Tour Details
  • Starts in: Cairo / Ends in: Cairo
  • Departs: Fridays - year round
  • No local payment required
  • Breakfast:9, Lunch: 4, Dinner: 6
  • Hotel Rating: 5 Star superior
  • Tour Guide: Yes
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Jewel of the Nile - 10 days

Premium Tour. Enjoy a five star Egyptian adventure, Stay in one of Cairo's smartest hotels and cruise the River Nile in style aboard a 5 star Nile cruiser. Relax and unwind, enjoy the serenity of the Nile Valley, whilst discovering the very best of ancient Egypt!

Day 1: Cairo
Friday. Welcome to Egypt and the start of a wonderful holiday! Arrive Cairo airport, meet and greet service and included transfer to 5 star hotel, located at the foot of the Great Pyramids of Giza. Overnight - Cairo
Day 2: Egyptian Museum
We start with the dazzling antiquities at the Egyptian Museum. Amongst the many exhibits are the treasures of King Tutankhamen. This afternoon offers free time to relax and enjoy the hotel facilities or join us for an optional city tour visiting old Cairo and the Islamic citadel. Overnight - Cairo (B)
Jewel of the Nile - 10 days Go Guide : :Check out the go guide for details of the tour, info on visas, climate, money, what to bring and more!
A family standing in front of the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt
Day 3: Pyramids of Giza and Saqqara
Cairo - Luxor. Today we visit Egypt's most loved sight - The Great Pyramids of Giza. We explore the Giza plateau, pyramids and massive lion-headed Sphinx. Later, we tour Saqqara - an ancient necropolis with many half-buried tombs and the famous Zhoser’s step pyramid. Tonight we take an overnight sleeper cabin train south to Luxor.

If your don't fancy travelling by overnight sleeper train, opt to undertake the journey by flight with our Jewel of the Nile Flight bolt-on. The option includes air travel between Cairo - Luxor and Aswan - Cairo with two nights accommodation in the comfort of 5 star hotels. Overnight - Sleeper Train (B, D)
Day 4: Valley of the Kings
Luxor. The massive pair of statues known as the Colossi of Memnon are the first monuments you’ll see during our morning visit to the West Bank - home to the legendary Valley of the Kings. You’ll also see the colonnaded Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Return to Luxor for check-in on board our Nile 5H cruiser. Lunch at leisure and time to relax until our early evening visit to the Temple of Luxor. Luxor Temple looks stunning at dusk and is beautifully illuminated at night. Lunch, dinner and overnight - Nile cruiser.

Note: Dependant upon Nile Cruiser scheduling it maybe required that we also undertake our excursion to Karnak Temple this afternoon. Should this occur, day 5 will be spent at leisure. Overnight - Nile Cruiser (B, L, D)
A 5 star cruiser on the River Nile at sunset
Day 5: Luxor & Nile Cruising
Luxor - Nile cruising. At over 4,000 years old, Luxor is a living museum! Look down upon the ancient city by opting to join us on an early morning hot air ballooning excursion.

Later we tour the ancient city of Thebes (the East Bank), taking in the Temple of Luxor - built by Pharaoh Amenophis III and the magnificent Temple of Karnak. More than a temple, it’s a gigantic and stunning complex of sanctuaries and pylons dedicated to the Theban gods. Anchors away this afternoon as we sail downstream to Esna and the Temple of Horus at Edfu. Overnight - Nile Cruiser (B, L, D)
Day 6: Kom Ombo & Nile Cruising
Relax as we sail the Nile. Later today, we visit the Temple of Kom Ombo. Arrive Aswan late evening. Overnight - Nile Cruiser (B, L, D)
The Temple of Nefertari, located 120m from the Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel
Day 7: Philae Temple & the Mighty High Dam
Nile cruiser - Aswan. Today, we enjoy a short boat trip to Agilika Island for Philae Temple - dedicated to the goddess Isis. The temple dates from 4th century BC but the Ptolomies and the Romans up to 3rd century AD built most of the existing structures. In danger of being completely submerged by the rising water of Lake Nasser, in 1972 UNESCO stepped in and an 8-year rescue effort was undertaken to relocate the entire temple 20m higher on nearby Agilika Island.

After lunch, a visit to the High Dam and take a felucca cruise to Elephantine and Kitchener Island. As the sun sets, free time to shop in the colourful souqs and markets or simply relax and watch an amazing sunset in Egypt’s southern most town straddling the River Nile. Overnight - Nile Cruiser (B, L, D)
Day 8: Aswan
Aswan - Cairo. Consider the optional early morning air excursion to the Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel or time to relax. Late this afternoon, we board the overnight train for our journey back to Cairo. Enjoy dinner in the comfort of your sleeper cabin. Overnight - Sleeper Train (B, D)
The luxurious 5 star Mena House Oberoi pool with the Pyramids of Giza in the background
Day 9: Cairo
Breakfast in your cabin, upon arriving to Cairo, transfer and check in. Today is free for you to enjoy the hotel facilities or further explore Cairo your own way. Overnight - Cairo (B)
Day 10: Cairo
Sunday. Tour ends after breakfast. Included onward transfer to airport.

Cairo Accommodation Your tour includes a first and second stay within greater Cairo. One stay (either first or second) will commence at a hotel located in the Pyramids area and the other will be undertaken in a downtown area. The choice as to which location will be used first and second will be notated upon your tour voucher. (B)

Jewel of the Nile Sun Festival - departs 15th October 2010
Join us to watch the Sun Festival of King Ramses II at Abu Simbel on 22nd October 2010.

Ramses II had his grand temple carefully angled and oriented in order that the sun's rays would align twice a year on the date of his ascension to the throne (21 February) and on his birthday (21 October) and illuminate the inner sanctum of the temple. This incredible natural phenomenon provides for a most spectacular sight as the sun illuminates the 3 statues of the living world, whilst the statute of Ptah - the god of darkness - remains in the shadows. The temple was re-located in a multi-million dollar operation in 1972, further up from the shoreline of Lake Nasser. In the temples new position the sun now strikes a day later than Ramses had originally planned.

on the go offers an opportunity to witness the phenomenon on our special 11 day Jewel of the Nile Sun Festival departure. Includes: Coach from Aswan to Abu Simbel early morning on 22nd October 2010. Guided visit to Abu Simbel, the sunrise event, all entrance fees and transfers. Return coach back to Aswan after the event and commencement of our sightseeing program.

Jewel of the Nile - Dahabeya Cruising

A Dahabeya on the River NileOn selected departures in 2011 we are offering the wonderful opportunity for our passengers to sail aboard a private luxury dahabeya instead of the 5 star Nile Cruiser. With only eight en suite cabins on board this is an exclusive way to travel the Nile in style!

 

 

Nile-Spirit-Dahabeya-Sundeck-EgyptDahabeyas were popular in the early 20th century amongst aristocrats, wanting to cruise the Nile in style. Today dahabeyas provide the perfect combination of serenity and modern comfort. Giving you the opportunity to experience the Nile in an intimate and relaxed setting, amongst a small group of fellow on the go travellers. Mooring for the night at smaller islands, away from the large cruise ships.

 

 

Nile-Spirit-Dahabeya-EgyptOur luxury dahabeya has 8 en suite twin/double cabins, each with modern furnishings, individual climate control, hairdryer, mini-bar, safety deposit box, plasma TV and DVD. Guest facilities aboard include a downstairs seating area with reception, library and 2 LCD TV’s. There is also a spacious sun deck with bar and BBQ facilities perfect for relaxing, soaking up the sun and enjoying the Nile views.

 

Dahabeya dates for 2011 has yet to be released - watch this space!