Last night around 11:30 we passed through the new Assiut Barrage, there are 2 locks on this recently opened project on the River Nile. The transfer from one side to the other took less than ½ hour, we then continued for about another hour before stopping for the evening in Assiut itself.
The following photos show our progress through the lock.
It wasn’t a long overnight stop as we were back on our way again at 4:30 continuing on our way to Sohag.
Also yesterday evening just before dinner we found out from our onboard Egyptologist that as a result of recent itinerary adjustments, we were now set to be disembarking in Edfu and not Luxor on Monday 15th.
The new plan is for us to then drive 110km back to Luxor to catch our flight back to Cairo. We are not happy and do not want to spend the last day of our holiday doing something we do not want to do nor expected to be doing.
The itinerary has been continuously changing all cruise and until now we have gone along with the amendments. It was our belief that things were being adjusted so that more time could be made available at Luxor but now we have found out that this is not the case. Last night I sent an email to Discover Egypt and also Ian Warren in a bid to try and resolve our issues.
We are not very happy that the itinerary has evolved after we had already boarded. I think it is mightily unfair to do this without any real apparent reason to do so. Some were only minor changes but we could never really find out further than a day ahead how proceedings were being affected further into the cruise.
The boat and crew have been amazing but Travco’s organisational skills leave a lot to be desired. Other English speaking guests who are onboard are also very dissatisfied with the proceedings.
I am very happy to say that Discover Egypt have responded positively with the following revised arrangements for us:
I am sorry that you had to write to us about the change in sailing time from Luxor even before we were informed. Therefore, we will make the following change:
Saturday, 13 April
At leisure on board. (You will not visit the Temples of Karnak and Luxor this day.)
Sunday, 14 April
Excursion to the West Bank of the Nile as per itinerary.
Afternoon at leisure in Luxor.
Dinner on board and then transfer to the Sonesta St George Hotel
(The boat is sailing at approx. 10pm)
Monday, 15 April
After breakfast in hotel, our local guide will escort you on excursion to Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple. (exact pick up time will be advised locally)
Lunch at Sonesta Hotel.
Afternoon at leisure.
Transfer to Luxor airport for flight to Cairo.(exact pick up time will be advised locally)
A great result from a company that cares!
Back to today, we arrived at Sohag just after 2:00 and we have tied up alongside another boat which has been converted into a floating hotel and bar. I suspect tonight is going to be noisy as they seem to be setting up for a party on the top deck.
Hi Wans.
Thanks for the heads up on your latest adventure and I’m now up to date and looking forward to the next instalment.
Sounds like you and Nicole are having a great time and are being well looked after by all on board.
A great balance of text and photos which are excellent as always.
Keep up the good work.
Regards
Garfield
We did the Luxor to Aswan section of the Nile in 1999. At that time sections below Edfu were deemed unsafe so your latest cruise blog has been a revelation. Sorry to hear that they are messing you about with the itinerary . I see you will be seeing the temples at Karnak / Luxor. Were you originally to see the Tombs at the Valley of the Kings or not? We have good friends who could be interested in this cruise – would you recommend it ( allowing for the copping and changing?)
Hello Ian, nice to hear from you again. In answer to your question about Valley of the King’s, yes it was always on the itinerary. It’s just the timings that have all gone pear shaped. I would certainly recommend this itinerary, either booking direct with Discover Egypt or as we did with Ian Warren. Ian was a little more inventive with flight timings so as to avoid lots of very early morning departures.