RIVER NILE CRUISE & CAIRO ADVENTURE
2 February - 12th February 2024
GUARANTEED DEPARTURE
Egypt is home to the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still standing - the Great Pyramid. Join Diva Destinations on The Nile for our hosted group River Cruise - including a 3 night pre cruise stay in Cairo.
Here we will explore the magnificent treasures and exciting atmosphere of Egypt's capital which holds the special accolade of being home to the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still standing: the Great Pyramid, completed around 2540 B.C.
During your stay we have two excursions. The first takes us to see the great Pyramids of Giza – Cheops (Khufu), Chephren and Mykerinos, then to the Valley Temple, where the priests mummified the dead body of King Chephren, owner of the second pyramid at Giza Plateau. After lunch we continue to Sakkara, home to Zhoser’s step pyramid. The step pyramid was constructed by Imhotep, the pharaoh’s chief architect in 2700 BC, and was the template for all future pyramid construction, including the Great Pyramids of Giza.
Our second excursions takes us to The Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square, the oldest archaeological museum in the Middle East and houses the largest collection of Pharaonic antiquities in the world. After lunch, we continue to the Citadel of Saladin (12th century) first we will visit the famous alabaster mosque of Mohamed Aly Pasha (19th century) representing the Ottoman style of architecture.
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Return direct flights from London Heathrow
Internal flight from Cairo to Luxor
Airport Transfers throughout
Diva Destinations hosts throughout your stay
3 nights B&B in the Ramses Hilton Hotel, Cairo
Lunches are included on all Cairo excursions
Full Day excursion to the Pyramids, Sphinx, & Sakkara - includes lunch and include pick up/return to your hotel
Full Day excursion to The Egyptian Museum and Citadel – includes lunch and include pick up/return to your hotel
Excursion to Abu Simbel to see the four colossal statues of Ramses II which for many will be the highlight of the cruise
Exhilarating Sound and Light Show at Karnak Temple
7 nights full board accommodation with buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner aboard the MS Tulip
Exterior cabins with view & Juliet balcony
Evening entertainment
Exciting itinerary with 10 excursions with a qualified Egyptologist on board throughout cruise
Free WI-FI for email browsing purposes(ie not enough band width for downloads and films) is available on board. Please note that the connection is via a mobile signal and service can be intermittent along remote stretches of the Nile.
Resort transfers and airport taxes
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ONE MIDDLE DECK CABIN LEFT
£4,685 Sole Occupancy
£3,795 Per Person (Based on 2 people sharing)
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Optional Drinks Package - £195 per person (Includes: locally produced mineral water, soft drinks, juices, tea and coffee*. Red and white wine, beer, and spirits. (*excludes machine coffees e.g. cappuccino, latte))
Travel Insurance
Visa to entry Egypt approx £33 per person (Diva Destinations will arrange this so you collect your Visa on arrival in Cairo)
Meals not stated
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Depart 02 February 2024
Day 1 Cairo: Fly from Heathrow to Cairo. Your Diva Destinations hosts will meet you arrival in Cairo where our coach will transfer our group to the Ramses Hilton hotel for a 3-night stay. This duration of the holiday is bed & breakfast only
Day 2 Cairo: Visit the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx and Sakkara. Evening group meal (payable locally)
Day 3 Cairo: Visit the Grand Museum, Citadel and Market. Evening group meal (payable locally)
Day 4 Luxor: Our group will be transferred to Cairo airport for our afternoon flight to Luxor. We will be met upon arrival and transferred to your Nile cruise boat (transfer time approx. 30 minutes). Overnight in Luxor. Our cruise if full board accommodation.
Day 5 Valley of the Kings: Today cross over to the West Bank of the Nile for the first excursion, The Valley of the Kings. From here visit the impressive Temple of Hatshepsut. Afterwards there is a visit to the enormous statues of the Colossi of Memnon. Lunch is served back on board the boat. Set sail upstream to Esna and pass through the Lock. Overnight in Esna.
Day 6 Edfu and Kom Ombo: Early morning visit to the Temple of Horus at Edfu. The cruise continues upstream to Kom Ombo where there is a late afternoon visit to the Ptolemic Temple dedicated to the gods Haroeris and Sobek. Afterwards still sailing upstream the boat will arrive in Aswan where you will remain for two nights.
Day 7 Aswan: Today is spent exploring the delights of Aswan. Sightseeing includes a visit to the High Dam, the Old Granite Quarries, the Unfinished Obelisk and then by boat to the Temple of Philae on Agilika Island. After lunch board a Felucca, a traditional Egyptian sailing boat for your included cruise down the Nile and around the picturesque Kitchener Island before returning for dinner.
Day 8 Abu Simbel: The morning - excursion to Abu Simbel to see the four colossal statues of Ramses II which for many will be the highlight of the cruise. This popular excursion is also available by air for a supplement of £260). In the afternoon, an optional bird watching excursion and a visit to a Nubian house can be arranged.
Day 9 Nile River: Today we enjoy a quieter day sailing downstream along the Nile before arriving late evening in Esna. During this pleasant journey, you can choose to take a dip in the pool, catch up on some reading or simply enjoy the view. Overnight on board in Esna.
Day 10 Luxor Temples: Sailing from Esna to Luxor arriving at lunch time. In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Karnak - an enormous complex of three temples dedicated to the Theban Gods. Afterwards explore the magnificent Temple of Luxor which was once connected to the Karnak Temple by an avenue of sphinxes. In the evening, there is an excursion to the exhilarating Sound and Light Show at Karnak Temple - all included in your holiday price .
Day 11 UK: Return flight to the UK.
River Nile & Cairo Adventure | 2nd - 12th February 2024 | £5,915 Full Payment
Your Cruise Ship - The Tulip
The MS Tulip cruise ship has been totally refurbished. Contemporary themed cabins and spacious communal areas with panoramic views from the large windows. Most standard cabins have a panoramic opening window with balcony rail while the Upper Deck Terrace Suites have private sit-on balconies. Each of the standard 42 cabins have panoramic window and balcony rail. The 8 Upper Deck Terrace Suites also offer an outside terrace with table and chairs. All cabins and suites offer air-conditioning, en-suite bathroom with bathtub and overhead shower. Hair dryer, satellite TV and an individual safe and mini fridge. Tea and coffee making facilities with tea bags and coffee sachets. A large bottle of mineral water is provided in the cabin daily.
Facilities:
There is a large sun deck with sun beds and stylish furniture. It provides a relaxing place to sit and enjoy the spectacular views of the Nile and the swimming pool is ideal for a refreshing dip during the day. The Deck bar offers cool daytime refreshments and the lounge bar offers drinks and entertainment in the evening. There is also a Sauna and a massage service with charge.
Dining:
The main restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and offers a wonderful variety of international and local cuisine. Afternoon tea is served daily on the Sun Deck. The lounge bar, on the Main deck, is the perfect place to relax in the evening and enjoy variety of local beers, wines and spirits. Tea and coffee is served with meals.
Optional Drinks Package - £195 per person
Includes: locally produced mineral water, soft drinks, juices, tea and coffee*. Red and white wine, beer, and spirits.
Drinks are served by the glass between the hours of 11am and 11pm
(*excludes machine coffees e.g. cappuccino, latte)
Important Information:
This is a GUARANTEED DEPARTURE
Please note that Nile Cruise itineraries and excursions can, for operational reasons, be subject to alteration locally at short notice.
There is a No Smoking policy on board in all the cabins and the Lounge bar. Smoking is permitted in an enclosed area attached to the Lounge Bar and on the sun deck
