Day 1 ~

Depart USA on overnight flight to Cairo.

 

Day 2 ~ Cairo
Upon arrival in Cairo, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

 

Day 3 ~ Cairo
This morning we will begin our day with a drive to Giza and a visit to the Pyramids. We will see the Great Pyramid and the Royal Burial Chambers, the Solar Boat Museum and the Sphinx. Then we will travel to  Memphis and visit the museum that houses a colossal statue of Ramses II and the alabaster sphinx. In the afternoon, on to Saqqara to see the Step Pyramid, designed for the Pharaoh Djoser by Imhotep.

 

Day 4 ~ Cairo
We'll begin our day with a visit to the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities. Some of the highlights in the museum are the Amarna Room with the unfinished head of Nefertiti, the Jewelry Room, the Royal Mummy Room and the Tutankhamen Galleries. Next we'll explore Old Cairo, where much has not changed over the past 1000 years. We'll tour the Hanging Church, or Suspended Church; the Church of St. Sergius in Coptic Caiaro, built over a cave where the Holy Family is supposed to have stayed; and the Ben Ezra Synagogue, which dates from the 9th century. In the afternoon, we'll continue with a visit to the Citadel, built by Saladiin in 1176; and the Mohamed Ali Pasha Mosques and the Khan el Khalili Bazaar.

 

Day 5 ~ Aswan
This morning we will transfer to the Cairo airport for our flight to Abu Simbel. Here we will visit the Temples of Ramses the Great and Nefretari and be amazed at the feat that the Egyptian government went through to move these magnificent treasures to their current locations when the great Aswan Dam was constructed. After a short flight to Aswan, we will be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel for an afternoon of leisure. Don't miss the sunset from the hotel - it's unforgettable!

 

Day 6 ~ Nile Cruise
Before This morning we will visit the Nubian museum before lunch , we will board the Sonesta Moon Goddess to begin our cruise on the longest river in the world, the lifeblood of Egypt. In the afternoon we will sail the Nile by traditional felucca around Kitchener's Island and the Agha Khan Mausoleum. After dinner, we will  be entertained by a Nubian Folkloric Show.

Day 7 ~ Nile Cruise

This morning we will tour the Aswan High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk and the Temple of Philae before setting sail for Kom Ombo. In the afternoon we'll explore the Temple of Gods Sobek and Haroeies in Kom Ombo. Later, we'll enjoy afternoon tea on board as we sail for Edfu and tonight will be the Captain's Welcome Cocktail Party including dinner and dancing.

Day 8 ~ Nile Cruise
This morning we will visit the Temple of Horus in Edfu, a very dramatic monument.  In the afternoon, we will enjoy the views along the Nile as we sail to Esna where we will see the Graeco-Roman Temple of Khnum.

Day 9 ~ Nile Cruise

Today we visit the West Bank of the setting sun, which includes The Valley of the Kings and Queens, the Temple of Hatshepsut at El Deir El Bahari, and the Colossi of  Memnon. After lunch, we will have a visit to the Karnak and Luxor Temples - the magnificent wonders of Ramses II and Akhenaton on the east bank of the Nile, in the City of the SLiving, where they greet the sunrise. This city was known as the 'city of palaces' in Homer's time.

Day 10 ~ Luxor

This morning we'll disembark our boat and transfer to our hotel. After checking in, we will pay a visit to the Valley of the Queens. Here we will see Medinat Habu - second only in size to the temple complex at Karnak, it is one of the most underrates sites on the West Bank. With the Theban mountains as a backdrop and the sleepy village of Kom Lolah in front, it is a wonderful place to spend a few hours. At the site, we will visit the Temple of Amun and the Funerary Temple of Ramses III, which was inspired by the style of his forbear, Ramses II. The Tomb Chapels of the Divine Adorers and the Syrian Gate, a large two-story building modeled after an Asiatic fortress will be highlights as well as the Pharaoh's Palace are outstanding examples of New Dynasatic architecture. The afternoon will be at leisure to relax and enjoy the gardens and the pool.

Day 11 ~ Luxor

Today we have a full day excursion to Dendera and Abydos. Abydos is the home of Osiris, the ruler of the netherworld. It is said that at night you can hear the spirits congregating to pay homage to Osiris. The Temple of Seti I is one of the few remaining royal monuments still intact at Abydos. It contains some of the most sublime decorations of any Egyptian monument. Dendera was the main city of the sixth Egyptian Nome (a Nome is similar to a state or province). Dendera was also the site of an ancient cult center for Hathor. The Temple of Dendera was built by the Ptolemys and later elements were added by the Romans.

Day 12 ~ Alexandria

This morning we will board a flight to Cairo. Upon arrival, we will travel by private car to Alexandria. As we pass the interesting countryside where much of the country's produce is harvested, we will reach this illustrious city and drive along the promenade to our hotel, stopping to stretch our legs along the way at the promenade at Fort Qait Bey. The fort occupies the site of the famous Pharos Lighthouse.

 

Day 13 ~ Alexandria

In the morning we will visit the Catacombs of Kom ash-Shuqqafa, the Roman amphitheater, Pompey's Pillar and the Serapeum, the magnificent new Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the Graeco-Roman Museum. In the afternoon, we will visit the Jewelry Museum and the Midan Tahrir - the marketplace. Dinner this evening will be in a local fish market restaurant along the Corniche.

 

Day 14 ~ Cairo

This morning will be at leisure to wander the attractive Montazah Palace Gardens which suround the Presiden't residence, or stroll along the seafront Corniche.  In the afternoon we will return to Cairo to spend the night.

 

Day 15 ~ Depart for the USA.