Tuesday. Welcome to Egypt and the start of your holiday! Arrive Cairo, included transfer to hotel and overnight. Overnight - Cairo

Cairo - Luxor. Today see the impressive pyramids and sphinx at Giza. Perhaps opt to hire a camel! Later we travel to Saqqara, to explore the myraid tombs and temples at the site and see Zhoser's step pyramid - constructed by Imhotep, the pharaoh's chief architect in 2700 BC! There will be time for dinner before we travel by overnight train to Luxor. Opt for a sleeper cabin upgrade, if you fancy a little extra comfort. Overnight - Train (B)

Arrive and check into our hotel. There's time to explore Luxor on foot following the waterside corniche or maybe stop for drink at one of the many Nile side cafes and tea houses. Tonight, why not take our optional tour to the Temple of Luxor at night. Book and pay locally. The rest of the evening at leisure. Overnight - Luxor (B)

Luxor - Cairo. Why not watch the sunrise from the heady heights of a hot air balloon - take the optional hot air balloon ride over Luxor and see it come alive in the morning sun. Early today, we visit Luxor’s famous West Bank. One of the first sights will be the twin seated statues known as the Colossi of Memnon. We then visit the legendary Valleys of the Kings and the imposing ramped and limestone colonnaded Temple of Hatshepsut. Hatshepsut was one of only three Egyptian ruling queens. Perhaps the most famous tomb in the Valley of the Kings is that of the boy-King Tutankhamen. Archaeologist Howard Carter discovered his intact and treasure -filled tomb in 1922. Taking a break, we later visit the colossal Temple of Karnak.

There's time for R&R by the hotel swimming pool this afternoon, before returning to Cairo by overnight seater train. sleeper cabin upgrade available. Overnight - Train (B)

Arriving to Cairo, we set off on a guided tour of the Egyptian National Museum of Antiquities. The museum is home to an extensive collection of some 120 000 ancient Egyptian antiquities, with a representative amount on display and the remainder in storerooms. You can choose to visit the Royal Mummy Room, where 9 royal mummies from the New Kingdom is displayed. The afternoon and evening offer free time or the option to take part in a city tour. Overnight - Cairo (B)

Cairo - Dahab. Today we cross the Suez Canal and travel onto beautiful Dahab, located on the Red Sea. Journey time approx 7 hours. There's plenty to keep you occupied over the next few days, from SCUBA diving and snorkelling to sunbathing by the pool or horse-riding along the beach. The rest of the day is free for you to do as you please! This evening why not sample some tasty sea food at one of the seafront restaurants! Overnight - Dahab (B)

Spend the following days at leisure. Optional activities include a snorkelling excursion to the Blue Hole. 80 metres deep, the Blue Hole boasts an abundance of colourful coral, fish and marine life. Most of the aquatic species live within the first 5 metres beneath the sea level, allowing even the novice a fantastic display of the underwater world. You can also opt for an energetic climb to the summit of Mt Sinai and visit St Katherine's Monastery. Camel and jeep treks into the surrounding Sinai Desert are also available locally. Overnight - Dahab (B:2)

Dahab - Aqaba - Madaba. This morning, we transfer to Nuweiba port and board a private ferry and cross the Gulf of Aqaba to arrive in Jordan. From Aqaba we commence our included excursion to the Dead Sea for lunch and a swim. Onward we explore Mt Nebo - the single most important biblical site in Jordan. Having led the Israelites for 40 years through the wilderness, Moses finally saw from this panoramic vantage point, the Promised Land. We too can enjoy excellent views of the Jordan River Valley, the northern shore of the Dead Sea, Jericho and on clear days Jerusalem. We travel onto the bustling market town of Madaba. Overnight - Madaba (B, L)

Madaba - Petra. Explore Christian Madaba this morning before noon time transfer to Petra. The late afternoon offers free time. Choose to explore the town on foot, stop off at a cafe for a cup of rich dark arabian coffee, browse the village shops, pop into the 'Made in Jordan' store for quality hand made items or simply spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool.

Tonight, it maybe possible to take a candlelit walk through the Siq by attending the 'Petra by Night' excursion. Overnight - Petra (B)

Welcome to the Rose City! Access to the city on our guided exploration is through the famous narrow, deep siq. The rocks then give way to the most amazing site – that of the fantastically impressive Treasury. Walking down the gravel tracks, we’ll explore the ancient Nabatean tombs and the Roman rock-carved streets lined with temples, royal tombs, staircases, arched gates and public buildings. There is also a gigantic amphitheatre originally built to house 3000 spectators, though the Romans increased capacity to a whopping 7000. After the guided tour, you’re free to head off and further explore, haggle for a horse and chariot or just relax and take it all in.

Free evening or why not test your culinary skills in the Petra Kitchen? Consider our Petra Kitchen - something good's cooking bolt-on. Overnight - Petra (B)

Petra - Wadi Rum. A free morning in Petra to further explore independently or with your guide. If following in the footsteps of our guide we enter the Nabataean city via the 'secret road' of al-Madras, and visit the High Place of Sacrifice for a panoramic view of the ancient city centre.

Later this afternoon, we depart Petra and drive to Wadi Rum. A vast, silent landscape of ancient riverbeds, pastel coloured stretches of sandy desert and amazing rock formations known as jebels, dating from when time began that rise from the desert floor, Wadi Rum is our base for an exciting 4 x 4 desert safari. We’ll jump aboard open-top 4 x 4s for our sunny, sandy and scenic adventure into Jordan’s wilderness. Tonight, we’ll enjoy an included Bedouin dinner and bed under a galaxy of stars at our remote camp. Overnight - Wadi Rum (B, D)

Wadi Rum - Aqaba - Cairo. Today we drive to Aqaba. Returning by private ferry to Egypt, we travel onward to Cairo (approx 7 hours) arriving very late in the evening. Overnight - Cairo (B)

Monday. Our tour concludes after breakfast and included departure transfer to the airport. Happy Travels! Note: Please ensure that you book a flight departing Cairo after 7am today. This will allow a window of time in the rare event that our ferry returning from Jordan is delayed. (B)