(Click on each day to reveal detailed itinerary)

Depart UK and fly to Cairo. You will arrive in Cairo in the evening where you will be met by your tour leader. You will get to see a cross section of the city as you travel to your hotel in Giza. Overnight in Giza (Hotel) Meals: no meals included today

Today you will visit one of the most famous sites on earth, a site which contains the last remaining wonder of the ancient world. The morning will be spent at the Pyramids in Giza, learning about how and why these amazing tombs came into existence. From Giza you will return to downtown Cairo and visit the incredible Egyptian Museum, which is literally crammed full of antiquities, it would take you three months to look around this building if you were to spend three minutes looking at each item. Here you will find the exquisite treasures taken from the tomb of King Tutankhamen, the tomb itself will be visited later in your tour. In the evening you will board the comfortable overnight train to Aswan. We use the first class train which has private cabins and bunk beds and includes an evening meal and waiter service. Overnight on sleeper train. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

You will probably awake early as the train pulls up in Luxor however you can relax and enjoy the views from your cabin window as the train 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 you will cross onto Luxor’s West Bank, where your donkeys will be waiting for you. 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.

Your 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.

Today the tour ends, we will provide a transfer to the airport in Luxor for your homebound flight. Meals: breakfast