Mystical Egypt Tour

Mystical Egypt

1. 7 nts Nile Cruise (Full Board or AI)
   And 7 nts Luxor Stay (Half Board or All inclusive)

   We can amend the duration in Luxor, please enquire.

   

2. For centuries travellers have been fascinated by the mystical allure of the Nile. A relaxing cruise, alongside Egypts many archaeological wonders, provides the perfect combination for an unforgettable holiday.Our Classic Nile Itinerary takes you from Luxor to Aswan, visiting some of the most spectacular ancient sites in the world including the stunning Valley of the Kings, the burial place of the Pharoahs including that Tutankhamen and the breathtaking temples Karnak and Luxor.

3. Luxor has often been called the worlds greatest open air museum, as indeed it is and much more. The number and preservation of the monuments in the Luxor area are unparalleled anywhere else in the world that know of. To say that the Luxor area is a major attraction for tourists in Egypt would be an understatement. It has been a tourist destination since the beginning of tourism. Even in ancient times, during the late Dynasties of the Greek and Roman periods, the area drew tourists, and has been doing so ever since. Today Luxor is well equipped to accommodate tourists with many hotels and in general a tourist industry ready and willing to serve the people from many countries that descend on this area of the Nile Valley every year.

   Luxor possesses undeniable charm. Here and there among the palace halls and gardens and on facades of nineteenth-century buildings with corbelled balconies there is a glimpse of the past and of a time of British colonials and Egyptian monarchs, of wealthy English, and of beys and pashas. As the sun sets, the Temple of Luxor, close to the large tourist souk, seems to stand apart from the world of the living. Its columns, colossal statues and bays recover their serenity, oblivious to the carriages passing by. On the other side of the Nile, the village of Gurna slumbers peacefully with its back to the mountain under stars shining more brightly than ever.

Itinerary

Monday departures from Heathrow. Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow or Edinburgh via Heathrow.

Below is a sample itinerary of one Nile Cruise boat. Click here to see the itinerary of your chosen boat.

4. Day 1: Luxor

   Depart UK. Upon arrival met and transferred 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.

5. 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.

6. 

   Day 3: Esna - Kom Ombo - Aswan

   Breakfast and Lunch on board whilst continue the journey south before sailing to Kom Ombo to visit the temple before dinner. This temple, unlike many others in Egypt, 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 with many artefacts and mummified crocodiles. Sail to Aswan and overnight in Aswan.

7. Day 4: Aswan

   After breakfast, visit the High Dam in Aswan, built in 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).

8. 

   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.

9. 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.

10. Day 7: Luxor

    After lunch you will be taken by coach to visit the ‘world’s largest 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.

11. 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.

12. Days: 9-14

    Enjoy the fascinating sights and sounds of Luxor, stroll through the colourful streets of Luxor. A wide range of optional excursions available. Visit the Valley of the Kings and Queens, Tutankhamen's tomb, the Temple of Hatshepsut or take a felucca trip down the Nile.

13. Day 15

    Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

Above is a sample itinerary of one Nile Cruise boat. Click here to see the itinerary of your chosen boat.

Please note: the order or content of your itinerary may be amended due to lock closures, low water levels or any other unforeseeable circumstances.