Travelon who has been conducting tours to Myanmar, Northan Thailand,Bhutan, Kenya, Indonesia, Bangkok & Pattaya, Singapore & Malaysia, Philippines, Nepal, Laos & Vietnam has added yet another country, Egypt which is rich with history dating back to the days of Pharos.

The 7 night/ 8days tour with 26 participants was commenced on 21st Feb & concluded on 1st March.

The group traveled to Alexandria via Sharjaha with Air Arabia and was accorded a warm welcome by Ahamed Marmar of Egypt Travlonline, destination management Co located in Cairo. The city of Alexandria with 5 million population is a Mediterranean city with the cool climate going down to 14 °C in the evenings.

The group visited Cata Comb of Kom Al Shoukafa, Roman Amphitheatre, The Pompe’s Pillar, Montazah Palace & Alexanria Library which is a unique library not to be missed.

In Cairo the group visited the only "7 Wonder of the World" Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & the Valley Temple and of course the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities which was one of the highlights with King Tut Ankh Amun Treasures. The group was disappointed to miss the Khan of Kalili Bazaar.due to security reasons, since a bomb was exploded the previous night. In Cairo the group had the opportunity to do some shopping at the papyrus & perfume factories and at the Mega Mall ‘Carrefore" which catered for every requirement of the group.

In the evening the group boarded the "Aswan Night Sleeper Train" from Giza Station and this was a luxury novel experience for the Sri Lankan who have suffered in the Chennai/ Delhi night trains. The service, meals & toilette facilities were truly " First Class" from CAIRO to ASWAN.

On arrival the group visited the Aswan High Dam (incidentally the biggest and the longest dam in the world – 4 k.m, built during the reign of President Abdul Nassar.) and the Unfinished Obelisk. Afterwards the group checked – in to the 5 star luxury cruise "Beau Soleil" which was going to be their "Home" for the next 3 nights.

The ship sailed gracefully along the " Majestic Nile"from Aswan to Luxor visiting the most important historical sites along the way in Esna, Edfu & Komombo.

While the group was in Aswan a day excursion was done to Abu Simbel which is dedicated to King Ramseas II & Queen Nefertiti. The group was taken in a police & army escorted convey across 270 km traversing the " Sahara Desert".

It was an awe inspiring sight to see more than 80(eighty), 45 seater luxury coaches traveling @ 120 kmph across the sands at the crack of the dawn @ 4 a.m. Abu Simbel is a " must see" sight visit of Egypt and M/s Travelon Ltd was able to include this visit within the package price, 1

without keeping as an " option" at an extra cost which most other agents do much to the disappointment of the other groups.

Once the ship was docked at Luxor Pier, the group visited Hatshepsut Temple, Valley of the Kings ( with Mummies Chambers ), Colossi Of Memnon & the most impressive Temple of Karnak. The group gave a miss to the Temple of Luxor, prefering shopping in the Luxor market, since they couldn’t visit Khan of Khalili Bazaar in Cairo.