Cairo, sailing cruise between Luxor and Aswan and the Red Sea
In summary
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Sports
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Duration13 days
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LevelAll levels
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DestinationEgypt / Cairo
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AgeUp to a 90imum of years
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CO₂-Emissions318.94 kg CO2
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Type of stayIndependent traveler
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Languages
French
In a few words
Heir to a mythical river, Egypt reveals itself here in all its millennia-old splendor , during a peaceful cruise on the Nile. Aboard a Dahabieh or a Sandal , a traditional sailboat with understated charm, you set off to discover lands nourished by the river's life-giving floods, amidst Pharaonic heritage , scenes of rural life, and biblical landscapes.
Each stopover offers a moment of wonder: the majestic temples of Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae, and Karnak, but also villages nestled among palm groves, hidden oases , treks in the desert, and visits to preserved sites accessible only by boat. At the end of the day, the river's tranquility invites contemplation , and evenings on deck, sometimes extended by a night under the stars , enhance the experience.
Extend this unique adventure by exploring Cairo and its pyramids , from Lake Nasser to Abu Simbel, or with a stay on the Red Sea coast. A rare and poetic journey , blending culture, nature, and oriental charm, to be experienced in a small group, with family, or with friends.
The highlights
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Visits to all the major sites from Cairo to Luxor and relaxation on the shores of the Red Sea
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Cruise aboard a sailboat with numerous excursions off the beaten track
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Accompaniment by a French-speaking Egyptologist guide throughout the stay
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
Management
Paul is the agency director and is always available in case of a problem.
An Egyptologist guide accompanies travelers throughout the visits to Cairo and the cruise.
Program
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Arrival in Cairo
- Transportation Minibus - 00h20 - 10km
- Accommodation 4-star hotel
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Departure for Egypt and Cairo. Upon arrival, our representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. It's time for you to experience the vibrant atmosphere of the Egyptian capital!
Day 1 -
Visit to the pyramids of Giza and Saqqara
- Transportation Minibus - 01h - 40km
- Activity Trekking
- Accommodation 4-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
This morning, depart with your Egyptologist guide for the Giza Plateau. A site unique in the world, where we will quickly be captivated by the magnificent spectacle of the Great Pyramids: Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure, located on the edge of the modern city and the desert. For the more adventurous among you, it is possible to visit the interior of the pyramids.
Next, you'll explore the site of Saqqara, a particularly active period during the Old Kingdom. There you'll find the magnificent tomb of Djoser, named after the pharaoh himself! It's the first pyramid-shaped royal tomb and one of the largest in Egypt. Saqqara is the largest Egyptian necropolis.
Day 2 -
Visit to the GEM, the Coptic quarter and the Citadel
- Transportation Minibus - 01h - 30km
- Activity Trekking
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
This morning, join your French-speaking Egyptologist guide for a visit to the new Grand Egyptian Museum. Located near the pyramids, it's a must-see on any visit to Cairo. It was built to house the antiquities of ancient Egypt. Inside, you'll find the world's largest and most valuable collection of archaeological artifacts from ancient Egypt, the old city, and the Coptic Quarter. Among other sites, we'll see the Coptic Museum and the Ben Ezra Synagogue.
Transfer to the train station to take the sleeper train to Luxor. Dinner on board included.
Day 3 -
The Temple of Karnak in Luxor and the Temple of Horus in Edfu
- Transportation Minibus - 01h30 - 90km
- Activity Trekking
- Accommodation Sailing cruise ship
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Our guide will be waiting to take you on a tour of the ancient Egyptian capital. A veritable open-air museum awaits you, its renown already well established. We'll head towards the Karnak Temple, home of the god Amun. Generations of pharaohs worked to embellish it. We'll be amazed by this architectural complex, the construction of which spanned over 2,000 years! Next, you'll travel to Edfu by minibus to visit the Temple of Horus, dedicated to the falcon god. This is the best-preserved temple in Egypt! Built entirely of sandstone, the temple is remarkable, and its state of preservation is spectacular.
You then proceed to the landing stage where your sandal or dahabieh, the famous sailing boats typical of the Egyptian Nile, awaits. Settle in and prepare to experience your first sunset on the Nile…Exceptional!
Day 4 -
Edfu and cruise
- Transportation Boat - 06h - 40km
- Activity Trekking
- Accommodation Sailing cruise ship
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Morning boat trip – a lovely walk in Ramadi around the marsh and through the fields to meet farmers working in their alfalfa, sugarcane, or date palm groves
Return to the ship and then after lunch or at the end of the day a stroll in the charming and very welcoming village of Bassaw.
Overnight stay in Bassaw or at the foot of the Horemheb cave (depending on availability).
Day 5 -
Silsileh Quarries / Cruise
- Transportation Boat - 06h - 40km
- Activity Trekking
- Accommodation Sailing cruise ship
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
The boat trip allows you to discover life along the banks of the Nile, and stops in villages offer opportunities to meet the local people. Today, we'll stop at the ancient quarries of Gebel Silsilah, which supplied stone for the construction of Egypt's major temples. Gebel Silsilah began to be exploited during the New Kingdom as a sandstone quarry and became the most important source of this material in Egypt, as the high-quality stone was readily available and easy to transport thanks to its proximity to the Nile.
A short boat trip and approximately 2-hour walk to Farès through the palm groves – a wide variety of fruit trees and plants will be found along your way (doum palms, date palms, etc.). Return to the boat and relax as it sails smoothly to the evening stop in Maniha.
Day 6 -
Kom Ombo and cruise
- Transportation Boat - 06h - 40km
- Activity Trekking
- Accommodation Sailing cruise ship
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Continue your journey to the Kom Ombo site to visit its majestic temple, a sight that will pleasantly surprise you. Unique in the country, this temple is dedicated to two deities: Sobek, the crocodile god, and Haroeris, the falcon god. Take the time to admire its beauty!
A complete change of scenery awaits you in the village of Daraw, undoubtedly one of the highlights of the trip. You'll wander through the bustling bustle of the local market, where the colors and aromas of the Orient and Africa blend together like a symphony for the eyes and nose!
Day 7 -
Aswan, Philae and Abu Simbel (optional)
- Transportation Boat - 06h - 40km
- Activity Trekking
- Accommodation Sailing cruise ship
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Your boat trip continues to Aswan, gateway to Nubia and former stronghold of the Kingdom of Upper Egypt. In Aswan, we will travel by boat to the Temple of Philae, dedicated to the fertility goddess Isis, unique for its location and architecture. One of the most picturesque in Egypt, it was saved from the rising waters by UNESCO in the 1960s.
Optional early morning visit to Abu Simbel
Day 8 -
West Bank of Luxor
- Transportation Minibus - 02h - 190km
- Activity Trekking
- Accommodation 4-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
You will disembark the ship for the return journey to Luxor, where you will begin your sightseeing with the Valley of the Kings, the pharaohs' final resting place and favorite retreat. We will then visit the majestic temple dedicated to Queen Hatshepsut, the only woman to have ascended the pharaonic throne and a truly unique monument. Continuing on, two seated stone giants will emerge before us: these are the famous Colossi of Memnon, which stand proudly amidst cultivated fields.
Day 9 -
From Luxor to Hurghada
- Transportation Minibus - 04h - 300km
- Activity Snorkeling
- Accommodation 5-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Transfer to Hurghada after the visits.
The rest of the day is free.
Optional: Hot air balloon flight at sunrise
Day 10 -
Hurghada
- Activity Snorkeling
- Activity Diving
- Accommodation 5-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Free day. Optional: Possibility of doing water sports such as diving or activities in the desert.
Day 11 -
Hurghada
- Activity Snorkeling
- Activity Diving
- Accommodation 5-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Free day. Optional: Possibility of doing water sports such as diving or activities in the desert.
Day 12 -
Hurghada
- Transportation Minibus - 00h30 - 20km
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Transfer to Hurghada airport.
Day 13
Accommodation
- Single cabin
- Double cabin
- Twin cabin
- Single room
- Double room
- Twin room
- Triple room
- Single room
- Double room
- Twin room
- Triple room
Access
Go to the starting point
Price details
The price includes
- Nights in a hotel in a double room
- Lunches in Cairo and Luxor during the visits
- Dahabieh or Sandal Boat
- All ground transfers during the stay
- A French-speaking Egyptologist guide in Cairo, Luxor and on the boat
The price does not include
- International and domestic flights
- Dinners in Cairo and Luxor
- Personal expenses
- Optional excursions
- Visa application services €30
- Tips: €55 per person
- Entrance fees to the sites mentioned: €175 (30% discount per child)
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
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