fly Free offer will be applied.
Business Class Air Credit up to the value of AU$2,500pp when booking flights with Viking.
Guests receive a AU$2,500pp Business Class Air Credit towards their business class airfare with the difference to be covered by the guest and to be paid at the time of flight booking.
Any unused portion of the Business Class Air Credit will be waived and cannot be transferred towards any other portion of the booking or any other person.
Applicable if flights are booked through Viking and must be booked in conjunction with a selected 2026/2027/2028 Viking River cruise.
Flights are Viking’s choice of airline for selected major gateways in AU/NZ: ADL/AKL/BNE/CBR/CHC/CNS/DRW/HBA/LST/MEL/OOL/PER/SYD/WLG.
Guest must return their air form to Viking within 14 business days of receiving request for flights, otherwise Viking reserve the right to remove the free air promo and apply the respective in lieu of flights discount.
Guest may not request to change to Business Class Air Credit promotion post campaign end date of 31 March 2026.
Viking will reach out to you or your travel advisor once flights are in the date range, at this point you may nominate your preferred departure/arrival dates.
Both guests must be on the same airline booking (PNR) and fly together in both directions, in the same cabin class.
Guests within the same booking must select the same offer.
Solo guests for River cruises can use up to AU$5,000 per booking towards their Business Class flights. Any unused portion of the air funds will be waived and cannot be transferred towards any other portion of the booking or any other person or booking.
Valid on bookings made between 02 December 2025 – 31 March 2026 at 6pm (AEDT).
Please use code FFB25 to activate the Business Class Air Credit offer when booking online or via the Contact Centre.
Guests can only redeem one offer per booking either Fly Free OR Business Class Air Credit OR Save and book Cruise Only
If no code is selected when booking via online, the Fly Free offer will be applied.
Save AU$2,500pp and book flights independently.
Guests are eligible to get a discount of AU$2,500 per person (pp) off the cruise fare at the time of booking in lieu of the Free Economy Class flights.
Solo guests for River cruises are eligible to get a discount of AU$5,000 per booking off the cruise fare in lieu of the free flights.
Guests within the same booking must select the same offer.
Guests book their own flights independently of Viking.
Valid on bookings made between 02 December 2025 – 31 March 2026 at 6pm (AEDT).
Guest may not request to change to flights included promotion post campaign end date of 31 March 2026.
Please use code CRU25 to activate the In Lieu of Flights offer when booking online or via the Contact Centre.
Guests can only redeem one offer per booking either Fly Free OR Business Class Air Credit OR Save and book Cruise Only.
If no code is selected when booking via online, the Fly Free offer will be applied
APPLICABLE FOR NEW BOOKINGS MADE BETWEEN 02 – 31 DECEMBER 2025 ON 2025 RIVER SAILINGS.
CRUISE ONLY OFFER – Save up to 30% on selected 2025 Viking River voyages.
Applies to any new booking made between 02 - 31 December 2025 on a 2025 Viking River voyage.
*Prices are per person, in Australian dollars and for Australian and New Zealand residents only. They are based on double occupancy, subject to availability and correct at time of publication 08 Dec 2025. See Viking full terms & conditions above or contact your Travel Expert for details. Travel agent service & credit card fees may apply.
Interested in this experience? Mention this Deal Code: 1106 when speaking with your travel agent. Don't have an agent? Click here to connect with one of our experts.