Egypt by River and Rail
A Grand 14 - Day Edition - Nile Cruise Shore Excursion Included

This 14-day Friends Abroad ^tm itinerary includes Abu Simbel Excursions , a four-day (three-night) Nile cruise, and additional time in Cairo to allow you to squeeze in more sightseeing and Nile-side journeys aboard a first-class sleeper train. Extend to Hurgada/Red Sea

Honeymoon or Anniversary cruise on the Nile
Honeymoon on the Nile
Compare with the 14-Day Ultra Deluxe version

DAY 1 - CAIRO (daily ,year round, arrive any day - subject to availability of course)
Our local rep. meets you at the airport and escorts you to your hotel.
Visa fee is not included and maybe issued upon arrival at Cairo Airport for $15 USD in cash or in Euros for a limited number of nationalities such as American , Australian, NZ, Canadian, EU & Japanese citizens with valid passports that are valid for at least 6 month beyond the date of arrival, our local rep. will meet you after you exit the terminal . Compare with the 9 day  ,  10 day , or 11-Day .

DAY 2 - CAIRO (B)
Cairo is yours, explore the city as you wish with your travel guide book in hand. Or ask us for optional tours,

DAY 3 - DAHSOUR - HOME HOSTED MEAL (BL)
After breakfast, we'll motor to the edge of Cairo, to the mysterious Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza. The museum of the Royal Barge of Cheops The museum is built over the rectangular pit that housed the Royal Barge for thousands of years , the wooden boat was readied for the king's daily journey with the sun god, Ra . Discovered in 1954, in a completely dismantled state, the 43-metre (140-foot) cedar boat is a rare window on the Royal boats used by the kings of Ancient Egypt.

Those who are fit and adventurous enough may wish to penetrate into the heart of the Great Pyramid, to the King's Chamber your ticket is included with our compliments (or the interior of Kephren Pyramid). Taking a camel ride (Included) is entirely your own choice!

Continue to Dahshour, the newly-opened pyramid field south of Cairo. We visit the great pyramid of Senfru, father of Cheops, and other structure:

The "Discovery" of Dahshour:
For almost half a century, the great field of huge pyramids near the desert village of Dahshour, 25 miles south of Cairo, has been off limits to the public. Confined within the perimeter of a military base were many pyramids, including the great 4500-year-old pyramid built by Senfru, father of Cheops. Senfru's pyramid, the largest in Egypt until his son built Giza's Great Pyramid, is rhomboidal in shape: it tapers more distinctly on its upper half. All the pyramids were coated in thick plaster at one time. Most have lost these protective, decorative sheaths, but Senfru's--miraculously--is still in place.
Lunch is included at a local restaurant or at your hotel.

Complimentary Dinner is included at a local home:
Meet the locals, you may wish to bring token gifts to exchange with the host family ( T shirt , small souvenirs of your home town):
This evening we'll venture where few ordinary visitors ever tread . . . right into the homes of some of the people of Cairo l! You'll be invited to a family dinner, and while you enjoy wholesome home-cooked specialties, you'll learn about and appreciate the outlook, aspirations, and way of life of your hosts. Be assured, as curious as you may be about your new friends, they're sure to have questions about your own background. Once the ice is broken, you'll enjoy a lively evening, and find that you have more in common than you ever suspected. Of course, you may enjoy a quiet evening with your travel companions, by letting us know your preferences.

DAY 4 - CAIRO / Sleeper Train (BD)
Cairo is yours! Explore it as you like. The Egyptian Museum is in the city center, the Pyramids and Sphinx only a short taxi ride away . In the evening, we depart for Aswan aboard the Nile Express
( Rated: Modest 3 stars ) sleeper train , if you prefer to fly , please click here ) .
On the sleeper train in Egypt you are Always in your own PRIVATE compartment, dinner is included on board.

DAY 5 - ASWAN - (B)
Morning Arrival at Aswan , transfer is included to your hotel. Remainder of the day is yours .

DAY 6 - Abu Simbel -(BD)
We rise before sun rise and proceed by private air-conditioned vehicle , private chauffeur and private Guide to Abu Simbel, We've planned our visit to Abu Simbel to be a highlight of your Egyptian adventure. We drive along the shore of Lake Nasser to this Ancient Egyptian sacred site. 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, after which retire to a comfortable hotel in Abu Simbel , remainder of the day at leisure. Overnight in Abu Simbel. Breakfast & Dinner are included at the hotel

DAY 7 - Abu Simbel / ASWAN / Nile Cruise (BLD)
After breakfast , We escort you to Abu Simbel Airport , fly back to Aswan and your Nile cruise vessel. After a delicious lunch, we tour the awesome Aswan dams, and next an ancient granite quarry complete with an unfinished obelisk. Then we go by motor launch to the island temples of Philae. Re-embarking on our Nile cruiser. We enjoy afternoon tea on board . In the evening, we cast off and cruise down the Nile. Shore excursions on board the cruise are all included in our rate .

DAY 8 - KOM OMBO - EDFU (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 9 - LUXOR (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 and folk dance show on board. Evening Karnak Sound and Light Show , please bring a jacket .

DAY 10 - LUXOR (BLD)
We check out of our cabins after breakfast, but the facilities of the vessel are available to us until the evening. We tour the Great Temple of Amon at Karnak , the "mother" of all temples, and the smaller yet charming Temple of Luxor. Lunch is included on board .In the evening, we escort you to the train station for our first-class sleeper train journey back to Cairo. Dinner is served on board .

DAY 11 - CAIRO /Alexandria (B)
Early morning arrival at Cairo Railway station. Our local rep will meet at the train station, and help with your transfer to Alexandria Express Train, firts class reserved seats.
Upon arrival in Alexandria, our local rep. will be waiting with a sign in your name at the station and assist with your transfer to your hotel : Palestine Montazah for deluxe or Cecile for Deluxe . Remainder of the day : own activities .

DAY 12 - ALEXANDRIA - (B)
Today, you are on your own, maybe you'll get to known Alexandria in depth,or ask us for available optional tours.

DAY 13 -Alexandria- CAIRO (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer back to Alexandria Railway station , first class Express train back to Cairo , where our local rep. awaits you and assist with your transfer to your hotel.

DAY 14 - DEPARTURE (B)
After breakfast, we escort you to the airport. Bon Voyage.

Dec 20 - Jan 2 and Easter Week : 15 % supplement applies

The tour rates include :

• All transfers within Egypt.
• Abu Simbel excursion, including round-trip transfers, entrance fees, & local guide.
• Limited touring as per itinerary in Cairo and Alexandria, including the service of an English speaking guide and entrance fees.
• Hotel accommodations including tax and service charges.
• Complimentary welcome fruit basket upon arrival at your cabin on board the Nile Cruise.
• Complimentary Welcome drink served as you arrive on board the Nile Cruise.
• Pre set menu meals as shown including B = Breakfast, (or cB, Continental Breakfast), L = Lunch, D = Dinner aboard the train.
• Bottled water ( one large bottle per person delivered to your cabin daily while you are on board the cruise).
• Tea or coffee and bottled water with every & each meal while on board the cruise
• Cairo-Aswan and Luxor-Cairo first-class sleeper train tickets.
• Nile cruise, including, all shore excursions, onboard accommodations, and all meals.

Rate does not include:

• International airfares not included.
• Sightseeing tours in Cairo are not included, and are available at additional cost.
• Tips
• Travel Insurance
• Visa fee is not included and maybe issued upon arrival at Cairo Airport for $15 USD in cash or in Euros for a limited number of nationalities such as American , Australian, NZ, Canadian, EU & Japanese citizens with valid passports that are valid for at least 6 month beyond the date of arrival.

Enjoy the Royal Cleopatra sailing boat on the Nile

Royal Cleopatra, available as well with this itinerary, ask for details