Festive Pyramids & Beaches - 15 days

Turn this festive season into a real ripper with a trip to Egypt. Will you choose to spend New Years or Xmas relaxing in the sun sea and sand of the Red Sea? You could be sailing serenely down the Nile in a traditional Felucca boat at Xmas or exploring the famous temple of Abu Simbel. The choice is yours with our three special festive departures...

AT A GLANCE

Starts in: Cairo Ends In: Cairo

Departs: 19th and 26th December 2010

Breakfast: 8 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. An action packed day, visiting the Egyptian Museum which houses the dazzling treasures of King Tutankhamen and the awesome Pyramids and lion-headed Sphinx at Giza. Tonight we travel by overnight train to Aswan. Overnight - train
	DAY 3: ASWAN Breakfast box. Arrive Aswan and check into hotel. Enjoy a day at leisure in Aswan or take an optional visit to the Philae temple, with exotic Nubian dinner on a local island. Overnight Aswan.
	DAY 4: ABU SIMBEL Breakfast/ breakfast box. Today you have the option to visit ABU SIMBEL. Today it's an early start for those who have booked the optional excursion to the legendary temples of Abu Simbel! We board a felucca this afternoon and sail up the Nile to the temple at Kom Ombo. We sleep on deck under a blanket of stars! Lunch, dinner & overnight felucca.
	DAY 5: FELUCCA SAILING Breakfast. Relax and enjoy the sunshine, as we spend the day sailing and chilling out on the felucca. Go for a swim, sunbathe and enjoy a few beers as the felucca plies its course. 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. We disembark this morning and visit the temple of Edfu on the banks of the Nile before driving to Luxor. Optional excursion to Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple by horse drawn carriage. Overnight Luxor. DAY 7: VALLEY OF THE KINGS Breakfast. Early morning motor boat launch to Luxor's West Bank and travel 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 try hot air ballooning over ancient Thebes beforehand - it's fabulous at sunrise! This evening we take the overnight train back to Cairo. Overnight train.
	DAY 8: CAIRO Enjoy a Free day exploring Egypt's bustling capital. Perhaps test your haggling skills at Khan El Khalili Markets, wander around the winding streets of the Islamic quarter and visit the Citadel. Overnight Cairo.
	DAY 9: DAHAB - RED SEA BEACH RETREAT Breakfast/ breakfast box. We travel by bus to Dahab on Egypt's famous Red Sea coast. Dahab has developed from a hippy village to a respected haven with a solid infrastructure for SCUBA divers, snorkellers and travellers seeking sun, sea and relaxation. With a range of beachside cafes, shops and bars along the waterfront corniche, great windsurfing, swimming and local excursions including camel treks available to Bedouin villages and Mt Sinai climbing, you’ll probably love Dahab. An optional adventure to climb Mt Sinai and watch an amazing sunrise will be offered this evening. Overnight - Dahab. WANT TO DO SOME DIVING IN DAHAB? The 1930km long body of water known as the Red Sea is a gift of nature and quite simply a diver’s nirvana. Visibility is excellent, the water temperate always warm and Dahab is closer and cheaper than Carribean or Indian Ocean resorts. Check out our 'Dive bolt-on' options for 'learn-to-dive', 'certified-dive' or 'advanced-dive' - you're right in the zone!
	DAY 10: DAHAB Wake up today and do what ever you please. Chill, relax or simply soak up the sun with a beer in hand. Overnight - Dahab. DAY 11: DAHAB Free time to do as you please. Overnight - Dahab
	DAY 12 - 13: DAHAB Today, we offer an optional excursion to snorkel the deep blue at the famed Blue Hole. On the outer wall of the hole is a 8 metre vertical shelf, home to a spectacular reef garden abundant with colourful coral and marine creatures. Day 13, is spent at leisure, consider snorkeling at the Three Pools or taking a camel safari along the beach at sunset. Overnight (2) - Dahab.
	DAY 14: CAIRO Today we return to Cairo - Africa's largest city. Spend what remains of the day at leisure. 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 15: CAIRO Our tours ends after breakfast and onward departure transfer to the airport.