Classic Egypt with Nile Cruise

Arrive in Cairo, Egypt's vibrant and exhilarating capital. A welcoming place that is home to the best Pharaonic, Coptic and Islamic sites in Egypt; there is an incredible amount to discover here.

There are no activities planned today, so you are free to arrive in Cairo at any time. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Cairo International Airport (CAI), which is a 30-45 minute drive to the hotel. For those arriving on time our Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm for the welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner.

If your flight arrives earlier in the day, perhaps you might choose to catch your first glimpse of the mighty Nile River and visit the capital's medieval market at Khan el Khalili

This morning, we make our way to Giza, where we see the Pyramids and Sphinx; among the most impressive man-made spectacles in the world. We explore the pyramid complex, which includes the Sphinx, a crouching lion with a human head carved from solid rock and the splendid Granite Temple.

After the Pyramids, we visit a papyrus institute, where we will learn about the ancient methods of paper making in the Egypt of the Pharaohs. This afternoon we head back into the heart of Cairo to visit the Egyptian Museum; a spectacular repository of over 120,000 items encompassing all aspects of ancient Egyptian life, including ornate jewellery and towering granite statues, mummified remains and, of course, the remarkable golden treasures of Tutankhamun himself.

Today is a free day for optional trips in the capital. This morning there is the opportunity to visit Saqqara, the impressive steppe pyramid/necropolis of Zozer (Djoser) - the earliest of the pyramids of Egypt; whilst this afternoon you can take a trip to Islamic Cairo to visit the illustrious Citadel, one of Saladin's many strongholds during the Crusades period. There will also be the chance to enter one or more of the medieval mosques of Cairo. Alternatively you could use this free time to revisit the vast Egyptian Museum.

This evening we depart for Aswan on an overnight train in sleeper compartments, each containing a bench seat which converts into bunk beds. The carriage steward sets this up and provides bed linen, blankets and pillows. Each cabin is lockable and has a night light and cupboard that houses a small sink, shelf, mirror, towel and power socket plus there is a removable table top that folds into the wall. Dinner and breakfast is delivered by the carriage steward directly to you. Two western style toilets are located at the end of each carriage and there is a communal lounge carriage with a bar serving soft drinks.

Aswan is Egypt's most southerly city, traditionally regarded as the frontier post of Upper Egypt. Sited on the east bank, it stands just below the First Cataract and is the meeting point of Arab culture with Nubia and black Africa. Today we have time to explore Aswan and the surrounding area. Our early arrival allows us time to take an optional excursion to the Philae Temple marooned on a picturesque island, and the Unfinished Obelisk.

Returning to our hotel around lunch time there is time to relax this afternoon and enjoy independent sightseeing. This evening there will be the opportunity to take a motor boat journey to a traditional Nubian village for a home cooked dinner with a local family.

Today you may like to take a very early morning trip by bus to the fabulous rock-hewn temple of Abu Simbel. Cut into the rock face, this enormous structure was raised 61m to save it from floods created by the Aswan High Dam. The 20m high statues represent Ramses II, known as the great builder.

We return to Aswan and board a river cruise boat, our home for the next three nights, just in time for lunch. This afternoon is free for you to enjoy the facilities on board and relax, or alternatively explore Aswan's busy market or perhaps have afternoon tea at the Old Cataract Hotel (dress code applies) from where Agatha Christie wrote her novel Death on the Nile, pre booking is recommended. This evening's meal is served back on board.

Nile Riverboat cruise

The entire top deck is a large seating area with swimming pool, providing a great place to relax and take in the stunning Nile views. The interior includes a lounge and bar is a great place to socialise with other passengers. The spacious cabins are spread between two or three floors, depending on the vessel - each hosting a king or twin beds, en suite facilities, a TV and fridge. All are fitted with air-conditioning and wifi (chargeable). There is also a large restaurant. Evening entertainment is provided on one night during your cruise.

After breakfast we offer a choice of optional excursions. One option is to cross to the West Bank to visit St Simeon's Monastery, one of the largest Coptic monasteries in Egypt, built in the 7th century and abandoned in the 13th century. It now sits in isolation at the end of a desert valley, an impressive sight. A 45 minute camel ride brings us to the monastery where we will meet our local guide. After the visit we remount and return along the bank to our boat. Alternatively take a traditional felucca boat and sail around the Aswan islands including a visit to the beautiful Botanical Gardens.

We return in time for our cruise to begin and start sailing, heading north (downstream) towards Kom Ombo where we disembark. Situated on the banks of the river, this temple is particularly unique because it is dedicated to two gods; Haroeris and Sobek, the crocodile god. It is thought that this part of the Nile used to have a large crocodile population, hence the dedication to Sobek. This evening, we continue upstream to Edfu city where we overnight.

There is an early morning scheduled stop at the Temple of Edfu before breakfast. Following recent feedback, we have suspended the Edfu visit on animal welfare grounds. The only mode of transport to get from the dock to Edfu temple is by locally owned and controlled horse drawn caleshes. The condition and treatment of these horses falls below the standards set out in our animal protection policy. Edfu is an included scheduled stop on the cruise lasting around two hours.

Set sail once again to Luxor, arriving in the mid to late afternoon. Later this evening there is the opportunity to visit the Luxor museum located on the banks of the Nile. The museum houses a wide range of antiquities, mummies and statues. The museum is located on the Nile Corniche, a traffic free boulevard lit up at night that runs up to the Karnak temple.

This morning we disembark for the final time and drop our bags at the hotel before taking a traditional calesh ride (horse drawn carriage) to the Temple of Amun at Karnak, the labour of numerous pharaohs. Built around 2000 BC, this vast temple was still in progress during Cleopatra's reign during the 1st century BC. This afternoon is free to relax after a busy few days or you may like to visit the Workers Tombs and Habu Temple.

Arguably Egypt's most well known site, this morning we visit the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Valley of the Kings. Pharaoh Hatshepsut is believed to be the most successful reigning female power of Egypt, no mean feat during Ancient Egyptian times, and was buried alongside her male counterparts in the Valley of the Kings. Historians throughout modern history offer contrasting information about her reign but walking into the shadow of Hatshepsut's immense temple, which is built into the limestone rock face on Luxor's West Bank, is a key symbol of her achievements. The structure is unexpectedly modern by design and was once linked directly with Karnak Temple on the East Bank.

We will then transfer on to the world-famous Valley of the Kings, most well known as the burial site of Tutankhamun discovered in 1922 by British Egyptology Howard Carter, along with another 62 royal tombs. Our visit includes entrance to three of the tombs which will be decided on the day, as many are periodically closed for resting and renovation to protect them. After the three, there will be an option to pay a supplement to visit Tutankhamun's.

We arrive back to our hotel in time to relax for the rest of the afternoon, or you may like to take a stroll to the Luxor Temple and Museum, both of which are within easy walking distance of our hotel.

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Luxor.

There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Luxor at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel, if you wish to explore more of the city before you depart. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you need to depart from Luxor International Airport (LXR), which is 20 minutes\ drive from the hotel.