Nasser Lake Cruise and Nile Cruise
Tour description
Combining the pyramids, sphinx and Egyptian Museum in Cairo with a luxury Nile Cruise is one of the world's classic holidays, and one of our most popular. Our Lake Nasser and the Nile tour includes all of this plus an additional 3-night cruise on Lake Nasser to visit the lesser known temples which straddle its shores, including the great temple of Abu Simbel.
We begin our tour in Cairo where we are introduced to Egyptian History with a visit to the Pyramids, Sphinx and Egypt Museum, home of the famous Tutankhamun exhibit. On the evening of day 2 we take the overnight sleeper train south to Luxor.
Luxor is commonly described as the world's largest open air museum. We arrive early in the morning, and board our luxury Nile cruise boat for breakfast, before visiting the huge temple complex at Karnak. Around midday we return to the boat for lunch and to check in. The remainder of the afternoon is free to explore Luxor's markets, or perhaps visit the Mummification Museum. In the evening we visit Luxor temple in the center of town when it is beautifully lit up.
On day 4 we start early to explore the West Bank of the Nile before the big crowds and the extreme heat of the middle of the day arrive. Our tours here take in the Valley of the Kings, where many Pharaohs were buried, the unique temple of Queen Hatshepsut, and also the less visited Medinat Habu temple which has some of Egypt's deepest carved hieroglyphs and colorful wall paintings, really giving a sense of how these temples used to look at their peak. Our final stop is at the Colossi of Memnon before we head back to the cruise boat. After returning to the boat we set sail, heading south, up-river and through the locks on the Nile at Esna, before arriving at Edfu where we spend the night onboard. After visiting the impressive Edfu temple, we sail further up-river, stopping at Komombo, before reaching the laid-back town of Aswan, which sits on the banks of the Nile. We spend 1 night in Aswan onboard the cruise boat before joining a convoy to drive south, along the banks of Lake Nasser to Abu Simbel, where we join our Lake Nasser cruise. After lunch onboard we have an afternoon tour to the colossal temples of Ramses at Abu Simbel before spending the night onboard close by. In the evening you have the option of revisiting Abu Simbel for the Sound and Light show.
Our boat sets sail from Abu Simbel whilst enjoying breakfast onboard. We will beable to view the Citadel of Kasr Ibrim from the top deck of the boat. Unfortunately, entry into the Citadel is no longer permitted. Before lunch you will have tours to visit the Temples of Amada and Derr, as well as the tomb of Penout. Whilst having lunch onboard you cruise continues towards Wadi el Seboua where you spend the night onboard. After breakfast you have a morning tour of Wadi el Seboua Temple before riding a camel (or walking) to el Dakka and Mehraka. Later on in the afternoon the boat continues to Aswan where you spend your final night onboard.
On your final day in Aswan you will visit the Kalabsha Temple, Kiosk or Kertassi at Beit el Wali and the beautiful island temple of Philae. From Aswan you return to Cairo by air and our last tour takes in the Citadel with great views over the city, several beautiful mosques, the ancient churches of Coptic Cairo, and the bustling Khan-el-Khalili bazaar. Your tour ends in Cairo with a transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Itinerary
· Day 1:
· Arrive in Cairo
We meet you at Cairo airport and transfer you to a deluxe 5-star hotel (normally the Oberoi Mena House). The rest of the day is free for you to settle in and relax.
· Day 2:
· Cairo - Pyramids, Sphinx & Museum tour
We enjoy a full day tour today to the majestic Pyramids and Sphinx at Gisa, and also to the famous Egyptian Museum. In the evening we transfer to the station for the overnight sleeper train journey to Luxor.
· Day 3:
· Luxor - Board cruise boat. Karnak and Luxor temples
After arriving early into Luxor this morning, we board our luxury Nile cruise boat for breakfast before visiting the huge temple complex at Karnak. Our cabins are available at lunchtime and the afternoon is free to relax or explore Luxor. In the evening we visit Luxor temple in the centre of town.
· Day 4:
· Luxor - West bank tour, sail to Edfu
This morning we tour the West Bank of the Nile and explore the Pharaonic tombs in the Valley of the Kings, Queen Hatchepsut and Medinat Habu temples, and the Colossi of Memnon. In the afternoon we sail up-river and cross through the lock on the Nile at Esna before continuing to Edfu. Before the tour starts this morning, you also have the option of a spectacular hot air balloon flight to see the sun rise over the West Bank of the Nile.
· Day 5:
· Edfu and Komombo temples. Sail to Aswan
We visit Edfu temple this morning, before continuing to sail up the Nile to Aswan, breaking the journey at the temple at Komombo en-route.
· Day 6:
· Aswan. Free time, island felucca trip
The Nile is at its most picturesque in Aswan, and we have this morning free to explore the town, its markets, and to walk along the Corniche or visit the Nubian Museum. In the afternoon we take a felucca sailboat trip around Kitchener and Elephantine islands.
You also have the option this evening to visit Philae Temple for the Sound and Light show.
· Day 7:
· Board Lake Nasser cruise. Tour temples of Abu Simbel
We have a little free time in Aswan this morning before joining the 11am convoy to drive south to Abu Simbel. The drive takes around 3 hours and we should arrive at approximately 2pm. After boarding you Lake Nasser cruise ship and enjoying lunch on-board, we have an afternoon tour of the impressive temples of Abu Simbel, which were saved from the rising water of Lake Nasser. In the evening you have the opportunity to return to the temples for the Sound and Light show.
· Day 8:
· Sail to Wadi el Seboua via Kasr Ibrim, Temples of Amada and Derr and the Tomb of Penout
This morning we enjoy breakfast on-board whilst starting our journey across Lake Nasser. Our first tour is of the Citadel of Kasr Ibrim (this tour is conducted from the deck of the boat as entry to the site is not permitted). Continuing north we leave the boat the visit the Temples of Amada and Derr as well as the Tomb of Penout. We return to the ship for lunch and continue sailing towards Wadi el Seboua.
· Day 9:
· Visit Wadi el Seboua. Camel ride to Temples of Dakka and Mehraka
After breakfast we visit the Wadi el Seboua Temple. The temple was constructed during the reign of Ramses II to celebrate his victory of Kush. The arabic name Wadi el Seboua translates as 'Valley of the Lions', referring to the avenue of sphinxes leading to the temple. After time at Wadi el Seboua you have the option of taking a camel ride or walking to the temples of Dakka and Mehraka. In the afternoon we return to the boat and sail to Aswan where we spend our final night onboard.
· Day 10:
· Visit Kalabsha Temple, Kiosk of Kertassi and Beit al Wali. Disembark cruise and visit Philae Temple. Fly to Cairo
After breakfast we have tours to visit the Kalabsha Temple which is perched on the edge of Lake Nasser, the Kiosk of Kertassi and Beit al Wali. After disembarking the cruise ship we take a boat trip to the beautiful island temple of Philae. Later in the afternoon we take an internal flight with Egypt Air back to Cairo.
· Day 11:
· Cairo - City tour
Our tour of Cairo today includes the Citadel overlooking the city, some important and beautiful mosques, Coptic Cairo, and time to explore and shop in the busy Khan-el-Khalili bazaar. This evening you could take a dinner cruise on the Nile, re-visit the pyramids for a spectacular sound and light show, or enjoy a farewell dinner with other people in your group.
· Day 12:
· Cairo - Tour ends. Airport transfer
Your time is free today until we transfer you to the airport in time for your flight home.
Included
• Accommodation in 5-star hotels and 5-star deluxe cruise boats
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary
• All transfers, including 24-hour airport transfer service
• Tours & guides as indicated on the itinerary
• All transport including flights from Aswan-Cairo
• Overnight sleeper train between Cairo and Luxor
• All site entrance fees
Not Included
• International airfares (available on request)
• Visa costs (available on arrival for most nationalities)
• Meals not indicated in the itinerary
• Drinks, snacks, tips for your guide, and other personal expenses
• Entrance fees to sites not mentioned (mummy room etc..)
• Gala Dinners in hotels/cruise boats on 24 & 31 Dec (if charged)
• Travel insurance (available on request)
• Any other items not mentioned above
