Update May 2010:  On 22 Dec 2010 and from 2 Jan 2011 we will be running a new version of this tour, starting on Fridays and featuring a 5-day/4 night Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan.

 

The tour starts in Cairo with a guided tour of the pyramids and sphinx at Gisa, and the earlier attempts at pyramid building in and around Saqqara. We also have a full day's city tour visiting the Citadel, Coptic Cairo, and the world famous Egyptian museum with its Tutankhamun display and huge collection of ancient treasures. During this first stay in Cairo most departures stay in the Oberoi Mena House hotel, right at the foot of the pyramids

 

The overnight sleeper train (or optional flight) takes you south to the beautiful town of Aswan, which sits beside the cascading waters of the Nile. Here you can relax and watch myriad feluccas sail lazily around the many small islands or experience traditional Egyptian life with a stroll along the mazy streets of the town’s colourful bazaar. We take you on a visit to the lovely island temple of Philae and you have the option of a tour to Abu Simbel, with its remarkable temple to Ramses II, before beginning your cruise down the Nile towards Luxor.

 

Your time on board the cruise boat is both relaxing and interesting as you slowly make your way down river. You can relax by the pool and watch the world go by during the day, and dine on different cuisines at night. En route you will stop to tour the important temples of Komombo and Edfu before crossing the lock at Esna and reaching Luxor.

 

In Luxor we tour the West Bank of the Nile, where we explore Pharaonic tombs in the Valley of the Kings, see the deep carvings and coloured wall-paintings at Medinat Habu temple, and learn about the history of Egypt's only female pharaoh, at Queen Hatchepsut's temple.

On the East Bank of the Nile, we visit the temple of Luxor in the middle of town, as well as the huge temple complex at Karnak. A spectacular sunrise hot air balloon flight is available over the West Bank.

 

From Luxor you return to Cairo by sleeper train (or optional flight) where you have some free time to do a little more shopping or sightseeing, or take a day trip to the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, or to visit the spectacular desert scenery at Wadi Rayan and Wadi Hitan just outside Fayoum, near Cairo. This tour includes the 'Valley of the Whales' World Heritage Site where ancient whale fossils are found and displayed on the sand.

 

Your tour ends in Cairo with a transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Travelling with your children? Check our family information page.

 

We also have a range of diving holidays that take place in Dahab, Egypt.