Nile riverboat adventure holiday
| country: | Egypt |
| location: | Nile Cruises |
| trip type: | A small group adventure |
| departures: | 2009: 20 Dec 2010: 14 Feb, 28 Mar, 30 May, 24 Oct, 21 Nov, 19 Dec, 26 Dec 2011: 20 Feb, 17 Apr, 29 May, 23 Oct, 20 Nov, 18 Dec, 26 Dec |
| price: | From £1199 - £1569 (10 days) including flights from the UK. From £789 - £1229 excluding flights. Local payment 100 GBP. |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Explore ancient wonders along the timeless River Nile
Pyramids & Riverboat Cruise
Your journey begins in Cairo, with visits to the fabulous Egyptian Museum, home of Tutankhamun’s gold, and the famous Pyramids at Giza. An overnight train then takes you south to Aswan, gateway to Nubia and Africa beyond. Here you step aboard your cruise boat for the classic river journey to Luxor, stopping en route to explore the temples at Edfu and Kom Ombo.
Luxor & Cairo
Once in Luxor you’ll visit the legendary Valley of the Kings and take a carriage ride to Karnak Temple. There’s also time for you to take a short felucca ride on the Nile or to visit floodlit Luxor Temple. An overnight train returns you to Cairo for a final day’s sightseeing, or last minute shopping in one of the myriad bazaars.
Nile Cruise
The waters of the Nile are plied by everything from small sail and rowing boats, to large luxury cruise boats. On this holiday you’ll board an air-conditioned, modest yet comfortable riverboat, carrying up to 100 passengers. Your en suite cabin will be compact, usually with twin-beds and a window. Facilities on board will include a sun deck and plunge pool, as well as a restaurant and bar.
Pyramids & Riverboat Cruise
Your journey begins in Cairo, with visits to the fabulous Egyptian Museum, home of Tutankhamun’s gold, and the famous Pyramids at Giza. An overnight train then takes you south to Aswan, gateway to Nubia and Africa beyond. Here you step aboard your cruise boat for the classic river journey to Luxor, stopping en route to explore the temples at Edfu and Kom Ombo.
Luxor & Cairo
Once in Luxor you’ll visit the legendary Valley of the Kings and take a carriage ride to Karnak Temple. There’s also time for you to take a short felucca ride on the Nile or to visit floodlit Luxor Temple. An overnight train returns you to Cairo for a final day’s sightseeing, or last minute shopping in one of the myriad bazaars.
Nile Cruise
The waters of the Nile are plied by everything from small sail and rowing boats, to large luxury cruise boats. On this holiday you’ll board an air-conditioned, modest yet comfortable riverboat, carrying up to 100 passengers. Your en suite cabin will be compact, usually with twin-beds and a window. Facilities on board will include a sun deck and plunge pool, as well as a restaurant and bar.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Depart London Following your flight, you transfer to your first night’s accommodation and check in. Hotel – 1 night |
| Day 2: | Cairo & Overnight Train With a population of around 15 million people, Cairo is Africa’s largest city by far, yet despite its size it retains a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Its long and colourful history dates from the 7th century AD, when it was established by the Arab leader Amr ibn al-As, and called Fustat (the tent). At Giza, to the west of the city, the enigmatic Sphinx and great pyramids still stand on the edge of the empty desert overlooking the city. More than 4000 years old, the pyramids are all that remain of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World – a testimony to the ingenuity and skill of their builders. There are many thousands of exhibits in the famed Egyptian Museum, and your local guide will focus on the Tutankhamun collection; probably the world’s greatest archaeological find. You’ll see the treasure found in the tomb of the boy-king: the jewel-encrusted golden mask, the golden sarcophagus and throne, plus many everyday articles which were entombed with him to be used in the afterlife. The rest of the day is left free for you to explore; your Group Leader will advise on what you can see and do to make the most out of your stay. In the evening you board the overnight train to the southern city of Aswan. Overnight train (couchette) (BD) |
| Day 3: | Aswan Arriving in Aswan in the morning, you'll transfer to your overnight hotel and drop off your bags. Today is a free day to explore Aswan and perhaps visit some of the nearby sights on an optional excursion. At Aswan the Nile runs deep and fast between granite rocks as the desert encroaches on the river. Even to travellers in ancient times, the town was legendary as the entrance to the kingdom of Nubia. Today Aswan is still something of a frontier town, where the Arab Middle East meets black Africa; with its mixed population of Egyptians and Nubians, it's quite unlike any other town in the country. By virtue of its position on the old caravan route, it has always been a trading centre and we thoroughly recommend a visit to the packed bazaar where merchants display a wealth of exotic spices, carpets, leather goods and countless other wares. Amongst the possible optional excursions is a visit to the temple of Isis at Philae. Alternatively, you will love the camel ride to St. Simeon’s Monastery - a real desert experience! There are many other sites to be seen around Aswan and your Group Leader may be able to organise some, for example to the remarkable Unfinished Obelisk. In the evening there is a trip across the river to a Nubian village where you enjoy dinner at one of the local houses. Hotel - 1 night (BLD) |
| Day 4: | Board Riverboat Today you board your riverboat, which serves as your accommodation for the next three nights. Nile Riverboats usually leave Aswan during the afternoon or evening. However, sailing times are dictated by local authorities/river conditions and your Group Leader will confirm your sailing time on arrival in Aswan. Berth on riverboat – 3 nights (BLD) |
| Day 5-6: | Nile Riverboat The Nile has a fascination of its own and is one of the principal reasons many people come to Egypt. In ancient legend it was the giver of life and even in modern times, it still provides a livelihood for millions of people. Your time on the river is relaxed and easy; this is a holiday after all! As you motor along its languid curves, you can sit back and watch the banks glide past. The reds and greys of the sand dunes and granite and limestone cliffs blend into the distance. Closer to the river’s edge you can glean an insight into ancient times; the agriculturist fellahin who inhabit the riverbank live and till the land much as they have done for centuries. As you sail north you pause to visit the great temples at Kom Ombo and Edfu. Kom Ombo is a unique temple dedicated to two gods: Haroeris (Horus the elder) and the crocodile-headed Sobek, god of the Nile. Look out for the mummified crocs on display! On the east bank around Kom Ombo, reclaimed land is fed by canals to keep the desert at bay - it supports not only crops of sugar cane but also a large Nubian community displaced from their homeland by the rising waters of Lake Nasser. The following day you’ll alight from the riverboat again to visit Edfu by calesh, which after Karnak is the largest temple in Egypt. Almost completely buried for centuries, and only excavated in 1860, it is probably the best-preserved temple in Egypt. As you sail closer to Luxor the river valley becomes increasingly open, and a landscape of cultivated fields stretches away from the river; a ribbon of green in the middle of a vast desert. This was once the floodplain where the combination of annual deposits of rich silt and ceaseless toil created a fertile market garden, which still supports Egypt’s burgeoning population. (Bx2, Lx2, Dx2) NB: As with any boat trip, progress is wholly dependant on local operational conditions and the sailing schedules of the boat operators who have to time their journeys according to various factors, such as sailing times through the locks of the Nile. There are also certain times of the year – for example, in June and the first half of December when the Nile is cleaned and cruises must stop at Esna. If the sailing schedule dictates, Edfu Temple sightseeing may be done on day four. NB: Please note that this cruise may run in reverse starting at Luxor and ending at Aswan. The sites of Edfu and Kom Ombo will still be visited. If the cruise is reversed a revised itinerary will be sent to you detailing the day to day schedule. |
| Day 7: | Luxor The day starts early as you cross the Nile and take to donkeys for an exciting and fun-filled journey to the Valley of the Kings. Following the route of the builders and artisans who built the tombs, you’ll stop to witness sunrise over the Nile, before moving to the valley itself. On reaching the valley, hidden by the surrounding mountains, you learn from your local guide about the unique treasures that have lain hidden here for centuries. On your way back to the river, you will stop at the imposing structure of the funerary temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Egypt’s first female ruler. You’ll return to Luxor in time for lunch and to settle into your overnight hotel. Known in ancient times as Thebes, Luxor was the capital of Egypt’s New Kingdom for some 500 years. This afternoon you take horse-drawn carriages, called caleshes locally, to the grandest of Egypt’s historic temples, Karnak, which you explore with a local guide. Many architects and engineers contributed to its construction; a task that spanned the reign of successive Pharaohs over a period of 1400 years. The highlights of its many wonders are the great hypostyle hall, which contains 134 huge columns, and the beautifully carved obelisk of Queen Hatshepsut. The sheer scale and massive bulk of these monuments testify to the wealth and level of organisation of early Egyptian civilisation. Hotel – 1 night (B) Please note: In order to ensure the comfort and safety of both donkeys and riders, donkeys are only available for the ride to the Valley of the Kings for clients up to a weight of 80kg (approx 12½ stone). Taxis will be arranged for non-riders. |
| Day 8: | Luxor – Free Day Today has been left free for you to further explore this fascinating city. You might choose to visit the bustling bazaars where merchants display a wealth of exotic spices, carpets, leather and countless other goods. Alternatively, you can take a visit to Luxor Temple, situated in the heart of the city or just relax and enjoy views of feluccas plying to and fro on the Nile. Later this evening you once again board the train and make your way north, back to Cairo. Overnight train (couchette) (BD) |
| Day 9: | Free In Cairo Arriving in Cairo early morning, you’ll transfer to your overnight hotel. You then have a whole day to continue exploring this remarkable city. Depending on your interests, you can visit the oldest pyramid in the world at Saqqara or drive to Old Cairo to explore the Citadel - a complex of mosques and museums housed inside a magnificent fortress standing in an imposing position overlooking the city. A walk around Khan al Khalili bazaar is also a must; one of the largest bazaars in the Middle East, hundreds of artisans, traders and shopkeepers sell their wares here; or relax in one of the many traditional tea houses. On your last evening your Group Leader will no doubt organise a traditional ‘last supper’. Hotel - 1 night (B) |
| Day 10: | Fly To London The trip ends for Land Only clients. Clients on group flights to the UK transfer to the airport and fly to London. (B) |
B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
small group cultural tours
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends it's good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as experiencing new cultures.how this holiday makes a difference
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On this trip: Our small group adventures are designed to impact as little as possible on the regions through which we travel, whilst putting any money that we spend back into the local economy – this trip is no exception. We employ Egyptian Group Leaders, drivers and local guides where necessary, The groups stay in independently run Egyptian hotels, eat in local restaurants and on one occasion on this trip dine with a local Nubian family. All this ensures that money from our visit reaches a wide range of people in all the areas that we pass through. Our small groups have minimal impact on the environment, and our interaction with local people helps demonstrate the importance of preserving the region’s cultural heritage whilst protecting sites of historical and natural importance.
Travellers on this trip also get the opportunity to visit one of the projects which we support in Luxor, the Sunshine International Project. The organisation aims to provide an education and home for children in the area who otherwise would have neither. They currently have 68 residents aged between a few months old and 12 years – visitors are always assured of a cheery welcome! Our Responsible Travel Code: Clients who travel with us will automatically receive a copy of our Responsible Travel leaflet. This contains details and advice on how you can make a positive difference when you travel. If you would like a copy in advance of travel please contact us. Charity Partnerships: We work in partnership with Plan International. Plan works with some of the world’s poorest communities where three out of four children die before the age of five. We also support Friends of Conservation – an international charity committed to working with local people to develop a balance between their needs and the wildlife with which they share the natural habitat and ecosystems. Other charities that we work closely with include Born Free Foundation and The Travel Foundation, a UK charity that has been established to promote responsible travel practises throughout the whole of the travel industry. Carbon Balancing: Global warming is a real issue and is a direct result of your travel. We have teamed up with Climate Care to give you the opportunity to offset the carbon emissions from your flight. You’ll be asked upon booking if you want to donate – with set amounts from £5. As a company we offset the carbon emissions from all staff travel in full. Our Foundation: We’ve highlighted a few of the ways in which we offer our support, financially or otherwise, and now you can, too. We have set up our own foundation, which will administer funds donated by you. A small donation of £1 per person will be taken when booking a holiday and that money will be put to good use by one of our carefully selected projects. If you don’t want to make the donation, just tell us when you book. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |