Featuring a Nile Cruise Aboard a Beautiful “Dahabiya”
February 17-26, 2012
Trip Highlights
- 3-night cruise on a 16-passenger Dahabiya for extraordinary Nile-side temples from Luxor to Aswan
- Valley of the Kings — Abu Simbel — the Great Pyramids at Giza
- Expert Egyptologist accompanying us
- The Egyptian Museum in Cairo
- Luxor Museum
- Optional hot air balloon and camel rides
- Download Detailed Itinerary
Egypt is a glorious open-air museum of astounding temples and monuments. We take in the full measure of Egypt’s epic 5,000-year-long story from the Great Pyramids to the legendary Nile, where we cruise in the wake of the Pharaohs on our own private Dahabiya. The grand-scale Temple of Karnak, the famed tomb of Tutankhamen, and the haunting mortuary temple of Ramses the Great are among the wonders of our inspiring journey.
Undoubtedly, sailing the River Nile in style is something you’ll never forget! This is a traveler’s dream journey—exploring by a 14-passenger Dahabiya, the traditional two-masted yacht of the Nile. We discover the great monuments of ancient Egypt that line this legendary river valley from Luxor to Aswan, as well as fascinating out-of-the-way sites. Ours is an intimate Nile experience, very different from the big boats that ply the Nile. Our sailboat recalls a nostalgic era of travel, yet it has all of the modern comforts.
OUR DAHABIYA
Our journey through Egypt will include three nights on a luxurious Dahabiya. We will travel north to south on this hand-crafted ship, stopping periodically to visit local markets and stunning temples. The boat is outfitted with seven air-conditioned cabins. Each cabin features one double bed or two twin beds as well as a private bathroom with toilet and fresh-water shower.
When not relaxing in your cabin, you can visit the lounge or sit on the top deck and take in the scenery. All meals will be cooked on board in the fully equipped kitchen by our private chef and served on the top deck. We’ll enjoy Egyptian and international dishes as well as barbeques and picnics on the riverbank. All meals are included, along with tea, coffee, and soft drinks. As an added bonus, our private Egyptologist will be on the Dahabiya with us for the duration of the cruise (if space is available; otherwise the Egyptologist will be with us but stay overnight on land.)
The boat is outfitted with a state-of-the-art generator that produces virtually no noise. The generator will be used as the source of electricity on the boat, powering the lights, air-conditioning, and televisions. In case the wind is insufficient, we will use a motor to sail.
The Dahabiya is the perfect way to travel the Nile as it offers all the amenities of the larger cruise ships but in a discrete and intimate environment.
LAND ACCOMMODATIONS
Following is a description of the delightful hotels we intend to use on this tour. They all have a flair of the Orient which sets them apart from the usual mass tourism properties. We reserve the right to make changes to these accommodations if necessary.
Luxor
The only luxury establishment on the Nile’s west bank, this small property is one of the most beautiful and original hotels in the entire Middle East. A pink Oriental palace of domed suites set between sugarcane fields and desert not far from the Madinet Habu Temple, the hotel is stylish yet unpretentious. The wooden Mashrabiya porticos and other design elements were sourced from abandoned 19th-century Egyptian houses. The suites, connected by gardens, terraces, and shaded courtyards, have wrought-iron beds, inlaid Damascene tables and other pieces from the owner’s collection of colonial and Oriental antiques. Walls feature Ottoman- and Pharaonic-themed murals, and some rooms have private fountains and ceilings with colored glass skylights. There is a heated pool and a Moroccan-style hammam for spa treatments.
Abu Simbel
Our chosen hotel is in a unique location that enjoys spectacular views of Lake Nasser and is just a few hundred yards from the great temple of Ramses II. With its chalet-style rooms, Nubian style domes, waterfalls, gardens, and great views, this is the best hotel at Abu Simbel. The property has a lovely swimming pool overlooking the lake and the desert mountains.
Aswan
Locations don’t get much better than this: Our selected hotel has the northern end of an island in the middle of the Nile all to itself. You cross from downtown on the hotel’s free launch and stroll up from the picturesque little dock through the gardens. The hotel was extensively renovated in 2007, and the main building features huge windows and sleek modern decor in the large, light lobby. The pool area, which features a bar, kitchen, and barbecue, is commodious. At the top of their 14-story tower is another bar, the view from which is spectacular — from tiny falucas flitting across the Nile and the green of the island to the golden sands of the desert around the Tombs of the Nobles and the mausoleum of Aga Khan.
Cairo
Located on Gezirah island right in the middle of the Nile River this elegant luxury hotel, designed with innovative and fun decor, is blessedly away from the city’s traffic. The outdoor heated swimming pool with its infinity design offers a great Nile view. This is also the only Cairo hotel with direct and private access to a quiet and peaceful promenade on the Nile. You might enjoy the nice spa here as an indulgent finale to your trip with its hammam, jacuzzi, and massage services. Chic, earth-tone guest rooms offer views of the Nile, a private balcony, double glazed windows, wireless Internet connection, and LCD cable television.
TOUR MANAGER
At the time of publishing this program one of our favorite tour managers is scheduled to lead this fantastic journey through Egypt for us. Originally from Michigan, he is now based in Cairo and is involved in a couple of innovative businesses and knows the ins and outs of the Egyptian way of life and culture — something that’s very important for this destination! Having led many tours for us through Egypt (as well as Jordan, Turkey, Syria and Morocco!), he is passionate about his adopted home and is eager to share it with you.
