Day 1
Afternoon non-stop flight by EgyptAir from London Heathrow to Cairo. On arrival transfer to the Nile Hilton.You may request a guaranteed Nile View Room for your two stays at the Nile Hilton for a special price of £60 per person for 6 nights (double or single).
Meals:
Hotel: Nile Hilton Hotel |
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Day 2
We spend the morning in the incomparable Egyptian Museum, located next door to our hotel. Afternoon free. Many of our passengers choose to return to the museum, as the tickets we have purchased are valid for the whole day. In the evening we invite you to a welcome dinner at a floating restaurant on the Nile.
Meals: B D Hotel: Nile Hilton Hotel |
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Day 3
A full day of sightseeing begins with the rarely visited IVth Dynasty ‘bent’ pyramid of King Snefro at Dahsur. Continue to Memphis (3200 BC), the ancient capital of Egypt, and Saqqara, famed for the marvellous Step Pyramid of King Zoser (3rd Dynasty).
Meals: B L Hotel: Nile Hilton Hotel |
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Day 4
Morning excursion to the Pyramids and the Sphinx at Giza. A special extra with Bales is the inclusion of a visit to the Solar Boat Museum,which houses a full-size ancient Egyptian boat, discovered in pieces close to the Great Pyramid as recently as 1954. The afternoon is free.
Meals: B Hotel: Nile Hilton Hotel |
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Day 5
Morning flight to Luxor,where we transfer to the Sonesta St. George Hotel, overlooking the Nile. In the afternoon visit the excellent Luxor Museum.
Meals: B Hotel: Sonesta St. George Hotel |
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Day 6
A full day excursion by road to the Temple of Hathor at Denderah, including the chapel of the Goddess Nut with its exquisite astronomical ceiling, and the superb Temple of Osiris at Abydos.
Meals: B L Hotel: Sonesta St. George Hotel |
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Day 7
Embark on the Radamis II for lunch. Afternoon visit to the monumental temples of Luxor and Karnak.
Meals: B L D Hotel: Radamis II |
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Day 8
Cruising on the Nile. Visits will include the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens and the Temple of Deir el-Bahari in Western Thebes, the magnificent Ptolemaic Temple of Horus at Edfu, the Temple of Kom Ombo, and the Temple of Philae. (B,L,D each day)
Meals: B L D Hotel: Radamis II |
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Day 9
As Above
Meals: B L D Hotel: Radamis II |
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Day 10
As Above
Meals: B L D Hotel: Radamis II |
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Day 11
Disembark in Aswan and transfer to the Kasr Ibrim before lunch for the 4 night cruise on Lake Nasser. In the afternoon visit the Greco-Roman Kalabsha Temple, dedicated to the God Mandoulis.We also see the Beit el-Wali temple, built by Ramses II, and the kiosk of Kertassi.
Meals: B L D Hotel: Kasr Ibrim |
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Day 12
A cruise on Lake Nasser differs from a Nile river cruise in several ways. Between Aswan and Abu Simbel there are virtually no towns or villages, so that you leave the boat only for the included shore excursions. There are no permanent mooring sites, so we transfer from the Kasr Ibrim to smaller motorboats to go ashore. Landings are by small gangplank from the motorboats; the cruise may therefore be unsuitable for passengers who require assistance or who have difficulties with mobility. For those in search of relaxation, this cruise offers wonderful desert landscapes, with the colours changing dramatically as the day wears on; sunsets and sunrises in particular can be dramatic. Many of the Nubian monuments can only be visited from Lake Nasser – there is no access by road – and there is no doubt that arriving by water to visit Abu Simbel on day 14 will remain in your memory for ever. Our shore excursions include Wadi el-Seboua,where we visit the temple dedicated to Ramses II and the two gods Amon-Ra and Ra Harmakis, the Temple of Maharakka, a Roman temple dedicated to Serapis, and to the small chapel of Dakka, and Amada,where we explore the delightful XVIIIth dynasty temple. At Kasr Ibrim, a castle which once dominated the area from its mountain-top location, the guide will give a talk from the sundeck as entrance to the site is not permitted. Finally,we arrive at Abu Simbel itself, the highlight of our cruise,where we will visit the temples and also enjoy a spectacular Sound and Light performance.
Meals: B L D Hotel: Kasr Ibrim |
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Day 13
As Above
Meals: B L D Hotel: Kasr Ibrim |
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Day 14
As Above
Meals: B L D Hotel: Kasr Ibrim |
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Day 15
In the morning fly via Aswan to Cairo. Transfer to the Nile Hilton.
Meals: B Hotel: Nile Hilton Hotel |
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Day 16
At leisure in Cairo, with the opportunity of paying a second visit to the Egyptian Museum.
Meals: B Hotel: Nile Hilton Hotel |
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Day 17
Morning non-stop flight by EgyptAir to London Heathrow, arriving in the early afternoon. Meals: B |
ROMANCE OF THE NILE 
