Cairo, Nile Cruise and Lake Nasser

The River Nile has been described as the life-blood of Egypt and we are offering a rare opportunity to travel the length of Egypt along this arterial route.

The Ancient Egyptians used the River Nile as their main thoroughfare to travel from one end of their desert country to the other, as well as relying on the annual innundation to irrigate their fields.

The holiday begins in Cairo where our Senior Guide and Egyptologist, Hany Halim, will lead you on a tour of the Old Kingdom monuments that include the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx as well as the Egyptian Museum that houses fantastic treasures from Ancient Egypt - the most famous of which is Tutankhamen's treasure. You will then travel, in true Agatha Christie style, on the overnight sleeper train to Aswan where you will begin your Lake Cruise.

The construction of the High Dam at Aswan led to the creation of the world’s biggest man-made lake, Lake Nasser, and with it the opportunity to cruise its picturesque, unpopulated and tranquil waters on board luxuriously furbished vessels, visiting a selection of quieter temples and ancient sites. Many of these temples represent incredible feats of modern engineering, as they have been moved from their original sites to escape the rising waters brought about by the construction of the dam. King of all the wonders Lake Nasser has to offer is Abu Simbel and its two stunning temples, surely Egypt’s best treasure after the Great Pyramids of Giza and not to be missed.

A cruise on Lake Nasser allows you the incomparable experience of dining by candlelight on board your boat as it is moored beside Abu Simbel, and represents a fantastic extension to a classic Nile Cruise or any other holiday in Egypt.

Visits include: Abu Simbel and the temples of pharoah Ramses II and his beloved wife Nefertari and in the evening enjoy the spectacular Sound & Light show at Abu Simbel temples. Wadi El Seboua temple, dedicated by Ramses II to the two gods, Amon Ra and Ra Harmakis. The citadel of Kasr Ibrim. The temple of Dakka, dedicated to Thoth, god of divine wisdom, lord of times and science, master of literature. Visit the Graeco-Roman temple of Meharakka. Sail to Amada. Visit the temple of Amada from the XVIIIth dynasty, built during the reign of Thotmosis III, Amenophis III and Thotmosis IV. Also visit the hemi-speos of Derr, dedicated by Ramses II to the rising sun. Finally, see the tomb of Penout, viceroy of Nubia.

Upon your return to Aswan, you will board our Nile Cruise Ship to begin your Nile Cruise.

As you drift down the Nile at a sedate pace, you will witness scenes that have barely changed since pharoahonic times. Your cruise itinerary will include visits to the sacred Valley of the Kings where the pharoahs from the New Kingdom were interred in their vast, subterranian passage tombs. Take a moment to appreciate the atmosphere of these portals to the underworld and read in the brightly coloured frescoes the instructions for the King's soul in the afterlife.

You will also visit Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple, which, spread over something like 10 acres, is the largest religious complex in the world. Your Nile Cruise will continue with visits to Edfu Temple, dedicated to the falcon headed god Horus and Kom Ombo Temple, dedicated to the crocodile headed god Sobek.

The Cruise ship usually passes through the lock as Essna during the night, but it is well worth those who have an interest in engineering staying up and watching this feat as the cruise ship is manouvered through the lock system.

 

Groups will consist of around 20 people and accommodation will be in 4*/5* establishments.

Dates of travel: Various dates available throughout 2008/09 - Please enquire - duration - 12 Days

Cost: ONLY £ 1400 per person (based on two sharing either a twin or double room/cabin).

Days	Time	Description
1st Day	PM	Cairo :: Arrival and Check-in at hotel. :: Your room will be prepared ready for your arrival where you may freshen up before retiring to bed or spend a little time exploring your locality (depending upon timing of flights and your arrival).
2nd Day	AM	:: Enjoy a leisurely morning in your hotel and surrounding area where you will have time to prepare for your first visit. Giza Plateau :: Pyramids of Khufu, Khafra and Menkaura. :: The Great Sphinx and the Sphinx Temple and Valley Temple of Khafra. :: Tombs of the Nobles.
	PM	Egyptian Museum - Cairo :: Visit to the Egyptian Museum - A guided tour of the museum that leads you through the wealth of treasures from the Old, Middle and New kingdoms and where you will discover for yourself the treasures of Tutankhamen. :: There will be opportunities to buy souveniers and works of art throughout the day. :: Evening - Board train for overnight journey to Aswan.
3rd Day	AM	Lake Nasser :: Start your Lake Nasser cruise. Visit Abu Simbel and the temples of pharoah Ramses II and his beloved wife Nefertari. :: In the evening enjoy the spectacular Sound & Light show at Abu Simbel temples.
	PM	:: In the evening enjoy the spectacular Sound & Light show at Abu Simbel temples.
4th Day	AM	:: Today set sail and spend the morning visiting the citadel of Kasr Ibrim, sole vestige of the distant past of Nubia in its original location. Explanation is given from the sundeck of the ship as entrance to the site is not permitted.
	PM	:: Continue sailing to Wadi El Seboua. Overnight on board.
5th Day	AM	:: Morning visit to Wadi El Seboua temple, dedicated by Ramses II to the two gods, Amon Ra and Ra Harmakis. The temple of Dakka,†dedicated to Thot, god of divine wisdom, lord of times and science, master of literature. Visit the Graeco-Roman temple of Meharakka.
	PM	:: Sail to Amada. Visit the temple of Amada from the XVIIIth dynasty, built during the reign of Thotmosis III, Amenophis III and Thotmosis IV. Also visit the hemi-speos of Derr, dedicated by Ramses II to the rising sun. Finally, see the tomb of Penout, viceroy of Nubia. Sail to Aswan. Dinner and overnight on board.
6th Day	AM	Aswan :: Arrival in Aswan. Lunch on board.Visit to Kalabsha Temple with its Pharaonic aspect, remodelled into the Graeco-roman style and dedicated to the God Mandoulis. Visit the hemi-speos of Beit El Wali, erected by Ramses II in the beginning of his reign. Also visit the kiosk of Kertassi, erected in honour of the goddess Isis.
	PM	:: Overnight on board in Aswan.
7th Day	AM	Aswan :: Disembarkation after Breakfast. :: Embarkation on Nile Cruise Ship before Lunch :: Visit Philae Temples and the High Dam passing by the Old Aswan Dam
	PM	:: Sail to Kom Ombo :: Visit the Temple Shared by two Gods Sobek and Horus. :: Sail to Edfu and Overnight.
8th Day	AM	Kom Ombo / Edfu :: Visit the Temple of Horus in Edfu :: Overnight in Cairo.
	PM	:: Sail to Esna, pass the Lock, and sail to Luxor :: Belly Dancer or Nubian Show :: Overnight in Luxor
9th Day	AM	Luxor :: Cross to West Bank. :: Visit the Valley of Kings, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at El-Deir El-Bahari and Colossi of Memnon
	PM	:: Free at leisure. :: Overnight in Luxor.
10th Day	AM	Luxor :: Disembarkation after Breakfast. :: Check-in to Hotel :: Remainder of Morning Free - at leisure.
	PM	:: Afternoon Free - at leisure. :: Overnight in Luxor.
11th Day	AM	:: Morning Free - at leisure. :: Opportunity to take part in one of the optional excursions. :: (optional - take a dawn flight in a hot-air ballon over the West Bank and Valley of the Kings.)
	PM	:: Evening - board Overnight Train for Cairo
12th Day	AM	Cairo :: Morning - at leisure :: Opportunity to buy souveniers and for some last minute shopping. :: Free optional visit to a Street Market (Souk)
	PM	:: Journey to Airport :: Airport and onward journey home.

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NB. Prices include all flights, accomodation, transfers and transport in Egypt, entrance fees to museums and sites of antiquities and visits as listed in the itinerary and the services of a tour guide and Egyptologist, but are subject to small price fluctuations, airport tax and fuel surcharges as applied by the airlines at the time of booking. From time to time it may be necessary to change the order of the itinerary due to flight times and train timetables - we do, however, endeavour to keep any changes to a minimum.