Fly non-stop on EgyptAir from London Heathrow to Cairo. On arrival in the Egyptian capital you will be met by your Tour Manager, a trained Egyptologist, and transferred to the Mövenpick Pyramids Resort at Giza, located close to the Pyramids

A morning visit to the magnificent Museum of Antiquities in the centre of Cairo affords us the opportunity to gaze upon the unique treasures of Tutankhamun himself, before a free afternoon to enjoy some of the city’s myriad of treasures. You may like to visit the mosques and churches of Old Cairo, including a trip up to the 19th century Mohammed Ali Mosque in the iconic and dominating confines of the Citade.

Surely one of the highlights of our journey, the Great Pyramids of Giza have been amazing visitors for millennia and this morning we explore these timeless monuments, together with the Sphinx, whose true significance remains a mystery even today. This afternoon there is the option to visit the ancient remains of Memphis and Saqqara.

Flying to Luxor we board the Nile Beauty in time for lunch, after which we visit the superbly preserved XVIIIth Dynasty Luxor Temple and the astounding Temple at Karnak, whose vast Hypostyle Hall is a wonder to behold. Overnight in Luxor.

There is the option of rising at dawn to take a balloon flight over Luxor. Please advise at the time of booking if you would like to take this excursion (see page 14, £85 per person). Today we cross the Nile to the West Bank and the spectacular mortuary complexes of the Valleys of the Kings and Queens. Returning via the elegant Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, we pass the Colossi of Memnon en route back to the boat. Once aboard we set sail for Esna, where we overnight.

Sailing to Edfu we visit the superb 3rd century BC Temple of Horus, the largest and best preserved of all Egypt’s Ptolemaic monuments. From here continue to the unique Temple at Kom Ombo, where we moor overnight.

Visiting Kom Ombo this morning we enjoy the rare spectacle of a perfectly symmetrical temple, with two entrances, two halls and two sanctuaries, dedicated to the twin deities of Sobek the crocodile god and Horus the falcon headed god. Continuing on to Aswan we spend the afternoon exploring its extraordinary High Dam and the ancient Granite Quarries, before ending with the Temple of Isis at Philae.

This morning there is the option of visiting the incredible temples of Abu Simbel by air. Please advise at the time of booking if you would like to take this excursion (£155 per person). Disembark from the Nile Beauty for the return flight to Cairo, where we transfer to Le Passage Heliopolis Hotel on arrival

A morning flight on EgyptAir takes us back to London today, arriving at Heathrow early this afternoon