Duration: 10 Days
Join us for an adventure to ancient Egypt, as well as its modern enjoyments on a Nile River cruise for the ages. Arrive in Cairo, and explore the pyramids and Sphinx of Giza. See the Ramses II statue in Memphis and King Tut’s tomb in Cairo’s Egyptian Museum. (Note: upon its opening in 2020, the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza will replace Cairo’s Egyptian Museum for this itinerary.) In Old Cairo, see the Church of the Virgin Mary (also called the Hanging Church), built in the place where Mary and Jesus were said to find refuge during their flight to Egypt, and visit the Alabaster Mosque. These and more exciting discoveries are to be found as you see Egypt’s incredible monuments to pharaohs and gods of Egyptian history.
Fly to Luxor to embark on your ship. You’ll visit the Luxor Temple, Avenue of the Sphinxes, monument of Karnak, and the Temple of Amun-Ra before enjoying an onboard welcome reception on your ship. Visit the valley of Kings and Valley of Queens, where the pristine tomb of King Tut was found with undisturbed riches and splendor. This incredible cruise on the Nile River takes you to amazing ancient sites, including the twin temples at Kom Ombo, devoted to the crocodile god Sobek-Ra and the falcon god Horus. Ponder the magni-tude of the task of building the pyramids with a visit to the granite quarries—where an unfinished obelisk still remains. Visit the Temple of Isis, then take a return flight to Cairo to wander the world’s largest open-air mu-seum, and browse the bustling maze of the endless bazaar in Cairo’s medieval alleys. Join us for a once-in-a-lifetime holiday tour in Cairo, expedition to the Egyptian pyramids, and a Nile River cruise you’ll never forget.
Welcome to Cairo, "Mother of the World"
Desert Sands and Secrets of the Sphinx
CLASSIC - This morning take a close-up look at one of the World's Seven Wonders and guardian of the great pyramids, the enigmatic Sphinx, and the Great Pyramid of Giza. Cheops, with an original height of 496 feet, is the most colossal pyramid ever built, and of course enjoy the visit to the newly discovered the Sun Boats.
CLASSIC - Drive to Sakkara, a vast desert necropolis built for kings and nobles, and its "Stairway to the Sky," the oldest of all pyramids. Also admire the special tomb of Mary Loca and the Step Pyramid.
An Optional Guided Excursion to the pyramids this evening features a Sound and Light Show complete with historical stories and secrets of the Sphinx. (B)
Ancient Cairo, a Boy King, and the Christ Child
CLASSIC - Enjoy a guided visit to the now-famous Tahrir Square and visit the Egyptian Museum. Peruse King Tutankhamun's fabulous treasures and many other priceless artifacts of ancient Egypt.
CLASSIC - Drive to walled city of Old Cairo, with Saladin's 12th-century citadel, and the Alabaster Mosque of Mohammed Ali.
CLASSIC - Drive to "Coptic Cairo" to see the Hanging Church where the Virgin Mary and Jesus sought refuge while in Egypt. Walk to see Cairo's oldest Jewish synagogue, founded in the 9th century. (B)
The World's Greatest Open-Air Museum
Fly 300 miles up the Nile Valley to Luxor to board your Suite Ship.
CLASSIC - See the stunning monuments of Luxor and Karnak, ancient cities whose combined populations swelled to more than one million. Walk among the pillars of the colossal Temple of Amun Ra and along the Avenue of the Sphinxes for an experience you will treasure for a lifetime.
Consider an Optional Guided Excursion to enjoy the sound and light show in Karnak Temple.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LUXOR (B,D)
Royal Resting Places of Kings and Queens
CLASSIC - Venture to the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens on the west bank of the Nile where generations of pharaohs and nobles were entombed in cliffside crypts. See where 62 royal tombs have thus far been discovered, of which one was virtually intact-the splendid tomb of Tutankhamun discovered in 1922.
CLASSIC - Visit Deir El-Bahri, Queen Hatshepsut's monumental rock temple. Stop for pictures at the two Colossi of Memnon guarding the valleys.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN EDFU (B,L,D)
Egyptian Gods of the River and Sky
CLASSIC - This morning visit the Temple of Horus with its menacing black stone statue of the falcon god.
CLASSIC - Enjoy beautiful Kom Ombo for a short walk to its bluff-top twin temples. The right side is dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek-Ra, while the left side is dedicated to the falcon god Horus.
Enjoy a leisurely sail to Aswan.
DISCOVERY - Enjoy an exclusive lecture on this ancient civilization by your Egyptologist.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ASWAN (B,L,D)
Temples from Above and Islands Below
This morning, consider a Guided Optional Excursion with a flight over the huge massive sandstone temples of Abu Simbel (weather permitting).
CLASSIC - Board a Felucca (traditional wooden sailing boat) and cross the blue waters of the Nile. En route, see the ancient water measurement system, "Nilometer," on the Nile's Elephantine Island. Visit Kitchener Island's lush Botanical Gardens and the splendid Aga Khan Mausoleum on the left bank.
Join an Optional Excursion to the Sound and Light show in Philae Temple.
Tonight, enjoy live entertainment onboard.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ASWAN (B,L,D)
Work in Progress and the Goddess Isis
CLASSIC - Join a Guided Sightseeing Excursion at to explore the Granite Quarries that supplied ancient Egypt with its hard stones for the pyramids in Giza. See the famous unfinished obelisk, still remaining in the quarry.
CLASSIC - Visit the gigantic Aswan High Dam, completed in 1970. Board a motor launch to the island of Agilika between the two dams. Visit the Temple Of Isis which was dismantled from the submerged island of Philae and reassembled here.
Board your flight back to Cairo later today, and consider attending an Optional Dinner Cruise on the Nile to celebrate your Egyptian adventure. (B)
Amazing Palaces and Marketplace Mazes
CLASSIC - Enjoy a special tour of the world's widest open-air museum to admire palaces and mosques. Browse the maze of shops in the vast labyrinths of the Khan al Khali Souk bazaar and Medieval alleyways.
CLASSIC - Take in a full panoramic view of Cairo from the Nile River-on board a traditional wooden sailing vessel (Felucca).
CLASSIC - Discover Cairo by night on an orientation tour in the old city. (B)
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
