Return to Egypt for the classic long cruise sailing into the desert from Cairo to Aswan via the ancient capitals of Amarna and Thebes visiting rarely explored temples and tombs and the Pyramids
(limited dates/availability)
Days 1-3 - Cairo
Day 4 - Beni Suef
Day 5 - Minya
Day 6 - Beni Hassan
Day 7 - Amarna / Asyut
Day 8 - Sohag
Day 9 - El Balyana / Abydos / Qena
Days 10 & 11 - Denderah / Luxor
Day 12 - Edfu
Days 13 & 14 - Aswan
Day 15 - Return Flight
This cruise follows in the footsteps of Napoleon’s savants, Champollion who uncovered the secrets of the hieroglyphs and the 19th-century British travellers – all travelled south on the Nile to Thebes, enjoying some days of sailing after hectic Cairo – in between visits to the ancient sites.
The ancient capital moved between Upper (Thebes) and Lower Egypt (Memphis), sometimes split and sometimes united, except when the ‘heretic’ Pharaoh Akhenaten and Nefertiti moved the capital to Amarna between the two kingdoms.
Whilst Cairo and Luxor are influenced by tourism, these cruises offer a rare opportunity to observe an old way of life and ancient sites largely unvisited, with the benefit of longer actual cruising than on the classic Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan. For the returning visitor it will ‘fill in’ the gap between the Pyramids and ancient Thebes, then reveal ‘secret’ sites from Luxor to Aswan.
Colourful scenes embellish the desert tombs at Tuna el-Gebel, the cliffs at Beni Hassan, the temples at Abydos, necropolis of the pharaohs and Greco-Roman Denderah.
Culture & Riverscapes
Jules Verne Sightseeing
2 UNESCO Heritage Sites
No Single Supplement
Egyptian Tour Manager
Egyptologist
On Board Lectures
Group Size: 6 – 25
A private cocktail reception at the Victorian Lounge in the Old Winter Palace, where Howard Carter announced the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun. Enjoy a memorable visit to the illuminated Luxor Temple.
Day 1 Fly from London Heathrow to Cairo. Transfer to the 5-star Mövenpick MS Darakum for a 14-night cruise. (D)
Day 2 Full-day visit to the Pyramids and Sphinx. Discover the Egyptian Museum (or the Grand Egyptian Museum subject to opening), home to the Amarna Room and the treasures of Tutankhamun. Enjoy an oriental Takht music performance on board. (B, L, D)
Day 3 Visit Saqqara step pyramid and Memphis, the first capital of ancient Egypt. Visit Old Cairo including the Coptic museum. Managers cocktail party. (B, L, D)
Day 4 Relax and enjoy your first views of the timeless Nile scenes, interspersed with minarets and Coptic church towers as you cruise to the riverside town of Beni Suef. Enjoy a talk on agriculture, irrigation and village life on the Nile and navigation (bridge visit). Egyptian wine tasting. (B, L, D)
Day 5 Sail to the regional capital, Minya. Birdwatching talk and introductory talk on Akhenaten and Nefertiti. (B, L, D)
Day 6 Visit the tombs, catacombs and temple of Tuna el-Gebel and Ashmunein. Afternoon visit to the beautifully decorated Middle Kingdom tombs of Beni Hassan. Folklore show. (B, L, D)
Day 7 Sail to Tel el Amarna. A presentation on Akhenaten and Nefertiti at the Amarna Visitor Centre. Visit the northern tombs and royal tomb of Akhenaten at Amarna. View Prince Tawadros’ monastery from the Nile en route to Asyut. Galabeya party. (B, L, D)
Day 8 A full-day’s sailing to Sohag while listening to talks on modern Egypt, education and hieroglyphs. (B, L, D)
Day 9 Sail to El Balyana. At Abydos, visit the New Kingdom temple of Seti I. Pass two locks and the railway bridge at Naga Hammadi. Sail to Qena town. (B, L, D)
Day 10 Visit the Temple of Hathor at Denderah, viewing the image of Cleopatra and son. Sail to Luxor. Cooking lesson. ‘Luxor Temple by Night and Cocktail at the Victorian Lounge of the Old Winter Palace’. (B, L, D)
Day 11 At the West Bank, visit the Temple of Medinet Habu, Tombs of the Nobles and Workmen at Deir el-Medina and Howard Carter’s house. (B, L, D)
Day 12 Visit Luxor Museum and explore the souks of Luxor. Sail to Edfu. (B, L, D)
Day 13 Visit el-Kab temple and tombs. Sail to Kom Ombo. Visit Gebel el-Silsila quarries. Sail to Aswan. (B, L, D)
Day 14 Visit the Tombs of Nobles and Lake Nasser’s Kalabsha Temple. (B, L, D)
Day 15 Return flight via Cairo. (B)
Notes
Temple, tomb and pyramid visits are on foot with steps and uneven surfaces.
The programme may be altered due to navigational factors with locks, water levels or congestion at certain sites.
This charming vessel was specially designed for the ‘long cruise’ with attentive Egyptian staff and Moroccan inspired interior. A spacious restaurant offers assorted dishes over a buffet combining Egyptian and international cuisine. The elegant lounge with bar adjoins a comfortable outdoor lounge for observing the continually changing riverside scenes. The large sun deck has a plunge pool, loungers and seats with sunny and shaded areas. Small gym, jewellery and gift shop and WiFi (free/limited). Jules Verne guests receive three small bottles of water per day free of charge.
52 tastefully designed air-conditioned, outside cabins spread over three decks with private facilities, hairdryer, safe, mini-bar, tea/coffee making facilities and satellite TV.
44 twin/double cabins
(215 sq. ft.),
two Junior Suites
(279 sq. ft. – Deck Two),
two Senior Suites
(430 sq. ft. – Deck Three),
two Senior Suites
(430 sq. ft. – Deck Four) and
two Panorama Suites
(366 sq. ft. – Deck Three).
All cabins have large picture windows except Lower Deck cabins which have sealed marine windows.
per person in a Lower Deck twin/double cabin
Egyptair from Heathrow
(limited dates/availability)
Supplements per person
Single Supplement
NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
Lower Deck double cabin for sole use
(limited dates/availability)
2023: Apr 15, May 11, Sep 13, Oct 9, Nov 4
Lower Deck (double cabin for sole use) £1395 (Sep & Oct 2023 £1545; Nov 2023 £1645)
Cabin Upgrades
Main Deck (twin/double) £345
Main Deck (double for sole use) £1845 (Sep & Oct £1995; Nov £2195)
Upper Deck £475
Upper Deck (double for sole use) £2245 (Sep & Oct £2395; Nov £2595)
Main Deck Junior Suite (twin/double) £795
Senior Suite £1395
Panorama Suite £1745
Extension Options
Extra nights – Aswan
Sofitel Old Cataract (per night)
Standard Premium Nile Wing (twin/double) £205 (May - Sep £135)
Standard Premium Nile Wing (double for sole use) £400 (May - Sep £240)
Luxury Nile Wing (king bed) £245 (May - Sep £165)
Luxury Nile Wing (king bed for sole use) £460 (May - Sep £290)
Arrival or departure transfer add £15
Extra Nights - Cairo
Crowne Plaza West Cairo Arkan Hotel (per night)
Standard (twin/double) £75
Standard (single) £135
Arrival or departure transfer £15
Independent Arrival
Save £450
Arrival or departure transfer add £15
Price Includes
Air travel and taxes, all port charges, transfers, 14-night cruise, full board on cruise vessel, excursions, Egyptian Tour Manager, Egyptologist and local representatives. If our specially negotiated airfares are unavailable at the time of booking, a supplement may apply.
Not Included
Travel insurance, visa procurement fee, optional excursions, tipping, any government taxes or compulsory charges introduced after publication.
© 2022 Jules Verne - 96 Great Suffolk Street, London SE1 0BE
VAT No. 805146159
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