Official Rating - 5* - Half Board / Full Board - Wednesday only departures - 1 week cruise

The cruise ship Etoile du Nil II was built in 1990 in Saint Barbara Belgium, one of the biggest shipyards in Europe. Equipped with the most modern river navigation machinery. Very well furnished and offer privacy, elegance and lavishness. There is an annual regular renovation process. The ship has outside cabins, all well appointed and offering fabulous Nile views. The cruise ship is managed by Angelotel for hotels chain of hotel management company, holding licence No I in Egypt.

Day 7 (Tuesday)

Long sailing to Luxor, overnight in Luxor . Enjoy a farewell dinner on board, and your final night on board overnight in Luxor.

Day 8 (Wednesday)

The final day and disembarkation is after breakfast. Transfer to Luxor airport and board for flight back.

Transfer Information

Guests staying additional days after the cruise, who do not have a transfer booked to the hotel, should note that this can be arranged with the Medhotels Rep in Luxor. Due to the many boats docked at Luxor port, we advise that transfers are pre-booked for the arrival/departure to Luxor airport, so that guests can be assured to be taken directly to their boat without any difficulty.

Information on tipping
During the cruise you will be asked to tip the staff and your appointed guide will inform you about this. This is customary in Egypt, and we advise that you tip an overall amount at the end of your stay, and hand this into the cruise management; this is then shared with all of the staff.

Entry Requirements
On entry into Egypt, you must obtain a visitors visa at the port of entry, the fee is £10 (subject to change). We recommend that you see your Medhotels rep on arrival, and they will assist you with obtaining the visa.

Important note on transfers during June and December
Possible closure of the Lock at Esna during the month of June and from 01/12/08 to 16/12/08, all cruises will depart from Esna, which is approximately 60 km from Luxor. Transfers for this period need to be booked from Luxor to Esna. Guests who are continuing their stay in Hurghada or El Gouna after the cruise, it is recommended that you book a return transfer - Luxor to Esna and a tranfser to Hurghada can be arranged localy with the Medhotels Rep.

Reps Opinion
Cruising down the Nile is a must for those wanting to discover and learn all about the history of the ancient world in Egypt. The itinerary offered is the traditional programme of all cruises on the Nile, which is to see the main historical sites of Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple, Aswan High dam, unfinished obelisk, Philae Temple, Luxor and Karnak Temple. The optional tours that are available with charge, are highly recommended for guests who are very keen to see more of the ancient delights and Abu Simbel is an overwhelming highlight! Well worth the trip.

Accommodation/Food & Drinks

All cabins have been totally renovated and offer private bathroom with bathing-tub, two basins, air conditioning, international dial telephone, TV with video channels, four music channels and a mini-bar. Baby cots are available free of charge upon request. Public areas are also air-conditioned.

The spacious restaurant, seats up to 115 people and serves national and international cuisine including an extensive vegetarian selection in a non-smoking environment. In the lounge bar, seats up to 115 people and serves a selection of international drinks and there is a further bar on the pool deck.

Day 5 (Sunday)

An early morning sunrise tour will take you to the glorious and mysterious Abu Simbel Temple of Ramses II, this is an optional tour, and perhaps the most impressive and unforgettable, lunch will be served back on board, and in the afternoon you will enjoy a felucca ride around the botanical garden. You will return to the boat for dinner and overnight in Aswan

Day 3 (Friday)

After Breakfast, visit the Karnak Temple. This is built on a scale for giant gods, and sprawls across much of northern Luxor. The massive pylons and pillars of the Temple of Amun loom above the ruins of smaller chapel scattered throughout the enclosure. Then, continue to the Temple of Luxor dedicated to the triad of Amun-Min, Mut and Khonsu, which was planned by the 18th Dynasty Pharaoh Amenhotep III. The temples artwork executed in the middle of the 18th century is some of the best in Egypt because the temples walls were deeply buried; the carvings are also well preserved.

Depart for a journey to Esna. Enjoy the spectacular views while sailing. Lunch and dinner will be served on board and we remain overnight in Edfu

Day 6 (Monday)

Following breakfast on board, you will depart for your next tour to the Island of Philae, where you will visit the temple complex of Isis .After this visit you can take an optional trip to visit the unfinished Obelisk at the granite quarry and Aswan High dam. in Aswan. Afternoon sailing back to Luxor. We remain overnight in Kom-Ombo.

Sports, Leisure & Facilities

The main lounge has a music system and dance floor for evening entertainment, which includes Egyptian folklore, Nubian style dancing and belly dancing. Up on the sun deck, there is a swimming pool, relaxing tables, as well as chairs and sunbeds surrounded by elegant umbrellas. You will also find the non-smoking Panorama Library.

Facilities on board include a 24 hour reception, 24 hour room service, conference room, panorama library, clinic, hairdresser, gift shop, discotheque, laundry service (with a local charge), free of charge safes and two lifts. Finally you can take advantage of the well-equipped private conference room.

CRUISE ITINERARY

PLEASE NOTE: There are various tours available, some of which are included in the cruise package as a maxi package option or a mini package option. Optional tours are also available throughout the cruise, and these are paid locally. All of the tours are escorted with a professional Egyptologist fully licensed English speaking guide.
An alternative option is to book the cruise without the tours included in the package, and book a cabin only. If this option is chosen, any tours of interest during the cruise, can be booked localy with the Egyptologist guide.

Tours that are included as a maxi package are: - East Bank: Karnak and Luxor Temples. West Bank: Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple and Madinet Habu. During sailing: Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple. Aswan: Philae Temple, and Felucca sailing around the Botanical Garden.

Tours that are included as a mini package are: - East Bank: Luxor Temple. West Bank: Hatshepsut Temple and Madinet Habu. Aswan: Philae temple and felucca sailing around the Botanical garden.

NB: The itinierary below is based on the maxi package, any tours not included for the mini package can be booked localy if guests decide to do so whilst on board, and this can be arranged with the Egyptologist guide.

Day 1 (Wednesday)
Upon arrival at Luxor airport, take a transfer to the cruise embarkation point (We recommend that you book this in advance).

Day 2 (Thursday)

After Breakfast we take you to the West Bank which includes a drive through fields of sugar cane, that line the West Bank, we will pass the twin colossi of Memnon, the enormous seated statues who guard the entrance to the Valley. Next, visit the valleys of the Kings, and enter the temples of some of the great pharaohs and after we go to the temple of Hatshepsut, finally we do a visit to Madinet Habu. Lunch will be served on board. Enjoy a farewell dinner on board, and your final night on board overnight in Luxor.

Day 4 (Saturday)

After breakfast on board, you will set off for your first visit to Edfu - The preserved Temple of Falcon-God Horus, Lord of the sky. Back on board - lunch will be served during the cruise along the palm-fringed Nile on your way to Kom Ombo. Visits include Kom Ombo and the hill top temple of Sobek. Marvel at the amazing carved reliefs and mummified crocodiles. overnight in Aswan.