Timeless Egypt(Trip #59919)

Tour Overview

Perhaps the ultimate way to enjoy the splendour that is Ancient Egypt is to take a sailing cruise down the Nile aboard the Princess Donia, our traditional dahabiya. This amazing journey brings together the most impressive sights to be found along the course of this great river, from the Pyramids at Giza to the awe-inspiring temples at Abu Simbel. We’ll experience the romance of a candlelit dinner on the banks of the Nile and explore smaller sites that others pass by. Join us aboard the Princess Donia and experience Egypt as few others will.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1, CAIRO
Arrive in Cairo and transfer to the hotel. No meals.

Day 2, CAIRO
Today we enjoy a guided tour of the Egyptian Museum followed by a guided tour to the Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza. Overnight in Cairo. (BD)

Day 3, CAIRO - LUXOR
A morning flight to Luxor. On arrival we transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon we ride to Karnak temple in horse drawn carriages for a guided tour of this amazing site. (BD)

Day 4, LUXOR – DAHABIYA
An early start to visit the Valley of Kings, Deir el Medina and Deir el Bahri. Later, we drive to Esna to board our luxurious Dahabiya, 'Princess Donia'. Relax on board as we begin our sailing voyage towards Aswan. Dinner will be served on deck. (BLD)

Day 5, DAHABIYA
Enjoy a lazy morning and a leisurely breakfast as we sail up the Nile heading for Edfu. We should arrive just after lunch and then visit Edfu temple, 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 extensive bazaar where you can barter for souvenirs, spices and perfumes. We will set sail around 4 pm and take the short journey to 'El Fouza' island. The crew will set up our dining tables on the island where we will enjoy a fabulous candle-lit dinner. (BLD)

Day 6, DAHABIYA
Breakfast and lunch at your leisure as we sail on to Gebel el Silsila, another of our less frequented destinations. You will have the opportunity to take a short tour to see where the stone that was used to build the Great Pyramids came from, where the workers lived and how they cut and shipped the stone down the Nile to Cairo on board traditional sailing barges. We will moor for the night alongside the Speos of Horemheb, a rock cut temple. (BLD)

Day 7, DAHABIYA
Breakfast at your leisure as we sail on to Kom Ombo. We visit the Greco-Roman Temple at Kom Ombo, a symmetrical temple with two entrance halls and two sanctuaries dedicated to the falcon god Haroeris (Horus the Elder) and the crocodile headed god Sobek. Lunch will be served as we head for El Har Diab Island where we will moor for the evening, before enjoying dinner in this atmospheric location. (BLD)

Day 8, DAHABIYA
We sail to Aswan, the gateway to Nubia and the Sudan. The highlight for today will be a visit to the Temple of Philae. We also have the opportunity to stroll through Aswan’s bazaars and shop for souvenirs. Rejoin the ship around 6pm to enjoy an evening of Egyptian cuisine, belly dancers and Arabic music. (BLD)

Day 9, ASWAN
After breakfast, we bid farewell to Captain Hassan and the crew and take an early flight to Abu Simbel where we visit the magnificent temples of Ramses II and his beloved wife Nefertari. Later we fly back to Cairo to spend the night. (BD)

Day 10, CAIRO
Tour ends with a transfer to the airport. (B)