12
Days / 10 Nights
For 5,000 years, Egypt has been fascinating travelers. To meet that fascination, we've combined Cairo (5 nts) with a 5-night cruise in an executive suite aboard what is arguably the most elegant cruise ship on the Nile - M/S Antares, with its unique ambience of a billionaire's private yacht. Ride a hot air balloon over Luxor and dine aboard a private felucca on the Nile in Cairo. Aboard ship, your very own Egyptologist-guide will be with you so you can see the sights when you want to - not according to a schedule of shore excursions. And, if you wish, fly on to the extravagant enclave of Dubai, and live it up in what is considered the world's most luxurious and spectacular hotel.
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| COUNTRY | CITY | NIGHTS |
HOTEL |
| Egypt | Cairo | 5 |
Four Seasons Nile Plaza (Premier Nile View Rooms) |
| Egypt | Nile Cruise | 5 |
M/S Antares - Executive Suite* |
| *Further upgrade may be requested to the Royal or the Imperial Suite | |||
| DAY 1: En RouteDeparture from the USA. |
| DAY 2: CairoArrive in Cairo. Private meeting at the tarmac for a swift transfer to the VIP Airport lounge. Enjoy the refreshments while our representatives attend to the passport, visa and luggage claim formalities. Meeting and introduction of your guide and driver and transfer by Private Mercedes Limousine to your hotel on the Nile River. Balance of the day at leisure. Evening: A private “Felucca” dinner by candlelight while you sail on the Nile River welcomes you to Cairo. (D) |
| DAY 3: Cairo Enjoy breakfast overlooking the exquisite view of the Nile. Continue with your private guide and driver to Giza to visit the Three Great Pyramids, the oldest surviving structures of the “7 Wonders of the Ancient World”; enter the Great Pyramid of Cheops. Afterwards, see the astonishing Solar Boat Museum, housing the oldest known ship in the world, uncovered after being buried for over 4500 years. Stand in awe at the magnificent Sphinx carved out of a single piece of stone, guarding the Giza plateau. After lunch at the famous Mena House Hotel, continue to the very dawn of history–as we explore the site of ancient Memphis, with its colossal statue of Ramses II, founded in 3100BC as the oldest political capital of the united Kingdoms of Upper and Lower Egypt. Visit the astounding necropolis of Sakkara, where architecture was born. Stroll along the first large buildings in hewn stone in all history; see the centerpiece – the soaring Step Pyramid of Pharaoh Zoser, the first stone structure to appear in the world. Return to your hotel. Driver is at your disposal this evening to enjoy the fabulous restaurants, casinos and nightlife of Cairo, the city that never sleeps. (BL) |
| DAY 4: Cairo Sleep later today and enjoy a leisurely breakfast in the lounge or you may prefer to be served breakfast in your room overlooking the Nile River. Your guide and driver will begin your touring day with a visit to the world-famous Egyptian Museum with its 100,000 objects covering 5000 years of ancient Egyptian civilization; view Tutankhamun’s treasures and the fascinating Mummy Room. A-la-carte lunch at a local Middle Eastern restaurant followed by an afternoon of shopping through the exotic Khan El Khalili Bazaar or relaxing by the poolside of your beautiful hotel. Tonight, your driver is at your disposal. (BL) |
| DAY 5: Cairo – Luxor {NILE CRUISE} Morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Luxor. Your guide will accompany you throughout your trip. Upon arrival, transfer to the luxurious M/S Antares for a6 Day/5 Night Nile Cruise with accommodations in your luxurious suite. Enjoy the cozy, “yacht-like” ambiance as you get acquainted with your crew and the wonderful facilities on board. During your stay, enjoy the spa facilities and perhaps a massage. After Lunch on board, your private tour begins with the vast Karnak Temple-Complex, built by generations of Pharaohs over a 2000-year period. Visit the Avenue of the Sphinx and the imposing Temple of Luxor with its grand colonnades. Explore the mighty temple of Amun with its mass of obelisks, pylons, colossi and courts. Early morning sailing to Qena. (BLD) |
| DAY 6: Qena – Luxor {NILE CRUISE} From Qena, we will drive to Denderah, dedicated to Hathor, goddess of love and fertility. We then continue to Abydos (the temple built by Seti 1st and completed by his son, RamsesII), and also the Osirian at the site of the impressive tombs of the pre-dynastic rulers of ancient Egypt. We return to the Antares for sailing back to Luxor. Tonight, you’ll be entertained by a Belly Dancer following dinner on board. Overnight in Luxor. (BLD) |
| DAY 7: Luxor – Edfu {NILE CRUISE}Early morning hot air balloon ride! Just before sunrise you will lift off in front of Queen Hatshepsut’s Temple and rise up over the pink mountains of the Necropolis. Enjoy the spectacular and inspiring view of the Nile River, and the many tombs, temples, fields and villages. Upon completion of your “flight”, drive to the imposing Valley of the Kings containing the secretive tombs of New Kingdom Pharaohs; enter the Tomb of Tutenkhamen. Continue to the beautifully terraced Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Pass by the imposing Colossi of Memnon, standing 70 feet tall, before returning to the Antares. Tonight, Captain’s cocktail reception followed by dinner. Sail to Edfu for overnight. (BLD) |
| DAY 8: Edfu – Kom Ombo – Aswan {NILE CRUISE} In Edfu, travel to the Temple of Horus, the best preserved of all large Egyptian temples, built over a 180-year period. We then sail to Kom Ombo, a hill town overlooking the banks of the Nile. Visit the Greco-Roman Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to Horus, the Sun God and Sobek, the Crocodile God. Dinner on board followed by entertainment for your dancing pleasure while the M/S Antares sails to Aswan for overnight. (BLD) |
| DAY 9: Aswan {NILE CRUISE} Morning visit to the Aswan High Dam and the granite quarries where the stone for the ancient monuments and modern dam of Aswan were cut. View the gigantic, unfinished Obelisk of Queen Hatshepsut. Continue by motorboat to the beautiful island of Philae to see the exquisite, sandstone Temple of Isis. After Lunch, sail on your Felucca to Lord Kitchener's Botanical Garden and pass by the dramatic white marble Aga Khan Mausoleum. Evening: Horse carriage ride to the Nubian Bazaar known as the Spice Market. Overnight in Aswan. (BLD) |
| DAY 10: Aswan – Abu Simbel – Cairo Bid farewell to your fellow passengers and the crew of the M/S Antares as you disembark. Private transfer to the airport to board the short flight from Aswan to Abu Simbel. Arrive Abu Simbel where you will be transferred privately to the spot where Ramses II built his great monumental temple for himself and the smaller temple for his wife, Queen Nefertari. Complete this fascinating visit before your return flight to Cairo. VIP meeting and transfer to your hotel. In the evening, your driver is at your service. (B) |
| DAY 11: Cairo Sleep later today and enjoy a leisurely breakfast. Enjoy the magnificent health spa and all the grand facilities of the Four Seasons Hotel renowned for expertly pampering their guests. In the afternoon, drive to Old Cairo, to visit the 9th century Ben Ezra Synagogue, the oldest in Egypt, and the Mosque of Mohammed Ali, at the 12th century Citadel of Saladin. End the day, bidding farewell to your guide. Evening is at leisure to prepare for your departure. (B) |
| DAY 12: Cairo - En Route Meeting
with your host for transfer to Cairo airport for your departure flight.
You’ll be transferred directly to the VIP lounge while our staff attends
to the check in formalities. At boarding time, you will be escorted
to the departure gate. (B) Please Note: The cruise line reserves the right to alter the sailing schedule. Above is a sample itinerary as cruise may sail from Luxor or Aswan according to date selected. |
| $9,290 | Per person, double occupancy |
| Special booking and cancellation policy applies. Please inquire. | |
