Dahabeya Nile Discovery by Sonesta Details

Dahabeya Nile Discovery by Sonesta

Overview

Highlights

Explore Cairo
See the Pyramids of Giza, Saqqara, & Memphis, Solar Boat Museum, Pyramid of Zoser, Egyptian Museum
Opportunity to cruise Sonesta Nile Dahabeya
Visit the temple of Edfu, Temple of Komo Ombo, Esna Sailing
Explore Luxor
See the fascinating temples of Luxor and Karnak, Avenue of Sphinx, Karnak Open Air Museum, Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens
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Visit Aswan
High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk, Philae Temple

Short Description
Gently sail through the Nile on a journey t for royalty, aboard the luxurious Amirat Dahabeya. Take in the Nile 's soft breeze as you glide on its sacred waters in a wooden vessel, exclusively made for the use of 20th-century monarchy. Discover the mysteries of Ancient Egypt while you make your way through Luxor, its former capital. Explore the splendid Valley of the Kings and take in the grandeur of Queen Hatshepsut s magnicent temple, resplendent in the morning light. Visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu and unravel the mythical tale of his exceptional birth, inscribed on the temple s inner walls. Take in the wonders of the legendary Temple of Kom Ombo dedicated to the crocodile God Sobek, exhibiting a Crocodile Museum, displaying the most fascinating ancient tools and artifacts. Tour the fabulous city of Aswan, home to one of the world s largest dams and the great Unfinished Obelisk. The best of ancient history, culinary delights and absolute relaxation for the most extraordinary time of your life!

Trip Includes

Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, and Fees as indicated on your itinerary.
Local and international traveler assistance during your tour.
Specialized and personalized services

Itinerary

Day 1: Cairo - Airport Assistance & Visa Service

Accommodation: The Mena House Palace Hotel – Deluxe Pyramid View
Welcome to Cairo! Upon your arrival, you will be met at the end of the tunnel by an airport representative who will aid and facilitate you through the Visa process (cost included). You will then be escorted through customs, immigration, and assisted with baggage claim before being introduced to your Travelous representative who will be awaiting your arrival at passenger pick up and on call throughout your entire stay.
Cairo - Airport Transfer (Arrival)
Transfer in private vehicle with English speaking driver from the Airport to your hotel for overnight.

Day 2: Pyramids of Giza, Saqqara, & Memphis Tour (Lunch Included)

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation: The Mena House Palace – Deluxe Pyramid View
Spend a full day with your private certied Egyptologist who will provide fascinating insight to each of the three famed pyramids of Giza. Wander about these inspiring pyramids and visit the Solar Boat Museum which houses the intact solar ship vessel from Ancient Egypt. Continue to the feet of the Sphinx, the enigmatic symbol of Egypt for thousands of years. Enjoy a delicious lunch at the Mena House before continuing to Saqqara, the vast, ancient burial ground, which served as the necropolis for the Ancient Egyptian capital, Memphis. Visit the famous step Pyramid of Zoser. Your nal stop is Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt. Here you will see artifacts from many of the great rulers of Egypt, including the huge fallen statue of Ramses II.

Day 3: Cairo - Airport Transfer (Depart)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Sonesta Nile Dahabeya – Deluxe Cabin
Transfer in private vehicle with full assistance from your hotel to Cairo Airport.
Flight: Cairo-Luxor (1 hr)
Flight from Cairo to Luxor. Duration is 1 hour. Flight times TBD.
Luxor - Airport Transfer (Arrival)
Welcome to Luxor. Transfer provided in private vehicle with English speaking driver from the Airport to your hotel.
Luxor is often characterized as the "world's greatest open-air museum", as the ruins of the temple complexes at Karnak and Luxor stand within the modern city. Across the Nile River lie the monuments, temples and tombs on the West Bank, which include the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens. Archeologically, Luxor is the most important site in all of Egypt and a rare gem of a city, unlike any other in the world.
Welcome to the Sonesta Dahabeya

Welcome to the Sonesta Amirat Dahabeya. Gently sail through the Nile on this traditional yet luxurious sailing vessel, used by aristocrats and nobles during Egypt's 20th century monarchy. In sheer comfort and style, you will experience the best of ancient history and culture. Apart from your daily excursions to exciting historical sites, you will have time to relax and enjoy the Nile’s soft breeze on the cruiser’s sundeck or oriental-style Jacuzzi. With entertaining evening activities organized daily, your experience onboard the Amirat Dahabeya will be one of wellbeing and fun!
Luxor East Bank Tour (Lunch Included)

Your private tour takes you through the East Bank of the Nile to visit the Temples of Luxor and Karnak, largely the work of Amenhotep III and Ramesses II, whose colossi and obelisk stand at the entrance. Walk along the Avenue of Sphinx as you enter the complex while your guide explains how the massive facade was constructed and explore the Karnak Open Air Museum that features an amazing array of statuary and reconstructed temple structures.

Day 4: Luxor - West Bank Tour (Lunch Included)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Sonesta Nile Dahabeya – Deluxe Cabin
Visit the Valley of the Kings where you will see the intact royal tombs of the Pharaohs. Continue to Tombs of Princes in the Valley of the Queens. Stop at the magnicent temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir El-Bahri. Visit the Colossi of Memnon, two massive stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III. For the past 3,400 years, they have stood in the Theban necropolis, across the Nile River of modern Luxor. Your last stop will be at the Theban Necropolis, which was used for ritual burials during Pharaonic times.

Nile - Esna Sailing

After this unforgettable journey back in time, you will return to your cruiser for an exquisite lunch. Continue to Esna where you will moor for the night.

Day 5: Nile:  Esna - Edfu (Day at Leisure)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Sonesta Nile Dahabeya – Deluxe Cabin B, L, D
Today, you will have a day at leisure while your cruiser sails to Edfu, leaving you plenty of time to wind down and be pampered onboard.

Day 6: Nile - Edfu Tour (Sonesta)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Sonesta Nile Dahabeya – Deluxe Cabin
Enjoy a delicious breakfast onboard while you sail through the Esna Lock onward to Edfu, home to the most well-preserved temple in Egypt. Enjoy a guided exploration of Edfu Temple, an archaeological treasure beautifully dedicated to the falcon god Horus and built over a period of two thousand years. The inner walls of the building reveal the mysterious legends of Horus, born upon the death of his father, Osiris, the god of the underworld who was killed by his brother, Seth. The much beloved goddess Isis brought Horus into life from a piece of Osiris’ esh. Horus later battled Seth and won the battle but lost an eye in the process. Hence, the eye of Horus has important religious symbolism in ancient Egyptian mythology. The Temple of Edfu was abandoned as a religious monument following Theodosius I edict banning non-Christian worship within the Roman Empire. Many of the temple's carved reliefs were destroyed in the process. The blackened ceiling of the hypostyle hall, visible today, is believed to be the result of arson intended to destroy religious imagery. After this unforgettable tour through one of ancient Egypt's greatest sites, you will return to your cruiser for a fun evening onboard!

Day 7: Nile: Edfu - Kom Ombo Sailing (Day at Leisure)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Sonesta Nile Dahabeya – Deluxe Cabin
Spend a wonderful day at leisure as your boat sails to Kom Ombo, home to the sacred crocodiles.

Day 8: Nile - Kom Ombo Private Tour

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Sonesta Nile Dahabeya – Deluxe Cabin
Continue to the Temple of Kom Ombo, remarkable for its double design. As you walk through the temple complex, notice that the courts, halls, sanctuaries and rooms are duplicated for two sets of gods. The southern half of the temple was dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek, god of fertility and creator of the world. The northern part of the temple was dedicated to the falcon god Haroeris, also known as Horus the Elder. A few of the three hundred crocodile mummies discovered in the vicinity are displayed in The Crocodile Museum. Make sure to visit the strange instruments resembling surgical tools, located in the southeast corner of the complex!

Day 9: Aswan - High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk, Philae Temple

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Sonesta Nile Dahabeya – Deluxe Cabin
Explore Aswan with a stop at the High Dam, a modern architectural project containing more than 18 times the material used to build the Great Pyramid of Khufu! From a pavilion perched over the enormous rock and clay dam, you can admire the Temple of Kalabsha and one of the largest manmade lakes in the world, the impressive Lake Nasser. Continue to the Unnished Obelisk, which was ordered by the longest reigning female pharaoh, Hatshepsut, who ruled for over 22 years. The Obelisk was carved out of bedrock, but it was quickly abandoned when large latent cracks were discovered on either side. This abandoned monument gives great insight into the stone-cutting techniques and tools used by the skilled ancient Egyptian workers. Continue to the fascinating Temple of Philae, moved to the Island of Agilkia after the waters of Lake Nasser ooded its original location. Dedicated to the greatly-revered goddess Isis, the Temple attracted thousands of pilgrims yearly during ancient times. Now encircled by crystal blue waters and adorned with lush foliage, the Temple will reveal the secrets of a bygone era.

Day 10: Aswan - Airport Transfer (Depart)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Kempinski Nile Hotel – Nile Superior Room
After a delicious breakfast, say goodbye to your fellow passengers and crew. Transfer in private vehicle with English speaking driver from the boat to the airport.
Flight: Aswan - Cairo (1.5 hr.)
Flight from Aswan to Cairo. Duration is 1.5 hours. Flight times TBD.
Cairo - Airport Transfer (Arrival)
Transfer in private vehicle with English speaking driver from the Airport to your hotel for overnight.
Egyptian Museum Private Tour (Lunch Included)
Today your private tour of the Egyptian Museum awaits. Built in 1891, The Egyptian Antiquities Museum is the second most visited attraction in Cairo. From the prehistoric era to the Greco-Roman period and housing more than 165,000 artifacts, the museum is home to the famous collection of King Tutankhamun and the Royal Mummies. Lose yourself in the many rooms and galleries where history is yours to discover. Enjoy a delicious lunch at the Citadel Restaurant in Al Azhar Park.
Cairo by Night (Dinner Included)
Begin your evening with a walking tour of Old Cairo City and El Moez Le Din Allah Street, which has an array of historical monuments spread along both sides of the street. Explore the stalls and passageways of the 600-year old Khan Khalili bazaar and enjoy a traditional Egyptian dinner in the famous Naguib Mahfouz Restaurant where quality and taste will fill your senses.

Day 11: Cairo - Airport Transfer (Depart)

Unfortunately, we say goodbye to you today. Transfer in private vehicle with full assistance to Cairo Airport for your ight home. Keep the memories alive and we hope to see you in Egypt again soon. Stay Travelous!

Availability

Price From Euro 3,498
Price

Details

Flights & Transport
Only ground transport
Group Size:
Private - your group only
Accomodations
The Mena House Palace - Palace Pyramid View
The Mena House is one of the most unique hotels in Cairo, with its own rich and colourful history. Surrounded by 40 acres of verdant green gardens, this palatial hotel is located in the shadows of the Great Pyramids of Giza in Cairo. The royal history of the hotel is reected in luxurious interiors that are embellished with exquisite antiques, handcrafted furniture, original work of arts and magnicent antiques that are rarely found in luxury hotels. Mena House has played host to kings and emperors, Heads of State and celebrities. Regarded as one of the leading luxury hotels in Cairo, the hotel combines the magical charm of a bygone era with unrivalled service t for royalty. Located in the Palace, each room is generously proportioned with high ceilings and offers a breathtaking view of the Pyramids. There is a choice of either a kingsize bed or twin beds. Many rooms have private balconies.
Amirat Nile Dahabeya by Sonesta - Deluxe Cabin
This elegant sailing vessel sails on 7-night cruises between Luxor and Aswan. The cruiser features 5 cabins and 2 suites. The suites each offer a private terrace and all cabins and suites feature private direct-dial telephones, individual climate control, hairdryers, mini-bar, safe deposit boxes, plasma televisions and movie channels. Daily guided excursions to renowned Egyptian temples, tombs and ruins along the Nile - A spectacular way for an extended family or group to discover the Nile on a private cruise.
Kempinski Nile Hotel - Nile Superior Room
The ultimate attention to details, a charming greeting and a row of familiar smiles welcomes you to our 5 star luxury boutique hotel in Cairo. Set in the heart of the city and on the banks of the River Nile, the Kempinski Nile Hotel is a boutique property with 137 rooms and 54 suites, guests can delight in the views across the Nile as most of the rooms and suites have their own private balcony. Enjoy the comfort of your Nile Superior room with its views of the meandering Nile, the bustle of the city, the twinkling lights at night and the strikingly pretty feluccas.
Cancellation Policy:
Cancellations of conrmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $250 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits)
60-89 days will be subject to loss of 30% of program price 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price 29 days or less will be subject to loss of 100% of program price
Additional Information:
Reservations/Booking
To book a Tour, each Traveler (or leader of a Group of Travelers) must submit: A completed booking form signed electronically by the main Traveler. By submitting the booking form on the payments page, the traveler accepts our full Terms and Conditions. The full balance of the trip cost is due ninety days (90) before the trip departure date. If you book your trip with us ninety days (90 days) or less before the departure date, the full cost of the trip is due at that time. In the instance payment is made by certied check or wire transfer, reservations will only commence once the check is cleared.
Availability of Services and Accommodations cannot be guaranteed until a Tour is booked. We will exercise our best efforts to book the Services and Ticketing & credit card processing for international transport and other select domestic airfare pertaining to a specic country is done by a 3rd party and not included in your total land package price unless otherwise stated.

Trip Excludes


Airfare to/from the Tour start point, including domestic or inter-country connecting ights, unless otherwise stated in itinerary.
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Tips and gratuities
Items of a personal nature such as incidentals, excess baggage charges
Airport taxes/entrance fees, port charges, foreign government departure taxes
Visas (unless otherwise indicated), Inspection, Customs, Immigration and Naturalization fees Additional fuel surcharges on cruises
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Travel Insurance including Medical, Lost Baggage and Trip cancellation
Optional activities (golf, watersports, etc.)
Any other activities or items not explicitly advertised as included in the price of a Tour

Meals Included:
4 Lunches and 1 Dinner