Cairo, Giza, Sphinx, Alexandria,Khan el Khalili, Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan, Abu Simbel Tour
( 14 Nights / 15 Days )

Day 1 - Arrive Cairo Upon arrival in Cairo, transfer to your hotel. For the next three nights, your room overlooks the timeless Giza Pyramids at the world-famous hotel.

Day 2 - Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx Today, gaze upon feats of architectural wonder from the back of a camel, as you make your way to the Pyramids at Giza. Marvel at these towering final resting places as you consider the Herculean effort it took to transport the three million two-ton blocks and to lay them so perfectly into place. Later, see the Solar Boat, found buried next to the Great Pyramid and believed to provide passage for the Pharaoh in the afterlife, and have a good look at the mysterious Sphinx to ponder the puzzle of its origin. This afternoon, travel to Memphis, the capital of Egypt in ancient times. Sightseeing includes the mastaba (tomb) of Mereruka and Djoser's Step Pyramid, the oldest freestanding stone structure in the world. Tonight at the get-acquainted reception, a presentation will be given by an Egyptian archaeologist on old and modern Egypt to prepare you for what you'll see in the next two weeks. Overnight stay

Day 3 - Dahshur Pyramids Today, enjoy some of the seldom seen pyramid treasures of Egypt. The Red Pyramid is often overlooked, but is just as impressive as its Giza counterparts. The Red Pyramid is also thought to be the "training ground" for the Giza Pyramids, and therefore older in origin. Another find is the Bent Pyramid, which is sometimes referred to as "the shining pyramid" because it still possesses many of its smooth outer casing stones. Both pyramids are a bit off the beaten path, and afford an opportunity to study the evolution of pyramid design in a less crowded atmosphere.

Day 4 - Alexandria Set out across northern Africa's desert to the ancient Mediterranean seaport of Alexandria. "The Pearl of the Mediterranean" was founded in 331 BC by Alexander the Great and has become a city of cosmopolitan charm and bohemian culture. Visit the newly opened Alexandria National Museum of Antiquities, which displays artifacts from across the ages of the city, and view Montazah Palace, the former summer residence of the royal family of Egypt. Your final stop of the day is at the catacombs, dating from Roman times and filled with pharaonic art. Stay the next two nights alongside the Mediterranean .

Day 5 - Alexandria Continue your sightseeing with views of Sultan Bey's Fort and a visit to the Roman Amphitheater, the only known Amphitheater from the Roman Era in Egypt. Visit the Bibliotheca Alexandria, one of the most celebrated centers of learning in human history. Over 2,000 years ago, Alexandria's library drew the intellectual luminaries of the ancient world, and the reborn Bibliotheca continues to do the same. Your afternoon is free to relax seaside or do some shopping for Egyptian goods or souvenirs.

Day 6 - Egyptian Museum/Cairo Return to Cairo this morning to visit the Egyptian Museum. With the guidance of an Egyptologist, explore an enormous collection of over 100,000 items including the treasures of Tutankhamon's tomb, mummies ranging from the 18th to the 20th Dynasties, and artifacts from ancient royal palaces. Gain an understanding of this timeless society through the everyday trinkets and tools of Egypt's earliest citizens. (BL)

Day 7 - Khan el Khalili Bazaar/Old Cairo As you walk the streets of Old Cairo this morning, notice a variety of religious influences in the Mohammed Ali Mosque, the Ben Ezra Synagogue, and one of the renowned Coptic churches. You'll enjoy a memorable shopping experience this afternoon at the notorious bazaar of Khan el Khalili, one of the largest bazaars in the Middle East. Sharpen your bargaining skills as you wander this maze of streets filled with jewelry, carpets, leather, and antiques. This evening, admire your new treasures and relax as you watch the legendary waters roll past from your Nile-view room.

Day 8 - Luxor/Embark Nile Cruise After a flight south up the Nile Valley to Luxor, known in ancient times as Thebes, step aboard a luxurious cruiser for a journey along the timeless Nile. Observe life on the banks of the river as you float along, enjoying all the modern amenities for a pleasurable voyage on board . (BLD)

Day 9 - Dendera Explore the Temple of Dendera this morning, dedicated to the Egyptian god Hathor, to see the hieroglyphics dating from several pharaohs. In the inner temple is a plaster copy of the famous Dendera Zodiac (the original is now in the Louvre Museum in Paris). Return to the Oberoi Philae and cruise back to Luxor this afternoon.

Day 10 - Karnak and Luxor Temples This morning, tour the massive Karnak Temple complex at Luxor. Pass through a series of three small temples and step into the architectural masterpiece of the Hypostyle Hall. Originally a roofed building supported by 135 decorated columns, the complex was once considered the ultimate house of worship. Then pay a visit to the smaller Temple of Luxor, built by Amenhotep III and Rameses II, which was buried under desert sand for centuries and therefore is now well preserved. This evening, the captain normally has a welcome reception on the board. (BLD)

Day 11 - Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens Enter the secluded Valleys of the Kings and Queens, located on the West Bank of Luxor. Facing the setting sun, the valley is home to 64 pharaohs' tombs plus those of queens and nobles. The tomb of King Tutankhamon was discovered early last century, the only pharaonic tomb to remain unlooted over the millennia. These tombs were once filled with treasures and everyday articles needed for the afterlife and the walls were covered with hieroglyphics. (Centuries of decay from both natural elements and curious visitors have caused some tombs to be opened on a rotating basis to minimize further destruction.) See the colonnaded temple of Egypt's only female pharaoh, Queen Hatshepsut, and the famed Colossi of Memnon.

Day 12 - Edfu/Kom Ombo Visit Edfu to see the Temple of Horus, the falcon god. Later, travel to the magnificent Temple of Kom Ombo. This temple is a beautiful sight, particularly at sunset, when the light makes the stone especially colorful. The temple itself is actually made up of two shrines--one for Sobek, the crocodile god, and the other as a place of worship for Horus the Elder, the god of war.

Day 13 - Aswan Arrive in Aswan this morning and see one of the world's greatest engineering feats, the Aswan High Dam--364 feet high and 11,000 feet wide. It created Lake Nasser, over 500 miles long and one of the world's largest artificial lakes. Later in the day, see the relocated Philae Temple. Upon construction of the Aswan High Dam, this temple was moved to its current island to rescue it from rising waters. Philae is an important shrine, and is filled with a variety of sanctuaries, including the Vestibule of Nectanebos and a temple of Hathor. Philae also features two skillfully-decorated pylons displaying all the deities of the myth of Isis and Osiris. See the granite quarry, source of the rock for ancient statues and monuments. There is an unfinished obelisk, left because of a crack in the granite.

Day 14 - Abu Simbel/Cairo Your Nile cruise comes to an end today as you fly over Lake Nasser to Abu Simbel, a stunning Nubian site and temple built to honor Rameses II and his wife, Nefertari. Originally carved into the surrounding sandstone cliffs in 1250 BC, this masterpiece also faced relocation due to the High Dam construction. It was moved nearly 200 feet up a cliff to avoid the rising water level, but not without some precise work. Both in its original and current positions, the temple is situated for proper alignment with the sun. Twice a year the sun is able to penetrate to the innermost sanctuary and shine on the statues of Rameses II and Amon Ra, the sun god. Your return flight to Cairo arrives late in the afternoon. This evening, recount your favorite moments of your journey with fellow travelers at your farewell dinner.

Day 15 - Departure day After breakfast, make your departures for the airport and your return flights home. Saida, as-salam alaikoom! (B)