Nile River Cruises

The Wonders of Ancient Egypt - a 7 night Nile cruise plus 3 nights in Cairo

A full week of cruising on the Nile through the heartland of the Pharaoh's Egypt

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Exclusive Blue Water Holidays discount Book now and save £50ppTerms and conditions apply

Combining 3 nights in Cairo with a full week cruising on the Nile, this comprehensive itinerary travels into the heart of Pharaonic Egypt.

With ample free time to enjoy the incredible sites around the Egyptian capital, you then fly to Luxor to board the MS Nile Plaza cruise boat, to begin a journey that takes in the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple and the ancient sites that lie along the Nile and beyond Aswan's bustling markets, before returning to Luxor.

Cairo

Experience the timeless beauty of the river itself, and the glorious monuments that line its banks, testamant to perhaps the greatest of all ancient civilisations.

Horus

A visa is required for entry into Egypt - we can organise this with your booking.

W214: Cruise Departure Dates 2010/11
2010: May 7, 14; Aug 6; Sep 3, 17;
Oct 1, 15, 22, 29; Nov 12, 26; Dec 10, 17;
2011: Jan 14, 28; Feb 4, 11, 18, 25; Mar 4;
Apr 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
W214: Wonders of Ancient Egypt 2010/11£ price per person
Exclusive Blue Water Holidays discount Book now and save £50pp
Terms and conditions apply
Prices are per person, based on 2 adults sharing a twin room. Single supplements are also available on request.
Optional Excursions: Day 8 Abu Simbel by Air from £155. Day 10 Balloon Flight Over Luxor from £85pp
Airfare supplements: Business Class airfare supplements are available. Please call us for further details.

MS Nile Plaza

The cruise price includes
  • Scheduled flights
  • Private transfers direct from the airport to your hotel or cruise ship
  • Experienced English-speaking guide during the cruise
  • Full sightseeing programme during the cruise, including entrance fees
  • Modern first class hotels and cruise ship
  • 10 full breakfasts, 7 lunches and 7 dinners as detailed
  • Minimum Participation: 2 passengers
Call our dedicated Cruise Team
UK: 01756 706532
International: +44 1756 706532
Call our dedicated Cruise Team
UK: 01756 706532
International: +44 1756 706532

Itinerary
Day 1
London to Cairo

Afternoon non-stop flight by EgyptAir from London Heathrow to Cairo (4 hours 40 mins). On arrival you will be met by our representative and taken direct to the Oasis Hotel at Giza, close to the pyramids. Meals: Inflight

Day 2
Cairo

With time at leisure, your days are free to spend as you wish. Perhaps take an optional excursion to the magnificent site of the Great Pyramids, or wandering through the treasures of the Egyptian Museum. A little farther a field are the remarkable ruins of ancient Memphis and Saqqara. Meals: B

Day 3
Cairo

A little farther a field are the remarkable ruins of ancient Memphis and Saqqara to explore. Meals: B

Day 4
Luxor

Transfer to Cairo airport for EgyptAir flight to Luxor (1 hour 5 mins). Embark on the MS Nile Plaza cruise boat in time for lunch. Afternoon and evening at leisure in Luxor. Meals: B, L, D

Day 5
Luxor and Karnak Temples

This morning visit Luxor’s East Bank, taking time to explore the magnificent Luxor Temple. This sumptuous monument was built over 4000 years ago, and represents the epoch of the once mighty city of Thebes and the worship of the god Amun. Also visit the Karnak Temple, built over 4,000 years ago, Karnak’s immense Hypostyle Hall alone contains the phenomenal sight of 134 towering columns of intricate stonework. After your sightseeing return to your boat and commence your journey, sailing along the timeless Nile to Esna where you will pass through the lock and continue towards Edfu where you will overnight. Meals: B, L, D

Day 6
Kom Ombo

Before departing Edfu this morning visit the superbly preserved Temple of Horus at Edfu, the second largest temple in Egypt (after Karnak). Sail for Kom Ombo to visit the unique Ptolemaic temple lying besides the Nile, dedicated to the two gods Sobek and Horus. Later continue to Aswan, the gateway to ancient Nubia and the Sudan. Overnight in Aswan. Meals: B L D

Day 7
Aswan High Dam & Temple of Philae

In the morning you will visit the High Dam and the ancient Granite Quarries, where an unfinished obelisk lies. Continue to the beautiful Temple of Philae, rescued from the rising waters of Lake Nasser when the dam was constructed. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Aswan. Meals: B L D

Day 8
Edfu & Abu Simbel option

There is an option this morning to take an early flight to the spectacular temple complex at Abu Simbel. Built by Ramses II, the setting of this magnificent structure, besides the shores of Lake Nasser, makes it one of the most spectacular of Egypt’s ancient sites. Please advise at the time of booking if you would like to take this excursion. In the early afternoon sail to Edfu where you moor overnight. Meals: B L D

Day 9
Esna Lock, Luxor

This morning you will depart Edfu and continue to Esna where you will pass through the Lock on your journey back to Luxor where you will overnight. Meals: B, L, D

Day 10
Valleys of the Kings and Queens

There is the option of rising at dawn to take a hot air balloon flight over Luxor. Please advise at the time of booking if you would like to take this excursion (please see ?Pre Bookable Option Excursions? below). This morning visit the West Bank and enter the atmospheric setting of the Valley of the Kings, where the tombs of the once mighty pharaohs lie amongst the desert landscapes of the Nile Valley. Also pay a visit to the Valley of the Queens and the magnificent mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut, passing the imposing Colossi of Memnon en route. This afternoon is free. Overnight in Luxor. Meals: B, L, D

Day 11
Luxor to London Heathrow

Disembark from the Nile Plaza, and return by EgyptAir direct from Luxor to London Heathrow (5 hours 50 minutes), arriving in the early afternoon.Meals: B

Please note that the exact sequence of sightseeing and sites visited may be altered to suit local conditions, the water level and lock closures. Due to mooring restrictions along the Nile, boats may have to tie up alongside each other.
Blue Water Holidays, Bridge House, Brook Street, Skipton, North Yorkshire BD23 1PP - 01756 706532
As a fully bonded member of ABTA (K9428) with an ATOL (9685), the Air Tour Operators Licence, we offer complete peace of mind when you  book your holiday through us.