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Egypt - Nile Cruises
3T & 4T Presidential Nile Cruise tttt
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Holiday Overall Accommodation Food Quality 99% 95% 95%
Thomson Destinations
Customers rating excellent/good Nov 06-Aug 07
Journey into a glittering past... Prepare to be transported back in time to an opulent age of pharaohs, gods and temples as you wend your way along Egypts most famous waterway, the Nile. Like an open-air museum, the banks of the Nile brim with forgotten treasures from millennia passed. Gaze in wonder at evocative remnants and bathe beneath the glorious African sunshine as you embark on a journey of discovery.
4T Cruise exclusive to Thomson Group customers in the UK
Day 1 UK - Luxor Fly direct to Luxor to join your cruiseboat. The obliging crew will be waiting to welcome you aboard. Day 2 Luxor - West Bank - Edfu What better way to begin your Nile cruise than by exploring one of Egypts most famous archaeological sites, the hauntingly beautiful Valley of the Kings? The rocky crags and crevices of the Theban Hills play host to the tombs of over 700 pharaohs. It was within this desolate canyon that countless mummies were sealed in burial chambers as part of their journey to the afterlife. Close by lies the breathtaking Temple of Queen Hatchepsut. Known in ancient times as the splendour of splendours, the shrine is carved into a solid rock face and is sure to fill you with awe. Complete your West Bank discoveries with a trip out to the Colossi of Memnon. These two gigantic enthroned figures have been attracting holidaymakers for centuries - they were a particular favourite with Greek and Roman visitors during antiquity. Day 3 Edfu - Kom Ombo - Aswan Visit one of Egypts finest archaeological sites, the magnificent Temple of Horus. Up until the 1800s the shrine lay all but forgotten, buried from view with only its lintels protruding through the dusty ground. However, extensive excavations revealed one of the best-preserved cult temples in all of Egypt. Guarding the monumental entrance are two enormous black granite falcons, beyond which stands an intricately carved sandstone pylon. Wander through the temple and imagine how it must have looked in its heyday during a festival adorned with flowers and scented with incense. Then, sailing on to Kom Ombo, explore the Temple of Sobek and Haroeris. Honouring the crocodile-headed god Sobek and the falcon-headed god Haroeris, the shrine boasts a symmetrical design. Make sure you take a look in on the Chapel of Hathor, home to some mummified crocodiles. Day 4 Aswan Standing at over 300ft tall, the Aswan High Dam is a true feat of modern engineering. Built during the 1960s, it used 18 times more material than the gargantuan Great Pyramid in Cairo. From the top of this immense barrage you can take in unbroken views out across Lake Nasser, the worlds largest artificial lake. Later, enjoy a motorboat ride to view Elephantine Island. Nestled among its lush palm groves are a number of Nubian houses painted bright blue, pink and yellow. Day 5 Aswan - Esna Enjoy a morning at leisure in Aswan or alternatively join the optional excursion out to Abu Simbel to see the towering figures of gods and pharaohs which adorn the facade of the Temple of Ramses II. Day 6 Esna - Luxor The first thing that strikes you about Karnak Temple is its sheer size. Large enough to contain no less than 10 cathedrals and covering an area of over 100 acres, its hard not to be bowled over by its enormity. Built over the course of thirteen centuries, the complex comprises three separate temples. Be sure not to miss the famous Great Hypostyle Hall, a forest of gigantic columns. Round off your day of sightseeing with a trip to Luxor Temple. Enjoying a romantic waterfront setting, the shrine stands proud in the heart of Luxor itself and incorporates a mosque and the remains of a Roman fort. Day 7 Luxor - Qena - Luxor Cruising to Qena, visit the intriguing Temple of Denderah. Built to honour Hathor, the cow-headed Egyptian goddess of love, it was actually constructed by the Romans during their occupation. Of particular note is the ceiling in the Hypostyle Hall which is adorned with astronomical symbols and signs of the zodiac. Day 8 Luxor - UK Your Nile cruise comes to an end in Luxor. From here youll be transferred to the airport for your return flight to the UK. Alternatively choose to extend your holiday in Egypt on the Red Sea Riviera or in Luxor and Cairo.
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