In Search of Egypt's Ancient Lands

13 Days with Abu Simbel
Egypt with an 8 day Nile Cruise , Abu Simbel Excursion and Alexandria

See the Pyramids,the Sphinx, Alexandria , the timeless temples along the Nile in Luxury fit for a Pharaoh. Tour starts weekly in Cairo year round. How would you like to cruise the Nile the way the Pharaoh & Cleopatra did ? These graceful boats will allow you to cruise the great river in a stately Pharaonic style. Our Egyptian adventure" cruise visits Cairo, all of Upper Egypt's top sights, and gives you the chance to see the Ancient city of Alexander the Great , the timeless Nile as adventurers have seen it throughout the ages. Available l in 10 , 12 , 13 days  , 15-day & 14 Days with Red Sea . Add Petra ? . Start Weekly in Cairo on : year round Friday and Wednesday .
20-Day including Minya and Tel Al-Amarna

DAY 1 - CAIRO : Start weekly , year round on : Friday and Wednesday
Upon arrival, we escort you to your comfortable hotel. Meridien, Hilton or Sheraton. Complimentary visa is issued upon arrival for the following nationalities; American, EU , Canadian & Japanese, your passport must be valid for at least 6 month beyond date of arrival. Interested in adding an extra day in Cairo ? please click here .

Visa will be issued upon arrival.
As you exit the gate, you will pass through a door or two , down some stairs , then walk for 2-5 minutes , until you pass the duty free shops, at the end of a wide corridor , you will see the security officers. There you will be met by a local representative, who will be holding a sign with the name you prefer to use for the sign .
Our local representative will then take your passport to obtain a stamp from the cashier / bank window and escort you to speak with the passport officer. He will escort you through another last check on your passport as you exit the passport control, into customs area, he will assist you in collecting your luggage and clearing customs . After exiting the terminal, our local representative will escort you (private vehicle) to the hotel

DAY 2 - GIZA - Saturday & Thursday (cBL)
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. In the evening we return to Giza Plateau for the Sound & Light Show.

DAY 3 - CAIRO & GIZA - Home Hosted Dinner Sunday & Friday (cBLD)
Today we see Cairo's major sights: the Egyptian Museum, including the Mummies Room, The Manial Royal Palace, former residence of Egypt's last crown prince.
Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon tour Saladin's Citadel, the Alabaster Mosque,and the 12th Century Khan El Khalili Bazaar district.

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 - LUXOR - Monday & Saturday (cBLD)
Morning flight to Luxor , we'll escort you to your Nile cruises . Check- in is at noon, if/when you arrive earlier your cabin may not be ready , yet all the public facilities on board are at your disposal.

Complimentary welcome fruit basket awaits you in your cabin.

Today we tour the Ancient Workers Village at Deir El Medineh, the first known "Workers Village" these were the true creative heroes who built the temples & tombs for the mighty Pharaohs of the Nile Kingdom.

Deir El Medinah is on Luxor's west bank you get a totally different perspective on ancient Egyptian life, at the ancient workers' settlement of Deir el-Medinah. While most of the imposing stone monuments and sites of Egypt honor the lives and after-lives of royalty, Deir el-Medinah gives us unique and surprising insights into the ordinary citizens who constructed and decorated the tombs.

Here we'll see the excavated homes shared by laborers with their domestic animals. These quarters were surprisingly large, with three good-sized rooms, courtyard, kitchen, and even storage cellars. While ancient Egypt might not have been a workers' paradise, we'll see that artisans and builders were highly regarded in their community. We are proud to be the only operator to offer regular visits to this singular ancient settlement in its tour and cruise programs. Evening Sound & Light show at Karnak Temple.

DAY 5 - VALLEY OF THE KINGS - Tuesday & Sunday (cBLD)
Today we tour the Valley of the Kings, including King Tut's tomb, Valley of the Queens, Queen Hatshepsut's Temple and the Colossi of Memnon. After a shipboard lunch. Sail for Edfu where we dock for the night.

DAY 6- EDFU & ASWAN - Wednesday & Monday (cBLD)
In Edfu, we board horse-drawn carriages for the ride to the Temple of Horus. The best preserved temple in Egypt. Returning to our ship, we set sail for Aswan .Complimentary Galabya , you may wish to try on for the evening when there's a jolly galabia party aboard.

DAY 7 -ASWAN & Abu Simbel - Thursday & Tuesday (BLD)
Get ready for the tour of Aswan Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk, and Philae Temple ,before we head back for our lunch aboard. In the afternoon we board a graceful felucca and cruise among the islands of the Nile.

Abu Simbel:
Depending on flight confirmation your Abu Simbel flights may be morning or an afternoon ones: Abu Simbel may be considered the highlight of your Egyptian adventure. Fly south over Lake Nasser.
Jacquie Kennedy & Abu Simbel:

All Americans alive during the 1960s remember President John F Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy. Most Americans from that time also remember Abu Simbel, the dramatic, ancient Pharaonic temple threatened by the rising waters blocked by the new Aswan High Dam.It’s worth remembering that it was Jacquie Kennedy who provided crucial support for the mammoth rescue project. Without her help, Abu Simbel might have been lost.Read More.

In Abu Simbel the larger temple dedicated to Ramses the Great , 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 as part of an English speaking group with a local guide ( private touring is available for an an additional $50 per person , minimum 2 guests ) , admiring their ancient aura and artistry, after which we fly back to Aswan Airport and your Nile Cruise.

DAY 8- KOM OMBO - Friday & Wednesday (BLD)
Morning at leisure or join us for an optional tour to Abu Simbel by plane.
In the afternoon we sail for Kom Ombo. Where we dock for the night.

DAY 9 - KOM OMBO - Saturday & Thursday (BLD)
We explore the twin Temples of Haroeris , the Sun God, and Sobek , the Crocodile God, at Kom Ombo, . Returning to our ship in time for tea. We set sail for Luxor.

DAY 10 - LUXOR - Sunday & Friday (BLD)
After breakfast, on to the Gigantic Temple of Karnak & the great temple of Luxor are our goal this morning , after lunch we see the most recent discoveries housed in the relatively new & charming Luxor Museum. Return to our Nile cruiser in time for afternoon tea

DAY 11- LUXOR/ CAIRO / Alexandria - Monday & Saturday (BL)
After breakfast, we check out, and our flight back to Cairo ,where we connect by private car /van to Alexandria; lunch enroute .Subject to availability, and depending on the hotel category you choose : : the Cecil Hotel with the old world charm, or Sheraton or Palestine Montazah Hotel.

DAY 12 - Alexandria & Wadi El Natroun Monasteries / Cairo - Tuesday & Sunday (cBL)
Full day tour of the Catacombs, the Roman Amphitheater, Qayet Bey Fortress .

Qayet Bey Fort was built on the same site of the ancient wonder of the world : the famous Alexandria Light House. A brief stop at " El Selsela" the site of the Underwater reserve where Cleopatra Place was discovered, as well as Caesar Kiosk. Lunch at a local restaurant. Visit the Crown Jewels Museum, then its off to the new site for the Alexandria Library before heading to Wadi El Natroun monastery almost midway to Cairo , where early Coptic Christians retreated here to escape the Roman persecution in the 4th century AD. The Egyptian Pope of Alexandria is always chosen from the Monks of wadi El Natroun. Reach Cairo early evening and your hotel.

Time permitting we 'll visit the new museum in Alexandria , the building was originally built in 1926 for the US consulate in Alexandria and is a masterpiece in 1920's architecture & Mediterranean style buildings.

Octavious visiting Alexander the Great's Tomb in Alexandria just after he defeated Cleopatra & Marc Anthony. He left his coat as a token of respect to Alexander the Great. The search continues for Alexander the Great's Tomb.

DAY 13 - Departure - Wednesday & Monday (cB)
Our staff escorts you to the airport for your flight home. Bon Voyage

Deluxe Hotels & Cruise : RATES per person in USD $

The Deluxe :M/S Nile Vision , MS Mojito. MS Solitaire . MS REnaissance
M/S Adonis , M/S Monaco or M/S Monte Carlo

Dec 20 - Jan 5 & Easter Week : Please add 20 % holiday supplement.

Please add : 20 % supplement for the Ultra Deluxe Boats :

Sample of the The Ultra Deluxe Nile Cruise :

• The Ultra deluxe MS Queen TiYi
  
• The all suites M/S Amarco
  
• The Movenpick New Royal Lotus or the Movenpick MS Radamis II
  
• The M/S Senator : the only yacht on the Nile with only 17 suites , all with private balconies ( Please add 30 % supplement to the listed rate)
  
• The all suites and with private balconies in each suite the Sonesta Moon Goddess
  
• The new Sonesta Star Goddess Nile Cruise ( Mozart Suite )

First class ( 4 stars ) hotels & Cruise

Presidential Nile Cruise or similar

Easter Week , Dec 20 - Jan 5 & Apr 1-30: Please add 20 % holiday supplement.

YOUR TOUR INCLUDES :

• Egyptian domestic airfares as described in the itinerary in " Y " class . But business class for the Deluxe rate.
• All airport transfers and taxes in Egypt.
• Hotel accommodations in the category you select , including taxes.
• Pre set-menu (table d'hôte) meals as indicated in the itinerary above.
• Nile cruise based on your category selection, with all shore excursions and meals .
• Complimentary welcome drink upon arrival on board the Nile Cruise.
• Complimentary welcome fruit basket on board the Nile Cruise.
• Large bottle of water ( per person ) delivered to you cabin daily while you are on board the Nile Cruise.
• Tea or coffee and bottled water with each / every meal while you are on board the Nile Cruise.
• Guided sightseeing by air-conditioned motorcoach, including all admissions fees.
• Visa fee issued upon arrival for Western European , American, Australian, NZ, Singaporean & Japanese citizens, passport must be valid for at least 6 month beyond the date of arrival.
• Abu Simbel Excursion by air.

Not included :

• Tips .
• Insurance and trip cancellation insurance ( please ask us for the flyer).

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.

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