A Signature Tour for a student of religions both ancient and modern. Explore myths and customs, and visit sites sacred to many distinct faiths: Islam, Judaism, Christianity, Greco-Roman, and ancient Egyptian polytheism. Designed to offer an opportunity to compare/contrast these faiths and enhance your knowledge, as well as to explore your own personal faith.

16 days/15 nights
B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner

DAY 1: Cairo
From your international flight, arrive in Cairo International Airport. Our agent will meet you at the airport and assist you through immigration, baggage claim, and customs, and will obtain your visa to enter the country ($25 cash). Depending on the time of your arrival, take a day to get oriented in this amazing city and/or enjoy an optional excursion. Transfer and overnight in the hotel.

DAY 2: Cairo / Memphis / Saqqara
After breakfast meet your guide and drive to Memphis, capital of Egypt until the end of the first Kingdom. Here you will see the giant statue of Ramses II. Next visit Sakkara (Saqqara), City of the Dead and site of the famous Step Pyramid of Zoser. Next, visit the Great Pyramids at Giza and the Great Sphinx, and the Solar Boat Museum. This evening, attend the the Sound & Light Show at the Pyramids. B

Day 3: Cairo / Meidum / Fayoum / Karanis
After breakfast, visit the pyramid in Meidum (originally a seven-stepped pyramid later enlarged to an eight-stepped pyramid). Then drive to Fayoum Egypt’s largest oasis, to see the the Water Wheels, the old way of irrigation. Enjoy lunch at a restaurant overlooking the lake. On the way back visit the Roman site of Karanis which has an ancient market. Return to Cairo and overnight. B

Day 4: Cairo / Abu Simbel / Lake Nasser Cruise
Enjoy breakfast, then transfer to Cairo Airport for your flight south to Abu Simbel. Check into your deluxe cruise ship and enjoy lunch on board, then visit Abu Simbel Temple, a double temples honoring Ramses II and his beloved wife Nefertari. This evening attend the magnificent Sound and Light Show at Abu Simbel. B, L, D

Day 5: Lake Nasser Cruise
Breakfast on the ship; sail to Kasr Ibrim, site of several ancient Roman arches. Lunch on board while sailing to Amada, where you may visit the Temple of Amada. Also visit the Hemi-Speos of Derr dedicated to the rising sun and the Tomb of Penout, viceroy of Nubia. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon of sailing to Wadi El Seboua. Take dinner on board, overnight in Wadi El Seboua. B, L, D

Day 6: Lake Nasser Cruise
Breakfast on board ship. Visit the Temple of Wadi El Seboua, dedicated to Ramses II and to the two gods Amon Ra and Ra Harmakis. Visit the Temple of Dekka, dedicated to the god Thoth, lord of time and science, master of literature. Visit the Greco Roman Temple of Meharakka, then sail to Aswan. Dinner on board, overnight in Aswan. B, L, D

Day 7: Lake Nasser Cruise / Aswan
After breakfast, visit the Kalabsha Temple remodeled in Greco-Roman style and dedicated to the god Mandoulis. Visit the Hemi-Speos of Beit El Wali which honors the goddess Isis. Disembark from your lake cruise and transfer to your Nile Cruise; lunch on board. Sail by felucca around Kitchener’s Island (Botanical Garden Island) and Agha Khan Mausoleum. Afternoon tea, then visit the Nubian Museum. Visit a Nubian home and have discussion with the family while tea is served. Dinner & Nubian Folkloric Show on board ship. B, L, D

Day 8: Aswan / Nile Cruise
Breakfast on board. This morning visit Philae Temple, the High Dam, and the Unfinished Obelisk at the Granite Quarries. Sail to Kom Ombo (lunch on board). Visit the Ptolemaic Temple at Kom Ombo shared by the two gods Sobek and Horus, then sail to Edfu. Enjoy the Captain’s welcome cocktail (smart casual attire), then dinner on board & disco, overnight in Edfu. B, L, D

Day 9: Nile Cruise
Breakfast on board. Visit the Temple of Horus in Edfu, the best preserved temple in Egypt this morning, then sail to Luxor. Enjoy lunch and afternoon tea and free time on the ship. Dinner and Galabeya (traditional Egyptian dress) party, overnight in Luxor. B, L, D

Day 10: Nile Cruise
Breakfast on board. Cross to the West Bank of the Nile and visit the Valley of the Kings and Queens where tombs of 64 Pharaohs and 57 Queens have been discovered, then visit the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir El Bahari and the Colossi of Memnon. Lunch on board. This afternoon visit Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple. Afternoon tea, dinner on board, and enjoy a belly dancing show. B, L, D

Day 11: Luxor
After breakfast, disembark from your cruise and check into your hotel. Visit the Valley of the Nobles (Menna’s tomb and Nakht’s tomb). Continue your tour by visiting Habu Temple, the mortuary of Ramses III. Continue your tour at the Ramesseum built by Ramses II.  B

Day 12: Luxor / Cairo
After breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight to Cairo. Check into your hotel.  Optional excursions are available in Cairo, or enjoy window shopping and people watching in this amazing city. Overnight in the hotel. B

Day 13: Alexandria
After breakfast, drive to Alexandria (2 hours’ drive by A/C van) to visit the Greco Roman Museum, which contains 40,000 artifacts dating from the 2nd and 3rd centuries B.C. Then visit Pompey’s Pillar and have lunch at local restaurant. Continue your tour at The Catacombs of Kom El-Shuqqafa and the Roman Theater. End your day with a visit to the Library of Alexandria. Back to Cairo and overnight at your hotel. B

Day 14: Cairo
After breakfast visit the Red and Bent Pyramids. This afternoon take free time or enjoy an optional excursion in Cairo. Overnight in the hotel. B

Day 15: Cairo
After breakfast this morning visit the Egyptian Museum, which contains a vast collection of Pharaonic antiquities including the fabulous treasures of King Tutankhamun. Continue your tour in Old Cairo – visit the old Coptic Churches (the Hanging Church dedicated to the Virgin Mary and the Church of St. Sergius) and the oldest Jewish Synagogue – that of Ben Ezra. Then visit the medieval Citadel of Salah El-Din and the Mosque of Mohamed Ali, based on the Ottoman mosques of Istanbul. Finish your day at Khan El-Khalili Bazaar (the old market). Overnight at your hotel. B

Day 16: TRANSIT
After breakfast and depending on the time of your flight, transfer to the Cairo International Airport. Bid farewell to this amazing country and enjoy a pleasant flight home. B

PRICE for 5 Star Hotels and Deluxe Service:
Adult: $4500
Children under 10: $3100

PRICE for 4 Star Hotels and Service:
Adults: $3550
Children under 10: $2950

PRICE for Single Adult:  $6050
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.)