Viking is announcing the inaugural season of voyages on its newest Nile River ship, the Viking Sobek. Scheduled to debut in 2025, the Viking Sobek will join the company’s growing fleet as its sixth ship sailing the popular 12-day Pharaohs and Pyramids itinerary. With Viking’s 2024 Egypt season nearly sold out, strong demand has led to an early opening of the Viking Sobek’s inaugural season and 2026 sailing dates across the entire Nile River fleet.
“We are very pleased with the continued interest in Egypt and are proud to be the only Western company that builds, owns, and operates ships on the Nile,” said Torstein Hagen, President of Viking. “With the addition of the Viking Sobek, we will offer by far the largest fleet and most elegant ships on the Nile. We look forward to introducing even more curious travelers to Egypt’s rich history, culture, and antiquities in the years to come.”
With accommodation for 82 passengers in 41 cabins, the new, modern Viking Sobek is inspired by Viking’s award-winning river and ocean-going vessels, featuring the sleek Scandinavian design for which Viking is known. The Viking Sobek is the identical sister ship to the Viking Osiris, which debuted in 2022, the Viking Aton, which debuted in 2023, and the Viking Hathor, which will debut in 2024. Other ships in Viking’s Egyptian fleet include the Viking Ra and the MS Antares; with the addition of the Viking Sobek, Viking will have six ships sailing the Nile River by 2025.
During the 12-day Pharaohs and Pyramids itinerary, guests begin with a three-night stay in a first-class hotel in Cairo, where they can visit iconic sites such as the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Saqqara necropolis (also known as Sakkara), and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali. Next, guests fly to Luxor, where they visit the Temples of Luxor and Karnak before boarding a Viking riverboat for an eight-day round-trip cruise on the Nile River. This cruise offers privileged access to the tomb of Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens and the tomb of Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings, as well as excursions to the Temple of Khnum in Esna, the Dendera Temple complex in Qena, the High Dam in Aswan, and a visit to a colorful Nubian village where guests can experience a traditional primary school. Finally, the trip concludes with a return flight to Cairo for a final night in the ancient city.
For guests who wish to extend their trip, Viking also offers Pre and Post Extensions that provide privileged access to archives and exhibits.
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