Sailing the Nile
14 days Adventure in Egypt

Including a  sailing Boat Cruise on The Nile

You've seen those graceful white-sailed feluccas (or dhows) cruising past Pharaonic temples in 19th-century paintings of Egypt. Well, here's your chance to go back in time! Join our small group on a romantic felucca  (private cabin/private bath ) as we cruise the Nile on the Royal Cleopatra on this 14-day adventure tour which includes an overnight train journey on the Nile Express. Tour starts Weekly in Cairo year round.

visa will be issued upon arrival.
As you exit the gate, you will pass through a door or two , down some stairs , then walk for 2-5 minutes , until you pass the duty free shops, at the end of a wide corridor , you will see the security officers. There you will be met by a local representative, who will be holding a sign with your name .
Our local representative will then take your passport to obtain a stamp from the cashier / bank window and escort you to speak with the passport officer. He will escort you through another last check on your passport as you exit the passport control, into customs area, he will assist you in collecting your luggage and clearing customs . After exiting the terminal, our local representative will escort you (private vehicle) to the hotel

The Philae temples , this Island temple , dedicated to the Ancient Goddess ISIS :

The Mystery of Isis

Two millennia ago the Mediterranean world was enthralled by the mystery of Isis:

"I, Isis, am all that has been, that is or shall be; no mortal man hath ever seen me unveiled."

Called Aset by the ancient Egyptians, the goddess was a Madonna in the Mediterranean tradition that stretches far, far back to the primitive Mother Goddess from Anatolia, home to some of the oldest human communities on earth.

Isis was the powerful and quick-witted protector of her son Horus, the Sun God. Ancient peoples throughout the Mediterranean regarded Isis and Horus as the perfect Madonna and Child. Another legend says she was
also the mother of the fertility god Min who, judging from the depiction of him on temple walls, needed no help from Viagra!

Because of her wisdom and skill at protection, she was admired as a good magician capable of healing the sick and protecting the dead in their journey to the Underworld.

Isis is portrayed regally, as a queen seated on a throne (which may be the meaning of her name), often holding her son Horus as a baby. Other images show her with broad, magnificent gilded wings able to protect
the world.

Isis, the great Mother Goddess. Come explore her mystery in timeless Egypt .

DAY 5 - ABU SIMBEL , Tuesday (cBLD)
Abu Simbel We've planned our visit to Abu Simbel to be a highlight of your Egyptian adventure. Rising before dawn, we drive along the shore of Lake Nasser, watching the sky lighten and the sacred sun rise above the horizon. We reach the great temples while the air is clean, clear and cool, and the sun's light still golden;just right for photographs.
In the larger temple, colossal figures of Ramses are seated with the gods and attended by his queen and daughters.
The smaller temple is dedicated to Queen Nefertari, who appears as Hathor, the goddess of love, joy and fertility, symbolized by the benevolent cow. We explore these fine temple by ourselves in the quiet of the morning, admiring their ancient aura and artistry, after which retire to a comfortable hotel for refreshments. Just as planeloads of visitors arrive to throng the temples we begin our leisurely drive back along the shore to Aswan, arriving in time for a late lunch & your felucca home for the next few days. Royal Cleopatra. Welcome fruit basket awaits you in your cabin. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. 

Jacquie Kennedy & Abu Simbel Temples in Egypt :

All Americans alive during the 1960s remember President John F Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy. Most Americans from that time also remember Abu Simbel, the dramatic, ancient Pharaonic temple
threatened by the rising waters blocked by the new Aswan High Dam.

It’s worth remembering that it was Jacquie Kennedy who provided crucial support for the mammoth rescue project. Without her help, Abu Simbel might have been lost. Arrive early in Egypt, extend one day to be able to see Abu Simbel . Read More

DAY 6 - KOM OMBO  , Wednesday (cBLD)
Sail north to Kom Ombo , we explore the twin temple of Haroeris, the Sun God, and Sobek, the Crocodile god , at Kom Ombo ,then re board the ship for our voyage north. Lunch at Maneha.  Evening finds us at Fares  Island and dinner. Breakfast , Lunch, Dinner.

 

 

 

DAY 7 - On Board, Thursday (cBLD)  
Our yacht cruises past timeless villages, sand dunes and palm groves, lunch at Selwa. Get ready for a Galabya Costume dinner party ( a galabya will be delivered to your cabin with our compliments), a native barbecue dinner will be served on a small island in the  middle  of the  Nile. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

 

 

 

DAY 8 - EDFU, ESNA Friday (cBLD)  
We sail for  Edfu . Board horse-drawn carriages for the short ride through the town to the stupendous Temple of Horus, the best-preserved Pharaonic temple on the Nile. We  sail for  Esna ,  Tour the well preserved temple buried below the  village's main square. Overnight on board, docking at Esna. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

 

 

 

DAY 9 - LUXOR, Saturday (cBLD)  
We're up early today to drive to LUXOR:  visit the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari and the Colossi of Memnon, in the afternoon , we visit what is perhaps the world's most gigantic and spectacular religious building, the Great Temple of Amon at Karnak, followed by the huge Temple of Luxor. In the evening we board our overnight train back down the Nile to Cairo. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

 

 

DAY 10 - CAIRO, Sunday (cB)
After arrival at Cairo station and transfer to our hotel. Take your time to explore and wander in Cairo's quaint streets for the remainder of the day. Breakfast.

 

 

DAY 11 - Alexandria, Monday (cBL)  
We speed across the Delta in our comfortable first class air conditioned train to Alexandria, we visit the Greco Roman Museum, the Catacombs, Kayet Bey Fortress and the Roman Amphitheater before we head back to Cairo. Breakfast, Lunch.

 

 

DAY 12 - CAIRO, Complimentary HOME HOSTED MEAL, Tuesday (cBL)  
We embark on a full-day tour of the Egyptian capital, visiting its ancient walls and gates, the eerie City of the Dead necropolis, the former Royal palace of Abdeen , and the bustling camel market. At the end of the day, you'll have years of stories to tell at home!

This evening we'll venture where few ordinary visitors ever tread . . . right into the homes of some of the people of Cairo ! You'll be invited to a family dinner, and while you enjoy wholesome home-cooked specialties, you'll learn about and appreciate the outlook, aspirations, and way of life of your hosts. Be assured, as curious as you may be about your new friends, they're sure to have questions about your own background. Once the ice is broken, you'll enjoy a lively evening, and find that you have more in common than you ever suspected. Of course, you may enjoy a quiet evening with your travel companions, by letting us know your preferences. You may wish to bring token gifts to exchange with the host family ( T shirt , small souvenirs of your home town).

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner .

DAY 13 - Memphis, Sakkara, Dahshour, Wednesday (cBLD)  
The morning is for Memphis and Sakkara, including the Step Pyramid of Zoser & Nobles tombs/Mastabas.

Lunch is included at a local restaurant.
Continue to Dahshour, the newly-opened pyramid field south of Cairo. We visit the great pyramid of Senfru, father of Cheops, and other structure:

The "Discovery" of Dahshour:
For almost half a century, the great field of huge pyramids near the desert village of Dahshour, 25 miles south of Cairo, has been off limits to the public. Confined within the perimeter of a military base were many pyramids, including the great 4500-year-old pyramid built by Senfru, father of Cheops. Senfru's pyramid, the largest in Egypt until his son built Giza's Great Pyramid, is rhomboidal in shape: it tapers more distinctly on its upper half. All the pyramids were coated in thick plaster at one time. Most have lost these protective, decorative sheaths, but Senfru's-miraculously--is still in place.

Rates per person in USD $

Click here for Royal Cleopatra images

• Dec 20 -Jan 3 : Please add 20 % Holiday Supplement
• Tour starts weekly ( year round) on  Friday.
• Click here : For a 10 days program including a felucca sailing.

Your Tour Includes:

• Meals as indicated: cB = Continental breakfast; L = set-menu lunch; D = set-menu dinner
  
• All airport, dock and train station transfers in Egypt
  
• Guided sightseeing as per itinerary
  
• Entrance fees to sightseeing attractions
  
• The services of a local guide
  
• Hotel accommodations in Cairo, Aswan and Luxor according to the tour itinerary
  
• Sailing boat Felucca cruise as described in the tour itinerary
  
• All train tickets in Egypt as listed. The train is a modest 3 star sleeper train, private compartment of course
  
• Complimentary visa issued upon arrival for American, EU & Japanese citizens, passports must be valid at least for 6 month upon arrival.
  

Details:

The "triple-double-single" in the rates refers to hotel (not boat) accommodations. On board the  Yacht you 'll have your own  private cabin. Both state rooms  are with private facilities. Our felucca sleeps six passengers. Click here for details on your felucca : Royal Cleopatra

The tour price does include the fee for your Egyptian visa but only for American ,  British, German, Canadian & Japanese citizens. 
But doesn't include Trip cancellation nor travel insurance, which you may purchase if you like

* The Royal Cleopatra is a traditional wind-driven sailing craft, and is subject to the uncertainties of wind, weather and riverine traffic conditions on the Nile. We will do our best to follow published itineraries, but they must be considered tentative in all cases. We reserve the right to modify or cancel any sailing itinerary as conditions warrant. In case of insufficient wind, weather danger or difficult riverine traffic conditions on the Nile or through the Nile locks, or other cause of cancellation, we reserve the right to accommodate Royal Cleopatra passengers aboard a deluxe Nile cruise vessel, and / or to transport passengers between some sites by motor vehicle along the Nile, to be able to keep up with the itinerary , at our option.