Nile River Cruise

Day 1: Monday. UK - Luxor.
Depart Gatwick or Manchester for your flight to Luxor. On arrival, transfer by coach (approx. 30 minutes) and embark M.S. Da Vinci. In the evening, sail for Edfu.

Day 2: Tuesday. Edfu - Kom Ombo - Aswan.
At Edfu there is a visit to the Temple of Horus, probably Egypt's best preserved temple. Sail to Kom Ombo for a visit to the Temple before sailing to Aswan.

Day 3: Wednesday. Aswan.
In the morning you visit the High Dam and the Philae Temple which was dedicated to the gentle Goddess Isis. In the afternoon you can view the Aga Khan's Mausoleum and Botanical Garden whilst enjoying your trip on the Nile by felucca, a traditional Egyptian sailing boat. In the evening, there is an opportunity to see the Sound and Light show at the Philae Temple (approx. £18 per person).

Day 4: Thursday. Aswan - Edfu.
Spend the morning at leisure in Aswan. Perhaps enjoy a trip on a horse-drawn carriage from the Old Cataract Hotel, where Agatha Christie wrote "Death on the Nile". Or take an optional sightseeing excursion by road or air to Abu Simbel (approx. £55 per person by road/duration approx. 9 hours; approx. £100 per person by air/duration approx. 5 hours). In the afternoon sail to Edfu for an overnight stay.

Day 5: Friday. Edfu - Luxor .
In the morning, relax on board as you sail back to Luxor, passing through the Esna lock en-route. In the afternoon you visit the famous Karnak Temple, a superb example of ancient Egyptian architecture depicting life around 1600 BC, and the well-preserved Luxor Temple which is situated in the heart of town.

Day 6: Saturday. Luxor.
A day to explore this bustling and colourful town at your leisure. Time to shop for those last minute souvenirs and take those final memorable photographs. Or take an optional full day excursion by air to Cairo and visit the Pyramids, the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities and the bustling Khan-el-Khalili bazaar, with lunch included (approx. £130 per person).

Day 7: Sunday. Luxor.
In the morning, you cross to the West Bank and visit the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens and the imposing Colossi of Memnon. Afternoon at leisure. Do not miss the Sound and Light show at the Karnak Temple (approx. £16 per person).

Day 8: Monday. Luxor - UK.
Morning at leisure. For an unforgettable end to your holiday, why not take an optional hot air balloon flight at sunrise over the West Bank (approx. £70 per person, approx. 45 minutes in the air).
After lunch on board, transfer by coach to the airport for your return flight to Gatwick or Manchester.

Please Note: Esna Lock is scheduled to close between 01-30 June 2008 for essential repairs and maintenance. During this time, the ship will moor at Esna, not Luxor. Visits to Luxor will be made by coach (approx. 45 minutes).