Viking has a new Egypt trip for travelers who want more than the usual week on the Nile. The 19-day Grand Nile Journey pairs four hotel nights in Cairo with a 14-night river cruise between Cairo and Aswan. Viking announced the itinerary on October 26, 2026, and it is open for booking now. Departures begin in 2028.
Viking calls it its most in-depth look at Egypt to date. The big change is time. Most Nile cruises sail the southern stretch between Luxor and Aswan. This one covers the full run from Cairo, which lets it stop at sites in Middle Egypt that many visitors never see.
The ship: Viking Ra
The river portion takes place on the Viking Ra. It is an all-suite ship built for the Nile. It carries just 52 guests in 26 suites. Viking says the design takes its cues from the line's river and ocean ships, with the clean Scandinavian style its regulars know.
What you will see
The trip includes 17 guided tours. It starts in Cairo with the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum.
The ship then heads south into Middle Egypt. Here are the stops that set this route apart:
- Meidum Pyramid, an early pyramid that Viking says marks an important step in how the Egyptians learned to build them
- The Noblemen's Tombs of Beni Hasan, cut into the cliffs and known for scenes of daily life in ancient Egypt
- Tell el-Amarna, the remains of the royal capital built by the pharaoh Akhenaten and later lost
- Deir el-Muharraq monastery, a Coptic Christian site that tradition links to the Holy Family's journey through Egypt
Farther south come the famous names. Guests visit the temples of Luxor and Karnak, the royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings, and the Temple of Seti I at Abydos. In Aswan, the trip includes the island temples of Philae and the great rock temples of Abu Simbel. There is also a sail on a felucca, the traditional Nile sailboat.
What Viking says
Leah Talactac is the president and chief executive officer of Viking.
"Egypt has captivated travelers for generations, and we believe there is always more to discover," Talactac said. "At Viking, we design our itineraries for curious travelers 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."
Add-on trips
Viking sells land extensions before or after the cruise:
- Cairo, two nights, with a Viking host
- Morocco, five nights, fully guided
- Jordan, four nights, fully guided, with the Dead Sea, Petra and Amman
Viking keeps growing on the Nile
The Grand Nile Journey joins two other Egypt trips. The 12-day Pharaohs and Pyramids is the trip Viking calls popular. The 12-day Total Eclipse on the Nile, set for 2027, is already sold out.
Earlier this month, Viking named its two newest ships in Egypt, the Viking Ptah and the Viking Sekhmet. It now runs 10 vessels in the country and expects two more in 2028. For more on Viking's recent ship namings, see our story on the seven new river ships Viking named.
Prices and the Fall Sale
Viking's release does not list a starting fare for the new trip. Through October 31, 2026, U.S. residents can get reduced airfare, special fares and a $25 deposit on the Grand Nile Journey as part of Viking's Fall Sale. Bookings go through Viking at 1-800-284-5464 or a travel advisor.
A low deposit holds a cabin, but it does not change the final payment date. Read our note on Viking's $25 deposit offer before you commit.
Who this trip suits
Nineteen days is a long trip, and the pace in Egypt can be tiring. Seventeen guided tours is a full program, so plan for busy days. But if you have wanted to see more than the classic Luxor to Aswan stretch, this route covers far more ground. With only 52 guests on board, the group stays small.
More on the line is on our Viking River Cruises page.