A Taste of Ancient Splendour

Flying on EgyptAir from London Heathrow this evening, you arrive in the Egyptian capital in the early hours of Thursday morning (flight time 4 hours 40 minutes) and transfer to the historic Mena House Oberoi Hotel (Garden Wing) close to the Pyramids of Giza. You may request a guaranteed Pyramid View Room for a supplement starting from £60 per person (twin share) for the duration of your stay.

The next two days have been left free to enjoy Cairo’s myriad of wonders at your own pace. There are numerous optional excursions available, including the majestic Pyramids and the Sphinx at Giza, the magnificent Egyptian Museum, with its matchless collection of Pharaonic treasures and the remarkable monuments at nearby Memphis and Saqqara.

At leisure in Cairo.

Lying at Egypt’s southernmost borders, Aswan has long been the gateway into the lands of ancient Nubia and beyond. An early morning flight from Cairo sees you arriving in plenty of time to make full use of the day here. Those taking the excursion on to the spectacular temple complex of Abu Simbel will continue directly from the airport, returning to Aswan by air later this morning to embark on the Oberoi Philae in time for lunch. Please advise at the time of booking if you would like to take this excursion (please see ‘Pre Bookable Option Excursions’ below). The afternoon is at leisure. This evening begin with a cocktail reception before your a la Carte dinner, music and dancing. Overnight in Aswan.

After breakfast enjoy a visit to Aswan’s High Dam and Old Dam, as well as the remarkable monolith of The Unfinished Obelisk and the beautiful temple of Isis on the island of Philae. Returning to the boat for a buffet lunch, you then sail to Kom Ombo and pay a visit to the unique Ptolemaic temple lying to the north of Aswan (the only temple in the Nile Valley dedicated to two gods – Sobek and Haroeris). Continuing from here to Edfu, where the boat will moor overnight, this evening you will enjoy an Egyptian buffet dinner and a Galabiya costume party on board.

After a morning visit to the wonderfully preserved Temple of Horus in Edfu, the second largest temple in all Egypt, this afternoon the boat continues along the Nile to Esna, passing through the lock and sailing on to Luxor. This evening affords an opportunity to enjoy a black and white dress dinner, with music and dancing. Overnight in Luxor.

Crossing over to Luxor’s West Bank you will visit the stunning tombs of the Pharaohs today, taking in the romance and majesty of The Valley of the Kings, where in 1922 Howard Carter famously discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun. Continuing to Deir El Madina, you then return via the temple of Medinet Habu and the Colossi of Memnon. In the afternoon you will be taken to the awe-inspiring temple complex of Amon-Ra at Karnak, with its vast Hypostyle hall of 137 columns, and the imposing XVIIIth dynasty Luxor Temple. Overnight in Luxor.

Disembark after breakfast in Luxor and return to Cairo (1 hour 5 minutes). On arrival transfer to the Sonesta Cairo Hotel & Casino for 1 night.

Transfer to the airport for the morning EgyptAir flight to London, arriving back at Heathrow in the early hours of this afternoon.