Felucca Odyssey

Day 1: Cairo

Your trip starts today in Cairo. No activities are planned so you may arrive at any time. Rooms are generally available after 1.00 pm. If you have not pre-booked an arrival transfer you will find taxis available on arrival at Cairo Airport. Make sure you agree the price before you set off into town! Your tour leader may make contact tonight, otherwise you will see him tomorrow morning at the tour briefing, which usually takes place after breakfast.

Day 2: Cairo

With a population of around 16 million people, Cairo is one of the world’s biggest cities. Today is free to explore. Most will want to visit the Egyptian Museum (just a short taxi ride away on the other side of the river). Others may want to head to the Khan al-Khalili bazaar – a chaotic jumble of shops and stalls that have traded goods and gossip since the Middle Ages. You have time to do both, if you wish, and your tour leader can give you advice on how to organise taxis: but be prepared to bargain!

Day 3: Cairo-Aswan

While we are in Cairo we travel to the edge of the city to visit the pyramids and enigmatic Sphinx. We also explore the well-preserved Valley Temple of King Khafre (Chephren), a fine example of Old Kingdom architecture. The rest of the day is free for further exploration and in the evening we are transferred to the station for the night train to Aswan. Our air-conditioned carriage has large, comfortable seats (similar to business class seats on a plane) that recline to about 45°, and a simple dinner and breakfast are served on board. There is a toilet located at the end of the carriage.

Day 4: Aswan

Aswan is one of our favourite places. Despite the fact that it is Egypt's third-largest city, it has an easy-going, laid-back atmosphere that belies its size. There's lot's to see and for those keen on doing as much as possible we highly recommend a visit to the exquisite Temple of Isis, at Philae. Alternatively you can take a sailboat across to the Botanical Gardens on Lord Kitchener's Island and then continue to the other side of the river where you can take a fun camel ride up to the Monastery of St. Simeon. Your tour leader will give you all the information you require. At any time of the day the Nubian bazaar, which snakes through the back streets of town, is a hive of activity.

Day 5: Abu Simbel, Aswan

Rising early we travel by road to Abu Simbel, one of the most impressive temples ever built and one of the highlights of our visit to Egypt. We follow the shores of Lake Nasser and generally arrive at the temple just after sunrise, a perfect time for photographs. We enjoy a tour of the site and later return to Aswan, arriving around midday. In the late afternoon our Nubian sailors meet us and we travel by boat to their village for dinner. We enjoy a variety of traditional dishes and it's a great chance to meet their family.

Day 6-8: Felucca Cruise

Boarding our feluccas we set sail, travelling with the current towards Edfu. Sailing down the Nile is a magical experience, lying on thick mattresses, watching the dark waters glide past. We stop off at Komombo to visit the classic Greco-Roman Temple of Sobek, overlooking the river and the rest of our time is spent relaxing and enjoying timeless scenes of local life as we travel slowly down the Nile. Nights are spent sleeping on board and our crew provides simple, healthy meals. Feluccas are simple sailing boats, no more and no less. They have no engines and no toilets. There is a single deck on which you can stretch out during the day under a shade awning. It is an extremely relaxing way of travelling down the Nile, however many people find the pace very slow, especially when contrasted with a busy life back home. We strongly recommend you take books, magazines, card games, walkmans and any other items which might help to while away your time on board. Meals are simple. They are prepared by your Nubian crew and include chicken, rice, local breads and vegetables. Each evening your crew pulls into the shore. They generally find a flat, sandy area for the night. Toilet facilities are very basic. Note that, during the winter months (Oct-Mar), it be very cold on the river at night so you should bring thermals and a fleece. A sleeping bag is required.

Day 9: Edfu-Luxor

Reaching Edfu we say farewell to our Nubian friends, then explore the Temple of Horus - one of Egypt's finest temples, before travelling by bus into Luxor. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the town, and there’s a lot to see and do. The bazaar is extensive and it can occupy you for several hours. Alternatively you can visit the exquisite Luxor Museum – or take a stroll around Luxor Temple which dominates the centre of town. Entrance fees for these two options are listed below. Another popular activity is to take a horse-carriage ride to Karnak Temple, dedicated to the great God Amon, and considered one of the greatest of Ancient Egyptian monuments. Your tour leader can help organise the carriages.

Day 10: Luxor

Today we rise early to cross the Nile where our donkeys are waiting to take us into the Valley of the Kings. After matching up donkeys and riders we head off, just as the sun begins to rise in the eastern skies. It’s great fun and one of the highlights of our visit to Egypt. We return to the east bank where the afternoon is free to explore the town further. Those still wanting to fill up on Egyptology may be interested in the Sound & Light show at Karnak Temple – a memorable experience. Alternatively you can sit in a coffee shop and watch the world go by.

Day 11-12: Red Sea Coast

The Red Sea coast is renowned for its incredible turquoise waters and splendid coral reefs. Driving up from Luxor, we have two full days to relax on the beach at Hurghada - or we can head out to the reefs for a fun day of snorkelling. This is a great option and well worth considering.

Day 13: Hurghada-Cairo

The morning is free to relax further in Hurghada before making our way back to Cairo. We leave around midday and arrive back in the late afternoon/evening.

Day 14: Cairo

Your trip ends today, after breakfast. Check-out time is usually around 12.00 noon and you are free to leave at any time. Additional accommodation can be pre-booked if you wish to spend more time exploring Cairo.

Tour Grade: Culture

Whether you’re taking in man’s greatest works at places like Petra or Angkor Wat, experiencing grand set-pieces like the Trans-Mongolian Railway or trying your hand at regional specialities like tango in Buenos Aires, getting to grips with local cultures is what travel’s all about. A few tips from a local guide and a sense of adventure are pretty much all you need. So what are you waiting for? It’s time to get the lowdown on high Tibet among Lhasa’s magisterial temples; follow up Delhi’s eye-popping bustle with a fix of its fiery food; and mix manic markets and Incan masterpieces in Peru.