The ancient world opens before us on this exciting and fascinating tour. Pyramids, sphinxes, and temples – we’ll see them all, as we enjoy the history and perspective provided by our Egyptologist.  We’ll enjoy a luxurious 4-night cruise on the Nile, where we see the Aswan High Dam - a modern wonder and a stark contrast to the ancient ruins around us.  

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Included meals are denoted: Breakfast: B, Lunch: L, Dinner: D

 

DAY 1

Our journey back in time begins, as we board our flights to Cairo, Egypt.

 

DAY 2             

Upon arrival at the Cairo airport, we meet our Egyptologist and guide who will assist us through the airport formalities. Then we transfer to our hotel for a three-night stay.

 

DAY 3              B,L  

After a late breakfast, we meet our guide for an orientation of Egypt and our tour.  Then, we depart for the fabulous Egyptian Museum, which houses more than 100,000 antiquities dating back to 5,000 years ago! Included is a special visit to the two Royal Mummies Halls and its Un-Wrapped Mummies of the most famous kings and queens of ancient Egypt. After, we tour the ancient churches and Cave of the Holy Family in Old Cairo, and make a short visit to the Mosque of Amr ibn al-As. This evening, we are delighted by the famous Sound & Lights Show at the pyramids near the Sphinx.

 

DAY 4              B,L

Today, we see the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World (and the only one to remain largely intact): the Great Pyramid of Giza. Then, we enjoy lunch at a local restaurant which serves authentic Egyptian food. Our final sites for the day are the ancient Step Pyramid of King Zoser (27th century BCE) and a tomb at Sakkara, the necropolis of pharaohs during the Old Kingdom.  

 

DAY 5              B,L,D

We fly to Luxor this morning. There, we visit the Temple of Karnak, then drive to the Temple of Luxor, used as the residence of the god Amon’s harem. Our afternoon is free to explore the city of Luxor, including shopping at Al-Souk (the old tourist market), before we board our luxurious cruise ship, the Al Kahlia Cruise, for four nights.   

 

DAY 6              B,L,D

Today, we are in the Valley of the Kings, known as Biban-el-Muluk (Kings’ Gates), which was the burial ground for the great pharaohs who ruled the most ancient empire that history has known. We will also visit the temple built for Queen Hatshepsut, and marvel at its unique architecture. Our excursion includes the Colossi of Memnon, once related to the Greek god of music, Apollo. We return to our ship for lunch and cruise to Edfu.

 

DAY 7              B,L,D

This morning, we visit the Temple of Horus in Edfu, one of the best-preserved temples of the ancient world. Then, we continue cruising from Edfu to Kom Ombo, while we enjoy lunch. We make a short visit to the Temple of Kom Ombo, a dual temple which was built for two gods: the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god, Haroeris. Then, on we cruise to Aswan.

 

DAY 8              B

Today, we fly to the thrilling World Heritage Site, Abu Simbel, and its temples. Built by the famous King Ramses II for himself and his wife Queen Nefertiti, it is another complex that was saved by UNESCO during the building of the Aswan High Dam. We fly from Abu Simbel to Cairo. Once back in Cairo, we check into our hotel for a two-night stay, enjoy its restaurants, and explore the City Stars mall.

 

DAY 9              B, L, D

Today, we visit the Aswan High Dam, built in the 1960s to block the Nile floods, conserve water, and generate electricity. Then, on to the Temples of Philae, saved from a watery grave by UNESCO during the building of the Aswan High Dam. We also see the unfinished obelisk, more than 3,500 years old, which has provided valuable insight into how these monuments were created. We cruise the beautiful Nile while lunching aboard our ship. We continue through the Aswan National Parks to Nubaa, a colorful Nubian village and part of one of the oldest civilizations known to still exist. We return to the ship and overnight in Aswan. This evening, our special entertainment is the Nubian Dance Show at the Lounge Bar.

 

DAY 10            B,L

Today, we visit the cave church in the Mokkattam Mountain.  We drive through the Zabbaleen community and learn about how the locals cull and recycle in Cairo and how the church started the ministry there. Lunch at el Azhar Park.

 

DAY 11            B,L

After breakfast by the ocean, we check out of our hotel before a visit to the famous Montazah Palace and Gardens, then to the Royal Jewelry Museum, which is in a former palace and houses the priceless collection of the Royal Family of King Farouk. After lunch, we enjoy a visit to the Roman Amphitheatre, one of Alexandria’s most popular monuments and the only Roman amphitheater in Egypt. 

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DAY 12            B,L

After breakfast, we check out of our hotel before a visit the Coptic Monastery at Wadi Natrun. Enjoy a peaceful and spiritual visit of the Monastery and learn about Monastic life in Egypt. We drive back to Cairo to enjoy a farewell lunch and a relaxing evening preparing for our departure.

 

DAY 13              B         

Early morning, we depart to the Cairo International Airport for our flight home.

 

Itinerary subject to change