A ‘Royal Invitation’ to experience the classic Nile cruise between Thebes and Nubia on the ‘most luxurious steamship on the Nile’, re-launched for the guests of Jules Verne
(limited dates/availability)
Day 1 - Luxor
Day 2 - Luxor/Edfu
Day 3 - Kom Ombo/Aswan
Day 4 - Philae/Aswan
Day 5 - Aswan
Day 6 - Esna
Day 7 - Esna/Luxor
Day 8 - Return Flight
Sir Frederick Arrow was invited by the Viceroy of Egypt to be an honoured guest on the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869. Transiting the canal on the Egyptian vessel el-Misr he noted, ‘a large, powerful screw vessel, fitted as a passenger vessel, but loaded with gilding and beautiful wood carving, her occupation being, about once a year, to take the Viceroy’s entourage for a sniff of the briny.’
He became an informal chronicler of these events in a pamphlet called ‘Fortnight in Egypt’. This admittedly more recent incarnation of the SS Misr endeavours to provide the same level of luxury but for a slightly wider audience.
This unique project was initiated by Jules Verne with our Egyptian associates to rebuild this historic vessel. Our association was appropriate as Britain pioneered a Nile steamer cruise as a leisure pursuit in the 19th century as a comfortable way to visit Egypt’s ancient sites. The addition of modern comfort allows today’s traveller to enjoy luxurious surroundings and a historic ambience in the wake of the last king of Egypt.
Culture & Riverscapes
Jules Verne Sightseeing
2 UNESCO Heritage Sites
No Single Supplement
Egyptian Tour Manager
Egyptologist
Historic Steamship
Group Size: 6 - 26
Birdwatching Group Size:
12 - 18
A private cocktail reception at the Victorian Lounge in the Old Winter Palace, where Howard Carter announced the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun. A memorable visit to the illuminated Luxor Temple. Tea at the historic Old Cataract Hotel, setting for Agatha Christie’s ‘Death on the Nile’, with fine views of the Nile.
The whole trip was fantastic, I did not want to leave, would have been quite happy to turn around and do the trip again.
Day 1 Fly from London Heathrow to Luxor. Embark on the SS Misr for seven nights.
Day 2 Visit the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. Visit a selection of tombs at the Valley of the Kings. Possibility of visiting the tomb of Tutankhamun or Seti I (subject to viewing restrictions, at extra charge). Private cocktail reception at the Victorian Lounge in the Old Winter Palace Hotel, where Howard Carter announced the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun and visit the illuminated Luxor Temple. Sail to Edfu for overnight. (B, L, D)
Day 3 Sail to Kom Ombo. Visit the riverside temple dedicated to the falcon god Horus and crocodile god Sobek and the museum with mummified crocodiles. Talk on modern Egypt. Cruise to Aswan for overnight. (B, L, D)
Day 4 Visit the High Dam with views of Lake Nasser and by boat to Philae Temple. Afternoon private boat to Kitchener Island Botanical Gardens. Afternoon tea or sunset cocktail at the Old Cataract Hotel with fine Nile views and setting for Agatha Christie’s ‘Death on the Nile’. Visit also the Nubian Museum. (B, L, D)
Day 5 Early morning optional tour to Abu Simbel (4 hrs each way by road, pre-bookable £89) built by Ramesses II on the west bank of Lake Nasser. Alternatively explore Aswan independently or relax on board. Optional Sound & Light show at Philae Temple (bookable locally). (B, L, D)
Day 6 Observe Nile scenes as you cruise to Esna for overnight. Talk on Hieroglyphs. (B, L, D)
Day 7 A short walk through Esna to the temple dedicated to Khnum. Sail to Luxor. Visit Karnak Temple, once the religious centre of Thebes. Luxor Museum reveals many artefacts, including some from Tutankhamun’s tomb. (B, L, D)
Day 8 Return flight to Heathrow. (B)
Notes
Easter, Christmas & New Years supplements may apply to extension and extra nights.
The programme may be altered due to navigational factors with locks, water levels or congestion at certain sites.
Day 1 Fly from London Heathrow to Luxor. Embark on the SS Misr for seven nights.
Day 2 Visit the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. Visit a selection of tombs at the Valley of the Kings. Possibility of visiting the tomb of Tutankhamun or Seti I (subject to viewing restrictions, at extra charge). Accompanied by ornithologist Mr Mohamed Arabi take a motor boat on the Nile around Jolie Ville Island, with the opportunity to spot birds such as the Hoopoe, Common Bulbul, Little Green Bee-eater, Blue Throat, Egyptian geese, Striated herons and the Squacco Heron. Private cocktail reception at the Victorian Lounge in the Old Winter Palace Hotel, where Howard Carter announced the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun and visit the illuminated Luxor Temple. Sail to Edfu for overnight. (B, L, D)
Day 3 Sail to Kom Ombo. Visit the riverside temple dedicated to the falcon god Horus and crocodile god Sobek and the museum with mummified crocodiles. Talk on modern Egypt. Cruise to Aswan for overnight. (B, L, D)
Day 4 Visit the High Dam with views of Lake Nasser and by boat to Philae Temple. Afternoon private boat to visit the Northern bird sanctuary of Aswan and Kitchener Island Botanical Gardens. Here birds such as the Egyptian geese, Ruff, green and red shanks, Pied Kingfisher, Senegal Thick Knee, common and greater cormorants and Little Bittern can be spotted. Sunset cocktail at the Old Cataract Hotel with fine Nile views and setting for Agatha Christie’s ‘Death on the Nile’. (B, L, D)
Day 5 Explore by motor boat the nature reserve of the 1st cataract on the Nile. Afternoon drive to Shisha near the High Dam to spot birds such as the Flamingo, Osprey, Black kites, Egyptian vultures, White storks, Spoonbills and Marsh Harriers. (B, L, D)
Day 6 Observe Nile scenes as you cruise to Esna for overnight. Talk on Hieroglyphs. (B, L, D)
Day 7 A short walk through Esna to the temple dedicated to Khnum. Sail to Luxor where birds such as the common and white breasted kingfishers, ringed and spur winged plovers, Black Winged Stilt, Purple Swamphen and Glossy Ibis can be spotted. Visit Karnak Temple, once the religious centre of Thebes. Luxor Museum reveals many artefacts, including some from Tutankhamun’s tomb. (B, L, D)
Day 8 Return flight to Heathrow. (B)
Notes
Birdwatching itinerary is for 7 December 2020.
Group size for this departure is 12 - 18.
The programme may be altered due to navigational factors with locks, water levels or congestion at certain sites.
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Originally constructed in Preston by the Royal Navy in 1918, it was converted for King Farouk (On the occasion of the Birthday Anniversary of His Majesty King Farouk I, The Governor of Cairo requests the honour of your company on board the Misr Nile Steamer at 8pm on February the 10th 1939).
Misr means ‘the Kingdom of Egypt’ with public rooms and cabins exquisitely decorated in colours and styles linked to the history of the vessel and Egypt. The original steam engines may be viewed and the vessel normally travels under steam.
Some 207 ft. in length, a 5-star deluxe propeller steam vessel 63 crew and a high level of service. Lower sun deck with wicker chairs or upper sun deck with sunbeds and plunge pool. WiFi (free/limited).
24 air-conditioned outside cabins with private facilities, balcony, hairdryer, mini-bar and TV.
Two single Main Deck cabins (156 sq. ft. – Deck 2),
14 twin/double cabins on the Main and Upper decks (215 sq. ft. – Decks 2 – 4),
six twin/double suites on the Upper decks (323 sq. ft. – Deck 3 & 4), plus
two twin/double Panorama suites at the front offer panoramic views while sailing (376 sq. ft. – Deck 3).
Extension - Red Sea
Discover more of Egypt’s natural beauty. Travel along the Nile and through the mountains and desert to el-Gouna (5 hrs). Relax for five nights at the 5-star Mövenpick el-Gouna and view the underwater world from a semi-submarine. Available until Jan 2020.
Day 1 Travel along the Nile and through the mountains and desert to el-Gouna on the Red Sea (5 hrs). An excursion on a semi-submarine viewing the underwater world is included during your stay. (B)
Day 2 Day at leisure. (B)
Day 3 Day at leisure. (B)
Day 4 Day at leisure. (B)
Day 5 Day at leisure. (B)
Day 6 Return flight from Hurghada via Cairo. (B)
A 5-star resort hotel on a peninsula with private beach and extensive grounds. 10-20 minutes from the centre and marina (included bus/boat shuttle pass). Restaurants, bars, café, pools, gym, jacuzzi, spa, WiFi (chargeable) and 554 air-conditioned rooms with private facilities, hairdryer, safe, mini-bar, tea/coffee making facilities, satellite TV and balcony/terrace.
2019
Mondays
per person in a Main Deck cabin
EgyptAir from Heathrow
| November 11 | £2545 |
| November 18 | £2545 |
| November 25 | £2595 |
| December 23 | £2695 |
2020
Mondays
per person in a Main Deck cabin
EgyptAir from Heathrow
| January 6 | £2495 |
| January 13 | £2495 |
| January 20 | £2495 |
| January 27 | £2495 |
| February 3 | £2595 |
| November 30 | £2595 |
| December 7 | £2695 |
| December 21 | £2795 |
2021
Mondays
per person in a Main Deck cabin
EgyptAir from Heathrow
Mondays
per person in a Main Deck cabin
EgyptAir from Heathrow
Mondays
per person in a Main Deck cabin
EgyptAir from Heathrow
Mondays
per person in a Main Deck cabin
EgyptAir from Heathrow
(limited dates/availability)
Supplements per person
Single Supplement
NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
Main Deck single cabin (limited availability)
2019: Nov 11
2020: Dec 7 & 21
2021: Jan 18, Feb 1
Main Deck double cabin for sole use
£995 (Feb 2021 £1095)
Cabin Upgrades
Upper decks £145
Suite (upper decks) £495
(2019 £395)
Panorama (front) Suite £795
(2019 £695)
Flight Options
Egyptair Business Class from £795
Optional Excursions
Abu Simbel £89
Extension Options
Extension - Red Sea
Mövenpick el-Gouna - 5 nights £425
(2020 £445)
Single supplement £165
Half board £145
Extra nights – Luxor
Sofitel Old Winter Palace
(per night) £120
Single supplement £110
Departure transfer add £10
Independent Arrival
Save £400
Arrival transfer add £10
Departure transfer add £10
Price Includes
Air travel and taxes, all port charges, transfers, 7-night cruise, full board on cruise vessel, excursions, Egyptian tour manager/Egyptologist, local guides and representatives. If our specially negotiated airfares are unavailable at the time of booking, a supplement may apply.
Not Included
Travel insurance, visa procurement, optional excursions, tipping, any government taxes or compulsory charges introduced after publication.
Notes
Easter, Christmas & New Years supplements may apply to extension and extra nights.
Please complete this form and a member of our sales department will contact you as soon as possible to confirm your booking and take payment. Our opening hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30pm and Saturdays 10am to 2pm
