Wonders of Egypt and the Nile - 12 Days

If you arrive early there are plenty of things to see and do in this amazing city. Visit the Saladin Citadel of Cairo one of the most popular attractions in the city, or to really get a feel for the place, get lost in the bazaars and join the locals for a coffee in a local cafe.

Catch an early morning flight to Aswan. Opt to explore the busy Aswan market or visit the beautiful Philae Temple. Later, board a boat to visit a Nubian village. Walk around the small community and enjoy a traditional dinner in a local home.

Early in the morning, drive to the famed temples of Abu Simbel for a guided tour. Later, board our river cruise ship for the night.

Following breakfast, we set sail. Before too long it is time for our first shore excursion, with a visit to Kom Ombo, a temple dedicated to Sobek the crocodile god. It still contains an ancient mummified crocodile.

On the evening of day 5 our boat will moor overnight just outside of Luxor.

However, please note that sometimes the ship is directed to arrive in Luxor earlier on day 5 and therefore, the free time on board on this day will be swapped with the activities on day 7. Day 7 will then become a free day to explore Luxor on your own.

Today your journey takes you to the West Bank to enjoy a guided visit to the Temple of Hatshepsu. Later, you will meet your student-guide at the Funtasia Project Center where together you will bike through the village to visit the community. The group will then return to the centre to learn about the Planeterra project at this location over tea with your guide. Then, visit the Valley of the Kings and the Colossi of Memnon before having lunch with a local family on the West Bank of the Nile. On the way back to the hotel, stop at an Alabaster factory and watch as the manufacturer's own hands mold, shape, and reshape the rocks until they end up with stunning sculptures, statues, candle holders, etc. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Enjoy an excursion to the magnificent temples of Karnak and Luxor. In the afternoon, use free time to explore the bazaar, museums or opt to take a guided tour of the temples of Habu, Ramsseum and Deir El Medina.

Catch a flight back to Cairo in the morning. Stop for a tour inside the monasteries of Wadi Natrun en route to the historic Mediterranean city of Alexandria. Enjoy a free afternoon at your leisure to explore.

We have plenty of time to explore all the incredible sites this ancient city has to offer. Founded by Alexander the Great around 331BC, Egypt's only Mediterranean city is characterized by a distinctly European atmosphere and a refreshing sea breeze. Don't miss the chance to enjoy an optional seafood dinner at one of the city's many outdoor seaside restaurants this evening.

Head back to Cairo and explore the treasures of the Egyptian Museum. Enjoy lunch at your leisure in one of the many local restaurants in the area. Afterwards, pay a visit to Khan el-Khalili, a famous bazaar and souk in the historic center of Cairo. The remainder of the evening will be at your leisure.

We begin with one of the key highlights of any visit to Egypt, the Great Pyramids of Giza. While once located in remote desert, they now touch the suburbs of modern Cairo. Also visit the mysterious Sphinx, with its lion’s body and man’s face.

Depart at any time.