Egypt in Style

Days 1-2 Cairo
Colorful Cairo overflows with character, and there is plenty of time to soak up the vibrant atmosphere. Visit the majestic Sphinx and the sole surviving wonder of the ancient world, the Great Pyramids of Giza. Wander the halls of the massive Egyptian Museum, taking in the thousands of ancient artifacts on display including the dazzling treasures from Tutankhamun's tomb.

Days 3-4 Alexandria
The second largest city in Egypt, Alexandria has grown up around its ancient port. Head underground and delve into the mysteries of the Kom Ash-Shuqqafa catacombs. This Roman burial site is the largest of its kind in Egypt and was discovered, quite accidentally, by a hapless donkey. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina, built to hold eight million books, will surely inspire. Unwind from all the sightseeing with an optional seafood lunch and a stroll along the waterfront.

On the afternoon of day 4 we return to Cairo and then we board the evening train to Aswan. The train is comfortable - small, twin share cabins with dinner and breakfast included. All your bedding is supplied. There is a small wash basin in each cabin and shared toilets are down the corridor. There is even a small club car that serves drinks.

Days 5-6 Aswan
We arrive in the town of Aswan, home of the Nubian people. There is plenty of free time to explore Aswan's vibrant market or perhaps visit the excellent Nubian Museum. Watch a sunset over the Nile from a gliding felucca and enjoy a traditional Nubian dinner. In the afternoon we enjoy the Nile River from our felucca - a traditional Nile sailboat - and top off the day enjoying a traditional Nubian dinner. Wake early the next morning and fly to the massive stone temples of Ramses II, carved into rock at Abu Simbel. Built by Ramses II, it was the gateway to Egypt for Southern Africans and its imposing facade clearly delineated the line between what was the Pharaoh's land and what was not.

Days 7-9 Nile Cruise
We begin day 7 by visiting the Unfinished Obelisk and High Dam before transfering to our Nile cruise boat. Enjoy a fantastic mix of total relaxation and organised sightseeing during the cruise. We will visit the Kom Ombo Temple, north of Aswan. Built on a high dune overlooking the Nile, the copmplex was built from the early second century BC.

Further north we visit the Edfu temple en route to Luxor. This temple is dedicated to Horus, the falcon headed god and was begun in 237 BC and was finished in 57 BC. This is the best preserved ancient temple in Egypt and the second largest after Karnak.

On day 9 we arrive in Luxor the ancient capital of Egypt. On arrival in Luxor, wander through the magnificent Temples of Karnak. Dedicated to the Theban gods and to the greater glory of the Pharaohs, this remarkable complex of sanctuaries, pylons and obelisks was constructed over a period of nearly 1,500 years and is on a scale that needs to be seen to be believed. In the evening, take a moonlight stroll around the Temple of Luxor.

Our cruise boat is large and very comfortable. All cabins have private facilities and the boat is fully air-conditioned. Evenings will be spent on the boat so make full use of the boat's facilities where you can relax on the top deck by the pool and watch stunning Nile scenery pass by.

Day 10 Luxor
On day 10 we take our private mini-van and spend the morning discovering the many wonders of ancient Thebes.

We start with the Colossi of Memnon, two 17m high statues which are on the West Bank of Luxor. They were carved from granite blocks and represent the pharaoh Amenhotep III. The Temple of Hatshepsut was built for the great Queen Hatshepsut (18th Dynasty), to commemorate her achievements and to serve as a funerary Temple for her. And, of course, we visit the spectacular royal burial sites of the Valley of the Kings.

The afternoon is yours to explore - shop in the market or visit the world's first Mummification Museum to discover the secrets of pharaonic preservation.

Days 11-12 Cairo
On Day 11 a short flight takes us from Luxor back to Cairo (approx. 1.5 hours). In the afternoon we head out to the famous Khan al-Khalili market, spending time at one of our favorite coffee shops before meandering through the alleyways and backstreets looking for bargains. We celebrate our final evening together with a final night farewell dinner.

Day 12 Departure day
There are no activities planned for today and you are able to depart the hotel at any time. Check out time from the hotel is midday. If you are departing later, you can arrange luggage storage at the hotel reception.