Tour and Fun Travel

Duration: 12 days - 11 nights
Cities: Cairo - Luxor - Dahabia - Aswan
Nile Dahabia

Itinerary:

DAY 1 CAIRO

You are welcome to arrive in Cairo at any time, as today is a designated arrival day with no planned activities. Please note that there will be an important welcome meeting this evening at our joining hotel. Please check the hotel notice board for more information on the location of this meeting or ask at reception. Please bring your passport and travel insurance documents to this meeting, as you will be required to fill out some important pre-trip admin documents.Your tipping kitty will be collected as this time (please refer to the "tipping" section of these notes for more information). After learning more about our tour and plans for the following day, you are welcome to join our leader and your travelling companions for an optional dinner nearby. 

If you arrive early there are plenty of things to see and do in this amazing city. Visit the Saladin Citadel of Cairo one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city, or to really get a feel for the place, get lost in the bazaars and join the locals for a coffee in a local cafe.

DAY 2 CAIRO (B)

Enjoy a morning visit to visit to the Egyptian Museum. With over 10,000 pieces from every period of Egyptian history, including the treasures from the tomb of Tutankhamun, the display can be a bit daunting. Your tour leader will direct you to the most important and magnificent items. There is also plenty of free time for you to explore on your own, including a chance to visit the famed Mummy Room where you can view the ancient remains of some of Egypt’s most important rulers (NB Extra entrance charges apply). 

This afternoon will be a real highlights of any visit to Egypt, the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. While once located in remote desert, they now touch the suburbs of modern Cairo. No matter how many photos or documentaries you have seen, your first glimpse of these marvels of the ancient world will take your breath away. As a qualified Egyptologist, your tour leader is able to expertly explain the facts and myths behind these three mammoth works of art. You will also visit the mysterious Sphinx, with its lion’s body and man’s face. Time permitting, there may be the chance to see inside one of the two smaller pyramids, take a ride around the pyramids on camel back or visit the fascinating Solar Boat Museum, which displays on of the pharaoh’s funerary barges - it may just be the oldest boat in existence! (NB extra entrance fees apply for all of these sites/activities). 

In the evening, we will transfer to the railway station to board our first class sleeper train. Our accommodation will be in comfortable twin-share bunk-bed compartments with lockable doors. The beds convert into seats when not in use and luggage is stored under the bottom bunk. Bedding is provided and there is a small wash basin with soap and towel provided. Shared toilet facilities are at the end of each carriage. A simple “airline style” dinner is provided, but most guests prefer to eat before boarding the train. Non Alcoholic Drinks are available to be purchased and there is a bar car for socialising. In the morning you will be brought a simple continental style breakfast around two hours before arrival.

DAYS 3-4 LUXOR (B)

We enjoy a tour of the mummification museum before enjoying a floodlit stroll around Luxor Temple. On Day 4 our day starts with a visit to the exciting ancient sites located on Luxor's West Bank. We begin with the two mammoth statues of Amenophis II at the Colossi of Memnon. These statues used to stand at the front of a temple, which is no longer in existence. They were famous since Greek times as they used to make a unique "singing" noise. You can even see ancient graffiti discussing this on the statues, from travellers of old! Next stop is the famous Valley of the Kings. While the treasure has now all gone, the tombs contain the most incredible paintings of the life of their encumbent and stories from the Book of the Dead. There is also the option to visit the the Tomb of Tutankhamun, whose treasures you saw at the Egyptian Museum. We finish our tour with the spectacular temple of Queen Hatshepsut, a reminder of the power women held in the Ancient Kingdom. 
In the afternoon we ride in horse drawn carriages to the amazing Karnak temple complex where you enjoy a guided visit with your Egyptologist guide. 

Overnight in Luxor.

DAYS 5-9 DAHABIYA RIVER CRUISE (5B,4L,4D)

Day 5 (B,L,D) 
Today we board out luxurious Dahabeya. This traditional wooden sailing boat will serve as both our vehicle and hotel for the next four days and nights as we combine the best of upper Egypt's sites, with relaxing and watching life unfold along the Nile. 

The accommodation on the boat comprises of 7 cabins, Each cabin measures 11m2 with either twin or matrimonial bed, and is individually named, tastefully decorated and has two large windows ensuring a great view of the Nile whilst enjoying the privacy of your own room. The cabins boast Egyptian cotton bedding, wardrobe and draw space. The bathrooms are equipped with a power shower, toilet, washbasin and hairdryer. 
The front of the ship has a living area which is a space to meet your fellow guests for drinks at the bar before dinner and chat about the events of the day late into the evening and also an alternate dining location. 
The Upper Deck is the place to be for sun worshipers with sun beds and a cool down shower. It has oriental floor seating, sun loungers, two Pergolas decorated with Arabic style, and an outdoor bar serving fresh juices and alcoholic beverages. The Sundeck is partially shaded so great for guests to enjoy outdoors views of Nile life, while protected from the sun. We will take most of our meals at the large outdoor banqueting table. 

Today we will drive to Esna and visit Esna temple before heading to the nNile and joining the Dahabiya Boat. 
Our crew will welcome you on board and help you settle into your cabins, before setting sail on our voyage towards Aswan. 

Day 6 Sailing to Edfu (B,L,D) 
Whilst sleeping, we gently sail en-route to Edfu- the location of one of the best preserved temples in the whole of Egypt. Enjoy breakfast at your leisure before we travel to Edfu Temple by horse carriage and enjoy a guided tour. 
Afterwards, we return to the boat, and set sail for our private island "El Fouza" where we will disembark for dinner served to you on the edge of the Nile. 

Day 7 Sailing to Gebel el Silsila (B,L,D) 
This morning we set off for the relaxing journey to the temple of Gebel el Silsila,another of our less frequented destinations. Prepare to be amazed as we tie up alongside the Speos of Hormheb. If possible dinner will be served on the grounds of the illuminated temple or on the upper deck of Boat whilst soaking up the tranquil atmosphere with music to match the mood. 

Day 8 Sailing to Kom Ombo (B,L,D) 
Again enjoy breakfast at your leisure as we sail on to Kom Ombo, home of Egypt's famous crocodile temple. Listen to the sounds of the water buffalo as they wade in the shallow water besides the banks of the Nile, the donkeys as they go about their day to day business and the various bird life of the river. 
Once at Kom Ombo, we visit the temple, learning all about it on a guided tour. Lunch will be served as we sail for the small island where we will moor for the evening and enjoy dinner at this atmospheric location. 

Day 09 Sailing to Aswan (B) 
Enjoy the stunning Nile scenery as we sail into Aswan, the gateway to Nubia. We should arrive around 10am, to enable you to enjoy this beautiful town. 
Aswan has a distinctively African feel to it. Small enough to walk around and graced with the most beautiful setting on the Nile, the pace of life is slow and relaxing. Spend time strolling up and down the broad Corniche watching the sailboats etch the sky with their tall masts or sitting in floating restaurants listening to Nubian music and eating freshly caught fish. You may wish to visit the unfinished obelisk, or take a small boat over to the wonderful island setting of the Temple of Philae. 

Overnight in Aswan hotel

DAYS 10 ASWAN (B,D)

Early on the morning of Day 10 we travel by plane to the magnificent temple of Abu Simbel. It is hard to believe that this marvelous temple, built by Ramses II between 1274 and 1244BC, would now be under Lake Nasser if modern engineering had not been put to work. These are perhaps Egypt's most splendid temples! In the afternoon, we return to Aswan. 

Late in the afternoon, we will board a local boat, known as a felucca, to take a trip along the Nile with views of the Agha Khan Mausoleum and Kitchener Island. Named after the British general Horatio Kitchener, the island is known for its botanical garden and the exotic plants he planted there 100 years ago, which continue to flourish today. Our final stop is the home of our felucca captain and the largest of the Nile islands in this area, Elephantine Island. We take a walk through the village and fields to learn more about the life of the Nubian people, before enjoying a traditional dinner at a local home. 

Overnight in Aswan. 

Estimated Travel Time: 
Aswan to Abu Simbel, 25mins each way (flight time)

DAY 11 CAIRO (B)

After breakfast we will transfer to Aswan Airport for a short flight back to Cairo. Upon arrival in Cairo, the choice is yours. Visit the Khan El Khalili Bazaars, legendary for fine brassware, copper, perfumes, leather, silver, gold, antiques and more; head out to Cairo's most ancient area, Coptic Cairo; or perhaps relax by the hotel pool. An optional farewell dinner and show on one of Cairo’s famous floating restaurants is available and highly recommended as a great way to round off your visit. 

Overnight in Cairo. 

Estimated Travel Time: 
Aswan to Cairo, 1.5 hr (flight time)

DAY 12 DEPART CAIRO (B)

You are free to depart at any time today. Please note that check-out time from the hotel is normally mid-morning, but luggage storage facilities are available. We are able to organise extra post-trip accommodation if you wish to extend your stay for a few more days. Please ask at the time of booking.