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Explore the world’s oldest civilisation, walk amongst the ancient tombs of the Pharaohs and the magnificent pyramids, and visit fascinating temples and museums crammed with priceless treasures and artefacts. Discover Cairo, a city that fuses Western influence with Islamic and Christian culture, and visit the sights of Luxor interspersed with full days of relaxing sailing aboard a luxury air-conditioned river cruiser. Expert shore excursions channel your inner explorer with 21st-century comfort and amenities as the perfect travel companion.
Cruise Line: Riviera Travel 
Ship: MS Mövenpick Darakum 
Duration: 10 Nights 
Departure: Mar - May & Sep - Nov This 10-night cruise explores the world’s most famous waterway. Discover the River Nile’s remarkable history and culture with incredible sights and iconic landmarks at every bend in the river. Relax in five-star comfort and luxury as expert tours bring Egyptian civilisation to life, creating a treasure trove of memories.
Arrive in Cairo and step on board the MS Mövenpick Darakum.
Leave Cairo for Giza and see the Great Pyramids, three of the world’s most iconic structures, with the opportunity to go inside two of the pyramids and also the third, the Great Pyramid of Cheops, which does have a limit on visitor numbers. Guests can also see the Sphinx, the world’s largest free-standing structure near the pyramids. Visit the Grand Egyptian Museum, a complete contrast to the ancient architecture surrounding it. This modern, purpose-built structure was designed to house all the artefacts that previously resided in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo in an accessible location near the pyramids. The museum also contains treasures from private collections.
Head south to the smaller pyramids at Saqqara, home to Egypt’s oldest pyramid, the Step Pyramid of Djoser, and an excellent opportunity to study the construction of these incredible monuments. Saqqara is also the largest archaeological site in Egypt. In the afternoon, guests explore Old Cairo’s Christian history with a visit to the famous ‘Hanging Church’ built over a gateway to the Romanera Babylon fortress and the Coptic Museum, housing the world’s most extensive collection of Christian artefacts.
Depart Cairo on your luxury cruiser and enjoy perfect views of this ancient city before sailing past canals, small farms, and plantations. Guests can enjoy some on-board lectures from expert commentators providing fascinating insight into ancient and modern Egypt. Later that day, the ship arrives at the small town of Beni Suef.
Watch the world go by as your vessel departs Beni Suef and glides along the ancient landscape of the Nile Valley. In the afternoon, arrive in Minya, where the cruiser moors for two nights.
The day’s first visit is to Tuna El Gebel, the necropolis of Hermopolis, sacred to the Greek god Hermes and the Egyptian equivalent, Thoth. Explore the tomb of Petosiris and the ancient catacombs, once home to thousands of mummified ibis, ibis eggs, and baboons in a dedicated baboon sarcophagus. These animals were sacred to the god Thoth. Later that day, there is a tour of the tombs at Beni Hassan, which afford magnificent views up and down the Nile River.
Today, visit Amarna, the capital of the Pharaoh Akhenaten and his queen, Nefertiti. The tour includes a visit to Akhenaten’s tomb. Lunch is on board the ship with an afternoon sail that takes in Egypt’s Coptic monasteries before arriving in Assyut, where the vessel moors overnight.
Continue southwards on the Nile with a chance to relax and take in the beautiful views and riverside communities as you head towards Abydos.
Abydos is one of Egypt’s most magical and mysterious sites, a pilgrimage destination for thousands of years, and one of Egypt’s most important archaeological locations. Visit the Great Temple of Seti dedicated to the cult of Osiris, God of the Dead, with its famous Gallery of the Kings and some fascinating hieroglyphs. The ship then sails to Qena, where it moors overnight.
Visit the Temple of Hathor, one of the best-preserved temple complexes in Upper Egypt. Completed in the Roman period, the temple is constructed in the style of the Pharaohs and deities of ancient Egypt with a fabulous astronomical ceiling and rooftop sanctuaries which were used for solar rituals. Enjoy stunning views across lush countryside towards the hills of the Western Desert. Later in the day, sail the short distance to Luxor.
Disembark in Luxor, a chance to explore two of Egypt’s most famous monuments, the Temples at Luxor and Karnak, plus the royal tombs of the Valley of the Kings on the west bank of the Nile.
One of the smaller Nile cruise ships offering just 52 suites, the MS Mövenpick Darakum is constructed with a low design, making all reaches of the Nile River navigable. Guests enjoy stylish interiors with a distinctive Moroccan theme finished to the highest specification with five decks of floating luxury, on-board entertainment, and activities like wine tastings and cookery classes, and always with a river view.
Surround yourself with ancient history on a Nile River Cruise
MS Mövenpick Darakum 
Find answers to some of the most common questions about river cruising here.
Most tours start early in the morning to avoid the heat in the central part of the day. Wearing appropriate clothing is helpful for comfort levels, so long, loose garments made of cotton, and don’t forget to take a hat or sunshade. Cabins and suites are air-conditioned on board the ship, and there are shaded areas on the Sun Deck where you can relax away from the full power of the sun when you return from a tour.
Most shore excursions are walking tours, and guests should be aware that many historical sites we visit have uneven footing and pathways due to their age. Some of the tombs have steep descents with long flights of narrow steps. Your friendly booking expert can discuss this with you when you make your reservation.
Passengers need a valid passport, which is in date, and a visa for this cruise. A visa can be obtained from the government website, where there is also the latest advice on travel to Egypt. When you make a reservation, full details of how to apply for a visa will be sent with your booking confirmation. Always make sure you apply early enough, as there can be delays in processing visas during busy holiday periods.
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Departing on the 14th of August sailing in a Lower Deck Cabin.
Price : £949 per person
Departing on the 14th of August to 14th of August
Price : £4,173 (per person)
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