Nile River Adventure

With a population of around 18 million people, Cairo is Africa’s largest city by far, yet, despite its size, it retains a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. At Giza, to the west of the city, the enigmatic Sphinx and great pyramids stand on the edge of the empty desert overlooking the city. More than 4000 years old, the pyramids are all that remain of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World – a testimony to the ingenuity and skill of their builders.

There are many thousands of exhibits in the famed Egyptian Museum, and your local guide will focus on the Tutankhamun collection – probably the world’s greatest archaeological find. You’ll see the treasure found in the tomb of the boy-king: the jewel-encrusted golden mask, the golden sarcophagus and throne, plus many everyday articles, which were entombed with him to be used in the afterlife. Such a visit will bring together all the things the kids have been learning about at school and give you a taste for what’s to come at the Valley of the Kings, the burial place of Tutankhamun. In the evening you board the overnight train to Aswan. 

Overnight sleeper train – 1 night (BD)

The Nile has a fascination of its own and is one of the principal reasons many people come to Egypt. In ancient legend it was considered the giver of life and, even in modern times, it still provides a livelihood for millions of people. The banks of the Nile slowly glide past – providing the perfect backdrop for whatever you choose to do on board the boat. Close to the river’s edge you can glean an insight into ancient times - the agriculturist fellahin live and till the land along the riverbank, much as they have done for centuries.

As you sail north you pause to visit the great temples at Kom Ombo and Edfu. Kom Ombo is a unique temple dedicated to two gods: Haroeris (Horus the elder) and the crocodile-headed Sobek, god of the Nile. Kids (and adults?) will cringe at the mummified crocs on display! On the east bank around Kom Ombo, reclaimed land is fed by canals to keep the desert at bay - it supports not only crops of sugar cane but also a large Nubian community displaced from their homeland by the rising waters of Lake Nasser. The following day you’ll alight from the riverboat again to visit Edfu by calesh, which after Karnak, is the largest temple in Egypt.

NB: if the sailing schedule dictates, Edfu temple sightseeing may be done later on day four. As you sail closer to Luxor the river valley becomes increasingly open, and a landscape of cultivated fields stretches away from the river - a ribbon of green in the middle of a vast desert. This was once the floodplain where the combination of annual deposits of rich silt and ceaseless toil created a fertile market garden, which still supports Egypt’s burgeoning population. Nowadays, of course, the variations in flow that created the occasional disaster are managed by the dams, which span the river. (Bx2, Lx2, Dx2)

NB: As with any boat trip, progress is wholly dependant on local operational conditions and the sailing schedules of the boat operators who have to time their journeys according to various factors, such as sailing times through the locks of the Nile. There are also certain times of the year – for example, in June and the first half of December when the Nile is cleaned and cruises must stop at Esna.

NB: Please note that this cruise may run in reverse starting at Luxor and ending at Aswan. The sites of Edfu and Kom Ombo will still be visited. If the cruise is reversed a revised itinerary will be sent to you detailing the day to day schedule.

This morning you fly back to Cairo where there’s time to explore Cairo’s remarkable attractions. On your last evening the Group Leader will no doubt organise a traditional ‘last supper’ where you can look back on the wonders you have seen.

Grand Pyramid Hotel (AAA) - 1 night - Swimming Pool (B)