Dahabiya Nile Cruise
Trip Details
| Destination: | Egypt |
| Places visited: |
Cairo Luxor Aswan Abu simble |
| From: | Sep 18, 2012 |
| To: | Dec 17, 2013 |
| Hotel: | Hotels and sailing Boat |
| Itinerary/Activities | Day 1 Cairo Arrive Cairo, Welcome to Egypt. Anubis tours representative will meet you to ensure a smooth path through immigration and customs. Day 2 Cairo (B) Enjoy a morning visit to visit to the Egyptian Museum. With over 10,000 pieces from every period of Egyptian history, including the treasures from the tomb of Tutankhamun, the display can be a bit daunting. Your tour leader will direct you to the most important and magnificent items. There is also plenty of free time for you to explore on your own, including a chance to visit the famed Mummy Room where you can view the ancient remains of some of Egypt’s most important rulers (NB Extra entrance charges apply). This afternoon will be a real highlights of any visit to Egypt, the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. While once located in remote desert, they now touch the suburbs of modern Cairo. No matter how many photos or documentaries you have seen, your first glimpse of these marvels of the ancient world will take your breath away. As a qualified Egyptologist, your tour leader is able to expertly explain the facts and myths behind these three mammoth works of art. You will also visit the mysterious Sphinx, with its lion’s body and man’s face. Time permitting, there may be the chance to see inside one of the two smaller pyramids, take a ride around the pyramids on camel back or visit the fascinating Solar Boat Museum, which displays on of the pharaoh’s funerary barges - it may just be the oldest boat in existence! (NB extra entrance fees apply for all of these sites/activities). In the evening, we will transfer to the railway station to board our first class sleeper train. Our accommodation will be in comfortable twin-share bunk-bed compartments with lockable doors. The beds convert into seats when not in use and luggage is stored under the bottom bunk. Bedding is provided and there is a small wash basin with soap and towel provided. Shared toilet facilities are at the end of each carriage. A simple "airline st Days 3-4 Luxor (B) We enjoy a tour of the mummification museum before enjoying a floodlit stroll around Luxor Temple. On Day 4 our day starts with a visit to the exciting ancient sites located on Luxor's West Bank. We begin with the two mammoth statues of Amenophis II at the Colossi of Memnon. These statues used to stand at the front of a temple, which is no longer in existence. They were famous since Greek times as they used to make a unique "singing" noise. You can even see ancient graffiti discussing this on the statues, from travellers of old! Next stop is the famous Valley of the Kings. While the treasure has now all gone, the tombs contain the most incredible paintings of the life of their encumbent and stories from the Book of the Dead. There is also the option to visit the the Tomb of Tutankhamun, whose treasures you saw at the Egyptian Museum. We finish our tour with the spectacular temple of Queen Hatshepsut, a reminder of the power women held in the Ancient Kingdom. In the afternoon we ride in horse drawn carriages to the amazing Karnak temple complex where you enjoy a guided visit with your Egyptologist guide. Overnight in Luxor. Days 5-9 Dahabiya River cruise (5B,4L,4D) Day 5 (B,L,D) Drive to Esna, visit Esna temple and join the Dahabiya Boat, Crew will welcome you on board and have your bags taken to your cabins. We will then set sail on your voyage to Aswan. Day 6 Sailing to Edfu (B,L,D) Whilst sleeping, we gently sail en-route to Edfu; enjoy breakfast at your leisure, visit Edfu Temple by horse carriage, one of the largest and most intact of Egypt's monuments. Two beautiful granite statues of the Falcon God Horus flank the entrance. After your visit to the temple, either ride or walk through the bazaar, this is an extensive bazaar where you can barter for souvenirs, spices and perfumes. We will then set sail for our private island "El Fouza" where we will disembark for dinner served to you on the edge of the Nile. DAY 7 Sailing to Gebel el Silsila (B,L,D) we set off for the relaxing journey to the temple of Gebel el Silsila,another of our less frequented destinations. You will be amazed as we tie up alongside the Speos of Hormheb. If possible dinner will be served in the grounds of the illuminated temple or on the upper deck of Boat whilst soaking up the tranquil atmosphere with music to match the mood. DAY 8 Sailing to Kom Ombo (B,L,D) Breakfast at your leisure as we sail on to Kom Ombo. Listen to the sounds of the water buffalo as they wade in the shallow water besides the banks of the Nile, the Donkeys as they go about their day to day business and the various bird life of the river. Here we visit to the Greco Roman Temple at Kom Ombo. The temple building is totally symmetrical with two entrance's two halls and two sanctuaries dedicated to the Falcon God Haroeris (Horus the Elder) and the Crocodile God Sobek. Lunch will be served as we head for a small island where we will moor for the evening and enjoy dinner at this atmospheric location. DAY 09 Sailing to Aswan (B) Enjoy the privilege and luxury of days gone by as we sail to Aswan, the gateway to Nubia and the Sudan. We should arrive around 10am, to enable you to Overnight hotel in Aswan Aswan has a distinctively African feel to it. Small enough to walk around and graced with the most beautiful setting on the Nile, the pace of life is slow and relaxing. Spend time strolling up and down the broad Corniche watching the sailboats etch the sky with their tall masts or sitting in floating restaurants listening to Nubian music and eating freshly caught fish. Overnight in Aswan hotel Days 10 Aswan (B,D) Early on the morning of Day 10 we travel by plane to the magnificent temple of Abu Simbel. It is hard to believe that this marvelous temple, built by Ramses II between 1274 and 1244BC, would now be under Lake Nasser if modern engineering had not been put to work. These are perhaps Egypt's most splendid temples! In the afternoon, we return to Aswan. Late in the afternoon, we will board a local boat, known as a felucca, to take a trip along the Nile with views of the Agha Khan Mausoleum and Kitchener Island. Named after the British general Horatio Kitchener, the island is known for its botanical garden and the exotic plants he planted there 100 years ago, which continue to flourish today. Our final stop is the home of our felucca captain and the largest of the Nile islands in this area, Elephantine Island. We take a walk through the village and fields to learn more about the life of the Nubian people, before enjoying a traditional dinner at a local home. Overnight in Aswan. Estimated Travel Time: Aswan to Abu Simbel, 25mins each way (flight time) Day 11 Cairo (B) After breakfast we will transfer to Aswan Airport for a short flight back to Cairo. Upon arrival in Cairo, the choice is yours. Visit the Khan El Khalili Bazaars, legendary for fine brassware, copper, perfumes, leather, silver, gold, antiques and more; head out to Cairo's most ancient area, Coptic Cairo; or perhaps relax by the hotel pool. An optional farewell dinner and show on one of Cairo’s famous floating restaurants is available and highly recommended as a great way to round off your visit. Overnight in Cairo. Estimated Travel Time: Aswan to Cairo, 1.5 hr (flight time) Day 12 Depart Cairo (B) You are free to depart at any time today. Please note that check-out time from the hotel is normally mid-morning, but luggage storage facilities are available. We are able to organise extra post-trip accommodation if you wish to extend your stay for a few more days. Please ask at the time of booking. |
| Most memorable part of trip | The "Dahabiya "; exploring the beautiful Wonders of Ancient Egypt by a traditional Egyptian Boat is a magical experience. Escape to the pleasures of relaxing under the sun, Visit the Temples of the Pharaohs, magnificent daily life scenery while mooring along the Nile. The daily experience of sailing to a new adventure on the Nile waters and enjoying the blue sky and green Valley is rewarding and satisfying. This is a private holiday to remember! |
| Useful tips | Anubis a 'dahabiya' (sailing boat) that affords a more private sailing experience upon the Nile. A six-cabin haven, offering an elegant mix of modern elegance and old world glamour. A dahabiya nile cruise offers a completely different Nile experience due to its smaller size and ease of docking, making it ideal for family chartering and small groups. The boat is staffed by a small team who will look after your every need. |
Share & discuss this trip with your friends