MIDDLEEASTEGYPT 48 " The most memorable part of the tour was the camel ride around the pyramids at sunset after all the tourists had left. Magical!" Amanda Hough middle east Jewels of Egypt Imaginative Facts Tour code: ETJW • Activities: Donkey ride, hike up Mt Sinai. Trek Grade - Easy • Accommodation: 6 nights tourist class hotels, 7 nights on board Nile cruise boat, 1 night sleeper train • Transport: Private air- conditioned transport, private Nile cruise boat, first class sleeper train, donkeys, horse-drawn carriage and hydrofoil • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, services of Egyptologists • Imaginative Traveller Suggests: Add our ' Petra Extension' DAY 1: CAIRO- Arrival day. DAY 2: CAIRO- In the morning we visit the Pyramids & Sphinx at Giza. Drive north to the Mediterranean city of Alexandria. ( B) DAY 3: ALEXANDRIA- A morning guided tour of the National Museum, Catacombs and Pompey's Pillar. Return to Cairo to board the first class sleeper train to Luxor. ( BD) DAY 4: LUXOR - ESNA- Transfer to M/ S Melodie, our Nile cruise boat. Take horse-drawn carriages to the Temple of Karnak. Cruise to overnight in Esna. ( BLD) DAY 5: ESNA - KOM OMBO- Sail south to the riverside Temple of Kom Ombo. ( BLD) DAYS 6 & 7: KOM OMBO - ASWAN- Sail to Aswan. Perhaps take a felucca ride around the beautiful Temple of Isis, situated on Philae Island in the Nile. You can also visit the famed temple of Abu Simbel. ( BLD) DAY 8: ASWAN - EDFU- Cruise up the Nile towards Edfu. ( BLD) DAY 9: EDFU - LUXOR- Visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu before sailing to Luxor. ( BLD) DAY 10: LUXOR- Ride donkeys to the Valley of the Kings. Our route back offers magnificent views of the Nile Valley and passes the Colossi of Memnon. ( BLD) DAY 11: LUXOR - RED SEA- Travel by air-conditioned transport to the Red Sea. ( B) DAY 12: HURGHADA - ST CATHERINE-Board the hydrofoil from Hurghada to the Sinai, then transfer to Mt Sinai. ( BD) DAY 13: ST CATHERINE - CAIRO- Rise early to join pilgrims in climbing Mt Sinai for sunrise. The views from the top over the Sinai mountains are absolutely magnificent. Afternoon transfer back to Cairo. ( B) DAY 14: CAIRO- Morning guided tour of the Egyptian Museum. ( B) DAY 15: CAIRO- Tour ends. ( B) Note: If the hydrofoil to Sinai is not working, we will have to drive instead. This will result in a change to the published itinerary. Discover the full range of Egypt's highlights • 7 day cruise on our private boat • Visit the Pyramidsand Sphinx • Karnak and theValley of the Kings • Climb Mt Sinaiat sunrise • Explore Cairo and Alexandria Egypt Jewels of Egypt Nile Safari Egypt Unveiled Alexandria Cairo Faiyoum Abydos Lake Nasser Aswan Hurghada St Catherine Luxor Dendera Edfu Kom Ombo M/ S Melodie - our private Nile cruise boat The ultimate in Nile cruising. Recently refurbished, Melodie is one of a few small Nile cruise boats offering a relaxed and intimate ambience. Each morning we'll wake to new scenery, passing locals going about their daily life and the iconic sites of ancient Egypt. • Laid out over four decks, the Melodie offers ample space for comfortable relaxation • All cabins are fully air- conditioned with twin beds and private ensuite bathrooms with shower • All cabins have large outfacing windows offering uninterrupted views of the Nile • There is a large lounge area and inside and outside bar • On the upper deck there is a small pool and also a large sun deck Felucca Sailing Feluccas are the most traditional of Egyptian sail boats and offer a simple yet romantic method of cruising the Nile. Their small size provides an ideal environment for relaxation. Stopping at sandy beaches, riverside villages and temples, it is hard to think of a better way to discover life along the river. Our feluccas are owned and crewed by local sailors and have been adapted to carry travellers comfortably. There is a canopy to shade you from the sun, and traditional meals are prepared throughout the journey. Deluxe Cruise Boat We use a range of five- star deluxe cruise boats. They are equipped with a choice of restaurants, bar areas, spacious cabins with ensuite bathroom facilities, 24 hr room service, sundecks, a swimming pool and jacuzzi as well as entertainment areas. Nile Cruising • Seasonal Supplement £ 30 Single Supplement £ 85 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 6.33 * Price includes tour price of £ 699and local payment of US$ 220All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 815pp Land Only * traveller Tour duration 15 days © Imaginative Traveller Starts SunEnds Sun CairoCairo 2009 04- Jan- 0918- Jan- 09 11- Jan- 0925- Jan- 09 18- Jan- 0901- Feb- 09 25- Jan- 0908- Feb- 09 01- Feb- 0915- Feb- 09 08- Feb- 0922- Feb- 09 15- Feb- 0901- Mar- 09 22- Feb- 0908- Mar- 09 01- Mar- 0915- Mar- 09 08- Mar- 0922- Mar- 09 15- Mar- 0929- Mar- 09 22- Mar- 0905- Apr- 09 29- Mar- 0912- Apr- 09 • 05- Apr- 0919- Apr- 09 • 12- Apr- 0926- Apr- 09 • 19- Apr- 0903- May- 09 26- Apr- 0910- May- 09 03- May- 0917- May- 09 10- May- 0924- May- 09 17- May- 0931- May- 09 24- May- 0907- Jun- 09 02- Aug- 0916- Aug- 09 09- Aug- 0923- Aug- 09 16- Aug- 0930- Aug- 09 23- Aug- 0906- Sep- 09 30- Aug- 0913- Sep- 09 06- Sep- 0920- Sep- 09 13- Sep- 0927- Sep- 09 20- Sep- 0904- Oct- 09 27- Sep- 0911- Oct- 09 04- Oct- 0918- Oct- 09 11- Oct- 0925- Oct- 09 18- Oct- 0901- Nov- 09 25- Oct- 0908- Nov- 09 01- Nov- 0915- Nov- 09 08- Nov- 0922- Nov- 09 15- Nov- 0929- Nov- 09 22- Nov- 0906- Dec- 09 29- Nov- 0913- Dec- 09 06- Dec- 0920- Dec- 09 13- Dec- 0927- Dec- 09 • 20- Dec- 0903- Jan- 10 • 27- Dec- 0910- Jan- 10 • • Seasonal supplement applies Starts SunEnds Sun CairoCairo 2010 03- Jan- 1017- Jan- 10 10- Jan- 1024- Jan- 10 17- Jan- 1031- Jan- 10 24- Jan- 1007- Feb- 10 31- Jan- 1014- Feb- 10 07- Feb- 1021- Feb- 10 14- Feb- 1028- Feb- 10 21- Feb- 1007- Mar- 10 28- Feb- 1014- Mar- 10 07- Mar- 1021- Mar- 10 14- Mar- 1028- Mar- 10 21- Mar- 1004- Apr- 10 • 28- Mar- 1011- Apr- 10 • 04- Apr- 1018- Apr- 10 • 11- Apr- 1025- Apr- 10 18- Apr- 1002- May- 10 25- Apr- 1009- May- 10 02- May- 1016- May- 10 09- May- 1023- May- 10 16- May- 1030- May- 10 23- May- 1006- Jun- 10 30- May- 1013- Jun- 10 06- Jun- 1020- Jun- 10 13- Jun- 1027- Jun- 10 20- Jun- 1004- Jul- 10 27- Jun- 1011- Jul- 10 04- Jul- 1018- Jul- 10 11- Jul- 1025- Jul- 10 18- Jul- 1001- Aug- 10 25- Jul- 1008- Aug- 10 01- Aug- 1015- Aug- 10 08- Aug- 1022- Aug- 10 15- Aug- 1029- Aug- 10 22- Aug- 1005- Sep- 10 29- Aug- 1012- Sep- 10 05- Sep- 1019- Sep- 10 12- Sep- 1026- Sep- 10 19- Sep- 1003- Oct- 10 26- Sep- 1010- Oct- 10 03- Oct- 1017- Oct- 10 10- Oct- 1024- Oct- 10 17- Oct- 1031- Oct- 10 24- Oct- 1007- Nov- 10 31- Oct- 1014- Nov- 10 07- Nov- 1021- Nov- 10 14- Nov- 1028- Nov- 10 21- Nov- 1005- Dec- 10 28- Nov- 1012- Dec- 10 05- Dec- 1019- Dec- 10 12- Dec- 1026- Dec- 10 • 19- Dec- 1002- Jan- 11 • 26- Dec- 1009- Jan- 11 • Trek grade - Easy Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243

EGYPT 49 MIDDLEEAST Egypt Unveiled Imaginative Facts Tour code: ETEU • Activities: Donkey ride to the Valley of the Kings, Red Sea snorkelling • Accommodation: 7 nights tourist class hotels, 7 nights on board Nile cruise boat, 1 night sleeper train • Transport: Private air- conditioned transport, 4WD, private Nile cruise boat, first class sleeper train, hydrofoil, horse- drawn carriage and donkeys, local boats • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, services of Egyptologists • Imaginative Traveller Suggests: Add our ' Petra Extension' DAY 1: CAIRO- Arrival day. DAY 2: CAIRO - FAIYOUM- See the treasures in the Egyptian Museum and visit the Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza. Later we continue to the Faiyoum Oasis - once known as the ' Garden of Egypt'. Overnight in a resort overlooking Qarun Lake. ( BD) DAY 3: FAIYOUM- Enjoy a full day excursion visiting Qarun Palace temple and the protected area of Wadi El Rayan, site of the only waterfall in Egypt! After a picnic lunch we continue to the UNESCO protected site of ' The Valley of Whales', famous for the fossils of the first whales to exist on the planet. Enjoy sunset in this spectacular site before heading back to Faiyoum. ( BLD) DAY 4: FAIYOUM - CAIRO- Today we explore Faiyoum Oasis. We have the chance to take horse- drawn carriages through local farms to visit the famous water wheels. We then visit the ancient ptolemaic city of Karanis before driving back to Cairo to board the overnight sleeper train to Luxor. ( BD) DAY 5: LUXOR - ESNA- We transfer to M/ S Melodie, our Nile cruise boat. Take horse-drawn carriages to the great Temple of Karnak. In the afternoon we begin cruising along the Nile to overnight at Esna. ( BLD) DAY 6: ESNA - KOM OMBO- Sail south to the riverside temple of Kom Ombo. ( BLD) DAY 7: KOM OMBO - ASWAN- We sail to Aswan. Perhaps take a felucca ride around the beautiful Temple of Isis, situated on Philae Island in the Nile or ride camels to St Simeon's monastery in the desert. ( BLD) DAY 8: LAKE NASSER- Enjoy a boat ride on Lake Nasser and visit the Kalabsha Temple - one of the famous temples of Nubia - and Crocodile Island. ( BLD) DAY 9: ASWAN - EDFU- A free morning to visit the famed temple of Abu Simbel before we cruise up the Nile towards Edfu. ( BLD) DAY 10: EDFU - LUXOR- Visit the temple of Horus at Edfu before sailing to Luxor. ( BLD) DAY 11: LUXOR- We get up before sunrise to ride donkeys to the Valley of the Kings. Our route back offers magnificent views of the Nile Valley and passes the Colossi of Memnon. The afternoon is free. ( BLD) DAY 12: ABYDOS - DENDERA- A full day excursion to the beautifully preserved temples at the sacred city of Abydos and the tombs of Dendera, lying evocatively on the isolated desert edge. ( B) DAY 13: LUXOR - RED SEA- Travel to the Red Sea resort of Hurghada. ( B) DAY 14: RED SEA- Cruise in local boats to nearby coral reefs for a day of snorkelling. ( BL) DAY 15: CAIRO- We drive via the Red Sea coast on our return journey to Cairo. ( B) DAY 16: CAIRO- Tour ends after breakfast. ( B) Egypt's highlights - and best kept secrets! • Visit ancient Egypt's most inspirational sightsas well as some hidden gems • Cruise the Nile on our private boat and sail on Lake Nasser to Crocodile Island • Hop on a donkey through the Valley of the Kings and snorkel the Red Sea • Discover the Faiyoum Oasis, ' The Valley of Whales'and Egypt's only waterfall • Enjoy the peaceful, lesser known temple sitesof Abydos and Dendera Nile Safari DAY 1: CAIRO- Arrival day. DAY 2: CAIRO- See the treasures in the Egyptian Museum and visit the Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza. Overnight sleeper train to Luxor. ( BD) DAY 3: LUXOR- Arrive in Luxor and transfer to our Nile cruiseboat, M/ S Melodie. There are a few hours free to explore the town before an afternoon ride to Karnak Temple by horse- drawn carriage for a guided tour. Overnight in Luxor. ( BLD) DAY 4: NILE CRUISE- Rising early we cross the Nile to ride donkeys to the Valley of the Kings. After lunch we set off on our Nile cruise to Esna. ( BLD) DAY 5: ESNA - EDFU - KOM OMBO- Sail south to Edfu where we visit the Temple of Horus before continuing our cruise to Kom Ombo where we visit the beautiful riverside temple. Overnight Kom Ombo. ( BLD) DAY 6: KOM OMBO - ASWAN- Continue to Aswan. On arrival the day is free to explore. Perhaps take a felucca ride around the beautiful Temple of Isis, situated on Philae Island in the Nile or haggle for souvenirs in the bazaars. ( BLD) DAY 7: ASWAN- This morning there is the opportunity to visit the famed temple of Abu Simbel. This afternoon we board the first class sleeper train for our return journey to Cairo. ( BD) DAY 8: CAIRO- Transfer to the hotel where the tour ends on arrival. ( B) An impressive trip - all the best sites in just 8 days • Enjoy guided tours of the Pyramids and Sphinxnear Cairo • Take a relaxing Nile cruisebetween Luxor and Aswan on our private boat • Chance to see Abu Simbel or take a feluccato Philae Island • Ride a donkey into the Valley of the Kings • Visit the magnificent Kom Ombu, Edfu and Karnak temples Imaginative Facts Tour code: ETNI • Activities: Donkey ride to the Valley of the Kings • Accommodation: 1 night tourist class hotel, 4 nights on board Nile cruise boat, 2 nights 1st class sleeper train • Transport: Private air- conditioned transport, private Nile cruise boat, 1st class sleeper train, donkeys and horse- drawn carriage • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, services of Egyptologists • Imaginative Traveller Suggests: Add our ' Alexandria Extension' • Seasonal Supplement £ 30 Single Supplement £ 60 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 6.33 * Price includes tour price of £ 449and local payment of US$ 170All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 535pp Land Only * • Seasonal Supplement £ 30 Single Supplement £ 115 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 6.33 * Price includes tour price of £ 735and local payment of US$ 220All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 849pp Land Only * traveller traveller Tour duration 8 days Tour duration 16 days Starts SunEnds Sun CairoCairo 2009 04- Jan- 0911- Jan- 09 11- Jan- 0918- Jan- 09 18- Jan- 0925- Jan- 09 25- Jan- 0901- Feb- 09 01- Feb- 0908- Feb- 09 08- Feb- 0915- Feb- 09 15- Feb- 0922- Feb- 09 22- Feb- 0901- Mar- 09 01- Mar- 0908- Mar- 09 08- Mar- 0915- Mar- 09 15- Mar- 0922- Mar- 09 22- Mar- 0929- Mar- 09 29- Mar- 0905- Apr- 09 05- Apr- 0912- Apr- 09 • 12- Apr- 0919- Apr- 09 • 19- Apr- 0926- Apr- 09 26- Apr- 0903- May- 09 03- May- 0910- May- 09 10- May- 0917- May- 09 17- May- 0924- May- 09 24- May- 0931- May- 09 02- Aug- 0909- Aug- 09 09- Aug- 0916- Aug- 09 16- Aug- 0923- Aug- 09 23- Aug- 0930- Aug- 09 30- Aug- 0906- Sep- 09 06- Sep- 0913- Sep- 09 13- Sep- 0920- Sep- 09 20- Sep- 0927- Sep- 09 27- Sep- 0904- Oct- 09 04- Oct- 0911- Oct- 09 11- Oct- 0918- Oct- 09 18- Oct- 0925- Oct- 09 25- Oct- 0901- Nov- 09 01- Nov- 0908- Nov- 09 08- Nov- 0915- Nov- 09 15- Nov- 0922- Nov- 09 22- Nov- 0929- Nov- 09 29- Nov- 0906- Dec- 09 06- Dec- 0913- Dec- 09 13- Dec- 0920- Dec- 09 20- Dec- 0927- Dec- 09 • 27- Dec- 0903- Jan- 10 • • Seasonal supplement applies Starts SunEnds Sun CairoCairo 2010 03- Jan- 1010- Jan- 10 10- Jan- 1017- Jan- 10 17- Jan- 1024- Jan- 10 24- Jan- 1031- Jan- 10 31- Jan- 1007- Feb- 10 07- Feb- 1014- Feb- 10 14- Feb- 1021- Feb- 10 21- Feb- 1028- Feb- 10 28- Feb- 1007- Mar- 10 07- Mar- 1014- Mar- 10 14- Mar- 1021- Mar- 10 21- Mar- 1028- Mar- 10 28- Mar- 1004- Apr- 10 • 04- Apr- 1011- Apr- 10 • 11- Apr- 1018- Apr- 10 18- Apr- 1025- Apr- 10 25- Apr- 1002- May- 10 02- May- 1009- May- 10 09- May- 1016- May- 10 16- May- 1023- May- 10 23- May- 1030- May- 10 30- May- 1006- Jun- 10 06- Jun- 1013- Jun- 10 13- Jun- 1020- Jun- 10 20- Jun- 1027- Jun- 10 27- Jun- 1004- Jul- 10 04- Jul- 1011- Jul- 10 11- Jul- 1018- Jul- 10 18- Jul- 1025- Jul- 10 25- Jul- 1001- Aug- 10 01- Aug- 1008- Aug- 10 08- Aug- 1015- Aug- 10 15- Aug- 1022- Aug- 10 22- Aug- 1029- Aug- 10 29- Aug- 1005- Sep- 10 05- Sep- 1012- Sep- 10 12- Sep- 1019- Sep- 10 19- Sep- 1026- Sep- 10 26- Sep- 1003- Oct- 10 03- Oct- 1010- Oct- 10 10- Oct- 1017- Oct- 10 17- Oct- 1024- Oct- 10 24- Oct- 1031- Oct- 10 31- Oct- 1007- Nov- 10 07- Nov- 1014- Nov- 10 14- Nov- 1021- Nov- 10 21- Nov- 1028- Nov- 10 28- Nov- 1005- Dec- 10 05- Dec- 1012- Dec- 10 12- Dec- 1019- Dec- 10 19- Dec- 1026- Dec- 10 • 26- Dec- 1002- Jan- 11 • Starts SatEnds Sun CairoCairo 2009 03- Jan- 0918- Jan- 09 10- Jan- 0925- Jan- 09 17- Jan- 0901- Feb- 09 24- Jan- 0908- Feb- 09 31- Jan- 0915- Feb- 09 07- Feb- 0922- Feb- 09 14- Feb- 0901- Mar- 09 21- Feb- 0908- Mar- 09 28- Feb- 0915- Mar- 09 07- Mar- 0922- Mar- 09 14- Mar- 0929- Mar- 09 21- Mar- 0905- Apr- 09 28- Mar- 0912- Apr- 09 • 04- Apr- 0919- Apr- 09 • 11- Apr- 0926- Apr- 09 • 18- Apr- 0903- May- 09 25- Apr- 0910- May- 09 02- May- 0917- May- 09 09- May- 0924- May- 09 16- May- 0931- May- 09 23- May- 0907- Jun- 09 01- Aug- 0916- Aug- 09 08- Aug- 0923- Aug- 09 15- Aug- 0930- Aug- 09 22- Aug- 0906- Sep- 09 29- Aug- 0913- Sep- 09 05- Sep- 0920- Sep- 09 12- Sep- 0927- Sep- 09 19- Sep- 0904- Oct- 09 26- Sep- 0911- Oct- 09 03- Oct- 0918- Oct- 09 10- Oct- 0925- Oct- 09 17- Oct- 0901- Nov- 09 24- Oct- 0908- Nov- 09 31- Oct- 0915- Nov- 09 07- Nov- 0922- Nov- 09 14- Nov- 0929- Nov- 09 21- Nov- 0906- Dec- 09 28- Nov- 0913- Dec- 09 05- Dec- 0920- Dec- 09 12- Dec- 0927- Dec- 09 • 19- Dec- 0903- Jan- 10 • 26- Dec- 0910- Jan- 10 • • Seasonal supplement applies Starts SatEnds Sun CairoCairo 2010 02- Jan- 1017- Jan- 10 09- Jan- 1024- Jan- 10 16- Jan- 1031- Jan- 10 23- Jan- 1007- Feb- 10 30- Jan- 1014- Feb- 10 06- Feb- 1021- Feb- 10 13- Feb- 1028- Feb- 10 20- Feb- 1007- Mar- 10 27- Feb- 1014- Mar- 10 06- Mar- 1021- Mar- 10 13- Mar- 1028- Mar- 10 20- Mar- 1004- Apr- 10 • 27- Mar- 1011- Apr- 10 • 03- Apr- 1018- Apr- 10 • 10- Apr- 1025- Apr- 10 17- Apr- 1002- May- 10 24- Apr- 1009- May- 10 01- May- 1016- May- 10 08- May- 1023- May- 10 15- May- 1030- May- 10 22- May- 1006- Jun- 10 29- May- 1013- Jun- 10 05- Jun- 1020- Jun- 10 12- Jun- 1027- Jun- 10 19- Jun- 1004- Jul- 10 26- Jun- 1011- Jul- 10 03- Jul- 1018- Jul- 10 10- Jul- 1025- Jul- 10 17- Jul- 1001- Aug- 10 24- Jul- 1008- Aug- 10 31- Jul- 1015- Aug- 10 07- Aug- 1022- Aug- 10 14- Aug- 1029- Aug- 10 21- Aug- 1005- Sep- 10 28- Aug- 1012- Sep- 10 04- Sep- 1019- Sep- 10 11- Sep- 1026- Sep- 10 18- Sep- 1003- Oct- 10 25- Sep- 1010- Oct- 10 02- Oct- 1017- Oct- 10 09- Oct- 1024- Oct- 10 16- Oct- 1031- Oct- 10 23- Oct- 1007- Nov- 10 30- Oct- 1014- Nov- 10 06- Nov- 1021- Nov- 10 13- Nov- 1028- Nov- 10 20- Nov- 1005- Dec- 10 27- Nov- 1012- Dec- 10 04- Dec- 1019- Dec- 10 11- Dec- 1026- Dec- 10 • 18- Dec- 1002- Jan- 11 • 25- Dec- 1009- Jan- 11 • Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243