We checked out of the Hotel Sheraton and boarded the coach with Marco for our last trip.

We drove out of Cairo to Saqqara and the Step Pyramid of Djoser. It is the earliest Egyptian pyramid, built by the architect Imhotep around 2630 BC, surrounded by a vast mortuary complex.

It looked busy so we stopped first at the Tomb of Kagemni.

The carvings and paintings were outstanding.

The Step Pyramid was built in stages. A square mastaba was first built with further layers added until it reached a height of 6 mastabas (60 metres).

The burial chamber lies at the bottom of a shaft in the centre of the pyramids.

The Step Pyramid is considered to be a giant stairway which King Djoser would climb after being resurrected to join the sun god, Ra, in the sky.

Our Egyptian adventure over, we drove back to Cairo and to the airport.

Today we visited Coptic Cairo, a historic, spiritual district in Old Cairo hosting some of Egypt’s most revered churches within the Roman era Babylon Fortress.

The Coptic Orthodox Church was established by Saint Mark in the 1st century, making it one of the oldest Christian communities.

We went inside the Church of St Sergius and Bacchus.

The church was built on top of the crypt where Joseph, Mary and Jesus were said to have sheltered after fleeing to Egypt.

Next was the 7th century ‘Hanging Church’ suspended over 12 pillars.

Then we visited the Coptic museum – full of religious artefacts.

Arriving back at our hotel we had free time to get a light lunch and pack ready for our departure tomorrow.

We are looking forward to a farewell meal tonight with our 38 fellow travellers, our tour guide, Linda, and our local guide Marco, at the nearby Kebabgy Grill in the Sofitel Hotel overlooking the River Nile.

Sadly we left our cruise ship and took a short flight to Abu Simbel.

Abu Simbel is two huge temples hewn out of the rock, in the 13th century dedicated to Ramases II and his favourite wife Nefertari.

Following the construction of the High Dam in the 1960s it was realised that the temples would flood as the water rose. Many countries offered solutions to save the temple and the Swedish engineering company, Vattenbyggnadsbyran, came up with the best solution. They cut the temples into huge blocks and raised them 64 feet.

This picture was interesting as the extra legs of the horse and arms of the man appear to be to show movement.

In the smaller of the two temples, dedicated to Nefertari, the God of motherhood is shown as a cow with cows ears.

We flew back to Aswan and remained on the plane as some passengers got off and others got on. Then we flew back to Cairo.

Traffic was very busy when we landed and it was a long time before we finally arrived back at the Sheraton Hotel, Giza, on a different floor but with the same view.

Our coach took us to see the ‘unfinished obelisk’, the largest known obelisk. It was commissioned by Queen Hatshepsut during the 18th dynasty. It was abandoned after cracks appeared as it was being prepared.

It was quite an arduous climb (for me!)

We drove past the British dam of 1902 on our way to the Aswan High Dam.

Our coach took us across the top of the dam. Photography was frowned upon but we managed to snap a few showing Lake Nasser to the south of the dam with the River Nile continuing towards Cairo. There are no crocodiles in this part of the river but crocodiles and hippos are found in the lake.

We passed the Lotus Flower Peace Monument, symbolising the partnership between Egypt and the Soviet Union, who helped fund the construction of the dam.

We stopped off at an essential oils/perfumery where a Nubian specialist gave us an interesting talk.

We travelled by boat to the Philae Temple on an island in the reservoir between the British and the High Dam.

Marco – our cheerful local guide!

After a seafood buffet lunch back on the ship we were back on the water but this time in a felucca, a traditional wooden sailing boat. After a peaceful sail along the Nile we arrived at Kitchener Island where we explored the botanical gardens.

After a relaxing return journey we arrived back at our ship as the sun was setting.

Before our last dinner on board our ship we were treated to some entertainment.

Our Nile cruise is over and we return to Cairo tomorrow.