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EGYPT: Splendors of the Nile
Days 1-2: USA or Canada/ Cairo, Egypt
Fly to Cairo, gateway to the land’s ancient wonders.
Day 3: Cairo
Begin your day at the pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus on the Giza Plateau. Cheops’, the largest of
the three, dates back to about 2690 BC and is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Nearby is the mysterious
Great Sphinx, the oldest known monument in the world. This evening, join your fellow travellers for a welcome dinner.
Day 4: Cairo
Rise to view the treasures of the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities before its doors open to the public. Admire the world’s
greatest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts, including the treasures of Tutankhamun’s tomb and the Mummy Room, where
some two-dozen ancient rulers lie in state. Afterward, a short drive takes you to Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt, and
Sakkara, home to the Step Pyramid of Zoser, the oldest known Egyptian pyramid.
Day 5: Cairo/Luxor
Today in Luxor, see the monumental Temple of Karnak, the creation of which spanned the Middle Kingdom to Ptolemaic times.
Walk through the Great Hypostyle Hall, admiring its expertly aligned columns. After lunch, explore the Valley of the Kings,
including a specially arranged, private visit to the tomb of Seti I. Normally closed to the public, this tomb is the longest and most
ornate in the valley. Continue your exploration with a visit to the Temple of Hatshepsut, Egypt’s first female pharaoh, and the
Valley of the Queens.
Day 6: Luxor/Denderah/Luxor
Cruise northward on a scenic route far from the crowds and other ships to Denderah, home to one of the best-preserved
temples in Egypt; the beautiful Ptolemaic temple is dedicated to the goddess Hathor, the cow goddess of love and music.
Denderah was known to the Ancient Egyptians as Iunet or Tantere, and to the Greeks as Tentyris. It was the capital of the
sixth nome of Upper Egypt. Cruise back to Luxor to explore the Luxor Temple, begun by Amenhotep III and completed by
Egypt’s most renowned pharaoh, Ramses II. Inside the courtyard of Ramses lies the Mosque of Abu el-Haggag, which was
built over a portion of the temple in the 19th century.
Day 7: Luxor/Edfu/Kom Ombo
Cruise to Edfu, the Greek city of Apollinopolis Magna, to explore the second largest and best-preserved Greco-Roman
temple in Egypt: the Temple of Horus, the falcon-headed god. Disembark at Kom Ombo (“hill of gold”) to discover its unique
double temple, where you can view one of Egypt’s best examples of a “Nilometer,” an Ancient Egyptian method of measuring
the Nile’s water level. Return to ‘Sun Boat IV’ to freshen up for an “Egyptian Night” costume party, where you don traditional
Egyptian galabeyyas and enjoy a lavish buffet of local fare, followed by Arabic music and dance.
Day 8: Kom Ombo/Aswan
Cruise to Aswan, and board a motorized boat for a short ride to the Temple of Philae on the island of Agilika. Dedicated to
the goddess Isis, it was one of the last strongholds of ancient Egyptian religion. Continue to the granite quarries, site of the
massive Unfinished Obelisk, where you marvel at the skills of Egypt’s stonemasons. Return to your boat for afternoon tea,
served in the lounge. Later, sail around the Aswan islands in a felucca (sailboat), weather permitting.
Day 9: Aswan/Abu Simbel/Cairo
Fly south to Abu Simbel, discovering the two colorful, mural detailed temples built by Ramses II. This evening, join fellow
travellers for a special “farewell dinner” to toast your journey and swap stories about experiences, history and lore.
Day 10: Cairo
As your stay winds down, explore the Mosque and Madrasa (Koranic School) of Sultan Hassan. The Madrasa was designed
so the four main Sunni characteristics, Shafi, Maliki, Hanafi and Hanbali, may be taught within the same compound. Later,
a walking tour of Islamic Cairo takes you from one of the remaining gates of the city, Bab el-Fotouh, to the colorful stalls
of Khan el-Khalili Bazaar.
Day 11: Cairo/USA or Canada
Board your international flight.