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A Royal Steamer Restored

Egypt

7 nights 13 Departures Available

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A wonderful week cruising on 'the most luxurious steamship on the Nile' the SS Misr, exploring iconic sites and highlights between Luxor and Aswan pyramids

Overview

Sometimes it's more about the journey than the destination. You may feel that this is one of those times, as you cruise the 130 miles of the Nile, cosseted in luxury aboard the royal steamer, SS Misr. Built for the Royal Navy in 1918, lavishly transformed, in 1938, for Egypt’s last monarch, unused for fifty years from 1952, and then, in a project initiated by Jules Verne with our Egyptian associates, restored in all her former royal glory, to be re-launched as an icon of the Nile, combining modern comfort with old-world elegance. While the intimate ship, with just 24 cabins, is fittingly regal, the cost of this fabulous journey is far from a king’s ransom, and your experience of ancient Egypt is enhanced by an Egyptologist and local guides who share their wealth of knowledge. The destinations for discovery are awe-inspiring and astonishing, as we see the night-lit Luxor Temple, visit the Valley of the Kings, its pharaonic tombs and Colossi of Memnon, the city’s museum, and splendid Karnak Temple; call in to Kom Ombo’s double-deity shrine; and moor in Aswan for the High Dam and river islands. Optional tours include seeing Luxor’s sunrise from a hot-air balloon, and touring to Abu Simbel, its temples relocated to save them from the waters of Lake Nasser. 

Highlights

  • Relax on a luxurious steamship
  • Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut
  • 2nd-century BCE Temple of Edfu
  • Afternoon Tea at the Old Cataract
  • ‘Twin’ Temples of Kom Ombo
  • The illuminated Temple of Luxor
A Royal Steamer Restored Map 2023

Itinerary

Day 1 - Fly to Luxor

Fly from your chosen airport to Luxor and transfer to the Nile to embark on the SS Misr for a seven-night cruise.

Day 2 - Enjoy an optional balloon ride and visit the Valley of the Kings

Optional Luxor hot air balloon flight (early morning start before sunrise (pre-bookable). Visit the Temple of Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon, and a selection of tombs at the Valley of the Kings. We may visit the tomb of Tutankhamun or Seti I (subject to viewing restrictions, at extra charge). Sail to Esna for overnight
(B, L, D)

Day 3 - Take a walk through Esna, later cruising to Edfu

A short walk through Esna to the temple dedicated to Khnum. Return to the vessel as you cruise towards Edfu. In the afternoon, visit west-bank Edfu’s temple, dating back to the 2nd century BCE, and dedicated to Horus, the god of fertile Nile-side lands, it was built on the ruins of a much older temple, its huge edifice among the best-preserved and most atmospheric of Egypt’s ancient monuments. Continue cruising upstream to Kom Ombo for overnight mooring.
(B, L, D)

Day 4 - Visit the High Dam with a boat trip and afternoon tea

Sail to the stroll-able riverside corniche of Aswan and enjoy a talk on modern Egypt. Visit the High Dam for views of Lake Nasser, take a boat trip to the Philae Temple, and sail by private boat to Kitchener Island’s Botanical Gardens. Afternoon tea at the Old Cataract Hotel with fine Nile views and from where Agatha Christie wrote ‘Death on the Nile’ followed by a visit to the Nubian Museum.
(B, L, D)

Day 5 - Choose to relax or take our optional tour to Abu Simbel

Early morning optional tour to Abu Simbel (4 hrs each way by road, pre-bookable) built by Ramesses II on the west bank of Lake Nasser. Alternatively, explore Aswan independently or relax on board. Optional Sound & Light show at Philae Temple (bookable locally, approx. $60).
(B, L, D)

Day 6 - Explore Kom Ombo before cruising to Luxor, with an evening Galabeya party

Cruise downstream to Kom Ombo. Visit the riverside ‘twin’ temples of Kom Ombo, dedicated to two gods, the crocodile-headed Sobek and falcon-headed Horus, and the site’s museum of mummified crocodiles. A talk on hieroglyphs as you cruise to Luxor. Galabeya party onboard this evening.
(B, L, D)

Day 7 - Explore Luxor's temple complexes before a cocktail reception

Enjoy the morning relaxing on board or explore the vibrant city of Luxor independently. In the afternoon, visit the Nile’s east bank temple complexes; the magnificent Temple of Karnak, the second largest ancient religious site in the world, with its Great Hypostyle Hall, courts, colonnades, and obelisks. Explore the connecting Avenue of Sphinxes from Luxor Temple. Laid out parallel to the riverbank, Luxor Temple has been in almost continuous use as a place of worship right up to present day. A visit to Luxor Museum reveals many artefacts, including some from Tutankhamun’s tomb. Private cocktail reception at the Victorian Lounge in the Old Winter Palace Hotel, where Howard Carter announced the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun, later view the illuminated Luxor Temple.
(B, L, D)

Day 8 - Fly home from Luxor

Disembark and transfer to Luxor airport for you return flight.
(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

SS Misr Vessel, Egypt, Exterior

SS Misr

Originally constructed in Preston by the Royal Navy in 1918, it was converted for King Farouk (On the occasion of the Birthday Anniversary of His Majesty King Farouk I, The Governor of Cairo requests the honour of your company on board the Misr Nile Steamer at 8pm on February the 10th 1939). Misr means ‘the Kingdom of Egypt’ with public rooms and cabins exquisitely decorated in colours and styles linked to the history of the vessel and Egypt. The original steam engines may be viewed and the vessel normally travels under steam. Some 207 ft. in length, a 5-star deluxe propeller steam vessel 63 crew and a high level of service. Lower sun deck with wicker chairs or upper sun deck with sunbeds and plunge pool. WiFi (free/limited). 24 air-conditioned outside cabins with private facilities, balcony, hairdryer, mini-bar and TV. Two single Main Deck cabins (156 sq. ft. – Deck 2), 14 twin/double cabins on the Main and Upper decks (215 sq. ft. – Decks 2 – 4),
six twin/double suites on the Upper decks (323 sq. ft. – Deck 3 – 4), plus two twin/double Panorama suites at the front offer panoramic views while sailing (376 sq. ft. – Deck 3).

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Optional Extras

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

Optional Excursions

Abu Simbel

Abu Simbel Excursion

A highlight of any journey to Egypt is a visit to the rock temples of Abu Simbel. The construction of the Aswan high dam resulted in the flooding of a vast area and a huge operation was mounted by UNESCO in the mid-60s to rescue amongst many other sites the great temple in statues of Ramesses II from the rising waters or what later became known as Lake Nasser, the two immense rock statues of Rameses II and his queen Nefatari were dismantled into over 1000 blocks hand cut from the original rock face and reconstructed some 65 metres above on a rocky outcrop of the mountains which overlooked the Nile at this point.

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Hatshepsut Temple with Hot Air Balloon

Luxor Hot Air Balloon Excursion

Take to the skies above Luxor in a hot-air balloon and enjoy panoramic views of the world's greatest open-air museum. Leaving at sunrise, enjoy the tranquillity and beauty of the sun rising over the east bank of the Nile, illuminating the land of the ancient Pharaohs on your scenic flight over Egypt's iconic monuments, this experience promises to be one of the highlights of your journey, as you drift over the Valley of the Kings & Queens, getting a bird’s eye view off the tombs and the Nile delta in a hot air balloon.

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Extension Options

Pyramid and Sphynx, Giza, Egypt

Explore or rediscover Cairo with all its highlights and be one of the first to experience the New Grand Egyptian Museum. Add a stay pre-tour at the premium Crowne Plaza West Cairo Arkan.

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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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From £4295 pp

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