Bespoke Journeys - 10 Day Jewel of the Nile

Bespoke Journeys - 10 Day Jewel of the Nile

Bespoke Journeys have been designed for those clients who are looking for exceptional travel experiences with boutique modes of transport and who prefer to travel privately rather than with a Bill Peach Journeys group. Bespoke Journeys offers the flexibility of travel dates but still provides the same high degree of service and style synonymous with Bill Peach Journeys.

Oberoi’s Luxury Nile Cruiser, the Zahra, offers the highest standards of hospitality and is amongst the most spacious accommodation on the Nile. It sails on a seven-day itinerary from Luxor to Aswan (and vice versa), allowing guests the opportunity to leisurely discover five thousand years of Egyptian culture.

Highlights

  • Spend 2 nights at the luxurious Kempinksi Hotel Cairo
  • Full day touring in Cairo with an English speaking guide including a visit to the Pyramids and the Sphinx of Giza
  • Seven nights onboard the luxurious Oberoi Zahra Nile River Cruiser, fully inclusive of all meals and shore excursions
  • Enjoy the Sound & Light Show at Philae Temple, a magical experience as floodlit buildings are silhouetted against the volcanic rocks and water surrounding them
  • Visit Abu Simbel, Kom Ombo, Aswan, Edfu & Luxor
Day
1

ARRIVE CAIRO

Private airport transfers await to transport you to the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel.

Overnight: Kempinski Hotel, Cairo
Day
2

EXPLORE ANCIENT EGYPT

Cairo is known to her residents as Um-ad- Dunya (mother of the world) and offers a unique contrast between its ancient history and a pulsating metropolis. A private English speaking guide and car has been arranged for today’s exploration of Cairo including a visit to Giza to view the ancient Pyramids and the Sphinx of Giza. The extraordinary history will come to life as your private guide takes you through these remarkable sites. On return to the city visit the Egyptian Museum, home to the greatest collection of Egyptian antiquities.

Overnight: Kempinski Hotel, Cairo (B)
Day
3

CRUISING THE NILE

Your private concierge will transfer you to the airport for your connecting flight to Aswan. On arrival at Aswan you will be met by our private concierge and transferred to the luxurious Oberoi Zahra Nile cruiser. The Oberoi Zahra offers spacious cabins, personalised service and exquisite cuisine. The perfect vessel to explore the ancient monuments and temples and five thousand years of Egyptian culture. After lunch onboard visit the Philae Temple which was dismantled and reassembled on Agilika Island about 550 meters from its original home on Philae Island . The temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis, is in a beautiful setting which has been landscaped to match its original site.

Overnight: Oberoi Zahra (B L D)
Day
4

ABU SIMBEL

After breakfast on board explore Abu Simbel with your guide. Abu Simbel is an archaeological site comprising two massive rock temples in southern Egypt along the Nile about 290 km southwest of Aswan. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of “Nubian Monuments” which run from Abu Simbel downriver to Philae. The Great Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel consists of four seated colossal statues of Ramses II carved into the mountain, forming one of the boldest temple facades in the world. Tonight enjoy the Sound and Light Show at Philae Temple, a magical experience as floodlit buildings are silhouetted against the volcanic rocks and water surrounding them.

Overnight: Oberoi Zahra (B L D)
Day
5

TWIN TEMPLE OF KOM OMBO

After breakfast visit the twin temple of Kom Ombo. In ancient times, Kom Ombo stood on an important crossroads between the caravan route from Nubia and trails from the gold mines in the eastern desert. The temple was also built under Ptolemy VI. Since this bend in the Nile was a favored spot for crocodiles to bask in the sun and threaten locals, it is natural that the temple would be dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god. But it is unusual in having a double dedication: it also honors Harsiesis, a form of the falcon-headed god Horus. Hence one side of the temple is dedicated to the Crocodile God Sobek, God of Fertility and Creator of the World. The other side is dedicated to the Falcon God Harsiesis, also known as Horus, the Elder. Sail back to Aswan and after lunch visit the Botanical Garden by felucca. This evening enjoy a cocktail reception with entertainment on Mango Island, followed by dinner on board the Zahra.

Overnight: Oberoi Zahra (B L D)
Day
6

EDFU

Today is spent sailing to Edfu, providing time to relax and watch the scenery of the Nile passby or enjoy one of the many facilities on board the vessel. Late afternoon visit the Temple of Edfu considered the bestpreserved cult temple in Egypt. This is partly because it was built later than most: in the Ptolemaic era from 237 to 57 BC. Yet despite its later date, it exactly reflects traditional pharaonic architecture and so provides an excellent idea of how all the temples once looked. Edfu is also very large: the second largest in Egypt after Karnak Temple.

Overnight: Oberoi Zahra (B L D)
Day
7

LUXOR

Today is spent sailing to Luxor, arriving mid afternoon. After lunch on board visit Karnak Temple a vast temple complex in Luxor dedicated primarily to Amun and dating from as early as 2000 BC. It is an impressive sight, and second only to the Great Pyramids in popularity. Also visit the Luxor Museum. Its impressive collection of artifacts on display is based on quality of the pieces it has, the uncluttered way in which they are displayed and the clear multilingual labeling used. Among the most striking items on show are grave goods from the tomb of Tutankhamun (KV62) and a collection of 26 exceptionally well preserved New Kingdom statues that were found buried in a cache in nearby Luxor Temple in 1989.

Overnight: Oberoi Zahra (B L D)
Day
8

ANCIENT THEBES

Transfer to the West Bank to explore the West Bank of ancient Thebes. The Valley of the Kings, is a valley where tombs were built for the pharaohs and powerful nobles of the New Kingdom of Ancient Egypt. The cult of death and the lifelong preparation for the afterlife were the focus of Egyptian religion, and the Valley of the Kings and other monuments in the West Bank necropolis are mute testimony to this obsession. The pharaohs were buried in secret tombs here and protected by the best security of the age, but few burial sites escaped the plundering of grave robbers. Visit the royal tombs of King Tutankhamun and Ramses VI. This is followed by a visit to the Temple of Madinat Habu and on the way back stop at the Colossus of Memnon. Return to Zahra sail to Quina. Late afternoon enjoy a private visit to the Temple of Dendara dedicated to Hathor, Goddess of Music, Love and Joy.

Overnight: Oberoi Zahra (B L D)
Day
9

LUXOR

This morning the Zahra will sail back to Luxor. On arrival visit West Bank (valley of the Noble’s tomes, Dier El Madina, the site of a very special workman’s village, whose craftsmen built and decorated the tombs of the Pharaohs in the valley of the Kings and the Temple of Hatchepsut. In the afternoon visit Luxor Temple. Luxor Temple is huge in scale — it once housed a village within its walls. It has several pylons (monumental gateways) that are some 70 yards long. The first pylon is over 70 feet high, fronted by massive statues and several obelisks. There are several open areas, once used for various forms of worship but now empty. Later additions include a shrine to Alexander the Great, a Roman sanctuary, and an Islamic shrine to a 13th century holy man.

Overnight: Oberoi Zahra (B L D)
Day
10

LUXOR - CAIRO - ONWARD JOURNEY

Dissembark the Zahra this morning and transfer to the airport for a commercial flight to Cairo. Connect at Cairo airport for your onward international flight.

Dates & Prices

Tour Code Days Departs Returns Price $AUD  
BONH200 10 29th January 2012 7th February 2012 $6,783
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BONH201 10 12th February 2012 21st February 2012 $6,783
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BONH202 10 11th March 2012 20th March 2012 $6,783
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BONH203 10 22nd April 2012 1st May 2012 $6,783
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BONL200 10 6th May 2012 15th May 2012 $5,033
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BONL201 10 8th July 2012 17th July 2012 $5,033
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BONL202 10 5th August 2012 14th August 2012 $5,033
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BONL203 10 2nd September 2012 11th September 2012 $5,033
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BONL204 10 14th October 2012 23rd October 2012 $5,033
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Please note there are many additional sailings available:
HIGH SEASON
January 01, 15
February 26
March 11
Price $6,783 Single Supplement $4,270

LOW SEASON
May 20
July 22
August 19
September 16,30

Price $5,033 Single Supplement $3,164

WHAT IS A BESPOKE JOURNEY?

  • Tailor made travel experiences that combine a superb rail or river experience with private concierge transfers, accommodation and touring to complement the journey
  • Flexibility for travellers to choose a time to travel that will fit within your own busy schedule, with most journeys offering departure dates throughout the year
  • Private concierge travel arrangements prior to the commencement of the rail or river cruise, ensuring that all the planning and travel arrangements have been taken care of before you leave home
  • Luxurious pre and post accommodation has been chosen and included as part of the Bespoke Journey, providing the perfect position to explore the city at your own pace

ABOUT THE OBEROI ZAHRA NILE CRUISER

The Oberoi Zahra, Luxury Nile Cruiser continues the Oberoi Hotels & Resorts’ tradition of offering the highest standards of hospitality and is amongst the most spacious accommodation on the Nile. The 25 luxury cabins are tastefully appointed with timber floors and elegant interiors. The Luxury Cabin is spread over 26.4 square metres and
minimally furnished with a choice of king-size bed and twin bed, flanked by large bedside tables and two lounge chairs with a coffee table. The bathroom, finished in marble and mosaic features a vanity counter and a separate glass-enclosed steam and shower stall. Large windows in the cabins and cabin bathrooms offer panoramic views of the Nile. Onboard facilities include a swimming pool, spa, gymnasium, theatre, internet and games room.

INCLUSIONS

  • Day one & two private concierge airport transfers in Cairo
  • Two nights at the luxurious Kempinski Hotel Cairo including breakfast
  • Return economy class commercial airfares – Cairo – Aswan; Luxor – Cairo
  • Full day touring Cairo with private English speaking guide
  • Seven nights onboard the luxurious Oberoi Zahra Nile River cruiser, fully inclusive of all meals and shore excursions
  • Included meals as specified in the itinerary - Breakfast (B), Lunch (L) & Dinner (D)

EXCLUSIONS

  • This journey does not have a Journey Director
  • This journey does not include International Airfares
  • The journey does not include any additional touring
  • All additional touring, meals, non alcoholic and alcoholic drinks are not included

Journey can be booked commencing in Aswan and concluding in Luxor. International flights are not included in the journey price. Bespoke Journey planners would be happy to assist you with flights and any extended travel programmes you may wish to add to this journey.

Price $6,783 per person.
Single supplement: $4,270
Days: 10
Max Group Size: 2-10
Activity Level: Moderate
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