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Egypt

A luxury tailor-made Nile cruise for Guy Gilpin and Amanda Taggart from 11 to 17 March 2025

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11 March: London to Cairo

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Depart Heathrow 09.40 on Egyptair, arriving Cairo 16.20

You will be met on arrival and transferred by private vehicle to your hotel, a journey time of approx. 45 minutes.

Villa Belle Époque

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Villa Belle Époque is in Maadi, a sophisticated Nile-side suburb whose name means 'ferry-boats', with cafes and restaurants only a stroll away. Built in the 1920s and recently refurbished to reflect its colonial origins, the property offers a swimming pool, sundecks and patios which are surrounded by lemon, mango, olive and guava trees, intermingled with centennial palms. Richly decorated with a period feel and embellished with works of contemporary Egyptian art, relive the comfort and elegance of a bygone era while enjoying every modern amenity. 

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2 nights accommodation in a Deluxe Room, breakfast included.

13 March: Cairo to Aswan to board Sun Boat IV

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You will be collected from the hotel and transferred to the airport in time to catch your early morning flight to Aswan.

Flight departs 06.10, arrives Aswan at 07.35

On arrival, you will be met by a representative and transferred to Sanctuary Sun Boat IV.

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You will be staying in a Standard Cabin on the Bridge Deck on a full board basis.

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Sanctuary Sun Boat IV ensures a distinct sense of being in storied Egypt. Its contemporary-yet-classic design displays the highest levels of luxury and chic. Elegance is elevated with rich teak flooring, Egyptian marble and hand-painted decorative details to fashion an exceptional ambiance. 

 

With just 38 cabins on board it feels like you're in an intimate floating palace. Interesting textures and natural materials ensure a distinguished aesthetic, while ceramic ornaments and delicately etched metalwork set an elegant tone. Head to the upper sun deck where you're promised iconic tableaus in high-definition, cool cocktails and cool shade, and radiant sunshine as you take a dip in the river-view pool.

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Lunch will be served on board.


This afternoon you will have the chance to take a ride on a felucca (a typical Egyptian sail boat) around Elephantine Island, Lord Kitchener's Botanical Gardens, and the Agha Khan Mausoleum (weather permitting, life jackets will be provided).


Afternoon tea will be served in the lounge while you enjoy the sounds of an Oud trio.

 

Tonight, you will be greeted by your Boat Manager as you enjoy a selection of canapés with some complimentary Egyptian wine and local beer.

A gourmet dinner will be served on board.

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Sanctuary Sun Boat IV

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Friday 14 March

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A breakfast buffet will be served on board, followed by a short motorboat ride to visit the romantic and majestic Philae Temple on the Island of Agilika.

This will be followed by a visit to the Granite Quarries, which supplied the ancient Egyptians with most of the hard stone used in pyramids and temples, and still hold a huge unfinished obelisk.


Enjoy lunch, while you cruise to Kom Ombo.

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Afternoon tea will be served on board before you visit the magnificent Temple of Kom Ombo - dedicated to the crocodile-god Sobek.


Tonight, a delicious dinner is served followed by a movie night on board.

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Saturday 15 March

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A breakfast buffet will be served on board while the boat sails to Edfu.


Spend the morning visiting Edfu Temple. Following the morning's sightseeing, the boat will sail to Luxor.


Lunch will be served on board after which you will also have the chance to take part in an Egyptian cooking lesson.


Following afternoon tea onboard, your Egyptologist will guide you around the strikingly graceful Temple of Luxor, dedicated to the god Amun.


Tonight will be an 'Egyptian Night' costume party for all guests, with a chance to dress up in traditional Egyptian 'galabeyya'.

Dinner will be a lavish buffet of Egyptian specialties, followed by oriental music and dancing for everyone.

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Sunday 16 March 

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Breakfast is served on board.


This morning, visit the Valley of the Kings. You will have the chance to visit at least one tomb in the Valley of the Queens, and visit the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. On the way back to the river Nile, you will pass by the famed Colossi of Memnon, known in Ancient Greek times for their haunting voices at dawn.

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Tomb entrances included:


Tomb of Tutankhamun
The Tomb of Tutankhamun, also known as KV62, is perhaps the most famous of all the tombs in Egypt's Valley of the Kings. It was discovered virtually intact by British archaeologist Howard Carter in 1922. The discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb was a momentous event in archaeology and captured the world's
imagination. The tomb contained a vast array of artefacts, including furniture, chariots, weapons, clothing, and of course, the iconic golden death mask that adorned the mummy of the young king, all of which is found today at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. 

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Tomb of Ramses VI
Tomb of Ramses VI, another pharaoh of the 20th dynasty of ancient Egypt, who ruled during the 12th century BC. It is one of the larger tombs in the valley and consists of a long corridor leading to several chambers, including a burial chamber where Ramses VI's sarcophagus was placed. The walls of the tomb are decorated with scenes from the Egyptian Book of the Dead and other funerary texts, depicting the pharaoh's journey into the afterlife and his encounters with various Gods and Goddesses. 

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Tomb of Seti I
At 137m long and decorated all over with some of Ancient Egypt's finest art, the Tomb of the Pharoah Seti I is the one of the more impressive. It was discovered in 1817 and is undoubtedly the best-preserved tombs in the Valley of the Kings. The art that you see here, set the precedent for all the tombs that followed.


After lunch, your Egyptologist will guide you around the Temple of Karnak.


Return to the boat, where afternoon tea will be served in the lounge.


Tonight's entertainment will be a gala dinner, with white-gloved waiters serving gourmet cuisine followed by a Dervish Show and belly dancer performance.

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Monday 17 March: Sadly all good things must come to an end...

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A buffet breakfast will be served on board, before check out.

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You will be transferred by private vehicle to Luxor Airport, about 30 minutes away.
Depart on Egypt Air at 09.00 for the direct flight to London, arriving Heathrow at 13.05

 

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Price, Inclusions and Exclusions

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Total price: £10,194

Full payment is required to secure your booking

If you would like to upgrade your international flights to Business Class, it will be an additional £1,317 per person.

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Inclusions

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All ATOL protected flights as specified in the itinerary, all ticket taxes and air passenger duty tax, accommodation on the board
basis stated, all transfers and excursions as stated, all guides and all other services specified on the above itinerary.
 

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Please note price of flights may vary at time of booking.

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Exclusions

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Alcoholic beverages (apart from those specified), immunisation and visas fees, local airport departure taxes, consumables and sundries such as drinks,
laundry, telephone charges and tips.

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Click here to apply for your eVisa

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Please consult with your doctor regarding any recommended inoculations etc. And please be sure that you have appropriate travel insurance.

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Please note that your visit coincides with Ramadan.

 

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