Depart UK and fly to Cairo. On arrival in Cairo the group will be met at the airport and assisted through customs. A drive through downtown Cairo will bring you to the hotel at Giza. Overnight in Giza (hotel) meals: no meals included today.

After a good nights rest and a hearty breakfast the group will drive the short distance to the incredible Pyramids of Giza. You will catch your first glimpse of these awesome tombs as the coach passes through the busy streets. Our Egyptologist guide will help to unravel the mysteries of Pyramids en-route to the site. There will be ample time to see all three Pyramids and even enter inside one of them before visiting the Sphinx. After a fantastic morning the group will return to the hotel for some free time. Your tour leader will use this opportunity to brief the group on the tour, travelling in Egypt and will even teach the students a few essential words of Arabic. In the evening we have included an authentic Egyptian meal at one of Cairo's famous restaurants. Overnight in Giza (Hotel) Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

A visit to Sakara and Dashur will convince anyone that the Pyramids were built by men and were not the work of aliens! North of Cairo the students can see the early attempts of the pyramid builders. The Step Pyramid, Red Pyramid and the Bent Pyramid stand lonely in the desert, evidence that the ancient architects worked scientifically, improving their designs until they achieved the perfect pyramid. These sites are not visited by many which means that the students can thoroughly explore these ancient tombs for a true Lara Croft experience! In the afternoon the students will board the sleeper train at Giza Station, the train ride is a great experience, dinner is served on board before everyone settles in for the night in comfortable bunks. Overnight on the train. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Everyone will probably start to stir as the train pulls up in Luxor however you can relax and enjoy the views from the train as the journey continues down the Nile to the beautiful city of Aswan. Arriving in Aswan you feel as though you are leaving the middle east and entering Africa, the Nile is beautiful and dotted with islands, huge golden dunes rise up on the west bank, the weather is hot and dry and the people are mostly from the land of Nubia – the region that was lost beneath the waters of Lake Nasser. On arrival you will transfer to the hotel. We have planned a leisurely morning so that you may unpack and take a shower after your long journey. After lunch you can take a tour through the colourful market streets of Aswan and down to the Corniche, here a felucca will pick you up and take you for a sail around the beautiful islands in the Nile, you will sail around Kitchener’s island, now a botanical garden and elephantine island – look out for pied kingfishers darting through the reeds, as well as ibis and egrets. On the west bank you will see the lonely mausoleum of Aga Khan. In the evening we have included a trip out to Agilkia Island, on Lake Nasser, to see the dramatic Sound and Light Show at Philae Temple. Overnight in Aswan. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast

Very early in the morning, before first light, you will drive out through the desert south toward the border with Sudan. The early start is well worth it when you arrive at the awesome monument of Abu Simbel. Four enormous seated statues of Ramses are set into the hill side, looking out over the blue waters of Lake Nasser. You will return to Aswan via the famous Aswan High Dam. Later when the temperature has dropped you will take a boat trip over to the West Bank where you will begin a camel safari through the magnificent dunes to a traditional Nubian House, owned by our friends, who will treat you to an authentic Nubian dinner.  Overnight in Aswan. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast, dinner

This morning you will have a leisurely breakfast at the hotel before checking out and boarding the feluccas. It won’t take long to feel totally at ease as the crew set sail out of Aswan. Now is the time for total relaxation, watch life along the banks or try your hand at sailing, lunch will be served onboard at the banks of the river, and the boats will tie up for the night as it gets dark. The crew will get a camp fire going and maybe get the drums out for a little Nubian music after a tasty dinner. Seeping on the feluccas is a magical experience, gazing up at a star filed sky listening to the waters of the Nile lapping at the bow. Overnight on-board. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Today the morning will be spent on the water. At some point during the day you will arrive at the delightful little temple of Kom Ombo. This temple is positioned on a bend of the Nile and so you will have a fantastic view of it on approach. You will have time to walk to the temple and explore inside, although damaged by the floods the temple retains some original painting and two mummified crocodiles! On arrival in Kom Ombo you will say goodbye to the felucca crew and transfer your bags to the private mini bus. Having explored the temple you will set off by road to Edfu.  The Temple of Edfu was built on the site where the Falcon-headed god Horus triumphed over evil by defeating Seth. The temple was completely buried beneath a sand dune until its discovery in 1860 making it the best preserved cult temple in Egypt. After your visit you will join the convoy to Luxor. (Depending on sailing times there may not be time to visit the temple) Overnight Luxor. Meals: breakfast, lunch

Today the group will cross onto Luxor’s West Bank, where the donkeys will be waiting. Donkey trekking through the arid mountains has to be the most exciting way to enter the Valley of the Kings, like the tomb raiders of ancient times. You will emerge dusty from the trek in a hidden corner of the valley well away from the main entrance and the tour coaches.

The last day in Luxor will begin with the famous temple at Karnak. Starting early you will trot through the streets of Luxor by calesh (horse carriage) to this amazing site. Karnak took around 1300 years to build, with each Pharaoh leaving his mark amongst the immense statues, pillars and obelisks. A guided tour will help unravel the incredible history of this temple complex.

After lunch there is the opportunity to visit the Sunshine Orphanage. This wonderful charity has been working hard for many years to try to give abandoned children the best possible start in life, they not only house and feed the orphans but also provide an education in the hopes that the boys can find work and the girls can find a husband and ultimately leave the orphanage and lead a normal and happy life. Clothes, toiletries, stationery are all gratefully recieved at the orphanage and the children would love to hear about your home country. If the students can spend a few hours here playing with the younger children and chatting to the older ones it will be very rewarding for everyone.

In the evening there will be a farewell dinner complete with some belly dancing! Overnight in Luxor (Hotel) Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Today the tour ends, your tour leader will accompany the group to Luxor airport for the home bound flight. Meals: breakfast