Travelling to Egypt has been a dream of mine since I studied it in high school. We decided to celebrate my b'day there.
We flew in after work on a Friday night (approx 5 hrs from London) there were 8 people on our flight that were on the same tour, 7 of which were aussies. 
Day 1 we started the tour with a city tour of Cairo, visiting the Citadel of Saladin, the coptic quarter, as well as going to the Egyptian museum where our lessons on ancient Egypt started. Tutankhamen treasures were the highlight which was amazing.
Day 2 was the pyramids tour at Giza plateau. The pyramids were fascinating, such structures without modern technology. We also visited Saqqara, the first pyramid and we went inside the chamber of the 2nd pyramids. Overnight train to Aswan.
Day 3 morning was spent lazing by the pool. After lunch we went to see the dam Nasser, of which Lake Nasser was the by product. The Nile caused flooding every year, and the dam is used to regulate this. Philae temple dedicated to the goddess Isis was on an island on the Nile. Evening Aswan markets where we picked up pepper, saffron and some cotton scarves.
Day 4 early morning flight to Abu Simbel, a temple carved out of the mountainous rocks.
The temple was dedicated to King Ramses and one for his favourite wife Nefertiti.
Midday we were back at the hotel to prepare for our felucca trip. Afternoon sailed on the river Nile! Yes on the same river that were depicted in the bible! Evening we docked the felucca in front of a Nubian house.
Day 5 all day sailing, with a stop for a quick dip in the Nile. We sailed with the current but against the wind. Early evening, the current was so weak, oars came out, and we all chipped in to help the crew get to our docking point for the night. Bonfire along the sandy shores, and star gazing at the million of stars I've never seen before.
Day 6 overnight on the felucca was cold! But waking up to the glistening water was worth it. After breakkie, bus picked us up to Kom Ombo, where we saw the Egyptian calendar. We then headed to Edfu temple in Luxor. Edfu is the most preserved temple with some parts of the temple where the colours still remains. Checked into our hotel for a much needed shower, then off to see Luxor temple and group dinner where we ordered silver pendants with our names in hieroglyphics.
Day 7 busy day with Valley of the Kings where we visited the tombs of King Ramses 1st, 4th and 9th, we also saw the entrance to the tomb of Tutankhamun. Valley of the queens wasn't as spectacular. The heat was beating down on us, and this was their winter! We also visited the Deir El-Bahri temple built and dedicated to Queen Hatshepsut.
Karnak temple was our last temple with obelisk (one fallen over) and lots of pillars.
Overnight train back to Cairo
Day 8 morning was checking out Cairo city, not that impressive, and the dust from the desert makes everything looks dirty. Afternoon we had a tour to the perfumery. Flowers are crushed and the liquids are put in ceramic jars, and these jars dug into the sands of the deserts for 3 months which all the liquids are extracted out of the jars and what is left is the flower essence oil. By mixing the various oils, different fragrances are formed. We make out cool waters, J'dore, Chanel 5. I bought the ancient essence of lotus flower, a light sweet essence. We then headed off to the Khan El Khalili Bazaar (a 14th century market)
Day 9 We farewelled our tour group and headed back to London.. One of the best trips we've done!
