Enrich Your Life in Egypt
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There is something in the Egyptian life, culture, history and landscape that impresses upon the soul a feeling of wonder. My journey through Egypt brought this hot desert world close to my heart…
Onboard the magnificent five-star Oberoi Philae, on a luxury cruise along the Nile, precious memories were born. I was immersed in the marvels of the ancient world – the very fabric of Egyptian culture.
The four-night Luxury Nile Cruise package with a two night stopover in Cairo was arranged by Cyplon Holidays, the award-winning independent UK tour operator, in collaboration with Egyptair, Egyptian State Tourist Office and The Oberoi Philae Luxury Nile Cruiser. Details of a similar package can be found at the end of this feature.
What to see and do in Egypt
There is a lot to savour! The mystical River Nile beckons with ancient civilisations along its banks. Enigmatic archaeological finds and excavations with hieroglyphs on the walls and the sarcophagi of the pharaohs mesmerise you into a long gone past.
The captivating intrigue of Tut’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings on the west bank keep you spellbound, while the charm and allure of Karnak and Luxor temples on the east bank keep you enthralled – as do the temples at Edfu, KomOmbo and Philae along the banks of the Nile to Aswan.
At Cairo, experience the solemn grandeur of the Sphinx and the imposing Pyramids of Giza. Venture into the depths of the mysterious inner chambers of the pyramids. Enter through a dark narrow shaft in an exciting crouched climb down the first and third pyramids of Giza.
At the Cairo Museum the brilliant gold mask of Tutankhamun, composed of 11 kg of solid gold, is an awe inspiring marvel of craftsmanship and beauty. It will dazzle your mind and soul.
Egypt brings you the magical fusion of life with the elements in a picturesque drama – the sun beating down on the wild desert landscape; braying mules on the hot sandy terrain; camels clambering over hot dunes; colourful pyramid shaped heaps of yellow, red, orange spices lining the narrow lanes of small markets, their pungent aromas stir the senses.
Horses cantering on dusty tracks pulling a carriage – caliche – the local transport. The beaming welcoming Egyptian smiles that greet you at every street corner and through the cool shadows of their flat roofed homes.
Throughout my journey, I welcomed the friendly hospitality that followed us everywhere. It dispersed my unfound perceptions of unrest that I thought I may encounter. The cheerfulness was uplifting. Yet, security at local and state levels prevailed as added precautions at the airports, hotels and other public sites including at street level.
Sadly, after six days of exploration and wonder my trip came to a close. I had a comfortable enjoyable flight back on Egyptair. This phenomenal country has so much to offer the traveller, the adventurer, the archaeologist, the discoverer and the honeymooner. It is a best-seller destination and an experience that enriches your life. Don’t miss it!
My Cruise Package Itinerary
Day 1: Fly to Luxor with Egyptair, check in to The Oberoi Philae Luxury Nile Cruiser.
Day 2: Dock at Luxor. Visit Karnak and Luxor Temples.
Day 3: Dock at Luxor. Explore Valley of the Kings, Medinet Habu, Dier El Madina and Colossi Memnon. Afternoon: sail to Esna and Edfu.
Day 4: Dock at Edfu. Visit Temple of Horus. Afternoon: sail to Kom Ombo to visit the temple. Evening: sail to Aswan.
Day 5: Dock at Aswan. Visit Philae Temple and High Dam. Fly Egyptair Aswan-Cairo, check in at Marriott Cairo.
Day 6: Morning visit to the Pyramids, Sphinx, Cairo Museum. Lunch at Movenpick, Dinner at Conrad.
Day 7: Check out and fly Egyptair Cairo-London
Getting There:
Egyptair flies once a week on Monday between London Heathrow and Luxor
Departure 1700 Arrive 2320*
*Timings can vary according to season
A member of the prestigious Star Alliance group, Egyptair offers a quality product in both business and economy class. Egyptair flies to 69 cities worldwide including domestic airports. www.egyptair.com
Luxor International Airport: Visa
Tourist visa: Issued on arrival at airport GBP20. UK sterling is accepted.
Currency: Egyptian pounds. Cash machines available at the airport before customs and immigration. Current approx. exchange rate GBP1 = EGP12.
Transport: Coach and taxi facilities available outside airport
Onboard the Oberoi Philae
Oberoi Philae’s 22 luxury cabins and suites are the epitome of elegance and comfort. The exclusive bright spacious cabins feature French windows opening onto the Nile, daily fresh fruits, king-size bed, bathroom, Wi-Fi access, tea and coffee making facilities and a personal bar.
The crew are exemplary. Their outstanding impeccable service certainly raises the already high expected standards found on Luxury cruises.
The Oberoi Philae’s grand reception and lobby, its fine dining area, Bar Lounge, Cigar Lounge, meeting room and theatre provide a choice of entertainment options. It also offers a swimming pool, beauty saloon, gym and spa treatments.
In the evenings, cocktails or drinks at the Bar Lounge are followed by a buffet or sit down three-course a la carte dinner of international cuisine. Besides fine dining, an extravagant lunch is also served on the upper deck, as the chef prepares your culinary choices while you watch.
Must Sees: Temples, Tombs, the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx
1. Karnak & Luxor Temple: Karnak Temple is a vast temple complex of 25 temples in Luxor dating as far as 2,000 BC. Luxor Temple is dedicated to Amun. At the entrance to the temple lies a causeway lined by sphinxes which once led to Karnak.
2. West Bank: Accessed via a boat ride to the west bank. Visit to Carter’s House, the Valley of the Kings, King Tut’s tomb, Medinet Habu, Dier El Madina and Colossi of Memon.
3. The Temple of Horus at Edfu: The renowned statues of Horus as a falcon flank the entrance gate. Dedicated to Horus, it is one of the best preserved temples in Egypt.
4. Kom Ombo Temple: Dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon. A few of the 300 crocodile mummies discovered in the vicinity are displayed in the Crocodile Museum.
5. Philae Temple: The main temple complex relocated to the island of Agilika, after the high dam was built. It was the centre of the cult of the goddess Isis.
6. The Three Pyramids of Giza: The Great Pyramid of Giza or Khufu is the oldest and largest. It is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The second pyramid is the Pyramid of Khafree with its distinct summit, the third and smallest is the Pyramid of Menkaure. You can climb down into the inner chamber of the first and third pyramids for a fee.
7. The Great Sphinx: A limestone statue of a couchant sphinx on the Giza Plateau. The Sphinx is a national symbol of Egypt, both ancient and modern.
8. Gold Mask of Tutankhamun: A must see at the Cairo Museum.
Egyptian State Tourist Office: www.egypt.travel
Where to stay in Cairo
The Cairo Marriott Hotel
This five-star hotel blends the styles of a 19th Century Royal Palace with 21st Century architecture. Located 45 minutes from the airport, it offers more than 1,000 rooms and 15 restaurants.
Movenpick Cairo Pyramids
On the outskirts of Cairo and 20km from the Pyramids of Giza, this five-star hotel offers 364 contemporary rooms and a restaurant serving a range of gourmet international cuisine.
Conrad Cairo
Situated in the heart of Cairo, Conrad features 614 rooms and suites, and eight bars and restaurants. It is a perfect base to explore historic Cairo.
A four-night cruise with a two-night stop over at Cairo for GBP2,489 per person. Call 0800 074 8888 Cyplon Holidays (www.cyplon.co.uk). The above price includes return flights from Heathrow with Egyptair and private transfers.
Cruise Package Itinerary
Quote Cyplonnile for details
25th April 2016: One night at Maritim Jolie Ville Hotel Luxor: standard room bed & breakfast.
26th April 2016: Four nights sailing Luxor to Aswan on the Oberoi Philae: Deluxe cabin, full board, all excursions
30th April 2016: Conrad Hotel Cairo: Standard room bed & breakfast.
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