The Monastery of St. Catherine and Dahab

Like a fortress protected by a wall of mountains (including the biblical Sinai where God is said to have given the 10 commandments to the Israelites), lies the world famous Monastery of St. Catherine. Built by Emperor Justinian I in the 6th century, the monastery takes its name from Catherine of Alexandria, a Christian martyr whose remains were discovered there by monks around 800AD. Still a working monastery, visitors can view the Chapel of the Burning Bush, the Well of Moses and the Catholicon of the Transfiguration. After a break for lunch, the tour continues with a trip to Dahab, a former Bedouin fishing village and now a beloved seaside resort. Not to be missed: a wander through the colourful bazaar.
Prices on request.

Mount Sinai and the Monastery of St. Catherine

This trip requires getting up early because the 2 to 3 hour walk up Mount Sinai (the biblical place where God is said to have given the 10 commandments to the Israelites) takes place before the break of dawn. Reward for reaching the peak is an incredible sunrise never to be forgotten! The rocky crags begin to glow as the entire area becomes bathed in red light. Upon decent, the trip is capped off by a visit to the Monastery of St. Catherine at the mountain's base.
Prices on request.

Whole day excursion to the Coloured Canyon incl. lunch

The drive to the Coloured Canyon - also known as the Rainbow Canyon - takes around 3 hours in an off-road vehicle. This magical place takes its name from the amazing sandstone formations carved by the elements over many thousands of years. Rust streaks caused by the iron in the rock give the bizarre shapes their many colours including black, various browns and yellows. The canyon is quite narrow in places and the walls many metres high. After navigating this natural wonder - a feat that requires a certain amount of physical ability and condition - explorers take a refreshment break before returning to the hotel.
Prices on request.

Whole day excursion to Ras Muhammad incl. lunch

Ras Mohamed is a national park located on the southernmost tip of the Sinai Peninsula where the Gulf of Aqaba in the East and the Gulf of Suez in the West meet. The park includes offshore waters with around 150 types of coral, arid, desert land, coastal cliffs and a mangrove forest that filters the salt out of the water. There are also large cracks in the earth resulting from an earthquake in 1961. The waters within are up to 14 metres deep.
Prices on request.

Nile river cruise

Combine your beach combing/scuba diving/golf playing holiday in Sharm el Sheikh with a river cruise along the Nile and discover the amazing monuments left by the ancient Egyptians. Not willing to leave the luxury of the resort? The 5 star cruise ship eases the transition so pampered Maritim guests can further enjoy their holidays in accustomed comfort. Cruise the waters of the world's longest river, along its endless valleys and behold the wonders that proudly still stand testament to the time of the pharaohs. With multiple flights between Luxor and Sharm el Sheikh daily, seeing more of Egypt is easy! Our reception staff can assist you when booking flights.

From Aswan/to Luxor 4 days/3 nights

Begins Mondays and Wednesdays
(subject to change without notice)

Day 1: Aswan

Transfer from Luxor to the cruise ship in Aswan as well as embarkation assistance. Sights include the Aswan Dam, the granite stone quarry with the unfinished obelisk and the Temple of Philae on the island of Agilika - a dedication to the goddess Isis.

Day 2: Aswan - Kom Ombo - Edfu

Felucca trip to the Aswan Botanical Gardens. Then it's on to Kom Ombo where the impressive temples built to honour such gods as Sobek, Aroeres and Isis can be explored. Afterwards, a visit to Edfu rounds out the day.

Day 3: Edfu - Luxor

Tour of the Temple of Horus then off to Luxor to tour the Temple of Karnak and the city itself.

Day 4: Luxor

Disembarkment then a tour of West Thebes including the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. Transfer to the hotel or airport in Luxor.
Prices on request.

From Luxor/to Aswan 5 days/4 nights

Begins Saturdays and Thursdays
(subject to change without notice)

Day 1: Luxor

Transfer to the ship and embarkation assistance. Tour of the Luxor Temple.

Day 2: Luxor - Edfu

Tour of West Thebes including the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. In addition, the Temple of Karnak. Cruise continuation to Edfu.

Day 3: Edfu - Kom Ombo

Tour of the Temple of Horus then on to Kom Ombo. Exploration of the impressive temples built to honour such gods as Sobek, Aroeres and Isis.

Day 4: Kom Ombo - Aswan

Sights include the Aswan Dam, the granite stone quarry with the unfinished obelisk and the Temple of Philae on the island of Agilika - a dedication to the goddess Isis. Felucca trip after lunch to see the Aswan Botanical Gardens.

Day 5: Aswan

Disembarkment then a transfer from Aswan back to the hotel or airport in Luxor.
Prices on request.

From/to Luxor 8 days/7 nights

Begins Saturdays and Thursdays
(subject to change without notice)

Day 1: Luxor

Transfer to the ship and embarkation assistance. Tour of the Luxor Temple.

Day 2: Luxor - Edfu

Tour of West Thebes including the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. In addition, the Temple of Karnak. Cruise continuation to Edfu.

Day 3: Edfu - Kom Ombo

Tour of the Temple of Horus then on to Kom Ombo.

Day 4: Kom Ombo - Aswan

Cruise continues on to Aswan. Sights include the Aswan Dam, the granite stone quarry with the unfinished obelisk and the Temple of Philae on the island of Agilika - a dedication to the goddess Isis.

Day 5: Aswan

A day without scheduled sightseeing so cruise guests can explore and do whatever takes their fancy. Many decide to partake in an organised tour of the relocated Nubian Monuments at the Abu Simbel archaeological site (bookable in Aswan).

Day 6: Aswan - Kom Ombo - Edfu

Felucca trip to see the Aswan Botanical Gardens. Then it's on to Kom Ombo and the chance to explore the impressive temples built to honour such gods as Sobek, Aroeres and Isis. Cruise continues on to Edfu afterwards.

Day 7: Edfu - Luxor

Return to Luxor.

Day 8: Luxor

Disembarkment then a transfer to the hotel or airport in Luxor.
Prices on request.

5 star cruise ships (Egyptian rating)

All cruise ships have a reception with safe, lobby, lounge, restaurant, bar, sundeck with swimming pool and pool bar.
All cabins are outside (river view) staterooms and equipped with air conditioning, minibar, TV, telephone, bath or shower/WC and a hairdryer.

Included services

Transfers: Luxor airport/hotel - cruise ship - Luxor airport/hotel
3, 4 or 7 nights accommodation on a 5 star ship (Egyptian rating)
3, 4 or 7 x full board (starts with lunch on the first day and ends with breakfast on the last day)
Tour program including entrance fees to those sites listed Multilingual tour guides

Additional charges

Gratuities (approx. 2 € per person/day onboard and approx. 5 € per person/day for the tour guides during the excursions - paid on location)

Please note:

Factors such as insufficient river depth, bad weather, lock maintenance, or changes to opening times can lead to changes to the cruise schedule without notice. The content of the program however, remains unchanged.

The excursions and Nile river cruises listed above can be booked through Maritim Hotel Travel Services

Home to approximately 60,000 people, Sharm El Sheik is located on the southern coastal tip of the Sinai Peninsula. Bordered by the Mediterranean in the north and the Red Sea in the south, the Sinai Peninsula forms a land bridge between Africa and Southwest Asia.

Sharm El Sheik is a water sports paradise with a practically limitless number of aqua-related activities on offer. The Red Sea enjoys a worldwide reputation for its superior scuba diving, snorkelling and windsurfing. With its pulsating nightlife, fabulous shopping and numerous restaurants, Sharm El Sheik is the region's biggest and noblest seaside resort. The peninsula's cultural highlights and best sightseeing spots can be experienced when partaking in half day and full day trips.

Sightseeing:

• Ras Muhammad
  The east coast has a number of beautiful nature reserves and one of the most magnificent of these is located only 20 km away: the Ras Muhammad National Park. Among other features, the area is home to over 150 types of coral and one of the world's largest oceanic reserves.
• The Coloured Canyon
  As the name suggests, the Coloured Canyon is a natural trench of various hues. Depending on the time of day, the shimmering, multicoloured sandstone walls show off their numerous tones including white, yellows, browns and amazing variations of red.
• St. Catherine's Monastery
  Visiting the centre of Sinai can be a biblical experience - as Moses can attest. According to the Old Testament, it was here on Mount Sinai that God gave him the Ten Commandments. At the base of the mountain lies the world's smallest diocese: the Greek Orthodox St. Catherine's Monastery. The labyrinth-like fortress and the icon collection within are well worth the trip.
• The Suez region and north Sinai
  Those wishing to drive along the Suez Canal right up to the peninsula's northern coast to Port Said can hire a car to do so. The Great Bitter Lake is the widest section of the canal and a great place to take in the scenery. Many also make a stop at Ismaïlia which is named after its founder: Ismail the Magnificent. Many of the container ships along the waterway are awe-inspiring in size and some might even be carrying product destined for the numerous shops and boutiques in Port Said itself.

Recommendations:

• Flight to Cairo
  Those who feel no trip to Egypt is complete without seeing the pyramids can be there in just 45 minutes. The fascinating atmosphere of the nation's capital and the thrill that comes with visiting such unforgettable places as the Egyptian Museum, Old Cairo and nearby Giza is only a short flight away.
• Nile river cruises from Luxor
  Cruising along the Nile from Luxor is a great way to complement a holiday at the beach. Flights to the ‘world's greatest open air museum' operate daily and seeing the magnificent remnants from the time of the Pharaohs firsthand is truly unforgettable.