Day 1 - ARRIVE CAIRO
Welcome to Egypt - part of the Holyland and lavish backdrop for many of history's most enthralling tales. On arrival in Cairo, you will be met and transferred to one of the best hotels in Cairo, where your room overlooks the life giving waters of the River Nile.
Hotel: Conrad
Day 2 - CAIRO SIGHTSEEING
After a pre-tour briefing with your Tour Director, visit the enigmatic Sphinx and magnificent Pyramids of Giza. Your visit includes entry inside one of these extraordinary creations! Continue to Memphis, capital of the Old Kingdom, to see the colossal statue of Rameses II and great alabaster sphinx. At nearby Sakkara, view the Step Pyramid of Zoser; the oldest in the world. This evening attend a Sound and Light Show at the Pyramids, which literally illuminates the ancient history of Giza! (BB)
Day 3 - CAIRO - ASWAN
A morning flight across the Egyptian desert brings you to exotic Aswan. Maybe take an optional excursion by air to the fabulous temples of Abu Simbel? Later, board a traditional felucca and set sail around Kitchener Island. Your hotel is located on Elephantine island in the middle of the Nile. Perhaps enjoy the views and a drink at the Panorama Bar on top of the hotel's famous tower?
Hotel: Movenpick (BB)
Day 4 - ASWAN - JOIN CRUISE
Today's sightseeing includes a visit to the Aswan High Dam and the granite quarries, where an unfinished obelisk still lies attached to the granite bedrock. A motorboat then whisks you across the Nile to the well preserved Philae Island temple complex. It's time now to board one of the most stylish and spacious boats in Egypt. After being welcomed aboard, appreciate your lavish new surroundings - rich wood panelling, original Egyptian artwork, handcrafted brass lanterns and fine linen drapes.
Ship: MS Tosca (BB,L,D)
Day 5 - ON BOARD SHIP
Set sail for Kom Ombo early this morning to visit the riverside temple, uniquely dedicated to both the Crocodile God, Sobek, and the falcon-headed Horus. Continue cruising past irrigated fields and palm fringed villages to dock at Edfu. Join your Egyptian dinner and galabea party tonight. (BB,L,HD)
Day 6 - ON BOARD SHIP
This morning explore the well preserved temple of Horus, dedicated to the Falcon God. Then sit back, relax and enjoy an endless parade of everyday life in rural Egypt as you float down-stream to Luxor. On arrival, visit the beautiful temple of Luxor. (BB,L,D)
Day 7 - LUXOR SIGHTSEEING
Disembark your cruise boat and board an air-conditioned coach bound for the West Bank. See the huge Colossi of Memnon then visit the Temple of Hatshepsut. Continue to the Valley of the Kings, where Tutankhamun's treasure was found, and visit some of the Pharaohs' tombs. Your sightseeing culminates back in Luxor amid the avenues of sphinxes and gigantic columns of Karnak. Check into your famous hotel. Over the years it has been home to Howard Carter, Jane Fonda and King Farouk.
Hotel: Old Winter Palace (BB)
Day 8 - LUXOR - CAIRO
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight back to Cairo where you are at leisure. Perhaps take an optional excursion to visit the Coptic Cairo? (BB)
Day 9 - CAIRO SIGHTSEEING
Enjoy breath taking views over the city from the Citadel before visiting the Mohammed Ali Mosque. Later, amid the thousands of artifacts in the Egyptian Museum you view the treasure of Tutankhamun. Then time to try your bargaining skills the Khan El Khalili bazaars. The evening is at leisure.
Hotel: Conrad (BB)
Day 10 - DEPART CAIRO
You are transferred to Cairo Airport to board your onward flights. (BB)