DAY 1: UK - Luxor.
Fly to Luxor where you will be met and transferred to your cruise ship, MS Magic 2. (D)
DAY 2: Luxor - Esna.
Your Nile odyssey begins this morning with a tour of the spectacular ancient sites of the West Bank, Karnak and Luxor. Marvel at the aeons-old Pharaohs' rock tombs in the Valley of the Kings, the staggering Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, as well as the Colossi of Memnon. You'll also see the magnificent Temple of Karnak, located on the northern outskirts of Luxor. Built as a place of worship to the god Amun, this stunning complex has a forest of soaring pillars and was the most important of its kind in ancient Egypt. Another highlight today is Luxor Temple, situated in the centre of the bustling town, with its superb colossi, obelisk, courts and halls also dedicated to the mighty Amun. Tonight, your ship sets sail for Esna. (B, L, D)
DAY 3: Esna - Edfu - Kom Ombo - Aswan.
This morning, see the Temple of Horus, the largest after Karnak and one of Egypt's best preserved. Built 2,000 years ago to the falcon god Horus and covered by sands for centuries, this richly decorated temple is adorned with fascinating reliefs, friezes and inscriptions. Afterwards, you sail to Kom Ombo to see its imposing Greco-Roman temple, beautifully located overlooking the slow moving Nile. Constructed in 250 BC in honour of both Horus and the crocodile god Sobek, the temple contains sanctuaries where Egypt's first doctors are believed to have performed sophisticated operations on sick patients. Later, sail to Aswan. (B, L, D)
DAY 4: Aswan.
Today, marvel at the colossal, 111-metre high Aswan Dam, built between 1960 and 1971, which created Lake Nasser, before visiting the beautiful Temple of Philae, relocated from the island of Philae to prevent it being flooded by the Nile after the building of the modern Dam. This afternoon, there is time at leisure to relax on board your ship. (B, L, D)
DAY 5: Aswan - Cairo.
This morning, don't miss an optional excursion to imperious Abu Simbel. Carved from rock in the 13th century BC, the complex comprises the mighty Abu Simbel Temple, fronted by four giant seated colossi of Ramses II, and the smaller Temple of Hathor, both of which make awe-inspiring sights. This afternoon, enjoy a relaxed visit to the picturesque Botanical Gardens in Aswan, travelling by one of the white-sailed 'feluccas' that are a common sight on the Nile's waters. Later, bid farewell to your cruise ship, disembarking and transferring to Aswan airport for your flight to Cairo, for three nights. (B, L)
DAY 6: Cairo.
Why not make the most of this exhilarating city by joining an optional visit to the extraordinary Egyptian Museum? In central Cairo, this vast museum houses chamber after chamber of spectacular exhibits - numbering over 2,000,000 in all - from mummified pharaohs to ancient relics and most breathtaking of all, the priceless treasures found in the burial chambers of Tutankhamun. Marvel at the boy king's solid gold sarcophagus and his stupendous death mask, inlaid with lapis lazuli, turquoise and coral. Next on an optional tour, visit the glorious 12th century Citadel of Salah El Din and Mohamed Ali Mosque, before enjoying lunch at a typical Cairo restaurant. End the day with a stroll through the bustling, narrow streets of Khan El Khalili, Cairo's world-famous bazaar, packed with carpets, gold and silver, and craft stalls: perfect for picking up souvenirs of your trip. (B)
DAY 7: Cairo.
This morning, there's an included visit to the incredible Pyramids of Giza. One of the world's most instantly recognisable sights, these staggering architectural wonders were constructed from millions of massive stone blocks in around 2600 BC and stand next to the mysterious, regal-looking Sphinx, another astonishing sight. In the afternoon why not join an optional excursion to Memphis, believed to have been the ancient capital of Egypt from around 1300 BC? Once a magnificent city, the remaining statues and columns of the settlement include an alabaster sphinx and a limestone colossus of Ramses II, which make a poignant sight. From there, continue on to Sakkara, the royal cemetery of Memphis, crowned by the Step Pyramid of King Djozer - the first pyramid to be built in Egypt and Sakkara's largest funerary complex. (B)
DAY 8: Cairo - Luxor - UK.
Early morning, transfer to the airport and fly to Luxor for your flight to the UK. (L)
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