11 minute read
Wonders of the Nile
Great Sphinx of Giza
The long cruise from Cairo
Egypt, just the name is enough to set your imagination back in history – to a time when Pharaohs controlled a mysterious and fabulously wealthy empire which lasted virtually intact for over 5,000 years! Cruise the famed River Nile and experience ancient pyramids, astonishing temples and lesser-known monuments.
FROM THE PYRAMIDS TO LUXOR: 11 DAYS FROM £3,099
FROM THE PYRAMIDS TO ASWAN: 15 DAYS FROM £3,949
April to May & September to November 2022 & February to May & September to November 2023
DAY 1 –Arrival in Cairo
You should arrive at the airport to take your direct flight to Cairo. After our late evening arrival, we transfer to our home for the next 10 or 14 nights, the MS Mövenpick Darakum.
DAY 2 – The Pyramids, Sphinx & Egyptian Museum
Today we drive out of the city towards the Giza plateau for our first close-up view of the Great Pyramids. The truly gigantic size of the three main pyramids only becomes fully apparent when they tower above you in all their majesty. For the more adventurous, entry into the pyramids is available at extra cost payable locally, but for the Great Pyramid of Cheops there’s a daily limit to the number of visitors and there’s no guarantee of an entry. A little further down the hill is the mighty Sphinx, the world’s largest free-standing sculpture. King ‘Tut’s’ tomb held so many treasures that it took 10 years to examine, photograph, catalogue and finally remove all 5,398 of them. The collection forms the centrepiece of the Egyptian Museum, without question one of the world’s greatest museums, a treasurehouse overflowing with artefacts of remarkable ancient craftsmanship, ranging from the mundane to the mystical. The famous Royal Mummy room may be entered, upon payment of a small additional fee. (B,L,D)
DAY 3 – Saqqara & Coptic Museum
We head south to the pyramids at the necropolis of Saqqara. Soon the lush fields give way to barren desert and we see the giant ‘step’ pyramid looming above the palms. Built using smaller blocks than the Great Pyramids at Giza, it’s easy to see how the architecture of pyramid-building evolved from a simple square flat-topped mound upon which similar smaller mounds were added.
This afternoon we’ll explore Old Cairo’s Christian history with a visit to the ‘Hanging Church’, built over a gateway to the Romanera Babylon fortress. We continue to the Coptic Museum and the nearby Ben Ezra synagogue, said to be where the Pharaoh’s daughter found Moses in his basket amongst the reeds. (B,L,D)
DAY 4 – Full-day sail
This morning our ship starts its long journey out of Cairo. As we leave the city behind and pass small farms, canals and plantations of date palms along the way, you’ll see how productive this land has been for so many generations. Enjoy the first of a couple of fascinating lectures on both modern and ancient Egypt. In the afternoon we arrive at the small town of Beni Suef where we moor overnight. (B,L,D)
Temple of Dendera
Your tour price includes
• Visit the incredible Pyramids at Giza and get up close to the
Sphinx • Guided tour to the ‘Step
Pyramid’, the oldest stone structure in the world • Marvel at the Golden Mask of Tutankhamun on our visit to the incomparable Egyptian
Museum • Guided tour of the city of
Amarna, created by the pharaoh Akhenaten and
Nefertiti • Visit the mysterious temple dedicated to Osiris, god of the dead, at Abydos • Discover one of Egypt’s best preserved temples at Dendera
• Guided tour of the temples of
Karnak and Luxor • Visit the Pharaohs’ tombs in the Valley of the Kings and the
Temple of Hatshepsut • Visit Howard Carter’s house and the newly-opened replica of King ‘Tut’s’ tomb • Explore the stunning temples at Kom Ombo and Philae in
Aswan • Enjoy an afternoon sail on a traditional felucca to
Kitchener Islands
Plus, of course:
• Return scheduled flights from the UK • 10 or 14 nights on board, with a choice of spacious cabins and suites, all with river views • No single supplement on lower deck cabins, with limited availability • All meals included, including complimentary on-board tea & coffee • The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager throughout
(B) Daily Breakfast, (L) Lunch, (D) Dinner
Prices are per person. Departure dates, prices and ship information – see our website
River Cruise
KEY Arrive Depart Route River
EGYPT
Sakkara Giza CAIRO
Minya
Nile Beni Suef
Beni Hassan Tel el Armarna
Assyut
Sohag
Nile Qena
Abydos
Valley of the Kings Dendera Luxor
DAY 5 – Full-day sail
After a sumptuous breakfast buffet, relax under one on one of the many comfortable shaded sun loungers or Balinese-style canopied day-beds as the unchanged landscape of the Nile Valley slips by. This afternoon we arrive in Minya where we will moor for two nights. (B,L,D)
DAY 6 – Tuna El Gebel & Beni Hassan Tombs
After breakfast, set out with a visit to Tuna El Gebel, the necropolis of Hermopolis, sacred to the Greek god Hermes and his Egyptian counterpart Thoth, god of writing and wisdom. Explore the tomb of Petosiris and the catacombs which once held thousands of mummified ibis and baboons. After lunch on board, we continue with a tour of the tombs at Beni Hassan, with wonderful views across the valley. (B,L,D)
DAY 7 – Amarna
This morning we arrive in Amarna, site of the short-lived capital of the Pharaoh Akhenaten and his queen Nefertiti. We’ll visit Akhenaten’s tomb, as well as those of some of his courtiers. We return to our ship in time for lunch and continue our journey, sailing by Egypt’s Coptic monasteries. We moor in Assyut overnight. (B,L,D)
DAY 8 – Full-day sail
Today we continue our journey southwards, with a full day’s cruising, ideal to relax after the busy last couple of days and before seeing the monuments and temples of the second part of our journey. (B,L,D)
DAY 9 – Abydos
Abydos remains one of ancient Egypt’s most mysterious sites, with the Great Temple of Seti I as its centrepiece. Dedicated to the cult of Osiris, god of the dead, Abydos was a pilgrimage centre for thousands of years. The temple is known for its Gallery of the Kings, which lists all the pharaohs, as well as some hieroglyphs which look like modern machines! We sail on to Qena where we moor overnight. (B,L,D)
DAY 10 – Dendera
The temple of Hathor is one of the most complete and best-preserved in all of Egypt. Hathor was the Egyptian goddess of love, beauty, joy and healing, and her temple, although only completed in Roman times, nevertheless follows the architecture and style of much older temples. We sail the short distance to Luxor where we moor overnight. (B,L,D)
DAY 11 – Return flight
An early start today as anyone opting for the shorter eleven-day itinerary will be transferred to Luxor airport for the flight home, via Cairo. (B)
Temple of Philae
My view
Insider knowledge
The pied kingfisher can often be seen hovering over the Nile and this pretty bird is frequently depicted in ancient Egyptian tomb paintings.
Read
The Nile by Toby Wilkinson will take you on a fascinating journey along the fabled river in the company of an acclaimed Egyptologist.
Buy
Worn by men and women, the traditional galabeya is native to the Nile. Made from cotton, this cool ankle length robe is perfect on a hot day.
Taste
Egyptian dukkah is a blend of roasted, ground spices and nuts. It is traditionally served as a dip with olive oil and flat breads.
TOURS CONTINUING TO ASWAN
DAY 11 – Luxor West Bank – Valley of the Kings
Anyone staying on for the full itinerary to Aswan will continue the tour crossing the Nile to the West Bank for the Valley of the Kings! We also visit Howard Carter’s house which has been beautifully preserved and is next to the newlyopened replica of King Tut’s tomb. Our tour ends at the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut, the first female pharaoh, with its stunning colonnaded terraces. We return to our ship at lunchtime and the rest of the day is at leisure. (B,L,D)
DAY 12 – Karnak & Luxor Temples
This morning we visit the Temple of Karnak. The astounding Hypostyle Hall is the most awe-inspiring part of this vast complex, said to be the largest religious centre of the ancient world. We also visit the Temple of Luxor. After lunch we set sail for Edfu where we moor overnight. (B,L,D)
DAY 13 – Kom Ombo
The temple at Kom Ombo is unusual in that it’s dedicated to two gods, Horus and Sobek, the crocodile. The temple had a lake with sacred crocodiles and mummies of them have been found nearby. We moor overnight in Aswan. (B,L,D)
DAY 14 – Aswan
This morning is our last full day in Egypt, starting with a visit to the temple of Philae, which had to be rescued from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. The morning is ended visiting one of modern Egypt’s greatest achievements - the Aswan High Dam. After a visit to the Nubian museum, we take to the water on a felucca sail as the sun sets in the west to Kitchener Island, which the general converted to a botanical park.
DAY 15 – Return flight
Transfer to the airport for our flight home, via Cairo. (B)
Your option
Extend your holiday
Luxor to Aswan extension The full 15-day tour continues south to Aswan for a further four nights and visits the Valley of the Kings. It is ideal for those on their first visit to Egypt and who prefer the most complete experience.
MS Mövenpick Darakum
Your superb ship
MS Mövenpick Darakum
One of the smaller ships on the Nile, with just 52 cabins and suites, the fivestar MS Darakum is managed by the renowned Swiss hospitality company, Mövenpick, and has been designed with a shallow draft in order to navigate the full length of the Nile in Egypt. It is currently the only vessel cruising the Nile from Cairo all the way to Aswan – this cruise is very much a unique experience! Appointed to the highest specification and imaginatively furnished with a distinctive Moroccan theme, the MS Mövenpick Darakum offers extensive open deck space on three levels, with plenty of sun loungers, sofas and armchairs to relax in. The plunge pool on the sun deck is perfect for a cooling dip. The spacious, yet cosy lounge bar is the social hub of the ship, with board games and evening entertainment including music, wine-tasting and a cookery lesson, a black & white party, the everpopular ‘galabiya’ party and even a belly dancer! All cabins and suites feature individually-controlled air conditioning, hairdryer, personal safe, fridge, TV and the convenience of tea & coffee making facilities. The beds are hotel-style and can be configured as a double or two twins, with the fine Egyptian cotton sheets, and an evening turn-down service. Clever design allows for all the wood-panelled bathrooms to have a bath with a fixed shower above, along with complimentary toiletries. A laundry service is also available. As in ancient times, it’s the fresh local produce of the lush Nile valley that is central to any meal in Egypt. The MS Mövenpick Darakum is known for its plentiful and varied buffets which feature a wide selection of both western and middle-eastern dishes – be sure to try the refreshing salads, hummus and falafel with hot flat bread straight from the oven. The MS Mövenpick Darakum has five passenger decks: Lower deck – the 20sq.m cabins have two twin beds and smaller square windows which cannot be opened. They are offered for sole occupancy with no single supplement (limited availability). The main restaurant is located at this level. Main deck – the light and airy glasspanelled reception allows the light to filter down to the deck below. All cabins from this deck and above have large picture-windows offering magnificent river views, with a panel that can be opened. There are two more spacious Deluxe cabins on this deck. Upper deck – this is where you’ll find the small fitness room and the onboard shop, as well as the Senior suites (40sq.m), the forward-facing Panorama suites (34sq.m) and rear sun deck. Top deck – has just two Senior suites (34sq.m), the main bar and lower sun deck. Sun deck – has the pool and an openair bar.
Sun deck
Sun Deck
Sun Deck Pool
Lower Sun Deck
Rear Sun Deck Patio
Top Deck
Lounge
Upper Deck
Gym
Lobby
Shop
Main Deck
Reception
Lower Deck
Senior Suite
Senior Suite
Senior Suite
Senior Suite Panorama Suite
Panorama Suite
Deluxe
Deluxe
Restaurant Lobby
SENIOR SUITES UPPER DECK - either 34sqm or 40sq.m with large panoramic windows and king or twin beds.
PANORAMA SUITES UPPER DECK - 34sq.m with large panoramic windows and king or twin beds.
DELUXE SUITES MAIN DECK - 20sq.m with large panoramic windows and king or twin beds. STANDARD CABINS MAIN & UPPER DECK - 20sq.m with large picture windows and double or twin beds.
STANDARD CABINS LOWER DECK - 20sq.m with a small square window and twin beds.
