Hiking along the Nile River

From Aswan to Luxor on our felucca, a discovery of this picturesque myth-like river. In striking contrast between traditional villages surrounded by gardens and palm trees, these are arid areas forecasting the desert and the majestic Pharaonic temples and tombs ... The beauty and diversity of birds add to the magic of the journey, as well as swimming in the River of Kings.

• Day 1/  Arrival in Cairo  
• Day 2/  Flight Cairo - Aswan, visits: Unfinished Obelisk, Temple of Philae...
• Day 3/  Start with the felucca: west bank Azswan
• Day 4/  Ballouly Islands
• Day 5/  Daraow - Kom Ombo
• Day 6/  Quarries of Selsila - El Fauza 
• Day 7/  Edfu - Gourna (Luxor West bank)
• Day 8/  Visit the Valley of the Kings and Temple of Hatshepsut, flight Luxor - Cairo
• Day 9/  Depart from Cairo.

Experience the pleasure of sailing the mythic Nile on a traditional felucca boat and discover Egypt from the inside out. Walk through Nubian villages and observe the agricultural life on the banks of the river.  Magnificent hikes in the heart of traditional Egypt. Discover the life of the fellahs (Arab laborer) and the Pharaonic monuments located along the river.
A journey on the edge of the Nile, « meeting point » of traditional daily life of the Egyptian fellahs and the wonderful monuments from the past. By alternating walking with sailing, you'll appreciate the authenticity and true atmosphere of Egypt.

Day 1/  Arrival in Cairo
Meet and assist at airport - Transfer to Nile Hilton 5 star Hotel in Cairo's center (or Sheraton near the airport, depending on the flights schedules). Dinner.

Day 2/  Cairo - Aswan
Morning flight to Aswan (Egyptair). A beautiful flight along the Nile and the desert, with a great view on the lake when arriving in Aswan. Visit the High Dam. Also visit the Unfinished Obelisk and the Temple of Philae dedicated to the goddess Isis (with a historical guide).  Lunch and stroll through the colorful souk (market) in Aswan.  Visit the beautiful Nubian museum. Enjoy Sunset on the Nile from the hotel. Diner and night in Basma 4 star hotel (overlooking the Nile cataracts).

Day 3/  Aswan - West bank Aswan
Board the felucca in the morning and pass by Elephantine Island and Aga Khan's prestigious tomb. Visit Kitchener Botanic Garden (entrance fee included). Lunch aboard, walk beside the canals that cross through the Nubian villages from the west bank of the river. Night on board the felucca.

Day 4/  Ballouly Island
In the morning walk across the gardens and Nubian villages . Survey Nubian architecture and traditional handicrafts.  Afternoon and evening sailing on the felucca. Night on board at Ballouly island

Day 5/  Daraow - Kom Ombo
Hike to the Daraw market, a very animated and colorful place where you will see many Saidis (Egyptians from Upper Egypt) in their traditional dress rushing about.  Lunch and sail to Kom Ombo.  Visit the temple dedicated to the Crocodile god and the Falcon god.  Sailing and night on board the felucca.

Day 6/  Quarries of Selsila - El Fauza
Three hours hike along the canals under the shade of the date palms and fruit trees.  Climb a small plateau and then, there we are, in the desert dominated by the curves of the majestic Nile.  Continue to the Pharaoh's quarries of Silsileh.  Visit the quarries and the Tomb of Horemheb.  Lunch.  Sailing and night on board the felucca.

Day 7/  Edfu - Gourna (Luxor West bank)
After an hour of morning sailing, we arrive at Edfu. Visit the Temple of Horus (with a historical guide) and then minibus transfer to Luxor.  Check-in at the hotel on the west bank of the river at Gourna.  Lunch and a visit to the temple complex of Medinat Habu (with a historic guide). Transfer to Mercure hotel in Luxor.  End the afternoon with some free time.  Dinner in the city and night at the hotel. In the evening, it will be possible to visit the Temple of Luxor or to attend the Sound and Light show at Karnak (optional, at your expense - Luxor temple $8 - Karnak Sound/light $12 .Taxi $10).  

Day 8/  Luxor
After crossing the Nile River on a popular ferry, we reach the West bank. Visit the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Hatshepsut (with a historic guide).  Lunch.  In the afternoon, we cross the Nile back to Luxor and after a ride on a horse-drawn carriage, visit Karnak (with a historic guide).  End of the day, fly back to Cairo (45mn) and transfer to hotel.  Dinner & Night at the Hilton 5 star Hotel (or Sheraton near the airport) depending on the flight details)

Day 9/  Depart from Cairo
Transfer and assistance to airport for your return flight.

- The walking time schedules are given only as an estimate.
- For different reasons involving trip organization, daily schedules and planned altitude gains (ascent or descent) may be modified without any prior notice. 

Each participant walks with a light back pack, carrying only the personal items necessary for the day or half day (water bottle, camera, protective clothing, etc). Transport is ensured by the vehicle of assistance or on the felucca depending on the day.

The guide
- An Egyptian English-speaking Mountain World Travel guide, a specialist in the customs and archeology of the Nile region, as well as the history of the country.
- A cultural specialized guide when visiting sites and monuments.
The local team
- The staff on the felucca: captain, assistant, cook.

Private minibus with air conditioning for all land transfers.
The national airline, Egyptair, for the domestic flights.
Our Boats
- Felucca: the felucca is a small sailing vessel equipped with a Latin sail, characteristic of the Nile. It is very aesthetic, nice and quiet, and blends into the landscape. We provide you with a felucca for 5 to 6 people.
Their crew consists of a skipper and an assistant.
A canvas serves as a roof and protection from the sun during meals. Sleeping on mattresses displayed on the deck.
- Boutra: in addition, we chose to use the boutra, a small motor boat with a terrace on the first floor. We sail when the wind allows it, if not the boutra will trailer the felucca, so as not to impair our program. The boutra also serves as a kitchen and restaurant boat. All of our feluccas and boutras are equipped with life vests.

Cairo: Hotel Nile Hilton 5 stars, 2 nights
Luxor: Hotel Mercure 4 stars, 1 night
Aswan: Hotel Basma 4 stars, 1 night
Felucca:  camping on the boat deck, mattresses, 4 nights.

The names of accommodations (hotels, lodges, etc...) when they are indicated, are only indicative.
Depending on availability, accommodations (hotels/Lodges, etc...) may be replaced by another equivalent type.
It is possible that accommodations may change without prior notice due to a number of factors.

On the felucca
Copious and varied meals prepared by the local team.
The cook takes special care of meals and will amaze you with the quality of his dishes!
- Morning: breakfast which is always very consistent.
- At noon: cold meal.
- Warm dinner served on the boat
In town, in villages and oases
- Dinners in restaurants
Beverages: mineral water provided (restaurant, lunch & dinner during the cruise). Tea and "carcade" infusions (local beverage made from hibiscus flower petals) will be served regularly during the cruise.

Although we are an experienced adventure travel company doing our best to respect the itinerary schedule as presented on this detailed itinerary, there is always the possibility that we may need to modify it for different reasons beyond our control. Please read the Registration Conditions Terms and Booking conditions - Limitations of Liability.

• International flights in/out Cairo
• All services mentioned in Services +/extensions /options
• Personal medical & Travel Insurance
• All items not expressively mentioned in "What's included".

• Drinks (except mineral water and coffee/tea at restaurant and during the cruise for lunch & dinner)
• Personal expenses.
• Egyptian country exit tax (up to date $15)
• Tips for guides and local staff.
• All items not expressively mentioned in ‘What's included".

As airfare is NOT included in our adventures, please check if your trip is "a guaranteed departure" before confirming your own airline travel arrangements. You can check your trip status at the Mountain World Travel website or contact the Mountain World Travel office at 1 888-MWT-TREK (698-8735).

Our preferred airlines to fly to Cairo:
-  Egyptair, the national airline, flies daily from New York to Cairo
-  Skyteam (Delta, Northwest, Continental), in cooperation with Air France / KLM flies from anywhere in the States to Cairo through Paris / Amsterdam
-  United Airlines, in cooperation with Lufthansa, flies from anywhere in the States to Cairo, through Munich/Frankfurt
-  American Airlines, in cooperation with British Airways, flies from anywhere in the States to Cairo, through London.

Formalities for US, Canada, UK, Australia, NZ passport travelers: a passport valid at least 6 months after the supposed return date of your journey; visa needed.
The visa will be issued upon arrival in the country at the Cairo airport (included in the trip price), normal day of the trip.
Documents required for visa on arrival:
- Passport (with an additional photo)
For US Citizens, please check with   US Government Travel Entry Exit Requirements
For other nationalities, please contact the Egyptian embassy of your country.

Vaccines
We however advise you to be up to date with traditional vaccinations: diphtheria, tetanus, polio, typhoid fever. Vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended.
For more information visit the website of the US Department of Health
Dentist and doctor
A check up before departure is recommended.

LEVEL 1
2 months prior:  Hike 6 miles every weekend or on two consecutive days.  Pay attention to your lifestyle and your weight.

 

Basic equipment
- A warm fleece hat
- A cap or a hat to protect from the sun
- Sun glasses (minimum index 3 or 4 for high mountain)
- Thermal top and bottom, short and long) underwear (fast drying).
- Fleece turtle neck top
- A warm fleece jacket (light weight/well insulated).
- A waterproof/breathable shell jacket (Gore-Tex).
- A pair of gloves
- A rain poncho
- Hiking shorts
- Lightweight hiking long pants
- A Camelback or a water bottle.

Shoes and technical material
- Hiking socks
- Light ventilated hiking shoes with a good traction on different type of terrain, for people with fragile ankles: waterproof ankle hiking boots and a sole offering good traction.
- A pair of telescopic walking poles

Luggage
- A back pack equipped with broad straps, with an adjustable anatomical back reinforcement, and a capacity of 7 to 9 gallons, for your daily belongings
- A soft travel bag, which can hold between 18 to 23 gallons that will be transported by the porter team or by vehicle during the day.

Miscellaneous
- A change of clothes.
- A pair of replacement shoe laces
- A dop-kit and a bath towel.
- Toilet paper.
- A pocket knife (not in carry on luggage).
- Some plastic bags to protect your belongings.
- A bathing suit.
- A small pocket anti-theft protection device, to always keep on yourself, along with your identity papers, money, certificate of insurance.

 
Some advice
During your flight your back pack should contain fragile and useful items that you might need while on the plane (camera, memory cards, jacket, books, magazines, medication, dop-kit etc).