Mövenpick cruises Egypt
A legacy of pharaohs
Sail with Mövenpick through 7,000 years of Egyptian history and heritage on an extended 14-night Nile voyage from Cairo to Aswan.
14 nights Cairo to Aswan
Experience the Pharaonic spirit that inspired Mövenpick to create this innovative extended cruise programme, aimed at regenerating tourism along the Nile as the demand for Egypt gathers pace. The glorious history of Egypt conjures visions of powerful pharaohs and archaeological wonders. River cruising has been the traditional way of travel since the pharaohs and it’s now possible to relive the past sailing 680km between Cairo and Aswan, in modern comfort and safety with five-star service and luxurious accommodation.
This extended itinerary enables curious travellers to discover unique and inaccessible historic gems such as Amarna, some 300km south of Cairo and home to heretic pharaoh Akhenaten and his beloved wife Nefertiti. It was here that he pursued his vision of a society dedicated to the cult of one god, the power of the sun (the Aten). Amarna is the key to a chapter in the history of religious experience and to a fuller understanding of what it was like to be an ancient Egyptian. There is no other site like it. Akhenaten created a cultural, religious, and artistic revolution that rattled the country, throwing thousands of years of tradition out the window and imposing a new world order. After his death, his name was omitted from the king lists, his images desecrated and destroyed. From the surviving fragments of evidence, Egyptologists have pieced together the story of his life and reign, a period of spiritual upheaval and experimentation unlike any other in Egyptian history.
The excitement and anticipation of this journey begins in Cairo with shore visits to the ancient pyramids and the Sphinx as well as the Egyptian Museum and Coptic Cairo encompassing the Hanging Church, Coptic Museum and the Jewish synagogue. Cruising to Minya with panoramic views across the Nile, an overnight stay allows for a visit to the 4 tombs of Beni Hassan. After the above-mentioned visit to Amarna, the northern tombs of Ahmose, Meryre, Pentu, Penehesy and the tomb and Great Palace of Akhenaten are on the agenda. Sailing to Assyut the view of the Prince Tawdrous Monastery is truly breath-taking. Onward to Abydos, the holy city of Osiris, God of the Dead which is notable for the memorial temple of Seti I, built circa 1300BC and contains an inscription from the nineteenth dynasty known to the modern world as the Abydos King List. It is a chronological list showing cartouches of most dynastic pharaohs of Egypt from Menes until Seti I's father, Ramesses I. Before reaching Luxor the ship sails under the Naga Hammadi Bridges and by the impressive barrage which is of crucial importance to the development of the Nile Valley water supply infrastructure. The ship docks at Luxor, capital of Egypt’s glorious New Kingdom pharaohs, home to Tutankhamun, Ramses II and blessed with some of the world's most famous ancient monuments. From here the itinerary picks out popular shore visits including Valley of the Kings, Karnak and Luxor Temples, Efu and Kom Ombo Temples. The journey comes to an end at Aswan with a visit to the High Dam that created Lake Nasser, as well as Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis.
Mövenpick MS Darakum
is a five-star premium river ship with shallow draft designed to cruise the entire length of the Nile and is the only ship offering this extensive itinerary. Its unique Moroccan design makes it stand out as one of the most luxurious floating hotels on the Nile, including large public spaces and pool sundeck. There are 44 standard and superior cabins and 8 suites uniquely designed in Moroccan inspired décor with panoramic views across the Nile. Senior suites are on the 3rd floor providing a generous space of 40-sqm. A variety of dining options from creatively themed buffets to afternoon tea, evening cocktails and snack on the sundeck are available. An extensive entertainment programme is provided including music, wine-tasting and cookery lesson, a black & white party, the ever-popular ‘galabiya’ party and even a belly dancer!
For more information
please contact:
Europe:
Marco Rosa
marco@plateauinternational.com
Mobile +44 7973 876967
Renata Rizzo
renata@plateauinternational.com
Mobile +39 339 1485160
Australia and New Zealand:
Nicci Foulsham
nicci@plateauinternational.com
Mobile +61 426 246 007