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ITINERARY
Tour Pace
A perfect balance of touring, cruising and Cairo sightseeing. A two night stay in Cairo at the beginning of the tour allows you time to adjust to your new surroundings. The majority of the tour, however, is spent relaxing on a 4 night Nile cruise, before disembarking for a night in exotic Aswan and one night back in Cairo.
DAY 1 – THU – CAIRO AT LEISURE
When arriving in Cairo, we are entering a land that abounds in wonders and mysteries, many of which are revealed on this tour. We are met at the airport and transferred to our hotel. Hotel: Marriott.
DAY 2 – FRI – CAIRO SIGHTSEEING
This morning our Tour Director welcomes us with coffee at a detailed pre-tour briefing. Then we visit the Citadel, from which we get a breathtaking view of the whole city. Salah El Din started the Citadel in the 12th century, but it owes its present outline to Mohammed Ali, whose great Mosque we visit next. We continue to Memphis, the capital of the Old Kingdom, where a colossal statue of Rameses II and a great alabaster sphinx await us. Nearby at Sakkara we view the Step Pyramid of Zoser I, dating from 2686BC and the oldest in the world. Now it's on to Giza for a camel ride to the Great Pyramid of Cheops, and a guided tour of these magnificent monuments and enigmatic Sphinx. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 3 – SAT – CAIRO – LUXOR – CRUISING
This morning we fly to Luxor, the former capital of the New Kingdom. In private moorings, near the edge of town, our 5 star cruise boat awaits! We board in time for lunch and then enjoy an unforgettable introduction to the world of ancient Egypt as we visit Luxor Temple. We also tour the awe inspiring temple complex of Karnak, with its vast Hypostyle Hall. We return this evening for a fabulous Sound and Light show. There, among the avenues of sphinxes and halls of colossal columns, we hear tales of ancient Thebes. (Buffet breakfast, Lunch, Three or four course table d’hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 4 – SUN – CRUISING – EDFU
After breakfast this morning we 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. We visit the amazing Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, blending into the cliff face above. Then continue to the Valley of the Kings, the burial place of many of the New Kingdom Pharaohs. This afternoon we cruise south to Esna, (see Esna Lock closure right) and Edfu. (Buffet breakfast, Lunch, Three or four course table d’hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 5 – MON – CRUISING – KOM OMBO
This morning we enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride to visit the beautifully preserved Temple of Horus, (the Falcon God) possibly the most complete in Egypt. Then we continue to Kom Ombo to visit the Temple of Sobek the crocodile god, conveniently situated on the river bank. Tonight we celebrate in true Egyptian style at a Oriental Dinner and Galabea Party. (Buffet breakfast, Lunch, Speciality Highlight Dinner)
DAY 6 – TUE – CRUISING – ASWAN
We cruise to exotic Aswan in the cool of early morning. We take a motorboat to the Temple of Isis, rising from the waters of the Nile on the Island of Philae. Later, we return to Aswan where we sail in a traditional Nile felucca around Aswan's Botanical Gardens. (Buffet breakfast, Lunch, Three or four course table d’hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 7 – WED – ASWAN
This morning perhaps join the 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.) Later we visit the Aswan High Dam and also the ancient Granite Quarries, where we see the enormous unfinished obelisk. We disembark and check in to our Aswan hotel. This evening, we are treated to high tea on the terrace of our hotel while enjoying the sunset! Hotel: New Cataract Hotel. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 8 – THU – ASWAN – CAIRO SIGHTSEEING
We transfer to the airport this morning for our return flight to Cairo. Back in the capital we enjoy a tour highlight as we visit the famous Egyptian Museum. Here, among the many thousands of artifacts on display, we will view Tutankhamun's splendid treasures. Do you believe in the curse of King Tut? Hotel: Marriott. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 9 – FRI – CAIRO
Our tour ends today after breakfast with a transfer to the airport. (Buffet breakfast)
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 2006, 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.
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