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Egypt - Nile Cruises
Thomson Premier Collection
Exclusive to Thomson Group customers in the UK
4T+ Nile Discovery Cruise ttttp
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Holiday Overall Accommodation Food Quality 99% 99% 98%
Customers rating excellent/good Nov 06-Aug 07
Your Itinerary Day 1 UK - Luxor Fly direct to Luxor and join the Crown Prince, moored on the banks of the Nile. Day 2 Luxor - West Bank - Edfu Ever since the 19th-century, when the first steamboats began chugging down the Nile, Luxor has been a magnet for discerning tourists eager to discover Egypts historical delights. Built on the remains of the ancient city of Thebes, Luxor is renowned for its overwhelming profusion of archaeological relics. Nearby lies the world famous Valley of the Kings where over 700 royal sepulchres pepper the arid hillsides. Interred in sarcophagi, mummified pharaohs were sealed in stony tombs as part of their journeys to the afterlife. Like an intrepid explorer, uncover the myriad of vaults and chambers that make up this vast Pharaonic resting ground. Youll also get to visit the Colossi of Memnon, an enormous pair of enthroned statues that once guarded the entrance to a long lost temple. Round off your day with one of the most impressive sights on Luxors West Bank, the Temple of Queen Hatchepsut. Built in honour of the only woman to ever reign over Egypt as pharaoh, its built into a cliffface and rises up in a series of monumental terraces. Gaze in amazement at elegant columns stretching into cloudless blue skies and wonder in awe at the intricate hieroglyphic inscriptions. Day 3 - Edfu - Kom Ombo - Aswan The small town of Edfu plays host to one of the Niles must see sites, the mammoth Temple of Horus. Dedicated to the falcon-headed sky god, this huge edifice is perhaps the best preserved of Egypts ancient shrines and provides an excellent insight into how temples once looked. Two giant granite falcons greet you as you enter through the colossal gateway, beyond which lies an extensive network of splendid colonnades, courtyards and sanctuaries adorned with detailed wall carvings. Sailing on to Kom Ombo, visit the fascinating Temple of Sobek. Set on the banks of the Nile, the Temple is unique in that it was dedicated to two divinities, falcon-headed Haroeris and the crocodile god, Sobek. The dual nature of the Temple is reflected in the twin entrances, chapels and halls that make up this site. Of particular note is the chapel of Hathor, home to three mummified crocodiles.
Day 4 - Aswan In the afternoon, enjoy a relaxed boat trip out to Elephantine Island, home to a number of traditional Nubian houses. Day 5 - Aswan - Esna Standing at over 300 feet tall, the Aswan High Dam is truly a feat of modern engineering. Containing over 18 times the material used to build the Great Pyramid in Cairo, it really is a sight to behold. Make sure you take a trip up to the top of the dam for breathtaking, unbroken views of the surrounding area. There is also the optional trip to Abu Simbel and then sail on to Luxor via Esna with an overnight stay on board. Day 6 - Esna - Luxor Boasting immense pillars and steadfast pylons, the sandy-coloured remains of Luxor Temple perfectly complement the verdant banks of the Nile. A majestic piece of Egyptian architecture, the temple was once the focal point for an ancient festival where deities were believed to descend on Luxor Temple itself. Later, explore the nearby Temple of Karnak. A labyrinthine complex of sanctuaries, obelisks and monumental gateways, it comprises three separate temples. The enormity of the site is overwhelming - its large enough to contain 10 cathedrals. At the centre of Karnak is the Great Hypostyle Hall, a forest of towering columns carved into the shape of papyrus plants. Day 7 - Luxor - Qena - Luxor Built in honour of the cow-headed Egyptian goddess of love, Hathor, the great Temple of Denderah is actually a Roman creation. Built during the Roman occupation, it emulates traditional Egyptian architectural styles but with a Latin twist. Make sure you take a look at the famous astronomical ceiling in the Hypostyle Hall. Its symbolic representation of heavenly bodies and signs of the zodiac offers a unique insight into ancient Egypts solar rituals and cults. Day 8 - Luxor - UK Your cruise along the Nile comes to an end in Luxor where youll be transferred to the airport for your return flight to the UK. Alternatively, choose to extend your holiday in Egypt.
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