Egypt With A Nile Cruise Or With No Nile Cruise?
By: Ashraf H. Michael
Egypt Tours and Travel Office, Chicago
Our clientele base is split down the middle 50/50 when it comes to that question. Also, a large chunk of western travelers don't really understand how Nile cruises work, so it's very hard of them to take an educated decision if they should utilize a cruise down the Nile, up the Nile or not. Or if they should do the portion or segment between Aswan and up north to Luxor, or Luxor going further south to Aswan by land.
Several factors to consider when taking the yes or no factor for cruising the River Nile. Do you like entertainment? Do you like to be joined with other English speaking tourists that can be other Americans, Canadians, British, English speaking Europeans, Indian nationals, South Africans, etc.,
Nile cruises might be fun, sailing the Nile River might also be fun, as you see mud-brick homes, waterwheels, farmland, children swimming in the Nile River, women washing their family clothing by the river Nile side, donkey carts moving trade and merchandise up and down the Nile river, ancient old temples, in Luxor, Edfu, Kom-Ombo, Aswan, or on a Nubian Nile cruise, seeing temples like Temple of Amada of the XVIIIth Dynasty, Temple of Wadi El Seboua, Temple of Dakka, Temple of Meharakka, Kalabsha Temple, Beit el Wali.
Since Egypt Tours and Travel operates all of its Egypt Tour packages by private cars, with a driver and an Egyptologist with you, that might be a factor to consider, when making the decision, since if you opt to do a Nile cruise, then the ship takes control of all shore excursions, meaning the sightseeing and the touring portion, and you'll be using their own tour guides. In addition, you'll be joined with all English speaking passengers on board the Nile cruise ship, and that can be anywhere between 15 to 25 other passengers. The way Nile cruise boats work this is by dividing Nile boat passengers into small groups based on language. Majority of Nile cruise boats accommodate between 120 to 150 passengers on board, depending on how Nile cruise ship is sold (single, double and triple occupancy) and during shore excursions they are broken-down based on language spoken, so you'll see French, Spanish, Italian, Germans and possibly other groups on the Nile cruise, each joining or teaming up with their guide, who speaks their own language, once Nile shore excursions are ready to start. This usually tends to happen on Nile cruise ships in the early morning, as well as in the afternoon. Allowing you to go back to your Nile cruiser for lunch, then continue or start the afternoon excursion.
On Nile cruises, you get to see too many things, but in some cases, not as in-depth as when the tour is private, and you and your guide are in charge of your own pace and time.
Having said all the above, 50 to 60% of our clients tend to go with a Nile cruise selection, since you do more temples, although much smaller than Luxor and Karnak temples, however, are unique in their own way.
The second question that usually arises. If I take a Nile cruise, which ship should I use?
This is the trickiest question of all, why?
There are more than 400 plus ships that sail up and down that busy Nile River. At Egypt Tours and Travel, we have our own rating system. Although the Egyptian government has more than 250 of these Nile cruise boats rated as 5-stars, we totally disagree on their method of rating. So the term 5-stars is a generic term that is commonly used in Egypt, particularly when it comes to Nile cruise boats and how they are ranked and rated.
Egypt Tours and Travel inspects the Nile cruises that we contract with. Either our Cairo office or someone from our U.S. offices flies down to Luxor or Aswan and get to see Nile ships that we are planning to use or new ones that we are considering to contract with, and as previously mentioned, although the Egyptian government has rated about 200 plus Nile ships as 5-stars. We would downgrade that number by saying, actual 5-star Nile cruises in Egypt, by no means, would not exceed 40-Nile cruise ships.
We tend to get a lot of calls from confused clients saying "another operator is selling us the Nile Cruise boat cheaper, and they are using a 5-star Nile cruise". That's when experience and the Egypt Tours and Travel expertise comes into play. We start to explain and educate the client, that the Egyptian system of rating, is very much different from the Western way of rating properties. Although part of their claim is correct, and that a particular Nile boat is unfortunately rated as 5-star Nile cruise by the Egyptian government, but we, as a private company (Egypt Tours and Travel) have it rated as 3-stars or less. Does Egypt Tours and Travel have anything to gain, by downgrading certain Nile ships from that 5-stars category? Absolutely not, since Egypt Tours and Travel does not own any ships. All that Egypt Tours and Travel cares about is the comfort and safety of its clients.
What are some of the disastrous consequences of traveling on a Nile cruise that is not genuinely ranked as 5-stars?
Nile cruises that are not up to the American rating system, are a true nightmare. We hear horror post-trip stories from clients that didn't listen or adhere to our advice, and opted to save a few hundred dollars to go on a cheaper Nile trip.
People tend to get food poisoning, also sick from Nile cruise ship water, water that you don't, and are not supposed to drink. Some of these Nile boats, don't often replace the water filters that they use to wash their dishes, pots, glasses, mugs, etc., and that tend to translate into tourists getting sick, missing tour excursions, and in some cases having to be seen by a local doctor, and once the ship docked, in next port and in most cases, tourists have to be transported of the Nile cruise boat to a local hospital due to severe diarrhea, fever, etc., due to contaminated water or food, salad or fruits that weren’t washed or prepared right, or handled properly. Clients are advised to listen to their Egypt Tours and Travel professionals when it comes to selecting a Nile cruise boat. You are still traveling to a third world country, and in a lot of cases, things don’t measure up to the American standard.
Which cruise ships do Egypt Tours and Travel recommend?
Egypt Tours breaks Nile cruise ships, in our own 3-categories, since we don't abide by the Egyptian government rating or categorization.
1) Standard 5-stars Nile cruises
2) 5-star deluxe Nile cruises
3) 5-stars super deluxe Nile cruise
The Nile Cruiser, the Movenpick Royal Lotus
A sample of our Standard 5-stars Nile Cruise Ships, by Egypt Tours and Travel
Movenpick boats:
Movenpick Nile cruise ships are nice, a reputable Nile cruise chain. Their Nile cruises combine very good facilities, good service and fantastic shore excursions from Luxor and Aswan or on the Lake Nasser. You can choose one of their 8 cruise ships with Nile river journeys from four to a maximum of twelve days.
One of their flagships is Moevenpick MS Royal Lotus offers spacious accommodation and public areas the enable you to enjoy perfect relaxation. 60 luxuriously furnished cabins and 2 Royal Suites.
Movenpick Royal Lotus, Nile Cruise Ship
The Movenpick, MS Royal Lotus. This flagship cruiser comprises of 60-cabins, approximately 240 square feet each cabin, plus 2-Royal Suites onboard. Embarking from Luxor or Aswan, or the opposite direction Aswan to Luxor.
5-star Cabins, tastefully furnished, the cabins have an en-suite shower room, individually controlled air-conditioning, TV, minibar, climate control and telephones that enable international calls via GSM lines.
Breakfast area server on Movenpick Nile Cruise Boat
4 Nights ‐ 5 Days Nile Cruise Embarkation:
Luxor to Aswan
Day 1
Starts on a Monday
Check‐In. 12:30 in the afternoon. Lunch on board.
2:00 P.M. Visit East Bank. Overnight in Luxor.
Day 2
Tuesday
07:30 A.M. Visit West Bank.
1:00 A.M. Sail to Edfu via Esna.
4:30 P.M. Afternoon tea.
7:00 P.M. Welcome Reception Cocktail.
Overnight in Edfu, onboard Nile cruise.
Day 3
Visit Edfu Temple.
Sail to Kom-Ombo
4:00 P.M. Afternoon tea
5:00 P.M. Visit Kom-Ombo Temple
9:30 P.M. Oriental Show "Galabia Party" Overnight in Aswan.
Day 4
Visit the High Dam, the Temple of Philae & unfinished Obelisk.
4:00 P.M. Felucca on the Nile around Kitchener Island.
9:30 P.M. Nubian Show.
Day 5
Disembarkation after breakfast
An example of Nile Cruise Ships that are 5-stars deluxe boats, by Egypt Tours and Travel
The Sonesta Moon Goddess
The Luxurious Sonesta Moon Goddess Nile Cruise Boat
Nile cruise ships overview:
Lounge
Serving light meals for lunch and dinner plus a wide range of cocktails and beverages.
Sun Deck Bar
Overlooking the Nile, offering refreshing cocktails all day until sunset.
Entertainment
Discotheque, Belly Dance Show, Captain's Welcome Cocktail Party, fancy Galabia Party, and Nubian Folkloric Show.
Features & Services
• In-room dining available until midnight
• Main dining room, lounge, sun deck bar
• Wireless internet access is available throughout the ship and in all cabins for a charge
• Nightly entertainment
• Fully-purified water, filtered and softened before distribution
• Barbecue area on deck
• Fitness and recreation areas
• Outdoor swimming pool with bar service
• Jogging track
• Spacious gym
• Guided sightseeing excursions
• Doctor available onboard and on-call for a charge if needed.
The Luxurious Sonesta Moon Goddess Nile Cruise Cabin
Cruising on the Sonesta Nile River between Luxor and Aswan, or Aswan to Luxor on this 5-stars Deluxe Ship. Sonesta fleet of Nile River cruises offers 3-, 4-, and 7-nights Nile sailings, between Aswan and Luxor, exploring the temples, villages, tombs and ruins. Guided excursions with Egyptologists on the ships.
A Sample of the 5-Days / 4-Nights Sonesta Moon Goddess Nile cruise ship itinerary.
5-Days / 4-Nights Nile cruise
Tuesday
Embarkation before lunch
1:00 P.M. Lunch on board
3:30 P.M. Sail on the Nile by Felucca around Kitchener's Island & Agha Khan
5:30 P.M. Afternoon Tea
7:30 P.M. Nubian Folkloric Show8
8:00 P.M. Dinner on board
Wednesday
6:00 Breakfast on board
7:00 Visit the High Dam, the Granite Quarries and the Temple of Philae
12:00 Sail to Kom-Ombo
12:30 Lunch on board
15:00 Visit the Temple shared by two gods Sobek and Haeroris in Kom-Ombo
16:30 Sail to Edfu
17:30 Afternoon Tea
19:30 Captain’s Welcome Cocktail
20:00 Dinner on board
22:00 Enjoy music in the lounge
Thursday
8:00 Breakfast on board
9:00 Visit Horus Temple in Edfu
11:00 Sail to Luxor
13:00 Lunch on board
17:30 Afternoon Tea
20:00 Dinner on board
21:00 Galabia Party
Friday
6:00 Breakfast on board
7:00 Visit West Bank, Valley of the Kings & Queens, and Hatshepsut Temple
13:00 Lunch on board
14:30 Visit East Bank, Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple
17:30 Afternoon Tea
20:00 Dinner on board
22:00 Enjoy music in the lounge
Saturday
7:00 Breakfast on board
8:00 Disembarkation
The Swimming Pool of the Luxurious Sonesta Moon Goddess Nile Cruise Boat
A Sample of the 8-Days / 7-Nights Sonesta Moon Goddess Nile cruise
7-Nights Luxor/Luxor
Saturday
Embarkation before lunch
13:00 Lunch on board
14:30 Visit Karnak Temple & Luxor Temple
17:30 Afternoon Tea
19:30 Belly Dance Show
20:00 Dinner on board
21:30 Enjoy music in the lounge
Sunday
8:00 Breakfast on board & Free Morning
12:00 Sail to Edfu
13:00 Lunch on board
17:30 Afternoon Tea
19:30 Captain's Welcome Cocktail Party
20:00 Dinner on board
21:30 Enjoy music in the lounge
Monday
8:00 Breakfast on board
10:00 Sail to Kom-Ombo
13:00 Lunch on board
16:00 Visit Kom-Ombo Temple
17:30 Sail to Aswan
17:30 Afternoon Tea
20:00 Dinner on board
21:30 Galabia Party
Tuesday
8:00 Breakfast on board & Free Morning
13:00 Lunch on board
15:30 Sail on the Nile by Felucca around Kitchener's Island & Agha Khan
17:30 Afternoon Tea
19:30 Nubian Folkloric Show
20:00 Dinner on board
21:30 Enjoy music in the lounge
Wednesday
6:00 Breakfast on board
7:00 Visit the High Dam, the Granite Quarries and the Temple of Philae
12:00 Sail to Kom-Ombo
12:30 Lunch on board
16:30 Sail to Edfu
17:30 Afternoon Tea
20:00 Dinner on board
21:30 Enjoy music in Disco
Thursday
8:00 Breakfast on board
9:00 Visit Edfu Temple
11:00 Sail to Luxor
13:00 Lunch on board
17:30 Afternoon Tea
20:00 Dinner on board
21:30 Enjoy music in the lounge
Friday
6:00 Breakfast on board
7:00 Visit the West Bank, Valley of the Kings & Queens, Hatshepsut.
13:00 Lunch on board
17:30 Afternoon Tea
20:00 Dinner on board
21:30 Enjoy music in the lounge
Saturday
7:00 Breakfast on board
8:00 Disembarkation
The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise Ship, an example of the Super Deluxe Nile cruise flagship, by Egypt Tours and Travel of Chicago
Four and six day on board a spacious Luxury Nile Cruiser, the Oberoi Philae.
Oberoi Philae / 5-Days / 4-Nights Nile cruise itinerary
Embarkation: Aswan to Luxor
Day 1
Noon Embarkation. Visit Nubian Museum. In the early 1960’s, when Egypt built the High Dam at Aswan, Egyptologists and archaeologists the world over heeded UNESCO’s appeal to salvage the monuments of Egyptian Nubia before the rising waters of Lake Nasser submerged them forever. More than sixty expeditions ultimately joined the “Nubian Rescue Campaign”, which resulted in the excavation and recording of hundreds of sites, the recovery of thousands of objects, and the salvage and translocation of a number of important temples to higher ground. In the evening, tea at club lounge followed by a cocktail reception. Overnight in Aswan.
Day 2
07:00 Visit Philae temple and High Dam. High Dam Built between 1960 and 1971, the immense High Dam is 12,562 feet across, 364 feet high and 3,214 feet wide at its base. At the eastern end of the dam there is a visitors’ pavilion detailing the construction of the dam and at the western end there is a lotus-shaped tower, built to commemorate the Soviet Union’s support in the building of the dam. The Philae Temple is dedicated to the Goddess Isis and was built in Ptolemaic times. The oldest parts of the temple were built by Nectanebo I (380 - 362 B.C.) and a large portion of the temple was constructed during the regime of Ptolemy II Philadelphus (285 – 246 B.C.). With the building of the High Dam this monument was relocated to the nearby island of Agilika. The UNESCO led project took eight years to complete during which Agilikawas landscaped to look like Philae. At noon sail to Kom-Ombo. Visit the twin temple of Kom-Ombo. One side of the temple is dedicated to the Crocodile God Sobek, God of Fertility and Creator of the World. The other side is dedicated to the Falcon God Haroeis, also known as Horus, the Elder. The construction of the Temple of Kom-Ombo began in the 2nd century and completed in the 1st century BC. The temple is built in imposing Greco – Roman style and is in a particularly beautiful setting overlooking the Nile. The Chapel of Hathor to the south of the temple now houses a few crocodile mummies from the nearby crocodile necropolis. Late afternoon, sail to Edfu. Tea at club lounge. Overnight in Edfu.
Day 3
Visit the Temple of Edfu, the Temple of Horus at Edfu was buried under sand and silt for nearly two thousand years. It is the largest and best-preserved Ptolemaic temple in Egypt. Construction of the temple began in 237 B.C. and the main temple complex took 25 years to complete. Sail to Esna, cross the Esna Lock, sail to Luxor. Tea at club lounge. Overnight in Luxor.
Day 4
Visit the West Bank of ancient Thebes. Visit Valley of the Kings, with its royal tombs, King Tut’s tomb, Ramesses the 6th. This is followed by a visit to Temple of Medinet Habu, Dier El Madina. On the way back stop at the Colossi of Memnon. The remote barren Valley of the Kings was the necropolis of the New Kingdom pharaohs. Digging their tombs deep into the Theban Hills pharaohs from 1500 BC had hoped to stop robbers stealing the priceless possessions buried with them. Sixty two tombs have been found in the Valley of the Kings.
Including Tomb of Ramesses VI, Tomb of Tutankhamen and Tomb of Seti. The beautiful temple of Medinet Habu, second only to Karnak temple in size and detail. Soaring 18 meter (60 feet) into the sky, the two enthroned statues are the first monuments most visitors see on arriving in the West Bank. All that remains today are the two faceless colossi called the Colossi of Memnon, which, despite the ravages of time, are an impressive site. Visit Luxor and Karnak temples spread out on the East Bank of the Nile and built on the site of the New Kingdom capital city of Thebes, Luxor is the tourist Mecca of the Nile Valley. The exciting excavations in the 19th and early 20th centuries, especially the discovery of King Tutankhamen’s tomb, aroused international interest in the town. The bustling town is centered on the magnificent Luxor Temple, an enduring symbol of its glorious past. Located at the northern end of the town of Luxor, Karnak Temple is the country’s most important temple. It covers five acres of land. The temple lay buried under sand for more than 1,000 years before excavation work began in the mid-19th century. Today, the huge task of restoration continues. Back to Nile Cruise, tea at club lounge. Overnight in Luxor.
Day 5
Disembarkation your Nile Cruise Boat
Oberoi Philae Cruise Ship Cabin
Super Deluxe Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise Ship
Oberoi Philae / 7-Days / 6-Nights Nile cruise itinerary
Aswan to Luxor
Day 1
Wednesday
Embarkation at noon. Visit Nubian Museum. In the early 1960’s, when Egypt built the High Dam at Aswan, Egyptologists and archaeologists the world over heeded UNESCO’s appeal to salvage the monuments of Egyptian Nubia before the rising waters of Lake Nasser submerged them forever. More than sixty expeditions ultimately joined the “Nubian Rescue Campaign”, which resulted in the excavation and recording of hundreds of sites, the recovery of thousands of objects, and the salvage and translocation of a number of important temples to higher ground. 17.00 Tea at the club lounge. 19:00 cocktail reception. 19:30 Dinner Overnight in Aswan.
Day 2
Thursday
Visit Philae temple and High Dam High Dam Built between 1960 and 1971, the immense High Dam is 3,830 meters(12,562 feet) across, 111 meters (364 feet) high and 980 meters (3,214 feet) wide at its base. At the eastern end of the dam, there is a visitors’ pavilion detailing the construction of the dam and at the western end, there is a lotus-shaped tower, built to commemorate the Soviet Union’s support in the building of the dam. The Philae Temple is dedicated to the Goddess Isis and was built in Ptolemaic times. The oldest parts of the temple were built by Nectanebo I (380 - 362 B.C.) and a large portion of the temple was constructed during the regime of Ptolemy II Philadelphus (285 – 246 B.C.). With the building of the High Dam, this monument was relocated to the nearby island of Agilika. The UNESCO led project took eight years to complete during which Agilikawas landscaped to look like Philae. Sail to Kom-Ombo. Visit the twin temple of Kom-Ombo.
One side of the temple is dedicated to the Crocodile God Sobek, God of Fertility and Creator of the World. The other side is dedicated to the Falcon God Haroeis, also known as Horus, the Elder. The construction of the Temple of Kom-Ombo began in the 2nd century and completed in the 1st century BC. The temple is built in imposing Greco – Roman style and is in a particularly beautiful setting overlooking the Nile. The Chapel of Hathor to the south of the temple now houses a few crocodile mummies from the nearby crocodile necropolis. Sail to Edfu. Tea at the club lounge. Overnight in Edfu.
Day 3
Friday
Visit the Temple of Edfu, the Temple of Horus at Edfu was buried under sand and silt for nearly two thousand years. It is the largest and best-preserved Ptolemaic temple in Egypt. Construction of the temple began in 237 B.C. and the main temple complex took 25 years to complete. Sail to Esna, cross the Esna Lock and continue sailing to Luxor, tea at the club lounge. Overnight in Luxor.
Day 4
Saturday
Visit West Bank, the Valley of the Kings, with its royal tombs, King Tut’s tomb, Ramesses the 6th. This is followed by a visit to Temple of Medinet Habu, Dier El Medina. On the way back stop at the Colossi of Memnon. The remote barren Valley of the Kings was the necropolis of the New Kingdom pharaohs. By digging their tombs deep into the Theban Hills pharaohs from 1500 BC had hoped to stop robbers stealing the priceless possessions buried with them. 62-tombs have been found in the Valley of the Kings including Tomb of Ramesses VI, Tomb of Tutankhamen and Tomb of Seti. The beautiful temple of Medinet Habuis second only to Karnak in size and detail. Soaring 60 feet into the sky, the two enthroned statues are the first monuments most visitors see on arriving in the West Bank. All that remains today are the two faceless colossi called the Colossi of Memnon, which, despite the ravages of time, are an impressive site. In the afternoon, visit Luxor and Karnak temples spread out on the East Bank of the Nile and built on the site of the New Kingdom capital city of Thebes, Luxor is the tourist Mecca of the Nile Valley. The exciting excavations in the 19th and early 20th centuries, especially the discovery of King Tutankhamen’s tomb, aroused international interest in the town. The bustling town is centered on the magnificent Luxor Temple, an enduring symbol of its glorious past. Located at the northern end of the town of Luxor, Karnak Temple is the country’s most important temple. It covers five acres of land. The temple lay buried under sand for more than 1,000 years before excavation work began in the mid-19th century. Today, the huge task of restoration continues. Tea at club lounge. Overnight in Luxor.
Day 5
Sunday
Sail to Quina. Visit the Temple of Dendara, dedicated to Hathor, Goddess of Music, Love, and Joy. Buried under sand until the 19th century, the vast Temple of Hathor remains remarkably intact. The current temple is of Greco-Roman style but its design imitates typical Pharaonic temple architecture. Tea at the club lounge. Overnight in Quina.
Day 6
Monday
Visit the Temple of Abydos. Abydos was one of the holiest sites in the world. As the cult center of the god Osiris and gateway to the underworld (believed to lie under the nearby hills), it was a popular place of pilgrimage and burial. The main monument at Abydos is the Temple of Seti I, built around 1300 BC by Seti and his son Ramesses II. Sail to Luxor. Tea at the club lounge, then visit Luxor Museum. Overnight in Luxor.
Day 7
Tuesday
Disembarkation
Overview of the Oberoi Philae Nile cruise ship.
Dress Code: Recommend elegant casuals (jacket not essential) for dinner and convenient clothes during the day.
“The exterior of The Oberoi Philae rings of nostalgia, with the handsome feel of a 20th-century steamship.”
The Oberoi Philae, is a luxurious 22-room cruiser that reopened in 2016 after an extensive refurbishment. A graceful chandelier hung overhead. Marble floors gleamed under sleek leather benches. Chrome glimmered alongside dark wood. With windows at every turn.
There is a chic bar, cozy cigar lounge, sun-filled gym and serene spa with floor-to-ceiling windows. The ship is crowned with a fabulous roof deck, a sunny expanse of rich wooden floors with lounge chairs that curve around the perimeter.
The Oberoi Philae and Oberoi chain in general works with the finest guides, who lead tours in small groups. The temple of Philae, set on its own island. The temple is made of gold-colored stone with soaring colonnades, pylons and figures etched into the surface. Surrounded by sparkling water and leafy plants, the approach by boat is positively cinematic.
Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise Ship
Super Deluxe Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise Ship
Oberoi Philae / 7-Days / 6-Nights Nile cruise itinerary
Aswan to Luxor
Day 1
Wednesday
Embarkation at noon. Visit the Nubian Museum. In the early 1960s, when Egypt built the High Dam at Aswan, Egyptologists and archaeologists the world over heeded UNESCO’s appeal to salvage the monuments of Egyptian Nubia before the rising waters of Lake Nasser submerged them forever. More than sixty expeditions ultimately joined the “Nubian Rescue Campaign”, which resulted in the excavation and recording of hundreds of sites, the recovery of thousands of objects, and the salvage and translocation of a number of important temples to higher ground. 17.00 Tea at the club lounge. 7:00 P..M. cocktail reception. 7:30 P.M. Dinner Overnight in Aswan.
Day 2
Thursday
Visit Philae temple and High Dam High Dam Built between 1960 and 1971, the immense High Dam is 3,830 meters(12,562 feet) across, 111 meters (364 feet) high and (3,214 feet) wide at its base. At the eastern end of the dam, there is a visitors’ pavilion detailing the construction of the dam and at the western end, there is a lotus-shaped tower, built to commemorate the Soviet Union’s support in the building of the dam. The Philae Temple is dedicated to the Goddess Isis and was built in Ptolemaic times. The oldest parts of the temple were built by Nectanebo I (380 - 362 B.C.) and a large portion of the temple was constructed during the regime of Ptolemy II Philadelphus (285 – 246 B.C.). With the building of the High Dam, this monument was relocated to the nearby island of Agilika. The UNESCO led project took eight years to complete during which Agilikawas landscaped to look like Philae. Sail to Kom-Ombo. Visit the twin temple of Kom-Ombo.
One side of the temple is dedicated to the Crocodile God Sobek, God of Fertility and Creator of the World. The other side is dedicated to the Falcon God Haroeis, also known as Horus, the Elder. The construction of the Temple of Kom-Ombo began in the 2nd century and completed in the 1st century BC. The temple is built in imposing Greco – Roman style and is in a particularly beautiful setting overlooking the Nile. The Chapel of Hathor to the south of the temple now houses a few crocodile mummies from the nearby crocodile necropolis. Sail to Edfu. Tea at the club lounge. Overnight in Edfu.
Day 3
Friday
Visit the Temple of Edfu, the Temple of Horus at Edfu was buried under sand and silt for nearly two thousand years. It is the largest and best-preserved Ptolemaic temple in Egypt. Construction of the temple began in 237 B.C. and the main temple complex took 25 years to complete. Sail to Esna, cross the Esna Lock Sail to Luxor, tea at the club lounge. Overnight in Luxor.
Day 4
Saturday
Visit West Bank, the Valley of the Kings, with its royal tombs, King Tut’s tomb, Ramesses the 6th. This is followed by a visit to Temple of Dier El Medina. On the way back stop at the Colossi of Memnon. The remote barren Valley of the Kings was the necropolis of the New Kingdom pharaohs. By digging their tombs deep into the Theban Hills pharaohs from 1500 BC had hoped to stop robbers stealing the priceless possessions buried with them. 62-tombs have been found in the Valley of the Kings including Tomb of Ramesses VI, Tomb of Tutankhamen and Tomb of Seti. The beautiful temple of Medinet Habu second only to Karnak in size and detail. Soaring 60 feet into the sky, the two enthroned statues are the first monuments most visitors see on arriving in the West Bank. All that remains today are the two faceless colossi called the Colossi of Memnon, which, despite the ravages of time, are an impressive site. In the afternoon, visit Luxor and Karnak temples spread out on the East Bank of the Nile and built on the site of the New Kingdom capital city of Thebes, Luxor is the tourist Mecca of the Nile Valley. The exciting excavations in the 19th and early 20th centuries, especially the discovery of King Tutankhamen’s tomb, aroused international interest in the town. The bustling town is centered on the magnificent Luxor Temple, an enduring symbol of its glorious past. Located at the northern end of the town of Luxor, Karnak Temple is the country’s most important temple. It covers five acres of land. The temple lay buried under sand for more than 1,000 years before excavation work began in the mid-19th century. Today, the huge task of restoration continues. Tea at the club lounge. Overnight in Luxor.
Day 5
Sunday
Sail to Quina. Visit the Temple of Dendara, dedicated to Hathor, Goddess of Music, Love and Joy. Buried under sand until the 19th century, the vast Temple of Hathor remains remarkably intact. The current temple is of Graeco-Roman style but its design imitates typical Pharaonic temple architecture. Tea at club lounge. Overnight in Quina.
Day 6
Monday
Visit the Temple of Abydos. Abydos was one of the holiest sites in the world. As the cult center of the god Osiris and gateway to the underworld (believed to lie under the nearby hills), it was a popular place of pilgrimage and burial. The main monument at Abydos is the Temple of Seti I, built around 1300 BC by Seti and his son Ramesses II. Sail to Luxor. Tea at club lounge, then visit Luxor Museum. Overnight in Luxor.
Day 7
Tuesday
Disembarkation
Nile Cruise Ship Oberoi Philae
Oberoi Philae Nile cruise ship, decorated in a natural palette, with natural lighting and River Nile views during the day, the Main Restaurant is transformed into a softly lit, ambient fine dining space in the evening. The menu spans fine Western, Indian, Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines, freshly prepared on board by Oberoi chefs. The Main Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Dress Code on Nile cruise boat: Recommend elegant casuals (jacket not essential) for dinner, and convenient clothes during the day.
Oberoi Nile Cruise Ship Poolside Deck
The top deck Poolside Restaurant offers panoramic vistas up and down the River Nile. For your comfort, it is shaded by a large canopy in the daytime. After dark, it exudes romance by the light of glowing lamps and underfoot spotlights. The Poolside Restaurant serves light meals, snacks and also offers a special barbecue lunch menu. The attached cocktail bar is open from morning until evening.
Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise Ship Cigar Lounge
Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise Ship Dining
Super Deluxe Star Goddess Nile Cruise Ship
The Super Deluxe Nile Boat Sonesta Star Goddess
Sun Deck Bar & Barbecue
Overlooking panoramic view of the Nile, the Sun Deck on this Nile cruiser serves refreshing cocktails and beverages until sunset, as well as barbecue specialties.
Sonesta Star Goddess Nile Cruise, a Super Deluxe Nile Boat
Lounge
Adjacent to the lobby, the Lounge, which features a dance floor, serves light meals and a wide range of cocktails and beverages in a comfortable and stylish ambiance.
Features & Services
Main dining room, sun deck bar & barbecue lounge
Wireless internet access is available throughout the ship and in all cabins for a charge
Spa & fitness center, with gym, massage services, sauna and steam bath
Nightly entertainment
Plasma TV with DVD, satellite channels and in-house movie programs
Panoramic windows
Private terrace
Direct-line telephone
International telephone line and Internet access
Individual climate control
Hairdryer
Mini-bar
Safe
Bathrooms equipped with full-size bathtub
Fully-purified water, filtered and softened before distribution
Guided sightseeing excursion
Doctor available on Nile cruise ship, and on call for a charge
Sonesta Nile Cruise Ship, the Super Luxurious Star Goddess
A sample itinerary for sailing the Super Deluxe Star Goddess Nile Cruise Ship
5-Days / 4 Nights Nile Cruise
Monday
Embarkation before lunch. Visit Karnak & Luxor Temple. Afternoon tea. Belly Dance show. Disco. Overnight in Luxor.
Tuesday
Visit the west bank, Valley of Kings and Queens, Hatshepsut. Sail to Esna. Afternoon Tea. Captain's Welcome Cocktail Party. Disco time. Overnight in Esna.
Wednesday
Visit Edfu Temple. Sail to Kom-Ombo. Afternoon Tea and visit Kom-Ombo temple. In the evening, Galabia Party. Overnight in Kom-Ombo.
Thursday
Sail to Aswan. Visit the high dam, the granite quarries and the temple of Philae. Sail the Nile by felucca around Kitchener’s island. Afternoon Tea. At night, Nubian Folkloric Show. Overnight in Aswan.
Friday
8:00 Disembarkation
The Super Deluxe Nile Cruise Ship, The Sonesta Star Goddess
EXCURSIONS ON NILE CRUISE / What do you get to explore:
Luxor
Luxor stands where ancient Thebes, the "City of the Thousand Gates," once stood. Luxor, which means "the Palaces" in Arabic, is true to its name with a great number of magnificent temples and tombs.
The East Bank
In an unforgettable excursion, you will visit the Luxor Temple, which was built by the two great pharaohs, Amenhotep III and Ramses II. After touring the temple, you will travel along an avenue of ram-headed Sphinxes, extending for about two miles, which link Luxor Temple with Karnak Temple, the center of worship in ancient Egypt. No site in the world makes a more overwhelming and lasting impression than this "Temple of all Temples."
The West Bank
Cross the Nile from Luxor to the other bank where you will visit the Valley of the Kings which includes the tombs of the Thebian rulers. Next, tour the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut, the only woman pharaoh to reign in ancient Egypt (in the new Kingdom). Her temple, with its impressive architecture, is traditionally associated with Hathor, the goddess of love and joy. It was formerly surrounded by tropical gardens with plants imported from Somali land.
Later, tour the Valley of The Queens and the famous Colossi of Memnon, which once guarded the entrance to the mortuary temple of Amenhotep III. The temple was destroyed by an earthquake but the Colossi still remain.
Edfu
Edfu lies 100 kilometers south of Luxor and is the site of one of the greatest and best preserved temples of ancient Egypt. The temple, completed during the Ptolemaic age (305-30 B.C.), was dedicated to Horus and provides a wealth of information through its inscriptions, which describe the founding and construction methods of similar temples, as well as daily rituals and myths of ancient times.
Kom-Ombo
Kom-Ombo is 25-Miles north of Aswan and since earliest times, has received visitors who have traveled through the Libyan and Arabian deserts from Sudan caravan routes. The town of Kom-Ombo gained administrative importance during the Ptolemaic age as it protected the southern border of Egypt and in the Roman period was a military station. The temple has a double sanctuary and is dedicated to two divinities: Haroeris (Horus the Elder) and Sobek (the Crocodile God).
Aswan
Aswan, Egypt's smallest governorate, was the country's premier winter resort from 910 to 24 BC, offering natural beauty, a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere and a warm, dry climate.
The Aswan High Dam
The old dam was built by Sir W. Wilcock on behalf of the British authorities in 1898. It was constructed from granite quarried in the Aswan area and the official opening took place in 1902. In the 1960's, a new dam was built by the Egyptian government.
The Unfinished Obelisk
Also in Aswan, the Unfinished Obelisk gives us a great deal of information about how granite obelisks were carved in ancient times. The existence of granite in the Aswan area was of particular interest to the ancient pharaohs since it provided them with a ready source of material for their building projects.
The Island Tour and Philae Temple
For this delightful excursion, you will sail by felucca (Egyptian-style sail boat), to the small granite island called Kitchener of the Botanical island. You will also visit Elephantine Island.
Sonesta Star Goddess Nile Cruise Beethoven Suite Bathroom
The Sonesta St George Super Deluxe Nile Cruise
Main Dining Room
Located on the lower deck, our Main Dining Room, designed with sophistication and style, serves breakfast and lunch buffets as well as A la carte dinners. Dress code for dinner is smart casual.
Sun Deck Bar
Surrounded by breathtaking views of the Nile, the Sun Deck serves refreshing cocktails and beverages.
Lounge
Unique classical motifs decorate the walls and ceiling of the Lounge, which features a dance floor and stages nightly entertainment. A full-service bar serves a wide range of cocktails and beverages.
Panoramic Lounge
Adorned with elegant decor, the Panoramic Lounge, located on Deck 4, offers panoramic views of the Nile and is available for special functions and meetings.
Piano Bar
Elegant and sophisticated, the Piano Bar is lit by a dramatic, handmade chandelier and serves a variety of cocktails and beverages.
Features & Services
Main dining room, sun deck bar, lounge, panoramic lounge, piano bar, Sundeck
Oversize pool with shallow water extension and Jacuzzi
Spa & wellness center with gym, massage services, sauna and steam bath
Daily guided sightseeing excursions
Dry cleaning service
Sample itineraries for St George Nile Cruise ship
Sonesta St George Nile Cruise Standard Suite Cabin, Luxury Nile Cruise
4-Days / 3-Night Nile Cruise Sailing from Aswan to Luxor
Friday
Embarkation before lunch
Visit the High Dam and the Temple of Philae temple and sail on the Nile by motor boat. Captain's welcome cocktail. Nubian Show. Overnight in Aswan.
Saturday
Sail to Kom-Ombo
Visit the Temple shared by two gods Sobek and Haeroris in Kom-Ombo
Sail to Edfu. Visit Edfu Temple. Sail to Esna. Egyptian Galabia Party. Overnight in Esna.
Sunday
Early morning sail to Luxor. Visit the West Bank - the Valley of the Kings and Queens, the temple of Queen Hatshepsut at El-Deir El Bahari and the Colossi Memnon. Afternoon Tea. Belly Dancer show. Overnight Luxor.
Monday
8:00 A.M. Disembarkation. Visit the East Bank, Karnak and Luxor Temples.
Sonesta St George Nile Cruise Restaurant
5-Days / 4-Nights Nile cruise itinerary, St George Nile Cruise ship
Monday
Embarkation before lunch. Visit East Bank, Karnak and Luxor Temple. Afternoon tea. Belly dancing and Egyptian folkloric show. Overnight in Luxor.
Tuesday
Visit the West Bank, Valley of Kings & Queens, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir El-Bahari and the colossi Memnon. Sail to Esna. Afternoon tea. Captain's welcome cocktail. Disco & music in the evening. Overnight in Esna.
Wednesday
Sail to Edfu. Visit Horus Temple in Edfu. Sail to Kom-Ombo. Afternoon tea. Visit the temple shared by two gods Sobek & Haeroris in Kom-Ombo. Egyptian Galabia party. Overnight in Kom-Ombo.
Thursday
Sail to Aswan. Visit the High Dam, Philae Temple. Sail on the Nile by motor boat and visit botanical garden. Afternoon tea. Nubian Show. Overnight in Aswan.
Friday
8:00 A.M. Disembark Nile Cruise.
The Luxurious Sonesta St George Nile Cruise Ship Suite
8-Days / 7-Nights Nile cruise itinerary, St George Nile Cruise ship
By: Egypt Tours and Travel, private custom-tailor made tours to Egypt
Aswan / Aswan
Friday
Embarkation before lunch. Afternoon tea. Captain's welcome cocktail. Nubian Show. Overnight in Aswan.
Saturday
Sail to Kom-Ombo. Visit the Temple shared by two gods Sobek and Haeroris in Kom-Ombo. Sail to Edfu. Afternoon tea. Sail to Esna. Egyptian Galabia Party. Overnight in Esna.
Sunday
Sail to Luxor. Visit the West Bank - the Valley of the Kings and Queens, the temple of the queen Hatshepsut at El Deir El Bahari and the colossi Memnon. Afternoon Tea. Belly Dancer. Overnight in Luxor.
Monday
Visit East Bank, Karnak and Luxor Temples. Afternoon Tea. Dinner on board. Belly dance and Egyptian folkloric show. Overnight in Luxor.
Tuesday
Sail to Esna. Captain's Welcome Party. Disco & music in the evening. Overnight in Esna.
Wednesday
Sail to Edfu. Visit Horus Temple in Edfu. Sail to Kom-Ombo. Afternoon Tea. Egyptian Galabia Party. Overnight in Kom-Ombo.
Thursday
Sail to Aswan. Visit the High Dam, Philae Temple. Sail on the Nile by motorboat and visit the botanical garden. Afternoon Tea. Nubian Show. Overnight in Aswan.
Friday
8:00 Disembarkation
Super Deluxe Sonesta Star Goddess Nile Cruise Ship
By: Egypt Tours and Travel, Chicago Office
Sonesta Nile Cruise Ship, Star Goddess Bathroom
Sun Deck Bar & Barbecue
Overlooking panoramic view of the Nile, the Sun Deck on this Nile cruiser serves refreshing cocktails and beverages until sunset, as well as barbecue specialties.
Lounge
Adjacent to the lobby, the Lounge, which features a dance floor, serves light meals and a wide range of cocktails and beverages in a comfortable and stylish ambiance.
Features & Services
Main dining room, sun deck bar & barbecue lounge
Wireless internet access is available throughout the ship and in all cabins for a charge
Spa & fitness center, with gym, massage services, sauna and steam bath
Nightly entertainment
Plasma TV with DVD, satellite channels and in-house movie programs
Panoramic windows
Private terrace
Direct-line telephone
International telephone line and Internet access
Individual climate control
Hairdryer
Mini-bar
Safe
Bathrooms equipped with full-size bathtub
Fully-purified water, filtered and softened before distribution
Guided sightseeing excursion
Doctor available on Nile cruise ship, and on call for a charge
Sonesta Nile Cruise Ship Star Goddess Restaurant
A sample itinerary for sailing the Super Deluxe Star Goddess Nile Cruise Ship
5-Days / 4 Nights Nile Cruise
Monday
Embarkation before lunch. Visit Karnak & Luxor Temple. Afternoon tea. Belly Dance show. Disco. Overnight in Luxor.
Tuesday
Visit the west bank, Valley of Kings and Queens, Hatshepsut. Sail to Esna. Afternoon Tea. Captain's Welcome Cocktail Party. Disco. Overnight in Esna.
Wednesday
Visit Edfu Temple. Sail to Kom-Ombo. Afternoon Tea and visit Kom-Ombo temple. In the evening, Galabia Party. Overnight in Kom-Ombo.
Thursday
Sail to Aswan. Visit the high dam, the granite quarries and the temple of Philae. Sail the Nile by felucca around Kitchener’s island. Afternoon Tea. At night, Nubian Folkloric Show. Overnight in Aswan
Friday
8:00 Disembarkation
Luxurious Nile Cruise Sonesta Star Goddess Dining
EXCURSIONS ON NILE CRUISE / What do you get to explore:
Luxor
Luxor stands where ancient Thebes, the "City of the Thousand Gates," once stood. Luxor, which means "the Palaces" in Arabic, is true to its name with a great number of magnificent temples and tombs.
The East Bank
In an unforgettable excursion, you will visit the Luxor Temple, which was built by the two great pharaohs, Amenhotep III and Ramses II. After touring the temple, you will travel along an avenue of ram-headed Sphinxes, extending for about two miles, which link Luxor Temple with Karnak Temple, the center of worship in ancient Egypt. No site in the world makes a more overwhelming and lasting impression than this "Temple of all Temples."
The West Bank
Cross the other bank of the Nile in Luxor where you will visit the Valley of the Kings which includes the tombs of the Thebian rulers. Next, tour the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut, the only woman pharaoh to reign in ancient Egypt (in the new Kingdom). Her temple, with its impressive architecture, is traditionally associated with Hathor, the goddess of love and joy. It was formerly surrounded by tropical gardens with plants imported from Somali land.
Later, tour the Valley of The Queens and the famous Colossi of Memnon, which once guarded the entrance to the mortuary temple of Amenhotep III. The temple was destroyed by an earthquake but the Colossi still remain.
Edfu
Edfu lies 100 kilometers south of Luxor and is the site of one of the greatest and best preserved temples of ancient Egypt. The temple, completed during the Ptolemaic age (305-30 B.C.), was dedicated to Horus and provides a wealth of information through its inscriptions, which describe the founding and construction methods of similar temples, as well as daily rituals and myths of ancient times.
Kom-Ombo
Kom-Ombo is 25-Miles north of Aswan and since earliest times, has received visitors who have traveled through the Libyan and Arabian deserts from Sudan caravan routes. The town of Kom-Ombo gained administrative importance during the Ptolemaic age as it protected the southern border of Egypt and in the Roman period was a military station. The temple has a double sanctuary and is dedicated to two divinities: Haroeris (Horus the Elder) and Sobek (the Crocodile God).
Aswan
Aswan, Egypt's smallest governorate, was the country's premier winter resort from 910 to 24 BC, offering natural beauty, a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere and a warm, dry climate.
The Aswan High Dam
The old dam was built by Sir W. Wilcock on behalf of the British authorities in 1898. It was constructed from granite quarried in the Aswan area and the official opening took place in 1902. In the 1960's, a new dam was built by the Egyptian government.
The Unfinished Obelisk
Also in Aswan, the Unfinished Obelisk gives us a great deal of information about how granite obelisks were carved in ancient times. The existence of granite in the Aswan area was of particular interest to the ancient pharaohs since it provided them with a ready source of material for their building projects.
The Island Tour and Philae Temple
For this delightful excursion, you will sail by felucca (Egyptian-style sail boat), to the small granite island called Kitchener of the Botanical island. You will also visit Elephantine Island.
Oberoi Zahra Nile Cruise Ship Overview, by Egypt Tours and Travel
The Oberoi Zahra Nile Cruise Ship with ONLY 27-Luxurious Cabins
ONLY 27-luxury cabins and suites on board this impressive ship, an outdoor, temperature-controlled swimming pool and offers a seven night cruise between Luxor to Aswan, or Aswan up to Luxor. While on board the cruiser, guests can also enjoy traditional dance and music performances.
Oberoi Zahra Ships
Cruising the Nile River in Style, Luxury, and Elegance. The Oberoi Zahra Nile Cruiser has a delightful mix of luxury and history built in one.
The beautiful Nile Valley offers stunning panoramas as you sail between the ancient cities of Luxor and Aswan, the most scenic way to travel between the two cities. The world’s longest river has been offering a quiet, meditative, mode of transport to travelers from all across the world for decades now. The Oberoi Group added a mix of luxury to this by launching the Super Luxury Nile cruise ship The Oberoi Zahra Nile Cruiser.
Oberoi Nile Cruise Ship Dining
The Oberoi Zahra, Luxury Nile Cruiser offers luxury as a unique, memorable and personal experience. A palette of beige, champagne and caramel imbues the spaces with a sense of calm, with the striking artwork and floral arrangement lending the only pop of color. The elegant interiors of these spaces are specifically designed to showcase the river – expansive views of the Nile are framed by large windows within the cabins. The suites come with a separate living room and an attached terrace with a Jacuzzi, perhaps the most luxurious way to travel across time.
The Oberoi Zahra, Luxury Nile Cruiser has a full-service spa. All of its four massage suites include a private shower and steam room. When you are not luxuriating in your cabin, looking out at the Nile, or getting pampered at the Oberoi Zahra Spa, you can enjoy the cruiser’s common spaces such as the theater, library, cigar lounge, outdoor swimming pool or the Gym.
Oberoi Zahra Nile Cruise Restaurant
Views of the river keep you company at meals too, as you enjoy local and international delicacies at the restaurant onboard, which offers a new menu every day and an elaborate A la carte service.
The Oberoi Zahra, Luxury Nile Cruiser sails on a seven-day itinerary from Luxor to Aswan and vice versa, allowing guests the opportunity to leisurely discover 5,000-years of Egyptian culture. The cruiser also enjoys private docking facilities in most ports, allowing guests an almost private viewing of the historical sites, without being blocked by other Nile cruise ships tied alongside it.
The Egyptian history is worth traveling across the world for it, but when mixed with this kind of unmatched luxury, it is an absolutely irresistible attraction.
The Super Luxurious Oberoi Zahara Nile cruise itinerary
By: Egypt Tours and Travel of Chicago
6 Days – 5 Nights Nile Cruise Embarkation
Aswan to Luxor
Day 1 – Tuesday
12:00 p.m. Embarkation
12:30 p.m. Lunch
2:30 p.m. Visit the High Dam and the Philae Temple
7:30 p.m. Dinner Overnight in Aswan
Day 2 - Wednesday
8:00 to 9:30 a.m. - Breakfast
Sound and light show at the Philae Temple
7:30 p.m. Dinner Overnight in Aswan
Day 3 - Thursday
Sail to Kom-Ombo
Visit the twin temple of Kom-Ombo. One side of the temple is dedicated to the Crocodile God Sobek, God of Fertility and Creator of the World. The other side is dedicated to the Falcon God Haroeis, also known as Horus, the Elder. 11:00 a.m. - Sail back to Aswan 1:00 p.m.
3:00 p.m. Visit to Botanical Garden by felucca
7:00 p.m. Cocktail reception with entertainment 7:30 p.m. Dinner Overnight in Aswan
Day 4 – Friday
Sail to Edfu 8:00 to 9:30 a.m.
1:00 p.m. - Lunch 3:00 p.m. Visit the Temple of Edfu, the best-preserved temple of the ancient world, dedicated to Horus the Falcon God.
7:30 - Dinner Overnight in Edfu
Day 5 - Saturday
Sail to Luxor
Visit Karnak Temple and Luxor Museum. Dinner Overnight in Luxor
Day 6 – Sunday
Disembarkation
Dining Room Zahara Oberoi Nile Cruise Ship
The Super Luxurious Oberoi Zahara Nile cruise itinerary samples, by Egypt Tours and Travel
8-Days – 7-Nights Nile Cruise Embarkation
Aswan to Luxor
Day 1 - Tuesday
12:00 p.m. Embarkation
12:30 p.m. Lunch 2:30 p.m.
Visit the High Dam and the Philae Temple
7:30 p.m. Dinner Overnight in Aswan
Day 2 - Wednesday
Sound and light show at the Philae Temple 7:30 p.m.
Dinner. Overnight in Aswan.
Day 3 - Thursday
6:30 a.m. - Sail to Kom-Ombo
Visit the twin temple of Kom-Ombo. One side of the temple is dedicated to the Crocodile God Sobek, God of Fertility and Creator of the World. The other side is dedicated to the Falcon God Haroeis, also known as Horus, the Elder. Sail back to Aswan. Visit Botanical Garden by felucca. 7:00 P.M. Cocktail reception with entertainment. Dinner. Overnight in Aswan.
Day 4 – Friday
Sail to Edfu. Visit the Temple of Edfu, the best-preserved temple of the ancient world, dedicated to Horus the Falcon God. Dinner and Overnight in Edfu.
Day 5 - Saturday
Sail to Luxor. Visit Karnak temple and Luxor. Dinner Overnight in Luxor.
Day 6 – Sunday
Cross to the West Bank of the Nile, explore the West Bank of ancient Thebes. Visit Valley of the Kings, with its royal tombs, King Tut's tomb, Ramses "the Six". This is followed by a visit to the temple of Madinet Habu and on the way back stop at the Colossus of Memnon. Sail to Quina. Visit the Temple of Dendara, dedicated to Hathor, Goddess of Music, Love, and Joy. Dinner and overnight in Quina.
Day 7 – Monday
Sail to Luxor. Visit, Valley of the Noble’s, Dier El Madina, the site of a very special workman’s village, whose craftsmen built and decorated the tombs of the Pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings & the Temple of Hatshepsut. In the afternoon, visit Luxor Temple. Farewell Reception with live music at the club lounge. 8:00 p.m. - Dinner Overnight in Luxor.
Day 8 – Tuesday
Disembarkation.
Oberoi Zahra Junior Suite Nile Cruise Cabin
Oberoi Zahra Nile Cruise
By: Egypt Tours and Travel, Chicago
Cruising the Nile River in Style and Luxury
The Oberoi Zahra, Luxury Nile Cruiser for a delightful mix of luxury and history
The beautiful Nile Valley offers stunning panoramas as you sail between the ancient cities of Luxor and Aswan, the most scenic way to travel between the two cities. The world’s longest river has been offering a quiet, meditative, mode of transport to travelers from all across the world for decades now. In 2007, The Oberoi Group added a mix of luxury to this by launching the Super Luxury Nile cruise ship The Oberoi Zahra Nile Cruiser.
The Oberoi Zahra, Luxury Nile Cruiser offers luxury as a unique, memorable and personal experience. A palette of beige, champagne and caramel imbues the spaces with a sense of calm, with the striking artwork and floral arrangement lending the only pop of color. The elegant interiors of these spaces are specifically designed to showcase the river – expansive views of the Nile are framed by large windows within the cabins. The suites come with a separate living room and an attached terrace with a Jacuzzi, perhaps the most luxurious way to travel across time.
The Oberoi Zahra, Luxury Nile Cruiser has a full-service spa. All of its four massage suites include a private shower and steam room. When you are not luxuriating in your cabin, looking out at the Nile, or getting pampered at the Oberoi Zahra Spa, you can enjoy the cruiser’s common spaces such as the theater, library, cigar lounge, outdoor swimming pool or the Gym.
Views of the river keep you company at meals too, as you enjoy local and international delicacies at the restaurant onboard, which offers a new menu every day and an elaborate A la carte service.
The Oberoi Zahra, Luxury Nile Cruiser sails on a seven-day itinerary from Luxor to Aswan and vice versa, allowing guests the opportunity to leisurely discover 5,000-years of Egyptian culture. The cruiser also enjoys private docking facilities in most ports, allowing guests an almost private viewing of the historical sites, without being blocked by other Nile cruise ships tied alongside it.
The Egyptian history is worth traveling across the world for it, but when mixed with this kind of unmatched luxury, it is an absolutely irresistible attraction.
Private suite and Jacuzzi on board Zahra Oberoi Nile Cruise Boat
The Super Luxurious Oberoi Zahara Nile cruise itinerary, by Egypt Tours and Travel
6 Days – 5 Nights Nile Cruise Embarkation
Aswan to Luxor
Day 1 – Tuesday
12:00 p.m. Embarkation
12:30 p.m. Lunch
2:30 p.m. Visit the High Dam and the Philae Temple
7:30 p.m. Dinner Overnight in Aswan
Day 2 - Wednesday
8:00 to 9:30 a.m. - Breakfast
Sound and light show at the Philae Temple
7:30 p.m. Dinner Overnight in Aswan
Day 3 - Thursday
Sail to Kom-Ombo
Visit the twin temple of Kom-Ombo. One side of the temple is dedicated to the Crocodile God Sobek, God of Fertility and Creator of the World. The other side is dedicated to the Falcon God Haroeis, also known as Horus, the Elder. 11:00 A.M. Sail back to Aswan 1:00 p.m.
3:00 p.m. Visit to Botanical Garden by felucca
7:00 p.m. Cocktail reception with entertainment 7:30 P.M. Dinner Overnight in Aswan.
Day 4 – Friday
Sail to Edfu 8:00 to 9:30 A.M.
1:00 p.m. - Lunch 3:00 p.m. Visit the Temple of Edfu, the best-preserved temple of the ancient world, dedicated to Horus the Falcon God.
7:30 - Dinner. Overnight in Edfu.
Day 5 - Saturday
Sail to Luxor
Visit Karnak Temple and Luxor Museum. Dinner. Overnight in Luxor.
Day 6 – Sunday
Disembarkation
The Luxurious Oberoi Zahra Nile Cruise Ship Pool
4 Nights ‐ 5 Days Nile Cruise Embarkation, by Egypt Tours and Travel
Luxor to Aswan
Day 1
Start on Monday
Check‐In. 12:30 in the afternoon. Lunch on board.
2:00 P.M. Visit East Bank. Overnight in Luxor.
Day 2
Tuesday
07:30 A.M. Visit West Bank.
1:00 A.M. Sail to Edfu via Esna.
4:30 P.M. Afternoon tea.
7:00 P.M. Welcome Reception Cocktail.
Overnight in Edfu, onboard Nile cruise.
Day 3
Visit Edfu Temple.
Sail to Kom Ombo
4:00 P.M. Afternoon tea
5:00 P.M. Visit Kom Ombo Temple
9:30 P.M. Oriental Show "Galabia Party" Overnight in Aswan.
Day 4
Visit the High Dam, the Temple of Philae & unfinished Obelisk.
4:00 P.M. Felucca on the Nile around Kitchener Island.
9:30 P.M. Nubian Show.
Day 5
Disembarkation after breakfast
Oberoi Nile Cruise Ship Spa
Features & Services
Main dining room, sun deck bar & barbecue lounge
Wireless internet access is available throughout the ship and in all cabins for a charge
Spa & fitness center, with gym, massage services, sauna, and steam bath
Nightly entertainment
Plasma TV with DVD, satellite channels and in-house movie programs
Panoramic windows
Private terrace
Direct-line telephone
International telephone line and Internet access
Individual climate control
Hairdryer
Mini-bar
Safe
Bathrooms equipped with full-size bathtub
Fully-purified water, filtered and softened before distribution
Guided sightseeing excursion
Doctor available on Nile cruise ship, and on-call for a charge
EXCURSIONS ON NILE CRUISE / What do you get to explore:
Luxor
Luxor stands where ancient Thebes, the "City of the Thousand Gates," once stood. Luxor, which means "the Palaces" in Arabic, is true to its name with a great number of magnificent temples and tombs.
The East Bank
In an unforgettable excursion, you will visit the Luxor Temple, which was built by the two great pharaohs, Amenhotep III and Ramses II. After touring the temple, you will travel along an avenue of ram-headed Sphinxes, extending for about two miles, which links Luxor Temple with Karnak Temple, the center of worship in ancient Egypt. No site in the world makes a more overwhelming and lasting impression than this "Temple of all Temples."
The West Bank
Cross the Nile where you will visit the Valley of the Kings which includes the tombs of the Thebian rulers. Next, tour the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut, the only woman pharaoh to reign in ancient Egypt (in the new Kingdom). Her temple, with its impressive architecture, is traditionally associated with Hathor, the goddess of love and joy. It was formerly surrounded by tropical gardens with plants imported from Somali land.
Later, tour the Valley of The Queens and the famous Colossi of Memnon, which once guarded the entrance to the mortuary temple of Amenhotep III. The temple was destroyed by an earthquake but the Colossi still remain.
Edfu
Edfu lies 100 kilometers south of Luxor and is the site of one of the greatest and best-preserved temples of ancient Egypt. The temple, completed during the Ptolemaic age (305-30 B.C.), was dedicated to Horus and provides a wealth of information through its inscriptions, which describe the founding and construction methods of similar temples, as well as daily rituals and myths of ancient times.
Kom-Ombo
Kom-Ombo is 25-Miles north of Aswan and since the earliest times, has received visitors who have traveled through the Libyan and Arabian deserts from Sudan caravan routes. The town of Kom-Ombo gained administrative importance during the Ptolemaic age as it protected the southern border of Egypt and in the Roman period was a military station. The temple has a double sanctuary and is dedicated to two divinities: Haroeris (Horus the Elder) and Sobek (the Crocodile God).
Aswan
Aswan, Egypt's smallest governorate, was the country's premier winter resort from 910 to 24 BC, offering natural beauty, a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, and a warm, dry climate.
The Aswan High Dam
The old dam was built by Sir W. Wilcock on behalf of the British authorities in 1898. It was constructed from granite quarried in the Aswan area and the official opening took place in 1902. In the 1960s, a new dam was built by the Egyptian government.
The Unfinished Obelisk
Also in Aswan, the Unfinished Obelisk gives us a great deal of information about how granite obelisks were carved in ancient times. The existence of granite in the Aswan area was of particular interest to the ancient pharaohs since it provided them with a ready source of material for their building projects.
The Island Tour and Philae Temple
For this delightful excursion, you will sail by felucca (Egyptian-style sailboat), to the small granite island called Kitchener of the Botanical Island. You will also visit Elephantine Island.
Oberoi Zahra Ships
The Oberoi Zahra, Luxury Nile Cruiser for a delightful mix of luxury and history
The beautiful Nile Valley offers stunning panoramas as you sail between the ancient cities of Luxor and Aswan, the most scenic way to travel between the two cities. The world’s longest river has been offering a quiet, meditative, mode of transport to travelers from all across the world for decades now. In 2007, The Oberoi Group added a mix of luxury to this by launching the Super Luxury Nile cruise ship The Oberoi Zahra Nile Cruiser.
The Oberoi Zahra, Luxury Nile Cruiser offers luxury as a unique, memorable and personal experience. A palette of beige, champagne, and caramel imbues the spaces with a sense of calm, with the striking artwork and floral arrangement lending the only pop of color. The elegant interiors of these spaces are specifically designed to showcase the river – expansive views of the Nile are framed by large windows within the cabins. The suites come with a separate living room and an attached terrace with a Jacuzzi, perhaps the most luxurious way to travel across time.
The Oberoi Zahra, Luxury Nile Cruiser has a full-service spa. All of its four massage suites include a private shower and steam room. When you are not luxuriating in your cabin, looking out at the Nile, or getting pampered at the Oberoi Zahra Spa, you can enjoy the cruiser’s common spaces such as the theater, library, cigar lounge, outdoor swimming pool or the Gym.
Views of the river keep you company at meals too, as you enjoy local and international delicacies at the restaurant onboard, which offers a new menu every day and an elaborate A la carte service.
You might also be interested viewing the different selection of Luxury Nile Cruise ships in Egypt Egypt Luxury Nile Cruise Ships
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