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The “Ramsès II” tour at a glance

Ramsès II (Ramses II) is an 8-day, 7-night Club Med Discovery tour of Upper Egypt, in the form of a Nile cruise, in the Cultural Treasures theme. It starts and ends in Luxor, aboard the Jaz Viceroy, a 5-star boat where you spend all seven nights. Along the way: the Valley of the Kings and Medinet Habu, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, the sanctuary of Isis at Philae, Kom Ombo, the Temple of Hathor at Dendera and Karnak. On the fifth day, a return flight from Aswan takes you to the temples of Ramses II and Nefertari at Abu Simbel. A French-speaking Egyptologist guide leads the visits. The package includes full board with soft drinks, the boat's bar for local alcoholic drinks and the flights to Abu Simbel. A 2-night extension in Cairo is available.

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How does the cruise from Luxor to Aswan unfold?

On the first day, you board the Jaz Viceroy in Luxor and already have dinner on the Nile. On the second day, you cross to the west bank for the Valley of the Kings, where the pharaohs' tombs keep their paintings intact, then the Temple of Medinet Habu, before the boat sails upriver toward Esna and Edfu. The third day begins at the Temple of Horus at Edfu, one of the best preserved in the country, then you sail toward Aswan, watching palm groves and villages drift by. On the fourth day, you reach the sanctuary of Isis at Philae by boat, and see it again in the evening during the sound and light show.

And what do you see in the second half of the tour?

The fifth day is the one everyone waits for: a flight links Aswan to Abu Simbel, on the shore of Lake Nasser, where the four colossi of Ramses II guard the entrance to the great temple, next to the temple dedicated to Nefertari. You fly back to Aswan the same day. On the sixth day, the boat heads back down toward Luxor with a stop at the Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to two gods at once. On the seventh day, you drive to Dendera and the Temple of Hathor, with its still-coloured ceilings, then finish at Karnak, a vast forest of columns. On the eighth day, you leave the boat in Luxor.

Why is Abu Simbel such a big deal?

The temples of Abu Simbel were carved into the cliff during the reign of Ramses II, then moved block by block in the 1960s to escape the waters of Lake Nasser. Standing before the 20-metre statues, you grasp the ambition of the pharaoh who gives the tour its name. Many cruises offer this visit as an option; here, the Aswan–Abu Simbel flights are included, sparing you a long desert drive at dawn. The smaller Temple of Nefertari moves visitors with its delicacy.

What is the Jaz Viceroy like?

The Jaz Viceroy is a 5-star cruise boat, and it serves as your hotel for all seven nights: you unpack only once. The upper deck becomes the group's living room during sailing hours. Meals are served on board, and the bar serves the local alcoholic drinks included in the package. In the evening, you watch the sun set behind the west bank, where the ancient Egyptians placed the kingdom of the dead.

What is included in the Ramsès II tour?

The package includes seven nights on board, full board from lunch on day 1 to breakfast on day 8 with soft drinks, the boat's bar for local alcoholic drinks, return flights between Aswan and Abu Simbel, the French-speaking Egyptologist guide, the visits on the programme, taxes and service charges. International transport, transfers between the airport and the boat, the visa, insurance and personal expenses are booked separately. Your advisor brings flights, transfers and visa together in one file.

Who guides the group during the cruise?

A French-speaking Egyptologist guide accompanies the group on every visit. They read the hieroglyphs with you, tell the story of the pharaohs and explain why each temple is dedicated to a different god. Club Med Discovery tours travel in small groups, with departures guaranteed from the first booking. Visits often start early in the morning, to enjoy the cool air and soft light on the temples: a pace designed for curious travellers.

When should you go to Egypt and how do you get there from Quebec?

From October to April, days are warm and sunny and evenings on deck are pleasant: it is the favourite season for Upper Egypt. In summer, the heat is strong, and visits take place in the coolest hours. Your advisor tells you which departures are available. From Montreal, you reach Luxor with a connection, often through Cairo. Our Egypt travel page gathers our tips for preparing your stay.

How do you add Cairo and the pyramids to the tour?

A 2-day, 2-night extension in Cairo is available. You visit the Grand Egyptian Museum, the pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx and the necropolis of Saqqara, home to the step pyramid. You stay at the Fairmont Nile City 5*, on the banks of the Nile. For travel documents, you need a Canadian passport valid for several months after your return, and a visa for Egypt: your advisor checks the requirements at the time of booking.

Which other trip can you combine with this tour?

For a more intimate cruise, Club Med's other Egyptian tour, Le Nil en dahabieh, sails on a traditional sailboat. Many travellers also pair Egypt with Jordan and Petra through the Royaume de Jordanie tour. And to end in the sun, your advisor can present the Club Med resorts in Africa and the Middle East.

Who is this tour made for?

It is made for those who have long dreamed of the Egypt of the pharaohs and want to see it all in one week, without changing hotels every night. Couples, friends and solo travellers feel at home, as do families with teenagers who love history. Compare it with the other itineraries among our Club Med tours in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Why book this tour with AquaTerra?

A Nile cruise takes preparation: connecting flights, a visa, transfers to the dock, an extension in Cairo. At Voyages AquaTerra, our advisors put it all together, check the travel documents, suggest the right insurance and stay reachable throughout the trip. All our itineraries are on the Club Med Tours page.

Call 1-866-628-6241. You will reach someone who knows this tour and has time for you. We look together at what is available on your dates, we choose the right departure, and we stay on the line throughout your trip. That is the difference between booking alone in front of a screen and travelling with someone behind you.

  • Giant colonnade of Karnak Temple, Luxor

    Giant colonnade of Karnak Temple, Luxor

  • Nile riverbank at the foot of the mountains

    Nile riverbank at the foot of the mountains

  • Hieroglyphs carved into temple stone

    Hieroglyphs carved into temple stone

  • Chiselled lanterns in a Cairo souk

    Chiselled lanterns in a Cairo souk

  • Palm trees on the Nile in the morning mist

    Palm trees on the Nile in the morning mist

  • Cairo minarets at sunset

    Cairo minarets at sunset

  • Rocks and houses on the Nile at Aswan

    Rocks and houses on the Nile at Aswan

Meet our Club Med Specialists who can help you plan your trips to any of the Club Med destinations.

Voyages Synergia - 2025 Excellence Club Med Award Travel agency

All rights reserved Voyages Synergia. Images, logos and Club Med properties: © Club Med. The Club Med 2 yacht is registered in France.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Canadian travellers need a visa to enter Egypt, and it is paid separately from the package. Procedures can change: your advisor checks the requirements at the time of booking and explains how to obtain it. Also keep a passport valid for several months after your return.
Yes, the Jaz Viceroy's bar serves the local alcoholic drinks included in the package. At meals, soft drinks are included. Imported wines and spirits cost extra.
The Grand Egyptian Museum, near the pyramids of Giza, holds one of the largest collections of Egyptian antiquities in the world, including the treasures of Tutankhamun. Its visit opens the Cairo extension. Allow several hours, there is so much to see.
Light, loose clothing, a hat, sunglasses and good walking shoes. Temple floors are uneven and the sun is strong. A light sweater helps for mornings and evenings on deck in winter.
Visits often begin early, sometimes at sunrise, to avoid the heat and crowds. Afternoons are calmer, with sailing and rest on board. The guide announces the schedule the day before.
Rules vary by site, and some tombs require an extra photo ticket. Your Egyptologist guide tells you what is allowed at each visit. Flash is prohibited to protect the paintings.
Yes, it is part of the programme on day four. In the evening, the Temple of Isis lights up on its island, and the narration tells its story. It is a lovely moment after a day of sightseeing.
Tipping is deeply rooted in Egyptian custom, for the crew, the guide and the drivers. Your advisor gives you an idea of the usual amounts before departure. Bring some cash in small bills.
Ramsès II takes place on a 5-star cruise boat and includes the flights to Abu Simbel. Le Nil en dahabieh sails on a smaller boat, with stops at little-visited sites. Your advisor helps you choose based on your style.
Families with teenagers interested in history enjoy it greatly, between mummies, hieroglyphs and the cruise. Days start early and include several visits. Your advisor checks the age conditions at the time of booking.
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