CroisiCruise: 10N_PP
11 Days
Cairo | Luxor | Edfu | Kom Ombo | Aswan | Esna | Luxor
Discover the hidden treasures of the Egyptian capital. From the Cairo Citadel to the bazaar district, learn all about the intellectual and cultural capital of the Arab world and its must-see Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Then, discover ancient Egypt, the cradle of all civilizations, which has fascinated humankind forever. Since the dawn of time, explorers, diplomats, writers, and painters have used the fertile banks of the Nile as inspiration for their work. Even today, we still seek the answers to the mysteries found within the pharaohs’ tombs. Over two thousand years of history are waiting for you on a cruise that promises exciting, spectacular, and unforgettable discoveries. Majestic temples, tombs, pyramids, and lively villages dot the Nile Valley landscapes from Luxor to Aswan. Wind down from your everyday grind and step way back in time on a cruise through Upper Egypt.
THE CROISIEUROPE DIFFERENCE
- All meals included : Refined local cuisine, with table service for lunch & dinner
- Drinks included : With meals
- Drinks at all meals (mineral water + 1 soft drink or 1 beer or 1 glass of wine + 1 tea or coffee per person at each meal )
- Headsets are included for excursions
- Official welcome from the captain and crew
- Tour leader or cruise director on board
- Onboard activities and/or lectures
- Travel assistance and repatriation insurance
- All port fees included
HIGHLIGHTS
- PRE-CRUISE EXTENDED STAY INCLUDED:
- Discover 2 sites listed as a UNESCO World Heritage: Historic Cairo and the Giza Plateau with its pyramids and mysterious Sphinx
- The Great Pyramid of Giza, the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
- Discover Saqqara Necropolis and visit the Pyramid of Teti
- Take a stroll in Coptic Cairo
- Visit the most beautiful sites of Upper Egypt: Karnak, Luxor, Edfu, Philae, Kom OmboD
- Discover Abu Simbel (optional)
- On board services from an Egyptologist and our CroisiEurope cruise director
- Itinerary
- Important Information
Day 1: Cairo
Participation in today‘s activities will depend on your arrival time in Cairo. If you arrive at the hotel before 7:00 p.m., your program will be as follows: Check in at your 4-star hotel from 3:00 p.m. After checking in at the hotel, you'll have dinner and spend the night at the hotel.
Day 2: Cairo
Full-day excursion included: Saqqara, the pyramid of Teti, Giza pyramid complex, and the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities(2). Then visit Saqqara and one of the largest necropolises in Egypt. This fascinating site contains royal tombs and modest burial sites, giving you a good idea of daily life in ancient Egypt. Recently, archaeologists discovered five well-preserved and colorfully decorated tombs created almost 4,200 years ago. Enter the pyramid of Teti to admire the basalt sarcophagus under a vault decorated with stars. All the walls are covered in hieroglyphs, making this pyramid unique. Enjoy lunch then continue to discover one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: The Giza pyramid complex and its Great Pyramid. At its sides sit the Pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure, as well as the Great Sphinx, a mythical creature with a human head and lion's body. Wrap up the day with a visit to the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities. Among its 120,000 artifacts are a multitude of treasures from "King Tut's" tomb, discovered in 1922. You'll have dinner and spend the night at the hotel.
(2) If the Grand Egyptian Museum were to open, it would be scheduled to replace the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.
Day 3: Cairo
Full-day included excursion: The Citadel of Saladin, Great Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha, the Hanging Church, Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church, and the Ben Ezra Synagogue. Begin your tour with the citadel. Saladin began to build the citadel in Cairo in 1176 as a defense against the Crusaders. It subsequently became the residence of Egypt’s rulers for 700 years. Today, it is an impressive historical site whose walls provide great views of the city, including the pyramids in Gaza if the sky is clear. Next stop is a visit to the Great Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha. The Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha was built for prayer and as a final resting place for its namesake, the ruler regarded as the father of modern Egypt. The mosque is also known as the Alabaster Mosque, invoking the shiny marble covering both the interior and exterior walls.
Continue to Saint Virgin Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church. Also known as the Hanging Church, it sits above the ruins of the ancient Roman Babylon Fortress. Your last stops will be the Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church and Ben Ezra Synagogue, one of the oldest in Egypt. Although most of Egypt's Jewish community left the country to settle in Israel in the 1950s, the synagogue remains an important historical tourist destination. You’ll have dinner and spend the night at the hotel.
Day 4: Cairo - Luxor
You'll fly from Cairo to Luxor. On arrival, you'll be transferred to the harbour, where you'll board your ship. Enjoy dinner and your first night on board.
Day 5: Luxor - Edfu
Excursion included: The Karnak Temple Complex. Built over a span of 1,000 years, Karnak was one of the largest and most important religious complexes in ancient Egypt. The immense size of Karnak and its various details make it an invaluable historical site and resource for understanding the evolution of ancient Egypt. Your ship will begin to cruise to Edfu. You’ll have dinner and spend the night on board.
Day 6: Edfu - Kom Ombo
Excursion included: The Temple of Horus. Built between 237 and 57 BC, this temple is one of the best-preserved ancient monuments in Egypt. It was excavated in the mid-19th century after being buried under sand and rubble for hundreds of years.
Enjoy lunch on board as you continue to cruise towards Kom Ombo. Pass by Gebel el-Silsila, a major quarry site from the Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt to Greco-Roman times. Join for a presentation on ancient Egypt.
In the evening, visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to the gods Sobek (the crocodile god) and Haroeris (Horus the Elder). By the late 1800s, much of the temple had been either destroyed by earthquakes, the waters of the Nile, or builders who took stones for other projects. It was cleaned and restored by Jacques de Morgan in 1893. The temple is unique because its dual design shows duplicated courts, halls, sanctuaries, and rooms for two sets of gods.
Enjoy an Egyptian-themed dinner and spend the night on board.
Day 7: Aswan
Excursion included: The Philae Temple Complex and photo op at the Aswan Dam. After the dam was finished in 1902, the temple complex was partially submerged. In 1960, UNESCO started a project to save the buildings. In the long run, every building was dismantled into units and then transported to a nearby island for reconstruction. The most ancient temple is dedicated to Isis and dates back to 380 BC. We'll visit the Aswan Dam, one of the largest dams in the world. It tames the Nile River and utilizes its power for a variety of reasons, most notably to provide electricity to the country. Since its construction, the dam has been able to control the annual flooding of the river and has allowed the installation of an irrigation system that helps produce two crops per year.
Lunch on board. In the afternoon set out on a boat tour on the Nile. Board small local boats and enjoy a ride on the Nile, between the granite islands and natural reserves, passing close to the island of Elephantine. You'll have dinner and spend the night on board.
Day 8: Aswan - Esna
Enjoy a morning on your own in Aswan. Some of our suggestions for sites to see are a visit to the Nubian Museum, a stroll through the small streets in the souk, or taking in the awesome view at the Old Cataract—where Agatha Christie wrote her famous novel, Death on the Nile.
Optional excursion: Abu Simbel.(1) Discovering these amazing rock temples is one of the highlights of any trip to Egypt. Located about 140 miles southwest of Aswan (230 km and three hours driving time), the complex is in the heart of the desert—at the border with Sudan—and is the most impressive imprint left by Ramesses II.
Return to the ship in Aswan and have lunch on board. The afternoon will be spent cruising to Esna. You will have dinner and spend the night on board.
(1) The Egyptian government can decide to close the roads to the Abu Simbel site at any time. Departure for the Abu Simbel excursion takes place very early in the morning. You must reserve this excursion before you leave for your cruise.
Day 9: Esna - Luxor
Spend the morning cruising to Luxor. Join for a presentation on modern Egypt.
Excursion included: The Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut — one of only a few women to officially serve as pharaoh—and Tomb KV11—one of the most intact tombs in the Valley of the Kings—built for Pharaoh Rameses III. The quality of the colors and the scenes represented on the temple walls make it one of the top tourist destinations in the valley.
Spend the night on board.
Day 10: Luxor
Included excursion: The Valley of the Kings. Join a visit to the Valley of the Kings and four of its tombs, including the longest and deepest of the royal tombs built for Seti I. It was also the first tomb to feature decorations on every passageway and chamber with highly refined bas-reliefs and colorful paintings. When Giovanni Battista Belzoni first entered the tomb, the paint on the walls was still fresh looking, and some of the artists' paints and brushes were still on the floor. We'll also stop for a photo op at the Colossi of Memnon.
Have lunch on board and in the afternoon set out on the excursion included: The Luxor Temple, a strikingly graceful monument in the heart of the modern town. Its main function was during the annual Opet celebrations, when the statues of Amun, Mut, and Khonsu were reunited during the flooding of the river.
Have dinner and spend the night on board. Enjoy a show of traditional Egyptian entertainment.
Day 11: Luxor
One last buffet breakfast before disembarking at 9 a.m. End of our services.
INCLUSIONS:
>> CORE PROGRAM
- Your cruise in the cabin of your choice on the RV Star of Luxor (or similar ship)
- Your cruise with all meals from dinner on the first day to breakfast on the final day
- All visits and excursions mentioned in the program (except for the optional excursions)
- The assistance of English-speaking Egyptologists for all visits
- The services of your CroisiEurope cruise director on board
- Drinks at all meals (mineral water + 1 soft drink or 1 beer or 1 glass of wine + 1 tea or coffee per person at each meal)
- Travel assistance and repatriation insurance
- Tips
- All port fees.
Tips: To ensure our customers more pleasant stay, prices include tips given to the staff in the destination country, amounting to €50 including tax for the guides and €10 including tax for the crew. This amount was determined while taking into consideration the local customs and etiquette.
>> EXTENDED STAY
- Domestic flight and airport taxes (€20 per person, subject to modifications)
- All visits and excursions mentioned in the program (except for the optional excursion)
- The assistance of an English-speaking Egyptologist
- Your stay in a 4* Hotel in a double room
- All meals
- Drinks at all meals (1 mineral water or 1 soft drink + 1 tea or coffee per person at each meal)
- Travel assistance and repatriation insurance
- Tips.
Tips: To ensure our customers more pleasant stay, our prices include tips given to the staff in the destination country, amounting to €50 including tax for the guides. This amount was determined while taking into consideration the local customs and etiquette.
EXCLUSIONS:
>> CORE PROGRAM
- Transfers to/from departure/arrival points
- Cancellation and baggage insurance
- Egyptian visa
- Optional excursions
>> EXTENDED STAY
- Cancellation and baggage insurance
- These cruises and tours are not recommended for persons with reduced mobility. There are no elevators on the ship, and many tours and visits are done on foot.
- The ship is not a part of the CroisiEurope fleet.
- The Egyptian government can decide to close the roads to the Abu Simbel site at any time. Departure for the Abu Simbel excursion takes place very early in the morning. You must reserve this excursion before you leave for your cruise.
- If the Grand Egyptian Museum were to open, it would be scheduled to replace the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.
- For the safety of passengers, the captain and crew of the boat may decide to modify the navigational itinerary.
- The excursions may be modified or reversed for technical requirements or in case of cultural events. Please note that Egyptian authorities can unexpectedly close certain sites or museums. If this occurs, an alternative will be proposed.
- The excursions will take place by either air-conditioned coaches or small local boats.
- The excursions are guided by an English-speaking Egyptologist. Passengers are equipped with audio guides for more comfort during the visits.
- Certain places visited have very high levels of security. We cannot be held liable for any unforeseen closings, but we will commit to doing our best to ensure comparable substitute excursions.
- Frequent traffic jams in Luxor and Cairo caused by intense traffic or religious events can disturb the sequence of certain excursions.
- If necessary, the itinerary, stopovers or visits may be modified by the cruise company or their local representatives.
- There is no heating on board.
- In Egypt, it is customary to cover your shoulders, head and knees while visiting religious sites.
Enquire About This Itinerary
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Trip prices and dates are correct at the time of the website going live, however all offers are subject to reconfirmation at the time of booking. All featured tour itineraries and offers may be subject to change due to seasonal variations without notice, or due to local conditions or other conditions. Please confirm all details at time of booking. Travel insurance is mandatory for all Innovative Travel bookings. All passports must be valid for 6 months prior to your return to your home country. Visas are the responsibility of the traveller. Special VIP meet and assist offers are available in some destinations for New Zealand passport holders, for other nationalities please check at the time of booking. For full terms and conditions, please refer to our Booking Conditions page.
