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Home > Destinations > Historic Nile - Frequent Virgin Club Member Tour
Recapturing the golden age of 19th century cruising, this exclusive Virgin Frequent Club Member journey sails the waterways between Aswan and Luxor aboard the beautifully crafted Dahabiyya boat; elegant wooden sailing ships that afford the chance to experience the Nile without the usual crowds. Starting with 3 nights in Cairo to visit the Pyramids and Egyptian Museum we fly to Aswan for our cruise with an expert guides. Spend 7 nights aboard to fully appreciate the classic landscapes, this exceptional and best selling itinerary offers antiquity and ambience in equal measure.
Fly to Cairo with EgyptAir and transfer to the Mena House Oberoi Hotel Garden Wing Pyramid view room for 3 nights
A morning visit to the magnificent Museum of Antiquities in the centre of Cairo affords the opportunity to gaze upon the unique treasures of Tutankhamun himself, before a free afternoon to enjoy some of the city's myriad treasures. You may like to visit the mosques and churches of Old Cairo, including a trip up to the 19th century Mohammed Ali Mosque in the iconic and dominating confines of the Citadel. (B)
Morning excursion to the Pyramids and the Sphinx at Giza, including the Solar Boat Museum. In the afternoon you may wish to take an optional excursion to Memphis (3200 BC), the ancient capital of Egypt, continuing over the desert to Saqqara to the Step Pyramid of King Zoser (3rd Dynasty). (B)
Fly to Aswan and embark on your dahabiyya for a relaxing week spent cruising on the Nile. Overnight at the private mooring near Aswan. Note this itinerary is for cruise direction Aswan to Luxor but the cruise may travel in reverse direction (Luxor to Aswan) depending on departure date. (B/L/D)
This morning visit the High Dam, Old Dam and the beautiful Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis, rescued from the rising waters of Lake Nasser when the dam was constructed. This afternoon is at leisure, overnight at your private mooring near Aswan. (B/L/D)
Early this morning there is the opportunity to visit the spectacular temples of Abu Simbel by air. Around midday you will sail to Kom Ombo to visit the Ptolemaic temple, uniquely dedicated to two gods - the falcon god Horus and Sobek, the crocodile god. Its superb location overlooking the Nile and perfect double symmetry make this one of the most picturesque on the river. Overnight private mooring beside a Nile island. (B/L/D)
This morning you will sail to Edfu where you will visit the magnificent and spectacularly preserved Temple of Horus at Edfu, constructed in the 3rd century BC and, after Karnak, the largest temple in Egypt. Overnight private mooring beside a Nile island. (B/L/D)
Today will be a leisurely day. After breakfast, commence your journey to Esna, cross the lock and onwards to Luxor, where the boat moors overnight. (B/L/D)
Morning complimentary hot air balloon flight over Luxor. Today cross over to the West Bank to visit the tombs of the Pharaohs, the romantic Valley of the Kings, where Howard Carter famously discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922. Continue to the Valley of the Queens, Medinet Habu and the Colossi of Memnon. Return to your dahabiyya for an afternoon at leisure. This evening you will overnight at our mooring near Luxor. (B/L/D)
A leisurely morning is planned, affording the time to relax and take in the surroundings. After lunch visit Luxor's East Bank, taking time to explore the magnificent settings of the Luxor and Karnak Temples. These sumptuous monuments, built over 4000 years ago, represent the epoch of the once mighty city of Thebes and the worship of the god Amun. Karnak's immense Hypostyle Hall alone contains the phenomenal sight of 134 towering columns of intricate stonework. Return to your dahabiyya for dinner. Overnight mooring in Luxor. (B/L/D)
Today bid farewell to the crew and disembark the boat after breakfast, before taking the EgyptAir flight back to Cairo and onwards to London Heathrow. (B)
