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Nile Valley Explorer

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12 days from £955

excluding international flights

DAY 1 – Arrival in Cairo.

On arrival in Cairo you will be met by our representative who will assist you through immigration and customs. You will then be taken by private car direct to your hotel. Recommended flight from London: bmi from London Heathrow (see below). If you are travelling from a country other than the UK we would be happy to give you guidance on your flight options.

DAY 2 – Pyramids, Sphinx and Solar Boat Museum.

Morning visit to the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, and the Solar Boat Museum [more]. The afternoon is free, with the option of visiting the site of ancient Memphis and the funerary complex of Zoser at Saqqara [more].  In the evening there is the option of attending the Sound and Light Performance at the Pyramids [more].
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 3 – The Egyptian Museum.  Board the train for Aswan.

Morning visit to the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities [more].  Return to your hotel in Giza for lunch, or you may choose to stay on inthe city and enjoy one of 3 optional excursions in the Old City of Cairo: The Citadel of Saladin, Mosque of Mohamed Ali and the Khan al-Khalili bazaar [more], Islamic Cairo [more], or The Coptic Museum and the Gayer-Anderson House [more].  In the evening board the overnight sleeper train to Aswan.
Meals included: Full breakfast, dinner.

DAY 4 – Arrive Aswan.  Aswan Sightseeing.

Arrive Aswan after breakfast.  You will be met and transferred direct to your hotel. In the afternoon you will visit the city's highlights, including the Temple of Philae (pictured left) [more].
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAYS 5 AND 6 - Aswan.

Two days at leisure in Aswan. A half day optional excursion by air may be taken to visit the incredible temples at Abu Simbel on the shores of Lake Nasser.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 7 - Drive to Luxor via Kom Ombo and Edfu.

In the morning depart by road along the east bank of the Nile to Luxor, stopping en route at the temples of Kom Ombo [more] and Edfu [more].  On arrival in Luxor check into your hotel.  The remainder of the day is free.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 8 – Valley of the Kings and Western Thebes.

In the early morning cross the Nile to visit the magnificent archaeological remains of Western Thebes [more].  Afternoon free.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 9 – Karnak and Luxor Temples.

As ancient Thebes, Luxor was the capital of Egypt’s New Kingdom(1550-1069 BC) and has attracted tourists and travellers since Greekand Roman times with its incomparable wealth of monuments. In the morning there are included visits to the two great Pharaonic temples of the East Bank: Karnak and Luxor temples [more]. Return to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 10 – At leisure.  Board the train back to Cairo.

The day is free until the evening transfer to Luxor Railway Station for the overnight sleeper train back to Cairo.
Meals included: Full breakfast, dinner.

DAY 11 – Arrive Cairo.

Morning arrival in Cairo, where you will be met and taken to your hotel.  The rest of the day is free.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 12 - Fly back home.

Transfer to Cairo Airport for your homeward flight.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

We recommend the services of bmi from LondonHeathrow. Flights are non-stop and have a choice of classes. Current timings (subject to possible change) are as follows:
Heathrow/Cairo. Depart at 09.15; arrive Cairo at 16.20
Cairo/Heathrow. Depart at 17.25; arrive Heathrow at 20.50

Nile Valley Explorer (Tour Reference: WDEG012)
2010/2011 Departures
Price per person based on a minimum of two persons travelling together:

Single Room Supplements on request.

The price includes:

• Scheduled train journeys from Cairo to Aswan and from Luxor to Cairo.
• Hotel and sleeper train accommodation as listed above in twin-bedded rooms/cabins with private facilities.
• 11 full breakfasts and 2 dinners as shown in the itinerary.
• Private transportation at each location.
• All sightseeing as shown (unless indicated as ‘optional’), including entrance fees.
• The services of a private guide for the included sightseeing.

Not included in the price:

• International flights (see our recommendation above). We are happy to discuss the flights with you and give you further guidance.
• Optional sightseeing. It is recommended that the optional excursion by air to Abu Simbel is booked prior to your departure from the UK (current price £160 per person).
• International airport taxes.
• Tipping. We will be pleased to give guidance in this often sensitive matter.
• Your Egyptian visa.  This can be obtained on arrival at Cairo Airport (no forms or photos required).  The current cost is 15 US dollars per person.
  

A deposit of £250 per person is required at the time of booking. The balance of the price for your travel arrangements must be paid at least 8 weeks before your departure date.