Nile & Lake Nasser

Discover the wonders of Egypt in style, combining an elegant cruise along the mighty Nile with a wonderful voyage on vast Lake Nasser. See this ancient country’s most famous attractions as well as lesser visited treasures.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
•   Visit Luxor’s East Bank
•   Journey to the beautifully preserved Temple of Hathor
•   See the Valleys of the Kings and Queens on Luxor's West Bank
•   Marvel at Aswan's High Dam
•   Sail to Kalabsha Temple
•   Visit Wadi el Sebou
•   See the rock-cut Temple of Derr
•   Sail to former fortress Kasr Ibrim
•   Discover magnificent Abu Simbel

Guide

Both cruises are accompanied by a local English speaking guide/Egyptologist. Extensions are not escorted but assistance is provided by our local representative.

MEAL PLAN
Breakfast, lunch and dinner aboard the MS Sun Ray, breakfast at the Mövenpick Resort Aswan, breakfast, lunch and dinner aboard the Jaz Omar el Khayam, breakfast in Cairo. Breakfast is included on the Cairo and Luxor extensions.

ACCOMMODATION
4 and 5 star accommodation as described.

GRATUITIES
We recommend tipping your guide and boat crew at the end of each cruise. Small amounts are recommended for hotel porterage.

TRAVEL TIPS
It is advisable to take a sun hat and glasses and a few jumpers especially during the winter months of December, January and February. A camera is a must.

NB
Itineraries are subject to change with little or no notice. Entrance fees to antiquities can increase with little notice.

DAY 1 - LUXOR
On arrival, transfer to the popular MS Sun Ray (five star) to embark on your four night cruise to Aswan. Spend the first two nights in Luxor.

DAY 2 - LUXOR
This morning, visit Luxor’s East Bank. Explore Karnak – the world’s largest ancient religious site. Known in ancient times as Ipet-isut, ‘the most selected/sacred of places’, its temples, chapels and precincts were developed over an astounding 1300 years. Also see the great temple of Luxor, with an imposing obelisk of Rameses II at its entrance. This afternoon, journey by coach to the Dendera Temple complex and see the Temple of Hathor, goddess of love - one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt.

Day 3 - LUXOR TO EDFU
After breakfast, visit the West Bank of Luxor, home to the Colossi of Memnon, and see the famous Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens. Stop briefly to view the Temple of Hatshepsut, the only female pharaoh. Later, set sail for Edfu, where you will spend the night.

DAY 4 - EDFU TO ASWAN
Sail to Kom Ombo, a unique double temple devoted to Sobek and Haroeris, set on a beautiful site on the banks of the Nile. Continue sailing to Aswan to spend the night.

DAY 5 - ASWAN
After breakfast, marvel at the High Dam, an amazing feat of engineering built to provide electricity for rural areas of Egypt. Visit an ancient quarry to see the ‘unfinished obelisk’, providing an intriguing insight into ancient stone-working techniques, as well as the Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis and located on a small island on the Nile. Depart the MS Sun Ray and spend tonight at the Mövenpick Resort Aswan (four star), situated on Elephantine Island in the middle of the Nile.

DAY 6 - ASWAN
Today you will board the spacious Jaz Omar el Khayam (four and a half star) to begin your four night cruise on Lake Nasser to Abu Simbel. Overnight in Aswan.

DAY 7 - ASWAN TO WADI EL SEBOU
Set sail for Kalabsha to visit its temple. Built by the Roman Emperor Octavius Augustus yet never completed, the temple of Kalabsha was relocated after the construction of the Aswan High Dam. Later, sail onwards to Wadi el Sebou for an overnight stay.

DAY 8 - WADI EL SEBOU TO AMADA
Visit the temple at Wadi el Sebou – the ‘valley of the lions’ – whose name is reflected in the line of sphinx that guard it. Sail to Amada and visit the oldest temple in Nubia, the rock-cut Temple of Derr. Spend tonight in Amada.

DAY 9 - AMADA to ABU SIMBEL
An early sail to Kasr Ibrim awaits this morning. A former fortress, it has survived more than one Nile flood and today remains an important archaeological site. Viewing the site from the sundeck of the Omar el Khayam provides one of the best vantage points. Later, sail onwards to Abu Simbel, one of the highlights of your trip. See the two magnificent rock temples on the bank of Lake Nasser, originally carved out of the mountainside in the 13th Century BC but relocated entirely in the 1960s. Around 22 February and 22 October each year – allegedly the King’s birthday and coronation – the sun’s rays shine through the temple, illuminating the shrine within. Overnight at Abu Simbel.

DAY 10 - ABU SIMBEL TO CAIRO
Depart the Jaz Omar el Khayam. Fly from Abu Simbel via Aswan to Cairo for one night at the Mövenpick Resort Cairo Pyramids.

DAY 11 - CAIRO
Depart for your onward journey or choose to extend your stay.

YOUR CHOICE OF EXTENSIONS

CAIRO

Choose to explore Egypt’s most famous city, with its iconic historical attractions, vibrant markets and incredible architecture.

DAY 11
Extend your stay at the Mövenpick Resort Cairo Pyramids for two further nights in a Standard Room.

DAY 13
Depart for your onward journey.

LUXOR

Return to Luxor to explore the ancient temples ansd historical sites of this fascinating open-air museum.

DAY 10
On departure from the Jaz Omar el Khayam, fly to Aswan then travel by road to Luxor for three nights at the Sofitel Winter Palace in a Classic Gardenview Room.
DAY 13
Depart for your onward journey.