Splendors of Egypt

Day 1: Depart USA

Your fascinating journey to Egypt begins today with an overnight flight to Cairo.

Day 2: Arrive Cairo

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Cairo Marriott Hotel

Welcome to Cairo, both Egypt’s capital and its largest city! Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, you will be met and assisted through customs and formalities, then transferred to your hotel. After some time at leisure, enjoy a welcome dinner!

Day 3: Cairo

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

After breakfast, visit the Pyramids of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Built during the Third and Fourth Dynasties, these monumental undertakings stand as a marvelous testimony to the almost unbelievable skill and determination of their builders. Enjoy an up-close view of the Great Pyramid, built for the Pharoah Cheops, as well as the Pyramids of Khefren and Mycerinus. Not far from the Pyramids, see the great Sphinx of Giza, the legendary chimeral statue that combines the head of king Khfren with a lion’s body. Afterward, enjoy lunch at a local Cairo restaurant.

Day 4: Cairo/Aswan/Nile Cruise

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Movenpick Royal Lily

Today, fly south from Cairo to Aswan. Upon arrival, transfer to your Nile cruise ship for your three-night cruise from Upper Egypt to Lower Egypt. The Nile is one of the few rivers in the world which flows North and this unique characteristic is why southern Egypt is called Upper Egypt, while the northern part of Egypt is called “Lower Egypt”. This afternoon, visit the Aswan High Dam and Philae’s Temple of Isis. This temple was almost lost to rising water in the 1960’s until the Asawn High Dam was built.

Day 5: Nile Cruise: Kom Ombo/Edfu

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Today, sail to Kom Ombo to see the Ptolomaic Temple built for Horus the falcon god, and Sobek the crocodile god. The temple complex consists mainly of two temples running parallel with the traditional components of ancient Egyptian religious structures including a courtyard at the front of the complex, with halls following. After exploring Kom Ombo, sail to Edfu, an Egyptian city on the west bank of the Nile River.

Day 6: Nile Cruise: Edfu/Luxor

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

This morning, you’ll visit the Horus Temple in Edfu, the largest and most completely preserved Pharaonic, albeit Greek-built, temple in Egypt. Construction began on this extraordinary temple in 237 BC and was completed nearly 200 years later. Dedicated to Horus, the falcon-headed son of Osiris who avenged his father’s murder by slaying his uncle Seth, the temple was built on the site where, according to legend, the two gods met in deadly combat. Today sail onward to Luxor via Esna. The premier destination in Upper Egypt, Luxor features an array of ruins and monuments and is often considered the most extraordinary open-air museum in the world. The city is also known for its horse carriages, called caleches, which offer a charming way to enjoy the areas many sightseeing opportunities. This afternoon, enjoy some time at leisure. Perhaps consider an optional visit to the Luxor Museum. This evening, enjoy dinner on board and consider a Belly Dance show!

Day 7: Luxor

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Sonesta St. George Luxor

After breakfast, disembark the cruise and visit the West Bank of the Nile. Visit the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, the second confirmed female Pharaoh of Egypt. Hatshepsut is generally thought of as one of the most successful rulers of Egypt. You’ll also visit the Valley of the Kings where 62 pharaohs are entombed and the Valley of the Queens where royal wives and princes are buried.

Day 8: Luxor

Meals: Breakfast

This morning visit the ancient Temples of Karnak and Luxor. Built over several centuries by Amenhopis III, Tutankhamun, Ramses II and Alexander the Great, Luxor Temple is a graceful piece of architecture preceded by an avenue of sphinxes. Afterwards proceed to the Karnak Temples. In the New Kingdom, Amun-Ra was worshipped as the most important state god and the immense wealth of Thebes was spent embellishing and building temples in his honor. The balance of the day is at your leisure.

Day 9: Luxor/Cairo

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Fairmont Nile City

This morning, fly to Cairo. Arrive in Cairo and transfer to your hotel. This afternoon, visit the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, which houses the world’s largest collection of artifacts from the era of the pharaohs including some belonging to King Tut. Afterwards, enjoy a walking tour of the colorful Khan El Khalili Bazaar district. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner.

Day 10: Cairo/USA

Meals: Breakfast

Today, you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight.