SAMPLE ITINERARY

Day 1: Fly to Egypt

Today fly from London to Cairo, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Egypt's bustling capital.

Situated on the Nile River, Cairo is a riot of history, colour and noise, with the call to prayer echoing from minarets and cars jostling with donkey carts along roads lined with impressive architectural monuments.

Day 2: Great Pyramids, Egyptian Museum & Khan el-Khalili Bazaar

This morning you will be collected by your guide for a full day private tour of Cairo’s key sights, starting with a visit to one of the most iconic attractions in the world - the Great Pyramids of Giza. The only survivor of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World , they were built over 4,500 years ago as giant tombs for the mummies of the pharaohs Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, who were a father, son and grandson.

The pyramids are truly monumental in scale with the largest, Khufu's, constructed from over two million blocks. They were not built by slaves but by Egyptian peasants, whose labour in building the pyramids paid their taxes to the pharaoh, who fed, clothed and housed them. The interior burial chambers of the Cheops Pyramid are open for the public to explore.

Nearby sits the enigmatic Sphinx, with the body of a lion and the face of a man wearing a royal head cloth, which workers may have based on King Khafre, who guards his enormous funerary monument. Approximately 1,000 years after the Sphinx was built it was covered in sand until a young prince had a dream in which the Sphinx told him that if he cleared the sand away, he would become pharaoh. This story is told on the 'Dream Stela' that was placed between the Sphinx's paws by King Tuthmose IV. A quick visit to the Papyrus Institute or a perfume shop can be arranged after your time discovering the pyramids.

Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before heading to the Egyptian Museum for the next part of your tour. Established by the Egyptian government in 1835, the present museum was built in 1900 in the Neoclassical style by the French architect, Marcel Dourgnon.

The museum's impressive collections now exceed 120,000 objects, ranging from the pre-historic era to the Greco-Roman period. It has over 100 halls, and the ground floor houses huge statues. The upper floor houses small statues, jewels and Tutankhamun’s treasures.

Spend your evening at Leisure.

Day 3: Pyramids of Dahshur & Saqqara

Depart morning to Memphis, Egypt's ancient capital and then to Saqqara, where the Step Pyramid built by King Djoser, the first Pharaoh to have his tomb built in monumental dimensions. His enormous Step Pyramid stands as a symbol of strength and powerful state, with the divine king at its centre.

After lunch, the tour continues to the Citadel, a fortress built in 1183 AD, which houses many important monuments, including The Mosque of Mohamed Ali and Al-Gawahara Palace. The day finishes with a visit to the Khan el Khalil Bazaar.

Evening at leisure

Day 4: Fly to Luxor & board your Riverboat

This morning transfer to Cairo airport for your flight to Luxor. Here you will be met and transferred to your luxury riverboat on the Nile.

The beautiful city of Luxor, which is divided by the Nile River, is situated on the site of ancient Thebes, which was the capital of the pharaohs between the 16th and 11th centuries BC. Its grand historic monuments include the temples of Luxor and Karnak, as well as the royal tombs of the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens, located on the west bank of the river.

Dinner on board or for late arrivals a light snack will be served. Overnight in Luxor.

We offer a variety of cruises of different durations, with cruises operating in both directions. You can also upgrade to other boats.

Day 5: Luxor

This morning settle in to your luxury riverboat, moored on the Nile River.

Breakfast on board, early morning visit to the West Bank including the Colossi of Memnon, Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens, burial sites for many of the most powerful and successful pharaohs and high priests, as well as the Temple of Hatshepsut.

Afterwards return to your cruise boat for dinner and overnight in Luxor.

Day 6: Esna - Kom Ombo - Aswan

Breakfast and Lunch on board whilst continue the journey south before sailing to Kom Ombo to visit the temple before dinner. This temple, unlike many others in Egypt, was dedicated to two gods; the Southern section is dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile headed man, god of fertility, and the Northern section to the Falcon headed god Horus.

There is also a fascinating crocodile museum to visit with many artefacts and mummified crocodiles. Sail to Aswan and overnight in Aswan.

Day 7: Aswan

After breakfast, visit the High Dam in Aswan, built in 1960-1971 to provide electricity to the villages along the Nile, the Unfinished Obelisk and the Temple of Isis on Philae Island.

Lunch on board and afternoon at leisure with an opportunity to revisit the Temple of Philae for an **optional sound & light show in the evening (priced at approx. £50pp).

Day 8: Aswan

After breakfast there is the option of a morning at leisure or an early morning **optional visit to Abu Simbel (priced at approx. £120pp by road or £280pp by air). This impressive temple, built by Rameses II stands on the banks of Lake Nasser.

After lunch on board, there is a relaxing boat trip around Elephantine Island to the Botanical Gardens on General Kitchener Island. Dinner and overnight in Aswan.

Day 9: Aswan - Kom Ombo

Morning at leisure.

Lunch on board and then set sail to Kom Ombo. After a brief stop at Kom Ombo, continue sailing and overnight.

Day 10: Esna - Luxor

After lunch you will be taken by coach to visit the ‘world’s largest greatest open air museum’ known as Karnak Temple, which covers a large area of land and includes several temples, the largest of them being the Temple of Amun.

Then drive a short distance to Luxor Temple. Originally, the temple was joined to Karnak by a long avenue of Sphinxes, many of which can still be seen today.

Returning to the boat for Dinner on board. Overnight in Luxor.

Day 11: Luxor

**Optional early morning balloon ride for the adventurous (priced at approx. £110pp). Breakfast on board followed by check-out and onward transfer to the airport.

PRICING

Price is based on two adults sharing en-suite accommodation on a bed & breakfast basis, with full board on the cruise. Economy flights from London are included, as well as all transfers and specified sightseeing.

We offer a choice of hotels and river cruises at different prices, so please discuss your requirements with us. All accommodation is subject to availability.

It is essential that you have personal holiday insurance. The FCO should also be consulted.