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*The Nostalgic Nile (Zahra) - Your Itinerary
12 days
From: £2525
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What's included:
- Scheduled direct flights, including U.K. airport passenger duty and service charge
- Experienced English-speaking guide on the Zahra, exclusive to Bales passengers
- Private air-conditioned vehicle, exclusive to Bales clients for transfers
- Sightseeing as detailed, including entrance fees
- Tipping Included for transfers, porters and the private guide and crew on board the dahabiyya
- Modern first class hotels, exclusive ‘dahabiyya’
- 11 full breakfasts, 7 lunches and 7 dinners
- Wine, beer, soft drinks, tea and coffee are included on the cruise
- Minimum participation 2 passengers
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Day 1
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 Day 1
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Afternoon non-stop flight by British Airways from London Heathrow to Cairo (4 hours 50 minutes). On arrival you will be met by our representative and taken direct to the Mena House Oberoi Hotel (Garden Wing), the nearest hotel to the Pyramids of Giza. We have a limited number of Pyramid View rooms at no supplement. These will be allocated according to the order of booking.
Meals:
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Day 2
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 Day 2
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We have left the time in Cairo free. Our representatives can offer a variety of optional excursions in and around this great city. Not to be missed are the Great Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza, easily reached from your hotel, the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities in the centre of Cairo and the superb monuments at ancient Memphis and Saqqara.
Meals: B
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Day 3
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 Day 3
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At leisure in Cairo
Meals: B
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Day 4
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Day 4
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Morning EgyptAir flight to Luxor (1 hour, 5 minutes) and embark on the Zahra, your exclusive ‘dahabiyya’, for a relaxing week spent cruising on the Nile. After lunch visit Luxor’s East Bank, taking time to explore the magnificent setting of the Luxor Temple. This sumptuous monument was built over
4000 years ago, and represents the epoch of the once mighty city of Thebes and the worship of the god Amun. Return to your dahabiyya for dinner. Overnight mooring in Luxor.
Meals: B, L, D
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Day 5
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 Day 5
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There is the option of rising at dawn to take a hot air balloon flight over Luxor. Please advise at the time of booking if you would like to take this excursion (please see ‘Pre Bookable Option Excursions’ below). This morning visit the West Bank and enter the atmospheric setting of the Valley of the Kings, where the tombs of the once mighty pharaohs lie amongst the desert landscapes of the Nile Valley. Also pay a visit to the Valley of the Queens and the magnificent mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut, passing the imposing Colossi of Memnon en route. After lunch return to Luxor’s East Bank to explore the Karnak Temple. Built over 4,000 years ago, Karnak’s immense Hypostyle Hall alone contains the phenomenal sight of 134 towering columns of intricate stonework. Return to your dahabiyya for dinner and private overnight mooring on the West Bank, across the Nile.
Meals: B, L, D
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Day 6
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 Day 6
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Today will be a leisurely day. After breakfast, commence your journey to Esna where you will moor overnight.
Meals: B, L, D
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Day 7
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 Day 7
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Passing through the lock at Esna, your voyage continues, towards the magnificent and spectacularly preserved Temple of Horus at Edfu, constructed in the 3rd century BC and, after Karnak, the largest temple in Egypt. Overnight private mooring beside a Nile island.
Meals: B, L, D
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Day 8
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 Day 8
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Sail to Kom Ombo to visit the Ptolemaic temple, uniquely dedicated to two gods – the falcon god Horus and Sobek, the crocodile god. Its superb location overlooking the Nile and perfect double symmetry make this one of the most picturesque on the river. Overnight private mooring beside a Nile island.
Meals: B, L, D
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Day 9
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 Day 9
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A final morning of cruising will bring us to Aswan, where we have the afternoon to relax. Overnight at a private mooring near Aswan.
Meals: B, L, D
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Day 10
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 Day 10
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Today we will visit the High Dam, Old Dam and the beautiful Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis, rescued from the rising waters of Lake Nasser when the dam was constructed. Return to the boat for lunch. Once more overnight at your private mooring near Aswan.
Meals: B, L, D
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Day 11
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 Day 11
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This morning bid farewell to the crew and disembark the boat after breakfast, with an opportunity to visit the spectacular temples of Abu Simbel by air, before the EgyptAir flight back to Cairo (1 hour 30 minutes). Built by Ramses II, the setting of this magnificent structure, besides the shores of Lake Nasser, makes it one of the most spectacular of Egypt’s ancient sites. Please advise at the time of booking if you would like to take this excursion (see ‘Pre Bookable Option Excursions’ below). On arrival in Cairo transfer to Le Passage Heliopolis Hotel (formerly the Mövenpick Heliopolis).
Meals: B
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Day 12
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 Day 12
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Morning non-stop flight by British Airways to London Heathrow, arriving in the afternoon.
Meals: B
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