Odyssey on the Nile: Follow the Wind and Visit Legendary Sites on an Immersive Cruise (port-to-port cruise) Tour by CroisiEurope

10 daysDuration

Cruise TourExperience this tour on a cruise

15 peopleMaximum group size

18 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Easy

Light physical activity suitable for most people with average fitness levels.

Starts

Luxor, Egypt

Ends

Aswan, Egypt

Highlights

A serene, timeless journey aboard a dahabeah

Immerse yourselves in the authenticity and depth of Egyptian culture

Spend the night in exceptional hotels at the Winter Palace Luxor and the Old Cataract Aswan— charming venues steeped in history

Exceptional UNESCO World Heritage Sites

The Valley of the Kings and the tomb of Seti I

The Abu Simbel archaeological site and its colossal, rock-cut ancient temples(1)

The lush botanical garden on kitchener island, where exotic nature and serenity offer an enchanted interlude

Hidden gems in the Nile Valley and surprising ports of call

The city of El Kab, an authentic immersion in Egypt's thousand-year history

Gebel Silsileh and the little-known temple of Horemheb, the narrowest point on the Nile

Revel diverse Egyptian cuisine

The Abu Simbel archaeological site and its colossal, rock-cut ancient temples(1)

The lush botanical garden on kitchener island, where exotic nature and serenity offer an enchanted interlude

Hidden gems in the Nile Valley and surprising ports of call

The city of El Kab, an authentic immersion in Egypt's thousand-year history

Gebel Silsileh and the little-known temple of Horemheb, the narrowest point on the Nile

Revel diverse Egyptian cuisine

Itinerary

Discover Egypt in a different manner on an exclusive journey combining luxury and history. You'll begin your adventure at the sumptuous Winter Palace Luxor—made famous by Agatha Christie and Howard Carter—a veritable castle tucked in between Egyptian treasures. Then follow the winds on an unforgettable cruise to discover the Nile on board an elegant dahabeah—a 19th-century sailboat where each element of decor has been chosen with care from around the world. Our attentive crew will welcome you before you settle into your tastefully outfitted, but practical, cabin. Admire the scenery as you relax under the unfurled sails topside. The cradle of all civilizations—ancient Egypt—has fascinated humankind forever. From the beginning of time, adventurers, diplomats, writers, and painters have all drawn inspiration from the fertile banks of the Nile. From Luxor to Aswan, the Nile snakes its way through valleys lined with majestic temples, necropolises, pyramids, and lively villages. Your vacation will wrap in style at the luxurious Old Cataract Aswan, where colonial elegance rubs shoulders with the magic of the Nile. An unforgettable experience is on the horizon!

day 1 - Luxor

We’ll greet you at the airport and transfer you to the legendary five-star Winter Palace Hotel—a mysterious, elegant scene in times past. Built to accommodate European travelers attracted to Egypt's archaeological wonders, the hotel is now a living monument to the country's history. Its architecture reflects a Victorian style with Eastern influences. Its sumptuous interior—with high ceilings, majestic staircases, and elegant furniture—transports guests back to the turn of the 20th century.You'll settle into your room and spend the night at the hotel.

day 2 - Luxor

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before setting out on a full-day excursion to visit the Valley of the Kings and its archaeological site listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known worldwide as the final resting place for many great pharaohs, the valley contains approximately 63 tombs and chambers scattered at the foot of a rocky mountain. The tombs are decorated with religious themes, including writings and illustrations from the Book of the Dead, Book of Gates, and other funerary texts. This is a must-see site to understand the lives of the pharaohs and the importance they gave to the afterlife. You'll visit four tombs, including the impressive Seti I site. The archaeologists who discovered the tomb in 1817 were astonished by its splendid decor. Then, we'll visit the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, one of the most well-preserved and impressive monuments from ancient Egypt. This sumptuous mortuary temple carved into the mountain exemplifies not only Queen Hatshepsut's grandeur and ambition but also the artistic and architectural advances of the time.We’ll enjoy lunch in a restaurant. Spend your afternoon at the Winter Palace and experience luxury and relaxation surrounded by historical Egyptian elegance. Stroll through the hotel's lush tropical gardens—a veritable heaven on earth—overflowing with palm trees, exotic flowers, and beautiful fountains. Or how about a refreshing dip in the pool under the Egyptian sun followed by catching a bit of rays as you relax?We'll have dinner in the hotel gardens this evening—a culinary and cultural feast celebrating Egyptian beauty and hospitality under the star-filled sky.

day 3 - Luxor - El Hegz

This morning's included excursion is a visit to the Karnak Temple Complex, one of the largest and most important in the world. Each structure, each column, and each relief recounts one part of the rich and complex history of extraordinary ancient Egypt. As a religious center and testament to the grandeur and splendor of the pharaohs, the temple complex is famous for its gigantic columns, majestic obelisks, sanctuaries dedicated to the gods, and astounding reliefs and hieroglyphs.And now it will be time to board Abydos, your dahabeah, an elegant and sleek traditional Egyptian ship providing optimal comfort and charming style throughout your whole cruise. The crew will welcome you on board with a refreshing hot towel perfumed with rose water and a glass of cold hibiscus tea—known as karkade—or fresh-pressed lemonade. Enjoy your drink on the chaise lounges or cushions on the deck under the unfurled sails to take in the beauty of the Nile riverbanks in the shade. You'll settle comfortably in your cabin before your first onboard lunch.Our ship will begin to cruise the calm Nile waters towards El Hegz. We’ll have dinner and spend the night on board.

day 4 - El Hegz - Elkab - Fawaza

We'll enjoy a short cruise to Elkab. The sun will begin to peek over the horizon, and the Nile will wake up slowly as the dahabeah slips silently along the water. On deck, the first warm rays begin to reheat the fresh morning air. Sit back in total comfort with a cup of hot coffee or tea and take in this exceptional moment.Included excursion: Visit Elkab. Surrounded by enormous unbaked brick walls, Elkab contains traces of civilization dating back more than 5,000 years. Founded in the Predynastic period, it is home to the famous Temple of Nekhbet (dedicated to the vulture goddess of Upper Egypt) and Qurnet Murai, a necropolis for kings and nobles. The Elkab monuments—decorated with reliefs and hieroglyphics—illustrate the architectural and cultural evolution within ancient Egypt throughout its dynasties. We'll cruise to Fawaza in the afternoon. We'll cross through spectacular natural scenery as we head up the Nile—with swaying palm trees, verdant fields, and an occasional steep bank. We'll glide by picturesque villages where the everyday movement of inhabitants offers an authentic glimpse of Egyptian rural life. Enjoy the tranquility of the river. Read a book on the deck or simply relax and watch the riverbanks and wildlife as we float by.We'll enjoy a barbecue on the island of Fawaza this evening. The natural setting of this port of call will be embellished by several lights to create a festive ambiance. Following tradition, the ship's crew will light a fire and sing and dance to the rhythm of darabukka drums. We’ll spend the night on board.

day 5 - Bassaw - Gebel Silsileh - Beshir

We'll cruise to Bassaw.In the morning, we'll take a walk through the charming Nubian village of Bassaw, known for its colorful homes, small sandy streets, and warm hospitality. You'll have a chance to try your hand at traditional techniques with local fishermen in their small boats while fishing for perch and other species in the river. We'll cruise towards Gebel Silsileh.Afternoon included excursion: Gebel Silsileh and the Temple of Horemheb. In this area, the Nile reaches its narrowest point as it winds its way between steep sandstone cliffs. Thousands of men worked in the quarry here during the New Kingdom and the Greco-Roman periods to extract the sandstone used to build temples. The site is home to ruins such as the Temple of Horemheb and shrines with stelae. We’ll have dinner and spend the night on board.

day 6 - Beshir - Kom Ombo - Herdiab

We'll cruise to Kôm Ombo. This morning, the included excursion is a visit to the Temple of Kôm Ombo, dedicated to the gods Sobek (the crocodile god) and Haroeris (Horus the Elder). By the late 1800s, much of the temple had been either destroyed by earthquakes, the waters of the Nile, or builders who took stones for other projects. It was cleaned and restored by Jacques de Morgan in 1893. The temple is unique because its dual design shows duplicated courts, halls, sanctuaries, and rooms for two sets of gods. We'll cruise to Herdiab.This afternoon, enjoy a walk through Herdiab, a village on the Nile that has been able to preserve its traditional cane-sugar and fruit-tree farming.We’ll have dinner and spend the night on board.

day 7 - Herdiab - Aswan

You'll have the possibility of swimming at Herdiab Beach this morning.The ship will begin to cruise to Aswan.In the afternoon, join us for an included excursion to the Philae Temple Complex. After the dam was finished in 1902, the temple complex was partially submerged. In 1960, UNESCO started a project to save the buildings. In the long run, every building was dismantled into units and then transported to a nearby island for reconstruction. The most ancient temple is dedicated to Isis and dates back to 380 BC.Tonight will be our farewell dinner.

day 8 - Aswan

Disembarkation.Included excursions in the morning:Abu Simbel.(1) Discovering these amazing rock temples is one of the highlights of any trip to Egypt. Located about 168 miles southwest of Aswan (270 km and three hours’ driving time), the Abu Simbel site is in the heart of the desert—at the border with Sudan—and is the most impressive imprint left by Ramesses II.ORVisit of the botanical garden on kitchener island. In the heart of the nile, this lush site, a true haven of peace, created at the end of the 19th century, is home to an incredible diversity of exotic plants from all over the world. as you stroll through its shaded paths, you will discover majestic palm trees, rare acacias, and a wide variety of colorful flowers. The song of the birds and the gentle breeze of the nile will make the experience even more soothing. This visit will offer you a breathtaking view of the banks of the nile and the surrounding desert, a nature break, and a moment of serenity beyond time.We’ll enjoy lunch in the restaurant at the Old Cataract Hotel. You'll have the afternoon to discover Aswan on your own, strolling through the local souk. You'll be able to check into your room at the Old Cataract midafternoon. Perched on a pink granite cliff overlooking the Nile, the hotel has spectacular views of the river and Elephantine Island. The name "Old Cataract" comes from the waterfall, or cataract, located just upstream on the Nile. It has welcomed renowned celebrities such as Winston Churchill, who sojourned here several times, and Agatha Christie, who wrote part of her famous thriller Death on the Nile while at the hotel. Admire the sun setting from the terrace—a memorable moment in a timeless and romantic ambiance.You'll have dinner at the hotel.

day 9 - Aswan

Breakfast will be served at the hotel. In the morning, join us for an included excursion to the Nubian Museum. When the Aswan Dam was built in 1970 and Lake Nasser subsequently flooded the inhabited areas, UNESCO and the Egyptian government agreed to build the Nubian Museum in a combined effort to preserve Nubian culture and heritage. The museum contains a vast 3,000-object collection beginning in prehistoric times and continuing through the pharaonic, Greek, Roman, Christian, and Islamic periods.Lunch will be served at the hotel.In the afternoon, enjoy a lovely sail on a felucca. Admire the lush Nile banks, golden desert dunes, and the red granite mountain backdrop. You'll glide by the island of Elephantine—with its ancient ruins and Nubian villages—and Kitchener's Island, known for its luxuriant botanical gardens. You'll have dinner and spend the night at the hotel.

day 10 - Aswan

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel (or as takeaway in case of an early morning departure). Transfer to the airport. End of our services.

Odyssey on the Nile: Follow the Wind and Visit Legendary Sites on an Immersive Cruise (port-to-port cruise)

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What's Included

Accommodation

Transfers airport/hotel/airport

Meals

Breakfasts on day 2 and day 3Lunch on day 2Dinner on day 3All meals during cruiseDrinks during all meals (mineral water + soft drink + tea + turkish coffee + 1 beer* (at lunch) or 1 glass of wine* (at dinner))

Others

Double-occupancy accommodations at the winter palace from day 1 to day 3Your cruise in the cabin category of your choiceDouble-occupancy accommodations at the old cataract with full board from day 8 to day 10Visits and excursions mentioned in the programEnglish-speaking tour guides for all visitsServices provided by our croisieurope cruise directorEmergency/repatriation insuranceEgyptian visaAll port fees.

What's Excluded

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