Itinerary:
Day 1: Depart from New York for Cairo.
Day 2: Transfer to the Mena House Oberoi a former royal hunting lodge offering great views of the great pyramids of Giza. Dinner is on your own.
Day 3: After breakfast and a morning briefing by our Egyptologist visit the legendary pyramids of Giza, built over 4,500 years ago. While at the pyramids look at the Great Sphinx and the Solar Boat Museum, which features Cheops’ 142-foot funerary boat. Afterwards drive toward Sakkara and lunch at a wonderful local restaurant en route. Sakkara is the site of 14 pyramids, including the Step pyramid of Djoser. Then drive to Memphis, the ancient capital that peaked between 2700 and 2270 B.C. Here we see the alabaster Sphinx and the toppled statue of Ramses II. This evening dine in an Egyptian home. (B,L,D)
Day 4: Fly from Cairo to Luxor where we cross the Nile to Luxor’s West Bank to explore the ancient city of Thebes, home to the Colossi of Memnon. Past the funerary Temple of Ramses III we approach the Valley of the Kings, where the eternal tombs of the pharaohs surround us. Enter some of the well-preserved tombs with their remarkable paintings and carvings. Later visit some of the Tombs of the Nobles as well as the ancient Workmen’s Village. Check into our cabins aboard the deluxe Nile cruise ship, the M/S Ti-Yi. This evening enjoy the world famous Luxor sound and light show at the Temple of Karnak. (B,L,D)
Day 5: Return to discover the world’s largest and oldest religious structure—the Temple of Karnak, a 60-acre site built by generation after generation of pharaohs. Also explore the exquisite Temple of Luxor before driving to Esna where we meet our ship and board for lunch. Relax and enjoy viewing the countryside as we sail up the Nile. (B,L,D)
Day 6: At the riverfront town of Edfu take a quick ride through town to one of the best preserved temples in Egypt—the Temple of Horus. Later our ship winds its way to Kom Ombo, a unique and very interesting temple with beautiful murals. Tonight enjoy a “Galabeya Party” aboard ship. (B,L,D)
Day 7: Awaken today in Aswan. Visit the Unfinished Obelisk followed by a trip to discover one of Egypt’s modern-day monuments, the Aswan High Dam, which opened in 1971. Travel by boat to the island location of the Temple of Philae. Enjoy a relaxing sail in a “felucca” on the Nile. While being serenaded by children in small boats along the way. After dinner enjoy a Nubian folkloric show or a a nighttime stroll through the Aswan Souks. (B,L,D)
Day 8: Fly from Aswan to Abu Simbel located near the Sudan at the southern reaches of Lake Nassar. The Great Temple of Abu Simbel towers over 100 feet into the air and is flanked by four colossal stone figures of the pharaoh. Fly back to Cairo and check into the Cairo Marriott located on the Nile River. Dinner is on our own tonight. (B,L)
Day 9: Visit the Citadel of Saladin built high above Old Cairo. See the Alabaster Mosque, one of the finest and most famous in the world. Inside, sitting upon elegant oriental carpets, learn about the Islamic faith, its teachings and traditions. Tour the Egyptian Museum where thousands of years of Egyptian history are on view. Most spectacular are our visits to the rooms housing the Treasures of
Tutankhamen
and the Royal Mummy Room. This evening we enjoy a sumptuous farewell dinner celebration. (B,L,D)
Day 10: Depart for the airport and our flight to New York. (B)
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