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Nile Cruises
Exploring the Nile valley on board of one of numerous luxurious cruise ships is utterly enchanting - watch lush landscape, charming villages and ancient monuments gliding by! You can choose to spend three or four nights on board ship, seeing the most beautiful stretch of Egypt between Luxor and Aswan, or even decide on a seven nights’ cruise, going Luxor - Aswan and back. Besides, there are cruises on Lake Nasser connecting Abu Simbel to Aswan and visiting the Nubian temples on the way. Nowadays there are hundreds of cruise ships operating on the Nile from * up to 5*deluxe, most of them with a fluctuating standard of service and comfort within one category.
We visit the cruise ships regularly to view and choose among these the cruises which offer the highest level of service and cleanliness combined with tasteful food and elegant ambience. Thus we can offer to our partners a selection of the best cruises available at competitive rates.
In general, a classical Nile Cruise is combined with two or three days’ sightseeing in Cairo to view the pyramids and the Egyptian museum, with domestic flights offering a comfortable connection to Upper Egypt, or with a sleeper train available instead of domestic flights. It is also possible to add a few days’ relaxation on the Red Sea beaches in Hurghada, going by bus after disembarkation in Luxor or Aswan. The variations can be made to fit every flight schedule and port of arrival.
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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 |
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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 home to the tombs of the rulers of the New Kingdom (ca. 1550 - 1069 BC). We visit three tombs there. We then visit the terrace temple of Hatshepsut the 18th of the holy Phoibammon, which was used until the 11th century. We end the excursion with a stop at the Colossi of Memnon. Back to the ship for lunch. Start of the cruise towards Esna to the lock. The ship glides quietly along the Nile; you have the opportunity to observe the fellah population in the villages and in the fields. Overnight stay on board in Edfu. (BLD) Day 6: Nile cruise: Edfu - Kom Ombo - 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 Ptolemaic rule over Egypt. Continuation of the cruise to Kom Ombo, visit to the double temple of Haoeris and the crocodile god Sobek, then.The last leg of the cruise leads through particularly beautiful riverside scenery. Golden sand hills rise up behind the narrow green strip of cultivated land. Overnight stay on board in Aswan (BLD). Day 7: Nile cruise: Aswan In the morning, visit the relocated temples of Philae/Agilkia Island, the Sadd el Ali High Dam and the unfinished obelisk. The afternoon is free. Overnight stay in hotel. (BLD) Day 8: Nile cruise: Aswan - Abu Simbel The morning is at leisure. Optional: excursion by coach and tour guide to Abu Simbel and visit to the famous rock temple complex. The great temple of Ramses II was moved more than 60 m higher due to the rising waters of the Nasser Reservoir. Its longitudinal axis is precisely aligned with the sunrise; twice a year the sun's rays fall exactly into the temple's holy of holies. Back to the ship in the early afternoon and lunch on board. The afternoon is free. Overnight stay on board in Aswan. (BLD) Day 9: Aswan In the morning, sail around the Nile islands of Aswan on a typical Egyptian felucca and after lunch start the cruise towards Kom Ombo. This stage of the cruise leads through particularly beautiful riverside scenery. Golden sand hills rise up behind the narrow green strip of cultivated land. In the late afternoon, visit the double temple of Haoeris and the crocodile god Sobek in Kom Ombo, then continue the cruise. Overnight stay on board in Edfu. (BLD) Day 10: Nile cruise: Edfu – Luxor On this day you can relax, swim in the pool and enjoy the cruise.The ship glides quietly along the Nile; you have the opportunity to observe the fellah population in the villages and in the fields. Afternoon we visit to the extensive temple complex of Karnak: the largest temple complex in Egypt has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1979, together with the Luxor Temple and the Theban Necropolis. Overnight stay on board. (BLD) Day 11: Disembarkation - Departure Disembarkation after breakfast. Transfer to Luxor airport or to your extension hotel in Hurghada. End of the service. (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) |
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