Day 1: Arrive in Cairo, Board the Nile Cruise
Welcome to Cairo, the capital of Egypt! Whenever you arrive at Cairo airport, you will find our local representative waiting for you at the arrival hall. A comfortable vehicle will take you to a dock for you to embark on the luxury Nile cruise. After check-in, you may want to get familiar with the facilities of the ship on your own; remember to put restaurant, gym, swimming pool, sundeck on your list. During the following 15 days, your board, lodging, and daily activities will all be taken care of by the cruise company. Cairo, a city of 5,000 years old, is spectacular for its pyramids, and charming for its life. You may pass shabby buildings and be surprised by a one-of-a-kind boutique hidden inside. A shop that makes you wonder why it’s so noisily crowded is perhaps an age-old café. Outside on the streets you may find stylish skater boys, while before a stand selling shisha - a type of water pipe - there might be an old man nodding off. The itinerary of your 15 Days Nile cruise from Cairo to Aswan has covered most highlights of Cairo, but if you arrive early today, why not go for a discovery trip to explore the downtown area at your own pace? ► Activities Suggestions: ● The Citadel: Including three mosques and three museums, the Citadel has a terrace from which you can enjoy a sweeping view of Old Cairo, with pyramids in the distance. It would take two hours to grasp its essence. Please note that mosques won’t allow you in if you are wearing clothes that bare your shoulders or skirt or dress above knee. ● Monastery of Saint Simon/Cave Church: Housed in a cave on a mountain top in “garbage city”, it’s the largest and the most special church in Egypt. Its story goes back about five or six decades, when southerner Egyptians - most of them believed in Christianity - came here to make a living. Seeing there’s no church, they began to build one on their own in a natural cave, which took ten years for them to finish and make it capable of holding 20,000 people. For the lack of job opportunities at that time, many had to choose garbage sorting as their career, making this place Cairo’s largest waste yard and thus named “garbage city”. You might not want to visit on Friday or Sunday, as people flocking here to attend church would make you stuck in traffic, let alone the garbage smell! ● Zamalek: An island sitting on the Nile and Cairo’s district for embassies. On Zamalek, you will immerse in a serene, elegant air and pass by varied boutique and cafés - a totally different atmosphere from it of the boisterous Old Cairo. It’s a good place to while your afternoon away.
★ Note: 1. We can include any of the recommendations into your itinerary. If you are interested, feel free to contact your travel consultant in advance. 2. Don’t forget to come back to your ship before 19:30, your dinner time. Meals: Light Dinner
Accommodation: Movenpick MS Darakum Nile Cruise (5 stars)
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Day 2: Pyramids of Giza & Egyptian Museum
The sightseeing will officially start after breakfast with an exploration of the engineering wonder of mankind - Pyramids of Giza. You will get close to the most famous pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, some temple ruins, and the Great Sphinx, the giant stone mythical creature with a lion's body and a human head. Go back to the cruise and have a buffet lunch break. About an hour later, the guide will escort you ashore to Egyptian Museum that stores over 1.2 million exhibits, including sculptures from 4,000 years ago, papyrus pieces of over 3,000 years old, and many other antiques brought from the royal tombs of the ancient Egypt. Around diner time, come back aboard to enjoy an international buffet. Today's tour will end with appreciating the melodious oriental music Takht on the ship. ★ Insider Tip: Explore for National Treasures Portrayed on Banknotes Inside Egyptian Museum, you will witness not only Tutankhamen’s treasures, but also many other nation-level relics like the statue of an Egyptian scribe exhibited on the ground floor. Seen the scribe’s picture below, and look at his muscles, body ratio, and the wide-open eyes that seem to meditate on things he’s about to write. It truly attests to Egyptians’ ancient wisdom! Perhaps it’s the perfection that has made his image printed on EGP 200 banknotes (the largest denomination). By the way, take out an EGP10 note, and you will find the pharaoh’s sculpture - which is also stored in the museum - depicted on it! Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Movenpick MS Darakum Nile Cruise (5 stars)
A “Living” Sculpture Egyptian Banknote
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Day 3: Memphis & Saqqara Pyramids, Coptic Cairo
In the morning, we will disembark in Memphis, capital of ancient Egypt, to visit the Saqqara Step Pyramids, including the oldest pyramid in the world, Pyramid of Djoser, built in the 27th century BC. After lunch onboard, go ashore again to visit Coptic Cairo, an old quarter to find churches with the oldest dating to a time before Islam conquered Egypt. At the Hanging Church and the Coptic Museum, you get to appreciate the art of Egypt’s Christian or Coptic period. We will also not miss the Ben Ezra Synagogue, which was probably built in the 9th century AD. After the visit, transfer back to the ship for Managers Cocktail Party at 19:00 and Set Menu Dinner at 19:30. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Movenpick MS Darakum Nile Cruise (5 stars)
Pyramid of Djoser St. George Church, Cairo
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In the early morning, let’s start our cruise to Beni Suef and stay there tonight. We will spend a whole day cruising. At 07:00, you will enjoy breakfast; at 13:00, lunch; at 16:30, afternoon tea; at 19:00, Egyptian Wine Tasting; at 20:00, a BBQ dinner. For the rest of the time, you can appreciate the beautiful sceneries along the river, immerse in reading, or share some of your marvelous photos to social media. It’s okay just to take a sunbath on the sundeck, to soak up the breeze passing by. This is your leisure time. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Movenpick MS Darakum Nile Cruise (5 stars)
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Today, continue sailing to Minya. It’s been five days since you arrived in Egypt. Considering you might be hungry for some authentic local food, we’ve ordered a set Menu - Egyptian Tablya, for you to sample several classic Egyptian dishes, like Kofta, minced beef or mutton kebabs on skewers seasoned with spices and onions; Hamaam, grilled pigeon, the most popular traditional dish of Egypt; and Mouloukhiya, a stew of shredded mallow leaves cooked with mutton, chicken, butter, and garlic. Of course you won’t miss local deserts Kunafa, made by mixing flour, syrup, cheese and nuts, and Rice Pudding, rice with milk and burnt sugar. After dinner, have fun playing a treasure hunt game onboard. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Movenpick MS Darakum Nile Cruise (5 stars)
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Day 6: Visit Tuna El Gebel & Beni Hassan
In the early morning, follow your guide to get off the ship and visit Tuna El Gebel, a necropolis left by the Old Kingdom of Egypt (2649 - 2130 BC), and Ashmunein, once a town during the same period but now only left with temple ruins. After lunch, we will move to Beni Hassan Tombs, a one-hour drive away from the dock, where over 30 tombs of the ancient Egyptian nomarchs - provincial governors - were discovered. What makes this cemetery special is that, it lies on the east bank of the Nile, while it should be on the west bank, which, in ancient Egyptian beliefs, is ruled by Egyptian god of death Osiris and thus the place for the dead. There are many explanations, but none is official. Your expert guide may offer you some insight about why it remains a mystery. You will be escorted to explore Tomb of Baqet III (BH15), Tomb of Khety (BH17), Tomb of Amenemhet (BH2) and Tomb of Khnumhotep II (BH3). After the visit, transfer back to cruise for dinner and a folkloric show. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Movenpick MS Darakum Nile Cruise (5 stars)
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Day 7: Sail to Asyut via Tel El Amarna
As planned, the Nile River Cruise will first sail to the city ruins of Tel El Amarna today, which was once under the rule of Pharaoh Akhenaten in the 14th century BC. On arrival, go ashore to drop by Tomb of Ahmose (EA3), Tomb of Meryre (EA4), Tomb of Pentu (EA5), Tomb of Panehesy (EA6), and Tomb of Akhenaten (EA26); the Great Palace of King Akhenaten; the Small Aten Temple; and Great Temple of the Aten. After going back, the ship will sail towards today’s destination, Asyut. En route, stop before and take photos of Prince Tawdrous Monastery from the boat. ★ Insider Tip: Why is King Akhenaten so Controversial?1. Is he man or woman? Art works about Akhenaten portrayed him as long-faced and pronounced-skulled, with round belly and wide, fat buttocks. Some say he’s a result of inter-family marriage, while others argue that he’s simply a female. 2. A rebel against polytheism? Obsessed with religious reform, Akhenaten created monotheism by abandoning all others gods to worship Aten only - a subversive act that’s impossible to imagine during ancient Egypt. 3. A good husband? It’s seems that Akhenaten valued his wife and family very much. He is depicted in many murals and statues as the same size as his wife, which is unusual. In a mural describing the scene when he’s honoring the god, he even appeared together with the queen and his children – something that’s never happened before. The mural is now stored in Egyptian Museum, go together with your guide to check it out. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Movenpick MS Darakum Nile Cruise (5 stars)
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Today we will stay onboard all day long while sailing to Sohag. Join the Black & White party for fun during the dinner. Prepare some suitable attire to put on - it will be more diverting! ► Dress Code on the Nile Cruise:While in Egypt, most of the time it’s best to wear summer clothes like T-shirt, dress or skirt, and shorts, but if you are to visit temples and historical monuments, this Islamic country would ask you to avoid clothing that is too short, tight or revealing. While onboard, you are of course free to wear what you want, but you might want to dress as much formally as possible for evening parties or other events. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Movenpick MS Darakum Nile Cruise (5 stars)
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Day 9: Sail to Qena via El Balyana, Visit Abydos Temple
In the early morning, the cruise ship will start moving to the next stop - Qena. Halfway, stop at El Balyana to visit the Abydos Temple, which was built by Pharaoh Seti I in the New Kingdom of Egypt (1570 – 1069 BC), for the cult of god Osiris. You will be enchanted by bright-colored reliefs on the walls and beautiful paintings on the ceilings. Go back aboard. Your meals for today are no less interesting. Be ready to enjoy an elaborately-prepared set menu of Moroccan flavors for lunch and rich BBQ for dinner. In the evening, enjoy yourself in a contest party. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Movenpick MS Darakum Nile Cruise (5 stars)
Tomb of Seti I Enjoy your Nile Cruise
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Day 10: Visit Dandarah Temple, Sail to Luxor
After breakfast, we will disembark to visit the Dandarah Temple Complex, which was considered one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt with a history of over 3,500 years. You will harvest lots of surprises at this temple, one of a few to find intact ceilings, covered by delicate reliefs and dominated by Egyptian blue. It’s built for the ox-eared goddess Hathor, responsible for love, beauty, affluence, birth… She’s also the wife of falcon-head Horus, which is honored in Temple of Edfu (aka Temple of Horus), next place on our itinerary. In the ancient times, people would bring the niche of Hathor on certain date to Temple of Edfu to let the couple reunite. Return back to the cruise and enjoy sailing to Luxor. Tonight will be enlivened by a belly dance show. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Movenpick MS Darakum Nile Cruise (5 stars)
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Day 11: West Bank of Luxor
We will spend this whole day exploring the west bank of Luxor. Start with Valley of the Kings, an ancient burial site where over 60 pharaohs from 3,000 years ago were laid to rest. Then we will proceed to the nearby Temple of Hatshepsut, to get close to the legendary life of the female pharaoh - Hatshepsut, who ensured a long era of peace and economic boom by restoring important trade routes. At the end of the day, transfer back to the cruise. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Movenpick MS Darakum Nile Cruise (5 stars)
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Day 12: East Bank of Luxor, Sail to Edfu
After breakfast, our exploration of Luxor will be extended to its east bank, where two famous UNESCO World heritage sites stand: Karnak Temple, built sometime during the Middle Kingdom (2030-1650 BC); and Luxor Temple of the 14th century BC. The sculpture groups and numerous reliefs founded at the temples will take you back in time to witness a heyday of ancient Egypt, in terms of both power and religion. Tonight, you get to try on Galabya - a traditional Egyptian costume - to join a Galabya party, while the ship is sailing to Edfu. ★ Insider Tip: Discover the Largest Scarab at Karnak TempleMovies about ancient Egypt might’ve introduced you to scarabs protecting pharaohs’ tombs, which would swarm out to strip intruders of their flesh. Of course this is just film art, but it’s true that scarabs - a species of dung beetle – exist, and worshipped by ancient Egyptians. You can find them depicted almost everywhere, on murals, statues, ornaments, and coffins of pharaohs. Why, then? We all know dung beetle rolls balls of poo, but in ancient Egyptian eyes, their behavior could imply that they were the ones that pushed the sun to the sky, which is why they were revered. Today, look forward to seeing the largest statue of scarab at Karnak Temple! Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Movenpick MS Darakum Nile Cruise (5 stars)
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Day 13: Visit Edfu Temple, Sail to Aswan via Kom Ombo
In the early morning, we will reach the well-preserved Edfu Temple, built in the Ptolemaic period (305 – 30 BC) for god Horus. It is one of a few ancient Egyptian temples with an intact roof. The cruise will proceed to the final destination - Aswan. On the way, stop at Kom Ombo for you to visit Temple of Kom Ombo, which is famously symmetrical in structure. Here two gods were worshipped: Sobek, god of the Nile and crocodiles, and Haroeris, god of sky. Tonight, the cruise will stop at Aswan. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Movenpick MS Darakum Nile Cruise (5 stars)
Temple of Edfu Kom Ombo Temple
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This day will be spent visiting the must-sees in Aswan. The first one is the High Dam, a colossal dam built across the Nile and near the beautiful Lake Nasser. Next, embark on a ferry to visit Philae Temple on an island, where you can learn about the cult of Isis - the god of love. After lunch onboard, proceed to Nubian Museum, where 3,000-plus Egyptian antiques will give you a comprehensive insight into the Nubian culture. In the evening, a Nubian show will be arranged on the cruise. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Movenpick MS Darakum Nile Cruise (5 stars)
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Day 15: Fly to Cairo, Departure from Cairo
Today this Nile Cruise from Cairo has reached its end. After breakfast, you will be driven to Aswan’s airport for a flight to Cairo. On arriving in Cairo, please connect to your homebound flight on your own. We wish you a smooth journey home!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
★ Tip:
Here are alternative routes available for your Long Nile Cruise with different durations.
14 Days / 13 nights from Aswan to Cairo
13 Days / 12 nights from Cairo to Luxor
We are very happy to provide you with sailing dates and best prices if you are interested.
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