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The Nostalgic Nile (Nesma) (Reverse Direction Aswan/Luxor) - Your Itinerary
12 days
From: £1895
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What's included:
- Scheduled direct flights, including all U.K. and overseas airport taxes and applicable fuel surcharges
- Experienced English-speaking guide on board the Zahra/ Nesma/Amber, 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, the private guide and crew on board the dahabiyya
- Modern first class hotels.
- Exclusive ‘dahabiyya’.
- 11 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 40 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.
Meals: B
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Day 3
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 Day 3
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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 4
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 Day 4
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Today fly on EgyptAir to Aswan (1 hour 25 minutes) and embark on the Nesma, your exclusive ‘dahabiyya’, for a relaxing week spent cruising on the Nile. This afternoon 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. Overnight at the private mooring near Aswan.
Meals: B, L, D
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Day 5
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 Day 5
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This morning there is the opportunity to visit the spectacular temples of Abu Simbel by air. 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. Once more overnight at your private mooring near Aswan.
Meals: B, L, D
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Day 6
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 Day 6
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This morning you will 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 7
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 Day 7
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This morning you will sail to Edfu where you will visit 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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Today will be a leisurely day. After breakfast, commence your journey to Esna, cross the lock and onwards to Luxor, where the boat moors overnight.
Meals: B, L, D
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Day 9
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 Day 9
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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. Today cross over to the West Bank to visit the tombs of the Pharaohs, the romantic Valley of the Kings, where Howard Carter famously discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922. Continue to the Valley of the Queens, Medinet Habu and the Colossi of Memnon. Return to your dahabiyya for an afternoon at leisure. This evening you will overnight at our mooring near Luxor.
Meals: B, L, D
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Day 10
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Day 10
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A leisurely morning is planned, affording the time to relax and take in the surroundings. After lunch visit Luxor’s East Bank, taking time to explore the magnificent settings of the Luxor and Karnak Temples. These sumptuous monuments, built over 4000 years ago, represent the epoch of the once
mighty city of Thebes and the worship of the god Amun. Karnak’s immense Hypostyle Hall alone contains the phenomenal sight of 134 towering columns of intricate stonework. Return to your dahabiyya for dinner. Overnight mooring in Luxor.
Meals: B, L, D
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Day 11
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 Day 11
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Today bid farewell to the crew and disembark the boat after breakfast, before taking the EgyptAir flight back to Cairo (1 hour 5 minutes). On arrival in Cairo transfer to Le Passage Heliopolis Hotel.
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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