^{The Very Best of}Egypt

Day 1 Wednesday, Cairo - 4 Nights

Assemble this morning at London Heathrow, Terminal 1 in time for our flight to Cairo. Our non-stop flight with BMI is scheduled to depart at 09.15. During our flight lunch will be served along with complimentary drinks. Our arrival is scheduled for 15.00 local time, and after clearing customs our waiting coach will transfer us to the deluxe Conrad Cairo, home for our first four nights. This evening meet with your Tour Manager and fellow travelling companions for welcome drinks and dinner. (Meals: Lunch, Refreshments, Dinner).

Day 2 Thursday

This morning enjoy a leisurely breakfast and the hotel's facilities. The most enduring images of Egypt are its Pharaonic treasures, such as the relics and artefacts that live in Cairo's Egyptian Museum and this afternoon we visit the museum for our first exciting glimpse into the life of the ancient Egyptians. Renowned for holding the finest collection of Egyptian antiquities in the world, the Egyptian Museum is unrivalled with over 136,000 items on display dating back to the very origins of a united Egypt in 3,100 BC. View the magnificent collection found in Tutankhamun's tomb and visit the fascinating Mummies Room, which houses a number of Royal Kings and Queens of ancient Egypt. After our visit we return to our hotel. (Meals: Breakfast).

Day 3 Friday

Following an early breakfast visit the last remaining wonder of the ancient world, the three Great Pyramids of Giza. Although the construction of the pyramids was only an episode in the long history of the pharaohs, this period has left us some of the most impressive monuments that can be seen anywhere in the world. Guarded by the familiar lone lion-bodied mighty Great Sphinx for 4,500 years, the mummified bodies of Kings Cheops, Kefren and Mykerinos were ferried down the Nile to be buried and prepared for the journey to the afterlife within these massive monuments. An opportunity to go inside one of the pyramids will be available for those that so wish (at an additional cost). Your afternoon is at leisure. (Meals: Breakfast).

Day 4 Saturday

Today has been left completely at your leisure. Maybe take a visit to another of Cairo's popular attractions, the famous Citadel and the 19th century Mosque of Mohammed Ali. Perhaps consider a trip further north to visit Egypt's oldest capital Memphis and visit Saqqara, one of Egypt's most extensive archeological sites. For those interested in shopping, take a trip to Khan El Kalili bazaar where you can purchase everything from exquisite jewellery to hand-woven carpets, papyrus paintings to pipes and perfumes. (Meals: Breakfast).

Day 5 Sunday, Aswan - 3 Nights

Our final day in Cairo has been left at leisure for you to enjoy. For your convenience a late check-out has been arranged. There is time for an early dinner in one of the hotel's restaurants before we leave for the airport for our evening flight to Aswan. Egyptair flight MS231 is due to depart at 22.00 and scheduled for arrival at 23.25. On arrival in Aswan our awaiting coach will transfer us to the Movenpick Aswan Resort on Elephantine Island, for the next three nights. (Meals: Breakfast).

Day 6 Monday

This morning there is plenty of time for a leisurely breakfast overlooking the delightfully picturesque Nile River and to enjoy the facilities of our hotel. This afternoon we take a visit to the Nubian Museum which retraces the whole of Nubian civilisation from prehistoric times to today. Opened in 1997, for Nubians the Museum represents official recognition of their identity and the essence of their history, now lost beneath the waters of Lake Nasser. After our visit we return to our hotel. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner).

Day 7 Tuesday

An early breakfast this morning before we transfer to Aswan Airport for our short Egyptair flight to Abu Simbel. Built by one of Egypt's greatest Pharaohs, Ramses II, these magnificent 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 on the anniversary of his coronation. The second temple, the Temple of Hathor is dedicated to his wife, Queen Nefertari. We return to the airport for our return flight to Aswan. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. (Meals: Breakfast).

Day 8 Wednesday, Nile Cruise - 6 nights

After breakfast transfer to the Oberoi Philae. An idyllic way to discover the rich history along the Nile, this deluxe cruiser offers the elegance of an old world voyage and the cruise itself is undoubtedly one of the tour's many highlights. After embarkation a buffet lunch is served at noon in the elegant dining room. This afternoon we enjoy a visit to the Botanical Garden by Felucca. On our return afternoon tea is served. There will be time at leisure to familiarise ourselves with the facilities of Oberoi Philae before enjoying a welcome cocktail reception, followed by dinner. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

Day 9 Thursday, Aswan - Kom Ombo - Edfu

Following an early buffet breakfast we embark on the first of today's sightseeing activities. After visiting the High and Old Dams and The Unfinished Obelisk, we take a short boat ride to the island temple of Philae, built as a dedication to the goddess Isis. We return to our boat and set sail for Kom Ombo enjoying lunch as we sail. This afternoon we visit the temples of Sobek and Haroeris at Kom Ombo which sit majestically along the banks of the Nile. We return to the boat and set sail for Edfu. This evening we enjoy an Egyptian buffet dinner, together with a Galabiya costume party. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

Day 10 Friday, Edfu - Essna Lock - Luxor

This morning's sightseeing takes us to the Temple of Horus at Edfu. Dedicated to Horus, the falcon headed god, the Temple began construction in 237 BC and is the best preserved ancient temple in Egypt. On returning to our boat we set sail for Essna. The remainder of the day provides a wonderful opportunity to watch the banks of the Nile pass by. This afternoon we pass through the Essna Lock and sail on to Luxor. This evening we are invited to enjoy a black & white dress dinner, followed by music and dancing. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

Day 11 Saturday, Luxor

This morning we disembark the Philae to explore the delights of the West Bank. Inconspicuous and unassuming, the Valley of the Kings housed 26 tombs of ancient Egyptian Kings over a period of nearly 500 years. One of the world's most famous archeological sites, it is also home to the tomb of Tutankhamun, the only tomb ever found intact. After exploring some of the many tombs we take a short visit to the Valley of the Queens and visit the Mortuary Temple of Ramses III. Our final visit this morning is the Colossi of Memnon. Standing for the past 3,400 years these two massive stone statues are the sole surviving remains of the funerary temple of Amenhotep III. We return to the Oberoi Philae in time for lunch followed by an afternoon at leisure. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

Day 12 Sunday, Luxor - Quina

Today we shall visit Karnak, one of Egypt's most impressive temples. A complex of sanctuaries, obelisks and pylons, dedicated to the glory of the pharaohs it is the largest temple complex ever built. Our final visit today is Luxor Temple. Built by Amenhotep III, over the years, several of Egypt's legendary rulers added to the glory of the Temple of Luxor, from Tutankhamun to Alexander the Great. We return to the Philae for lunch and set sail for Quina this afternoon. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

Day 13 Monday, Luxor

Following breakfast we disembark the Philae for our visit to the Temple of Hathor at Dendera. The site of the Dendera temple has been occupied since very ancient times but the temple itself dates "only" from the first century AD. Completed by Roman emperors, the temple was dedicated to Hathor, goddess of celebration, music and love. After our visit we return to the Philae and sail to Luxor. Your afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the passing scenery. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

Day 14 Tuesday, Luxor – 2 Nights

This morning we wave goodbye to the Oberoi Philae. Our waiting coach will transfer us on the short journey to the fabulous Sofitel Old Winter Palace. Boasting some of Egypt's finest gardens within its grounds, this former palace provides the perfect setting for our final two nights in Egypt. The remainder of your day is at leisure to relax. (Meals: Breakfast).

Day 15 Wednesday

We have left today free for you to continue to enjoy the delights of the hotel and its surroundings. This evening there is the opportunity to relive the sights and sounds we have beheld with the new friends we have made, as we invite you to join your fellow travelling companions and Tour Manager for a farewell dinner. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner).

Day 16 Thursday

This morning we depart for Luxor airport in time for our Egyptair flight to Cairo, which departs at 10.15 and is scheduled to arrive at 11.25. On arrival into Cairo International Airport we will transfer to BMI flight BD772 for London Heathrow, which is scheduled to depart at 15.50. After departure a meal will be served along with complimentary drinks courtesy of BMI. Our flight is scheduled to arrive into London Heathrow at 20.10 when it will be time to say "farewell" to our travelling companions bringing our magical Egyptian adventure to an end. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner, Refreshments).