The Itinerary

THE NILE To cover  maintenance periods, we also occasionally use the luxury 5 star Cruiser  - The KING of EGYPT - this is the sister ship to the King Tut 1 Back to Nile homepage - CLICK HERE Useful info Banks: 8.30am to 2pm daily, closed Fridays, Saturdays and most holidays. Cameras and video cameras: Some museums and historical sites may not allow photography while others may charge a fee, usually around E£5-E£10. While you may usually take pictures as you like from the outside of most monuments, many demand that you do not use a flash when taking pictures inside. The use of video cameras is restricted, and a larger, additional fee is payable. Photography is strictly prohibited at military installations, public works and government buildings. Always ask permission before taking photographs of local Egyptians, and expect to be asked for a tip in return. Tip: Wait until you get to Egypt to buy your film – it’s much cheaper than in the UK, and you can also bargain for a discount if you buy two or more films. Clothing: It gets very hot in summer throughout Egypt, so loose, light cotton clothing is the most comfortable. Take sunglasses, comfortable walking shoes and a good sunhat. You should dress conservatively – women should not have bare shoulders or wear revealing tops or shorts – in town, especially when visiting mosques and churches or you will risk causing offence. Courtesy and customs: Egypt is a Moslem country and Egyptians do not appreciate seeing flesh on show. While Luxor is more used to seeing Western holidaymakers in little clothing, short shorts and swimwear is OK around the pool or sundeck but nowhere else. It is not acceptable for men to go bare-chested except by the pool. You will see Egyptian male friends greeting each other with a hug and kiss on both cheeks, but not friends of the opposite sex. As foreigners, it is best to stick to a hand shake.

For centuries travellers have been fascinated by the mystical allure of the Nile. A relaxing cruise in luxurious surroundings, alongside Egypt’s many archaeological wonders, provides the perfect combination for an unforgettable holiday. Day 1 Met and transferred from Luxor airport to your cruise vessel, dinner and overnight stay in Luxor. Day 2 Enjoy your first Egyptian sunrise, followed by a visit to the West Bank to the Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. Afternoon sailing and overnight night stay at Esna. Day 3 Morning departure to Edfu where you will visit the extraordinary Temple of Horus, the mythical son of Isis and Osiris. Here, according to myth, Horus avenged the murder of his father Osiris by defeating his father’s brother Seth in combat. Sail on to Kom Ombo to visit the Temple of Sobek and Haroeris and then onto Aswan for the night. Day 4 Visit the High Dam – finished in 1971; it has ensured up to three harvests a year. The Unfinished Obelisk – still rooted to the bedrock of pink granite and the Temple of Isis on Philae Island, with an optional excursion to the ancient wonder of Abu Simbel by air, priced at £120.00 pp. Overnight at Aswan. Day 5 Relax and enjoy a trip in a traditional felluca around Elephantine Island which will lead you to the Botanical Gardens on General Kitchener island given as a gift in 1890. Here, visitors enjoy the beautiful flowers imported from Africa, India and the Far East. Sail and overnight at Esna. Day 6 Visit the partly excavated Temple of Khnum at Esna. Dedicated to the ram- headed god Khnum, who was the patron god of the cataracts, who is said to have fashioned mankind from Nile clay on his potter’s wheel. Sail back to Luxor and overnight. Day 7 Tour the East Bank with a visit to Luxor Temple, originally joined to Karnak by an avenue of sphinxes. Visit Karnak which covers a huge area and includes several temples, the largest being the Temple of Amun. Overnight in Luxor with an optional Karnak Sound and Light show priced at £20.00 pp. Day 8 Leisure time in Luxor before your transfer to Luxor airport for your return flight home. Call 01334 656577 (9-5 Mon-Fri) to check availability and price for your dates or to book now Back to Nile homepage - CLICK HERE

Currency: Egyptian pounds (E£), around 9 to £1 sterling. The Egyptian pound is made up of 100 piastres, and notes range from 25 piastres upwards. You are most likely to be dealing with E£1, E£5, E£10, E£20, E£50 and E£100 notes. Some of the notes look very similar on first glance, so when buying souvenirs, be absolutely sure which note you’re handing over – 50 piastres or 50 Egyptian pounds.

Credit cards and travellers cheques are widely accepted, but credit cards cannot be used to settle bills on the cruise boats. An official receipt will be given when exchanging money, which should be kept for inspection. There are a few cash machines in Luxor.

Please note that many shops at Luxor airport do not accept Egyptian currency, though the café does.

Tip: Hold on to small notes - E£1 and E£5 particularly, for tipping and to buy cheaper items, as change seems to be in short supply in Egypt.

Electricity: 220 volts, 50 cycles. An adaptor is necessary (usually two-pronged).

Language: Arabic. English is widely spoken.

Meals: In hotels and on the cruise boats, you will find international and European-style cuisine widely available. Authentic local dishes prepared for tourists are likely to be less spicy. In local restaurants, you might like to try:

Food

Tahini: Sesame seed paste, mixed with garlic, spices and some olive oil, and served as a dip with bread.

Baba ghannough: A dip made from tahini and mashed aubergines...

Falafel: A type of fried pate made from broad beans, chick peas, parsley and spices.

Stuffed vine leaves: Rice and minced meat wrapped in vine leaves.

Karkade: A local drink made from hibiscus petals. It is burgundy in colour and very thirst- quenching. It can be served hot or cold and sweetened to taste. Sweetened with 7-up, it makes a long, cool drink.

Fruit juices: Freshly squeezed juices such as orange, mango are widely available. The local speciality is sugar cane juice.

Drink

Wine: As a Moslem country, the production of alcohol has naturally been of restricted interest. However, spirits and wines are readily available, though expensive. The quality of local wines has improved but may not be up to standards with which you are familiar in the UK.

Safety Deposit Boxes: Most hotels and cruise boats have safety deposit boxes available for clients use, often at no extra charge.

Shops: 10am to 9pm in winter and 9am to 10pm in summer. Many shops are closed on Sunday. In tourist areas, you will find shops open outside these hours. You may be offered tea or a soft drink in larger shops, which is customary. Bargaining is a common practice in all bazaars and can be fun. Your guide will be able to give you information on the best way to haggle and also guidance on what you should pay for common souvenirs such as papyrus, Galabeyas, gold jewellery, perfume, spices etc.

Taxis: Local taxis are readily available and inexpensive, but agree the fare before embarking on your journey, and don’t pay until the end of your journey. The same goes for caliches, or horse and carriage, rides.

Telephones: It is expensive to telephone home from hotels. Phone cards cost E£20 or E£30 for a approx. 3-4 minute call to the UK. Ask your representative for further advice.

Tip: When calling, do not allow the number of rings to exceed 11 as you will be charged anyway, even if the call has not been answered.

Tipping: Tipping, or baksheesh as it is called in Egypt, is a way of life, and porters, waiters, temple guardians etc expect a small tip, around E£1 for a porter, E£2 coach driver, E£15 cleaner if staying in a hotel. Tip around 15 per cent on a restaurant bill.

However, on a Nile cruise, you will be asked to pay a sum of money at the start of your cruise from which your guide will pay all tipping outside the boat for you throughout your holiday. Then it is customary on a Nile Cruise to trip the crew collectively at the end of your holiday so all staff get something – about UK£4 per person per day is the norm, plus a similar amount for your Egyptologist guide handed to him or her personally.

Water: Remember to drink plenty of water while in Egypt, particularly during the summer months, even if you don’t feel thirsty, to prevent dehydration. Drink only bottled water.

Beer: The choice is somewhat limited, but local beer is good and of better value than that designated as export, which is generally in smaller bottles and more expensive. Imported beer, such as Heineken, are available in cans in hotel bars but is expensive.

Coffee and tea: Unless you want Turkish style coffee, ask for a Nescafe. More hotels now have coffee machines so it is possible to order cappuccino, espressos, etc, but such machines are far from universal.

Outside the hotels, tea is usually served in a glass, without milk (but plenty of sugar) and quite often flavoured with mint.

Tip: Egyptian beverages are usually enjoyed without milk and with loads of sugar. Remember to ask for milk if you want it, as it often does not come automatically.

Medicines: Most of the larger hotels can supply common medicines, but, of course, bring your own prescription medicine with you, as although it may be available in Egyptian drug stores, it may be called a different name. Stomach upsets can occur due to the heat and change of diet, so don’t forget your Imodium or other anti-diarrheic.

Passports and visas: You should have a full, current passport valid for at least six months. A visa will be required which can be obtained on entry to the country at a cost of $15.

Call 01334 656577 (9-5 Mon-Fri) to check availability and price for your dates or to book now

Back to Nile homepage - CLICK HERE