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Between the Paws of the Sphinx

Luxury Egypt: Alexandria, Cairo, & The Nile

With Alexander + Roberts

2019 Departure Dates: February 28, September 26 and November 7

  • Estimated budget

    Starting at $8,099 per person

  • Trip Type

    Small group, max 16 travelers

  • Duration

    13 Days, 12 Nights

  • Starting Location

    Cairo, Egypt

  • Final Destination

    Cairo, Egypt

Our Route

+ 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.

Nile Sunset

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 6: Return to Cairo

After a leisurely breakfast, return to the Kempinski Nile Hotel, arriving in time for lunch. The afternoon is yours to explore and relax as you wish.

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.

Karnak
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.

Day 12: Return to Cairo

After breakfast, disembark in Luxor and fly back Cairo. On arrival, you’ll be escorted to the Kempinski Nile Hotel for another night in a Nile-view room.

Day 13: Farewell to Egypt

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your homeward journey.

Includes

  • Comprehensive sightseeing with our expert Egyptologists in Alexandria and Cairo, and all Nile shore excursions – with all entry fees included throughout

  • All 34 meals: 12 breakfasts, 11 lunches and 11 dinners – with a wine or beer at all lunches and dinners

  • 5 nights in an outside stateroom or suite aboard the Oberoi Zahra with free WiFi

  • 5 nights at the luxury boutique Kempinski Nile Hotel in Cairo in a Nile-view room with free WiFi

  • 2 nights at the lavish Four Seasons Alexandria in a Mediterranean-view guestroom with free WiFi

  • All on-tour transportation, airport transfers, and all three internal flights

  • Luggage handling, port charges, hotel taxes and service charges and all airline taxes and fees for your 3 included flights

  • Gratuities for all featured meals and transportation services – including waiters, porters, drivers, cruise staff and local guides.

Excludes

  •  International and regional airfare not listed above or marked with an asterisk (*) on confirmation of services

  • Travel Insurance (quoted separately) to cover cancellation and curtailment, medical, baggage, money, and emergency evacuation back home.

  • Personal expenses such as laundry, gratuities, baggage handling, excess baggage fees, excess weight fees, communications charges, cost of passport or visa, airport departure taxes and airfares, any sightseeing, beverages or meals not included in the itinerary, optional activities.

  • Pricing based on double occupancy, single supplements apply