Day 1 Departure from London Heathrow
Your Egyptian journey starts at Heathrow with a BMI scheduled flight to Cairo. Here you meet your Tour Manager and companions whilst enjoying complimentary drinks and snacks in the executive lounge. This evening we convene in the hotel for welcome drinks and dinner.
Meals: Inflight, Dinner
Hotel: Oberoi Mena House
Day 2 Cairo
This morning you visit Cairo's Egyptian Museum which gives you a first glimpse into the life of the ancient Egyptians – a prelude for what is to come. No matter how many museums you have visited, you will never find one more fascinating. Not surprisingly it has the finest collection of Egyptian antiquities in the world, with over 136,000 items on display dating back to 3,100 BC.
As you can imagine, it’s hard to know where to start, which is why your guide is so invaluable. Things to see in the museum include the astonishing collection of riches found in Tutankhamun’s tomb including his gold coffin – 450 pounds of solid gold – and the Mummies’ Room, where you see the remains of nine Pharaohs.
After your visit, your afternoon is free to take a look at the city. The largest city in the Arab World, it is nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its wealth of architecture. It is full of extraordinary sights, like the cities of the dead – cemeteries where over five million people live.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Oberoi Mena House.
Day 3 Cairo
This morning you visit the Great Pyramids of Giza. These massive stone structures were built around 4,500 years ago on a rocky desert plateau near the Nile – and they do not disappoint. Guarded by the equally famous Great Sphinx, they are all that remains of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Although they epitomize ancient Egypt, the biggest pyramids were built during a relatively short period, early in a civilization that lasted almost three millennia. The mummified bodies of Kings Cheops, Kefren and Mykerinos were ferried down the Nile to be prepared for their journey to the afterlife within these massive monuments. If you wish, you can go inside one of the pyramids for a small additional cost.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Oberoi Mena House
Day 4 Cairo
Today you are at leisure. You could visit the famous Citadel whose building was begun by Saladin in 1176, and the 19th century Mosque of Mohammed Ali. The Khan El Kalili bazaar is great fun. You’ll find all manner of good things, from handwoven carpets to brilliant papyrus paintings – perfect gifts and mementos. There are also personalised cartouches in gold and silver bearing your name in ancient hieroglyphics. A trip to Memphis, Egypt’s oldest capital is worth it to see the 33ft Colossus of Rameses II, whilst Sakkara is also an extremely interesting archaeological site. It is dominated by the famous step pyramid of King Zoser, which is centuries older than the ones at Giza.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Oberoi Mena House
Day 5 Cairo to Luxor
This morning you fly to Luxor to join the luxurious M/S Darakum for your 7 night Nile cruise. Without the rich fertility created by the flooding of the Nile the civilisation of the Pharaohs would never have been possible, and nearly all the cultural and historical sites of Ancient Egypt are found along its banks. There is no more idyllic (or practical) way to see them than the one you are about to experience.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Vessel: M/S Darakum
Day 6 Karnak & Luxor Temples
This morning you visit your first temple, Karnak. This is not just a temple. It is a city of temples – the largest religious sanctuary ever built and a place of pilgrimage for nearly 4,000 years. The sacred enclosure of Amon alone would hold ten cathedrals. The Hypostyle hall at 54,000 square feet with its 134 columns is still the largest room of any religious building in the world. Besides the main sanctuary there are smaller temples and a vast sacred lake. You reach nearby Luxor Temple by an avenue of Sphinxes – Egypt's rulers from Tutankhamun to Alexander the Great added to its glory. You then set out for Edfu, watching the banks of the Nile go by.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Vessel: M/S Darakum
Day 7 Temple of Horus & Kom Ombo
This morning you see the Temple at Edfu, dedicated to Horus the falconheaded sky god, whose eyes were the sun and moon. This, the best preserved temple of all, gives you an idea of how they all looked. Back on board you sail for Kom Ombo, once a training depot for African war elephants. Here you see the temples of Sobek the crocodile god and Haroeris majestically situated on the Nile’s banks before sailing for Aswan.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Vessel: M/S Darakum
Day 8 Aswan & Philae Temple
This morning after visiting the High and Old Dams and The Unfinished Obelisk, take a short boat ride to the island temple of Philae, dedicated to the goddess Isis. Then, a romantic trip in a felucca to visit the Botanical Garden.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Vessel: M/S Darakum
Day 9 Abu Simbel
This morning you take a short flight to Abu Simbel to see two of the world’s most magnificent monuments. Built by one of Egypt’s greatest Pharaohs, Rameses II, these great temples were almost lost beneath the waters of Lake Nasser. The inner hall of the Great Temple was placed with such precision that the first rays of sunlight reached the sanctuary twice a year: on the pharaoh’s birthday and the anniversary of his coronation. Afterwards you fly back to rejoin M/S Darakum, with an afternoon for reflection.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Vessel: M/S Darakum
Day 10 Cruise Aswan to Luxor
After the wonders you have seen, enjoy simply relaxing and watching the life on the banks of the great river as you cruise back to Luxor.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Vessel: M/S Darakum
Day 11 Valley of the Kings
Today it is entirely different to how it once was. The desolate Valley of the Kings appears quite nondescript, but contains 26 royal tombs – and 63 burial places in all. For nearly 500 years Pharaohs were buried here, but the only royal tomb ever found intact was Tutankhamun’s. After exploring some tombs – the brilliant paintings give a good picture of ancient life – you visit the Valley of the Queens and the Mortuary Temple of Rameses III. Massive reliefs depict his victories (and what happened to prisoners). Relax back onboard this afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Vessel: M/S Darakum
Day 12 Luxor
This morning, it’s goodbye to M/S Darakum and off to your hotel to put your feet up or look round Luxor.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Hilton
Day 13 Luxor
We have left today free for you to enjoy the delights of Luxor or simply relax in the hotel. There is what must be one of the world’s best situated infinity pools over the Nile and excellent views of The Valley of the Kings. This evening over a farewell dinner with your fellow travellers you’ll recall the extraordinary sights you have seen.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: Hilton
Day 14 Arrival into London Heathrow
You fly on Egyptair to Cairo to connect with your BMI flight to Heathrow. Perhaps you have made friends on your tour as many clients do – and you’ll make plans to meet again!
Meals: Breakfast, Inflight