Temples and Timeless Vistas

A Nile Cruise and A Lake Nasser Abu Simbel Cruise
With a Foray Into Jordan and Petra Tour

Our 10 -day combination of a Nile cruise and Lake Nasser Abu Simbel cruise is the perfect way to see Upper Egypt. Weekly on: Monday , year round. Start in Aswan

Click for the full listing  of  Nile Cruises - Map -Nile Cruise Route - Sharm El Sheikh

On to Spain and Andalusia . Marsa Alam Petra edition

DAY 1- Monday- Cairo / Aswan , Board your Lake Nasser Cruise (LD)
Please advise your hotel name in Cairo , transfer is included to Cairo Airport.
Domestic air fare is included Cairo Aswan " Y" class, issued & delivered in Cairo Egypt.
We drive to the airport for the flight to Aswan, where we board your lake cruiser. After lunch aboard, we visit the Temple of Kalabsha, originally constructed in Pharaonic style, but later remodeled in Greco-Roman style and dedicated to the god Mandulis. Next we visit Beit el Wali, a work of Pharaoh Ramses the Great, followed by a stop at Kertassi Kiosk, dedicated to the goddess Isis. We dine aboard our floating hotel.

DAY 2 - Tuesday - Lake Nasser Cruise (BLD)
We set out on our voyage across vast Lake Nasser, Egypt's great man-made inland sea formed by the waters held behind the Aswan High Dam. Our luxury cruise vessel is equipped with a swimming pool, jacuzzi, Turkish (steam) bath, sauna and staff trained in massage. As we head south towards Wadi el Seboua, you have time to relax on deck, take a dip in the pool, read up on Egyptian history, and get to know your fellow travelers.

DAY 3 - Wednesday- Nubian Cruise (BLD)
Our first port of call is at the Temple of Wadi el Seboua, dedicated by the mighty Ramses the Great to two of ancient Egypt's most powerful gods. Our next stop is Dakka Temple, followed by a visit to Amada and the tomb of Penout, the powerful viceroy of Nubia, one of ancient Egypt's richest regions. Known as the "Land of Gold," Nubia was famous for the stream of gold, ivory, precious stones and minerals which made their way from Africa to Egypt via the Nubian Nile. We dock at Kasr Ibrim.

DAY 4 - Thursday- Abu Simbel (BLD)
As the sun brightens the lakeshore we gaze at the citadel of Kasr Ibrim, a once-mighty fortress which time and weather have rendered fragile, the only structure of its kind still extant in Nubia. We learn about the history of Nubia and this fortress, then, after lunch, set sail for Abu Simbel. Arriving at the great temple, we have time to explore its colossal facade and surroundings before enjoying your dinner .

DAY 5 - Friday-Abu Simbel/ Aswan / Luxor (BD)
Get up early today to enjoy (on your own ) the extraordinary vision of the temple of Abu Simbel at dawn, when the sacred sunlight penetrates deep into its holy of holies as its architect intended. The morning sun bathes the ruddy stone in golden light, providing perfect conditions for photography. We fly to Aswan, connect with our flight to Luxor ( all domestic air fare is included ) , and drive to our hotel:

Deluxe : Hilton, Winter Palace, Sheraton, Sonesta St. George. First Class : Novotel or similar.
afternoon tour of Karnak & Luxor temples.

DAY 6 - Saturday- Board your Nile Cruise - Luxor (BLD)
After breakfast, we cross the Nile to ancient Thebes, capital of the Egyptian kingdom for almost 20 centuries. We visit Valley of the Kings , including King Tutankhamon's tomb ( Entrance fee included ) . Then we go on to El Deir El Bahari & Queen Hatshepsut 's temple, then on to the Valley of the Queens,

Then it's on to Queen Hatshepsut's Temple and the Colossi of Memnon.

Afterward, we'll continue on Luxor's west bank to 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.

Return from the tour to the Nile cruise & check in at noon, in time for lunch.

DAY 7 - Sailing the Nile - Sunday (cBLD)
After lunch, we visit the great temples of Luxor and Karnak, then return to our Nile cruiser in time for afternoon tea. to Esna , pass the locks and dock for the night

DAY 8 - EDFU & KOM OMBO Monday (cBLD)
We cruise by Esna to Edfu, where we board horse-drawn carriages for the ride to the Temple of Horus. Returning to our ship, we set sail for Kom Ombo. In the evening, there's a jolly galabia party aboard.

DAY 9 - KOM OMBO & ASWAN Tuesday (cBLD)
We explore the twin Temples of Haroeris and Sobek at Kom Ombo, then sail south to Aswan. After lunch we board a graceful felucca and cruise among the islands, returning to our ship in time for tea.

DAY 10 - ASWAN - Nubian Museum, Camel Caravan, Cairo , Wednesday (cB)
After breakfast we check out, visit the awesome Aswan dams, and next an ancient granite quarry complete with an unfinished obelisk, the Nubian Museum ,then board a motor launch to visit the 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!

Because of her wisdom and skill at protection, she was admired as a good magician capable of healing the sick and protecting the dead in their journey to the Underworld.

Isis is portrayed regally, as a queen seated on a throne (which may be the meaning of her name), often holding her son Horus as a baby. Other images show her with broad, magnificent gilded wings able to protect
the world.

Be our guest if you wish on a complimentary short camel caravan to a near by Nubian Village for tea with the locals, returning to Aswan Airport, air fare is included Aswan Cairo " Y" class.
In Cairo our local rep will assist with the transfer to the International Terminal at Cairo Airport, on to Amman , air fare is included in economy class, tax included .

Our local rep. Will pick you up from Queen Alia Airport . Visa Fee is included & issued upon arrival for : Americans, Canadians, EU citizens, Australians, NZ, And Japanese. Our local rep will meet you , assist with your visa and then proceed to Amman for check-in and overnight . ( Complimentary local sweets & bottled water : one large bottle for each guest)

Day 11 - Mt. Nebo - Madaba - Jerash - Petra - Thursday : (cBL)

We head south in our private air conditioned sedan . On to Mt. Nebo! Then we'll continue to Madaba and visit the site of the oldest map of the Holy Land, St. George's Cathedral, and Jerash, the best preserved Roman City of the East.

On to Petra with lunch served ( Included) enroute at a local restaurant.
Reach Petra late afternoon , check-in and overnight at the hotel of your choice. ( Complimentary fruit basket & one large bottled water for each guests )

Day 12 - Petra - Friday (cBL)
A full day tour of Jordan's most famous site, the rose-red city of Petra. Venture through the Siq (the gorge between two towering mountains) until you reach the treasury which, like the most of the structures at Petra, is carved into the rose-red Nubian sandstone. In the afternoon, drive back to Amman and overnight.

Day 13 - Amman - Saturday (cB)
After breakfast , we escort you back to Queen Alia's Airport, or drive you to Aqaba Harbor if you're boarding the ferry back to Egypt.
Jordanian Departure tax is included in our rate. End of our service. Bon Voyage

For guests going on to Syria with us. You will continue on to The Syrian border, visit Bosra before continuing to Damascus. Or if you are touring Syria on your own, we'll be glad to arrange for the transfer to Bosra in Syria ( Supplement $165 per person, minimum 2 guests, private car/driver to Bosra). End of our service - Bon Voyage !

RATES per person in USD for the total 5 day Cruise

Please add 20 % supplement to the deluxe rates for the ultra deluxe:
M/S Tuya , M/S TiYi , the all suites Sonesta Star Goddess or , MS Sonesta Moon Goddess ( all state   rooms do offer private balconies) , Queen of Hansa, Movenpick M/S Radamis I , Mövenpick Radamis II , Movenpick Royal Lilly , Movenpick Royal Lotus

The All Suites M/S Moon Goddess - All with private balconies

RATES per person in USD for the total 5 day Cruise

Inclusions:

• All shore excursions, entrance fees, the service of an English Speaking guide.
• The Nile Cruise and Nubian Cruise Lake Nasser Abu Simbel cruise as per itinerary.
• All transfers as per itinerary.
• One night hotel accommodation in Luxor Meridien, Sheraton, Hilton , Sonesta or similar , with tax & service charge and continental breakfast.
• Domestic Air Fare within Egypt " Y" class, tax included , please add $200 to upgrade to business class.
• One way air fare Cairo Amman" Y" class, tax included
• Welcome fruit basket upon check-in on the Nile cruise & Abu Simbel cruise .
• Large bottle of water per person per day delivered to your cabin.
• All outside cabins, including all tax & service charges.
• All meals: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner.
• Afternoon tea daily onboard.
• One small bottle of water per person with each meal
• Tea/ coffer & small bottle of water with each & every meal while on board the cruise
  
• Pickup and drop-off from /to Amman Airport
• In Jordan : Complimentary local sweet in Amman , fruit basket & bottled water : one large bottle for each guest
• Jordanian Visa and departure tax fees
• All tours and transfers in Jordan
• All entrance fees for all tours listed in the itinerary
• Horse ride at Petra
• English speaking guide ( extended 4 hours tour & guiding in Petra rather than the usual 2 hours)
• Hotel accommodation in Jordan as listed including taxes
• Greeting and assistance upon arrival and departure
• Meals as listed: cB: Continental breakfast, L: preset menu lunch.

Notes:

• For Christmas/New Year's and the month of April :
  Please add % 20 supplement, to any of the listed rates.
  
  
• Children discount :
  50 % on the adult double rate. ( 9 years of age or younger), must be raveling with an adult. No children discount on triple or single rates.
  
  
   
  
  

What to Pack:
Most of the year look forward to warm, even hot weather in Luxor & Aswan, morning & evenings are cooler. For Shore excursions, we suggest comfortable cotton & natural fabric lightweight clothing. Comfortable walking shoes are essential.

Clothing on Board:
Lightweight comfortable & casual clothing. Swimsuits, sun hat. Dining room dress code is casual for breakfast & lunch, but smart casual for dinner. All ships are fully air conditioned

Rate doesn't include :

• Tips to driver guide and horse boy at Petra , tips are never required
  Suggested tips : Drivers, horse boy ; $2 USD per person per transfer or day tour.
  Guides; $10 P. Person P. Day .
  Cruise : For all staff "Tip Pool" : 10 USD P. Per Person per day while on board the cruise, deliver at the end of the cruise at the reception desk.
• All personal items
• Any meals not mentioned above
• Insurance of any sort
• Any services not mentioned above
• Hotel accommodation in Cairo , available upon request

Other choices:

• Temples and Timeless Vistas
  A 7- Day Vacation with a cruise on the Nile . Inclusive of all transfers, A 5 Day Nile Cruise & Round-trip Domestic air fare , and two hotel nights in Luxor or Aswan ( Extend your stay )

• Add Spain and Andalusia .

• Map -Nile Cruise Route.

• Compare with : 4 days Cruise

• Eight Days Cruise

• Add Sharm El Sheikh Resort on the Red Sea.

• Marsa Alam Petra edition

• Click here for : Rate for the Presidential suite on board
  M/S Moon Goddess or Amarco or Queen Ti-Yi

• Compare with the 7-day version including a hotel stay in Luxor and driving both ways to / from Abu Simbel
  
• A seven day adventure , with 2 nights in Aswan and including Abu Simbel Temples