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Splendours of the Nile

Sunset on the Nile

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11 days from £1058

excluding international flights

DAY 1 – Arrival in Cairo.

On arrival in Cairo you will be met by our representative who will assist you through immigration and customs. You will then be taken by private car direct to your hotel. Recommended flight from London: bmi from London Heathrow (see below). If you are travelling from a country other than the UK we would be happy to give you guidance on your flight options.

DAY 2 – Pyramids, Sphinx and Solar Boat Museum.

Morning visit to the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, and the Solar Boat Museum [more]. The afternoon is free, with the option of visiting the site of ancient Memphis and the funerary complex of Zoser at Saqqara [more].  In the evening there is the option of attending the Sound and Light Performance at the Pyramids [more].
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 3 – The Egyptian Museum.

Morning visit to the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities [more].  Return to your hotel in Giza for lunch, or you may choose to stay on in the city and enjoy one of 3 optional excursions in the Old City of Cairo: The Citadel of Saladin, Mosque of Mohamed Ali and the Khanal-Khalili bazaar [more], Islamic Cairo [more], or The Coptic Museum and the Gayer-Anderson House [more].
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 4 – Fly to Luxor to join your Nile Cruise.

After breakfast you will be collected and taken to Cairo Airport for the short flight to Luxor. On arrival you will be met and transferred direct to the M.S. Sun Ray at its mooring on the eastern banks of the Nile. This excellent cruise ship will be your home for the next 7 nights. The remainder of today is at leisure. Overnight in Luxor.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner.

DAY 5 – Valley of the Kings and Western Thebes.  Sail to Edfu.

In the early morning cross the Nile to visit the magnificent archaeological remains of Western Thebes [more].  In the afternoon sail via the Esna Lock to Edfu.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner.

Pictured Left: the monumental Temple of Queen Hapshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, Western Thebes.

DAY 6 – Temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo.  Sail to Aswan.

Step ashore to visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu [more]. Return to the M.S. Sun Ray and sail to Kom Ombo [more].  Continue sailing to Aswan.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner.

DAY 7 – Aswan sightseeing including the Temple of Philae.

Aswan, gateway to Nubia, is situated downriver from the First Cataract on the Nile. It was here that the British built a dam between 1898 and 1902, but this was superseded by the Aswan High Dam, constructed by President Nasser in the 1960s, resulting in the creation of Lake Nasser, the largest artificial lake in the world.  In the morning you will visit the city's highlights, including the Temple of Philae [more]. In the afternoon enjoy a felucca sail on the Nile.  Overnight in Aswan.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner.

DAY 8 - Aswan.

Day at leisure in Aswan. An optional excursion by air may be taken in the morning to visit the incredible temples at Abu Simbel on the shores of Lake Nasser.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner.

DAY 9 - Sail to Luxor.

A leisurely day spent sailing on the Nile back to Luxor.  Overnight in Luxor.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner.

DAY 10 – Karnak and Luxor Temples.  Sail to Edfu.

As ancient Thebes, Luxor was the capital of Egypt’s New Kingdom(1550-1069 BC) and has attracted tourists and travellers since Greek and Roman times with its incomparable wealth of monuments. In the morning there are included visits to the two great Pharaonic temples of the East Bank: Karnak and Luxor temples [more]. The afternoon is at leisure in Luxor.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner.

DAY 11 – Fly back to Cairo to connect with your homeward flight.

Disembark after breakfast. In the early afternoon fly back to Cairo to connect with your homeward flight.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

EXTEND YOUR STAY IN EGYPT

We offer a choice of extensions after your cruise.

LUXOR, AN 'OPEN-AIR MUSEUM'

Unwind in your hotel, go shopping in the souk, or perhaps take a felucca ride on the Nile.  Our favourite hotel is the Moorish-style Hotel Al Moudira [more], which enjoys a peaceful location on the West Bank near the Valley of the Kings.  If you prefer to stay in Luxor town itself on the East Bank, we have a selection of excellent hotels for you to choose from.

Alternatively, why not spend some relaxing days beside the warm waters of the Red Sea?

THE OBEROI SAHL HASHEESH

A 3 hour road journey from Luxor will take you through the eastern desert to the Red Sea coast to reach the Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh [more], a secluded haven boasting white sands, aquamarine waters and vibrabtly-hued marine life.  This is in our opinion simply Egypt's top resort hotel.

International Flights

We recommend the services of bmi from LondonHeathrow. Flights are non-stop and have a choice of classes. Currenttimings (subject to possible change) are as follows:
Heathrow/Cairo. Depart at 09.15; arrive Cairo at 16.20
Cairo/Heathrow. Depart at 17.25; arrive Heathrow at 20.50

Splendours of the Nile (Tour Reference: WDEG007)
2010/2011 Departures
Price per person based on a minimum of two persons travelling together:

Single Room Supplements on request.

The price includes:

• Scheduled domestic flights on EgyptAir from Cairo to Luxor (and v.v.), including local airport taxes.
• Hotel accommodation as listed above in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities.
• 10 full breakfasts, 7 lunches and 7 dinners as shown in the itinerary. During the M.S. Sun Ray Nile Cruise, a light afternoon tea will also be served.
• Private transfers at each location.
• All sightseeing as shown (unless indicated as ‘optional’), including entrance fees.
• The services of a private guide for the included sightseeing in Cairo. During the cruise you will join other passengers and have the services of the boat’s English-speaking guide.

Not included in the price:

• International flights (see our recommendation above). We are happy to discuss the flights with you and give you further guidance.
• Optional sightseeing. It is recommended that the optional excursion by air to Abu Simbel is booked prior to your departure from the UK (current price £160 per person).
• International airport taxes.
• Tipping. We will be pleased to give guidance in this often sensitive matter.
• Your Egyptian visa.  This can be obtained on arrival at Cairo Airport (no forms or photos required).  The current cost is 15 US dollars per person.
  

A deposit of £250 per person is required at the time of booking. The balance of the price for your travel arrangements must be paid at least 8 weeks before your departure date.