The sixth and newest Viking ship, Viking Sobek, is preparing to ply the Nile River for the brand, which announced additional sailings for 2026. The new vessel will debut in 2025, when it will also sail the Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary, which has exploded in popularity. Of note: If you’re looking to book clients on a river cruise in Egypt in the upcoming seasons, know Viking’s 2024 season is nearly sold out and 2025 is headed in that direction, leading to an early opening for Viking Sobek’s inaugural season.
“We are very pleased with the continued interest in Egypt and are proud to be the only Western company to build, own and operate ships on the Nile,” said Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking, in a press statement. “With the addition of the Viking Sobek, we will offer the largest fleet and the most elegant ships on the Nile, by far. We look forward to introducing even more curious travelers to the rich history, culture and antiquities of Egypt in the coming years.”
Viking’s Expanded 2026 Nile Season
With Viking being one of the few lines that will take your clients to Giza and the village at Saqqara to see the active excavation sites of animal and human mummy megatombs, it’s easy to see how Viking Sobek is already selling briskly.
The 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids starts off with a 3-day stay at a first-class hotel in Cairo, allowing your clients plenty of time to visit Giza and Saqqara, among other sites. Luxor is next on the itinerary, where they’ll visit the Temples of Luxor and Karnak before boarding their ship for an 8-day roundtrip cruise on the Nile. They’ll have Privileged Access to the tomb of Nefertari and that of Tutankhamun, tours to the Temple of Khnum and other unforgettable experiences. The trip ends with a flight back to Cairo for one more night in the city.
You can extend your client’s vacation with pre- and post-journey extensions that provide the same Privileged Access to different exhibits and archives, such as the 5-day British Collections of Ancient Egypt in London. New is the 3-night Pre-Extension in Istanbul, where they can visit the Hagia Sophia, among other sites.
For more information, visit viking.com.
