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Viking has launched a new 19-day river cruise that sails the entire length of the Nile in Egypt.
Launching in 2028, the Grand Nile Journey will start with four nights in a Cairo hotel before sailing between the Egyptian capital and Aswan aboard the all-suite Viking Ra for 14 nights.
Hosting 52 guests in 26 suites, the Viking Ra is built specifically to navigate the Nile River.
Most river cruise lines either fly from Cairo to start Nile sailings in Luxor down to Aswan. Some just sail between Cairo and Luxor.
Sailing the whole route between Cairo and Aswan means passengers will be able to see middle Egypt's lesser-visited archaeological sites such as the Meidum Pyramid and the cliffside Noblemen's Tombs of Beni Hasan.
Guests will also visit Tell el-Amarna to see the remains of the once-lost royal capital established by Pharaoh Akhenaten.
The itinerary features 17 guided tours, including trips to the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum, before continuing along the Nile through the heart of Egypt.
Continuing south, guests will experience the grandeur of ancient Egypt at the temples of Luxor and Karnak, the royal tombs of the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Seti I at Abydos. The journey also includes time in Aswan to explore the island temple complex of Philae and to sail the Nile in a traditional felucca.
Prices start from £11,995, which includes flights, transfers, meals, mealtime drinks, wifi, tips and an excursion in most ports.
Viking also offers a shorter 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids round-trip itinerary from Cairo to Luxor.
The cruise line named its two newest ships in the region last month, the Viking Ptah and the Viking Sekhmet. Viking now operates a fleet of 10 vessels in Egypt and expects to take delivery of four more by 2028.
Leah Talactac, president and chief executive of Viking, said: “Egypt has captivated travellers for generations, and we believe there is always more to discover.
“At Viking, we design our itineraries for curious travellers who want to gain a deeper understanding of the places they visit. Our new Grand Nile Journey reflects that approach, giving guests more time to explore Egypt and experience the many layers of its history and culture.”
The full Nile river route has typically mainly been offered by premium tour operators that charter ships.
Riviera Travel is the only other mainstream cruise line that offers a sailing across the whole of the River Nile. Its Wonders of the Nile river cruise sails from Cairo to Aswan over 14-nights from £5,869 per person.
Read more: The best river cruises around the world