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Magic of the Nile

£1,951.00

Staring in awe at the sheer scale of the temple complexes of Karnak and Luxor. Feeling the breeze on our face, as we sail the Nile aboard a felucca. Visiting the captivating Temple of Philae, painstakingly relocated by UNESCO – piece by piece.

Sail along the Nile on this river cruise and discover why this mighty river is the lifeblood of Egypt. Journey back in time and wander amongst the sand covered tombs and temples of Luxor, Karnak and the Valley of the Kings and gaze upon an incredible feat of engineering and ingenuity at Aswan High Dam. We’ll watch life unfold along the palm-tree lined riverbanks, take in views across verdant deltas and be astounded by some of the most spectacular ancient wonders of the world.

  • 10 excursions & visits
  • 29 meals
  • Active traveller pace
Category:

Your itinerary

Day 1 – Luxor

Our door-to-door travel service collects you from home for your flight to Luxor. On arrival, we transfer to our hotel for the next three nights, situated close to the Nile.

Sonesta St George Hotel Luxor (5-star)

Today includes…

Dinner

Day 2 – Luxor

Today is free. Take in the swaying palms and sweeping views across the mighty Nile from several vantage points across the hotel’s elegant communal areas, as you enjoy a spot of sunbathing and reading. If you’d like to explore, take a stroll to the nearby shopping district and wander the eclectic shops.

Sonesta St George Hotel Luxor (5-star)

Today includes…

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Free time

Luxor on the River Nile, Egypt

Day 3 – Luxor

Today, there’s more time to relax poolside. Or you can take an optional excursion to the fascinating Dendera temple complex. Its honey-hued Temple of Hathor is home to gloomy yet astounding chambers, crypts and flawless hieroglyphs. It was here too that the celebrated Dendera zodiac was discovered, one of the world’s earliest recorded depictions of the zodiac.

Sonesta St George Hotel Luxor (5-star)

Today includes…

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Free time

Dendera temple complex, Egypt

Day 4 – Luxor

This morning, we transfer to our ship for a seven-night cruise along the Nile aboard MS Livingstone – a small but luxurious ship that carries 124 passengers, with 65 cabins, a restaurant, two bars, spa, swimming pool, Jacuzzi and library. Once settled in, we’ll head out on an included excursion to the East Bank of Luxor to experience the astounding temple complexes of Karnak and Luxor, two sites once linked by the wonderful Avenue of Sphinxes. Karnak is a breathtaking complex of more than 100 hectares with immense pylons and obelisks, tranquil lakes and sanctuaries and the Hypostyle Hall, where 134 soaring columns, each with a diameter of more than 3m, are arranged in perfect geometric rows. The slightly smaller, yet still vast site of Luxor temple complex is just as impressive. Afterwards, we’ll return to the ship to freshen up before our evening meal.

MS Livingstone (5-star)

Today includes…

Excursions & visits: Visit the East Bank of Luxor, including the Temples of Karnak and Luxor (afternoon)

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Evening sunset over Luxor temple, Egypt

Day 5 – Luxor – Edfu

Today, we head out to explore the West Bank, beginning at the spectacular Valley of the Kings. Our guide will introduce a few of the most impressive tombs and you may also choose to enter the plainer, ‘cursed’ Tomb of Tutankhamun (extra charge). We also visit the impressive mortuary temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon, before returning to the ship. We continue our Nile cruise, sailing to Edfu, where we’ll moor overnight.

MS Livingstone (5-star)

Today includes…

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Group of tourists visiting Hatshepsut Temple, Egypt

Day 6 – Kom Ombo – Aswan

There can be few more serene ways for you to pass time than sailing down the Nile on a river ship. We sail to the fascinating Greco-Roman double-temple of Kom Ombo, arriving late morning. A temple dedicated to the falcon-headed Horus, Egyptian god of the sky, hunting and war; and crocodile god Sobek, the god of the Nile, creator of the world, and worshipped for his strength and fertility. We return to the ship and set sail to Aswan.

MS Livingstone (5-star)

Today includes…

Excursions & visits: Visit the Temple of Kom Ombo (morning)

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Kom Ombo temple at sunset by the River Nile, Egypt

Day 7 – Aswan

Today pays tribute to ancient and modern feats of architectural engineering, with visits to the 111m-high Aswan High Dam and then a motorboat ride to the Temple of Philae – painstakingly relocated by UNESCO to protect the temple from the dam’s floods. It’s perhaps Egypt’s most captivating and beautiful temple and an optional light show in the evening brings to life ancient stories of gods and goddesses, under a magical glow.

MS Livingstone (5-star)

Today includes…

Excursions & visits: Visit to the Aswan High Dam and Temple of Philae (morning)

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Tourist at temple of Philae, Egypt

Day 8 – Aswan

This morning is for leisure. Relax on deck with a good book, or perhaps explore the riverside city independently. Alternatively, choose an optional excursion to the legendary Abu Simbel, built by Ramses II. In the afternoon, we’ll feel the wind on our faces as we travel by felucca to the serene botanical gardens on Kitchener’s Island – a peaceful paradise of exotic birds and bright flowers.

MS Livingstone (5-star)

Today includes…

Excursions & visits: Sail on a felucca to Kitchener’s Island (afternoon)

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Free time

Pharaohs outside Abu Simbel, Egypt

Day 9 – Aswan – Edfu

We visit the Nubian Museum this morning, a stunning showcase of Nubia’s history, art and culture. Later, we’ll continue making our way back to Luxor, stopping overnight in Edfu.

MS Livingstone (5-star)

Today includes…

Excursions & visits: Visit to the Nubian Museum (morning)

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Sunset over the Nile river Egypt

Day 10 – Luxor

The day is free on board, as a serene morning of sailing awaits. Drink in the views of everyday life on the Nile, before we arrive back in Luxor this afternoon.

MS Livingstone (5-star)

Today includes…

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Felucca at sunset in the River Nile, Egypt

Day 11 – Luxor – departure

We transfer to the airport for your return flight. Upon arrival, our vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.

Today includes…

Breakfast