This trip is a world-first and a truly epic adventure on which you experience the many facets of north Africa. Starting in Cairo, you visit the mighty pyramids, then head to the Nile Valley. In Luxor, you ride donkeys into the Valley of the Kings, then cruise up the Nile, visiting the key temples of Komombo and the Temple of Horus at Edfu, then travel to Aswan - a laid back town on the banks of the Nile.

Our journey across the 'top' of Africa starts as we travel from Cairo to Alexandria - a buzzing town with many attractions. We continue west and cross into Libya, visiting the WWII site Tobruk before exploring the stunning ruins of the ancient Greek city, Cyrene. Apollonia is equally impressive, and Leptis Magna is simply jaw-dropping! Tripoli is an amazing city, with a fusion of African, Arabic and European influences, and after a couple of nights here, we visit Sabratha, then cross into Tunisia.

The desert scenery around Matamata was where parts of the first Star Wars film was set, and is home to Berber people, famous for living in 'troglodyte' houses. We spend the night in such a house before heading into the Tunisian desert. On the way to Tunis, we visit the fascinating Islamic city Kairouan.

Flying to Casablanca, we begin our exploration of Morocco - very different from the three countries we've already 'ticked off'! We visit the fascinating cities of Meknes and Fes, before riding camels into the desert and camping out for the night in Erg Chebbi. The Atlas mountains, Kasbahs and beautiful palm groves keep our cameras clicking for a couple of days, before we arrive in one of the world's most exciting cities - Marrakech.

PLEASE NOTE: Despite the tour's name, this tour ends in Marrakech

Highlights

• Desert Camp
• Road of 1000 Kasbahs
• Cairo
• Pyramids & Sphinx
• Donkey Trek
• The Valley of the Kings
• 3 Day Nile River Cruise
• Edfu Temple
• Komombo Temple
• Luxor
• Aswan
• Alexandria
• Alexandria Museum
• Cyrene/Apollonia
• Leptis Magna
• Sabratha
• Tripoli
• Matmata
• Douz
• Kairouan
• Tunis
• Casablanca
• Meknes
• Fes (Medieval City)
• Desert Camp
• Camel Ride
• Ait Benhaddou
• Todra Gorge
• Marrakech

Itinerary:

1-2 Cairo - Pyramids - Sphinx3 Luxor4-6 Nile Cruise7-8 Aswan - Abu Simbel9 Cairo10 - 11 Alexandria12-14 Marsa Matruh - Tobruk - Cyrene15 Apollonia - Qasr Libya - Benghazi16-17 Sirt - Zliten - Leptis Magna18-19 Tripoli - Sabratha20-22 Tataouine - Kairouan23 Tunis24-25 Casablanca - Meknes26-27 Fes28-29 Midelt - Merzouga - Erg Chebbi30-31 Todra Gorge - Dades Valley - Ait Benhaddou32-34 Ait Benhaddou - Marrakech

Included: Gecko's tour leader, local guides, transport, sightseeing and entrance fees.
Not Included: International flights, arrival & departure transfers, visas, airport taxes, additional meals, drinks, optional sightseeing tours, insurance, tips and items of a personal nature.
Meals: Allow US$650 for additional meals. Although a number of meals are included, we also allow you the flexibility to go out and make your own choices as far as what and where to eat. Your tour leader will always be on hand to offer recommendations and, in some places, he will help organise a group meal that includes a variety of local specialities; all such meals are optional.
Valid From: 1/01/2007
Starts/Ends: Cairo/Marrakech
Notes: PLEASE NOTE: Despite the tour's name, this tour ends in Marrakech
Trip Reference: GECC