Category: Nile Cruises Egypt

On Tuesday I wrote about dahabiyyas and what a wonderful way it would be to cruise The Nile on such a vessel.

Well on Sunday there was a short article in the Observer Magazine’s series called “Incredible Journeys” where a series of journalists and celebrities describe their own incredibale journey.

One of which was a piece by Lyn Hughes where she describes her own Nile Cruise by dahabiyya and how marvellous she found the experience.

Here’s the piece in case you missed it. With credit to Lyn Hughes.

This article appeared in the Observer on Sunday March 09 2008 on p65 of the Comment & features section.

The small chapel was dark as the door shut behind us. ‘I have a surprise for you,’ said Amro, our guide. ‘Come through here.’ The hairs rose on the back of my neck as a shaft of sunlight appeared, illuminating the lion-shaped head of a black granite statue. It could only be Sekhmet, a goddess known for meting out punishment to enemies of the pharaohs.

In the silence of the Temple of Ptah, it was hard to believe we were only a hundred yards away from the thousands of tourists swarming like ants around Karnak Temple. But you would only find this little temple, missing from most guidebooks, with luck or guidance. Here, we felt the same sense of discovery that Victorian travellers to the Nile would have done.

Back on board our boat, it wasn’t long before a breeze developed and the captain gave the orders for the sails to be raised. I was on a stunningly beautiful recreation of a dahabiyya, the Arabian sailing boats that 19th-century aristocrats used to charter. Brand new replicas are being built, faithful to the original style, but with air-conditioning and en suite bathrooms.

Away from the melee of Luxor, we could have been sailing through any century. Fishermen were out in small wooden boats, casting large circular nets. In the reeds we caught glimpses of bitterns, gallinules and occasional kingfisher. Young boys raced along on donkeys, with a sense of urgency, stick in air.

At Edfu we moored as the sun went down, and headed for the Temple of Horus. The second largest temple in Egypt is wonderfully preserved, having spent centuries buried under sand. The floodlights were on, illuminating the famous reliefs of Ptolemy XII. Inside the halls, our imaginations ran riot as we could almost feel the presence of the temple priests.

I have a “Google Alert” set up that lets me know whenever the phrase “Nile Cruise” appears on the web, either in the news or on people’s websites and its’ amazing how many times I get alerts about how “Take A Nile Cruise” appears on people’s “Things To Do Before I Die” lists. You’d be surprised how many people actually compile such lists and then upload them to their websites or blogs. I wonder if they actually tick off the various things from their list as they achieve them?

Anyway I spotted this list today on a blog that belongs to Magpie at www:LuckyMagpie.com and there at number 29 is “Take A Nile Cruise”.

100 Things to do before I die ~ Part two
March 11, 2008

Here are 26 to 50 on my list. If you have anything you want to do before you die, or a similar list, let me know in the comments.

26. Visit Morocco
27. Swim with dolphins
28. Find out the real name of my biological father
29. Take a Nile cruise
30. Take my kids to a petting zoo
31. Open a B&B

Here’s a unique way that you can cruise the Nile. Do it on a Dahabiyya.

In the late 19th century, aristocrats and sophisticated travellers loved to cruise the Nile in the style and comfort of their private ‘dahabiyyas’, beautifully crafted wooden ships with from four to ten cabins and a host of servants. They rented the boats for many weeks at a time and made their way from temple to temple enjoying the river breeze. Dahabiyyas were popular amongst those who wished to enjoy Egypt at a leisurely pace, to drink in the landscapes, and peruse the monuments and villages on the riverbanks.

Travelling by dahabiyya is a unique, peaceful and relaxing experience. There are up to 10 crew for 12 passengers.

As an example the dahabiyya “Nesma” is an traditional ‘dahabiyya’ and is outfitted in colonial style with oriental and Egyptian touches. The interior boasts period furnishing and each cabin has its own individual decoration. It has six compact cabins measuring 5.75m x 2.50m; each with its private bathroom of 1.25m x 2.50m with a toilet, wash basin, shower and hairdryer. Four cabins have two single beds and two a double bed (triple cabins are not available) and the maximum capacity is twelve passengers. The cabins are located towards the front of each boat on the starboard and port sides, separated by a central corridor. The communal lounge covers the width of the boat and is a lovely setting for serving meals. The kitchen is at the stern, while the staff cabin and sitting areas are located aft. The engine room lies beneath the kitchen and electricity is provided by generators. Both the public area and cabins are fully air-conditioned.

We can now offer you a choice of Dahabiyyas and a choice of itinerary. For example a 12 day “Nostalgic Nile” Cruise with 3 nights’ bed and breakfast in Cairo and a 7 day all inclusive cruise costs from £1,599 with flights.

If you want to experience a truly memorable Nile Cruise or if you have already cruised the Nile and want to return and experience a totally different atmosphere then a dahabiyya might be exactly what the “doctor ordered”. Continue reading “Dahabiyya Nile Cruise”

Yesterday I wrote about fabulous trip that included a stay in Cairo visiting the Pyramids, The Sphinx and the Egyptian Museum, a visit to Abu Simbel followed by a wonderful cruise on Lake Nasser.

I really think you would be hard pressed to find an 8 day itinerary that would allow you to see so much of Ancient Egypt.

Well, here is the full itinerary. The prices start are as follows but DO NOT include flights however we can arrange flights for you and the price will depend when you are travelling. Please call either Barbara or myself on Freephone 0808 1089 100 for flight prices.

Prices – (Flights extra)

01/01/08 – 20/03/08 DOUBLE:£875 SINGLE:£1351
21/03/08 – 27/03/08 DOUBLE:£1000 SINGLE:£1470
28/03/08 – 02/04/08 DOUBLE:£1001 SINGLE:£1471
03/04/08 – 19/04/08 DOUBLE:£905 SINGLE:£1375
20/04/08 – 15/07/08 DOUBLE:£661 SINGLE:£1085
16/07/08 – 20/08/08 DOUBLE:£661 SINGLE:£836
21/08/08 – 30/09/08 DOUBLE:£661 SINGLE:£1085

Itinerary:

DAY 1. SATURDAY or THURSDAY
On arrival at Cairo Airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel in Cairo for overnight. BB.

DAY 2. SUNDAY or FRIDAY
Following breakfast, enjoy a full day of sightseeing which will take you to visit the Great Pyramids at Giza, the Sphinx and the incredible Egyptian Museum. Lunch will be served in a local restaurant. Overnight in Cairo. BB + L.

DAY 3. MONDAY or SATURDAY (Lake Nasser Cruise starts)
After breakfast, you will fly to Abu Simbel to join your cruise steamer along Lake Nasser and through Lower Nubia. Following the building of the Aswan High Dam in the 1960’s, it is now possible to view sights not previously accessible to tourists. You will have lunch on board and will visit the Abu Simbel temples, symbol of the international campaign for the salvage of the Nubian monuments, the temple of Ramses II and his beloved wife Nefertiri. A welcome cocktail will be served in front of the two temples, followed by candlelight dinner on board, overlooking the temples, weather permitting. BB + L + D. Continue reading “8 Day Lake Nasser and Cairo Trip”

We can now offer you a number of De-Luxe Nile Cruises apart from those offered on the Oberoi Philae and Oberoi Zahra.

We can now arrange an 8 Day Lake Nasser Cruise that takes in the Great Pyramids, Abu Simbel, the Nubian Ruins at Kasr Ibrim, the ancient temples at Amada and Wadi El Seboua, Aswan and the Kalabasha Temple. Prices, including flights, start at £1,085.

We can also offer you a 13 day “Egyptian Voyager” Tour from £1,429.

Watch out for full details of these tours later this week or call either Barbara or myself on Freephone 0808 1089 100 for more details.