Festive Egyptian Express - 9 days

Do something a bit different this year and head to Egypt to celebrate Xmas or New Year in the sunshine, check out the pyramids and ancient temples before floating down the Nile on a traditional Egyptian felucca boat. Life couldn't get better!

AT A GLANCE

Starts in: Cairo Ends In: Cairo

Departs: 20st and 27th December 2009

Breakfast: 7 Lunch: 2 Dinner 2

Tour Leader: Yes - fully qualified Egyptologist

Accommodation: 2- 3 hotels & felucca

Compulsory Single Supplement: No

Local Payment Required: No

Average Group Size: 20-30

	DAY 1: CAIRO Get ready to celebrate the festive season Egyptian style! Airport arrival meet and greet, transfer to hotel. Overnight Cairo. DAY 2: PYRAMIDS OF GIZA Breakfast. A big day out, kicking off at the Egyptian Museum, to see the treasures of King Tutankhamen before heading to the awesome pyramids and lion headed Sphinx of Giza. As sole survivors from the ancient wonders of the world, the pyramids certainly live up to the hype! Overnight train to Aswan.
	DAY 3: ASWAN Breakfast box. Aswan awaits! Today there is an optional visit to Agilika Island to tour the Philae temple, including a Nubian dinner. Or a free day to relax and explore Egypt's southern most city, shop in the colourful souks and watch the amazing sunset over the River Nile. Overnight Aswan.
	DAY 4: ABU SIMBEL Breakfast/ breakfast box. This morning setting out across the Sahara you have the option to visit the massive rock cut temple of visit ABU SIMBEL. Possibly the most awe-inspiring temple of all ancient Egypt, with its gigantic rock–cut façade, Abu Simbel is a testament to the might of the most revered ruler Ramses II. Later we board our feluccas and set sail along the River Nile. As our felucca plies its way our afternoon is spent lazing about, sunbathing and swimming. Lunch, dinner & overnight felucca.
	DAY 5: FELUCCA SAILING Breakfast, A blissful day of relaxing in the sun and enjoying the views, as the felucca plies its course up the Nile. Go for swim, play cards, chill out with some beers and sleep out under a blanket of stars! Lunch, dinner & overnight felucca. UPGRADE? If the felucca doesn't float your boat and you would like to upgrade then why not check out our 5* cruise bolt-on option instead.
	DAY 6: LUXOR Breakfast. Disembark and guided touring of the waterside Temple of Kom Ombo. Journeying onward we visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu en-route to the ancient capital of Thebes. At over 4000 years old Thebes (Luxor) is a living museum and the jewel in Egypt's archaeological crown. This evening we tour Luxor Temple - majestically illuminated by thousands of spotlights. Shafts of artificial light stream from the mammoth columns and intricately carved lintels the architectural brilliance of the temple is magnified with dramatic effect. Luxor Temple is one of only a few temples open for night time viewing and quickly becomes many travellers favourite. Overnight Luxor.
	DAY 7: VALLEY OF THE KINGS Breakfast. Early morning motor boat launch to Luxor's West Bank and ride donkey's to the imposing Temple of Hatshepsut. Afterward we visit the legendary Valley of the Kings and the massive pair of statues know as the Colossi of Memnon. If you're up for some dizzy excitement then why not do hot air ballooning over ancient Thebes beforehand - it's fabulous at sunrise! Later this evening climb aboard the overnight train to Cairo. Overnight Luxor
	DAY 8: CAIRO A free day to explore Cairo! Perhaps visit the famous Khan-al-Khalili bazaar to haggle for souvenirs, belly dancing costumes and spices! Or why not join us on an optional city tour visiting Islamic Cairo, the Citadel and Mosque of Salladin, the Coptic area and Hanging Church. Overnight - Cairo. DAY 9: CAIRO Tour ends after breakfast and onward departure transfer to the airport for your onward flight home.