Enjoy the great architecture of Egypt in under two weeks, including the Great Pyramids and Sphinx, the Temple of Philae, High Dam at Aswan, Temples at Abu Simbel, a Nile cruise, Temples of Karnak and Luxor, Valley of the Kings, Coptic and Muslim Cairo, and historic Old Cairo.

12 days/11 nights, includes a Nile Cruise
B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner

DAY 1: Cairo
Upon arrival at the Cairo International Airport, you will be met and transferred to the hotel (you will be at the hotel for three nights).

DAY 2: Cairo
After breakfast, immerse yourself in the exploration of Cairo, the heartbeat of Egypt, also known as the “Mother of the World.” This city is rich with history, having been part of the Persian, Ptolemaic, Roman, and Byzantine empires and home to Christians, Jews, and Muslims alike. Begin your exploration of Cairo at the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, where you will enter the ancient world of Egypt. The most impressive exhibit is Tutankhamun’s tomb with its golden sarcophagus and funerary treasure. Visit the Royal Mummy Room, now home to the bodies of Ramses II, his father Seti I, and Thutmosis II. In this climate-controlled room mummies are kept in glass cases and speaking above a whisper is not permitted out of respect for the dead. Then walk the cobblestone streets of Old Cairo, the oldest quarter of the city, with its ancient churches and the synagogue of Ben Ezra. Continue on to Islamic Cairo with a visit to the Citadel and the alabaster mosque of Mohamed Ali. B

DAY 3: Cairo
After breakfast, continue your tour of Cairo with a visit to Memphis, the once-resplendent capital of the Old Kingdom, to see the large recumbent statue of Ramses II. Then travel to Sakkara (Saqqara), the burial place of the pharaohs of the Old Kingdom; see the Step Pyramid, one of the world’s oldest stone structures. Finally, visit Dahshur to view the Bent and Red Pyramids built by Pharaoh Sneferu (father of Cheops). Overnight in Cairo. B

DAY 4: Cairo / Abu Simbel / Aswan
Enjoy a breakfast box before transferring to the airport for an early flight to Abu Simbel to visit the stunning pair of temples on the shores of Lake Nasser. The smaller of the two was commissioned by Ramses II to honor Hathor, goddess of love; he dedicated it to his favorite wife, Nefertari. From here, fly to Aswan where you will check in to your hotel. In the afternoon, sail by felucca to Elephantine Island and explore the small villages and some of the temples. Back on shore, visit the newly built Nubian Museum. End your day with a visit to Sharia as-Souq, the exotic market. B

DAY 5: Aswan
After breaking your fast, cross to the West Bank of the river where you will mount camels and head for the Monastery of St. Simeon. Along the way, pass the high cliff walls that house the tombs of the nobles from the Old and Middle Kingdoms. Upon returning to Aswan, transfer to the 4-night Nile cruise. After a late lunch you may wish to join fellow passengers on a river cruise in a felucca (pass by the Agha Khan Mausoleum). B, L

DAY 6: Aswan / Kom Ombo
Enjoy a morning tour of the High Dam, unfinished obelisk, and Philae Temple, the dwelling place of the goddess Isis, the universal mother of Nature and protector of humans. Return to the ship for lunch, and set sail for Kom Ombo where you will visit the riverside Temple of Kom Ombo. This dual temple dedicated to the gods Horus (the falcon) and Sobek (the crocodile) is completely symmetrical. B, L, D

DAY 7: Edfu
Start your morning with a visit to the Ptolemaic Temple of Horus in Edfu; this is the largest and most completely preserved temple in Egypt. Continue sailing towards Luxor, passing through the locks at Esna. From the ship you may see the Temple of Khnum, the ram-headed god who created mankind. B, L, D

DAY 8: Luxor
Travel to Luxor’s West Bank to explore the Valley of the Kings and Queens and the tombs of the rulers of the Egyptian dynasties. View the Colossi of Memnon (a great tourist attraction since Greco-Roman times) and the only remaining pieces of the temple of Amenophis III. You will then visit the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Return to the East Bank of the city where you will tour the Temple of Luxor and the temples in the Karnak complex, whose ancient name means “the most perfect of places,” before returning to the boat for your last night aboard. B, L, D

DAY 9: Luxor
Disembark the cruise ship and check into your hotel in the heart of the city of Luxor before departing overland for Dendara. Here you will visit the Temple of Hathor (depicted as a woman with the head of a cow), the goddess of pleasure and love and mate of the god Horus. Hathor’s temple with its stone roof, underground passages and columns inscribed with hieroglyphs, is nearly intact. On the walls of the temple’s Outer Hypostyle Hall are scenes that depict the Roman emperors Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius and Nero as pharaohs. End your day at the Karnak Complex to view the Sound and Light Show before returning to the hotel. B

DAY 10: Luxor / Cairo
Return to the West Bank to visit the Valley of the Nobles and the Ramesseum. The tombs of the Nobles are some of the best preserved, and least visited. There are at least 400 tombs that date from the 6th dynasty to the Greco-Roman period. Time permitting, visit the Luxor Museum before transferring to the airport for your flight back to Cairo. You will be met and taken to your deluxe Cairo hotel. B

DAY 11: Cairo/Giza
End your exploration of Ancient Egypt with a visit to Pyramids at Giza to view the Pyramids, the Sphinx and the Solar Boat Museum. In the afternoon, visit the Khan el-Khalili Bazaar for some last-minute shopping. Return to the hotel. B

DAY 12: Departure
After breakfast (and depending on the time of your flight), bid farewell to this unforgettable country as you transfer to the Cairo International Airport for your return flight home. B

PRICE for 5 Star Hotels and Deluxe Service*:
Adults: $5050
Children under 10: $3950

PRICE for Single Adult: $6100

*This is a premium tour; only 5-star service available.

Please note there is a surcharge of $400 per person for tours between December 10 – January 5 due to increased prices during this peak holiday season. Please read about other pricing and terms here.

Tour does not include:

• Entry visa for Egypt ($25 cash at airport upon arrival)
• Roundtrip international airfare to/from Cairo
• Tips
• Beverages
• Meals except where noted (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
• Extra services (laundry, special meals, alcohol, etc.)