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A very special downstream cruise from Aswan to Cairo, this is an exclusive Jules Verne charter of ‘the most luxurious steamship on the Nile’, the SS Misr, combining modern comfort with indulgent elegance, and famous sites with less-visited ancient landmarks.
Days 1 & 2 - Aswan
Day 3 - Kom Ombo / Edfu
Day 4 - Edfu / Luxor
Day 5 - Luxor
Day 6 - Qena / Naga Hammadi
Day 7 - El Balyana / Abydos / Sohag
Day 8 - Tell el-Amarna
Day 9 - Tuna el-Gebel / Tell el-Amarna / Minya
Day 10 - Beni Hassan / Beni Suef
Day 11 - Beni Suef / Cairo
Day 12 - Cairo
Day 13 - Return flight
In response to the incredibly high demand for our exclusive charters on this unique vessel, we have secured an additional date for 2024. Sailing from Aswan’s islands to Cairo’s pyramids, via the ‘living museum’ of Luxor, this is a cruise of push-the-boat-out luxury. An unforgettable experience of ancient Egypt with impeccable service, cosseted aboard the royal steamer SS Misr, the former floating palace of King Farouk. Built for the Royal Navy in 1918, and later transformed into a regal vessel for Egypt’s last monarch, the ship was recently restored to its former glory, to be re-launched as an icon of the Nile, from its balconied cabins to the fine restaurant and facilities. This exclusive Jules Verne journey is accompanied by a tour manager/Egyptologist, to brief you on their history and mystery. The cruise begins by Aswan’s High Dam and sails to discoveries at Kom Ombo’s double-deity shrine and Edfu’s Ptolemaic temple; modern Luxor, wrapped around its ancient Theban relics; the temples of Denderah and Abydos, and tombs of Tell el-Amarna, Tuna el-Gebel and Beni Hassan; concluding at Cairo’s iconic Sphinx. Adding a special touch enroute, we take tea at Aswan’s Old Cataract, visit Luxor Temple by night and enjoy a cocktail reception at Luxor’s Winter Palace.
Culture & Riverscapes
Exclusive Small Ship Sailing
Jules Verne Sightseeing
4 UNESCO Heritage Sites
Egyptian Tour Manager
Egyptologist
On Board Lectures
Day 1 Fly from London Heathrow to Aswan via Cairo, and transfer to the Nile to board the paddle steamer SS Misr for your 12-night cruise. Two-night mooring in Aswan.
Day 2 Visit the Nubian Museum for its display of the culture and heritage of Nubia’s ‘Land of Gold’ era; and after lunch aboard, view the High Dam of Lake Nasser, and take a boat trip to the Philae Temple, saved from a watery grave in the lake by moving it to Agilika island; then enjoy a sunset tea, overlooking the river, at the Old Cataract Hotel, from where Agatha Christie wrote ‘Death on the Nile’. (B, L, D)
Day 3 Enjoy a morning at leisure to explore Aswan and its souk, or join us on an optional tour to Abu Simbel, leaving early this morning (4hrs each way by road, pre-bookable £140 per person). Created by Ramses II in the 13th century BCE, the heroic proportions of the two temples were matched by the massive task of moving them up onto the plateau from their original site, which was soon to disappear into Lake Nasser. Return to the ship to cruise to Kom Ombo this afternoon, and visit its riverside ‘double deity’ temple, dedicated the crocodile-headed Sobek and falcon-headed Horus. Join us for a cocktail party aboard as you sail to Edfu. (B, L, D)
Day 4 Travel by road to visit west-bank Edfu’s temple, its huge edifice among the best-preserved and most atmospheric of Egypt’s ancient monuments, returning to the river to navigate the Esna Lock enroute to a two-night mooring in Luxor. (B, L, D)
Day 5 An early-morning optional tour gives you a sunrise view of Luxor from a hot-air balloon, (pre-bookable £140 per person). Later, tour the west-bank Theban necropolis, the Valley of the Kings, where iconic landmarks include the monumental Colossi of Memnon, the statues soaring 60-feet high; and visit the tiered tomb of Queen Hatshepsut. Amongst over sixty tombs of the pharaohs, there is an option to visit those of Seti I and Tutankhamun, (subject to viewing restrictions, extra charge). Cross to the east bank to explore the Temple of Karnak, its acres of courts, colonnades, and obelisks linked followed by a visit Luxor Museum, its long façade lining the riverbank, its collection of antiquities exhibited in an open-air garden or atmospherically lit interior displays. Explore the Avenue of Sphinxes from Luxor Temple; laid out parallel to the riverbank, it has been in almost continuous use as a place of worship right up to present day and played an essential role in the annual Opet Festival which celebrated the Nile River floods. Enjoy a special experience of witnessing the temple illuminated at night and a cocktail reception at the historic Old Winter Palace. (B, L, D)
Day 6 Sail to Qena and travel by road to Denderah, among the best-preserved of Egypt’s temple complexes, to view the Temple of Hathor, the largest of three on the site. Among its stone carvings are an image of Cleopatra and her son, and the replica of the Zodiac which sowed doubt about biblical chronology. Return to the ship to sail to Naga Hammadi, passing the railway bridge. (B, L, D)
Day 7 Continue downriver to El Balyana and travel to ancient Abydos, to visit the New Kingdom temple of Seti I, where carvings include a ‘List of Kings’ and intriguing hieroglyphs said to show futuristic transport, a helicopter, zeppelin, and submarine. Return to the vessel and sail to Sohag, a major centre of Coptic Christianity. Enroute a talk on agriculture and the Nile. (B, L, D)
Day 8 Enjoy the riverbank views and the fine facilities of the SS Misr on a leisurely day of cruising, navigating Asyut Lock and passing the old caravanserai town, and viewing the monastery of heroic Prince/Saint Tawadros from the Nile enroute to an overnight mooring in Tell el-Amarna. View a documentary on Akhenaten and later join us for a Galabeya party aboard this evening. (B, L, D)
Day 9 This morning, visit the animal catacombs and human tombs of Tuna el-Gebel, where excavations revealed amulets, statues, and stone sarcophagi; and Ashmunein’s ancient Temple of Thoth, the god of wisdom. Afternoon exploration in Tell el-Amarna takes in the Tombs of the Nobles, Ahmose, Meryre and Pentu; and the Royal Tomb of Akhenaten, the pharaoh’s sarcophagus carved with the sun-discs of Aten, god of the setting sun. Cruise to the modern city of Minya, the region’s capital, steeped in legends of Akhenaten and Nefertiti. (B, L, D)
Day 10 Visit Beni Hassan, its Middle Kingdom, rock-hewn tombs of provincial rulers, Baqet, Khety, Amenenmhet and Khnumhotep, adorned with richly coloured frescoes. An interesting lecture on hieroglyphics as you sail to Beni Suef, with its landmark bridge across the river. (B, L, D)
Day 11 Visit the step-pyramid at Meidum, rising tower-like from the desert sands, and the nearby mud-brick ‘mastabas’, built as burial chambers for prominent (but not royal) Egyptians. Return to the vessel for lunch and enjoy the views of the timeless Nile, where egrets and ibis graze in the shallows; enjoy a talk on modern Egypt, as you cruise to Cairo. (B, L, D)
Day 12 A full day of discovery begins at Giza to view the magnificent monolith of the Sphinx and the Great Pyramid of Cheops, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Lunch at the Mena House hotel, with views of the pyramids, is followed by a visit to the Egyptian Museum (or new Grand Egyptian, subject to opening date), to view the wealth of artefacts from statuary to jewellery and the treasures of Tutankhamun’s tomb. This evening, enjoy an Oriental Takht music performance aboard. (B, L, D)
Day 13 Disembark the SS Misr and transfer to Cairo airport for the return flight to London Heathrow. (B)
Notes
Whilst the vessel carries more, sightseeing will be limited to 24 guests.
Temple, tomb and pyramid visits are on foot with steps and uneven surfaces.
The programme may be altered due to navigational factors, water levels or congestion at certain sites.
For late arrivals, on day 1, a cold plate is served in your cabin.
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).
Cairo - Post-tour Extension
Spend two nights at the Luxury Nile Ritz Carlton, set on the Banks of the Nile, with breakfast included. Discover Memphis, Saqqara and Dahshur on an included tour, accompanied by an Egyptologist. Covering a 7km stretch of the Western Desert, Saqqara, whose name is derived from the Memphite god of the dead Sokar, is the huge cemetery of ancient Memphis, and was an active burial ground for more than 3,500 years and is Egypt’s largest archaeological site. Immerse yourself in ancient Egyptian history as you explore the Step Pyramid of Zoser, the Red Pyramid and Bent Pyramid of Dahshur. These three pyramids represent the formative steps of architecture that was realised in the Great Pyramid of Khufu at Giza.
Day 1 Transfer to the Nile Ritz Carlton set on the Banks of the Nile, for a two-night stay.
Day 2 Discover Memphis, Saqqara and Dahshur accompanied by an Egyptologist. Covering a 7km stretch of the Western Desert, Saqqara, whose name is derived from the Memphite god of the dead, Sokar, is the huge cemetery of ancient Memphis and was an active burial ground for more than 3,500 years. It is Egypt’s largest archaeological site. Immerse yourself in ancient Egyptian history as you explore the Step Pyramid of Zoser and the Red Pyramid and Bent Pyramid of Dahshur, with an opportunity to enter the Red Pyramid. (B, L)
Day 3 The day is at leisure to explore Cairo independently. (B)
The first luxury hotel in Egypt, situated in the heart of Cairo between the Nile and the Egyptian Museum.. 331 rooms, a selection of restaurants, bars, pool, gym, spa and WiFi (free). 331 spacious and stylish rooms with safe, tea/coffee making facilities and TV.
Friday
per person in a Main Deck cabin
EgyptAir from Heathrow
Supplements per person
Single Supplement
Main Deck single cabin £795
Main Deck (double cabin for sole use) £995 (limited availability)
Cabin Upgrades
Upper Deck (twin/double) £495
Upper Deck (double for sole use) £1995
Suite (twin/double deck 3) £895
Superior Suite (twin/double deck 4) £995
Panorama (front) suite (twin/double) £1295
Flight Options
EgyptAir Business Class - On request
EgyptAir from Manchester via Cairo - On request (pre/post cruise accommodation may be required)
Optional Excursions
Luxor balloon flight £140
Abu Simbel £140
Extension Options
Cairo Extension - Post-Tour
2 nights £615
Single supplement £425
Nile View room upgrade £60
Single Supplement Nile View £50
Extra nights – Aswan
Sofitel Old Cataract: Rooms and prices are on request, please call our Sales Team for more information.
Tour Only
Save £650
Arrival or departure transfer add £15
Price Includes
Air travel and taxes, transfers, 12 night-cruise, full board on cruise vessel and drinks with meals*, itinerary as described, excursions, Egyptian tour manager/Egyptologist, local 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
*2 drinks with lunch and dinner included (2 glasses of wine or 2 beers and unlimited soft drinks).
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