Day 2 - CAIRO AT LEISURE - Welcome to Egypt! When you arrive in Cairo, you enter a land of wonders and mysteries, many of which are revealed on this tour. You are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Hotel: Marriott

Day 3 - CAIRO SIGHTSEEING - After breakfast and a detailed pre-tour briefing with your Tour Director, commence your sightseeing in Memphis, capital of the Old Kingdom, where a colossal statue of Rameses II and a great alabaster sphinx awaits. Nearby at Sakkara, view the Step Pyramid of Zoser; dating from 2686BC, it's the oldest in the world. Now enjoy a guided tour of Giza where you will see the enigmatic Sphinx and visit inside one of the Great Pyramids! Later, return for the magical Sound & Light Show! (BB)

Day 4 - CAIRO - LUXOR - JOIN CRUISE - Fly to Luxor, the former capital of the New Kingdom. In private moorings near the edge of town, your cruise boat awaits. Board in time for lunch and then visit Luxor Temple which provides an unforgettable introduction to ancient Thebes. Now continue to Karnak, the largest temple complex ever built by man, constructed over a time period of 1500 years. Walk through the avenue of Ram-headed sphinxes, past the statue of Rameses II, to stand in awe among the huge columns of the vast Hypostyle Hall. Ship: MS Medea/MS Sapphire/MS La Boheme. (BB,L,D)

Day 5 - ON BOARD SHIP - After breakfast, cross to the west bank of the Nile and stop for a photo of the towering Colossi of Memnon. Visit the amazing reconstructed Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, blending into the cliff face above. Continue to the Valley of the Kings, the burial place of many of the New Kingdom Pharaohs. After venturing inside three of the tombs, return to your cruise ship and drift upstream, past palm fringed villages and irrigated fields to Esna and Edfu. (BB,L,D)

Day 6 - ON BOARD SHIP - This morning visit the Temple of Horus, the Falcon God, possibly the most complete in Egypt. Get your cameras ready as you cruise to Kom Ombo. The temple, dedicated to both Horus the Elder and Sobek, the Crocodile God, is a glorious sight from the river. Inside you will find some mummified remains of some small crocodiles. Celebrate in true Egyptian style at a Galabea Party and Dinner. (BB,L,HD)

Day 7 - ON BOARD SHIP - Cruise to exotic Aswan in the cool of early morning. Visit the Aswan High Dam and also the ancient Granite Quarries to see the enormous unfinished obelisk. Take a motorboat to the Temple of Isis, rising from the waters of the Nile on the Island of Philae. Later, return to Aswan and sail in a traditional Nile felucca around Aswan's Botanical Gardens. (BB,L,D)

Day 8 - ASWAN – CAIRO - This morning, why not join an optional excursion to the temples of Abu Simbel, carved out of the rock by Rameses II and later rescued from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. Otherwise, spend the morning in Aswan as you wish, before your transfer to the airport for your return flight to Cairo. Hotel: Marriott (BB)

Day 9 - CAIRO SIGHTSEEING - Visit the Citadel for a breath taking view of the city of Cairo. Salah El Din started the Citadel in the 12th century, but it owes its present outline to Mohammed Ali, whose great Mosque you will visit next. Later, enjoy a highlight visit to the famous Egyptian Museum. Here, among the many thousands of artefacts on display, view Tutankhamun's magnificent treasures, including his splendid burial mask. (BB)

Day 10 - CAIRO – AMMAN - Transfer to the airport for your flight to Jordan, a landscape that has changed little in the last 2,000 years. On arrival at Amman Airport, you will be met by your Jordanian Tour Director and transferred to your hotel. Hotel: Crowne Plaza. (BB,D)

Day 11 - AMMAN – PETRA - The trip to Jerash reveals the most beautifully preserved Greco-Roman city still in existence. Explore the ruined temples of Artemis and Zeus, the Whispering Column, Forum, Hadrian's triumphal arch and Street of Columns. Continue to Mt Nebo where Moses saw the Promised Land. At Madaba see the mosaic map in St George's Church, dating from around AD560. Travel on now to your hotel in Petra. Hotel: Crowne Plaza. (BB,D)

Day 12 - PETRA SIGHTSEEING - Spend the whole day visiting Petra. The approach to this lost city is through a narrow gorge, the Siq, whose walls rise up 200 metres. Emerge from the path to see the magnificent Treasury, carved out of solid rock and standing over 40 meters high. Wind your way through the canyon to explore the Roman Amphitheatre and the ancient tombs. (BB,D)

Day 13 - PETRA – AMMAN - Visit an authentic 12th century crusader fortress whose galleries, chapels and ramparts recall the gallantry of the Crusaders themselves. Shobak stands guard over a barren and desolate land. Explore inside the walls to see what reamains before driving along the famous Kings Highway back to Amman, Jordan's capital city. Here, see the huge 2nd century Roman Amphitheatre and the Citadel Hill. Hotel: Crowne Plaza. (BB,D)