In the evening, we depart for Aswan aboard the Nile Express first-class sleeper train. Private Compartment. Dinner is served on board. We rate the sleeper modest 3 stars.

If you prefer to fly between Cairo and Aswan , please click here

DAY 4 - ASWAN, CAMEL CARAVAN,  Monday (cBD)  
Subject to availability & Schedule, cruise will be confirmed from Aswan or Luxor .
Our Nile Express train pulls into Aswan station, where our staff meets you and escorts you to your private cabin on board the  Royal Cleopatra . After settling in, we visit the mighty Aswan High Dam and the temples of Philae, rescued from the rising waters in a mammoth United Nations salvage effort : 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 when you Travel in Style!

DAY 5 - ABU SIMBEL , Tuesday (cBLD)
Very early breakfast. 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 of Lake Nasser back to Aswan and your timeless cruise.

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 10 - Cairo , Saturday - Complimentary Home Hosted Dinner (cB)  
Breakfast is included at the hotel. Full day at leisure.
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).

DAY 11 - DEPARTURE, Sunday (cB)  
Our staff escorts you to the airport for your flight home.

Rates per person in USD $
Based on Royal Cleopatra- Sailing Boat

Dec 20 -Jan 3 : Please add 20 % Holiday Supplement. Tour starts in Cairo on Fridays  weekly, year round

Your Tour Includes:

• Meals as indicated: cB = Continental breakfast; L = set-menu lunch; D = set-menu dinner
  
  
• All airport, dock transfers in Egypt , always on a priavte basis
  
  
• Guided sightseeing as per itinerary with an English speaking guides ( if you prefer other language(s) ,please alert us in advance.
  
  
• Entrance fees to sightseeing attractions
  
• Hotel accommodations according to the tour itinerary , with al tax & service charges
  
• Royal Cleopatra  felucca cruise with a private cabin/private bath as described in the tour itinerary , with all meals while on board.

• Welcome complimentary drink, upon arrival on board Royal Cleopatra.
  
• Complimentary welcome fruit basket awaits you in your cabin on board the Royal Cleopatra.
  
• Bottled water ( one large bottled per person) delivered to your cabin daily while you are on board your felucca cruise .
  
• Tea or coffee and small bottled water with each & every meal while you are on board the Nile Felucca Cruise.
  
• All domestic air tickets in Egypt in economy class as listed, with tax included. As well as the sleeper train ticket. The sleeper train is rated modest 3 stars, dinner and breakfast are included on board the sleeper train
  
• Visa fee , issued  upon arrival , limited to specific number of nationalities ( please check with us in advance .. Your   passport must be valid at least for 6 month beyond the date of arrival.

* 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.

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