Travelpack

Highlights: Cairo - Rive Nile - Aswan - Luxor

Hotels Featured/ Similar:
➤Novotel Cairo El Borg
➤Obelisk Nile Hotel
➤MS Radamis II
➤Pyramisa Isis Luxor

Itinerary:
Sat 21 Sep 2024: Cairo
Flight from London Heathrow to Cairo International Airport
Private Arrival Transfer
Arrive in Cairo, Egypt's vibrant and exhilarating capital. A welcoming place that is home to the best Pharaonic, Coptic, and Islamic sites in Egypt; there is an incredible amount to discover here. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to arrive in Cairo at any time. If you would like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive at Cairo International Airport (CAI), which is a 30-45 minute drive to the hotel. As most flights arrive in Cairo late evening, our welcome meeting will take place in the morning of day two at 7.30 am after breakfast. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, perhaps you might choose to catch your first glimpse of the mighty Nile River, visit the capital's medieval market at Khan el Khalili, or walk down the Nile promenade.
Accomadation: Novotel Cairo El Borg (or similar)
Grade: Comfortable Hotel
Single Room Available
Swimming Pool Available
Meals Provided: None

Sun 22 Sep 2024: In Cairo; visit the Pyramids, Sphinx, and Egyptian Museum
This morning, after our Leader does an initial welcome meeting, we make our way to Giza, where we see the Pyramids and Sphinx; among the most impressive man-made spectacles in the world. We explore the pyramid complex, which includes the Sphinx, a crouching lion with a human head carved from solid rock, and the splendid Granite Temple, with a local guide. After the Pyramids, we visit a papyrus institute, where we will learn about the ancient methods of paper making in the Egypt of the Pharaohs. We'll then have a picnic lunch before visiting the Egyptian Museum; a spectacular repository of over 120,000 items encompassing all aspects of ancient Egyptian life, including ornate jewelry and towering granite statues, mummified remains, and, of course, the remarkable golden treasures of Tutankhamun himself. This evening we enjoyed a traditional meal in a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Novotel Cairo El Borg (or similar)
Grade: Comfortable Hotel
Single Room Available
Swimming Pool Available
Meals Provided: Breakfast

Mon 23 Sep 2024: Free day in Cairo to explore, overnight train to Aswan
Today is a free day for optional trips to the capital. This morning there is the opportunity to visit Saqqara, the impressive steppe pyramid/necropolis of Zozer (Djoser) - the earliest of the pyramids of Egypt; whilst this afternoon you can take a trip to Islamic Cairo to visit the illustrious Citadel, one of Saladin's many strongholds during the Crusades period. There will also be the chance to enter one or more of the medieval mosques of Cairo. Alternatively, you could use this free time to revisit the vast Egyptian Museum. This evening we depart for Aswan on an overnight train in sleeper compartments.
Accommodation:
Overnight Train: Cairo to Aswan
Grade: Comfortable Overnight Train
Single Room Available
Meals Provided: Breakfast And Dinner

Tue 24 Sep 2024: In Aswan; optional Philae Temple and Nubian Village Dinner
Aswan is Egypt's most southerly city, traditionally regarded as the frontier post of Upper Egypt. Sited on the east bank, it stands just below the First Cataract and is the meeting point of Arab culture with Nubia and black Africa. Today we have time to explore Aswan and the surrounding area. Our early arrival allows us time to take an optional excursion to the High Dam, Philae Temple marooned on a picturesque island, and the Unfinished Obelisk. Returning to our hotel around lunch time there is time to relax this afternoon and enjoy independent sightseeing. This evening there will be the opportunity to take a motorboat journey to a traditional Nubian village for a home-cooked dinner with a family who have been friends for many years!
Accommodation: Obelisk Nile Hotel (or similar)
Grade: Comfortable Hotel
Single Room Available
Swimming Pool Available
Meals Provided: Breakfast

Wed 25 Sep 2024: Optional excursion to Abu Simbel, Board cruise boat
Today you may like to take a very early morning trip by bus or air to the fabulous rock-hewn temple of Abu Simbel. Cut into the rock face, this enormous structure was raised 61m to save it from floods created by the Aswan High Dam. The 20m high statues represent Ramses II, known as the great builder. We return to Aswan and board a river cruise boat, our home for the next three nights, just in time for lunch. This afternoon is free for you to enjoy the facilities on board and relax, or explore Aswan's busy market or perhaps have afternoon tea at the Old Cataract Hotel (dress code applies) from where Agatha Christie wrote her novel Death on the Nile. This evening's meal is served back on board. Nile Riverboat cruise On board our cruise, you'll be travelling in style. The entire top deck is a large seating area with a swimming pool, providing a great place to relax and take in the stunning Nile views. The interior comprises several large communal areas; the lounge and bar is a great place to socialize with other passengers. The spacious cabins are spread between two or three floors, depending on the vessel - each hosting a king or twin bed, en suite facilities, a TV, and a mini-bar. All are fitted with air-conditioning and wifi (chargeable). There is also a large restaurant, a reading area, and several shops on board. Evening entertainment is provided on one night during your cruise.
Accommodation: MS Radamis II (or similar)
Grade: Comfortable Boat
Single Room Available
Swimming Pool Available
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Thu 26 Sep 2024: Optional camel and felucca sailing trips, begin sailing and visit Kom Ombo Temple
After breakfast, we offer an optional excursion across to the West Bank to St Simeon's Monastery. We travel here by boat and camel as we head out across the desert. One of the largest Coptic monasteries in Egypt, St Simeon's was built in the 7th century and abandoned in the 13th century. It now sits in isolation at the end of a desert valley, an impressive sight. A 45-minute camel ride brings us to the monastery where we will meet our local guide. After the visit, we remount and return along the bank to our boat. Alternatively, take a traditional felucca boat and sail around the Aswan islands including a visit to the Botanical Gardens. We return in time for our cruise to begin and start sailing, heading north (downstream) towards Kom Ombo where we disembark. Situated on the banks of the river, this temple is particularly unique because it is dedicated to two gods; Haroeris and Sobek, the crocodile god. It is thought that this part of the Nile used to have a large crocodile population, hence the dedication to Sobek. This evening, we continue upstream to Edfu city where we overnight.
Accommodation: MS Radamis II (or similar)
Grade: Comfortable Boat
Single Room Available
Swimming Pool Available
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Fri 27 Sep 2024: Continue to cruise up the Nile towards Luxor
Continuing our cruise towards Luxor, there is a scheduled stop at the Temple of Edfu after breakfast. Following recent feedback, we have suspended the Edfu visit on animal welfare grounds. The only mode of transport to get from the dock to Edfu temple is by locally owned and controlled horse-drawn clashes. The condition and treatment of these horses fall below the standards set out in our animal protection policy. Edfu is an included scheduled stop on the cruise lasting around two hours. The temple is just over 1km from the dock around twenty minutes on foot along a busy road; should you wish to visit the temple on foot please speak to your tour leader. Set sail once again to Luxor, arriving in the late afternoon. The evening is free allowing for time to wander around the souks and busy streets before dinner. Later this evening there is the opportunity to experience the Sound and Light Show at Karnak Temple, an incredible display where Karnak and the story of Egypt come alive.
Accommodation: MS Radamis II (or similar)
Grade: Comfortable Boat
Single Room Available
Swimming Pool Available
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Sat 28 Sep 2024: Cruise ends in Luxor, visit Karnak Temple
This morning we disembarked for the final time and dropped our bags at the hotel before taking a traditional cash ride (horse-drawn carriage) to the Temple of Amun at Karnak, the labour of numerous pharaohs. Built around 2000 BC, this vast temple was still in progress during Cleopatra's reign during the 1st century BC. This afternoon is free to relax after a busy few days or you may like to visit the Workers Tombs and Habu Temple.
Accommodation: Pyramisa Isis Luxor (or similar)
Grade: Comfortable Hotel
Single Room Available
Swimming Pool Available
Meals Provided: Breakfast

Sun 29 Sep 2024: Explore the West Bank and Valley of the Kings
Arguably Egypt's most well-known site, this morning we visit the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Valley of the Kings. Pharaoh Hatshepsut is believed to be the most successful reigning female power of Egypt, no mean feat during Ancient Egyptian times, and was buried alongside her male counterparts in the Valley of the Kings. Historians throughout modern history offer contrasting information about her reign but walking into the shadow of Hatshepsut's immense temple, which is built into the limestone rock face on Luxor's West Bank, is a key symbol of her achievements. The structure is unexpectedly modern by design and was once linked directly with Karnak Temple on the East Bank. We will then transfer on to the world-famous Valley of the Kings, most well known as the burial site of Tutankhamun discovered in 1922 by British Egyptology Howard Carter, along with another 62 royal tombs. Our visit includes entrance to three of the tombs which will be decided on the day, as many are periodically closed for resting and renovation to protect them. After the three, there will be an option to pay a supplement to visit Tutankhamun. We arrive back to our hotel in time to relax for the rest of the afternoon, or you may like to take a stroll to the Luxor Temple and Museum, both of which are within easy walking distance of our hotel.
Accommodation: Pyramisa Isis Luxor (or similar)
Grade: Comfortable Hotel
Single Room Available
Swimming Pool Available
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch

Mon 30 Sep 2024: Trip ends Luxor
The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Luxor. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Luxor at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel, if you wish to explore more of the city before you depart. If you would like an airport transfer today, you need to depart from Luxor International Airport (LXR), which is 20 minutes' drive from the hotel.
Meals Provided: Breakfast
Single Supplements from GBP550.00

Terms & Conditions:
Based on 2 Adults Sharing, Subject to availability

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