THE MYSTERIES OF ANCIENT EGYPT
Cruise the Nile in style
Delve into the awe of Egypt’s past
Karnak, Luxor, Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Nobles … many of you have long dreamed of these far-off sites, promising to one day make the journey. Today, Aggressor Adventures is making the dream an easy reality on their delightful Nile River Cruise.
ANTIQUITY & ENCHANTMENT
The wonders of ancient Egypt, many of which date back 7000 years, continue to capture our imaginations & touch our spirits … and to attract archaeologists who are constantly discovering new treasures for the rest of us to marvel at.
Sailing the Nile River, surrounded by golden dunes, may be the most delightful manner of approaching the monuments such as Kom Ombo, Karnak & Luxor. You’ll wake to the soft light of the morning sun, watch fishermen cast their nets, see farmers tend their fields and be transported without a care in the world to visit the wonders of this time-honored land.
When we think of Egypt, we think of Ramses, Nefertiti and Tutankhamen … of Alexander the Great, of Ptolemy I, his descendant Cleopatra and the great Ptolemaic dynasty. Augustus was here. Napoleon was here. The Byzantine Empire took root in this soil. A trip to this “cradle of civilization” should be on everyone’s bucket list and we can get you to a lazy sail along the Nile River …. ideally, before or after a diving trip in the Red Sea … but, it can be simply a stand-alone voyage.
A TASTE OF WHAT’S IN STORE
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SIMPLE LUXURY, RELAXED STYLE
The Nile River Queen
The Queen is a generous 155-foot, wide-beamed sailing vessel with supporting motors. She takes up to 16 guests in 8 well-appointed staterooms with central air-conditioning. You’ll find a large interior salon, a huge shaded deck on top with a hot tub, lounge chairs, deck chairs and bar. Evening entertainment includes movies (which can be enjoyed in the salon or in the privacy of your cabin) … plus games and more. A small library of books for exchange is maintained onboard. All meals, snacks and beverages are provided.
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Staterooms
Each stateroom includes private bathroom, mirrored dresser, hair dryer, fresh towels, 23-inch flat screen TV …. and picture windows affording views of the passing scenery.
Cuisine
You will wake up to fresh fruits, hot entrees, cereals and juices. Lunches feature hot soups, homemade breads, salads and sandwiches and/or entrees. Dinners are chef prepared and served each evening and include salads, vegetables, seafood, beef or chicken with a fresh homemade dessert. Most meals include an Egyptian flair. If you have special dietary needs, please let us know when booking.
The selection of beverages onboard includes fruit juices, soft drinks, iced water, iced tea, coffee, and a limited selection of local beer and wine, which are complimentary. Due to the high duty charged on liquor, we suggest you bring your favorite brand.
ITINERARY
Below is a tentative itinerary for Aggressor’s Nile River Cruise, which, as always, is subject to change based on weather and situations.
{slider The Nile Queen departs every Saturday for 6 days & 5 nights, traveling from Luxor to Aswan … and offering breathtaking views while sailing on the Nile. Day trips will take you off the river to visit archaeological treasures & ancient villages ….. click to continue for more details|dest|closed}
DAY 1: LUXOR
You’ll arrange a flight to Luxor from Cairo, Hurghada or Port Ghalib. A crew member will meet you at the airport, transferring you to the Nile Queen for a 10:00 am boarding. Check in, unpack, meet the crew and have lunch at 1:00 pm. You’ll begin your journey back in time that day, with a half day tour to visit Karnak and Luxor temples.
Karnak Temple: A complex of many temples, Karnak is dedicated to the Theban Triad of Amun, Mut and Khonsu. The temple of Amun-Re, head of the Theban Triad, is one of the three main temples and includes the Hypostyle Hall, home to colossal statues and columns.
Luxor Temple: The inner part of the temple was built by the King Amenhotep III and the outer part by Ramses II. Additional chambers built by Thutmose III. This complex of huge halls and chambers is considered the largest and most important religious center of ancient Egypt and contains a large peristyle court and a complex of halls and chambers, one of which is a granite shrine of Alexander the Great. The great peristyle forecourt is surrounded on three sides by a double row of graceful papyrus-cluster columns.
You’ll return to the Nile Queen for dinner around 8:00 pm and spend your first night on the Nile River.
DAY 2 : LUXOR
After a 7:00 am breakfast, you’ll be off on your next day of adventure.
Valley of the Kings: Tombs of the pharaohs, including Tutankhamen & Egyptians of the New Kingdom, make this haunting area sacred.
Hatshepsut Temple: The mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut is located near the Valley of Kings. The sculpture situated in the temple depicts the story of the birth of the Queen.
Valley of the Nobles: This site includes the rock tombs of Egyptian nobles & high officials who served the pharaohs. The colorful tombs appear to be freshly painted despite being thousands of years old.
Colossi of Memnon: Twin stone statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III stand in the Theban region across the Nile River.
Lunch is scheduled at a local restaurant around 1:30 pm.
After lunch, there’s a visit the Temple of Khrum then you’ll return to the Nile Queen for dinner around 5:30 pm and continue sailing along the Nile River.
DAY 3: EL KAB AND EDFU
El Kab: After 8:00am breakfast, you’ll disembark for a beautiful walk through a small fishing village, then visit what was once the capital of Upper Egypt and is still home to the Temple of Nekhbet, as well as a row of fascinating decorated tombs carved into the slope of the mountain.
Edfu: Lunch on the boat and a little sail will take you to Edfu, home of the Greco-Roman temple dedicated to the god Horus. Horse and carriages will transport you through the bustling city streets to one of the best preserved of all Egyptian temples.
DAY 4: GEBERL SILSILEH AND EL BASHIER ISLAND
Gebel Silsileh: Tuesday morning after a 9:00 am breakfast, you’ll experience the Nile flowing at its narrowest between two mountain ranges. Larger Nile vessels are not allowed here, so you may be the only vessel on the river at this point ! After visiting the small temple of Horemheb and walking through the sandstone quarries, where ancient Egyptians cut stone for many of their most famous temples,you’ll stop at a café to enjoy tea and shisha.
El Bashier Island: In the afternoon, it’s a refreshing stop at the island of El Bashier where you’ll have the opportunity to swim and explore the island. A traditional Bedouin evening barbecue on the island will top off your day.
DAY 5: KOM OMBO
Kom Ombo: This temple was built during the Ptolemaic period on the site of an older temple and at one of the most beautiful bends in the river. The temple was dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile-headed god. Youo can also visit the new crocodile museum which includes many mummified crocodiles, attesting to the historic importance of the animals in this region in Egypt.
DAY 6: CHECKOUT AND ASWAN
Aswan: Guest awake to the beautiful sight of the desert closing in on the river at Aswan Bridge. Check out is at 8:00am. You will visit the Aswan Philae Temple, High Dam and Unfinished Obelisk and lunch at a local restaurant. The tour ends at 2:00pm and is included in the trip package price.
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GETTING THERE & AWAY, RATES, WHAT’S INCLUDED, WHAT’S EXTRA
General information for your trip aboard the Nile Queen:
{slider You can arrange international flights to Cairo, Hurgada or Port Ghalib … then a domestic flight to Luxor where you’ll be met and taken to the Nile Queen. Your return flight should be booked from Aswan … continue reading|dest|closed}
Getting There & Away
The Luxor airport is approximately 25 minutes from where the Aggressor Nile Queen docks. Guests will be met on the day of departure in the morning and transferred to the vessel. Luxor Airport transfers are included if arriving on the day the river cruise begins and to the Aswan Airport on the day the river cruise ends. Those making their own way may board the Nile Queen at 10am on the day the river cruise begins.
Optional excusrion to Abu Simbel:
On the final day of the cruise, you may choose to depart teh Nile Queen at 7:00am to meet your guide and visit the High Dam, then be transferred to the airport to take a short flight to Abu Simbel around 10:00am. You can visit Abu Simbel Temple and fly back to Aswan to meet your guide at around 1:45pm, after which you can visit the Philae Temple & the Unfinished Obelisk and then proceed back to the Aswan airport around 6:55pm. This optional excursion is extra.
Transfers For Combining Red Sea Aggressor1 & II With Nile Queen:
For guests traveling on the Red Sea Aggressor I & II combined with the Nile Queen, transfers can be arranged for you and are scheduled at the below times. There is an additional charge for this and reservations must be made at least 7 days in advance.
From Nile Queen to Red Sea Aggressor I & II
* 11 am – Depart Aswan to Hurghada to board the Red Sea Aggressor II
* 10 am – Depart Aswan to Port Ghalib to board the Red Sea Aggressor I
From Red Sea Aggressor I & II to Nile Queen
* 7 am – Depart Hurghada to Luxor to board the Nile Queen
* 6 am – Depart Port Ghalib to Luxor to board the Nile Queen
Local Fees/Taxes
Upon arrival to Egypt, all guests must pay an entry visa of $25. They do not offer a multi-entry visa. (subject to change without notice).
Rates:
Per person rates, inclusive of meals & most transportation, are the same for all three types of safari tent
2022 : $1729 – $1849
2023 : $1729 – $1849
2024 : $1729 – $1849
CHECK OUR GREAT DEALS FOR CURRENT PROMOTIONAL OFFERS
Included in the rate:
- accommodation in an air-conditioned deluxe or master cabin with picture window
- all meals, snacks & beverages
- beverages (wines, beers and non-alcoholic drinks)
- transfers to & from the boat on arrival & departure days
- all transportation to & from cultural sites
Transfers and entrance fees to the historical sites are included in the price of your trip. There is a USD $80 port fee and $50 fuel surcharge that will be collected from you at the end of the week which may be paid by Visa, Mastercard, or cash.
Extras :
- airfare
- insurance
- port & fuel charge fees
Insurance :
We strongly recommend that each guest purchase comprehensive accident, medical, baggage and trip cancellation & interruption insurance. Trip insurance will protect you from financial disappointment if you are prevented from making your scheduled trip due to illness or in the event that unforeseen circumstances occur. {/sliders}
Ask us about options to extend your trip … Cairo, the Pyramids, more … ???