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The Wonders of Ancient Egypt
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The Wonders of Ancient Egypt
Combining 2 nights in Cairo with a full week cruising on the Nile, this comprehensive itinerary travels into the heart of Pharaonic Egypt. With ample free time to enjoy the incredible sites around the Egyptian capital, you then fly to Luxor to board your selected Presidential Nile Cruise boat, to begin a journey that takes in the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple and the ancient sites that lie along the Nile and beyond Aswan’s bustling markets, before returning to Luxor.
Itinerary Overview
Days 1 / 2 – Fly to Cairo Days 3 / 4 – Luxor Day 5 – Kom Ombo Day 6 – Aswan Day 7 – Edfu Days 8/9 – Luxor Day 10 – Fly to the UK
Price Includes
• Scheduled flights • Accommodation and meals • Transportation • Sightseeing
Extras
- EgyptAir - Business Class from £795
- Abu Simbel by air (DAY 7) - £155
- Balloon Flight Over Luxor (Day 9) - £85
- Solo traveller supplement from £200
10 days from £1045
Based on departure date
1st
June
2013
Karnak Temple
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Luxor Temple
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Temple of Philae
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Valley of the Kings
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Aswan
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Nile Cruise
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Cairo
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The Temple of Horus - Edfu
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Karnak Temple
Dating from the 2nd millennium BC, The Temple of Amun-Re at Karnak represents one of the finest memorials in Egypt to the grandiose designs of the pharaohs. Approached by an avenue of sphinxes and filled with an array of temples and chambers, obelisks and halls that span the cultural zenith of ancient Thebes.
Luxor Temple
The heart of ancient Thebes, Luxor’s superbly preserved temple sits resplendent beside the lively Corniche and the River Nile. Originally connected to Karnak by an avenue of sphinxes, this remarkable testament to Pharaonic divinity is one of Egypt’s most captivating settings, especially when bathed in late evening light.
Temple of Philae
The Temple of Isis sits majestically on the beautiful island setting of Philae, and is without doubt one of Egypt’s most enchanting ancient sites. Dedicated to the cult of the consort of the God Oris, the temple rose to prominence during the Ptolemaic period. Aswan’s High Dam threatened the temple’s continued existence, until a rescue operation dismantled and relocated the entire complex to higher ground.
Valley of the Kings
The final resting place for the likes of Seti I, Ramses II, Tutankhamun and the beautiful and enigmatic Queen Nefertari. The West Bank contains the exquisitely elaborate tombs of some of ancient Egypt’s most renowned Pharaohs, offering a fascinating insight into their lives and beliefs.
Aswan
Aswan is an eclectic mix of Arabic, Coptic and Nubian influences which has left it with a unique and vibrant culture that sits perfectly with some of antiquity’s most impressive monuments. Egypt’s most southerly city marks the ancient limits of Pharaonic power where Egypt and Africa meet with vibrant colour and flair.
Nile Cruise
Following the ancient waterway of the spectacular Nile Valley is one of the most engaging cruise on earth, filled with timeless majesty and endless wonder. Cruising through these dreamy vistas, passing remote villages and graceful feluccas, returning to a time of unhurried grandeur, where the genteel pace of life is contrasted by the ruins of antiquity and the vibrant bustle of riverside towns.
Cairo
Cairo, the incomparable 'Mother of the World', is a city richly steeped in the history and traditions of its glorious past; from its magnificent pyramids, to the bustling bazaars and hidden alleyways of its Islamic and Coptic heart. Meanwhile, beyond its city limits, lie the expansive landscapes of the Western Deserts, a land of golden mummies, Berber tribes and the facinating oases of Siwa and Bahariya.
The Temple of Horus - Edfu
The Greco-Roman temple at Edfu is one of the best preserved of its kind in Egypt and the second largest temple in the country after Karnak. Dedicated to the falcon-headed god Horus, it spent generations hidden beneath sand and houses, before being revealed during the mid 19th Century. Conforming to the design of the temples of the ancients, its remarkable preservation affords a unique snapshot of a near complete Pharaonic temple.
What's included:
Flights Scheduled direct flights, including all UK and overseas airport taxes and applicable fuel surcharges Guides Experienced English-speaking guide during the cruise Transportation Private air-conditioned vehicle, exclusive to Bales clients for transfers Sightseeing As detailed, including entrance fees Accommodation and meals Modern medium standard hotels and cruise ship. 10 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 7 dinners Minimum participation 2 passengers
Day 1- EgyptAir flight from London Heathrow to Cairo. Transfer to Oasis Hotel.
Afternoon non-stop flight by EgyptAir from London Heathrow to Cairo (4 hours 40 minutes). On arrival you will be met by our representative and taken direct to the Oasis Hotel at Giza (New Wing Room), close to the pyramids.
Meals: Inflight
Hotel: Oasis Hotel
Day 2- Day at leisure with excursions available.
With time at leisure, your day is free to spend as you wish. Perhaps take an optional excursion to the magnificent site of the Great Pyramids, or wandering through the treasures of the Egyptian Museum. A little farther afield are the remarkable ruins of ancient Memphis and Saqqara.
Meals: B
Hotel: Oasis Hotel
Day 3- EgyptAir flight from Cairo to Luxor. Embark on to a Presidential Nile Cruise boat.
Transfer to Cairo airport for EgyptAir flight to Luxor (1 hour 5 minutes). Embark on to a Presidential Nile Cruise boat (Standard Cabin) in time for lunch. Afternoon and evening at leisure in Luxor.
Meals: B, L & D
Hotel: Presidential Nile Cruise
Day 4- Visit Luxor's East Bank to explore Luxor and Karnak Temple.
Morning at leisure. After lunch visit Luxor’s East Bank, taking time to explore the magnificent 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. Also visit 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. After your sightseeing return to your boat for a relaxing evening onboard.
Meals: B, L & D
Hotel: Presidential Nile Cruise
Day 5- Visit Luxors West Bank today and the Valley of the Kings before sailing to Edfu.
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. Visits to the Necropolis of Thebes, Queen Hatshepsut temple and the Colossi of Memnon are also included. Return to the boat and commence your journey, sailing along the timeless Nile to Esna where you will pass through the lock and continue towards Edfu where you will overnight.
Meals: B, L & D
Hotel: Presidential Nile Cruise
Day 6- Discover the ancient site of Kom Ombo before sailing to Aswan.
Sail for Kom Ombo to visit the unique Ptolemaic temple lying besides the Nile, dedicated to the two gods, Sobek and Horus. Later continue to Aswan, the gateway to ancient Nubia and the Sudan. Overnight in Aswan.
Meals: B, L & D
Hotel: Presidential Nile Cruise
Day 7- Tour of Aswan.
In the morning you will visit the High Dam before continuing to the beautiful Temple of Philae, rescued from the rising waters of Lake Nasser when the dam was constructed. In the afternoon we have organised a felucca ride where you will see Elephantine Island and the Agha Khan Mausoleum from the sail boat. Overnight in Aswan.
Meals: B, L & D
Hotel: Presidential Nile Cruise
Day 8- Sail back to Edfu with another chance to see Kom Ombo.
There is an option this morning to take an early flight to the spectacular temple complex at Abu Simbel. Built by Ramses II, the setting of this magnificent structure, besides the shores of Lake Nasser, makes it one of the most impressive of Egypt’s ancient sites. Please advise at the time of booking if you would like to take this excursion (please see ‘Pre Bookable Option Excursions’ below). In the early afternoon sail to Edfu where you moor overnight and have another opportunity to see Kom Ombo temple.
Meals: B, L & D
Hotel: Presidential Nile Cruise
Day 9- Return to Luxor today.
This morning you will depart Edfu and continue to Esna where you will pass through the Lock on your journey back to Luxor where you will overnight.
Meals: B, L & D
Hotel: Presidential Nile Cruise
Day 10- Disembark from your boat and return by EgyptAir to London Heathrow.
Disembark from your boat today and return by EgyptAir direct from Luxor to London Heathrow (5 hours 50 minutes), arriving in the early afternoon.
Meals: B
Hotel: No Hotel
Travelling to Egypt
Select a departure date below and book your holiday. All quoted prices are per person.
| Dates | With flights | Without flights | Solo suppement | Key date Information | Next steps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| From: 25th
May
2013 To: 3th June 2013 | £1045 | £680 | £200 | ||
| From: 1st
June
2013 To: 10th June 2013 | £1045 | £680 | £200 | ||
| From: 8th
June
2013 To: 17th June 2013 | £1045 | £680 | £200 | ||
| From: 15th
June
2013 To: 24th June 2013 | £1045 | £680 | £200 | ||
| From: 22nd
June
2013 To: 1st July 2013 | £1045 | £680 | £200 | ||
| From: 29th
June
2013 To: 8th July 2013 | £1095 | £730 | £245 | ||
| From: 6th
July
2013 To: 15th July 2013 | £1095 | £715 | £245 | ||
| From: 13th
July
2013 To: 22nd July 2013 | £1095 | £715 | £245 | ||
| From: 20th
July
2013 To: 29th July 2013 | £1095 | £715 | £245 | ||
| From: 27th
July
2013 To: 5th August 2013 | £1095 | £715 | £245 | ||
| From: 3th
August
2013 To: 12nd August 2013 | £1095 | £715 | £245 | ||
| From: 10th
August
2013 To: 19th August 2013 | £1095 | £730 | £245 | ||
| From: 17th
August
2013 To: 26th August 2013 | £1095 | £730 | £245 | ||
| From: 24th
August
2013 To: 2nd September 2013 | £1150 | £785 | £245 | ||
| From: 31st
August
2013 To: 9th September 2013 | £1150 | £785 | £245 | ||
| From: 7th
September
2013 To: 16th September 2013 | £1150 | £785 | £245 | ||
| From: 14th
September
2013 To: 23th September 2013 | £1150 | £785 | £245 | ||
| From: 21st
September
2013 To: 30th September 2013 | £1350 | £985 | £245 | ||
| From: 28th
September
2013 To: 7th October 2013 | £1350 | £985 | £245 | ||
| From: 5th
October
2013 To: 14th October 2013 | £1395 | £955 | £300 | ||
| From: 12nd
October
2013 To: 21st October 2013 | £1395 | £955 | £300 | ||
| From: 19th
October
2013 To: 28th October 2013 | £1395 | £955 | £300 | ||
| From: 26th
October
2013 To: 4th November 2013 | £1395 | £955 | £300 | ||
| From: 2nd
November
2013 To: 11st November 2013 | £1350 | £985 | £300 | ||
| From: 9th
November
2013 To: 18th November 2013 | £1350 | £985 | £300 | ||
| From: 16th
November
2013 To: 25th November 2013 | £1350 | £985 | £300 | ||
| From: 23th
November
2013 To: 2nd December 2013 | £1350 | £985 | £300 | ||
| From: 30th
November
2013 To: 9th December 2013 | £1295 | £930 | £300 | ||
| From: 7th
December
2013 To: 16th December 2013 | £1295 | £930 | £300 | ||
| From: 14th
December
2013 To: 23th December 2013 | £1295 | £930 | £300 | ||
| From: 21st
December
2013 To: 30th December 2013 | £1450 | £1010 | £350 | ||
| From: 28th
December
2013 To: 6th January 2014 | £1495 | £1055 | £395 | ||
| From: 4th
January
2014 To: 13th January 2014 | £1295 | £930 | £300 | ||
| From: 11st
January
2014 To: 20th January 2014 | £1295 | £930 | £300 | ||
| From: 18th
January
2014 To: 27th January 2014 | £1295 | £930 | £300 | ||
| From: 25th
January
2014 To: 3th February 2014 | £1295 | £930 | £300 | ||
| From: 1st
February
2014 To: 10th February 2014 | £1350 | £985 | £300 | ||
| From: 8th
February
2014 To: 17th February 2014 | £1350 | £985 | £300 | ||
| From: 15th
February
2014 To: 24th February 2014 | £1350 | £985 | £300 | ||
| From: 22nd
February
2014 To: 3th March 2014 | £1350 | £985 | £300 | ||
| From: 1st
March
2014 To: 10th March 2014 | £1350 | £985 | £300 | ||
| From: 8th
March
2014 To: 17th March 2014 | £1345 | £980 | £300 | ||
| From: 15th
March
2014 To: 24th March 2014 | £1395 | £1030 | £300 | ||
| From: 22nd
March
2014 To: 31st March 2014 | £1395 | £1030 | £300 | ||
| From: 29th
March
2014 To: 7th April 2014 | £1395 | £1030 | £300 | ||
| From: 5th
April
2014 To: 14th April 2014 | £1395 | £1030 | £300 | ||
| From: 5th
April
2014 To: 14th April 2014 | £1395 | £1030 | £300 | ||
| From: 12nd
April
2014 To: 21st April 2014 | £1395 | £1030 | £300 | ||
| From: 19th
April
2014 To: 28th April 2014 | £1395 | £1030 | £300 | ||
| From: 26th
April
2014 To: 5th May 2014 | £1350 | £985 | £300 | ||
Unfortunately there are no tours departing for the date range you selected. Please call our travel experts who will be happy to create you a tailor made itinerary for your chosen dates. | |||||
Your hotel details
This holiday includes the following hotels and accommodation:
Oasis Hotel
The Oasis hotel is located in Giza, about 5 minutes’ drive from the Pyramids, set in extensive gardens. The Oasis Hotel has 250 rooms, a choice of restaurants, a large swimming pool plus additional leisure facilities.
Presidential Nile Cruise
Presidential Nile Cruise has a fleet of 7 identical boats which sail between Luxor and Aswan. Founded in 1978 Presidential Nile Cruise where one of the first to commercialise Nile cruising and now have a wealth of experience. Each boat offers between 65 to 75 cabins which are all equipped with modern amenities. The cabins are also tastefully decorated and well furnished offering clients comfortable surroundings. Each cabin has as standard air conditioning, TV and radio, telephone, safety deposit box and mini bar. The boat also boasts a spacious sun deck which houses a bar and refreshing swimming pool. There is also a separate lounge with bar, library with quiet area, small fitness room and a delightful restaurant. Evening entertainment is also offered with Folkloric show, Galabya party and Nubian show.
Optional extras
Extensions can be selected during the booking process.
Abu Simbel by air (DAY 7) - £155
Extra Days:0Cost:from £ 0
The magnificent Temple of Abu Simbel was built by Ramses II about 1270 BC, and boasts 4 seated figures of the pharaoh, 18 metres high, carved out of the living rock. Between 1968 and 1972 the temples were moved to higher ground by UNESCO, to avoid being flooded when Lake Nasser was formed by the opening of the Aswan High Dam. The flight takes about 45 minutes each way; time at the site is usually limited by airline schedules to approximately one hour and you will join the English speaking group for your tour. Due to local conditions, flight times may be subject to change. If you cancel after your tour departs from London, there will be no refund of the cost. NB. The air seats are pre-booked from London so please advise Bales Worldwide before departure if you wish to travel, to avoid disappointment.
Balloon Flight Over Luxor (Day 9) - £85
Extra Days:0Cost:from £ 0
Why not make your stay in Luxor even more unforgettable, experience the joy of flying in a hot air balloon. Drifting peacefully wherever the wind takes you offers the adventurous traveller the opportunity to view the whole magnificent area of Luxor from a unique angle (operated by Hod Hod Soliman Balloons).
Your international flight details:
Flight upgrades can be selected during the booking process. This holiday has the following flight upgrades:
EgyptAir - Business Class
Cost: from £ 795
International Business Class offers you the chance to arrive in your destination feeling relaxed and refreshed. Relax in more comfortable and spacious seating in a separate cabin and have the use of the business class lounge at Heathrow and Cairo. The features include: • Seats that have 44” more pitch than Economy • Seat with 2” more width than those in Economy • A fully adjustable 73” flat bed with three preset positions ** • Personal 15.4” entertainment screen ** The fully adjustable flat bed is only available on flight numbers MS778 & MS777. Sometimes even this may be subject to change on the day due to unforeseeable circumstances Please kindly note that all airline product information is correct at time of writing however we do ask clients to take our advice in good faith as airlines frequently change such details and do not always send updates to us on changes to certain aspects of their products and services.
