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Treasures of the Nile

Egypt

10 nights 1 Departure Available

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A fabulous ‘return to Egypt’ for those who have seen its most famous sites, this cruise focuses on the less-visited length of the Nile, between Cairo and Luxor, travelling through tranquil scenery to unsung tombs, temples, and towns, off the tourist track

Overview

Beginning with Cairo’s magnificent monuments, sailing south to rarely visited riverside settlements and sites, and concluding with a night in Luxor, this intriguing cruise is enhanced by an accompanying Egyptologist and expert local guides; and sprinkled with on board entertainment and informative talks on the country, the culture, and the places you will visit. With two days in Cairo, we concentrate on the iconic Sphinx and Pyramids of Giza, and the museum’s array of artefacts from Tutankhamun’s tomb and explore the long-awaited new Grand Egyptian Museum; and tour to the ruins of Egypt’s oldest pyramid, at Saqqara, and of its first capital, Memphis. Cruising where egrets and ibis graze in the shallows of the Nile, and passing minarets, Coptic church towers and timeless scenes of rural life, the journey takes us to 4th dynasty pyramids near Beni Suef; tombs in Tuna el-Gebel, and carved into cliffs at Beni Hassan; legends of Akhenaten and Nefertiti, in Tel el-Amarna, and of Cleopatra at Denderah; and to Abydos, the city of Osiris and site of the Seti I temple. For our finale, we moor in Luxor, wrapped around its ancient Theban temples, to see the Luxor Temple by Night, and enjoy a cocktail at the Victorian Lounge of the Old Winter Palace.

Highlights

  • Cruise to explore lesser-known tombs, temples and towns
  • Visit to the Great Pyramids, Memphis & Saqqara
  • Discover the best-preserved temple complexes in Denderah
  • Visit the illuminated Luxor Temple
  • Relax on the charming MS Darakum
  • Enjoy the rural scenery of the serene River Nile
Treasures of the Nile Map 2024

Itinerary

Day 1 - Fly to Cairo

Fly from London Heathrow to Cairo and transfer to the Nile to board the 5-star Mövenpick MS Darakum for a ten-night cruise.
(D)

Day 2 - Explore the Giza pyramid complex and the Egyptian Museum

A full day of touring begins at the Egyptian Museum, to view treasures from King Tutankhamun's tomb. Visit the walled old city, 'Coptic Cairo', to view the Hanging Church, and visit Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church and Coptic Museum of Christian antiquities. Transfer to the vessel for lunch and in the afternoon explore the Great Pyramid of Cheops, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and the famously enigmatic Sphinx, stretching 73m long and 20m high. This evening, enjoy an Oriental Takht music performance on-board.
(B, L, D)

Day 3 - Visit the Step Pyramid of Saqqara and Cairo’s Old City

This morning, tour to the ruins of Egypt’s first capital, Memphis, and view the 4,700-year-old ‘Step Pyramid’ of Saqqara. Return to the ship for lunch, before an afternoon visit to the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum, featuring the Grand Hall, housing the statue of King Ramesses II, 10 Statues of Senusret, Victory Column of Merenpetah and Ptolemaic King and Queen Statues, the extraordinary Hanging Obelisk, the remarkable Grand Staircase and the recently opened galleries hosting a wealth of artefacts. Manager’s Cocktail party aboard this evening. 
(B, L, D)

Day 4 - Cruise to Beni Suef with talks and a wine tasting onboard

Relax and enjoy your first views of the timeless Nile as you cruise upstream to Beni Suef, to visit its landmark bridge across the river. Enroute, enjoy a talk on agriculture, irrigation, and local village life, and later a tasting of Egyptian wines.
(B, L, D)

Day 5 - Sail to Minya with a local birdwatching documentary

A relaxing cruise takes us off tourism’s beaten track to the modern city of Minya, the capital of the region, steeped in the legends of Akhenaten and Nefertiti. Enroute, View a documentary on board about birdwatching in the area.
(B, L, D)

Day 6 - Visit local tombs and explore the sights of Beni Hassan

Explore the animal catacombs and human tombs of Tuna el-Gebel, where excavations revealed mummies, amulets, thousands of statues, and the stone sarcophagi of priests; and Ashmunein’s ancient ruins of the Temple of Thoth, the god of wisdom. Afternoon visit to Beni Hassan, its Middle Kingdom, rock-hewn tombs beautifully adorned with richly coloured frescoes. Evening folklore show on-board.
(B, L, D)

Day 7 - Enjoy a presentation before a visit to Tell el-Amarna

Enjoy a presentation on board about Akhenaten and Nefertiti en route to Tell el-Amarna, for the ‘Amarnian Experience’. Visit the northern tombs and the Royal Tomb of Akhenaten, its temple dedicated to Aten, the Sun God. View the monastery of heroic Prince/Saint Tawadros from the Nile, en route to the provincial town of Asyut. Galabeya (traditional dress) party aboard.
(B, L, D)

Day 8 - Spend the day at leisure with talks onboard

Enjoy a relaxing day aboard, with talks on modern Egypt, education, and hieroglyphs, on this leisurely full-day sail to the west bank city of Sohag, a major centre of Coptic Christianity.
(B, L, D) 

Day 9 - Explore Abydos before sailing to Qena

Continue upriver to El Balyana and travel inland to ancient Abydos, to visit the New Kingdom temple of Seti I, where carvings include a ‘List of Kings’ and intriguing hieroglyphs said to show futuristic transport, a helicopter, zeppelin, and submarine. Navigate the locks and pass the railway bridge at Naga Hammadi enroute to the town of Qena. Quiz night onboard.
(B, L, D)

Day 10 - Visit Denderah for the Temple of Hathor and sail to Luxor

Visit Denderah, among the best-preserved of Egypt’s temple complexes, to view the Temple of Hathor, the largest of three on the site. Among its stone carvings are an image of Cleopatra and her son, and the replica of the Zodiac which sowed doubt about biblical chronology. Sail to Luxor, with a cooking lesson aboard, and enjoy the Luxor Temple by Night, and a cocktail at the Victorian Lounge of the Old Winter Palace.
(B, L, D)

Day 11 - Fly home indirect from Luxor

Transfer to the airport for your return flight to London, via Cairo.
(B)

Notes:

The programme may be altered due to navigational factors with locks, water levels or to enhance your experience at certain sites.

Whilst the vessel carries more, sightseeing will be limited to 25 guests.

Temple & tomb visits are on foot with steps and uneven surfaces.

Reviews

Unique Experience

Vessels

Mövenpick MS Darakum Vessel, Egypt, Exterior

MS Darakum

This charming vessel was specially designed for the ‘long cruise’ with attentive Egyptian staff and Moroccan inspired interior. A spacious restaurant offers assorted dishes over a buffet combining Egyptian and international cuisine. The elegant lounge with bar adjoins a comfortable outdoor lounge for observing the continually changing riverside scenes. The large sun deck has a plunge pool, loungers and seats with sunny and shaded areas. Small gym, jewellery and gift shop and WiFi (free/limited). Jules Verne guests receive three small bottles of water per day free of charge. 52 tastefully designed air-conditioned, outside cabins spread over three decks with private facilities, hairdryer, safe, mini-bar, tea/coffee making facilities and satellite TV. 44 twin/double cabins (215 sq. ft.), two Deluxe Cabins (279 sq. ft. – Deck Two), two Senior Suites (430 sq. ft. – Deck Three), two Senior Suites (430 sq. ft. – Deck Four) and two Panorama Suites (366 sq. ft. – Deck Three). All cabins have large picture windows except Lower Deck cabins which have sealed marine windows.

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Optional Extras

Customize your tour by adding optional excursions or extend your journey with our curated add-on extensions.

Extension Options

Red Sea Sunset, Aqaba, Jordan

Discover more of Egypt’s natural beauty. Travel along the Nile and through the mountains and desert to el-Gouna (5 hrs). Relax for five nights at the 5-star Mövenpick el-Gouna and view the underwater world from a semi-submarine. Half-board included.

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Stay Extra Nights...

Add extra nights to your tour at the starting or ending hotel.

- Travel Guides -

You can find out more about the county on the travel guide.

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Dates and prices

12 Apr 25

Optional Excursions & Extra Nights
10 nights

From £4625 pp

per person incl flight
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