THIS TOUR IS FULLY BOOKED. WE ARE NOW ACCEPTING PRE-REGISTRATION FOR OUR PROPOSED 2025 CRUISE
Day 1
- Thursday 04 April 2024
Fly London to Cairo with EgyptAir. On arrival in Cairo our local agents will assist with Visa and immigration and then we will make the short journey to the first class Meridien Hotel at the airport where we check in for one night on room and breakfast basis.
Day 2
- Friday 05 April - The Great Pyramid and MightySphinx
Today we head to the Giza Plateau and admire the Great Pyramid and the mighty Sphinx. We have arranged a special permit to enter the Sphinx Enclosure and stand between the paws and study the Dream Stela up close. We then have lunch at a local restaurant with amazing views of the Plateau. Next, we head to the Grand Egyptian Museum with plenty of free time to wander through this amazing new Museum. After an exciting first day we transfer to our luxury cruiser the S/S Misr. This elegant, 5-star steam vessel, fully restored and air-conditioned, still retains its 19th century character and will be our home for the next fourteen nights on full board basis.
Day 3
- Saturday 06 April - Saqqara
This morning we head to Saqqara where we plan a full day to explore this vast complex. Entry to the Step Pyramid, the Serapeum, Old Kingdom Mastabas and much more. We will take a refreshing lunch break at the Sakkara Palm Club. We will return to the cruiser at the end of the afternoon.
Day 4
- Sunday 07 April - Sailing
Today is a wonderfully relaxing day on the river as we sail from Cairo towards the city of Beni Suef where we overnight. This is a day to sit on deck and watch the ever-changing river banks as our captain navigates the river Nile.
Day 5
- Monday 08 April - Meidum Pyramid
We begin our day exploring the spectacular Meidum Pyramid and the mud-brick-built ‘mastaba 17’ nearby. There will be time to enter the pyramid for those who wish. We return to Misr for lunch and sail on for Minya where we moor for the night.
Day 6
- Tuesday 09 April - Beni Hassan and Tuna el Gebel
This morning we climb the escarpment for spectacular views and to visit the superbly decorated rock-cut tomb-chapels of the local governors of Beni Hassan. We return to the cruiser for lunch and then this afternoon we visit the site of the Catacombs and the Tomb of Petosiris at Tuna el Gebel. Finally, Ashmunein with its open-air museum. This evening we sail to Amarna.
Day 7
- Wednesday 10 April - Akhenaten's city of Amarna
An exploration of the enigma that is Amarna, the ruined capital city of Pharaoh Akhenaten and Queen Nefertiti, is a wonderful experience. We will visit the Royal Tomb of Akhenaten and the Southern and Northern Tombs too. There will be time also for the central city and the Great Temple of The Aten. We spend the day at this incredible site with a light lunch provided by Misr at the Amarna Rest House. We overnight at Tel el Amarna.
Day 8
- Thursday 11 April - Sailing to Asyut
A day to relax on the River Nile as we sail towards Asyut. This is a great opportunity for some serious birdwatching, reading and taking afternoon tea on the sundeck. There will be illustrated talks at various points throughout the cruise. We moor at Asyut for the night.
Day 9
- Friday 12 April - Sailing to Sohag
Another day of calm, enjoying the comfort of SS Misr and the delights of the River Nile. It is easy to conjure up images of ancient Egyptian life on this part of the Nile where little seems to have changed. We moor overnight at Sohag.
Day 10
- Saturday 13 April - Mystical Abydos
We sail towards Balyana and after breakfast we make the short coach journey to the spectacular Temple of Seti I at Abydos. Here we see some of the finest reliefs in Egypt including the famous ‘King List’. There will be time to view the intriguing Osireion before we return to our cruiser and sail via the Nag Hammadi Bridges to our overnight stop at Qena.
Day 11
- Sunday 14 April - Dendera Temple
We travel by road to the Ptolemaic Temple of Dendera which was dedicated to the goddess Hathor. In the Hypostyle Hall we can now see the astronomical ceiling, gloriously restored to its original colours. This afternoon we sail on to Luxor where we moor for two nights.
Day 12
- Monday 15 April - Mighty Karnak
This morning we explore the Temple of Amun at Karnak. This vast site, one of the largest religious complexes in the world, is full of delights. From the vast hypostyle hall to the beautifully laid out open air museum, Karnak never fails to thrill. We visit the main elements of the temple and explore some hidden corners too. This afternoon we plan visits to Luxor Temple and Luxor Museum.
Day 13
- Tuesday 16 April - Ancient Thebes
We visit the Valley of the Kings where we have entry tickets to three of the tombs of your choice open on the day. Optional tickets will be available for the Tombs of Seti I, Ramesses VI and Tutankhamun. We move on to the impressive Ramesseum, mortuary temple of Ramesses II, where we view the fallen colossi that inspired Shelly’s Ozymandias. As we return to the Misr for lunch, we enjoy a brief stop at the Colossi of Memnon.This afternoon we sail on towards Aswan.
Day 14
- Wednesday 17 April - Kom Ombo
At a strategic bend in the river we find Kom Ombo and there we have a chance to visit the lovely Ptolemaic Temple of Haroeris and Sobek. Approaching the temple by river is a grand highlight of any cruise. After our visit we continue to Aswan where we dock for two nights.
Day 15
- Thursday 18 April - Temple of Isis
Today we visit the Temple of Philae built by Ptolemaic and Roman rulers to honour the cult of Isis. We also visit the Unfinished Obelisk set in its open-air museum. Later we explore the beautifully laid out Nubia Museum. Tonight, we enjoy a farewell dinner and time to say goodbye to all the staff and friends we have made while on board the Misr.
Day 16
- Friday 19 April - Aswan to Cairo
After breakfast we make the short trip by launch across the Nile to visit the Tombs of the Nobles at Kubbet el Hawa. After a relaxing lunch back on Misr we head to Aswan Airport for our flight to Cairo. On arrival in Cairo, we check in to the Meridien hotel for the night allowing for a civilized start to our journey home the next day.
Day 17
- Saturday 20 April 2024 - Homeward Bound
We make the short journey into the International Terminal and check in for our direct flight home to London.
THIS TOUR IS FULLY BOOKED. WE ARE NOW ACCEPTING PRE-REGISTRATION FOR OUR PROPOSED 2025 CRUISE
Our cruise is accompanied throughout by Kent Weeks, one of the most celebrated archaeologists in the world. Known for his work on the Theban Mapping Project and his re-discovery of KV5, the largest tomb ever found in the Valley of the Kings. Kent’s enthusiasm for his subject and ability to communicate with depth and humour makes him a star expert on this once in a lifetime tour.
B = Breakfast BL = Breakfast and Lunch BD = Breakfast and Dinner BLD = Breakfast Lunch and Dinner
