Welcome to Egypt and the start of your eco holiday. It’s a fantastic opportunity to do something good for Egypt’s environment and segments of the local community. Arrive Cairo, included transfer to hotel and overnight Cairo. Overnight - Cairo

Today, we undertake an orientation at a children’s home in Cairo. The centre offers warm and safe shelter to homeless and disabled children. We’ll spend some time interacting with the children, whether it be assisting with their daily activities or sharing a little love and attention.

Later, we’ll be handing over much needed items purchased with proceeds from your eco tour. These items might include clothing, shoes, bedding and educational materials. What is purchased will be dependent on what is deemed to be a priority for the children. We also welcome and encourage individual donations of goods that are easily portable in your luggage from your home port. Overnight - Cairo Overnight - Cairo (B)

Cairo - Aswan. Today, we’ll enjoy a visit to the famous pyramids and lion-headed Sphinx at Giza Plateau. The planet’s oldest tourist attraction, the pyramids are one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World. Cheops (Khufu), a behemoth constructed with in excess of 2.5 million handcut limestone blocks is thought to have taken more than 20 years to construct and is the biggest of the three great pyramids. The other two in order of size are called Chephren and Mycerinus. Whilst here, perhaps haggle for a camel ride and have yourself a ride across the desert beyond the pyramids.

Continuing to the necropolis of Saqqara, we can explore the myriad tombs and temples at this site and see Zhoser’s step pyramid. Constructed by Imhotep, the pharaoh’s chief architect in 27 BC, the step pyramid which rises in six steps served as the prototype for ancient Egypt’s most enduring architectural legacy. Later there is time for dinner before travelling on the overnight seater train to Aswan. Overnight - Seater Train (B)

Arrive and check into our hotel. A visit out of town takes us to the mighty High Dam. A modern feat of engineering, the High Dam contains 18 times the amount of material used in the construction of Cheops, the largest pyramid at Giza. The by-product for this awesome construction is Lake Nasser, the world’s largest artificial lake! Cultivable land has increased considerably and the High Dam’s hydro-electric station has doubled Egypt’s power supply. Continuing, we enjoy a short boat trip to Agilika Island and Philae Temple. Dedicated to the goddess Isis, Philae Temple was rescued in an enormous UNESCO effort in the 1970s. Due to high water levels in the resevoir created by the Old Aswan Dam and further aquatic drama due to the creation of the mighty High Dam, Philae Temple was relocated stone by stone on higher ground on nearby Agilika Island. The oldest part of Philae Temple dates from the 4th century BC but most it was built by the Ptolomies and Christians up to the 3rd century AD. Compact as compared to other temples, Philae is a nice site to wander around. Later, free time to perhaps do some shopping in the colourful souks and markets or simply relax in this attractive town which straddles the River Nile. Overnight - Aswan (B)

Aswan - Nile felucca cruise. Optional early morning air excursion to famous Abu Simbel - the rock-cut temple of King Ramses II, the Great Builder. This afternoon, we board our Nile felucca for a 2 night voyage on the River Nile downstream. Overnight - Felucca (B, L, D)

Today, armed with large waste bags and attired in protective gloves, we cruise downstream stopping at all the regular felucca stops and commence our effort to clean-up sections of the Nile, paying particular attention to any detritus along the shoreline. In addition to this eco effort, further initiatives may be introduced. Overnight - Felucca (B, L, D)

Nile Felucca Cruise - Kom Ombo - Edfu - Luxor. Disembarking at Kom Ombo we visit the waterside temple to the Temple of Horus at Edfu, before driving north to Luxor. Home of the legendary Valley of the Kings and Temple of Karnak, 4000 year old Luxor is ancient Egypt at it’s best. Enjoy some rest and relaxation. Tonight, an optional visit is available to the Temple of Luxor. Book and pay locally. Rest of evening free. Overnight - Luxor (B)

Luxor – Cairo. An early start! There is the option to float over Luxor in a hot air balloon ride and see area wake up and come alive. Afterwards, our excursion to the mighty West Bank. We visit and explore the Valley of the Kings, Deir al-Bahri (Temple of Queen Hatshepsut) and the Colossi of Memnon, all that remains of the temple of Amenophis III. Time then to relax, before our afternoon visit to the Temple of Karnak. Tonight, we return to Cairo by train! Overnight - Seater Train (B)

Arrive and check into hotel. Later, we visit the famous Egyptian Museum. We then continue to one of the poorest communites in Cairo, where we undertake an orientation visit to a Women’s co-operative. The women who work here from around 12 years of age, live in an area locally known as ‘rubbish city’ owing to the fact that all of Cairo’s trash is dumped here for sorting and recycling. Sorting through the waste, the women salvage any textiles, old buttons and zippers and return to the co-operative, from where these materials are laundered and used to create the most amazing handicrafts. The proceeds from the sale of these items and a tended garden which sells nurtured plants goes directly back into the community, benefitting these industrious and hardworking women and their families, who are some of the most impoverised souls in Egypt. It is suggested you fill a daypack with textile scraps, cotton, sewing yarn and needles and other goods suitable for use by these shining seamstresses. Overnight - Cairo (B)

Hotel check-out and included onward transfer to airport. (B)