Nile & Red Sea Journey

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 will meet you tomorrow morning.

Day 2: Cairo

Cairo is the ‘Mother’ of all cities, a massive, sprawling metropolis of some 16 million people. Our first stop today is the celebrated Egyptian Museum, where our local guide explains the history and mysteries of Ancient Egypt. We see the golden mask of King Tutankhamun, and numerous other treasures and later we drive out to the edge of the desert to explore the pyramids and the nearby Sphinx. We also visit the beautiful Valley Temple of King Khafre (Chephren), a superb example of Old Kingdom engineering.

Day 3: Cairo-Aswan

We visit Memphis, the first capital of Ancient Egypt, and Saqqara, its necropolis. Here we explore the step-pyramid, the oldest recorded stone building in the world, constructed around 2660BC, and the predecessor to the pyramids at Meidum, Dahshur and Giza. Our guide gives us a fascinating insight into the concept and development of pyramid building. Nearby are several old kingdom tombs that are well worth visiting and once we have finished we make our way back to Cairo. The rest of our day is free to relax or explore further until it’s time to head 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

On arrival in Aswan we head to our hotel where we can relax for a while before heading out to explore the Nubian bazaar - a long and colourful street that snakes through the centre of town. Other options, while here, include the Temple of Isis, at Philae Island. In the late afternoon we enjoy a leisurely sailboat ride around the islands, in a traditional ‘felucca’.

Day 5: Abu Simbel-Nile Cruise

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, where we board our Nile Cruise boat. After lunch the rest of the day is free to sleep, or to relax on the sundeck.

Day 6 & 7: Nile Cruise

Cruising along the Nile is a magical experience, sitting on the sundeck, watching timeless scenes as we glide over the dark waters. We stop at Komombo to visit the Temple of Sobek, a Greco-Roman temple that overlooks the river, and at Edfu we explore the well-preserved Temple of Horus, considered one of the finest examples of temple building. All meals are served in the comfortable dining room, and on one evening we enjoy an impromptu fancy-dress party, which is always great fun. On arrival in Luxor we take horse-drawn carriages to the massive complex at Karnak, built over a period of some 2000 years, and one of the greatest temples ever constructed.

Day 8: Luxor

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. This is a lot of fun and one of the highlights of our visit to Egypt. We meet our guide in the Valley of the Kings where we enjoy a full tour of the area before visiting several tombs. Then we climb up over the red Theban hills as our donkeys lead us up to a panoramic viewpoint where the whole of the west bank, the Nile and Luxor town can be seen. We then return to the east bank where the afternoon is free to check out the bazaar.

Day 9: Luxor-Red Sea

The Red Sea coast is renowned for its incredible turquoise waters and splendid coral reefs. In the morning we drive up from Luxor, arriving in Hurghada around midday. The afternoon is free to relax and swim.

Day 10: Red Sea

Today we head out on a local boat for a full day of exploration. It’s great to be out on the sea after the dusty landscapes of the Nile valley, and we enjoy the incredibly warm waters that are perfect for swimming. We can also explore the many excellent coral reefs and we enjoy a local seafood lunch.

Day 11: Red Sea-Cairo

We have most of the morning to relax in Hurghada before making our way back to Cairo. We leave in the late morning and arrive back in the late afternoon.

Day 12: 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.