Cairo and The Nile

With layer upon layer of history spread over thousands of years, Egypt is truly a fascinating place to visit.

Whether you prefer to lie back and soak up the sun on the sandy shores amongst emerald palm trees and unspoilt surroundings, in the comfort of your sun lounger, or dust off your Indiana Jones Fedora and explore Egypt’s magnificent ancient temples and historic monuments.

Whatever you do, you’ll be fascinated by the hidden wonders that Egypt has to offer.

Cairo and The Nile

Start Date :	30-10-2010	£ 1399.00	OR
End Date :	08-11-2010

- Flights from London Heathrow to Cairo, Cairo to Luxor & Luxor to London Heathrow
- All UK & Egyptian airport taxes & charges
- All resort airport/hotel/ship transfers
- 2 nights at the Le Meridien Pyramids, Cairo
- 2 breakfasts and 1 lunch in Cairo
- Full day excursion to Pyramids & Egyptian Museum, Cairo
- 7 nights aboard the Royal Viking Nile Cruise
- 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches & 7 dinners on Nile cruise
- Nile Excursions - Valley of Kings, Karnak/Luxor Temples & Aswan

Day 1
Arrival to Cairo international Airport where you will be met and assist by our representative and transferred by air-conditioned coach to the hotel with dinner included at the hotel.

Day 2
Breakfast at the hotel followed by a fully guided excursion to the Pyramids and the Sphinx with a stop for shopping and lunch at local restaurant in pyramids zone. In the afternoon we visit the Egyptian museum and Citadel and Khan El Khalili before returning to the hotel late afternoon followed by dinner. Tonight there is an optional evening excursion to the spectacular Sound and Light show at the Pyramids & the Sphinx.

Day 3
Breakfast at the hotel followed by check-out, followeed by a transfer to Cairo airport for our internal flight to Luxor. On arrival you'll be transferred to to the Royal Viking where after boarding there will be a welcome meeting followed by dinner.

Day 4
An early morning start crossing over to the West Bank of the Nile to visit The Valley of the Kings, (for an extra charge you can visit the Tomb of Tutanhkhamun, see your guide for more details), Hatshepsut's Temple, the Valley of the Queens and Colossi of Memnon. (This whole morning tour takes approximately 5 hours.) On arrival back at the boat, a buffet lunch will be served and the boat will sail for Esna. The afternoon can spent relaxing on the sundeck while watching the varied local life on the river and its banks. Afternoon tea will be served on the sun deck. After Dinner, there's a small informal cocktail party where the management of the boat is introduced to everyone. At some stage during the evening the boat will pass through the lock at Esna then dock overnight in Edfu 3-4 hours later.

Day 5
Wake up at leisure and after breakfast, visit the Temple of Edfu. Afterwards, there is time to roam the local market where you will be able to prepare for this evening's Galabeya Party. Back on board the boat lunch will be served as the boat sails to Aswan. This wonderful journey takes approximately 10 hours and gives you chance to take a dip in the plunge pool, read a book or simply to enjoy the view. In the evening there will be a Galabeya party, where everyone dresses up in traditional Egyptian costumes for dinner and the party games. Late that night the boat will dock in Aswan for a stay of two nights.

Day 6
Morning visit to the High Dam, the Old Granite Quarries, the Unfinished Obelisk and then by boat to the Temple of Philae. In the afternoon sail by felucca around Kitchener's Island and its Botanical Gardens. After dinner, tonight's entertainment will be an Egyptian style 'Treasure Hunt'.

Day 7
Today can be spent either at leisure or on optional excursions. The most popular excursion is to the Temple of Abu Simbel which is available by coach or by air. In the afternoon an optional excursion to a Nubian Village via camel or boat can be arranged. In the late afternoon the boat will sail to Kom Ombo and a visit to the Ptolemic Temple usually takes place that evening. Dinner, evening entertainment and overnight on board.

Day 8
The day is spent at leisure as the boat heads to Luxor arriving later that evening. After dinner, enjoy the delights of a traditional Belly Dancer.

Day 9
The day can begin with an optional Hot Air Balloon trip giving you a bird’s eye view of the magnificent wonders of the West Bank and the surrounding countryside, afterwhich you can join a morning visit to Temple of Karnak, the papyrus museum and the traditional perfume shops of Luxor. In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Luxor, afterwards there is ample opportunity to explore the markets of Luxor for souvenirs and gifts. That evening there is an optional excursion to the Sound and Light Show at Karnak Temple.

Day 10
Disembarkation followed by transfers to Luxor airport for the fight back to the UK