If you’ve dreamed of standing at the foot of the great pyramids, now is the time to plan your escape to Egypt. Peruse the treasures of King Tutankhamun in Cairo, and answer the riddle of the Sphinx at the Great Pyramids of Giza. Fly to Luxor and embark on a Nile River cruise. You’ll visit the Karnak and Luxor Temples, and join in guided sightseeing at the Valley of the Kings and Queens on the Nile’s West Bank—site of noble crypts where the pharaohs rest in splendor in the cliff sides. Visit the Temple of Horus with its menacing black stone falcon statue, built 2,000 years ago during the age of Cleopatra. You’ll see fascinating sights before your Nile River cruise is complete, including a bluff-top temple to worship crocodile and falcon gods, the unfinished obelisk of the granite quarries of Aswan, and the Temple of Isis recovered from the submerged island of Philae. Take an excursion on a Felucca sailboat for a view of Kitchener’s Island and the mausoleum of Aga Khan. Fly back to Cairo and conclude your vacation with a farewell dinner to celebrate your guided tour of Egypt.
This tour is a bit more budget friendly than the other Egyptian tours that I’ve written about. While this tour won’t include as much, or utilize the five star hotels that Adventures by Disney & AmaWaterways are using, this will still be an amazing week-long vacation.
DAY 1 ARRIVE IN CAIRO
Welcome to Cairo! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel.
DinnerDAY 2 CAIRO
Guided sightseeing in and around Africa’s largest metropolis starts at the EGYPTIAN MUSEUM. See Tutankhamun’s fabulous treasures, an exciting first encounter with the splendor of three millennia of Egyptian civilization. Next, depart for GIZA. Take a close-up look at the enigmatic SPHINX and the daunting Great Pyramids. Cheops, with an original height of 496 feet, is the most colossal pyramid ever built.
BreakfastDAY 3 CAIRO–LUXOR. EMBARKATION
Board your flight to Luxor, where you will embark your cruise ship to enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, guided sightseeing features visits to KARNAK TEMPLE and LUXOR TEMPLE.
Breakfast
LunchDinnerDAY 4 CRUISING: LUXOR–EDFU
This morning, guided sightseeing focuses on the VALLEY OF KINGS & QUEENS on the West Bank of the Nile, where generations of pharaohs and nobles were buried in great splendor in crypts cut into the cliffs. 62 royal tombs have been uncovered so far, of which only the tomb of Tutankhamun was nearly inviolated when discovered in 1922. Visit DEIR EL-BAHRI, Queen Hatshepsut’s monumental rock temple, before returning to your ship where a Captain’s welcome cocktail party awaits you. Sail to Edfu.
BreakfastLunchDinnerDAY 5 CRUISING: EDFU–KOM OMBO–ASWAN
In Edfu, visit the TEMPLE OF HORUS with its menacing black stone statue of the falcon god. Built in the time of Cleopatra about 2,000 years ago, it is recent by Egyptian standards and beautifully preserved. Have lunch on board and continue your leisurely cruise down Egypt’s river of destiny. Dock at Kom Ombo for a short walk to visit its bluff-top TEMPLE dedicated to the crocodile and falcon gods. You can haggle for bargains in the local market. This evening, enjoy a Galabeya party on board.
BreakfastLunchDinnerDAY 6 CRUISING: ASWAN
Marvel at the gigantic Aswan HIGH DAM, completed in 1970. Next, stop at the ancient GRANITE QUARRIES to see the famous unfinished obelisk and visit the PHILAE TEMPLE OF ISIS, transplanted from the submerged island of Philae. Highlight is a FELUCCA SAIL around Kitchener’s Island and the Mausoleum of Aga Khan. A Nubian Folklore Show is the perfect way to celebrate your Nile Cruise.
BreakfastLunchDinnerDAY 7 DISEMBARKATION. ASWAN
After disembarkation, enjoy some free time in Aswan. An optional excursion to stunning Abu Simbel is available.
BreakfastDAY 8 ASWAN–CAIRO
Board your flight to Cairo. This evening, a farewell dinner awaits at your hotel.
BreakfastDinnerDAY 9 CAIRO
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Breakfast
Built in: 2010
Crew Members: 70
Length: 245 feet
The 5-star M.S. Mayfair is one of the newest vessels on the Nile today. With her avant-garde touch and luxury accommodations, the M.S. Mayfair is an exclusive invitation to truly sophisticated accommodation, tranquil relaxation, and delectable dining – all complemented by an unprecedented sense of discovery along the Nile.
AMENITIES
- Large panoramic windows
- Swimming pool and Jacuzzi
- Spa – steam and sauna with aromatherapy and massage
- Swimming pool bar
- Nile Avenue restaurant
- Bel Air Lounge bar
- Savory modern fusion of contemporary and authentic dishes
- Elegant ambiance
- Library and games
- Business corner
- Boutique and gift shop
- Hairdresser
- First-aid clinic with medical service on call
- Egyptologist onboard (English-speaking)
- LCD TV sets & satellite channels
- Internet connection
- Telephones with international direct dial
- Cultural highlights on board
STATEROOMS
DELUXE
Room Size: 226 square feet
- Dark wooden pieces set off by black and creme tones that create a soothing ambience
- In-room safe & mini bar
- Internet connection
- All bathrooms feature bathtubs and hair dryers
- 220V electricity
- Shower
- LCD televisions sets & satellite channels
- Individually controlled air-conditioned system
- Telephones with international direct dial
- Large panoramic windows
- Bathtub
DINING
- Delicious meals – both Western and Eastern Cuisine
- Complimentary glass of wine or one beer at dinner
- Nile Avenue restaurant
- Bel Air Lounge bar
- Savory modern fusion of contemporary dishes
Cleared For Take-Off! 