12 Days
Daily
Cairo Airport / Any Hotel in Cairo
Day 1: Embarkation - Visit Abu Simbel A representative from Travel Joy Egypt will collect you from your hotel in Abu Simbel or Abu Simbel airport and transfer you to the MS Nubian Sea Lake Nasser Cruise for check-in at 1pm. You will enjoy lunch onboard before visiting the iconic Abu Simbel Temple, constructed on the west bank of the Nile between the first and second cataracts by Pharaoh Ramesses II from 1303-1213 BC. Due to the construction of the Aswan High Dam in the 1960s, the temples were relocated in 1968 to a desert plateau 200 feet above and 600 feet west of their original location, which is now flooded. After the fascinating tour, afternoon tea will be served onboard followed by relaxation. Dinner will also be onboard, with overnight stay on the cruise. You have the option to experience the illuminating Sound and Light show at Abu Simbel Temple in the evening. The program uses enchanting music and projections within the temples to vividly portray how they appeared in ancient times. Earpieces provide multi-language commentary, creating an unforgettable experience bringing Pharaonic history to life.
You will begin your day with breakfast onboard the cruise. Then sail to Kasr Ibrim where you can admire views from the sundeck. Kasr Ibrim Citadel was once a formidable settlement high above the Nile but is now an island due to the Aswan High Dam. Lunch will be served onboard before your guide leads visits to Amada Temple and Derr Temple. Amada Temple was originally built by Thutmose III and later added to by his successors Amenhotep II and Thutmose IV. Next is Derr Temple, an excellent example of Ramesses II's signature rock-cut style, located originally on the eastern Nile shore. Finally you will see the rare Tomb of Pennut, a relocated rock-cut tomb belonging to a Kush Viceroy. Returning to the cruise after your tour, you will enjoy a cocktail reception followed by a traditional Nubian show for entertainment. Dinner will be onboard with overnight stay. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. You will admire iconic sites while gaining deeper historical understanding through expert guidance, then relax onboard your luxury floating hotel.
You will start the day with breakfast onboard before an early morning visit to Wadi El Seboua. This relocated site contains two New Kingdom temples as well as Temples of Dakka and Maharraqua. Most tour the Valley of Lions, a sphinx-lined path leading to a rock cut temple built by Amenhotep III dedicated to Horus. Intact structures include a brick pylon and courtyard walls with paintings. Lunch will be served onboard as you sail to Aswan. Dinner and overnight stay are included at Aswan. This journey along the waters of Lake Nasser allows exploration of vibrant histories built into the landscape. Expert guidance and luxury accommodations aboard the cruise ship provide enlightening and rejuvenating experiences on this culturally rich itinerary. All meals and excursions as described are included today and tomorrow as we continue our educational voyage with Travel Joy Egypt.
Breakfast will be served onboard your cruise ship. Then your Egyptologist guide will lead a tour of the Temple of Kalabsha. Located near the High Dam, this structure was relocated 30 miles south after flooding from the dam's construction. It features a blend of Egyptian and Roman artistic styles under its dedication to the Nubian god Mandulis. After exploring its walls portraying pharaohs, emperors and deities, you will check out from your luxurious floating hotel. A Travel Joy Egypt representative will then transfer you to your Aswan hotel, concluding your educational and rejuvenating Lake Nasser cruise adventure. Through expertly guided visits of landmarks along the river's shores from aboard your first-class accommodations, you have gained invaluable cultural and historical insights into this fascinating region. We hope you have enjoyed this immersive journey!
Day 1: Arrival at Aswan - Aswan Visits & Embark on the Cruise Upon arrival in Aswan city, a representative from Travel Joy Egypt will meet you and transfer you to your Lake Nasser Nile cruise ship where check-in and embarkation will take place. Lunch will be served onboard the cruise. Then an Egyptologist guide will take your group to discover great sights in Aswan including the High Dam. This dam was built by President Gamal Abdel Nasser in 1960 to protect Egypt from Nile floods. Afterward a motorboat will sail on the Nile River, stopping at Agilika Island to visit the Temple of Philae. This temple was constructed in the Greco-Roman era and dedicated to Goddess Isis, mother of God Horus. Your tour will also include a visit to see the Unfinished Obelisk, one of Aswan's marvels. This immense structure was carved from red granite in honor of God Amun Ra. Following the tour activities, you will return to your cruise ship to spend the night onboard. Meals included: Lunch Dinner
Breakfast will be served onboard your cruise ship. Later, your Egyptologist guide will lead a tour of the Temple of Kalabsha located near the High Dam. As one of the earliest sites rescued from Lake Nasser, this temple was originally 30 miles south before being relocated due to dam construction. Its architecture has an interesting blend of Egyptian and Roman styles from the late Ptolemaic to early Imperial Roman period. Images include both Egyptian gods and Roman emperors worshipping together. Dedicated to the Nubian god Mandulis, the temple offers insight into the religious and cultural practices of the time. Next on the itinerary is a visit to Beit el-Wali. Brought from the waters of Lake Nasser by an archaeological partnership, this temple has a symmetrical cruciform layout. Hewn partly from rock, it includes a deep entrance hall, columned antechamber and sanctuary worship space. Known as a speos temple, it provides an example of Nubian architecture before the flooding. Afterwards, the cruise ship will sail back to offer refreshments and serve lunch onboard before continuing downriver toward Wadi El Sebou while passing through the latitude of the Tropic of Cancer. Meals Included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
After breakfast onboard your cruise ship, the visit will start at Wadi El Sebou. Also known as the "Valley of the Lions", the site gets its name from the sphinx-lined avenue leading to the Ramesses II-era temple. Though moved to its present location in the 1960s, the complex was quickly abandoned and lay forgotten for years. Next, the group will return to the ship to enjoy lunch. Then the cruise will sail to Amada Temple, one of the oldest monuments surrounding Lake Nasser. Dating to Egypt's 18th Dynasty New Kingdom period around two centuries before Ramesses II and Abu Simbel, the temple architecture contains later carvings by Ramesses along with his son Merenptah. Constructed during an earlier phase of Egyptian history, Amada provides insight into religious practices and design elements from that time. Meals Included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
The morning will start with an early cruise to Kasr Ibrim for scenic views from the sundeck. Kasr Ibrim's citadel once overlooked the Nile River as a formidable fortress city, but now appears island-like due to the Aswan High Dam construction. Next, the ship will continue sailing toward Abu Simbel for a tour of its world-famous temples. Built during the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses II between the 1st and 2nd cataracts, Abu Simbel contains two structures carved into the mountainside. In the 1960s, a decision was made to build a new dam which would flood the original location. Thus, the temples were meticulously dismantled and reconstructed on a plateau over 200 feet higher and 600 feet west of their prior setting. Following lunch onboard, visitors have the option in the afternoon and evening to experience a truly memorable Sound and Light performance at Abu Simbel Temple. Through melodic music and enchanting projected scenes, the program immerses viewers in the world of the ancient pharaohs. Presented in multiple languages via individual audio receivers, it conveys what the temples would have looked like in their heyday. This unforgettable show makes the Abu Simbel visit a lifelong memory for all who witness it. Meals Included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Optional Visit to Sound and Light Show at Abu Simbel
After breakfast onboard the cruise ship, it will be time for check-out. A Travel Joy Egypt representative will then transfer you to Aswan Airport where you can catch your flight back to Cairo, drawing the Lower Nile cruise to an end. Meals Included: Breakfast
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Embark on a captivating journey through the ancient wonders of Lake Nasser aboard the MS Nubian Sea, a luxurious floating oasis. Glide along the serene waters of this majestic lake, surrounded by the timeless landscapes of Nubia. Indulge in the vessel’s exceptional amenities, from the spacious staterooms to the gourmet dining experiences. Witness the grandeur of Abu Simbel, explore the ruins of Kasr Ibrim, and discover the rich cultural heritage that lines the shores of this remarkable destination. With an attentive crew and a commitment to personalized service, the MS Nubian Sea offers a truly immersive and unforgettable Nile cruise experience, allowing you to immerse yourself in the timeless beauty and history of Egypt’s southern region.
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