Note:
Itinerary Variations
Certain Nile cruises operate in reverse, from Aswan to Luxor. Due to the unreliability of domestic air scheduling, religious festivals and other unforeseen circumstances, the order of this itinerary may need to change at short notice. On occasions an alternative cruise boat of equal standard may be used.

Esna Lock Closure
The Esna Lock will be closed from 01-30 Jun & 01-16 Dec 2008, and cruise boats will not be permitted to travel between Luxor and Esna at this time. On tours spanning these dates, Luxor sightseeing as featured in the itinerary will be operated by coach from Esna instead of by boat.

---

Abu Simbel Optional Tour
(available with Egypt tours)

This immensely popular excursion, visiting the awe-inspiring Temples of Rameses II at Abu Simbel, should be booked at the same time as your tour to avoid disappointment.

Abu Simbel is the most beautiful and imaginative construction of the greatest and most whimsical Pharaoh in Egyptian history - Rameses II. The facade consists of four colossal statues of the Pharaoh seated on his throne. Each statue is 20 metres high, measures four metres from ear to ear and one metre along the line of the lips.

To the Pharaoh's architects, the temple represented a tremendous challenge which, two thousand years later, was to be taken up again by the engineers of the world in order to save it from the waters of the Nile.

Tour Code: X884.

DAY 1 - WED - DEPART USA
Overnight flight to Cairo.

DAY 2 - THU - CAIRO AT LEISURE
Welcome to Egypt! You are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

Hotel: Marriott.

DAY 3 - FRI - CAIRO SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast and a detailed pre-tour briefing with your Tour Director, commence your sightseeing in Memphis, capital of the Old Kingdom, where a colossal statue of Rameses II and a great alabaster sphinx awaits. Nearby at Sakkara, view the Step Pyramid of Zoser I; dating from 2686BC, it's the oldest in the world. Now enjoy a guided tour of Giza where you will see the enigmatic Sphinx and the magnificent Pyramids with a highlight visit inside one of these extraordinary creations! Later return for the magical Sound & Light Show which literally illuminates the ancient history of Giza! (BB)

DAY 4 - SAT - CAIRO - LUXOR - CRUISING
Fly to Luxor, the former capital of the New Kingdom. In private moorings near the edge of town, your cruise boat awaits. Board in time for lunch and then enjoy a horse and carriage ride to Luxor Temple which provides an unforgettable introduction to ancient Egypt. Now tour the awe inspiring temple complex of Karnak with its vast Hypostyle Hall, and avenues of sphinxes.
Ship: MS Medea/MS Sapphire. (BB,L,D)

DAY 5 - SUN - CRUISING - EDFU
After breakfast, cross to the west bank of the Nile and stop for a photo of the towering Colossi of Memnon. These two giant seated figures are all that is left of Amon-Ofis III mortuary temple. Visit the amazing Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, blending into the cliff face above. Continue to the Valley of the Kings, the burial place of many of the New Kingdom Pharaohs, before cruising south to Esna (see Esna Lock closure, below) and Edfu. (BB,L,D)

DAY 6 - MON - CRUISING - KOM OMBO
This morning visit the beautifully preserved Temple of Horus, (the Falcon God) possibly the most complete in Egypt. Continue to Kom Ombo to visit the Temple of Sobek, the crocodile god, conveniently situated on the river bank. Celebrate in true Egyptian style at an Oriental Dinner and Galabea Party. (BB,L,HD)

DAY 7 - TUE - CRUISING - ASWAN
Cruise to exotic Aswan in the cool of early morning. Visit the Aswan High Dam and also the ancient Granite Quarries to see the enormous unfinished obelisk. Take a motorboat to the Temple of Isis, rising from the waters of the Nile on the Island of Philae. Later, return to Aswan and sail in a traditional Nile felucca around Aswan's Botanical Gardens. (BB,L,D)

DAY 8 - WED - ASWAN - CAIRO
This morning, why not join an optional excursion to the temples of Abu Simbel, carved out of the rock by Rameses II and later rescued from the rising waters of Lake Nasser (see right). Otherwise, spend the morning in Aswan as you wish, before your transfer to the airport for your return flight to Cairo.

Hotel: Marriott. (BB)

DAY 9 - THU - CAIRO SIGHTSEEING
Visit the Citadel for a breathtaking view of the city of Cairo. Salah El Din started the Citadel in the 12th century, but it owes its present outline to Mohammed Ali, whose great Mosque you will visit next. Later, enjoy a highlight visit to the famous Egyptian Museum. Here, among the many thousands of artifacts on display, view Tutankhamun's splendid treasures, including his splendid burial mask. Do you believe in the curse of the `boy king'? (BB)

DAY 10 - FRI - RETURN TO USA
The tour ends with transfers to the airport. (BB)