Pyramids & Dahabiya

• Day 1:
• Arrive in Cairo

We meet you on your arrival in Cairo airport and transfer you to your hotel.

• Day 2:
• Cairo - Pyramids, Sphinx and Saqqara tour
  

Your first tour provides an introduction to the history of pyramid building, with visits to Zoser's step pyramid at Saqqara and of course the 3 main pyramids and sphinx at Gisa.

• Day 3:
• Cairo - City tour. Sleeper train to Luxor
  

You head into central Cairo today to learn more about Pharaonic history in the Egyptian Museum. Other visits include the mosques and palaces in the Citadel, ancient churches in Coptic Cairo, and the busy shopping streets of the Khan-el-Khalili bazaar. In the evening, you transfer to the station for the overnight sleeper train to Luxor (flight upgrades available).

• Day 4:
• Luxor - Karnak and Luxor temples. Board Dahabiya.
  

After arriving in Luxor your first tour is to the huge temple complex at Karnak. After boarding your Dahabiya and settling in, your afternoon is free to relax and explore Luxor further. In the evening you visit Luxor temple before enjoying your first of many special meals on board.

• Day 5:
• Luxor - West bank tour
  

This morning's tour heads across the Nile and explores several sites on the West bank including the Pharaonic tombs in the Valley of the Kings, Queen Hatchepsut and Medinat Habu temples and the Colossi of Memnon. As a private tour, this and all your sightseeing is flexible, and you could also visit the Ramesseum, Workers village, Valley of the Queens and other sites on the west bank if you wish. You also have the option this morning of a very special early morning hot air balloon flight.

• Day 6:
• Sail to Esna and visit the town and Temple
  

After leaving Luxor our cruise begins sailing towards Esna which will be our first stop. Whilst here you will have time to visit Esna town and also the Temple Khnum. The evening is spent onboard in Esna.

• Day 7:
• Sail past El Kab tombs to Edfu and tour the Temple
  

Continuing south along the Nile to Edfu, we pass the El Kab Tombs which date back to the 18th Dynasty and will be able to view them from the deck of the boat. After arriving into Edfu we have a guided tour of the Temple of Horus, which is one of the best preserved temples in Egypt. The evening is spent on-board close to Edfu.

• Day 8:
• Sail past the Silesia Temple to Komombo
  

Today we head for Komombo Temple and along the way we will stop to enjoy a BBQ lunch beside Al Ramady Island. Whilst sailing we will pass the Silesia Temple and sandstone quarries which you will be able to view from the deck of the boat.

• Day 9:
• Tour the Temple of Komombo and sail towards Aswan
  

Today begins with an extensive tour of Komombo Temple which was dedicated to the gods Sobek and Haroreris. As we continue sailing towards Aswan we have time for a BBQ lunch on Herdiab Island. Sail on to an island outside Aswan.

• Day 10:
• Continue to Aswan and visit Philae Temple
  

We continue sailing to Aswan this morning where we have a day of tours to visit the High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk and Philae temple. After lunch onboard we have an afternoon visit to the Nubian museum.

• Day 11:
• Optional Abu Simbel tour. Felucca cruise. Sleeper train to Cairo
  

This morning you have the option of joining the early morning convoy to Abu Simbel, the amazing reclaimed temple of Ramses the Great. If you choose not to visit Abu Simbel this morning then you have some free time to explore Aswan. In the afternoon we include a Felucca trip to Elephantine Island. In the evening we board the overnight sleeper train to Cairo.

• Day 12:
• Arrive in Cairo. Free day - optional tours
  

We arrive back in Cairo during the morning and the rest of the day is free for you to explore the city some more. We can also arrange an optional day trip to the nearby city of Alexandria or out into the deserts to visit the UNESCO World Heritage site at Wadi Rayan and the Valley of the Whales.

• Day 13:
• Tour ends in Cairo. Transfer to the airport
  

Your tour comes to an end today. You have some free time in Cairo until we transfer you to the airport for departure.