Tour Cairo and cruise the Nile like
a Pharaoh on a Deluxe Dahabiya
This is a Private Tour – All in 12 days
Khan el-Khalili is a souk-market in Old Cairo, Egypt.
By Joelsuganth (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons
DAY 1: CAIRO – Thursday – Weekly in Cairo, year round
Our local representative will greet you at the airport and whisk you to your hotel. Visa may be issued upon arrival at Cairo Airport.
VIP Meet & Greet Upon arrival at Cairo Airport
Visa issued locally in Cairo (for a limited number of nationalities) no photos required. Our representative greets you at the airport and whisks you to your hotel. Visa will be issued upon arrival at Cairo Airport for a limited number of citizens such as: American, Australian, NZ, EU, Canadian, EU Singaporean and Japanese citizens. You are responsible for having your passport in order valid at least for 6 month beyond the date of your arrival in Cairo. The Airport VIP Service local representative will meet you with a sign that carries your name, and will be waiting for you with the prepaid visa stamps to proceed to the passports control to stamp your passports, while you are enjoying your coffee at the VIP Lounge at the airport, the representative will be collecting your luggage, then walk you pass the passport and customs formalities and exit the terminal, another local representative will escort you by private vehicle to the hotel. Welcome fruit basket & Egyptian pastry awaits you in your room with our compliments.
The Richmond Party Sonesta Luxury Yacht Dahabiya Cruise on the Nile. Photo by The Mighty Alan – aka Mighty Ra
DAY 2: CAIRO – Friday (BL)
On your first full day in Egypt we show you the Egyptian Museum including the “Mummies Room”. Lunch is included at a charming local restaurant: Naguib Mahfouz or one of the restaurant at Hadaik El-Azhar, on to the Citadel of Saladin, and Mohammed Ali Mosque, made of alabaster. Conclude your tour with a walking tour of Khan El – Khalili Bazaar district.
Complimentary Dinner is included at a local home:
Meet the locals: This evening we’ll venture where few ordinary visitors ever tread… right into the homes of some of the people of Cairo! You’ll be invited to a family dinner, and while you enjoy wholesome home-cooked specialties, you’ll learn about and appreciate the outlook, aspirations, and way of life of your hosts. Be assured, as curious as you may be about your new friends, they’re sure to have questions about your own background. Once the ice is broken, you’ll enjoy a lively evening, and find that you have more in common than you ever suspected. Of course, if you prefer, you may enjoy a quiet evening with your travel companions by letting us know your preferences. You may wish to bring token gifts to exchange with the host family (T shirt, small souvenirs of your home town).
Day 3: Saturday – Cairo to Luxor – Board Your Deluxe Air-Conditioned Dahabiya (BLD)
Very early morning breakfast and transfer to Cairo Airport. Flight is included in our rate, in business class, tax included. Morning arrival at Luxor Airport where our local rep. will be meeting you with a sign, and escort you to your deluxe air conditioned Nile cruise dahabiya or yacht. Boarding Luxor (or Aswan) always on Saturdays.
Embarkation in Luxor for a relaxing week sailing the Nile on a luxuriously appointed Dahabiya. After lunch, excursion to the West Bank for visits to the burial places of the Pharaohs – the Valley of the Kings – where Howard Carter discovered the tomb of Tutankhamen in 1922. Continue to the adjacent Valley of the Queens to tour Queen Hatshepsut’s unique terraced temple and the Colossi of Memnon.
Overnight moored on the Nile banks of Luxor. Sample Deluxe Dahabiya: Luxury Sonesta Dahabiya, Luxury Armonia Dahabiya or similar.
Day 4: Sunday – Luxor – On board your Dahabiya Yacht Nile Cruise (BLD)
You will visit the magnificent temple complex of Amon-Ra at Karnak, with its vast hypostyle hall of 137 columns, followed by the imposing 28th Dynasty Luxor Temple.
Our Tour includes as well: Medinet Habu, the Ramesseum and Deir El Medinah, the first known “Workers Village” these were the true creative heroes who built the temples and tombs for the mighty Pharaohs of the Nile Kingdom.
Deir El Medinah is on Luxor’s west bank you get a totally different perspective on ancient Egyptian life, at the ancient workers’ settlement of Deir el-Medinah. While most of the imposing stone monuments and sites of Egypt honor the lives and after-lives of royalty, Deir el-Medinah gives us unique and surprising insights into the ordinary citizens who constructed and decorated the tombs.
Here we’ll see the excavated homes shared by laborers with their domestic animals. These quarters were surprisingly large, with three good-sized rooms, courtyard, kitchen, and even storage cellars. While ancient Egypt might not have been a workers’ paradise, we’ll see that artisans and builders were highly regarded in their community. We are proud to be the only operator to offer regular visits to this singular ancient settlement in its tour and cruise programs.
Overnight moored in Luxor. In the evening your guide will call on you for a horse-drawn carriage ride throughout Luxor and the water front.
Day 5: Monday – Luxor to Esna – Sailing The Nile On board your Yacht Nile Cruise (BLD)
Today will be a leisurely day. After breakfast, commence sailing to Esna where your Dahabiya will moor. This evening you may wish to enjoy dinner in Egyptian style, dressed in galabias (A Galabia will be delivered to your cabin with our compliments). The galabia is the flowing national costume. While you are on board the cruise, afternoon tea will be served daily on deck.
The Richmond Party, Sonesta Luxury Yacht Dahabiya Cruise on the Nile. Photo by The Mighty Alan – aka Mighty Ra.
Day 6: Tuesday – Edfu – On board your Yacht Nile Cruise (BLD)
This morning you will sail to Edfu to visit the wonderfully preserved Temple of Edfu. Overnight on board as we will look for an island in the middle of the Nile where we moor.
Day 7: Wednesday – Kom Ombo – On board your Yacht Nile Cruise (BLD)
Today you will sail to Kom Ombo visit see the Ptolemaic temple dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon-headed Horus, god of the morning sun. Overnight moored beside a Nile island.
Day 8: Thursday – Aswan – On board your Yacht Nile Cruise (BLD)
A leisurely day sailing to Aswan where the dahabiya moors overnight. In the evening you ‘ll enjoy Sound and Light show at Philae Temple.
Day 9: Friday – Aswan – Philae Temple – Isis All that Has Been: On board your Yacht Nile Cruise (BLD)
Today you will visit the Aswan High Dam (completed in 1971); the Old Dam (completed in 1902) and the ‘ unfinished obelisk’, lying in situ since the days of the Pharaohs. You will also visit the Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis, a structure rescued from the rising waters of Lake Nasser at the time of the High Dam’s construction.
The Island temple of Philae, dedicated to the Ancient Goddess ISIS: The Mystery of Isis
Two millennia ago the Mediterranean world was enthralled by the mystery of Isis: “I, Isis, am all that has been, that is or shall be; no mortal man hath ever seen me unveiled.”
Called Aset by the ancient Egyptians, the goddess was a Madonna in the Mediterranean tradition that stretches far, far back to the primitive Mother Goddess from Anatolia, home to some of the oldest human communities on earth.
Isis was the powerful and quick-witted protector of her son Horus, the Sun God. Ancient peoples throughout the Mediterranean regarded Isis and Horus as the perfect Madonna and Child. Another legend says she was also the mother of the fertility god Min who, judging from the depiction of him on temple walls, needed no help from Viagra!
In the afternoon we’ll have the opportunity to experience Egypt at its most authentic, as we sail the Nile in a graceful Felucca, the age-old sailing vessel of the river to visit Elephantine Island and the Botanical Garden. In the evening our local guide will call on you once again for a horse-drawn carriage ride throughout Aswan and the local souks.
Day 10: Saturday – Aswan – Abu Simbel – Fly back to Cairo (Breakfast and lunch box)
Breakfast aboard the dahabiya and check-out. We bid farewell to the crew, we switch transportation modes and head for Aswan Airport and your flight back to Abu Simbel.
Breakfast aboard the dahabiya and check-out. Fly over Lake Nasser, watching the sky lighten and the sacred sun rise above the horizon. We reach the great temples where your “Private guide”, Private driver and Private air-conditioned vehicle await you.
In the larger temple, colossal figures of Ramses are seated with the gods and attended by his queen and daughters. The smaller temple is dedicated to Queen Nefertari, who appears as Hathor, the goddess of love, joy and fertility, symbolized by the benevolent cow. We explore these fine temple, admiring their ancient aura and artistry, after which retire to a comfortable hotel for our lunch, and refreshments. Just as planeloads of visitors arrive to throng the temples we head for Abu Simbel Airport and fly back to Cairo, air fare is always included in economy class with all taxes. In Cairo, we’ll assist of course with your transfer to your hotel.
Visiting Abu Simbel. Photo by Diana and Maha.
Day 11: Sunday – Cairo (BL)
Today we drive to the edge of the Sahara and Giza: Tour includes the Sphinx, the Pyramids of Giza, complimentary short Camel ride is included, to allow you a photo opp with the Pyramids in the background. Time is limited, so please do not go for what the camel driver tries to convince you, i.e. go for a long ride around the Pyramids. Lunch is included at the Mena House, in the afternoon we press on to Memphis, Sakkara, touring the Serapeum, the Nobles Tombs, the small yet charming Imhotep Museum and the Step Pyramid. We return to your hotel late afternoon.
Later, you’ll have the option to accept our invitation to a complimentary oriental dance workshop, where you’ll discover that “belly dancing” is not just a spectacle, but an art form with a long tradition. Women will have an opportunity to practice the sinuous and graceful movements, while men will learn, perhaps unexpectedly, that they have a leading role.
DAY 12: CAIRO/ Departure – Monday (B)
After breakfast, our representative escorts you to the airport for your homeward flight. Bon Voyage!
Rate Includes:
- Dahabiya Sailing in one of the categories listed as per your choice:
- Ultra Deluxe: Sonesta Dahabiya Yacht Nile Cruise with all meals on board as listed, (or similar ultra deluxe dahabiyas based on availability at the time of booking).
- Deluxe: Rihana Dahabiya, Yasmina or Haya Dahabiya.
- Dahabiya Nile cruise shore excursions with all the guided sightseeing including all entrance fees, all as per itinerary.
- Private Egyptologist and private car/driver for Cairo and Abu Simbel tours as listed including all entrance fees.
- All meals on board the DELUXE Felucca / Yacht / Dahabiya Nile cruise: Pre set meals as listed including B = Breakfast, (or cB, Continental Breakfast), L = Lunch, D = Dinner.
- Tea/ coffee and afternoon tea while on board the Deluxe Nile Cruise.
- All airfares within Egypt in Business class including tax as listed.
- Private air conditioned vehicle and private chauffeur for all transfers within Egypt.
- Hotel accommodation with tax & service charges.
- Accommodation in a private cabin: Double or single on board The Dahabiya /Yacht Nile Cruise.
- VIP Meet & Greet At Cairo Airport
Visa issued locally in Cairo (for a limited number of nationalities) no photos required. Our representative greets you at the airport and whisks you to your hotel. Visa will be issued upon arrival at Cairo Airport for a limited number of citizens such as: American, Australian, NZ, EU, Canadian, EU Singaporean and Japanese citizens. You are responsible for having your passport in order valid at least for 6 month beyond the date of your arrival in Cairo. The Airport VIP Service representative meets you with a sign that carries your name, and will be waiting for you with the prepaid visa stamps to proceed to the passports control to stamp your passports, the local representative will claim your luggage while you enjoy coffee at the VIP Lounge, then walk with you pass the passport and customs formalities and exiting the terminal, another local representative will escort you (private vehicle) to the hotel. Welcome fruit basket & Egyptian pastry awaits you in your room in Cairo upon arrival with our compliments.
Rate Does Not Include:
- Tips.
- Travel Insurance
- International air fare from / to your home country.
- Suite Accommodation On Board Your Luxury Dahabiya: Sonesta Dahabiya or similar
- Private Guide – Private Air-Conditioned Vehicle – Private Chauffeur for all the Cruise Shore Excursions.
- The Four Seasons Hotel – Nile View room.
- Flying Business Class within Egypt: (Aswan -Abu Simbel flights (plane configuration) are only in economy class).
| Rates are per person in USD $ | |
| Rate per person in double: | $ 17,160.00 |
| Rate per person in single: | $ 26,250.00 |
| No Triple Occupancy | |
Peak Season: Easter (2 weeks), Christmas and New Year (2 weeks): Please add 20% to any of the listed rates
Ultra Deluxe Dahabiya:
- The Four Seasons Hotel – Nile View room. Flying Business Class within Egypt.
- Sonesta Dahabiya, Armonia Dahabiya or similar
| Rates are per person in USD $ | |
| Rate per person in double: | $ 7,010.00 |
| Rate per person in single: | $ 9,130.00 |
| No Triple Occupancy | |
Peak Season: Easter (2 weeks), Christmas and New Year (2 weeks): Please add 20% to any of the listed rates
Ultra Deluxe Dahabiya:
- Cairo Hotels: Cairo Marriott, JW Marriott, Cairo Conrad, Intercontinental Hotels in Cairo or similar
- Sonesta Dahabiya, Armonia Dahabiya or similar
| Rates are per person in USD $ | |
| Rate per person in double: | $ 5245.00 |
| Rate per person in single: | $ 7450.00 |
| No Triple Occupancy | |
Peak Season: Easter season (2 weeks), Christmas and New Year season (2 weeks): Please add: 20% to the listed rates.
Come to Egypt and enjoy your honeymoon or Anniversary cruise on the Ultra Deluxe Sonesta Dahabiya
Click here for the Sonesta Dahabiya details, combines comfort and beauty in a most inspiring way, promising a remarkable, rewarding cruise experience of legendary hospitality.
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