Classic Egypt with Nile Cruise + Red Sea Extension

Arrive in Cairo, Egypt's vibrant and exhilarating capital. A welcoming place that is home to the best Pharaonic, Coptic and Islamic sites in Egypt; there is an incredible amount to discover here.

There are no activities planned today, so you are free to arrive in Cairo at any time. If you would like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Cairo International Airport (CAI), which is a 30 to 45 minute drive to the hotel. At 6pm, our tour leader will meet you in the hotel reception for a welcome meeting. If you want to, there'll be the chance to go out for dinner afterwards. If you arrive later, our tour leader will catch you up at a later point.

If your flight arrives earlier in the day, perhaps you might choose to catch your first glimpse of the mighty Nile River, visit the capital's medieval market at Khan el Khalili or cross the river to take a walk down the Nile promenade.

This morning, we'll make our way to Giza, where we'll see the pyramids and sphinx; among the most impressive man-made spectacles in the world. We'll explore the pyramid complex, which includes the sphinx, a crouching lion with a human head carved from solid rock and the splendid Granite Temple, with a local guide.

We'll then head to the spectacular new Egyptian Museum in Giza; a repository of over 100,000 items encompassing all aspects of ancient Egyptian life, including ornate jewellery, caskets and towering granite statues and mummified remains. At the time of writing there are twelve galleries open including the remarkable golden treasures of Tutankhamun. The Grand Egyptian Museum is a wonderful destination in itself, its sheer size and beautiful architectural design has deservedly drawn acclaim worldwide. After our tour there is time to have lunch in one of the many restaurants in the museum.

Returning to our hotel in the city centre, there will be time to take a stroll to visit the capital's medieval market at Khan el Khalili, have a dip in the pool or relax on the rooftop terrace overlooking the Nile.

Our first stop is to visit the original Egyptian Museum, a very short drive from our hotel; located on Tahrir square. The museum hosts many antiquities yet to have been moved to the new museum in Giza. The rest of the day is free for optional trips in the capital. This morning there is the opportunity to visit Saqqara, the impressive steppe pyramid/necropolis of Zozer (Djoser), the earliest of the pyramids of Egypt. In the afternoon, you can take a trip to Islamic Cairo to visit the illustrious Citadel, one of Saladin's many strongholds during the Crusades. There will also be the chance to enter one or more of the medieval mosques of Cairo, where there is a requirement to dress modestly with looser fitting clothing that covers the arms and legs. Shorts or sleeveless shirts are not permitted. Please see the Budgeting & packing section for more details.

This evening, we'll depart for Aswan on an overnight train. We use the best available sleeper compartments, with two berth cabins, each containing a bench seat which converts into bunk beds. Whilst the service is designated as first class, the standard is not comparable with European first-class train travel. Dinner and breakfast are delivered by the carriage steward directly to you but it's also worth purchasing some snacks before you board.

Aswan is Egypt's most southerly city, traditionally regarded as the frontier post of Upper Egypt. Sited on the east bank, it stands just below the First Cataract and is the meeting point of Arab culture with Nubia and black Africa. Today we explore Aswan and the surrounding area. Our early arrival allows us time to take an excursion to the Philae Temple marooned on a picturesque island, having been relocated when the original site was flooded following completion of the Aswan dam. The temple is adorned with beautifully carved pylons containing some of Egypt's finest carvings. We travel to the island and back on a small motorboat.

Returning to our hotel around lunch time, the afternoon is free to relax, use the hotel pool located on the banks of the Nile or undertake some independent sightseeing. The Nubian bazaar a short walk away from our hotel in the centre of Aswan is well worth a visit, the bazaar contains many unusual stalls including perfume shops and a papyrus institute. Its also possible to take a optional tour to the Aswan high dam completed in 1970 and the unfinished obelisk. This evening there will be the opportunity to take a motor boat journey to a traditional Nubian village for a home cooked dinner with a local family.

Today you may like to take a very early morning trip by bus to the fabulous rock-hewn temple of Abu Simbel. Cut into the rock face, this enormous structure was raised 61m to save it from floods created by the Aswan High Dam. The 20m high statues represent Ramses II, known as the great builder. We will have two hours to explore the famous site before returning to Aswan and boarding our river cruise boat, home for the next three nights.

Nile Riverboat cruise

On board our cruise, you'll be travelling in style. Typically accommodating around 130 guests, accommodation is in comfortable twin or double en suite cabins with large panoramic windows offering views of life carrying on along the Nile river. The cabins are well appointed with a TV, fridge, air conditioning and wifi (chargeable). The interior also comprises several large communal areas; the lounge and bar is a great place to socialise with other passengers. There is also a large restaurant, reading area and several shops on board. Evening entertainment is provided on one night during your cruise. The entire top deck is a large seating area with swimming pool, providing a great place to relax and take in the stunning Nile views.

We board just in time for lunch. This afternoon is free for you to enjoy the facilities on board and relax, or alternatively explore Aswan's busy market or perhaps have afternoon tea at the Old Cataract Hotel (dress code applies) from where Agatha Christie wrote her novel Death on the Nile. This evening's meal is served back on board.

After breakfast we offer a optional trip on a traditional felucca boat to sail around the Aswan islands including a visit to the Botanical Gardens.

We return in time for our cruise to begin and start sailing, heading north (downstream) towards Kom Ombo where we disembark. Situated on the banks of the river, this temple is particularly unique because it is dedicated to two gods; Haroeris and Sobek, the crocodile god. It is thought that this part of the Nile used to have a large crocodile population, hence the dedication to Sobek. This evening, we continue downstream to Edfu city where we overnight.

Continuing our cruise towards Luxor, there is a scheduled stop at the Temple of Edfu after breakfast lasting around two hours. The only mode of transport to get from the dock to Edfu Temple ( a journey of just over one kilometre, 0.7 miles) is by locally-owned and controlled horse-drawn caleshes. We have received feedback that the condition and treatment of these horses falls well below the standards set out in our Animal Protection Policy and efforts to support improvements have been unsuccessful. With this in mind we encourage you to opt out of visiting Edfu Temple so as not to endorse these poor welfare standards. If you wish to visit the temple please speak to your tour leader who can arrange this for you.

Set sail once again to Luxor, arriving in the late afternoon. The evening is free allowing for time to wander around the souks and busy streets before dinner. Later this evening there is the opportunity to experience the sound and light show at Karnak Temple, an incredible display where Karnak and the story of Egypt comes alive, alternatively its possible to visit the Luxor museum or the Luxor Mummification Museum which is open until 9pm.

This morning we disembark for the final time and drop our bags at the hotel before visiting the Temple of Amun at Karnak, the labour of numerous pharaohs. Built around 2000 BC, this vast temple was still in progress during Cleopatra's reign during the 1st century BC.

This afternoon is free to relax after a busy few days. It's possible to visit the Luxor museum and the Luxor Mummification Museum if not visited the previous day, both are within walking distance from our hotel.

This morning it is possible to take a optional hot air balloon rise over Luxor, the Valley of the Kings and the Temples of Antiquities on the West Bank. Pick up will be from your boat between 0430 and 0500. See the budgeting section for more details.

Arguably Egypt's most well known site, this morning we rise early to visit the world famous Valley of the Kings, most well known as the burial site of Tutankhamun discovered in 1922 by British Egyptology Howard Carter, along with another 62 royal tombs. Our visit includes entrance to three of the tombs which will be decided on the day, as many are periodically closed for resting and renovation to protect them. After the three, there will be an option to pay a supplement to visit Tutankhamun's tomb.

Our next stop is the Temple of Hatshepsut. Pharaoh Hatshepsut is believed to be the most successful reigning female power of Egypt, no mean feat during Ancient Egyptian times, and was buried alongside her male counterparts in the Valley of the Kings. Historians throughout modern history offer contrasting information about her reign but walking into the shadow of Hatshepsut's immense temple, which is built into the limestone rock face on Luxor's West Bank, is a key symbol of her achievements. The structure is unexpectedly modern by design and was once linked directly with Karnak Temple on the East Bank.

Continuing our exploration of the west bank, we visit the striking Habu temple, one of the less visited sites on the west bank and very much underrated. The temple complex is dominated by the highly decorated and well preserved funeral temple of Ramses III depicting scenes of conquests and famous battles. The complex also houses the Temple of Amun, built by Hatshepsut and Tuthmosis III. With the backdrop of the village in the foreground and the Theban hills behind its fitting end to our morning of visiting some of Egypt's best preserved ancient sites.

A home cooked lunch is included today at a local families house on the west bank. Sample traditional dishes such as okra stew, koshari made with rice, lentils, pasta and chickpeas and tagen, a rich tasty tomato based dish, all served with delicious freshly baked bread.

We arrive back to our hotel mid afternoon with time to relax for the rest of the afternoon, take a dip in the hotel pool or take a stroll to the lively markets in Luxor.

This morning we say goodbye to our leader and leave Luxor to make our way to Hurghada on the Red Sea. The drive takes around 5 hours, so we will have the afternoon to relax when we reach the hotel.

This Red Sea extension has been designed to complement the trip however we wish to point out that this extension is not a group experience, so you may not be travelling with other guests and is unaccompanied by our leader.

The Red Sea is famous for its superb coral reefs and multi-coloured fish. Schools of beautifully marked and iridescent species swim alongside barracudas and small sharks. There is the option to book a snorkelling trip by boat (6 to 8 hours) over the coral reefs around Hurghada. Scuba diving is another possibility or you may prefer to simply laze on the beach or by the pool and enjoy the hotel facilities.

Your time is your own; you can take it easy relaxing on the beach or by the pool and just enjoy your beautiful surroundings.

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Hurghada.

There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Hurghada at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel, if you wish to explore more of the town before you depart. If you would like an airport transfer today, you need to depart from Hurghada International Airport (HRG), which is approximately twenty minutes drive from the hotel.