15 days 14 nights
Daily Tour
10 people
Dutch, English, Espanol, Francais, German, Italy, Russian
This exceptional tour offers a unique opportunity to sail the entire length of the Nile River, from the Pyramids and Sphinx in Cairo, all the way south to the main Nile cruising section between Luxor and Aswan. For many years, the lower parts of the Nile between Cairo and Abydos were closed to Nile cruisers, and only a handful of boats and departures make the journey from Cairo to Luxor each year. This tour allows you to be one of the few to experience this unforgettable journey and visit sites such as Tel Amarna, Beni Hassan, and Hermopolis, which are rarely visited by tourists. As you sail through some of the Nile Valley’s most rural areas, you’ll get to observe typical Egyptian life passing by on the banks of the river. Once you reach Luxor, the river becomes busier as you visit the west bank sites, including the Valley of the Kings, Queen Hatshepsut Temple, and the Colossi of Memnon. On the east bank, you’ll explore the Karnak and Luxor temples before continuing south past Edfu and Kom Ombo temples to your final destination, Aswan. Here, you’ll have the chance to visit more sites, including the beautiful island temple of Philae, and take an optional tour to the temples of Abu Simbel, which were dismantled and rebuilt when Lake Nasser was flooded. The tour concludes with a transfer to Aswan airport for your flight home, which usually involves a stopoverin Cairo. However, we can extend the tour with more time in Aswan, back in Cairo, or add a Red Sea extension. Shorter sections of the cruise from Cairo-Luxor (12 days), Aswan-Cairo (13 days) and Luxor-Cairo (10 days) are also available on connected dates – please ask for details.
As soon as you arrive at Cairo airport, we'll be there to welcome you and transfer you directly to your Nile Cruise boat. Once you're settled in, the rest of the day is yours to either relax onboard the boat or begin exploring Cairo. In the evening, the boat will be moored up on the Nile in Cairo, providing a stunning and serene backdrop for your first night in Egypt. If you'd like to arrive in Cairo earlier, extra hotel days are available upon request. Overnight: Nile cruise boat Meals: Dinner
Today marks the beginning of your tour, during which you will have the opportunity to visit some of Egypt's most iconic landmarks. Your initial destination is the Pyramids and Sphinx of Giza, which are among the ancient world's seven wonders. Following that, you will proceed to central Cairo to delve into the Pharaonic era's history at the Egyptian Museum, which also houses treasures from the tomb of King Tutankhamun. As the day draws to a close(optional), you will spend your evening on a Nile Cruise boat in Cairo. Overnight: Nile cruise boat Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
As we set sail towards Beni Suef today, you will have the opportunity to witness the serene beauty of rural Egyptian life as our ship navigates along the Nile. The entire day is at your leisure, allowing you to unwind and indulge in the various amenities that our ship has to offer. Overnight: Nile cruise boat Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Our itinerary for today includes several significant destinations, such as the Hawara and Meidum Pyramids situated near the oasis town of Fayoum. These pyramids are a must-see for anyone interested in ancient Egyptian history. We will spend the night on board the Nile Cruise in Beni Suef, allowing you to relax and rejuvenate before we embark on our next adventure. Overnight: Nile cruise boat Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Our day begins with an early morning cruise to Minya, even before breakfast is served. Though the journey is lengthy, we strive to reach our destination by 2pm, just in time for a fulfilling lunch. The afternoon will be spent exploring nearby sites, starting with a visit to Tuna al Gebel, where you will be able to marvel at the Tomb of Petosiris' exceptional blend of Egyptian and Greek architectural styles. After that, we will head to Ashmunein, the location of Hermopolis, a prominent ancient city. Our night will be spent on board the cruise ship in Minya, giving you ample time to rest and recharge for the next day's adventures. Overnight: Nile cruise boat Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
For those with a passion for Ancient Egypt, today promises to be a highlight of the trip. Following breakfast, we will embark on a journey to explore the legendary city of Tel el Amarna, originally known as Akhetaton. The name of the city derives from the nearby village of El-Till and the name of a local Bedouin tribe, while its ancient name, Akhetaton, means 'the horizon of the solar disk' in the ancient Egyptian language. Akhenaten, the heretic pharaoh, controversially relocated Egypt's capital to Akhetaton as a gesture of devotion to the Aten god, after establishing monotheism in Egypt. However, after Akhenaten's death, his son Tutankhamun moved the capital back to Thebes (modern-day Luxor) and restored the polytheistic religion, much to the locals' delight. Akhetaton was subsequently abandoned and almost forgotten until archaeologists rediscovered it. Today, the site is still being excavated, and we eagerly await news of any treasures that may be uncovered. During our visit to Tel el Amarna, we will tour the northern tombs, the ruins of the great palace, and the small and great temples of the Aten. After lunch, we will head to Beni Hassan, where you will have the opportunity to explore four tombs. The tombs at Beni Hassan offer insight into the transitional period between the Old Kingdom-style Mastaba tombs and the famous deepcut tombs that became prevalent throughout the New Kingdom (which you will see later at the Valley of the Kings). We will spend the night on board in Minya, providing you with ample time to relax and recharge before our next adventure. Overnight: Nile cruise boat Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today, we will be spending the entirety of the day on board our cruise boat as we continue our journey south towards Asyut. This gives you the opportunity to sit back, relax, and take in the stunning views of the Nile River as we make our way towards our next destination. Our boat is equipped with various amenities and activities to help you make the most of your day on board. Overnight: Nile cruise boat Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Our journey south to Sohag continues today, and we expect to arrive at approximately 2pm. Our tour will take us to Abydos, the birthplace of the legend of Osiris. According to ancient Egyptian mythology, Osiris was resurrected at Abydos after his brother Seth murdered him. Osiris was then granted the power to become the lord of the Afterlife. During our visit to Abydos, we will also explore the temple of Seti I, the founder of Abydos. Although the temple was not completed during Seti's lifetime, it was eventually finished during the reign of his famous son, Ramses II. In the evening, we will be hosting a black and white party on board the cruise ship, providing you with an opportunity to unwind and socialize while enjoying the stunning views of the Nile River. Overnight: Nile cruise boat Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Our cruise will take us south to Qena today, passing through two fascinating locks and under a railway bridge in the town of Nag Hammadi along the way. These locks and the bridge serve as a testament to the impressive engineering feats of the ancient Egyptians. We will spend the evening on board in Qena, allowing you to relax and enjoy the amenities of the cruise ship. Overnight: Nile cruise boat Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today, our journey takes us a bit further south to the temple of Dendera. This significant temple is devoted to Hathor, the goddess of love, dance, and joy. According to ancient Egyptian beliefs, Hathor possessed healing powers, and thus, many people brought their sick to Dendera to be cured. After ample time spent exploring the temple, we will resume our cruise to Luxor. In the evening, we will be joined by a belly dancer for traditional entertainment, providing you with an opportunity to immerse yourself in Egyptian culture. Overnight: Nile cruise boat Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Luxor is renowned for being the world's largest open-air museum, and this morning we will cross the Nile early to embark on our tour of the West Bank. The Valley of the Kings, located in this ancient burial site, is still revealing its secrets today, making it one of the most significant archaeological sites worldwide. Our tour will include several Pharaonic tombs found in this area, as well as the temple of Queen Hatshepsut. As we explore these historical treasures, we will gain insight into the ancient civilization's beliefs and customs. Overnight: Nile cruise boat Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After enjoying breakfast on board, we will visit the impressive temple complex at Karnak, which was once the religious center of Thebes and Upper Egypt. The complex was connected to Luxor by an extensive avenue lined with sphinxes, while a canal linked the entire complex to the Nile, through which the sacred boats of the god Amun moved. Upon entering the complex through a smaller sphinx-lined avenue built by Ramesses II, we will be met with the immense pylon entrance. The vast courtyard contains three chapels dedicated to the gods Amun, Khous, and Mut. The Hypostyle Hall within the complex is remarkable, with 134 towering columns, each intricately carved with scenes of gods and pharaohs, while hieroglyphic inscriptions adorn the walls. We will also visit the smaller Luxor temple located in the town center. Following our tours, you will have some free time to explore the area before we set sail further south towards Edfu, where we will spend the night on board. This will provide you with an opportunity to relax and reflect on the day's experiences, as well as prepare for the adventures that await us in the coming days. Overnight: Nile cruise boat Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today, we will have the opportunity to visit the impressive Temple of Edfu located along the riverside, which is dedicated to the god Horus. This temple is considered one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt, making it a must-see destination. As we continue our journey south towards Aswan, we will make a stop at the unique double temple of Kom Ombo, which is dedicated to the gods Sobek and Horus. The temple's unusual design ensures that everything is symmetrical along the main temple axis. Additionally, you may have the opportunity to view one of the mummified crocodiles on display at the temple. After our visit to Kom Ombo, we will sail the rest of the way to Aswan, where we will spend the night on board. This provides you with ample time to relax and absorb the beauty of the Nile before we embark on our final adventures on this journey. Overnight: Nile cruise boat Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, we will embark on a short boat trip to visit the stunning island temple of Philae. The temple's serene location and intricate carvings make it one of the most beautiful temples in Egypt, and it is a must-see destination. Following our visit to Philae, we will drive across the Aswan High Dam, which holds back the waters of Lake Nasser. The dam's construction was a remarkable feat of engineering, and it remains a significant landmark in Egypt. After a delicious lunch, we will spend some time visiting the Nubian Museum, which offers a fascinating insight into the history and culture of the Nubian people who inhabit much of southern Egypt. The museum's exhibits include artifacts, sculptures, and displays that showcase Nubian art, architecture, and traditions. This visit will provide you with a deeper understanding of the diverse and rich cultural heritage of Egypt. Overnight: Nile cruise boat Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today marks the end of our tour, and after breakfast, you are free to depart. However, you may wish to consider an optional sunrise tour to the breathtaking temples of Abu Simbel, located on the shores of Lake Nasser. This optional tour requires an early start, but the stunning views and remarkable history of the temples make it well worth the effort. We anticipate returning to Aswan by 1pm, and we recommend planning your departure flight no earlier than 6pm to allow for any unforeseen delays on the road back from Abu Simbel. If you need assistance with extra nights' hotel accommodation in Aswan or international flights into Cairo and out of Aswan (with Egypt Air returning via Cairo), we are happy to provide you with details. Please do not hesitate to ask. Meals: Breakfast
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