Best of the Nile

A 9-Day Tour of Egypt : Cairo a Nile Cruise and Abu Simbel Temples

We have even included all the tips

Weekly in Cairo . Cruise embarkation from Aswan or Luxor, embarkation days vary between Deluxe, First class , as well as the different cruise boats, we will try our best to accommodate your dates/confirmation on one of the following boats or similar:
Radamis , Sonesta Moon Goddess or Lady Diana Nile Cruise for the 5 star category

DAY 1 - Cairo - Weekly in Cairo year round
Arrive at Cairo Airport, on a Sunday , Tuesday, or a Wednesday
Visa fee is included & issued upon arrival for citizens of : EU, US, Australia, NZ, Canada, & Japan, you're responsible for your passport being in order & valid at least for 6 month beyond the date of arrival. Transfer is included to your hotel:
Deluxe : Grand Hyatt , Le Meridien , Cairo Marriott or similar, First Class : Oases or Maadi.

DAY 2 - CAIRO (BL)
Today we get to know the great Egyptian capital on a full-day tour. We start at the Egyptian Museum, including the Mummy room & Tutankhamoun Treasures, off to Sultan Hassan Madrassa , then go on to Saladin's citadel with its alabaster mosque. After lunch at Abu El Sid restaurant or Hadaik Al-Azhar Park restaurant ,we'll conclude with a walking tour of the Khan El Khalili Bazaar district.

DAY 3 - CAIRO / ASWAN/ Abu Simbel (B)
Early breakfast at the hotel. Very Early morning Transfer is included from your hotel to the airport.
Domestic air fare between Cairo & the cruise is included, issued & delivered in Cairo . Your flight will make a brief stop in Aswan then continues on to Abu Simbel .

In Abu Simbel : Tour the mighty Temples of Ramses the Great & his Queen:
In the larger temple, colossal figures of Ramses are seated with the gods and attended by his queen and daughters.
The smaller temple is dedicated to Queen Nefertari, who appears as Hathor, the goddess of love, joy and fertility, symbolized by the benevolent cow. We explore these fine temple by ourselves in the quiet of the morning, admiring their ancient aura and artistry, before we head back to Aswan by air.

Upon Arrival in Aswan : We proceed to the Old Cataract Hotel ( Deluxe ), or Basma Hotel Aswan ( First Class ) , overlooking the Nile and the ancient island of Elephantine. Remainder of the day at leisure.

Day 4 - Aswan - KOM OMBO (BLD)
Breakfast is included at the hotel .
We have several vessels available , embarkation on Wednesdays & Fridays , upon arrival our local rep will assist with your transfer from the hotel to your luxury Nile Cruise.
Check in on our luxury cruiser in the morning, then visit the Aswan High Dam, the red granite quarries of the ancient pharaohs, Nubian Museum, and the Island temple of Philae , dedicated to the Ancient Goddess ISIS :

The Mystery of Isis : Two millennia ago the Mediterranean world was enthralled by the mystery of Isis:

"I, Isis, am all that has been, that is or shall be; no mortal man hath ever seen me unveiled."

Called Aset by the ancient Egyptians, the goddess was a Madonna in the Mediterranean tradition that stretches far, far back to the primitive Mother Goddess from Anatolia, home to some of the oldest human communities on earth.

Isis was the powerful and quick-witted protector of her son Horus, the Sun God. Ancient peoples throughout the Mediterranean regarded Isis and Horus as the perfect Madonna and Child. Another legend says she was
also the mother of the fertility god Min who, judging from the depiction of him on temple walls, needed no help from Viagra!

Because of her wisdom and skill at protection, she was admired as a good magician capable of healing the sick and protecting the dead in their journey to the Underworld.

Isis is portrayed regally, as a queen seated on a throne (which may be the meaning of her name), often holding her son Horus as a baby. Other images show her with broad, magnificent gilded wings able to protect the world. Isis, the great Mother Goddess. Come explore her mystery in timeless Egypt when you Travel in Style!

After a shipboard lunch, we set sail for Kom Ombo, where we explore the twin Temples of Haroeris and Sobek. We continue our cruise to Edfu, where we dock for the night.

DAY 5 - EDFU & LUXOR (BLD)
We board horse-drawn carriages (or motor vans) for the ride to Edfu's Temple of Horus, one of the best-preserved Ancient Egyptian temples on the Nile. After lunch , we continue our cruise down the Nile to Luxor. Afternoon tea is served on the sun -deck. Dinner & entertainment on board.

DAY 6 - LUXOR & THEBES (BLD)
Today we tour the Valley of the Kings, Queen Hatshepsut's Temple of El Deir El Bahari , and the Colossi of Memnon. After lunch, the afternoon is free for shopping. Afternoon tea is served on deck. Dinner & folk dance show on board.

DAY 7 - LUXOR & KARNAK (B)
After breakfast, check - out
We tour the Great Temple of Amon at Karnak , the "mother" of all temples, and the smaller yet charming Temple of Luxor, checking out of our cruise vessel before lunch. Transfer is included back to Aswan airport
Domestic air fare is included as well back to Cairo .
In Cairo , we meet you at the airport & escort you back to your hotel: Deluxe : Grand Hyatt, Le Meridien , Sonesta , Cairo Marriott or similar, First Class : Novotel by the Airport, or Oases by the Pyramids.

DAY 8 - CAIRO- Giza (BLD)
Today we'll motor to the edge of Cairo, to the mysterious Sphinx , Cheopa Royal Barge Museum and the Pyramids of Giza. Those who are fit and adventurous enough may wish to penetrate into the heart of the Great Pyramid, to the King's Chamber (or the interior of Kephren Pyramid). Lunch is included at the Mena House . The afternoon is for Memphis , Sakkara and the Step Pyramid of Zoser . Dinner is includd at La Bodega Restaurant.

DAY 9 - Departure - Cairo (B)
After breakfast, check-out, transfer to Cairo Airport. Salam . Bon Voyage. Have a nice flight .Itinerary is subject to change without notice.( More cruise images)

RATES per person in USD for the 8 Day Program

Christmas, New Year's & Easter Weeks : Please add %15 to the above listed rates

Sample 4 stars cruises : MS Ruby . Presidential Nile Cruises , MS Nile Dream

Rates for the Five Star Deluxe - Rates per person in USD

Sample deluxe cruises

M/S Monaco , M/S Monte Carlo , M/S Mojito
Queen of Hansa ,MS Solitaire. MS Renaissance . MS Beau Soleil

MS Adonis , M/S Florence . MS Mirage

Rate Includes :

• Bottled water (one large bottle per person daily while on board the cruise)
• Tea or coffee and one small bottled water per person with each meal daily while on board the cruise.
• One night hotel accommodation in Aswan at the Old Cataract or similar ( Nile view room) ,or Basma Hotel ( or similar) for first class
• Two nights hotel accommodation in Cairo : Deluxe : Grand Hyatt, Le Meridien , Gezirah Sheraton or similar, First Class : Novotel by the Airport, or Oases by the Pyramids.
• Abu Simbel group tour & entrance fees
• Welcome fruit basket on board the cruise
• Nile Cruise as per itinerary including all shore excursions.
• All entrance fees and the service of an English speaking guide .
• Meals B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner. As well as afternoon tea daily, on board the cruise
• Domestic air tickets between Cairo & the cruise, as well as ABU SIMBEL, tickets are issued & delivered in Cairo .
• All domestic airport/ cruise transfers as listed in Egypt.
• Visa fee issued upon arrival to citizens of : USA, EU, Canada, Australia, NZ, Singapore & Japan

Lady Diana

Rates are per person in US Itinerary is subject to change without notice.

Not Included :

• Tips.
• International air fare .
• Trip cancellation & travel insurance
  

Boarding the cruise is from either Luxor or Aswan, depending on the availability at the time of booking.

YOU will not require any, our dining rooms do accommodate all our guests in one seating, one less thing to worry about while you are on the Nile. Enjoy the cosmopolitan atmosphere with several different languages being heard at dinner.

* Do we get sea sickness while sailing the Nile ?
This is river sailing, so do not expect any waves , no rough seas ! Your Nile cruises is actually a floating hotel that moves from place to place along the Nile. Actual cruising times are short and pleasant.

What to Pack:
Most of the year look forward to warm, even hot weather in Luxor & Aswan, morning & evenings are cooler. For Shore excursions, we suggest comfortable cotton & natural fabric lightweight clothing. Comfortable walking shoes are essential.

Clothing on Board:
Lightweight comfortable & casual clothing. Swimsuits, sun hat. Dining room dress code is casual for breakfast & lunch, but smart casual for dinner. All ships are fully air conditioned

Children Discount:
- Four year of age ( or younger) , sharing with parents : Free of charges.
- Four years & one day up to 11 years of age : % 50 discount. Sharing with a minimum of 2 adults
- 12 years of age or older : Regular rate applies

On board the ultra deluxe Radamis II -Movenpick Nile Cruise

On board the ultra deluxe Movenpick Nile Cruises