2019 Departure Dates: February 28, September 26 and November 7
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Estimated budget
Starting at $8,099 per person
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Trip Type
Small group, max 16 travelers
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Duration
13 Days, 12 Nights
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Starting Location
Cairo, Egypt
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Final Destination
Cairo, Egypt
Our Route
Cairo
Alexandria
Luxor
Aswan
+ Stand between the Paws of the Sphinx, usually off-limits to visitors, for a private field talk with Ashraf Mohie El-Din, an Egyptologist with extensive experience mapping excavations on the Giza Plateau.
+ Peel back the layers of history in Alexandria… The fabled city of Cleopatra and Alexander the Great.
+ Fly to Abu Simbel to visit the must-see Temples of Ramses II.
+ Our unique 5-night cruise offers more time to explore the sites of the Nile – including the finely preserved Temple of Dendera.
+ When the Grand Egyptian Museum opens, it will be included in our touring of Cairo – allowing you to be among the first to visit this lavish new facility.
Visit 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Day 1: Arrive Cairo
Upon arrival, you’ll be escorted to the 5-star Kempinski Nile Hotel where a Nile-view room awaits.
Day 2: Between the Paws
By special arrangement, stand between the Paws of the Sphinx for a private presentation with Ashraf Mohie El-Din. Drawing upon his professional experience mapping excavations on the Giza Plateau, he is a wonderful speaker. Then gaze upon the Great Pyramids and have lunch at the Mena House. Continue to Memphis, site of Egypt’s ancient capital, to see the Colossus of Ramses II and the beautiful Alabaster Sphinx. At nearby Sakkara, you’ll gaze in wonder upon the remarkable Step Pyramid of King Zoser. You’ll also be among the first to behold the vibrant drawings and inscriptions in the 4,000-year-old Tomb of Mehu – newly opened to visitors for the first time in 80 years. This evening, you’ll dine along the Nile.
Note: When the new Grand Egyptian Museum opens, our sightseeing itinerary will also include a guided tour of this state-of-the-art facility overlooking the Great Pyramids.
Day 3: Old Cairo
With our expert Egyptologist, your tour of Old Cairo includes fine views from the Citadel. After lunch at Felfela, you’ll visit the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities – a perfect introduction to the ancient sites you’ll explore along the Nile. End your touring in the lively Khan El Khalili bazaar – where gold, jewelry, exotic spices and rugs have been traded for centuries.
Day 4: Travel to Alexandria
Travel to Alexandria, founded in 331 BCE, and tour the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a striking landmark embellished with carved letters, pictograms and hieroglyphs from more than 120 different scripts. Enjoy dinner and 2 nights at the Four Seasons Hotel.
Day 5: Exploring Alexandria
Begin today at the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa. Discovered in 1900, these rock-cut tombs were used for 200 years starting in the 2nd century AD. At Pompey’s Pillar, you’ll discover a monolithic column erected in 300 AD. Then tour the lovely Montazah Palace and Royal Gardens, and see the Roman Amphitheater. This evening, enjoy an elegant dinner with wine at the luxurious Four Seasons.
Day 7: Tour Abu Simel & Embark Oberoi Zahra
Fly to Abu Simbel to visit the Temples of Ramses II, one of the most impressive sights of antiquity. Then fly to Aswan to board the Oberoi Zahra. Tonight, we take you to Philae Temple where a thrilling Sound & Light Show brings this ancient wonder to life
Day 8: Kom Ombo
Step ashore with our engaging Egyptologist to explore the Temple of Kom Ombo. Set on a picturesque bend of the Nile, this unusual dual-deity temple is dedicated to the falcon-headed God Horus and the fearsome Crocodile God Sobek. Later, you’ll step aboard a felucca, traditional sailing vessel of the Nile, to visit the Aswan Botanical Garden on El Nabatat Island
Day 9: Cruising to Edfu
Enjoy a leisurely morning of cruising aboard our luxury ship. After lunch, step ashore in Edfu to visit the Temple of Haroeris; rich in design, intricate in detail and ingenious in its construction, the amazing quality of every element attests to the great importance of Haroeris, one of the oldest forms of Horus, the falcon-headed Sun God. Return to ship and enjoy dinner as we continue our journey toward Luxor.
Day 10: Karnak & Luxor
Step off this afternoon with our expert Egyptologist and tour the stunning Karnak Temple with its massive pillars and grand Hypostyle Hall. Nearby, the Luxor Temple is connected to the Karnak complex by the nearly 2-mile long Avenue of Sphinxes. The outstanding Luxor Museum brings a deeper dimension to the day’s touring.
Day 11: Valley of the Kings
Focusing on the ancients sites of the Nile’s West Bank, today’s touring includes the tomb of the young king, Tutankhamen. Less well known, the Tomb of Ramses VI is impressive with its hieroglyphs and paintings. Then see the Colossi of Memnon and visit the Funerary Temple of Hatshepsut; built in a half circle of cliffs at the entrance to the fabled Valley of the Kings, this is one of the greatest architectural achievements of ancient Egypt.
Enjoy lunch onboard as our luxury ship cruises toward Quina. In the afternoon, step off and tour the Dendera Temple; dedicated to Hathor, Goddess of Love, Joy and Beauty, this is one of the best preserved temples in all of Egypt.
