Itinerary

1. THU I CAIRO

   Upon arrival in Cairo, you will be met by our representative at the airport after clearing customs. They will escort you from the airport to your hotel to check-in. The afternoon and evening is at leisure or enjoy an optional Sound & Light Show at the Pyramids.

2. FRI I CAIRO

   After breakfast, visit the Pyramids of Giza, the main part of a complex setting of buildings that included two mortuary temples in honor of Khufu, three smaller pyramids for Khufu’s wives, an even smaller “satellite” pyramid, a raised causeway connecting the two temples, and small Mastaba tombs surrounding the pyramid for nobles. One of the small pyramids contains the tomb of queen Hetepheres, sister and wife of Snefru and the mother of Khufu. Visit the Solar Boat Museum at the base of the Pyramid of Cheops. See the Sphinx, with the head of a man and the body of a lion. Enjoy lunch at Mena House then continue to Sakkara, where you will see the famous Step Pyramid. At the site of Memphis, you will see the ancient capital that once stood as a flourishing metropolis during the time of the Pharaohs. (B,L)

3. SAT I CAIRO I LUXOR

   This morning, transfer to Cairo Airport following breakfast at your hotel. Depart for Luxor where you will board a Dahabeya for a relaxing week of sailing the Nile River. These sailboats were common in the days of the monarchy (1920s-40s) when aristocrats and sophisticated travelers enjoyed cruising along the Nile in style. The boats were rented for weeks at a time, and made their way from temple to temple enjoying the river breeze. These vessels featured four to ten cabins, bathrooms, and a host of servants. Today they have been renewed with modern comforts and conveniences. Enjoy lunch on the boat before an excursion to visit the magnificent temple complex of Amon-Ra at Karnak. Next, explore the hypostyle hall of 137 columns and the imposing Dynasty Luxor Temple. This evening we stay moored on the Nile banks of Luxor. (B,L,D)

4. SUN I LUXOR I ESNA

   After breakfast, head out to visit the West Bank, home to the burial places of the Pharoahs – the Valley of the Kings – where Howard Carter discovered the famed tomb of King Tutankhamen in 1922. In the adjacent valley – the Valley of the Queens – explore the Mortuary Temple of Ramses III at Medinet Habu and the Colossi of Memnon consisting of two massive stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III. Your guide will explain the symbols and their meanings throughout the hieroglyphs scrawled across these temples. Learn how the ancient Egyptians thrived and built these massive structures. In the afternoon, sail to the city of Esna (also referred to as Letopolis or Lato) known for its vast shopping markets and excavated temples. We moor here for the evening. (B,L,D)

5. MON I ESNA I EDFU

   This glorious day will be enjoyed sailing from Esna to Edfu. Take advantage of the wonderful Egyptian vistas as we glide along the Nile. Sunbathe on the top deck or sit in a comfortable rattan chair as you experience the Nile’s beauty in an intimate and privileged setting. Cocktails and meals will be served as we sail. This evening we will moor alongside a Nile island before porting in Edfu. (B,L,D)

6. TUE I EDFU

   Enjoy breakfast on board before departing to explore the city of Edfu and its famed temple on the Nile’s west bank. The Temple of Horus at Edfu was built between 237 and 57 BC under the reign of Cleopatra VII. Built of sandstone blocks, it faces the river with the remains of the ancient settlement of Edfu located just to the west. A guide will take you on a full day tour sharing the history of the temple and surrounding area. This evening we moor beside a Nile island. (B,L,D)

7. WED I EDFU I KOM OMBO

   Today is another captivating day to enjoy the breeze as you continue your adventure on the Nile, sailing from Edfu to Kom Ombo, an agricultural town famous for its temple. Enjoy meals on board as we use the wind to sail to our destination. The Dahabeya uses engines as needed when the wind is not sufficient, and a generator provides power. Soak in the Egyptian sun and take beautiful photos as we pass monuments, cities and other beautiful sights. (B,L,D)

8. THU I KOM OMBO I ASWAN

   Kom Ombo beckons today! This site was originally an Egyptian city called Nubt (meaning City of Gold). During the Greco-Roman period it became a Greek settlement and had control over trade routes. The city is most popular for its Temple of Kom Ombo built during the Ptolemaic dynasty of 180-47 BC. It is especially unique because it is actually a double temple, meaning there were courts, halls, sanctuaries and rooms built for two sets of gods in one location. The southern half of the temple is dedicated to the crocodile god, Sobek, god of fertility and creator of the world with Hathor and Khonsu. The northern half of the temple is dedicated to the falcon god, Horus the Elder, Tasenetnofret and Panebtawy. Tour the temple and its surroundings before boarding the river vessel towards Aswan. (B L D)

9. FRI I ASWAN

   This morning get ready for a day of exploration with breakfast on board before disembarking for a tour of Aswan, a city in the south of Egypt on the east bank of the Nile. Visit the Aswan High Dam, completed in 1971 and the Old Dam, completed in 1902. The dams are important for controlling floods, providing water for irrigation, and generating hydroelectricity. Before the dams, the Nile would flood in the late summer every year and would sometimes wipe out entire crops. We will also visit the island of Philae, located in the reservoir of the Aswan Low Dam, and its temple of Isis which is part of a UNESCO Nubia Heritage Campaign project to preserve and protect it. (B,L,D)

10. SAT I ASWAN I CAIRO

    After breakfast on board, our representatives will escort you to Aswan Airport for a departure flight to Cairo. You will be met at Cairo Airport and escorted to your hotel. (B)

11. SUN I CAIRO

    Today we will step out into the cosmopolitan city of Cairo for more exploring. Shop Egypt’s largest bazaar, Khan El Khalili, where you can haggle for Egyptian treasures to take home. Visit the Citadel of Salah El Din and the Mohamed Ali Mosque. You will also get a special tour of the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities where you can see replicas of Pharaonic Era treasures and items from King Tutankhamen’s tomb. We will visit many of the city’s major highlights today and enjoy your final day of the Egyptian experience. (B,L)

12. MON I CAIRO TO USA (OR EXTEND YOUR STAY)

    Our representatives will escort you to Cairo International Airport today for your return flight home. (B)