Cruise schedules:

Cruise ships move up and downriver between Luxor and Aswan in Upper Egypt. Most of the ships start according to a fixed schedule:

From Luxor on Saturdays and Mondays, on 4 nights cruise,

From Aswan on Fridays and Wednesdays, for 3 nights cruise

From Luxor on Saturdays, Mondays or Thursdays for 7 nights cruise

Nile cruises are on full board, beginning with lunch on the first day and ending with breakfast on the last day. Drinks and personal extras are not included. Passengers sign a bill and pay on the last evening. Please remind your clients to take a look at the drinks’ prices on their first day to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Part of the cruises’ program is also an evening with a costume party (costumes can be made up or rented on board) as well as oriental entertainment with a belly dancer.

During some weeks the Nile is too low for larger ships to pass. This might cause a change of program, for example by bus transfers.

Dahabiyas:

This small sailing boat Dahabiyya, Arabic word for comfortable living boat, is equipped with about 6 cabins with double bed and shower, and sun deck. The traditional sailing boat has eight comfortable outside cabins with air conditioning and private bathroom, large lounge and restaurants. On the sundeck there are deck chairs where you can relax and watch the hustle and bustle on the banks of the Nile. The crew members are from small towns along the route and can always give you good tips during the trip and make contact with locals during the shore excursions. Along the way, you will dock again and again to explore the riverside areas.

Lake Nasser Cruise:

Besides the classical Nile cruise, there is also the possibility to take a cruise on Lake Nasser between Aswan and Abu Simbel or back, visiting the Nubian temples on the way.

Sailing Schedule:

From Aswan on Mondays, on 4 nights cruise,

From Abu Simbel on Fridays, for 3 nights cruise

EG 1b: Cairo & Nile Cruise III

11 days trip: 3 nights Cairo + 7 nights Nile cruise

Day 1: Arrive in Cairo

Upon arrival our representative will meet and assist you to finish all formalities, then you will be transferred to your hotel, overnight at the hotel in Cairo. (D)

Day 2: The Grand Museum and Old Cairo

After breakfast, we will visit the Grand Egyptian Museum. The largest archaeological museum complex in the world houses more than 100,000 artifacts. For the first time, the entire treasure collection of King Tut is on display, in addition to artifacts from prehistoric times through the many thousands of years of Egypt's Pharaonic civilization to the more modern ancient Greek and Roman periods of Egyptian history. We will then drive to Cairo and have a sailboat ride with a picnic on the Nile.

We will then drive to the Old City and visit Bab Zuweila, one of the three surviving city gates of medieval Cairo, founded by the Fatimids in 969 AD. We visit the tomb complex of al-Mu'aiyad Shaykh, built between 1415 and 1420 and consists of a mosque and a madrasa. In the bazaar of the tent makers, we encounter the ancient Orient.  We walk in the quarter of the Nobel Prize winner for literature Naguib Mahfouz. Overnight stay in Cairo. (BD)

Day 3: Cairo: Memphis – Sakkara – Giza

We travel to Memphis, the first capital of Egypt. Here you’ll see the best and the biggest statue of King Ramses the great, one of the greatest kings who ruled Egypt in the new kingdom. In Sakkara, we visit the Step Pyramid, constructed by Imhotep in the 27th century BC. We visit also tow Tombs of the Nobles. After lunch, we pay a visit to the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx. The Great Pyramid of Cheops, constructed from over two million stone blocks, is 135m high. The Sphinx was carved from one solid piece of limestone and measures 50m in length and 22m in height. You may enter one of the pyramids through a long, narrow passageway and explore the deep inner chambers (extra fee applicable). Overnight in Cairo. (BD)

Day 4 (Saturdays or Mondays: Cairo - Luxor - Nile cruise

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the Cairo airport to take your flight to Luxor. Upon arrival, You will start your visits by exploring the Karnak Temple, the largest religious Pharaonic temple ever built in the world, then visit the Luxor temple as well, which was dedicated to the Theban Triad of Amun, Mut, and Chons. At noon embark on your luxury Nile Cruise ship. After Lunch, during free time this late afternoon, we suggest a visit to the excellent Luxor Museum or Mummification Museum. Overnight on Nile cruise. (BLD)

Day 5: Nile cruise: Luxor - Edfu

Early morning visit to the west bank: the Valley of the Kings is especially home to the tombs of the rulers of the New Kingdom (ca. 1550 - 1069 BC). There we visit three tombs. Then we visit the Terrace Temple of Hatshepsut of the 18th Dynasty. In Christian times, the monastery of St. Phoibammon was built on the temple, which was used until the 11th century. We will finish the excursion with a stop at the Memnon Colossi. Back to the ship for the midday meal. Start of the cruise towards Esna to the lock. The ship glides quietly on the Nile; you can observe the fellah population in the villages and in the fields. Overnight on board in Edfu. (BLD)

Day 6: Nile cruise: Edfu - Aswan

In Edfu, we visit the best-preserved temple in Egypt. The temple complex of Edfu was dedicated to the local god Hor-Behdeti, the "Horus of Edfu", and was built during the time of the Ptolemaic rule over Egypt.  Continuation of the cruise to Aswan. This stage of the cruise passes through a particularly beautiful shore landscape. Golden sandhills rise behind the narrow green strip of cultivated land. Overnight on board in Aswan. (BLD)

Day 7: Aswan

After breakfast, you will visit the most beautiful temple in Egypt, the Temple of Isis, located on Philae Island in the middle of the Nile. It is truly an amazing temple, after that visit the High Dam in Aswan. Afternoon free. Overnight on board in Aswan. (BLD)

Day 8: Aswan - Abu Simbel (optional)

The morning is at leisure. Optional: Excursion by bus and guide to Abu Simbel and visit the famous rock temple complex. The great temple of Ramses II was moved more than 60 m higher before the rising waters of the Nasser reservoir. Its longitudinal axis is exactly aligned with the sunrise, twice a year the sun's rays fall exactly into the temple's holy of holies. Afternoon free. Overnight on board. BLD)

Day 9: Aswan –Kom Ombo - Edfu

After breakfast, we have a leisurely sail on a traditional felucca. We ride among the islands dotting the Nile. Up the hill, above the river, is the Mausoleum of the Aga Khan. The main island in the middle of the Nile is called Elephantine Island because many of the rocks look like elephants bathing in the Nile. On the west side of the river is the beautiful Kitchener's Island. In the afternoon the ship departs and sets course downstream to Esna. During the trip, you will enjoy the beautiful landscape of Upper Egypt from the sun deck of the ship. Visit of the double temple of Haoeris and the crocodile god Sobek, then the continuation of the cruise to Edfu. Overnight on board. (BLD)

Day 10: Edfu - Luxor

The whole day is free for relaxing. Arrival in Luxor in the late afternoon. Tonight, you may choose to visit the Sound and Light show at Karnak Temple (optional). Overnight on board. (BLD)

Day 11: Disembarkation and departure

Disembarkation after breakfast. Our representative will escort you to the airport for your final departure. (B)

EG 6a: Cairo & two cruises I

3 nights Cairo + 3 nights Lake Nasser cruise + 3 nights Nile cruise + 1 night Luxor

Day 1: Arrival

Arrival, reception, and transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay in Cairo. (D)

Day 2: Memphis - Sakkara - Giza

Drive to Memphis, the first capital of the united empire, and to the necropolis of Sakkara: visit to the step pyramid of Djoser. Visit to selected tombs of royal. In the afternoon drive to the pyramids of Giza, the Valley Temple of Khafre and the Sphinx. Overnight stay in Cairo. (BD)

Day 3: The Grand Museum and Old Cairo

After breakfast, we will visit the Grand Egyptian Museum. The largest archaeological museum complex in the world houses more than 100,000 artifacts. For the first time, the entire treasure collection of King Tut is on display, in addition to artifacts from prehistoric times through the many thousands of years of Egypt's Pharaonic civilization to the more modern ancient Greek and Roman periods of Egyptian history. We will then drive to Cairo and have a sailboat ride with picnic in the Nile.

We will then drive to the Old City and visit Bab Zuweila, one of the three surviving city gates of medieval Cairo, founded by the Fatimids in 969 AD. We visit the tomb complex of al-Mu'aiyad Shaykh, built between 1415 and 1420 and consists of a mosque and a madrasa. In the bazaar of the tent makers we encounter the ancient Orient.  We walk in the quarter of the Nobel Prize winner for literature Naguib Mahfouz. Overnight stay in Cairo. (BD)

Day 4 (must be Friday): Cairo - Abu Simbel

In the morning, flight to Abu Simbel. At noon embarkation. After lunch we visit the famous rock temples. The huge temple complexes of Ramses II and his wife Nefertari are further highlights of your trip today. The great temple of Ramses II was moved more than 60 meters higher before the rising waters of the Nasser reservoir. Its longitudinal axis is exactly aligned with the sunrise, twice a year the sun's rays fall exactly into the temple's holy of holies. After a guided tour and numerous photographs of the enormous colossal statues, you will experience the sunset at this magical place in the late afternoon. In the evening you can visit the Sound and Light Show (optional). Overnight stay on board in Abu Simbel. (BLD)

Day 5: Abu Simbel - Amada - Wadi el Sebua

Today you will cruise across Lake Nasser to Amada. On the way you will first enjoy the view of the fortress Kasr Ibrim. Afterwards we will continue to Amada. We visit the sandstone temple of Amada, built under Thutmosis III, Amenophis II and Thutmosis IV for the gods Amun-Re and Re-Harachte. The temple is the oldest of the Nubian monuments on Lake Nasser. Its decoration is among the most beautiful temples of Lower Nubia. We also visit the temple of Ed Derr with its well preserved colors, built under Ramses II for Re-Harachte, Amun-Re, Ptah and the deified Ramses II. Finally, we visit the rock tomb of Pennut. The tomb was built by an official in the time of Ramses VI. We continue cruising across the lake. Overnight stay on board in Wadi el Sebue. (BLD)

Day 6: Wadi el Sebua - Aswan

In the morning, you will visit Wadi el-Sebua "Valley of the Lions". Here is the rock temple of Ramses II, which he built for Amun-Re, Re-Harachte and the deified Ramses II on the site of a rock chapel of Amenhotep III for Horus and later transformed into a church by early Christians. We further visit the temple of Dakka with its great pylon, the construction of which was begun by the Meroean king Arkamanti in 220 BC for the god Thoth and expanded under the Ptolemies and Romans. Then continue to the unfinished temple of Maharraqa from the Roman period. After the excursion, continue cruising across Lake Nasser to Aswan. Overnight stay on board in Aswan. (BLD)

Day 7: Disembarkation - Embarkation

End of your Lake Nasser cruise and disembarkation after breakfast. Visit to the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk, and the Temple of Isis on Philae Island. Transfer to your Nile cruise ship, embarkation. The afternoon is free. Overnight on board in Aswan. (BLD)

Day 8: Kom Ombo - Edfu - Luxor

Morning visit to the double temple of Haoeris and the crocodile god Sobek in Kom Ombo, then continuation of the cruise. The ship glides quietly along the Nile; one has the opportunity to observe the fellah population in the villages and in the fields. In Edfu we visit the very well preserved Ptolemaic Temple, dedicated to the falcon god Horus. Continuation by boat to Luxor. Overnight on board. (BLD)

Day 9: Nile cruise: Thebes West

Morning bus ride to Thebes West and visit of the Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut, and the Memnon Colossi. The afternoon is free. Overnight on board. (BLD)

Day 10: Disembarkation in Luxor

Disembarkation after breakfast. Visit the extensive temple complexes of Karnak and the Luxor Temple. The afternoon is free. Overnight stay in hotel. (BD)

Day 11: Departure

Transfer to Luxor airport and departure. (B)

EG 3c: Cairo and Upper Egypt with Dahabiya II

11 Days trip

Day 1: Arrival

You will land at Cairo airport.

A representative of the local travel agency will meet you in the immigration area of the airport and assist you in applying for your visa. Transfer to the Pyramids Valley Boutique Hotel in Giza, located on the edge of the pyramid plateau, from where you will have a fantastic view of the pyramids and the Sphinx. Overnight stay in Cairo. (-)

Day 2: The Grand Museum and Giza

After breakfast, we will visit the Grand Egyptian Museum. The largest archaeological museum complex in the world houses more than 100,000 artifacts. For the first time, the entire treasure collection of King Tut is on display alongside artifacts from prehistoric times through the many thousands of years of Egypt's Pharaonic civilization to the more modern ancient Greek and Roman periods of Egyptian history. Afternoon drive to the pyramids of Giza. The pyramids* of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure are the tallest in Egypt and classic examples of pyramid architecture. They rise on a plateau on the edge of the Western Desert. There the ancient Egyptians believed was located the entrance to the realm of the dead. Next to the pyramids, we admire the Sphinx. Sculpted from the rock, this hermaphrodite with a lion's body (symbol of courage) and a human head (strength of mind) guarded the pharaohs' tombs and was supposed to deter grave robbers. Theologians see in the figure of the Sphinx the primordial creature in humble attitude before God. Overnight stay in Cairo. (BD)

Day 3: Fustat: Coptic Cairo and the New Civilization Museum

Today you will visit the first capital of Arab Egypt. Near the fortress, the Arab commander Amr ibn al-As founded "Fustat" as a military settlement around 643-750. From the city only its mosque, the first mosque in Africa, has been preserved. There you will visit the churches of St.Sergius, built in the 4th century over a dwelling of the Holy Family, the Hanging Church of El Moallaqa, dating back to the 5th century, and the Synagogue of Ben-Ezra, where Moses was found in his basket in the papyrus thicket. In the afternoon we will visit the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. It is the first museum dedicated to the entire Egyptian civilization, where more than 50,000 artifacts - including the royal mummies - tell the stages of development of civilization from the earliest times to modern times. In the bazaar of tent makers, we meet the ancient Orient.  We will walk in the quarter of the Nobel Prize winner for literature Naguib Mahfouz. Dinner and overnight in the sleeper train to Aswan. (BD)

Day 4: Aswan

After arriving in Aswan visit the displaced temples of Philae/Agilkia Island, the high dam of Sadd el Ali and the unfinished obelisk. Afternoon sailboat trip around the Nile islands of Aswan on a typical Egyptian felucca. Overnight in hotel (BD)

Day 5: Aswan - Abu Simbel - Dahabiya (must be Friday)

The morning is at leisure. You can visit the famous spice market of Aswan.  Optional: flight to Abu Simbel and visit the famous rock temple complex. The great temple of Ramses II was moved over 60 meters higher before the rising waters of the Nasser reservoir. Its longitudinal axis is exactly aligned with the sunrise, twice a year the sun's rays fall exactly into the temple's holy of holies. Transfer to Aswan and embarkation on the traditional Dahabiya. Lunch on board. This small sailing boat Dahabiyya, the Arabic word for comfortable living boat, is equipped with about 6 cabins with a double bed and shower, and a sun deck. The traditional sailing boat has eight comfortable outside cabins with air conditioning and a private bathroom, a large lounge, and restaurants. On the sundeck, there are deck chairs where you can relax and watch the hustle and bustle on the banks of the Nile. The crew members are from small towns along the route and can always give you good tips during the trip and make contact with locals during the shore excursions. Along the way, you'll dock repeatedly to explore the riparian areas. The ship sails northward to Kom Ombo. Overnight stay on board. (BLD)

Day 6: Kom Ombo - Fork El Silsila

After breakfast, we visit the double sanctuary of the crocodile-headed Sobek and Haroere, located on the banks of the Nile. We sail on to Jebel el Silsila, the most important quarry in Egypt, many ancient buildings were built from this sandstone. Afterward, we disembark to explore a small village on Bisaw Island and get an impression of rural life along the Nile. The Egyptian peasants who farm the land are also known as "fellahs". Overnight stay on board. (BLD)

Day 7: Edfu - Farwell Dinner - Esna

After breakfast, you will have a carriage ride to the Temple of Horus, dedicated to the falcon-headed god, and visit the temple complex. Return to the pier. We will then sail to an island where we will disembark to have dinner -depending on the weather- served on the banks of the Nile or on the sun deck. You will experience an Egyptian evening with Egyptian cuisine and Arabic music. We sail gently on our way to Esna, overnight on board in Esna. (BLD)

Day 8: Dahabiya - Edfu - Esna - Luxor

During the morning we disembark in Esna. We drive to Luxor, where we have an excursion on the west bank. We will visit the world-famous "Valley of the Kings", the Hatshepsut Temple, and the imposing Memnon Colossi, which are among the most outstanding monuments dating back to the 14th century BC. Transfer to the hotel. The afternoon is free. (BD)

Day 9: Luxor - Karnak - Hurghada

After breakfast, visit Egypt's largest temple complex, the temple city of Karnak. The gigantic cult site was built in honor of the sun god Amun-Re and was constantly expanded by many pharaohs over about two millennia. The Karnak temple is directly connected to the Luxor temple via the Avenue of Aries Sphinxes. The latter is located in the center of the city of Luxor. Afterward, transfer across the Arabian Desert to the Red Sea coast to Hurghada. Dinner and overnight. (AI)

10 Day: Hurghada

Today is free to enjoy the beautiful hotel complex with a variety of facilities, snorkeling, and diving excursions, or explore Hurghada city and the surrounding area. (AI)

Day 11: Departure

Transfer to Hurghada airport and departure. (B)

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