Pathways of the Pharaohs

12 days
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4.7/5 Excellent
41 reviews  
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River Cruise
Sail to the Sphinx & pyramids See the Great Pyramids of Giza, last of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still standing. Explore Luxor and Karnak, then ride a hot air balloon over the Valleys of the Kings and Queens. Be moved by the lovely Temple of Isis at Philae, reachable only by boat. Behold Abu Simbel, perched above Lake Nasser, then cruise thi...
From$4,899
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Overview

Trip type
River Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

    • See the fascinating Great Pyramids of Giza
    • Opportunity to visit 4 amazing UNESCO World Heritage Sites
    • Experience 4-night Nile River cruise
    • Explore Cairo

What's this trip about?

    Sail to the Sphinx & pyramids See the Great Pyramids of Giza, last of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still standing. Explore Luxor and Karnak, then ride a hot air balloon over the Valleys of the Kings and Queens. Be moved by the lovely Temple of Isis at Philae, reachable only by boat. Behold Abu Simbel, perched above Lake Nasser, then cruise this serene waterway. The Nile is Egypt’s lifeblood, and our 12-day sojourn is the best, most comprehensive Nile cruisetour available today.

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeStandard Group - 25 + people
Age range50 years and up
Flights and transportAll internal transport included (including local flights)
Start CityCairo
End CityCairo

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • National Parks
  • Nature & Wildlife

Destinations

Attractions

  • Abu Simbel
  • Aswan
  • Cairo
  • Dead Sea
  • Luxor Temple
  • Nubian Desert
  • Valley of the Kings

Activities

  • Educational/ learning
  • Historic sightseeing
  • Nature
  • River cruise
  • Camel Riding

Trip includes

    • 4-night Nile River cruise with river-view stateroom
    • 3-night Lake Nasser cruise with river-view stateroom
    • 3 nights in Cairo: moderate deluxe Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah; 1 night in Cairo: superior first class Cairo CityStars (or similar)
    • Fully escorted 17 guided tours led by experienced Egyptologists
    • Most meals: 11 breakfasts, 9 lunches & 9 dinners, featuring regional specialties and including Welcome Cocktail Reception & Dinner
    • Complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks with onboard dinner and lunch
    • Visit 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
    • Intra-Egypt flights
    • Culture Curriculum: Enjoy the in-depth narration by our Egyptologist guides; attend a Nubian evening event aboard; ride a camel
    • All port charges

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: Cairo, Egypt

Arrive in Egypt, the cradle of civilization, then transfer to the moderate deluxe Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah (or similar) on the banks of the Nile for a 3-night stay.*

Day 2: Cairo, Egypt

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

This morning we take an excursion to the necropolis at Sakkara to see the world’s oldest step pyramid. After a typical Egyptian lunch, continue to Giza Plateau to behold the only Wonder of the Ancient World still standing: the...

Day 3: Cairo, Egypt

Meals: Breakfast

Today you see some of the sights of Cairo. This morning, tour Cairo’s Museum of Egyptian Antiquities and admire its huge collection of artifacts, then visit the famous gallery displaying the riches of King Tutankhamen. A guided walk takes you t...

Day 4: Luxor, Egypt

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Early this morning, fly to Luxor, the city once called Thebes, where history will be brought to life by our expert Egyptologist. Visit the Great Temples of Luxor and Karnak, long buried beneath desert sands, and walk through m...

Day 5: Luxor, Egypt

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Relax over breakfast, or (weather permitting) take an optional early-morning hot air balloon ride over Luxor’s temples and monuments. Upon arrival, visit the Valley of the Kings and the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, one...

Day 6: Edfu, Egypt

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

This morning, ride in a horse-drawn carriage to the Temple of Horus, the falcon god, built in Edfu during the Ptolemaic Dynasty. Have lunch aboard the ship while sailing toward Kom Ombo. There, you take a guided tour of the un...

Day 7: Aswan, Egypt

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After breakfast, visit the small, elegant Philae sanctuary, dedicated to Isis, rescued from the rising waters. This temple is one of the Nubian monuments that comprise a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tour the Nubian Museum to vi...

Day 8: Abu Simbel, Egypt

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After a final breakfast on board your ship, disembark and take a brief flight to Abu Simbel, then proceed directly to the temples. These magnificent structures, renowned for their four giant seated figures, were built in the 1...

Day 9: Amada, Egypt

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

This morning, we sail past the iconic Kasr Ibrim Fortress. Learn the story of the last Nubian monument remaining in its original location, and see it from the ship’s Sun Deck. Enjoy lunch on board as you cruise across Lake Nas...

Day 10: Wadi el Seboua, Egypt

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

This morning, disembark for a walk through the Valley of the Lions, lined with sphinxes. Then, tour the Temple of Dakka, dedicated to the ibis-headed Thoth, and the Greco-Roman Temple of Meharakka, both located at the Wadi el ...

Day 11: Aswan, Egypt

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After a leisurely onboard breakfast, disembark for a tour of the Temple of Kalabsha, which honors the androgynous Nubian sky and sun god, Mandulis. Afterward, you’ll see the Aswan High Dam, completed in the 1960s. After a loca...

Day 12: Cairo, Egypt

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, proceed to the airport for your return flight.* Or, extend your journey for 4 nights in Jordan to see the ‟lost city” of Petra, the Dead Sea and the capital of Amman.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $4,899
Price per day$408
Last Updated: 11/15/2019

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Viking River Cruises.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Viking River Cruises Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
Excellent
37
Great
0
Average
2
Disappointing
0
Terrible
2
D

D

Jun 2018

Viking Rescheduled my Flight to CHRISTMAS Without my Consent

I received an email day before yesterday stating that my trip has been moved and now my flight will leave Denver on CHRISTMAS EVE and arrive in Cairo on CHRISTMAS. A...

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Viking River Cruises

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Inspiring destinations, thoughtfully designed itineraries, immersive cultural explorations, state-of-the-art ships, fine cuisine, excellent service and remarkable value. All created with personal attention to every detail.

We call this the Viking Experience. It’s the way your bartender has your drink prepared at just the right moment. The gentle guidance from your tai chi master during your lesson in China. Or the handwritten directions from your concierge to the oldest coffeehouse in Vienna. Every aspect of your time with Viking, from expertly prepared meals to carefully created enrichment programs and beautifully appointed ships, is planned to bring you closer to experiencing the most from your destination.

With more itineraries in more destinations worldwide, we offer behind-the-scenes insights and opportunities that set us apart from other travel companies.

While we deliver the expected and iconic, such as visits to museums and landmarks, we also go beyond. On every itinerary, you can experience local life through such excursions as home-hosted visits or trips to local markets. We also offer the opportunity to see the working world of bakers and artisans, and the option for our guests to experience priviledged access to museums, private collections and after-hours events that we thoughtfully curate.

DISCOVER YOUR DESTINATION

Our daily shore excursions include must-see highlights and delightful surprises. These expertly guided tours bring you closer to the art, architecture, history and people of the land.

GAIN GREATER INSIGHT

Watch a local German glassblower or learn about French Impressionism. Our Culture Curriculum, an enriching onboard program, infuses every cruise and brings history to life.

CAPTURE THE CULTURE

Accompany us on a shopping trip to the local market. Walk through the door of a centuries-old cathedral or visit a contemporary art museum. Meet local fine food and wine purveyors. Our tastings and demonstrations expand your mind and satisfy your senses.

EXPLORE ASHORE

Have you yearned to visit the vaults of the famed Hermitage Museum? Attend a classical concert in Vienna? Enjoy a Tang Dynasty dinner show in Xian? Your Program Director can organize a variety of optional tours.

PERSONALIZE

An appointment at the best spa in Prague or dinner at one of Lyon’s Michelin-star restaurants? Our onboard Viking Concierge is there to assist you with special requests.

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What they’re known for
Classy European and Asian river cruises with premium offerings like personal excursions and private access to attractions.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Ship & cabin information
MS Mayfair
This intimate, contemporary ship carries just 150 guests along the Nile River in spacious suites and staterooms.
Suite (Aa) Features Suite size: 377 sq. ft. Suites are outside with river views Suites have hotel-style beds plus sofa Suites have a veranda & large windows Private bathroom with bathtub & shower Air conditioning Telephone, refrigerator, hair dryer & safe Flat-panel television
Deck Plans  
Cancellation policy

For any cruise/land booking, whether under deposit, partially paid, or paid in full and air-inclusive packages paid in full, the following travel agent or guest-requested situations are considered cancellations and penalties will apply as noted below: changes to departure date; substitutions of itinerary; substitution of another person for original booked guest(s); or changing to a promotional fare. All cancellations must be in writing. For all air-inclusive packages cancelled after issuance of an airline ticket, the air portion of the refund, if any, will be processed only after the return of airline ticket to Viking. The following cancellation charges will be assessed for all written cancellations received prior to departure up to the scheduled time of departure.

Cancellation received | Following charges will apply: (Broken out by days before departure) 121 days or more is $100 per person | 120-90 days is 15% of full fare | 89-60 days is 35% of full fare | 59-30 days is 50% of full fare | 29-0 days is 100% of full fare.

Full Fare is defined as the full cost of any cruise, land or air component purchased from Viking.

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included

11 Breakfasts, 9 Lunches and 9 Dinners

Age Requirements
50 years and up
Additional Information
Trip ID
viking-PatPhoVik

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