Itinerary

1. WED I CAIRO

   Arrive in the Land of the Pharaohs. Upon completion of immigration and customs formalities at Cairo International Airport, you will be met and escorted to your hotel.

2. THU I CAIRO

   Have breakfast at your hotel, then embark on a guided tour of the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, featuring the world’s largest collection of Pharaonic artifacts and the treasures of King Tutankhamen’s tomb. Drive to Old Cairo, where early Judaism and Christianity flourished in Egypt. Visit the Ben Ezra Synagogue and Saint Sergius Church. After lunch, drive to the Citadel of Saladin and visit Mohamed Ali Alabaster Mosque. After, enjoy a walking tour of the largest 13th century covered oriental market, Khan El Khalili Bazaar. (B,L)

3. FRI I CAIRO I ALEXANDRIA I CAIRO

   Start your excursion to Alexandria by air-conditioned private vehicle with an English-speaking Egyptologist as your guide. Visit the Catacombs of Kom El Shugafa and Qait Bay Fort. Stop for lunch, then proceed to the National Museum and the Alexandria Library, “Bibliotheca Alexandrina.” Return to Cairo for the evening. (B,L)

4. SAT I CAIRO I LUXOR

   After breakfast, transfer to Cairo International Airport for your flight to Luxor. Upon arrival, transfer to your cruise ship. Accommodations on board consist of outside cabins with private facilities. Dinner will be served on board or for late arrivals, a light snack will be served. Overnight in Luxor. (B,D)

5. SUN I LUXOR I ESNA

   Have breakfast on board your Nile River vessel and then depart for an early morning visit to the West Bank where you will discover the Colossi of Memnon; the Valley of the Queens and the Valley of the Kings, burial sites for many of the most powerful and successful pharaohs and high priests; the Temple of Hatshepsut; and Medinet Habu Temple. Return for lunch on board as the ship sets sail to Esna. Enjoy dinner on the ship and overnight in Esna. (B,L,D)

6. MON I ESNA I KOM OMBO I ASWAN

   Following breakfast on board, join in a morning excursion to the Temple of Khnum at Esna. The temple is dedicated to the ram-headed god Khnum who was patron god of the cataracts of the Nile. Continue the journey south for a brief stop at Edfu before sailing to Kom Ombo for a visit to the temple before dinner. This temple, unlike many others in Egypt, was dedicated to two gods; the Southern section is dedicated to Sobek, the crocodileheaded man known as the god of fertility, and the Northern section to the falcon-headed god Horus. There is also a fascinating crocodile museum to visit with many artifacts and mummified crocodiles. Later, sail to Aswan where you will overnight. (B,L,D)

7. TUE I ASWAN

   After breakfast, visit the High Dam in Aswan, built in 1960-1971 to provide electricity to the villages along the Nile; see the Unfinished Obelisk, and explore the Temple of Isis on Philae Island. Lunch is on board followed by an afternoon at leisure with an opportunity to revisit the Temple of Philae for an optional sound and light show in the evening. (B,L,D)

8. WED I ASWAN

   Rise and shine with breakfast on board and enjoy a morning at leisure or depart for an early morning optional visit to Abu Simbel. This impressive temple, built by Rameses II, stands on the banks of Lake Nasser. Return to your Nile River cruise vessel for lunch on board and then embark on a relaxing boat trip around Elephantine Island to the Botanical Gardens on General Kitchener Island. Dinner and overnight in Aswan. (B,L,D)

9. THU I ASWAN I EDFU

   Your morning is at leisure to enjoy the ship’s amenities. Have lunch on board and then set sail to Kom Ombo. After a brief stop, continue sailing to Edfu where you will overnight. (B,L,D)

10. FRI I LUXOR

    Enjoy breakfast on board as you sail to Esna and then Luxor. After lunch, head out for a visit to the “world’s largest greatest open-air museum” at the Karnak Temple complex, covering a large area of land and featuring several temples, including the impressive Temple of Amun. Enjoy one last visit to Luxor Temple then return to the ship for dinner and your last night on board. (B,L,D)

11. SAT I LUXOR I CAIRO

    Disembark and transfer to the airport for your afternoon flight to Cairo. Upon arrival, you will be met and escorted to your hotel. Consider joining in an optional early morning balloon ride, ideal for the adventurous. (B)

12. SUN I CAIRO

    Begin your day on a scenic drive to the Pyramids and Sphinx of Giza, which have stood for the last 5,000 years. Complete your visit of Giza with a tour of the Solar Boat Museum. After lunch, continue to the ancient city of Memphis, the first capital of United Upper and Lower Egypt, and then visit Sakkara, site of the Step Pyramid of Zoser. In the evening, you may enjoy an optional sound and light show at the Pyramids. (B,L)

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

    Transfer to Cairo International Airport for your departure flight. (B)