MS Grand Mandarin

Junior Suites:

• There are 62 junior suites on the boat
• Each suite is 21 sqm equipped with a flat-screen TV, internal telephone system, air conditioning, a safe box, a minibar, and a tea and coffee station.
• Each suite also has an en suite bathroom containing a shower cabin, a hairdryer, a makeup mirror, and a variety of different high-end amenities, including branded skincare and hair products.
• All suites have a panoramic wide window that overlooks the stunning views of the Nile.

Royal Suites:

• There are 2 royal suites on the boat, the “Nefertiti” and the “Cleopatra”.
• Both suites are identical and are situated at the rear of the boat on Deck C.
• Each suite is 30 sqm equipped with a flat-screen TV, internal telephone system, air conditioning, a safe box, a minibar, and a tea and coffee station.
• Each suite also has an en suite bathroom containing a larger shower cabin fitted with a rain shower and several water nozzles. The bathroom is also fitted with a hairdryer, a makeup mirror, and a variety of different high-end amenities, including branded skincare and hair products.
• Royal suites have a unique lounge area in front of the newly installed panoramic windows that follow the curvature of the room to allow guests to have an even wider view of the Nile.

Onboard facilities include:

• The Gallery Main Restaurant
• Air-Conditioned Bar/Lounge
• Lounge with Dance Floor
• Large Sun Deck consisting of Bar, Swimming Pool & Jacuzzi
• Gift Shop
• Laundry Service (Chargeable)
• Free Wifi (Can be intermittent)

Animation Programmes

• Oriental Galabia party every charter with a belly dancer and a disco vibe
• Daily music and entertainment in the evening in the bar area
• Photo and video sessions are available on the boat

Sundeck Facilities

• Large swimming pool with a jacuzzi
• Open air shower
• Open air gym
• In-pool sun loungers
• An area dedicated to sun loungers/tanning beds
• Open-air bar with a shaded seating area
• Bose sound system fitted all around the deck

General Information

• Central air conditioning system controlled separately from each cabin
• Major credit/debit cards accepted as payment
• Infirmary on board in case of any medical needs
• Option for twin configuration, king size and interconnected cabins suitable for families
• Grand Mandarin has received a Cristal Certificate for achieving and surpassing all hygiene requirements.

• Open buffet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with an international variety catering to all tastes.
• A themed set menu is available once a week for all guests free of charge. Options include seafood night, BBQ night, etc.
• Tea time at sunset on the deck, which includes cookies, cakes and pastries. Also free of charge.
• Lightweight and informal summer clothes are the norm during the day, with shorts and t-shirts being acceptable.
• In the evening, formal smart/casual attire is expected.

The following 11 excursions are included with our cruise at no extra cost:

• Valley of the Kings
• Valley of the Queens
• Karnak Temple
• Aswan High Dam
• Colossi of Memnon
• Luxor Temple
• Temple of Hatshepsut
• Temple of Philae
• Boat trip around Elephantine Island
• Temple of Medinet Habu
• Kom Ombo Temple
• Unfinished Obelisk

The following 5 **optional extra excursions can be purchased from our qualified English-speaking Egyptologist:

• Abu Simbel Aswan (£120 per person by road – £280.00 per person by air)
• Luxor City Tour by Horse & Carriage (£30.00 per person)
• Philae Sound and Light Show in Aswan (£50.00 per person)
• High Tea at the Old Cataract Hotel in Aswan (£50.00 per person)
• Hot Air Balloon in Luxor (£110.00 per person)

Our Price Includes:

• Return flights from the UK
• All transfers & airport taxes
• All meals on the boat
• All inclusive drinks package available
• Middle or upper deck cabins
• 11 excursions escorted by our onboard qualified Egyptologist with all entrance fees included
• English-speaking qualified Egyptologist tour guide

**Optional extra prices are subject to change locally.

Monday Day 1: Luxor

Transfer from Luxor International Airport to your Nile cruise boat. Dinner on board or for late arrivals, a light snack will be served. Overnight in Luxor.

Tuesday Day 2: Luxor

Breakfast on board, early morning visit to the West Bank, including the Colossi of Memnon, Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens, burial sites for many of the most powerful and successful pharaohs and high priests, as well as the Temple of Hatshepsut.

Wednesday Day 3: Esna -> Kom Ombo -> Aswan

Breakfast and lunch are on board whilst continuing the journey south before sailing to Kom Ombo to visit the temple before dinner. Unlike many others in Egypt, this temple was dedicated to two gods; the Southern section is dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile-headed man, god of fertility, and the Northern section to the Falcon-headed god Horus. There is also a fascinating crocodile museum to visit, which has many artefacts and mummified crocodiles. Sail to Aswan and overnight in Aswan.

Thursday Day 4: Aswan

After breakfast, visit the High Dam in Aswan, built between 1960-1971 to provide electricity to the villages along the Nile, the Unfinished Obelisk and the Temple of Isis on Philae Island. Lunch on board and afternoon at leisure with an opportunity to revisit the Temple of Philae for an **optional sound & light show in the evening (priced at approx. £50pp).

Friday Day 5: Aswan

After breakfast, there is the option of a morning at leisure or an early morning **optional visit to Abu Simbel (priced at approx. £120pp by road or £280pp by air). This impressive temple, built by Rameses II stands on the banks of Lake Nasser. After lunch on board, there is a relaxing boat trip around Elephantine Island to the Botanical Gardens on General Kitchener Island. Dinner and overnight in Aswan.

Saturday Day 6: Aswan -> Kom Ombo

Morning at leisure. Lunch on board and then set sail to Kom Ombo. After a brief stop at Kom Ombo, continue sailing and overnight.

Sunday Day 7: Esna -> Luxor

After lunch, you will be taken by coach to visit the ‘world’s largest and greatest open-air museum’ known as Karnak Temple, which covers a large area of land and includes several temples, the largest of them being the Temple of Amun. Then, drive a short distance to Luxor Temple. Originally, the temple was joined to Karnak by a long avenue of Sphinxes, many of which can still be seen today. Returning to the boat for Dinner on board. Overnight in Luxor.

Monday Day 8: Luxor

**Optional early morning balloon ride for the adventurous (priced at approx. £110pp). Breakfast on board followed by check-out and onward transfer to the airport or next destination.

**Optional extra prices are subject to change locally.

Please note: the order or content of your itinerary may be amended due to lock closures, low water levels or any other unforeseeable circumstances. It is very rare that the sightseeing itinerary will alter, but due to circumstances beyond our control, this can happen without prior notice.

Traditionally, a tip is highly expected at the rate of £7.00 per person per night which is for the coach drivers, bell boys, housekeeping staff, crew and bar/restaurant staff. Additional tipping is not expected.