An adventure holiday sailing down the Nile

If the Nile still conjures up exotic, remote and dreamy images of civilisations past, then an opportunity to sail down the historic river may be too good to miss.

A classic Egyptian adventure holiday, pioneered by tour operator Explore more than 20 years ago, includes a three-day sail through Upper Egypt by traditional 'felucca' sailboat.

The adventure holiday also explores the great temples of Karnak and Edfu, and involves the novel experience of a donkey trek to the Valley of the Kings.

Beginning in Cairo, the tour's first stop is a visit to the Great Pyramids at Giza, where you can see the world-famous Sphinx and visit the Egyptian Museum.

Next on the itinerary is Aswan, which is reached from Cairo by overnight train.

Aswan is a colourful and easy-going town, located on the first Nile cataract (a point where the river tumbles over rocks, making it impossible for boats to navigate).

From there you can take an optional excursion to the famous rock-cut temple of Abu Simbel, 3,000 years old and dedicated to the pharaoh Ramses II.

Aswan is also where the three-day sail begins, which goes at a relaxed pace by Nile felucca, an ideal way of getting to know the river and its people.

As well as observing life in the many small villages and farms along the way, it stops to visit the monumental temples of Kom Ombo and Edfu.

The pace of the sail is dictated by wind and river conditions, so night stops will be flexible.

After the sail, the holiday continues with a drive to Luxor, the site of ancient Thebes - a striking testimony to Egyptian civilization at its height.

The finale of the trip is a donkey trek along an ancient route to the Valley of the Kings – a painted gallery of pharaohs' tombs.

The ten-day Nile Felucca Seatrek with Explore costs from £700 per person, including flights (London Heathrow), all transportation, nine nights' hotel, felucca and train accommodation, some meals, local payment and the services of a tour leader.

Tours depart two to four times a month all year round.

For more information see www.explore.co.uk XXX