Egypt – Land of the Pharaohs 10 Days/8 Nights

Depart New York JFK for Cairo. Meals and refreshments served on board.

Arrive in the Land of the Pharaohs. At Cairo International Airport you will be welcomed and assisted through immigration and customs by your tour director, then escorted to your hotel. This evening you can learn about the history of this ancient land and the story of the Sphinx through an optional Sound & Light Show. With laser beams and light projections on the ancient walls of the Mummification Temple, desert sands, pyramid walls and the Sphinx itself, a fascinating story is revealed. The accompanying soundtrack enhances the surroundings, and the voice of the Sphinx is aptly dramatic and mysterious!

Today start your day with a visit to the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities. Your visit to the museum will include a collection of Pharaonic artifacts and the treasures of King Tutankhamen's tomb. After lunch, you will explore the Citadel of Saladin, a medieval fortification, including the marvelous Mohamed Ali Alabaster Mosque. The full-day tour ends with a visit to Khan El-Khalili, the world's largest 13th century covered oriental bazaar. This evening enjoy a discussion with a renowned Egyptologist (Cultural Discovery Series). Overnight in Cairo. (B,L)

Depart the hotel to Cairo Airport for your flight to Aswan. Once there, you visit the Aswan High Dam, the Granite Quarries with the Unfinished Obelisk. Then you visit an Egyptian essential oils and perfume factory (Cultural Discovery Series) to learn how these natural scents are made. Afterwards you will be transferred to your first-class ship for a 4-night/5-day cruise. After lunch you visit the Temple of Philae. Overnight in Aswan. (B,L,D)

After breakfast on board, you sail on board a “Felucca”, a typical Nile sailboat, and view Kitchener's Island Botanical Garden and the Agha Khan Mausoleum. After lunch you sail to Kom Ombo where you will visit the magnificent temple overlooking the river Nile. This Ptolemaic Temple is the only double temple in Egypt shared by two gods, the crocodile-headed God Sobek, and the falcon-headed God Horus. The temple has two entrances, two courts, two colonnades, two Hypostyle halls and two sanctuaries, one side for each god. This evening enjoy a Galabeya Party after dinner. You are encouraged to shop and wear “The Galabeya”, traditional Egyptian garments native to the Nile Valley. Overnight in Edfu. (B,L,D)

After breakfast you will visit the Temple of Horus, dedicated to the falcon God Horus, a central figure in ancient Egyptian mythology who served many functions such as God of Sun, War and Protection. It’s considered the best-preserved ancient temple and the second largest after the Karnak. You will then sail to Esna and pass through the Esna Lock system, with lunch on board. As you cruise the Nile, tea, coffee and deserts are served as you watch the world drift by. Late afternoon you arrive to Luxor and visit the temple. Luxor temple is known as the world’s best open-air museum, but that comes nowhere close describing this amazing place. Nothing in the world compares to the size and magnificence of the monuments that have survived from ancient Thebes. This evening you will enjoy a manager’s cocktail party. Overnight in Luxor. (B,L,D)

After breakfast you will visit the West Bank, including the Valley of the Kings. The ancient Egyptians built massive public monuments to their pharaohs. They also spent time creating concealed underground tombs full of treasures. The most famed collection of such intricate tombs, the Valley of the Kings, became a royal burial ground for pharaohs such as Tutankhamun, Seti I, and Ramses II, as well as queens, high priests, and other elites of the 18th, 19th, and 20th dynasties. Then see the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir El Bahari and the Colossi of Memnon. Prior to leaving the Valley of the Kings you visit an Alabaster workshop (Cultural Discovery Series) to see how vases and statues are made in the traditional ancient styles. After lunch on board, you will visit a local Egyptian school. Here you will meet with teachers and students to learn about the educational system in Egypt (Cultural Discovery Series). Onwards, you will gaze at the temple of Karnak, built from the beginning of the Middle Kingdom to the Greco Roman Kingdom. The second most visited historical site in Egypt, and it’s probably due to the 30 pharaohs who contributed to its buildings. In certain places, there are columns that are over three stories tall and about 3000 years old. See the centuries old city of pylons, hypostyle halls, colossal statues, shrines, and obelisks. In the evening enjoy a Nubian Folkloric Show on board. Overnight in Luxor. (B,L,D)

Disembark and transfer to Luxor airport for your flight to Cairo. Upon arrival to Cairo, transfer to the hotel and check-in. Dependent on flight schedules you will either have more free time in Luxor or more free time in Cairo, or a mix of both! This day is classed as a travel day. (B)

After breakfast, visit the Great Pyramids of Giza, the defining symbol of Egypt and the last of the ancient Seven Wonders of the World, and the mysterious Sphinx a mythological creature with a lion’s body and a human head, an important image in Egyptian and Greek art and legend. Next, visit the Papyrus Institute and learn about papyrus making as an important part of Egypt’s history (Cultural Discovery Series). Enjoy lunch and continue your visit to Sakkara where you will see the famous Step Pyramid. Evening is free for last minute shopping or to relax by the pool. (B,L)

Morning transfer to the airport for your return flight home. (B)