Enjoy the atmosphere of the desert as you observe the planets and stars through a telescope with the luxury of an absence of city lights. The light pollution from modern day cities mean a clear uninterrupted view of the heavens is a rarity and well worth experiencing during your stay in Egypt.

After your star gazing you can sample Bedouin tea with Habak, and indulge in an authentic Bedouin dinner, including the unique Bedouin bread.

Travel from your Hurghada, El-Gouna, Makadi, Soma Bay, Safaga or El-Qusier Hotel to Hurghada International Airport. Transfer services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This is a private transfer.

When making a booking, you will need to advise your flight details and your Hurghada, El-Gouna, Makadi, Soma Bay, Safaga or El-Qusier Hotel details. Your transfer will be confirmed instantaneously and you will be provided with a travel voucher to present to the driver. 24 - 48 hours prior to your transfer, you will be required to call the supplier directly (the contact number will be provided on your travel voucher) to reconfirm exact pick up times and places.

It's that easy!

Don't forget to book your Hurghada Arrival Airport Transfer, simply type the product code 3124HRGAPTHTL into the Keyword Box.

At time of booking, YOU MUST include the following flight and hotel details in the "Special Requirements" box:

• Airline
• Flight Number
• Departing City / Arrival City
• Departure Time
• Hotel Name and Address

Memphis
Memphis, founded around 3,100 BC, is the legendary city of Menes, the King who united Upper and Lower Egypt. Early on, Memphis was more like a fortress from which Menes controlled the land and water routes between Upper Egypt and the Delta. Having probably originated in Upper Egypt, from Memphis he could control the conquered people of Lower Egypt. However, by the 3rd Dynasty, the building at Saqqara suggests that Memphis had become a sizable city.

Tradition tells us that Menes founded the city by creating dykes to protect the area from Nile floods. Afterwards, this great city of the Old Kingdom became the administrative and religious center of Egypt.

Dahshur
Dahshur forms the southernmost area of the Memphis Necropolis and contains a number of pyramid complexes and monuments. Dahshur has only recently been opened to the public, having been a military zone until 1996. As a result, the area is not as developed commercially as Giza, and there is a certain peace and tranquility to the site. It is most noteworthy for being the site that best demonstrates the change from the "step" pyramid to the 'true' pyramid that occurred during the 3rd and 4th Dynasties.

Great Pyramids of Giza
The Great Pyramids of Giza, dating back to 2500 BC are some of the most famous manmade objects in the world. While there are actually over one hundred Pyramids in Egypt, including at least eight more at Giza, the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) is the only "Wonder of the Ancient World" that still survives.

Great Sphinx of Giza
During your time at The Great Pyramids of Giza, there is no escaping the mysterious Sphinx, a symbol which has come to represent the essence of Egypt for thousands of years. With the body of a lion and the head of a king, there is as much mystery surrounding who built it as there is determining why it was built.

Climbing up Mt. Sinai is a fascinating adventure to the place where Moses received the table of law and the ten commandments.

The descent is not too steep however there are about five hundred or so steps at the very summit. Legend has it that you will be retracing the footsteps of Moses who climbed Mt. Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments.

On your journey back down the mountain you will stop at St Catherine's Monastery. The monastery is one of the most famous in the world and is said to be built around Moses' Burning Bush. Built between 527 and 565 AD, the Monastery is named after St Catherine who was tortured and beheaded for her Christian beliefs.

In operation since 1961, the Sound and Light show at the Giza Pyramids is a highlight and a "must do" for most visitors to Egypt. The intriguing combination of a modern light and laser show combined with the ancient history of Egypt makes for an entertaining evening.

Hear the Sphinx telling the story of Egypt as seen through his eyes throughout the many milleniums, as the pyramids and skies are lit up with multi colored lights.

Please ensure you refer to the "Departure Times" and select a show operated in your preferred language. Click here for more information and Booking Details

The Nile Maxim is one of the most elegant cruising restaurants on the Nile River, offering you an entertaining dinner cruise on the world's longest waterway.

The Nile Maxim is known to have the best quality of service one can find on a Nile cruise in Egypt.

The house band performs your all-time favorite Western and Oriental tunes, with a twist, as you dine on an A la Carte dinner offering a variety of seafood, Lebanese and Chinese cuisine.

The dinner cruise includes spectacular belly dancing and a folklore band, with the unforgettable and extraordinarily colorful tannoura spin (in keeping with Egypt's Whirling Dervishes tradition).

The Nile Pharaoh offer an entertainment experience sure to be embalmed in your memory!

One of the best displays of antiquities in Egypt is located at the Luxor Museum. Opened in 1975, the collection is limited in number of items, but they are beautifully displayed.

Displays of pottery, jewelry, furniture, statues and stelae were created by the Brooklyn Museum of New York.?They include a carefully selected assortment of items from the Theban temples and necropolis.

There are a number of exhibits from Tutankhamon, including a cow-goddess head from his tomb on the first floor and his funerary boats on the second floor. However, some of the real attractions include a statue of Tuthmosis III (circa 1436 BC) on the first floor, and 283 sandstone blocks arranged as a wall from the ninth pylon of the Karnak Temple.

You will be collected from your Hurghada hotel and transferred to the pier for boarding.

The Sinbad Submarine seats 44 people and 2 pilots, and has windows specially constructed to maximize your underwater viewing.

You will have approximately 50 minutes underwater to enjoy the views of the underwater world at a depth of 72 feet (22 meters) below the surface.

On your return to the surface, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Valley of the Kings
The king's formal names and titles are inscribed in his tomb along with his images and statues. Beginning with the 18th Dynasty and ending with the 20th, the kings abandoned the Memphis area and built their tombs in Thebes. Most of the tombs were cut into the limestone with three corridors, an antechamber and a sunken sarcophagus chamber. These catacombs were hard to rob and easily concealed.

Hatshepsut Temple
A tree lined avenue of sphinxes led up to the temple, and ramps led from terrace to terrace. The porticoes on the lowest terrace are out of proportion and coloring with the rest of the building. They were restored in 1906 to protect the celebrated reliefs depicting the transport of obelisks to Karnak and the birth of Queen Hatshepsut.

The Sound and Light Show at Karnak
The show starts with a historical introduction covering the birth of the great city of Thebes and erection of the Karnak Temple. The show narrates the glorious achievements of some great Pharaohs as spectators listen to a magnificent and poetic description of the artistic treasures and great legacy which the Karnak temple encloses.

Karnak Temple
Although badly ruined, no site in Egypt is more impressive than Karnak. It is the largest temple complex ever built by man, and represents the combined achievement of many generations of ancient builders. The Temple of Karnak is actually three main temples, smaller enclosed temples, and several outer temples located about 3 kilometers north of Luxor, Egypt situated on 247 acres of land.

Luxor Temple
The Temple of Luxor was the center of the most important festival, the festival of Opet. Built largely by Amenhotep III and Rameses II, the temple's purpose was as a setting for the rituals of the festival. The festival was to reconcile the human aspect of the ruler with the divine office.

Originally named Crocodilopolis, then Arsinoe, Medinet El-Fayoum was the main place of worship of the crocodile god, Sobek. Apparently, during ancient Medinet, crocodiles were adorned with gold and fed honey cakes and meat by the priests.

Of interest are the huge wooden waterwheels, another incredible engineering feat by the ancient Egyptians, though less known than the mighty Pyramids. The waters of the Bahr Yusef are distributed throughout the oasis from Medinet, the capital of the Fayoum. Approximately 200 of the great waterwheels are located throughout the oasis. The Seven Waterwheels, a Fayoum landmark, are surrounded by mangos, palms and willows.

A great stone obelisk was erected in honor of Senwosret I in Abgig during the 12th Dynasty. It was discovered on the ground in two pieces during the 18th century and was recently reconstructed and erected in Medinet. Click here for more information and Booking Details

Great Pyramids of Giza
The Great Pyramids of Giza, dating back to 2500 BC are some of the most famous manmade objects in the world. While there are actually over one hundred Pyramids in Egypt, including at least eight more at Giza, the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) is the only "Wonder of the Ancient World" that still survives.

Great Sphinx of Giza
During your time at The Great Pyramids of Giza, there is no escaping the mysterious Sphinx, a symbol which has come to represent the essence of Egypt for thousands of years. With the body of a lion and the head of a king, there is as much mystery surrounding who built it as there is determining why it was built.

The Egyptian Museum
A visit to the Egyptian Museum at Tahrir square is an absolute must on any visit to Cairo. It was built during the reign of Khedive Abbass Helmi II in 1897, and opened in 1902. With 107 halls you can explore the history of Pharaonic Egypt through the 120,000 artifacts exhibited, from Narmer to Akhnaton and Ramses. On the upper floor is the famous collection of King Tutankhamon treasures. The pharaoh is indeed gone, but his treasures and life still fascinate us today.

Khan el-Khalili Bazaars
Not just any market, but one of the most historic markets in the world. Founded by the Emir Djaharks el-Khalili in 1382, the khan was responsible for developing such a stranglehold on goods moving from the Eastern world to the West, that it is indirectly responsible for the discovery of the American continent. The spice markets in the Khan, a monopoly controlled by the ruling Mamluks of Egypt, forced explorers such as Columbus to find alternate routes for goods coming from the East.

Visit the Temple at Philae at night for an evening Sound and Light show.

Enjoy the spectacular lights of the multimedia presentations which vividly reveal the form and majesty of this ancient site and walk through the dramatically lit temple as its history is narrated.

The approach path to the Temple of Hathor is between two Roman fountains that end at the massive entry gate. Hathor was the goddess of pleasure and love and was generally shown as a cow, or woman with a cow's head.

The enclosure walls are mud-brick and date to the Roman era. Within the walls are the temple, two birth houses, a Coptic Basilica, a sanitorium, a sacred lake and the Temple of the Birth of Isis.

The temple has a long history with evidence that Pepi I (Old Kingdom) rebuilt the temple, while other texts refer to reconditioning by Thutmose III, Amenhotep III and Rameses II and III (New Kingdom).

Additions were made during the Greek, Roman and Ptolemy periods.

This tour is by boat travelling along the Nile.

Take a jeep safari for the 240 kilometer trip from Sharm to the amazing colored canyon. Keep your eyes open for the local wildlife including Nubian Ibex, Red Foxes and Striped Hyenas.

Hike through the different formations of the mountains with a multitude of colors reflecting in the sun. The colors are clear evidence of the oxidization of the rocky minerals millions of years ago.

On the way back to Sharm el Sheikh, stop by the sea front restaurant at Nuweiba to have lunch, before continuing to Dahab for some shopping.

Please note:
Please note the hike requires a reasonable level of fitness. This tour is not recommended for large people or those suffering claustrophobia, as you will pass through narrow passages during the hike. This tour is not recommended for the elderly, those with heart conditions or other serious illnesses.
Click here for more information and Booking Details

Travel from Luxor to Aswan. Transfer services are available three times a day.

When making a booking, you will need to advise your departure details and drop off location. Your transfer will be confirmed instantaneously and you will be provided with a travel voucher to present to the driver.

It's that easy!

At time of booking, YOU MUST include the following details in the "Special Requirements" box:

• Departure Point (Flight Number/Airport, Train Service Number/Railway Station, Hotel name and address)
• Departure Time
• Drop off point (Flight Number/Airport, Train Service Number/Railway Station, Hotel name and address)

Spend the morning touring Hurghada city and seeing the sights including visits to the Big Mosque and St Mary Church, as well as the port. During the morning there will be a stop at the highest point in the city for a panoramic view of Hurghada and its surrounds.

After lunch you will visit some of the Bazaars where you will have free time to put your bartering skills to good use.

The Pharaonic Village began, like so many other great wonders of our world, with a dream. Dr. Hassan Ragab, already famous for his rediscovery of the ancient techniques for making papyrus, had begun to ponder the possibility of a living museum with real people, actors in costume and in a realistic locale, taking the place of static exhibits.

It was after a visit to Disney World's EPCOT Center in Orlando, Florida, that his idea took root. Dr. Ragab believed EPCOT "was too computerized" and there was nothing human about it. He began to think, "Dare I have real, live people in my village, dressed in the manner of three or four thousand years ago?"

The result is The Pharaonic Village, a living museum of ancient Egyptian life where visitors can sail on a network of canals and view the remarkably realistic recreation of the past.

Kalabsha Temple originally built at Kalabsha (Talmis) was moved to its present location at New Kalabsha (Chellal) in 1970, together with other monuments from Nubia, including the Kiosk of Qertassi (Kertassi). Also nearby is Beit al-Wali.

Reachable by taxi or by boat, depending on the water level, the sandstone edifice was built by the Roman Emperor Octavius Augustus (30 to 14 BC) and dedicated to the fertility and Nubian Solar deity known as Mandulis (Merwel who was the Nubian counterpart of Horus). It was the largest free-standing temple of Egyptian Nubia, and the design of Kalabsha Temple is classical for the Ptolemaic period with pylons, courtyard, hypostyle hall and three room sanctuary.

However, the Pylon is offset, which creates a trapezoid in the courtyard beyond. It was built on the site of an earlier structure built by Ptolemy IX as evidenced by a chapel. There is also a small chapel and gate on Elephantine Island from Kalabsha, and a gate built by Augustus was given to the Agyptisches Museum in West Berlin.

The main entrance to Coptic Cairo (Old Cairo) is through perhaps one of the two oldest structures in Cairo, the rounded towers of the western gate of the Roman fortress of Babylon built in 98 AD by Emperor Trajan. The Southern gate is the other oldest structure.

The Hanging Church (The Church of the Virgin Mary) is built into the walls of the Water Gate of the Roman fortress. It is possibly the oldest Christian church in Egypt, dating to around the 4th Century. From here, exit the first entrance due to construction work in the area and head up Mar Girgis north a few steps to a second entrance.

This entrance leads into the Monastery and Church of St George This is not an old church, dating only from 1909, but there has been a church in Coptic Cairo dedicated to the Martyr since the 10th century.

Turn left outside the door to St George and the path leads to the Church of St Sergius (Abu Serga), which legend has it is built atop one of the sites where the Holy Family rested on their flight from Herod.

Continuing on this path brings one first to the Ben Ezra Synagogue which is Egypt's oldest and dates to the 9th Century.

Unfinished Obelisk
Much of the red granite used for ancient temples and colossi came from quarries in the Aswan area. Around these quarries are many inscriptions, many of which describe successful quarrying projects. The Unfinished Obelisk located in the Northern Quarry still lies where a crack was discovered as it was being hewn from the rock.

Possibly intended as a companion to the Lateran Obelisk, originally at Karnak but now in Rome, it would have weighed over 2.3 million pounds (1 million kilograms) and would have been the worlds largest piece of stone ever handled. However, a crack in the stone occurred, which caused it to be abandoned. Tools left by it's builders have given much insight into how such work was performed. The site has recently been renovated and equipped with tourist facilities.

Philae Temple
Dismantled and reassembled (on Agilika Island about 1,800 feet (550 meters) from its original home on Philae Island) in the wake of the High Dam, the temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis, is in a beautiful setting which has been landscaped to match its original site. It's various shrines and sanctuaries, which include The Vestibule of Nectanebos I, the Temple of the Emperor Hadrian, a Temple of Hathor, Trajan's Kiosk (Pharaohs Bed), a birth house and two pylons celebrate all the deities involved in the Isis and Osiris myth.

High Dam
Located near Aswan, the world famous High Dam was an engineering miracle when it was built in the 1960s. It contains 18 times the material used in the Great Pyramid of Cheops. The Dam is 11,811 feet long, 3215 feet thick at the base and 364 feet tall. Today it provides irrigation and electricity for the whole of Egypt. From the top of the High Dam you can gaze across Lake Nassar, the huge reservoir created when it was built, to Kalabsha temple in the south and the huge power station to the north.

The approach path to the Temple of Hathor is between two Roman fountains that end at the massive entry gate. Hathor was the goddess of pleasure and love and was generally shown as a cow, or woman with a cow's head.

The enclosure walls are mud-brick and date to the Roman era. Within the walls are the temple, two birth houses, a Coptic Basilica, a sanitorium, a sacred lake and the Temple of the Birth of Isis.

The temple has a long history with evidence that Pepi I (Old Kingdom) rebuilt the temple, while other texts refer to reconditioning by Thutmose III, Amenhotep III and Rameses II and III (New Kingdom).

Additions were made during the Greek, Roman and Ptolemy periods.

This tour is by air-conditioned coach travelling in convoy from Luxor.

Climbing up Mt. Sinai early in the morning is a fascinating adventure to the place where Moses received the table of law and the ten commandments.

On this sunrise tour you have the chance to watch the sun rise over the Sinai Mountains.

The descent is not too steep however there are about five hundred or so steps at the very summit. Legend has it that you will be retracing the footsteps of Moses who climbed Mt. Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments.

On your journey back down the mountain you will stop at St Catherine's Monastery. The monastery is one of the most famous in the world and is said to be built around Moses' Burning Bush. Built between 527 and 565 AD, the Monastery is named after St Catherine who was tortured and beheaded for her Christian beliefs.

Travel from Luxor Airport or Main Railway Station to your Luxor City Hotel, West Bank Hotel or Port. Transfer services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

When making a booking, you will need to advise your arrival details and your Luxor City Hotel, West Bank Hotel or Port details. Your transfer will be confirmed instantaneously and you will be provided with a travel voucher to present to the driver.

It's that easy!

Don't forget to book your Luxor Airport or Railway Station Departure Transfer, simply type the product code 3124LUXHTLAPT into the Keyword Box.

At time of booking, YOU MUST include the following arrival and hotel details in the "Special Requirements" box:

• Arrival Airline/Train Company
• Arrival Flight Number/Train Service Number
• Departing Airport/Station and Arrival Airport/Station
• Arrival Time
• Full Hotel Name and Address

A day trip to Giftun Island National Park is hard to skip when you're in Hurghada so why miss out!

You will be collected from your hotel and taken to the port to board your boat bound for Giftun Island. The sailing time is approximately 45 minutes and you will stay at the island until around 11:30am.

Returning to the boats, you will sail between the 3 islands and stop for around one hour of snorkeling. Returning to Giftun Island at around 1:00pm, lunch will be served at one of the restaurants, then you have free time to further explore the island before returning to the boat at 3:30pm.

Don't worry if you don't have your own snorkeling gear, it is available upon arrival at Giftun Island at the Aquarius center, free of charge.

Travel from your Aswan City Hotel or Port to Aswan Airport or Main Railway Station. Transfer services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

When making a booking, you will need to advise your departure details and your Aswan City Hotel or Port details. Your transfer will be confirmed instantaneously and you will be provided with a travel voucher to present to the driver. 24 - 48 hours prior to your transfer, you will be required to call the supplier directly (the contact number will be provided on your travel voucher) to reconfirm exact pick up times and places.

It's that easy!

Don't forget to book your Aswan Airport or Railway Station Arrival Transfer, simply type the product code 3142ASWAPTHTL into the Keyword Box.

At time of booking, YOU MUST include the following departure and hotel details in the "Special Requirements" box:

• Departure Airline/Train Company
• Departure Flight Number/Train Service Number
• Departing Airport/Station and Arrival Airport/Station
• Departure Time
• Full Hotel Name and Address

To really enjoy the desert you need to escape the crowds and find yourself in the middle of nowhere.

Join a 2.5 hour quad biking adventure as you ride along the desert sands exploring crags and dunes. You have the choice of a sunrise or a sunset ride, both times showing off the desert in all its glory.

Travel to the Bedouin village of Dahab for an afternoon of shopping delights. Here you will find a large selection of souvenirs such as papyrus prints, brass lamps, jewelry, perfumes, leathers and inlaid boxes, all at prices generally cheaper than in Sharm el Sheikh.

Your English speaking guide will show you the best shopping centers and markets before you have the rest of the afternoon free to explore at leisure.

Great Pyramids of Giza
The Great Pyramids of Giza, dating back to 2500 BC are some of the most famous manmade objects in the world. While there are actually over one hundred Pyramids in Egypt, including at least eight more at Giza, the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) is the only "Wonder of the Ancient World" that still survives.

Great Sphinx of Giza
During your time at The Great Pyramids of Giza, there is no escaping the mysterious Sphinx, a symbol which has come to represent the essence of Egypt for thousands of years. With the body of a lion and the head of a king, there is as much mystery surrounding who built it as there is determining why it was built.

The Egyptian Museum
A visit to the Egyptian Museum at Tahrir square is an absolute must on any visit to Cairo. It was built during the reign of Khedive Abbass Helmi II in 1897, and opened in 1902. With 107 halls you can explore the history of Pharaonic Egypt through the 120,000 artifacts exhibited, from Narmer to Akhnaton and Ramses. On the upper floor is the famous collection of King Tutankhamon treasures. The pharaoh is indeed gone, but his treasures and life still fascinate us today.

Khan el-Khalili Bazaars
Not just any market, but one of the most historic markets in the world. Founded by the Emir Djaharks el-Khalili in 1382, the khan was responsible for developing such a stranglehold on goods moving from the Eastern world to the West, that it is indirectly responsible for the discovery of the American continent. The spice markets in the Khan, a monopoly controlled by the ruling Mamluks of Egypt, forced explorers such as Columbus to find alternate routes for goods coming from the East.

After a short 45 minute flight from Aswan, you will arrive in Abu Simbel.

Not only are the two temples at Abu Simbel among the most magnificent monuments in the world but their removal and reconstruction was an historic event in itself. When the temples, 174 miles (280 kilometers) from Aswan were threatened by submersion in Lake Nasser, due to the construction of the High Dam, the Egyptian Government secured the support of UNESCO and launched a world wide appeal.

During the salvage operation which began in 1964 and continued until 1968, the two temples were dismantled and raised over 197 feet (60 meters) up the sandstone cliff where they had been built more than 3,000 years before. Here they were reassembled, in the exact same relationship to each other and the sun, and covered with an artificial mountain.

Most of the joins in the stone have now been filled by antiquity experts, but inside the temples it is still possible to see where the blocks were cut. You can also go inside the man made dome and see an exhibition of photographs showing the different stages of the massive removal project.

The two temples, that of Ramesses II primarily dedicated to Re-Harakhte, and that of his wife, Nefertari dedicated to Hathor, became a must see for Victorians visiting Egypt, even though it required a trip up the Nile, and often they were covered deeply in sand, as they were when Burckhardt found them.

This tour does not include a guide, a driver will take you to and from the airport, however your time in Abu Simbel is free to spend at your leisure.

The second largest city in Egypt, Alexandria, known as "The Pearl of the Mediterranean",? has an atmosphere that is more Mediterranean than Middle Eastern; its ambience and cultural heritage distance it from the rest of the country although it is actually only 140 miles (225 kilometers) from Cairo.

Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Alexandria became the capital of Graeco-Roman Egypt, its status as a beacon of culture symbolized by Pharos, the legendary lighthouse that was one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

The setting for the stormy relationship between Cleopatra and Mark Antony, Alexandria was also the center of learning in the ancient world. But ancient Alexandria declined, and when Napoleon landed, he found a sparsely populated fishing village.

Visit Pompey's pillar, an 82 foot (25 meter) tall red Aswan granite column, which was constructed in honor of the Emperor Diocletain. Continue to the nearby Catacombs of Kom ash-Shuqqafa. This area along the coast about 15 miles (24 kilometers) east of Alexandria's old district along the Corniche is where many of the modern Alexandrian hotels are located, and also the magnificent Montaza Palace.

For a delightful excursion, travel by sailboat to the small granite Island of the Nile - Kitchener or Botanic Island. The sailing takes approximately 20 minutes.

During the tour you will have a fantastic view of the Agha Khan Mausoleum, situated on the top of a hill, commanding a magnificent view of Aswan area. It was here that Mohamed Shah the Agha Khan, the 48th Imam (boom in Karachi, Pakistan in 1877), built a winter home and chose to be buried.

Kitchener Island is home to many exotic and foreign species of plants and trees which have been imported from all around the world.

Travel from Aswan to Luxor. Transfer services are twice a day.

When making a booking, you will need to advise your departure details and drop off location. Your transfer will be confirmed instantaneously and you will be provided with a travel voucher to present to the driver.

It's that easy!

At time of booking, YOU MUST include the following details in the "Special Requirements" box:

• Departure Point (Flight Number/Airport, Train Service Number/Railway Station, Hotel name and address)
• Departure Time
• Drop off point (Flight Number/Airport, Train Service Number/Railway Station, Hotel name and address)

Unfinished Obelisk
Much of the red granite used for ancient temples and colossi came from quarries in the Aswan area. Around these quarries are many inscriptions, many of which describe successful quarrying projects. The Unfinished Obelisk located in the Northern Quarry still lies where a crack was discovered as it was being hewn from the rock.

Possibly intended as a companion to the Lateran Obelisk, originally at Karnak but now in Rome, it would have weighed over 2.3 million pounds (1 million kilograms) and would have been the worlds largest piece of stone ever handled. However, a crack in the stone occurred, which caused it to be abandoned. Tools left by it's builders have given much insight into how such work was performed. The site has recently been renovated and equipped with tourist facilities.

High Dam
Located near Aswan, the world famous High Dam was an engineering miracle when it was built in the 1960s. It contains 18 times the material used in the Great Pyramid of Cheops. The Dam is 11,811 feet long, 3215 feet thick at the base and 364 feet tall.

Today it provides irrigation and electricity for the whole of Egypt. From the top of the High Dam you can gaze across Lake Nassar, the huge reservoir created when it was built, to Kalabsha temple in the south and the huge power station to the north.

Crystal clear blue water, lagoons and colorful coral reefs are waiting to be explored around Tiran Island, located north east of Sharm El Sheikh in the Gulf of Aqaba.

Enjoy sun bathing on the sun deck, snorkeling at the three different spots on the reef and swim with a variety of different colored fishes, on a fantastic day of fun and sun.

Bring your own snorkeling equipment, or make use of the boat's equipment which is available to hire (approximately USD5.00). Soft drinks and mineral waters are available throughout the day, and lunch will be served in the afternoon.

Usually second on the "must-do" list for visitors to Cairo is The Egyptian Museum. First built in Boulak. In 1891, it was moved to the Giza Palace of "Ismail Pasha" which housed the antiquities that were later moved to the present building.

With 107 halls you can explore the history of Pharaonic Egypt through the 120,000 artifacts exhibited, from Narmer to Akhnaton and Ramses. On the upper floor you will find the famous collection of King Tutankhamon treasures. The pharaoh is indeed gone, but his treasures and life still fascinate us today.

Travel from Sharm el Sheikh International Airport to your Sharm el Sheikh or Dahab hotel. Transfer services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This is a private transfer.

When making a booking, you will need to advise your flight details and your Sharm el Sheikh or Dahab hotel details. Your transfer will be confirmed instantaneously and you will be provided with a travel voucher to present to the driver.

It's that easy!

Don't forget to book your Sharm el Sheikh Airport Departure Transfer, simply type the product code 3124SSHHTLAPT into the Keyword Box.

At time of booking, YOU MUST include the following flight and hotel details in the "Special Requirements" box:

• Arrival Airline
• Arrival Flight Number
• Departing Airport and Arrival Airport
• Arrival Time
• Full Hotel Name and Address

Travel from Aswan Airport or Main Railway Station to your Aswan City Hotel. Transfer services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

When making a booking, you will need to advise your arrival details and your Aswan City Hotel or Port details. Your transfer will be confirmed instantaneously and you will be provided with a travel voucher to present to the driver.

It's that easy!

Don't forget to book your Aswan Airport or Railway Station Departure Transfer, simply type the product code 3124ASWHTLAPT into the Keyword Box.

At time of booking, YOU MUST include the following arrival and hotel details in the "Special Requirements" box:

• Arrival Airline/Train Company
• Arrival Flight Number/Train Service Number
• Departing Airport/Station and Arrival Airport/Station
• Arrival Time
• Full Hotel Name and Address

You will be collected from your hotel and transferred to the port to board your boat for the day. Once everyone is onboard your crew will give you information about the sites you will be visiting and answer any questions about the day you may have.

There will be three stops of approximately one hour throughout the day, the locations will depend on local conditions at the time. There is snorkeling equipment onboard for your use if required, and lunch is included.

Citadel of Salah el-Din with Alabaster Mosque
One of Cairo's most popular tourist attractions is the Citadel, located on a spur of limestone that had been detached from its parent Moqattam Hills by quarrying. The Citadel is one of the world's greatest monuments to medieval warfare, as well as a highly visible landmark on Cairo's eastern skyline. Particularly when viewed from the back side, the Citadel reveals a very medieval character.

Legend has it that Salah ad-Din chose the site for its healthy Air. The story goes that he hung pieces of meat up all around Cairo. The meat spoilt within a day everywhere except in the Citadel area, where it remained fresh for several days. But in reality this location provides a strategic advantage both to dominate Cairo and to defend outside attackers.

Khan el-Khalili Bazaars
Not just any market, but one of the most historic markets in the world. Founded by the Emir Djaharks el-Khalili in 1382, the khan was responsible for developing such a stranglehold on goods moving from the Eastern world to the West, that it is indirectly responsible for the discovery of the American continent. The spice markets in the Khan, a monopoly controlled by the ruling Mamluks of Egypt, forced explorers such as Columbus to find alternate routes for goods coming from the East.

Sultan Hassan
The Mosque and Madrassa (school) of Sultan Hassan, was built between 1356 and 1363, and is believed to be one of the finest examples of Mamluk architecture in Cairo. The mosque is also considered one of the largest, not only in Cairo but in the whole Islamic world. It is a massive structure measuring some 492 feet (150 meters) long and 118 feet (36 meters) high. The tallest minaret is 223 feet (68 meters) tall.

Travel from Hurghada to Luxor. Transfer services are twice a day.

When making a booking, you will need to advise your departure details and drop off location. Your transfer will be confirmed instantaneously and you will be provided with a travel voucher to present to the driver.

It's that easy!

At time of booking, YOU MUST include the following details in the "Special Requirements" box:

• Departure Point (Flight Number/Airport, Train Service Number/Railway Station, Hotel name and address)
• Departure Time
• Drop off point (Flight Number/Airport, Train Service Number/Railway Station, Hotel name and address)

The three level Nile Pharoah offers you an entertaining and relaxing evening cruising the Nile River, the world's longest waterway.

This is the only themed boat operating in Cairo with everything decorated in a pharaonic style.

The house band performs your all-time favorite western and oriental tunes, with a twist, as you dine on a buffet dinner.

The dinner cruise includes spectacular belly dancing and a folklore band, with the unforgettable and extraordinarily colorful tannoura spin (in keeping with Egypt's Whirling Dervishes tradition).

The Nile Pharaoh offer an entertainment experience sure to be embalmed in your memory!

Get onboard the Red Sea Dolphin for a relaxing two hours on the Red Sea. The boat holds 40 passengers and you will have an hour of relaxation and an hour of viewing the underwater world through the glass bottom.

Karnak Temple
In ancient Egypt, the power of the god Amun of Thebes gradually increased during the early New Kingdom, and after the short persecution led by Akhenaten, it rose to its apex. In the reign of Rameses III, more than two thirds of the property owned by the temples belonged to Amun, evidenced by the buildings at Karnak.

Although badly ruined, no site in Egypt is more impressive than Karnak. It is the largest temple complex ever built by man, and represents the combined achievement of many generations of ancient builders. The Temple of Karnak is actually three main temples, smaller enclosed temples, and several outer temples located about 3 kilometers north of Luxor, Egypt situated on 100 ha (247 acres) of land.

Luxor Temple
The Temple of Luxor was the center of the most important festival, the festival of Opet. Built largely by Amenhotep III and Rameses II, the temple's purpose was as a setting for the rituals of the festival. The festival was to reconcile the human aspect of the ruler with the divine office.

During the 18th Dynasty the festival lasted 11 days, but had grown to 27 days by the reign of Rameses III in the 20th Dynasty. At that time the festival included the distribution of over 11,000 loaves of bread, 85 cakes and 385 jars of beer. The procession of images of the royal family began at Karnak and ended at the temple of Luxor. By the late 18th Dynasty the journey was being made by barge, on the Nile River.

During the festival people were allowed to ask favors of the statues of the kings or to the images of the gods that were on the barges. Once at the temple, the king and his priests entered the back chambers. There, the king and his ka (the divine essence of each king, created at his birth) were merged, the king being transformed into a divine being. The crowd outside would cheer at his re-emergence. This solidified the ritual and made the king a god.

Great Pyramids of Giza
The Great Pyramids of Giza, dating back to 2500 BC are some of the most famous manmade objects in the world. While there are actually over one hundred Pyramids in Egypt, including at least eight more at Giza, the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) is the only "Wonder of the Ancient World" that still survives.

Great Sphinx of Giza
During your time at The Great Pyramids of Giza, there is no escaping the mysterious Sphinx, a symbol which has come to represent the essence of Egypt for thousands of years. With the body of a lion and the head of a king, there is as much mystery surrounding who built it as there is determining why it was built.

The Egyptian Museum
A visit to the Egyptian Museum at Tahrir square is an absolute must on any visit to Cairo. It was built during the reign of Khedive Abbass Helmi II in 1897, and opened in 1902. With 107 halls you can explore the history of Pharaonic Egypt through the 120,000 artifacts exhibited, from Narmer to Akhnaton and Ramses. On the upper floor is the famous collection of King Tutankhamon treasures. The pharaoh is indeed gone, but his treasures and life still fascinate us today.

Khan el-Khalili Bazaars
Not just any market, but one of the most historic markets in the world. Founded by the Emir Djaharks el-Khalili in 1382, the khan was responsible for developing such a stranglehold on goods moving from the Eastern world to the West, that it is indirectly responsible for the discovery of the American continent. The spice markets in the Khan, a monopoly controlled by the ruling Mamluks of Egypt, forced explorers such as Columbus to find alternate routes for goods coming from the East.

Declared the first Egyptian National Park in 1983, Ras Mohamed is located at the southern tip of the Sinai peninsula. It occupies an area that has grown to 480 square kilometers. The park is notable for its sharply defined raised fossil coral platforms which represent ancient shorelines.

You will have the whole morning exploring the contrasting areas of the park, including beaches, cliffs and desert.

Elephantine Island is the largest of the Aswan area islands, and is one of the most ancient sites in Egypt, with artifacts dating to predynastic periods. This is probably due to its location at the first Cataract of the Nile, which provided a natural boundary between Egypt and Nubia.

As an island, it was also easily defensible. In fact, the ancient town located in the southern part of the island was also a fortress through much of it's history. At one time, there was a bridge from the mainland to the island.

Elephantine is Greek for elephant. In ancient times, the Island, as well as the southern town, was called Abu, or Yabu, which also meant elephant. The town has also been referenced as Kom, after it's principle god of the island, Khnum (Khnemu).

It is believed that the island received it's name because it was a major ivory trading center, though in fact, it was a major trading post of many commodities. There are large boulders in the river near the island which resembled bathing elephants, particularly from afar, and this too has been suggested as a reason for the island's name.

The Egyptian Museum
A visit to the Egyptian Museum at Tahrir square is an absolute must on any visit to Cairo. It was built during the reign of Khedive Abbass Helmi II in 1897, and opened in 1902. With 107 halls you can explore the history of Pharaonic Egypt through the 120,000 artifacts exhibited, from Narmer to Ramses. On the upper floor is the famous collection of King Tutankhamon treasures. The pharaoh is indeed gone, but his treasures and life still fascinate us today.

Khan el-Khalili Bazaars
Not just any market, but one of the most historic markets in the world. Founded by the Emir Djaharks el-Khalili in 1382, the khan was responsible for developing such a stranglehold on goods moving from the Eastern world to the West, that it is indirectly responsible for the discovery of the American continent. The spice markets in the Khan, a monopoly controlled by the ruling Mamluks of Egypt, forced explorers such as Columbus to find alternate routes for goods coming from the East.

Citadel of Salah el-Din with Alabaster Mosque
One of Cairo's most popular tourist attractions is the Citadel, located on a spur of limestone that had been detached from its parent Moqattam Hills by quarrying. The Citadel is one of the world's greatest monuments to medieval warfare, as well as a highly visible landmark on Cairo's eastern skyline. Particularly when viewed from the back side (from the north), the Citadel reveals a medieval character.

Legend has it that Salah ad-Din chose the site for its healthy air. The story goes that he hung pieces of meat up all around Cairo. The meat spoilt within a day everywhere except in the Citadel area, where it remained fresh for several days. But in reality this location provides a strategic advantage both to dominate Cairo and to defend outside attackers.?Salah ad-Din had come from Syria where each town had some sort of fortress to act as a stronghold for the local ruler.

Memphis
Memphis, founded around 3,100 BC, is the legendary city of Menes, the King who united Upper and Lower Egypt. Early on, Memphis was more like a fortress from which Menes controlled the land and water routes between Upper Egypt and the Delta. Having probably originated in Upper Egypt, from Memphis he could control the conquered people of Lower Egypt. However, by the 3rd Dynasty, the building at Saqqara suggests that Memphis had become a sizable city.

It was built for King Djoser of the 3rd Dynasty by the architect and genius Imhotep, who designed it and its surrounding complex to be as grand as it was unique and revolutionary. Imhotep was the first to build stone tombs in honor of the king's majesty. Imhotep may have also designed the pyramid of Djoser's successor, Sekhemkhet.

Tradition tells us that Menes founded the city by creating dykes to protect the area from Nile floods. Afterwards, this great city of the Old Kingdom became the administrative and religious center of Egypt. In fact, so dominating was the city during this era referred to as the Memphite period,?it became a cosmopolitan community and was probably one of the largest and most important cities in the ancient world.

Sakkara
Sakkara is one section of the great necropolis of Memphis, the Old Kingdom capital and the kings of the 1st Dynasty as well as that of the 2nd Dynasty. are mostly buried in this section of the Memphis necropolis. Three major discoveries have recently been made at Sakkara, including a prime minister's tomb, a queen's pyramid, and the tomb of the son of a dynasty founding king.

Sakkara is best known for the Step Pyramid, the oldest of Egypt's 97 known pyramids. It was built for King Djoser of the 3rd Dynasty by the architect and genius Imhotep, who designed it and its surrounding complex to be as grand as it was unique. Imhotep was the first to build stone tombs in honor of the king's majesty.

Valley of the Kings
The king's formal names and titles are inscribed in his tomb along with his images and statues. Beginning with the 18th Dynasty and ending with the 20th, the kings abandoned the Memphis area and built their tombs in Thebes. Also abandoned were the pyramid style tombs. Most of the tombs were cut into the limestone following a similar pattern: three corridors, an antechamber and a sunken sarcophagus chamber. These catacombs were hard to rob and easily concealed.

Hatshepsut Temple
A tree lined avenue of sphinxes led up to the temple, and ramps led from terrace to terrace. The porticoes on the lowest terrace are out of proportion and coloring with the rest of the building. They were restored in 1906 to protect the celebrated reliefs depicting the transport of obelisks to Karnak and the birth of Queen Hatshepsut. Reliefs on the south side of the middle terrace show the queen's expedition by way of the Red Sea to Punt, the land of incense.

Colossi of Memnon
Amenhotep III built a mortuary temple in Thebes that was guarded by 2 gigantic statues. All that remains now are the 23 meter (75 foot) high, 1,000 ton statues of Amenhotep III. Though damaged by nature and ancient tourists, the statues are still impressive. Ancient Egyptians called the southern of the two statues "Ruler of Rulers". Later travelers called them "Shammy an