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ITINERARY
Tour Pace
While you might find hustle and bustle in the bazaars of Cairo, it is certainly not to be found aboard your luxury Nile cruiser. With 7 nights to relax while you glide down the Nile, this tour could quite possibly be one of the most graceful vacations you will ever experience.
DAY 1 – TUE – ARRIVE CAIRO
Welcome to Egypt! On arrival in Cairo we are met and transferred to our hotel. Hotel: Marriott.
DAY 2 – WED – CAIRO SIGHTSEEING
This morning we visit the Citadel for breathtaking views over the city and then we visit Mohammed Ali's great alabaster mosque. We now continue to the famous Egyptian Museum to see the treasure recovered from the tomb of Tutankhamun. The rest of the day is at leisure to test your bargaining skills in the bazaars. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 3 – THU – CAIRO – CRUISING
This morning we fly to Luxor on the banks of the Nile, where we board our luxurious cruise boat. Our Tour Director welcomes us on board with refreshments, and provides a full pre-tour briefing. Then we travel by air-conditioned coach to the West Bank of the Nile to see the huge Colossi of Memnon, and visit the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Valley of the Kings. Returning to our cruise boat we set sail for Dendara (Buffet breakfast, Lunch, Three or four course table d’hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 4 – FRI – CRUISING – LUXOR
This morning we visit the Temple of Hathor in Dendara, one of the best preserved temples in Egypt and containing a rare depiction of Cleopatra and her son Caesarian, whose father was Julius Caesar. Our cruise returns to Luxor where we tour the Temple complex of Karnak with its avenues of sphinxes and halls of gigantic columns. This evening we return to Karnak temple to enjoy a spectacular Sound and Light show. (Buffet breakfast, Lunch, Three or four course table d’hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 5 – SAT – CRUISING – EDFU
A leisurely day as we sail via the Esna Lock to Edfu. Free time on arrival. Tonight we don our galabeas, (traditional Egyptian attire), for a fun-filled Egyptian Dinner and Galabea Party. (Buffet breakfast, Lunch, Speciality Highlight Dinner)
DAY 6 – SUN – CRUISING – ASWAN
This morning we take a horse drawn carriage ride to the well preserved Temple of Horus at Edfu, dedicated to the Falcon God. After exploring this fascinating site, our cruise continues to Aswan. (Buffet breakfast, Lunch, Three or four course table d’hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 7 – MON – CRUISING – ASWAN
A full day sightseeing today which includes a visit to the Aswan High Dam and Granite Quarries, where we see the enormous unfinished obelisk. Then we travel by motorboat to the Temple of Isis, rising from the waters of the Nile on the Island of Philae. Later we return to Aswan to sail in a traditional Nile felucca around Aswan's Botanical Gardens. (Buffet breakfast, Lunch, Three or four course table d’hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 8 – TUE – CRUISING – KOM OMBO
This morning we are at leisure in Aswan. Perhaps join the optional excursion by air to the temples of Abu Simbel (see page 130), carved out of the rock by Rameses II and later rescued from the rising waters of Lake Nasser? This afternoon we sail to Kom Ombo where we visit the Temple, dedicated to the Crocodile God, Sobek. (Buffet breakfast, Lunch, Three or four course table d’hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 9 – WED – CRUISING – LUXOR
This morning we arrive back at our private moorings in Luxor where we visit ancient Luxor Temple. (Buffet breakfast, Lunch, Three or four course table d’hote or buffet style dinner).
DAY 10 – THU – LUXOR – CAIRO
We disembark this morning and are transferred to the airport for our return flight to Cairo. This evening, we are at leisure. Perhaps enjoy an optional dinner and entertainment? Hotel: Marriott. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 11 – FRI – CAIRO SIGHTSEEING
We drive firstly to Memphis, the famous capital of the ancient world. Here we admire the colossal statue of Rameses II and the great alabaster sphinx. We continue to Sakkara, to see the Step Pyramid of King Zoser, the oldest pyramid in the world, dating back from 2700 BC. This afternoon we visit the Pyramids at Giza, where a camel ride takes us to the Great Pyramid of Cheops for a guided tour of these magnificent monuments. Finally, we come face to face with the inscrutable Sphinx. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 12 – SAT – CAIRO
Our tour ends with a transfer to Cairo airport. (Buffet breakfast).
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