Cairo and the Nile

Introduction

To fully discover the ancient wonders of Egypt, a cruise on the River Nile is truly an unforgettable experience. The Nile River has been Egypt's lifeline since ancient times and there is no better way to trace the passage of Egypt's history than to follow the course of the Nile.

Each day gives you every opportunity to explore new sights or simply enjoy a different view. We have a great selection of superb boats to choose from, all specifically designed with the Nile in mind. We carefully select all of our boats, so you can be rest assured of the best service and facilities as well as exceptional value for money. We offer a choice of four and seven night cruises from standard 5 star to 5 star luxury.

You can discover more of Egypt's ancient history or its beautiful beaches and modern resorts by combining a Nile cruise with an extended stay in Luxor, Cairo or the Red Sea resorts of El Gouna or Sharm El Sheikh. Alternatively, you can devise your own individual itinerary creating an unforgettable holiday experience.

Overview

Egypt, Land of the Pharaohs and one of the few lasting centres of the Ancient World.  Its capital is Cairo, a bustling, busy and fascinating city.

We would recommend a personal tour guide in Cairo, that way you can see what you want when you want and learn great insights into the land and its culture.

During your stay here there are a number of must visits. One of the lasting seven wonders, The Three Pyramids, Cheops, Chephren, and Mykerionos, the Sphinx Monument; guarding the royal burial chambers and temple of Cheops, Sakkara., built for the 3rd Dynasty Pharaoh Djoser by the architect Imhotep, Memphis, the capital of the Pharaohs during the old kingdom, built by King Menes and is located 24 kilometers southwest of Cairo.

A visit to The Egyptian Museum, housing the largest collection of ancient monuments in the world, including the golden treasures of Tutankhamen is a must along with a visit to Coptic Cairo: includes the hanging church which was built in the 4th century over the southern gate of the fortress Babylon & dedicated to the Virgin Mary & some other old churches .

The Citadel of Salah El Din, which is one of the world's greatest monuments to medieval warfare, as well as a highly visible landmark on Cairo's eastern skyline & the complex includes the Alabaster Mosque of Mohamed Ali . Finally a walk at Khan El Khalili Bazaar is a great way to finish your stay here.

Transfer from Cairo to Luxor by air and once checked in to your Nile Cruiser, we would recommend the Sonesta MOON GODDESS but the choices are endless and there are cruises to suit all budgets, cross to the west bank to visit the famous Valley of the Kings and Queens, Queen Hatshepsut temple & the Colossi of Memnon & Luxor temple.  A visit to Karnak Temple (made famous in ‘Death on the Nile') would complete your stay in Luxor before beginning your cruise.

During your serene cruise down the Nile you will have the opportunity to visit the Temple of Horus in Edfu and the Temple shared by the two Gods Sobek and Harories in Kom Ombo, before arriving in Aswan.  While here visit the high dam, the granite quarries, unfinished oblesik & the Philae Temple or sail on the Nile by felucca around Kitchener's island & Agha Khan Mausoleum.

While still in Aswan take a journey to see another of the outstanding sights of the Nile Delta, Abu Simbel.  This Temple dedicated to Ramses II was lifted from the banks of the Nile to its present position when the High Dam was built to stop flooding. From here you could chill out in Aswan, Luxor or transfer to one of the many luxury beach resorts which offer varied opportunities for relaxing and water sports.

Itinerary

This popular Classic Egypt holiday is the ideal way to see the best of Egypt's classical sights. Not only can you enjoy the wonderful ancient sites along the Nile, from Luxor to Aswan but also the magnificent treasures and exciting atmosphere of Cairo.

Classic Egypt - Nile Cruise and Cairo

Day 1

Fly from London Heathrow to Luxor. Upon arrival transfer to your Nile cruise boat for a seven night cruise. Customers choosing Alexander the Great will spend their first at the Old Winter Palace in Luxor and then start the tour the following day.

Day 2

Morning visit to the Valley of the Kings - the site of Tutankhamen's tomb, the Temple of Queen Hatsheput and the Valley of the Queens. Final stop of the day will be at the Colossi of Memnon before arriving back at the boat in time for lunch. Afternoon at leisure whilst the boat sails to Edfu via the Esna lock. 

Day 3

Morning visit to the Temple of Edfu, dedicated to the god Horus and the largest, most preserved temple in Egypt. Afternoon set sail for Aswan. 

Day 4

Morning excursion to the High Dam, the Old Granite Quarries and the Unfinished Obelisk. There is also a trip by boat to the Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis and occupying a picturesque location on an island. 

Day 5

Today can be spent at leisure wandering around Aswan or on optional excursions. The most popular excursion is to the temple of Abu Simbel, Egypt's greatest ancient treasure after the Pyramids. Late afternoon sail to Kom-Ombo and a visit to the Ptolemic Temple. Overnight either in Kom Ombo or Edfu. 

Day 6

All day at leisure sailing downstream to Luxor via the Esna Lock.

Day 7

Morning visit to the Temple of Karnak and the papyrus museum. In the afternoon visit the Temple of Luxor after which there is time to explore the markets of Luxor. That evening there is an optional excursion to the Sound and Light show at the Karnak temple.

Day 8

Fly from Luxor to Cairo for a 3 night stay at your chosen hotel.

Day 9

Optional morning visit to see the Great Pyramids of Giza and Sphinx. Afternoon at leisure, time to relax by the pool or to do some shopping in the many bazaars. In the evening a chance to take an optional excursion to see the fantastic Sound and Light Show at the Pyramids. 

Day 10

Optional morning excursion to the Egyptian Museum to see the treasures of Tutankhamen. Afternoon at leisure or you may want to take one of our optional tours to the stunning mosques of Islamic Cairo and the intriguing early churches of Coptic Cairo. In the evening, enjoy an optional dinner cruise on the Nile whilst watching a traditional folklore show. 

Day 11

Transfer to the airport for the return flight to the UK.

Please note the Nile cruise itineraries can be subject to alteration locally at short notice. In Cairo all excursions are optional and can be booked and paid for locally. Please find further information on the Pick and Mix tab.

Essential Information

Weather

August is the low season for holidays in Egypt when the temperatures soar to incredible heights.  The best times to visit are September / October and May / June but holidays will be more expensive at these times.

Passports and Visas

British passport holders travelling to Egypt normally require a visa. However, the Egyptian authorities state that "British nationals travelling to Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba resorts only, for up to 14 days, do not require a visa, they shall receive a free entry permission stamp upon arrival. If you intend to travel out of the mentioned areas or overstay, you must obtain a visa."

Visas can be obtained from an Egyptian Consulate outside Egypt or on arrival by payment in Sterling or USD, for stays of up to a month.

Your passport should be valid for at least six months.

Health

For up-to-date health advice for Egypt, please consult your GP.

Insurance

We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusion’s from the policy, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake whilst on holiday. Medway Travel can provide you with a quote for this – please contact a member of the Leisure team for further details.

Pick & Mix

As well as suggested holiday itineraries, Medway Travel are delighted to be able to also create bespoke holiday experiences that are tailored to your exact wishes.

If you have particular places of interest in mind that you would like to incorporate within your next holiday to Egypt, just contact one of our experienced travel consultants with your wishes and allow us to put together the ideal arrangements for you.

For inspiration of what Egypt has to offer, you may like to look over the details below...

Luxor

Luxor is unique among the world's cities, originally built on the site of ancient Thebes over 4,000 years it is home to some of the most spectacular ancient sites in the world. Wherever you go, you can't afford to miss a thing.

You will experience the past and the present, with a wealth of history and culture that spans centuries. There is hardly anywhere in the city that does not have a relic, offering you an impressive representation of the splendour of the ancient Egyptians several thousand years ago.

Excursions that can be enjoyed from Luxor include:

• Balloon Trip
• Visit to the West Bank (Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens)
• Karnak and Luxor Temple
• Karnak Sound and Light Show
• Dendarah Cruise
• Cairo by Air or Train

Cairo

Cairo is a must for anyone fascinated by the magnificent Great Pyramids and the Sphinx of Giza. Situated on the Nile, Cairo is exciting, vibrant and fascinating; it is a perfect blend of old and new.
Take time to explore the treasures of Tutankhamen in the Egyptian museum or take a stroll around the bustling Khan El Khalili bazaar. Away from the city centre, there is still more to see from the capital of ancient Egypt at Memphis to the Step Pyramid at Saqqara.

Excursions that can be enjoyed from Cairo include:

• Great Pyramids and Sphinx
• City Tour
• Pyramids Sound and Light Show
• Dinner on the Nile

Aswan

Aswan is larger but much quieter than Luxor, it is Egypt's southernmost city and one of her most beautiful, sitting alongside some of the best stretches of the Nile - wide, green and dotted with pretty islands, with high desert hills topped with the Aga Khan's Mausoleum as a dramatic backdrop.

Lake Nasser Cruises

To the south of Aswan stands Lake Nasser, an enormous reservoir formed by the building of the high dam in 1971. Here you will discover the lesser known temples as well as Abu Simbel, Egypt's greatest monument after the Pyramids.

These ancient temples which represent incredible feats of modern engineering as they were relocated to escape the rising waters brought about by the building of the dam are best enjoyed on board a luxurious cruise across the tranquil waters of Lake Nasser.

Cruises on Lake Nasser operate 3 or 4 night durations aboard either the luxurious MS Eugenie or the MS Kasr Ibrim. We normally recommend combining stays in other resorts such as Luxor or Aswan.

El Gouna

Nestling between the mountains and the shores of the Red Sea is El Gouna a relatively unheard of holiday destination offering all the amenities required for a fantastic holiday.
Offering wonderful accommodation, from intimate guest houses to deluxe five-star hotels, you are sure sure feel at home. Modern arabesque architecture and unique interior design transport you to another time and place. Meanwhile, the various activities and entertainment options, international cuisines and exciting nightlife, make El Gouna one of the Red Sea's premier leisure destinations.

Whether you decide to stay in the Downtown or the Marina areas, you will not be far from the numerous amenities El Gouna has to offer; great shopping, health treatments, an excellent selection of restaurants, clubs, pubs and fabulous yachts, beautiful beaches and uninhabited islands.

For the more energetic there are a number of acitivities to choose from including a variety of watersports and dive centres and you can even play a round a golf at El Gouna's 18-hole course.

El Gouna is a complete holiday destination offering all the services required for truly a relaxing holiday, all within a 30 minute drive north of Hurghada and 4 hours from Luxor and the Nile.

Things to see and do from El Gouna include:

• Spa
• Desert Safaris
• Sea Trips
• Golf

Hurghada

Originally a traditional fishing village, Hurghada is now one of the most popular resorts on the Red Sea. The resort provides everything for everyone with a wide range of hotels, shops and restaurants plus it is a haven for
 water sports enthusiasts whether it is diving off the magnificent coral reefs or windsurfing along the coastline, Hurghada has it all.

Hurghada is easily reached from Luxor and the Nile which makes it a popular choice for a twin centre holiday. Transfer from Luxor takes approximately 4 hours by road.

Sharm El Sheikh

This cosmopolitan resort with its good variety of hotels, restaurants, shops and bars lies at the southern tip of the Sinai peninsula, where the desert merges with the crystal clear blue waters of the Red Sea.

There are a wide range of activities to indulge in from snorkelling to desert safaris and local excursions include trips to Mount Sinai and the St Catherine's Monastery. Diving courses and trips can also be easily arranged.

With flights from Luxor it is possible to combine this bustling and friendly resort with a Nile Cruise or stay in Luxor.

Things to see and do from Sharm El Sheikh include:

• St Catherine's Monastery
• Ras Mohamed National Park
• Desert Safari

Testimonials

Hello Astra,

As promised I am writing to you with our thoughts on our recent holiday.

On arriving at Luxor airport we were very pleased to see the Discover Egypt people meet us before passport control to give us our visas and tell us that payment would be on board later…very efficient! 

We were also surprised to learn that we had been moved to the “Royal Viking” from the “Viking Princess”, apparently a much better boat, but we don’t really know why. However, we enjoyed the boat very much and were lucky in being put on a table with 3 other couples with whom we got along famously…a real bonus! The food and service on board was excellent and hygiene was paramount..we got a tour round the kitchens later in the week which were exemplary. 

Our guide, Aladdin, was superb. He not only spoke perfect English but had a great sense of humour and was amazingly knowledgeable on all things Egyptian. His explanations at all the places we visited were comprehensive without being boring! We were pleased to have plenty of free time, at most of the places, to wander around and get back to the coach when we wanted.

The boat crew were very efficient from the cabin cleaners( with their towel sculptures!) to the restaurant staff who cleared away very quickly and were all approachable and friendly.

Our only criticism was the Egyptian “hasslers” who were everywhere when you disembarked…we know times are hard for tourism in Egypt but these people will deter many tourists from wanting to come again or recommend to their friends. 

Second week @ Sofitel Karnak. 

Mohamed accompanied us from the boat to the hotel and checked us in seamlessly! We arranged two excursions with him to the “Son et Lumière” @ Karnak Temple and the “Workers’ Village” plus the Ramesseum. Both were very good although the latter was a bit rushed and exhausting…we could have seen fewer things.

The hotel was excellent with all the facilities we needed, pool, sauna, plenty of places to just sit and look at the Nile and a good choice of food outlets. Our only remark about the room was that the bathroom looked a bit “tired” and could have done with a “refresh”. We made comments on their questionnaire about this.

We enjoyed our holiday and would recommend your company to others who want to holiday either Egypt or elsewhere. You handled our arrangements really well and thanks very much. 

We will be in touch regarding Croatia/Sicily.

Kind regards

Keith & Carol Bradley

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Hi Mel.

I'm pleased to say that we had a wonderful holiday and full marks go to the organisation. Our tour guides in Cairo and Luxor were both very good, and all transfers, transport and arrangements generally ran like clockwork.

I shall happily recommend Medway (and GAT) to anyone thinking of a similar visit to Egypt.

Thank you for all your efforts.

Regards,

Robin

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Dear Mel.

Having got back last night from our trip to the Nile- a cruise plus a stay in Luxor- I wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed the whole experience.

We are experienced travellers having lived in many countries and travelled widely, and our standards are high, and I can honestly say that the whole Nile experience, thanks to your company, Discover Egypt and Viking was absolutely top class.

The cruise ship, the guides, the general comfort and attention were outstanding- the food too was good, which is not always the case in Egypt, and all in all we were very well looked after and cared for by some very helpful people.

The attention to detail and organisation on board and on shore were really very impressive and contributed to a stress free holiday- what more could one ask for!

Thanks for your part in organising the trip, please pass this message on to Discover Egypt.

Yours sincerely,

Patrick Helmer

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Hi Mel,

Thank you for your email. We returned from Cairo on Thursday evening and I am back at work today.

Can I congratulate your Company on providing a wonderful holiday for my wife and I. All arrangements were perfect and we were met and escorted from the point of arrival at Luxor. The cruise on the Nile was excellent and the accommodation, food and general arrangements were very good.

The Guide, Gelal was very knowledgable and really gave us very good information on all the amazing sights of Egypt. Our Guide only had the two of us to look after, and although this may not be the norm, we fully appreciated this service.

I have other friends who have expressed a desire to go on the same trip and I shall definitely recommend your Company to them. My thanks to you for arranging this holiday and I will have no reservations whatsoever to recommend your Company to others.

Kind Regards

Jay

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"The Moon Goddess was spacious, well furnished and had a crew of the highest calibre; THE way to cruise the Nile" - MDF from Bristol

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"Our personal tour guide was friendly, knowledgeable and looked after us all perfectly, all through our time in Cairo - Highly recommended" - SD from Aberdeen

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