Ultimate Egypt

An unforgettable day, with a guided tour of the Pyramids and the Sphinx of Giza. You'll then visit the Grand Egyptian Museum, where everything is put into context via the massive display of antiquities, including the complete relics of Tutankhamun's tomb. This afternoon

Today, we recommend visiting the Old Egyptian Museum, which traces the pre-dynasty history right through to the Graeco-Roman era. You'll see a fascinating display of sarcophagi, mummies and statue masterpieces. From here you visit Coptic Cairo, to explore the Coptic Christian community which features numerous Coptic churches, including the Church of St. Sergius, where Christ and family walked and hid in the cave, the Hanging Church, and the Ben Ezra Synagogue.

Your afternoon tour then explores the Islamic history of Cairo with a visit to the Citadel and the Muhammad Ali Mosque. Your tour finishes along Al Moez Street, one of the oldest streets in Cairo, complete with mausoleums, mosques, palaces and schools.

After breakfast it’s a transfer to the airport for a short flight south to Luxor. You’ll be greeted and transferred to your cruise boat, where there will be time to freshen up and enjoy lunch. This afternoon, it’s out with your guide to explore the indisputable masterpieces of Luxor’s East Bank, the Temples of Karnak and Luxor.

An early start for a busy but memorable morning discovering the awesome tombs and temples of the West Bank. Programmes vary frequently, but highlights of this fabled area include the Valley of the Kings, the Tombs of the Workers, Hatshepsut’s Temple and the Colossi of Memnon. On returning to the boat, you’ll enjoy lunch and set off on your cruise.

Itineraries will depend on the specific cruise boat, but today it is likely that you’ll visit the impressive Temple of Edfu, an extensive site with beautifully preserved icons and hieroglyphics. Pressing on, you’ll probably moor close to the Temple of Kom Ombo, visiting this fascinating site either after dark tonight or early tomorrow morning.

A lunchtime arrival in the picturesque town of Aswan, your final docking point. This afternoon there will be an excursion to the island Temple of Philae, before one final night to relax on board.

After disembarking you’ll be transferred across town to the Aswan High Dam, for the beginning of your four night Lake Nasser cruise on board. This afternoon’s sightseeing involves visits to Kalabsha Temple, Beit Al Wali and the kiosk of Kertassi.

A relaxing day’s cruising will be broken up by cocktails, served as you cruise past the Tropic of Cancer!

After yesterday’s relaxation, it’s back to sightseeing today, with visits to the Temple of Dakka, Wadi El Seboua and Meharakka in the morning, before stops at Amada and Derr after lunch.

In the morning the vessel will cruise past the citadel of Kasr Ibrim. After lunch, you’ll arrive at Abu Simbel for arguably the major highlight of your trip. The afternoon will be spent on a guided tour of the fabled temples, before an optional Sound and Light show and a candlelit dinner on board, with the illuminated temples providing a spectacular backdrop.

After breakfast you’ll leave the cruise for a short flight to Aswan. From here it’s a relatively long road transfer to the Red Sea, broken up by a rest stop at Luxor. Now it’s time to completely relax, with four night at your hotel.

A day at leisure by the Red Sea. For the active, there is world class diving and snorkelling to enjoy, with gentle introductions possible at the hotel’s house reef.

For a touch of extra pampering, there are varied massage treatments available at the hotel spa.

A final day to enjoy the enticing pool and sandy beach of your hotel.

After breakfast and a relaxing morning, you’ll be driven to the airport for a short domestic flight to Cairo. Here, you’ll connect with your flight back to the UK.