Home to more than half of Egypt's antiquities, Luxor – formerly Thebes, the capital of Ancient Egypt at the height of its glory – is your gateway to the Nile or the end point of your voyage. Visit the bustling market before touring its legendary archaeological sites.

Luxor honors “kingship", rather than any deity. Alexander the Great claimed to have been crowned in the city, and he, Amenhotep III, Tutankhamun and Ramesses II built sections of the temple. Nearby were a legionary fortress and a seat of government in Roman times.

This vast complex of temples, pylons, chapels and other structures, including the Great Hypostyle Hall, was built between the Middle Kingdom and Ptolemaic periods. Some 30 pharaohs added works and structures to what is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This historic burial ground for nobles and pharaohs, including Tutankhamun, is one of the world’s key archaeological sites. Hidden within rocky cliffs, 63 decorated tombs showcase exquisite hieroglyphics, paintings and treasures, proof of royal belief in the afterlife.

The gateway to southern Egypt since 2,000BC, Aswan still delivers astonishing finds. In recent years, archaeologists have uncovered a bust of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, a sphinx and 35 mummies in a tomb dating back to the Ptolemaic Dynasty.

This ravishingly beautiful Greco-Egyptian shrine to Isis, extraordinary in its own right, was made even more famous when, in 1971, it was relocated from its original site to higher ground on nearby Agilika Island when rising Nile waters threatened to submerge it.

Kom Ombo is remarkable for many reasons, not least its dramatic position, symmetrical design and dedication to two gods rather than one – crocodile-headed Sobek and falcon-headed Horus. The mummified reptiles in the Crocodile Museum are surprisingly moving.

One of the best-preserved shrines in the whole of Egypt, the Temple of Edfu was built between 237 and 57 BC. Inscriptions on the walls give intriguing information about the myths, language and religions following the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC.

An outing aboard one of these gracious traditional sailboats, nonchalantly piloted by a skipper with a bare foot on the tiller, is the most serene way to explore the waters around Elephantine Island, Lord Kitchener’s Botanical Gardens, and the Agha Khan Mausoleum.

Venture further south along the Nile to Sohail Island, in what was once Nubia – the region where the Kerma civilization, one of the oldest in Africa, flourished from 2500 BC to 1500 BC. Explore a time-warp village where Nubian culture is preserved, taking a camel ride through its alleys and meeting villagers in their colorfully painted homes.

As soon as you enter the souk, the powerful aroma of Egyptian herbs and spices engulfs you. Browse the stalls, with their colorful displays, and immerse yourself in the traditional way of life as you wander.

Get a fresh perspective on the spectacular Valleys of the Kings and Queens as you soar above them in a hot-air balloon for a memorable once in a lifetime experience.