Wonders of Egypt (45 yrs & over)

Day 1     SAT      Cairo           
Welcome to Egypt! For passengers arriving on a nominated group flight (see Getting There page for details), you are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Cairo is the gateway to the ancient wonders of Egypt. This evening will be at your leisure. A group meeting time at the hotel will be designated for fellow travellers wishing to meet up.

DAY 2     SUN      Cairo Sightseeing
This morning, enjoy a guided tour of Giza where you will see the magnificent pyramids with a highlight visit inside one of these extraordinary creations. This evening is the group welcome dinner; a three course group dinner at a local restaurant in Cairo. (B, D)

DAY 3     MON    Cairo - Luxor - Cruising  
We will depart the hotel early this morning with a boxed breakfast to make our flight from Cairo to Luxor, the former capital of the New Kingdom. Upon arrival at Luxor airport the Valley of the Kings the burial place of many of the New Kingdom Pharaohs, Hatshepsut Temple and Colossi of Memnon. Later in the morning, we check-in for our Nile cruise with lunch served onboard. After lunch, we visit the Luxor Temple, then Karnak Temple, the largest temple complex ever built by man, constructed over a time period of 1500 years. Dinner is on board the cruise ship. (B,L,D)

DAY 4     TUE       Cruising
A relaxing day ahead as we cruise the Nile enjoy the sightseeing from onboard. There is a morning departure to Esna Lock before reaching our final destination of Edfu.

Edfu is located 60Km to the north of Aswan. Edfu was a flourishing city in Ancient Times. Today, the most important monument in the city of Edfu is the Temple of Horus, which is considered to be one of the most beautiful and preserved Temples in Egypt.  Dinner is onboard with (B,L,D)

DAY 5   WED     Cruising - Kom Ombo
Today, there's a visit to the Temple of Edfu by horse carriage, before we return onboard to sail to Kom Ombo, a magnificent sight and a great chance for photos on approach to the temple. The temple, dedicated to both Horus the Elder and Sobek, the crocodile god, is a glorious sight. Inside you will find some mummified remains of some small crocodiles.  This afternoon we sail to exotic Aswan.  Aswan is the 3rd largest city in Egypt. Aswan is derived from the Ancient Egyptian word Swan, which means "the market"! The local market is a great place for holiday shopping. Because of the location of Aswan, just north of the Tropic Of Cancer, the city enjoys a hot climate throughout the year! (B,L, HD)

DAY 6     THU      Cruising  - Aswan
Visit the unfinished obelisk, the Aswan High Dam and Philae Template. After lunch enjoy a felucca cruise with views of the Aga Khan Mausoleum and Kitcheners Island. Dinner onboard tonight.  (B,L,D)

DAY 7     FRI       Aswan
This morning we check-out from our Nile cruise and transfer to our hotel in Aswan town centre. Today, there is the optional excursion (highly recommended)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 below). This tour departs early morning and is approximately 5 hours duration including flying time. Otherwise, spend the day in Aswan at your leisure.  (B)
 
DAY 8     SAT      Aswan - Cairo - Alexandria
This morning after breakfast, we fly back to Cairo, upon arrival we drive through the desert to Alexandria, making the stop to the visit the Monastery of St Bishoi at Wadi El Natrun.   The city of Alexandria is where the Nile meets the Mediterranean and was founded by Alexander the Great in 322 BC.  On arrival in Alexandria we check-in to our hotel and the rest of your day is at leisure with the chance to enjoy at your leisure, the beautiful seafront area known as the Corniche.    (B)

DAY 9     SUN      Alexandria 
After breakfast there is a day of local touring to visit the National Museum of Alexandria, Roman Amphitheatre, Quayet-Bey fortress and Montazah Gardens and the Catacombs.  The Catacombs (meaning underground tunnels) lie in the district of Karmouz to the east of Alexandria. The area was called Kom El-Shouqafa or a pile of shards. The cemetery dates back to the 1st century A.D and was used until the 4th century A.D. It was discovered in 1900 when by pure chance, a donkey drawn cart fell into a pit, which led to the discovery. Why not pick a local spot to enjoy dinner tonight?   (B)

DAY 10  MON    Alexandria - Cairo
After breakfast, we check-out of our hotel and we depart Alexandria for our return trip to Cairo. Enroute we will visit the city of El Alamein to visit the site of one of the great battles of the Second World War.  While there we will visit the military cemeteries and the museum that house some of the personal possession of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, the famed "Desert Fox".   Dinner in Cairo is at a local restaurant (B, D)

DAY 11   TUE       Cairo Sightseeing
Today, you will enjoy a full day of sightseeing including a breathtaking view of the city of Cairo with a visit to the Citadel from the 12th century and next a visit to the great Mohammed Ali Mosque.  There is a highlight visit to the famous Egyptian Museum which including a viewing of Tutankhamen's splendid treasures.  (B)

DAY 12   WED     Cairo Sightseeing
This morning there is a half day of touring including Memphis, Sakkara, Memphis Museum and then the afternoon is at leisure.   We overnight at our Cairo hotel. This evening, dinner is at a local restaurant followed by the magnificent Sound and Light Show at the Pyramids - a wonderful finale to your tour (B)