12 Day Egypt Holiday to Cairo, Alexandria, Aswan and Luxor

Day 1 : Cairo

Welcome to Egypt and the start of your holiday. Arrive at Cairo Airport and included a transfer to our hotel. The remainder of the day offers free time for you to relax and maybe have a dip in the swimming pool.

Bright and early this morning we drive to the port side city of Alexandria on the Mediterranean Coast. Arriving at the windswept city known for its broad beaches and seafront corniche dotted with sun loungers, amusements and cafes we embark on a guided tour of the Roman catacombs. Heading underground we view the largest known Roman burial site in Egypt, complete with burial chambers, labyrinth alleyways and entertaining rooms for families coming to visit the dead. We then visit Pompey’s Pillar, a modest 25m tower, which is all that remains of an ancient column, from the ruined Temple of Serapis.

We stop at the impressive, Library of Alexandria (and those who are interested can go inside) before following the seafront to Fort Quaitbey. Here, as we walk the promenade we’ll see the citadel built during the 1480s, perhaps most famous for being the site of the great Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the ancient Seven Wonders of the World.

After hotel check-in and time to freshen up, we’ll drive along the corniche stopping at a well known seafood restaurant for dinner.

Today we visit the Commonwealth War Graves of El Alamein. It is here where two extended battles were fought during World War II. The first began on the 1st July 1942 and lasted for 27 days, it ended as a stalemate. After 3 months of holding back the enemy, the Allies launched a second attack which lasted for 13 days. This saw the Allied forces (including British, Australian and New Zealand soldiers) push back the Axis powers for ultimate defeat in Tunisia. Some 13,000 Allied soldiers were killed and 70,000 were wounded in the battle.

Later, we tour the compact El Alamein military museum that acts as a memorial for the battle and houses lots of original war vehicles, weapons, uniforms and records. Displays in the museum detail the complete history of World War II in North Africa from all sides and stands on the site where the actual battle took place. This afternoon we return to Cairo.

Enjoy a free day in Cairo before the rest of your Egyptian adventure. Perhaps relax by the pool or head downtown for a spot of shopping at the chaotic yet mesmerising Khan el Khalili markets.

Cairo – Aswan. Visit the famous pyramids and huge Sphinx at Giza Plateau. Sole survivors from the ancient Greek-listed Seven Wonders of the World, the pyramids are the planet’s oldest tourist attraction! Gaze in awe at Cheops (Khufu) – the largest of the three great pyramids. Constructed from over 2.5 million limestone blocks it is thought to have taken more than 20 years to construct. Continuing to Saqqara, we can explore the myriad tombs and temples at this site and see Zhoser’s step pyramid – constructed by Imhotep, the pharaoh’s chief architect in 2700 BC! Later there is a chance to have dinner before boarding the overnight sleeper train to Aswan.

Arrive and check into our hotel. This afternoon’s highlight is a leisurely boat trip to Agilika Island for a guided tour of the romantic Philae Temple – dedicated to the goddess Isis. As the sun sets, free time to shop in the colourful souqs and markets or simply relax and watch an amazing sunset in Egypt’s southern most town straddling the River Nile.Overnight: cruise| Breakfast,lunch,dinner

Aswan – Nile felucca cruise. Optional early morning drive to Abu Simbel, ]the rock-cut temple of King Ramses II, the Great Builder. This afternoon, we board our Nile felucca for a 2 night voyage downstream on the River Nile. If sailing by felucca is not your style, consider upgrading to a 5 star luxury Nile Cruise with our Nile Cruise Upgrade..

Relax, go for a swim or just chill out in the sun on deck. Let your troubles melt away, as the felucca plies its route.

Kom Ombo – Edfu – Luxor. Disembarking near Kom Ombo, we enjoy a guided tour of the Temple of Kom Ombo – dedicated to the crocodile headed god – Sobek and the Temple of Horus at Edfu, before driving north to Luxor. Home of the legendary Valley of the Kings and Temple of Karnak, 4000 year-old Luxor is ancient Egypt at its best. Enjoy some rest and relaxation. Tonight, an optional visit is available to the Temple of Luxor, alternatively enjoy the facilities of your hotel.

Take flight over ancient Luxor with an optional hot air balloon ride very early this morning before touring the West Bank of the Nile. An early start allows us to avoid some of the fierce midday heat as we venture to the tomb strewn Valley of the Kings. Highlights of the visit include the Colossi of Memnon, a massive pair of statues that stand silent against a historic backdrop, the Valleys of the Kings with its beautifully decorated tombs, constructed to once house the regal sarcophagi enclosed mummies of the mighty pharaohs awaiting passage into the after-life and the awesome colonnaded Temple of Queen Hatshepsut.

This afternoon after lunch and time to relax we visit the colossal Temple of Karnak, with its stone-columned Hypostle Hall. Tonight, we return by overnight train to Cairo.

Arrival in Cairo and hotel check-in. Later, we visit the famous Egyptian Museum, famed for the treasures of King Tutankhamun and his famous solid gold funerary mask. This afternoon is free for you to independently explore or a Cairo city tour is available to book locally.

Sunday. Hotel check out and included onward departure transfer to airport