Greece to Egypt Nile Cruise Holidays | The Black Pearls 11 Day Nile Cruise Egypt
BLACK PEARLS 11 DAYS
We assemble at the airport and fly to Egypt, the cradle of one of the earliest civilizations that set the course of humanity. Arrival in busy and crowded Cairo. Transfer to the hotel, where you will have time to settle in. Transfer to the train station to depart for Luxor. Dinner and overnight stay on the train.
Breakfast on the train. Arrival, pick up by local representatives. Transfer to the cruise ship just to leave our baggage. We immediately begin our tour of Luxor. We visit the east bank where the renowned Temples of Luxor stand. They were built by Pharaoh Amenhotep III and Ramses II in dedication to the god Ammon-Ra. We continue our journey, passing by the avenue of the Sphinxes, towards Karnak to visit the Temples of Amun, Mut and Khonsu. We then pass over to the west bank, visiting the Ancient City of Thebes, otherwise known as the city of the dead. Next we stop in the Valley of the Kings, where 60 tombs exist, of which the most famous are those of Tutankhamun, Seti I, Ramses III and Nefertiti. Lastly, we will tour the three-leveled Temple of Hatshepsut, the only female Pharaoh of Egypt, as well as the two huge Colossi of Memnon. Lunch, dinner and overnight stay aboard the ship.
We sail along the calm waters of the Nile, passing through the Esna Dam, otherwise known as the key of the Nile, where the water level changes. We head in the direction of Edfu, where we begin our tour of the well-preserved Edfu Temple, dedicated to Horus, the hawk god of the sun, protector of the Pharaoh. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and overnight stay aboard the ship.
As our cruise ship travels towards Nubia, it sails past serene sandy beaches and lush cultivated terrain. We will have the opportunity to admire the Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and the hawk Haroeris. We continue our journey towards Aswan. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and overnight stay aboard the ship.
In the morning we arrive in scenic Aswan, the African state located at the tip of the Nile, 900 kilometers from Cairo. We start off with a visit to Philae Island and its Temple of Isis, and go on to see the impressive dam that regulates the flow of the Nile and to ride on a felucca through the botanical gardens, while gazing at the Mausoleum of Agha Khan. Transfer to the train station to depart for Cairo. Dinner and overnight stay on the train.
Arrival in Cairo, pick up by local representatives and transfer to the hotel. The first day of Cairo tours begins with a tour of Islamic Cairo. The Salahdin Acropolis (the Cairo Citadel) was the mightiest castle during the early Islamic era, comprised of three parts: the lower wall, el-Azab (the northern wall) and el- Ankhisariyia. We will also visit the Mohammed Ali Mosque, renowned for its magnificent architecture, also located in the Citadel's premises.
From there we depart for the ancient capital town of Memphis and to Sakkara to see the exquisite Djoser Pyramid, the first stepped pyramid ever built. Afterwards, we will have lunch in a luxury restaurant in Cairo and return to the hotel. Evening free time. Overnight stay.
Departure to Alexandria on an air-conditioned bus. When we arrive we begin our tour around the city starting from the catacombs which are carved into the rock and consist of three levels, the Patriarchate, and the house of the famous Greek poet Constantinos Cavafys. We then go on a tour inside the Alexandria Library, which is a masterpiece of modern architecture. Our tour in Alexandria is concluded with a visit to the Royal Gardens of Montaza. Dinner at a well-known, traditional restaurant in Alexandria. Return to Cairo for overnight stay.
After breakfast we begin our tour, starting from the Archaeological Museum, which contains the priceless masterpieces of the Pharaohs. Today we will experience the splendor of this ancient civilization. We continue with a visit to the Giza Pyramids, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the enigmatic Sphinx and lastly, to a fragrance and papyrus workshop. At the end of the tour, we will dine at a luxurious traditional restaurant in Cairo. After our meal, we will explore the traditional oriental Khan-el-Khalili Bazaar, where you can purchase weaving, leather goods, as well as copper, silver and gold articles. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay.
After breakfast, we depart for the Coptic Museum, where we will admire works of art from the Early-Christian period. We continue with a visit to the hanging church, which is built on a Roman Tower and offers an amazing view. Located nearby is the Church of Agios Georgios, beneath which seven other churches are built. The most important of these are the churches of Agia Varvara and Agios Stergios, where according to legend, the Virgin Mary and the newborn Christ lived for some time. From there we head for the Pharaonic village. This tour presents all the history of Egypt (houses, rural life of Egyptians, the Pharaohs and their palaces, etc), acted by young Egyptian thespians, and is carried out by boat in a large part of the Nile and in Cairo. It is a spectacular event that must not be missed. Immediately after this short boat trip we will be transported to a luxury restaurant to dine. Return to hotel. Leisure time in the afternoon. Overnight stay.
After breakfast we depart for Fayum Oasis. We will visit the village in the area and Lake Karun, where you can plunge 44 meters below sea level at the green coasts of this miraculous lake which receded millions of years ago leaving back thick layers of mud making this place an unbelievably lush area. Later on we will visit the 7 watermills. We will have lunch at a local restaurant. Return to Cairo for overnight stay.
Departure day. Breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight to Athens.
The tour schedules presented on the website are INDICATIVE.
The sequence of the tours may be altered if necessary, without omitting any of the tours mentioned.
Please always ask for our seasonal schedule slips so that you can have a full view of the different trips to be realized in different seasons, throughout the year. The tour schedules are indicative, since it is impossible that new brochures be printed or changes be made on the website on a constant basis.
INCLUDED:
Air fares: Athens-Cairo/Cairo-Athens
Train tickets Cairo/Luxor-Aswan/Cairo
5 nights in carefully selected hotels in Cairo including breakfast (according to current pricelist)
3 nights on a 5* dlx cruise ship, half board
2 nights on a train, half board (double bunks)
Tours of Cairo and Alexandria as mentioned on the program
5 meals during the tours in Cairo
Entrance fees in archaeological sites and museums
Greek-speaking tour guide (during the cruise when the group is larger than 6 people)
All transfers
Travel insurance
Full insurance
Travel backpack
Travel maps/information leaflets
NOT INCLUDED:
Airport taxes & extra charges for increased oil cost
IMPORTANT NOTIFICATIONS: