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Glories of the Nile
8 DAYS FROM £615
The cabin and restaurant on the boat were superb, very spacious and clean cabin and wonderful food in the restaurant. The staff could not be more helpful and just the relaxing on deck in the beautiful April sunshine was a very enjoyable experience. The early morning excursions were a shock to the system but after the first one and with such a brilliant guide, it was by far the best way to visit the wonderful temples, as the afternoons were too hot to spend walking any distances.
During our week's holiday, we experienced a balloon ride, a camel ride and an aeroplane journey at 4.00 a.m. to Abu Simbel and saw the early morning sun rise at the temple before returning back to the boat for breakfast.
I would recommend your company and this holiday to anyone. We met some lovely people and did not feel at all crowded on the boat. During our free afternoons at leisure my husband and I walked round Aswan and Luxor and visited the Cathedral and Winter Palace Hotel where Agatha Christie stayed whilst writing Death on the Nile.
This was our 2nd holiday with Archers and I think the next will be a cruise on the Danube.
As we have travelled with Archers on several occasions we eagerly browsed through the enticing brochures to decide on our holiday. Having been to Australia, New Zealand and Canada we settled on something completely different - "Glories of the Nile Cruise" plus a week in Luxor. So in April we eagerly set off to fly to Egypt.
We boarded the Lady Mary at Luxor and were delighted with the accommodation plus wonderful meals served by a cheerful staff. In addition to the many included excursions we took an optional hot air balloon flight at sunrise over the Nile. We also booked a flight to Abu Simbel which was a fantastic experience, awe inspiring as well as mystical, including the visits to Aswan, Luxor & Karnak, Valley of the Kings and Queens. This first week was very busy but inspiring and amazing.
All too soon our cruise was over and our second week was at the Sonesta St George, at Luxor. This allowed us to return at our leisure to visit Karnak and Luxor Temples once more as well as the wonderful museums and markets.
Thank you Archers and all involved in making a very special holiday with wonderful memories and photographs to treasure. We look forward to another holiday with Archers in the not too distant future.
The first one was taken from the boat on the way to the Nubion Village. The second was taken from a hotel terrace in Aswan where we stopped for tea and cake during the City tour.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable holiday and one I'd recommend to my friends.
We had ever been to Egypt before and the only knowledge we had we learned from TV, films and the media, we might have been apprehensive, but then we had previously been to New York and Washington with Archers, and at that time Archers provided us with such a good service that we felt secure in the belief that they would do the same again.
We were not disappointed; the holiday started as soon as we arrived at our cruise ship and we were welcomed aboard with a cold drink and escorted to our cabin.
At the first lunch we were introduced to our fellow travellers and new friendships were created that first day, and on the second day we all met Ernest, our personal Egyptologist, a pleasant young man who was both informative and entertaining, who would stay with us for the duration and who never gave less than 100% of his time and knowledge.
The tours, the food, the crew, the service, the onboard entertainment were all excellent but for us the best was the sunrise balloon flight over Karnak on the last day before flying home.
There was lots of hot sun, lots of walking, lots of mad haggling with local traders, but most of all, lots and lots of fun.
Wow, what a week. Lisa our Cosmos Rep was a star, we felt very organised, safe, & well looked after. Thank you Lisa.
Galal, our Egyptologist; was there any thing he didn't know? We could have listened to him all day, he was a true gent, fascinating, well organised & his excellent sense of humour was an added bonus! Thanks Big Daddy, you are always welcome to visit your kids you know where we are! Thank you!!
The staff on M/S Lady Mary couldn't have been any better, they were wonderful, Hgag looked after our table efficiently & with a constant smile on his face. The people we met on the cruise & especially the ones sat at our table were fabulous company & we will certainly keep in touch! You know who you are. Thank you to you too.
M/S Lady Mary was spotlessly clean, my only criticism is the All Inclusive system, disliked having glasses of pop poured out from bottles rather than the cans of pop available if you paid onto a bar bill. The tub chairs in the lounge needed replacing as they were rather tired looking to say the least, but it couldn't spoil your holiday on the M/S lady Mary if it tried!! Our cabin was spacious with huge window to watch that beautiful scenery.
Few "Mummy Tummys" around but it was agreed by all it was nothing to do with the boat or the food, just one of those things & easily remedied with the 60p tablets from the local chemist!
Who can not LOVE The Glories of the Nile, we certainly do, that was our second visit & we most certainly will be back.
The rooms were excellent and the big picture window meant you had a panoramic view of the trip. The food was varied and excellent (although the roast beef tended to be very overcooked) but apart from that we enjoyed everything.
The weather was just fantastic - they were having a heat wave whilst we were there and on the sun deck the thermometer showed 60 degrees one day!! Thank goodness for the air conditioning in the rooms and lounge bar.
Our Egyptologist was brilliant. Shereen certainly knew her history of Egypt and made our stay and the trips fascinating. The sun coming up over Abu Simbel is something I won't forget for a long time - a trip not to be missed even though we had to rise at 2.45 a.m. it was well worth the effort. We would certainly recommend this river cruise.
The weather was perfect, our cabin was extremely comfortable and the staff on board could not do enough for us. The sights we saw were of course, quite amazing and all the party became keen to learn much more about the ancient Egyptians as our interest was awakened by Said, our Egyptologist who brought it all alive with his great knowledge and humour!
We both agree that one of the greatest wow moments of our holiday was on the first morning when we woke up early and looked out of our window (the windows on the Lady Mary were fantastic and seemed to be bigger than on any of the other boats!), we were greeted with such a beautiful vista of the calm waters of the Nile, early morning mist, the green banks backed by huge sand dunes and the occasional felucca drifting by for early morning fishing.
Friends who had been on a Nile cruise had told us about the fascinating tombs and temples but not about the beauty of the Nile itself.
The only drawback of the holiday was that we wanted to experience everything and so did not relax enough, even when sailing in the day when we were able to enjoy the comfort of the top deck we were reluctant to read or close our eyes for fear of missing something!
A fantastic experience, which we hope one day to repeat.
We sailed on the cruise ship Lady Mary from Luxor to Aswan and back again, the tour guide Ayman was fantastic he explained everything to us in a way which was very easy to understand, but sometimes he gave us a test to see if we were listening. The cruise ship was wonderful the cabins, food and cruise ship staff were excellent.
Once we finished our cruise we went to Cairo for 3 days and spent the rest of the holiday back in Luxor. The standard of the hotel in Cairo and Luxor was fantastic, in fact everything about the whole holiday was fantastic.
Our friends Noel and Teresa had come across from Dublin to join us on the cruise and they were as impressed as us, in fact Noel has never stopped talking about the trip since we arrived back.
I would highly recommend this cruise to anyone and I would not rule out us going back for a second time in the near future.
The lady Mary was a wonderful boat, with a friendly and fun crew. Our cabin was amazing, with wonderful views of the Nile as we cruised, every night we looked forwards to seeing the next creation that the cabin boys had made with our towels.
We enjoyed all of the wonderful food (and there was plenty of it) and not a dodgy tummy all week, probably due to the salads and fruit all being washed in bottled water. We also had a fun Egyptian evening where we all dressed up for dinner and a party afterwards.
The excursions we took were all fantastic, and Ihab our Egyptologist was both knowledgeable and helpful as well as being friendly and very patient with all of our questions.
The temples and tombs were incredible and each one unique, and we had great fun at the market trying to get the best deals for our T shirts and hibiscus flowers but I suppose the highlight for me was an early morning balloon flight drifting over the Valley of the Kings.
I must admit before our holiday I was nervous about visiting Egypt but my nerves were unfounded and we had the most incredible amazing fantastic holiday ever.
Thank you so much Archers Direct. Now where to go to next……..
The cruise surpassed our expectations. Our boat, The Lady Mary, was first class. The cabins were very spacious with large picture windows. The food in the restaurant was very good with lots of choices at each meal. Walking into the lounge was like entering a nightclub. On the sundeck there were ample loungers, tables and chairs. The spotless pool was very welcome in the heat of the day.
The included excursions to the fabulous temples and tombs were well planned, going out early in the morning before the real heat of the day and the crowds arrived. The visits were made more enjoyable because of our guide Mr Ehan, whose knowledge seemed limitless. The manner he put it over, with humour, made it interesting. The optional tours were good especially the camel ride and the Aswan City Tour.
There is just one word to describe the crew of the Lady Mary - fantastic! Nothing was too much trouble for them. Everything was done with a smile and they had a great sense of humour. We could not praise them enough.
Our second week on the Red Sea was a more relaxing week. The journey from Luxor to El Gouna in the convoy across the Eastern desert was an experience in itself.
The Three Corners Rihana hotel complex was excellent. It has all the amenities one would need for a chilling out holiday, pools, bars, restaurants and beaches. The location of the hotel on a lagoon was just right. As on the boat the choice of food at each mealtime was varied and the food was good. The hotel rooms were huge with their own balconies. The optional tours were varied and enjoyable from the desert safari to the water based activities.
The staff were top quality. They seemed to enjoy doing their job and were happy doing it. On both the Lady Mary and at the hotel the entertainment was very good, but if you wanted there were quiet bars.
We cannot finish without mentioned the Archers rep in Luxor. What a lovely lady. Possible the best Archers rep we have met on the five or six holidays we have taken with you. Extremely efficient, explained things well, good sense of humour and really looked after us. One of the best holidays we have had.
The boat was wonderful and the crew were so pleasant and obliging, spotlessly clean and all of the helped to make our stay on board a wonderful experience. My daughter and I were knocked out by the displays of "towel folding" that greeted us on our beds each evening. The cabin staff were great!
Ehab our Egyptologist was terrific, so knowledgeable, patient, pleasant and didn't mind how many questions we asked. The really made the holiday for us and made the whole Egypt experience come alive.
I am 76 years old, and this is one holiday I wanted to do before it was too late and Archers did me proud. Thank you all so much.
See the stunning sights of Ancient Egypt as you cruise through boundless desert landscapes on the world's longest river.
Cruise Highlights
Edfu Temple of Horus
Kom Ombo Temple of Kom Ombo
Aswan High Dam & Philae Temple
Valley of the Kings Temple of Hatshepsut
Luxor & Karnak Temples
Your Price Includes
Flights: UK - Luxor - UK
Accommodation as per cruise ship details
Meals: Full board on cruise ship
Professional English speaking Egyptian guide on cruise and local representative in resort
Transfers between the overseas airports, hotels and cruise ship
All local, port and airport taxes/service charges
Holiday Itinerary
DAY 1: UK - Luxor.
Fly to Luxor where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your cruise ship. Set sail for Edfu. (D)
DAY 2: Edfu - Kom Ombo - Aswan.
The day begins with an included visit to the 2,000 year-old Temple of Horus, an elongated structure made up of halls and chambers with well preserved story-telling interior decorations. In the afternoon you will visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, built in 250 BC, before re-joining the boat to sail to the pleasant Nile-side town of Aswan for an overnight stay. (B, L, D)
DAY 3: Aswan.
In the morning visit the famous 111 metre tall Aswan High Dam, a major feat of engineering, as well as the Philae Temple or 'Pearl of Egypt', moved brick by brick to make way for the dam. Afternoon at leisure offering a chance to explore Aswan and optional city tour. (B, L, D)
DAY 4: Aswan - Kom Ombo.
In the morning why not take our optional plane excursion to the magnificent, 3,200 year old temple of Abu Simbel? Carved out of a mountainside it is one of the most magnificent and best preserved temples in Egypt, which took 25,000 workers 25 years to complete. After lunch, you'll sail by felucca to visit the botanical gardens. Evening sailing to Kom Ombo for your overnight stay. (B, L, D)
DAY 5: Kom Ombo - Edfu - Esna - Luxor.
Today you will sail back to Luxor via Edfu and Esna, arriving into Luxor in the evening. (B, L, D)
DAY 6: Luxor.
Enjoy a morning visit to the West Bank including the Valley of the Kings, Colossi of Memnon and Temple of Hatshepsut. Marvel at the glorious legacy of the ancient Egyptians, a vast network of burial chambers for the pharaohs. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Luxor. (B, L, D)
DAY 7: Luxor - Karnak.
An included morning excursion takes you to the wonderful temples at Luxor and Karnak. They may be shadows of their former selves, but as you wander around the vast statues, towering columns and decorated walls that remain, you will appreciate their original ornate grandeur. There's also the chance to see an optional sound and light show in Karnak. (B, L, D)
DAY 8: Luxor.
After lunch, disembark your cruise ship and transfer either to Luxor for your flight to the UK, or by air-conditioned coach to your chosen resort hotel. (B, L)
Note: Sailing times and itineraries are subject to change but the content will not be sacrificed in any way. Occasionally it may be necessary to use alternative Nile cruise ships of the same standard and with similar facilities. Please note that as most cruise ships offer similar facilities, ratings reflect the standard of the ship in relation to others. Nile cruises are not suitable for the less mobile or for children under 12 years old.
On Nile cruises English speaking local guides will join you for the visits to the historical sites but they may not travel on the cruise boat with you.
Check prices and availability for this holiday
Visa Requirements
A visa is needed to enter Egypt which can be obtained from the Egyptian Embassy. Alternatively Tourist Visas can also be purchased on arrival in Luxor, the current price is £15 (payable with £5 and £10 notes only).
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View Holiday Photos
View Deck PlansMS Lady Mary
A deluxe Nile river cruiser, MS Lady Mary is a stylish, elegant vessel designed to provide the best in comfort and service. Well maintained and equipped to a good standard, each passenger cabin is bright and tranquil while the ship's public areas provide a good range of facilities, activities and entertainment.
Public Rooms & Facilities
Swimming pool; sundeck; pool bar; restaurant; lounge bar; fitness room; reading room; internet café; billiard room; shops; disco; reception; laundry service.
Dining
Your cruise includes full board. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are open seating and are usually buffet-style although there may be some set menus. Cuisine usually includes a selection of local and international dishes. Afternoon tea is served on the sundeck whilst sailing and evening entertainment can include folklore shows and an oriental Galabeyah party.
Cabins
All cabins are outside cabins and have double or twin beds with air-conditioning, satellite TV (when docked), minibar, safety deposit box, hairdryer, shower and wc. Note: All cabins are non-smoking.
Options
Single cabin; all inclusive
Tipping
Tipping is expected in Egypt. Expect to budget about £30 for tips. For your convenience, this can be collected at the beginning of the cruise.
Holiday Extensions
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View Holiday PhotosGlories of the Nile + Cairo & Luxor - 7 Extra nights from £216
Combine your Nile cruise with 3 nights in Cairo and tour the Egyptian Museum, spend time strolling the bazaars, and visit Giza to see the Pyramids and Sphinx, before spending 4 nights in historical Luxor, on the banks of the Nile.
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View Holiday PhotosGlories of the Nile + Luxor - 7 Extra nights from £80
Why not extend your holiday with a 7 night stay in the histroric city of Luxor, on the banks of the Nile.
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View Holiday PhotosGlories of the Nile + Red Sea - 7 Extra nights from £166
At the end of your cruise, why not extend your holiday with a seven nights stay on the shores of the Red Sea, staying in the popular resorts of Hurghada or El Gouna.
Accommodation on Extensions
Glories of the Nile + Cairo & Luxor - 7 Extra nights from £216
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View Holiday PhotosMövenpick Pyramids & Sonesta St George Luxor
The Mövenpick Pyramids is located close to the Giza Pyramids and offers a wide range of facilities including a swimming pool in an attractive garden setting. The hotel is also just a short taxi ride (20 minutes) from the centre of Cairo.
Location: In the Giza district, close to the Great Pyramids.
Facilities: Restaurants; pool bar; bar; concierge services; outdoor pool; sauna; massage; steam bath; tennis; football; safety deposit boxes.
Price includes: Bed and breakfast in a twin room with private facilities; hairdryer; TV with satellite channels; minibar; alarm clock; desk; air-conditioning; telephone.
Options: Half board; single room.
Official category: 5 star.
Sonesta St George is a high standard, grand yet modern hotel, offers guests fantastic views of the west bank of the Nile.
Location: A prime location on the bank of the Nile, the hotel is 2 km from Luxor centre with its many attractions.
Facilities: Swimming pool (heated in winter); sunbeds and parasols; swim-up bar; mini-fridge (filled as minibar on request); 3 restaurants; lounge bar; health club; coffee shop; steam bath; gym; felucca sailing; pool table.
Price includes: Bed and breakfast in a twin room; private bath, shower and wc; TV with satellite channels; air-conditioning; side Nile view; balcony; hairdryer; safe.
Options: Half board; single room; front Nile view.
Official category: 5 star. -
View Holiday Photos
Mövenpick Pyramids & Sheraton Luxor
The Mövenpick Pyramids is located close to the Giza Pyramids and offers a wide range of facilities including a swimming pool in an attractive garden setting. The hotel is also just a short taxi ride (20 minutes) from the centre of Cairo.
Location: In the Giza district, close to the Great Pyramids.
Facilities: Restaurants; pool bar; bar; concierge services; outdoor pool; sauna; massage; steam bath; tennis; football; safety deposit boxes.
Price includes: Bed and breakfast in a twin room with private facilities; hairdryer; TV with satellite channels; minibar; alarm clock; desk; air-conditioning; telephone.
Options: Half board; single room.
Official category: 5 star.
Sheraton Luxor is set in eight acres of grounds on the east bank of the River Nile. It provides a modern, comfortable base from which to explore the magnificent treasures of the city of Luxor.
Location: On the banks of the Nile and about 2 km from the centre of Luxor.
Facilities: Swimming pool (heated in winter); sunbeds and parasols; mini-fridge; shops; laundry service; hairdresser; safety deposit boxes in the reception; restaurants; pool snack bar; lounge bar; 24-hour room service; 2 floodlit tennis courts.
Price includes: Bed and breakfast in a twin room with bathroom; balcony; air-conditioning; TV with cable channels; hairdryer.
Options: Half board; single room; Nile view.
Official category: 4 star.
Glories of the Nile + Luxor - 7 Extra nights from £80
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View Holiday PhotosSheraton Luxor
The Sheraton Luxor is set in 8 acres of grounds on the east bank of the River Nile. It provides a modern, comfortable base from which to explore the magnificent treasures of the city of Luxor.
Location: On the banks of the Nile and about 2 km from the centre of Luxor.
Facilities: 2 swimming pools (1 heated in winter); sunbeds and parasols; mini-fridge; shops; laundry service; hairdresser; safety deposit boxes in reception; restaurants; pool snack bar; lounge bar; 24-hour room service; 2 floodlit tennis courts.
Price includes: Bed and breakfast in a twin room with bathroom; balcony; air-conditioning; TV with cable channels; hairdryer.
Note: Rooms may be of a bungalow style, set in the gardens with no balcony.
Options: Half board; single room; Nile view.
Official category: 4 star. -
View Holiday PhotosSonesta St George
This high standard, grand yet modern hotel, offers guests fantastic views of the west bank of the Nile.
Location: A prime location on the bank of the Nile, the hotel is 2 km from the centre of Luxor with its many attractions.
Facilities: Swimming pool (heated in winter); sunbeds and parasols; swim-up bar; mini-fridge (filled as minibar on request); 3 restaurants; lounge bar; health club; coffee shop; steam bath; gym; felucca sailing; pool table.
Price includes: Bed and breakfast in a twin room; private bath, shower and wc; TV with satellite channels; air-conditioning; side Nile view; balcony; hairdryer; safe.
Options: Half board; single room; front Nile view.
Official category: 5 star.
Glories of the Nile + Red Sea - 7 Extra nights from £166
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View Holiday PhotosThree Corners Rihana
A quiet and relaxing resort hotel, built along the shores of the lagoon with its own beach. Designed in typical Nubian style.
Location: Within easy reach of downtown El Gouna and only 400m from the main sea front.
Facilities: 3 swimming pools; free sunbeds and parasols; minimarket; minibar; buffet restaurant; à la carte restaurant; pool bar; sunset bar.
Price includes: All inclusive in a twin room with shower and wc; TV with satellite channels; balcony or terrace; air-conditioning.
Options: Single room
Official category: 4 star.
ALL THIS INCLUDED
Meals: Full board buffet meals with snacks for lunch on the sun terrace from 12.30-3pm. Afternoon tea from 4-5pm.
Drinks: Locally produced soft and alcoholic drinks from 10am-midnight (fresh juices not included).
Activities: Water aerobics; table tennis; volleyball; waterpolo; darts; mini-football and basketball. -
View Holiday PhotosDana Beach Resort
plusNestled on the Red Sea coast, alongside Hurghada's south beach, Dana Beach Resort is elegantly assembled around a meandering, sea-water lagoon and provides excellent accommodation and facilities in a relaxing and comfortable environment.
Location: Set on the golden sands of Hurghada Beach, Dana Beach Resort sits amongst lush, well-kept gardens and provides good access to the crystal-clear, sparkling waters of the Red Sea.
Facilities: 3 swimming pools (one heated); sunbeds and parasols; buffet restaurant; Italian à la carte restaurant; Oriental café with terrace; 8 bars including beach, pool, piano and billiards bars; amphitheatre; nightclub; gift shop; hairdresser; library; shuttle bus to Hurghada centre; minibar and 24-hour room service in bedrooms.
Activities: Tennis; billiards; watersports; diving centre; horse-riding; health club; steam bath; sauna; massage
Price includes: All inclusive in a twin room with private facilities; air-conditioning; satellite TV; telephone; safety deposit box; balcony or terrace
Options: Single room.
Official category: 5 star.
ALL THIS INCLUDED
Meals: Full board with buffet meals. Afternoon snacks from 12.30pm-2pm on beach, 3pm-5pm at Le Rendez-Vous Bar. Afternoon coffee 3pm-5pm. Ice-cream for kids from midday-8pm.
Drinks: Locally-produced alcoholic drinks (beer, cocktails, spirits, wine by the glass), soft drinks, tea and coffee from 10am-midnight.
Activities: 3 tennis courts; minigolf; darts; beach volleyball; pedal boats; gym; regular daytime and evening entertainment.
View My Holiday Photos
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NO HIDDEN EXTRAS: All
prices shown include ALL compulsory charges (Fuel Supplement,
Air Passenger Duty & Flight Supplement where applicable)
Book with confidence: We are members of ABTA and all our holidays are financially protected by the Civil Aviation Authority under the ATOL scheme. |
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