Wonders of Egypt

Day 2: Thu - Cairo At Leisure.

Welcome to Egypt! When you arrive in Cairo, you enter a land of wonders and mysteries, many of which are revealed on this tour. You are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

Hotel: Marriott.

Day 3: Fri - Cairo Sightseeing.

After breakfast and a detailed pre-tour briefing with your Tour Director, commence your sightseeing in Memphis, capital of the Old Kingdom, where a colossal statue of Rameses II and a great alabaster sphinx awaits. Nearby at Sakkara, view the Step Pyramid of Zoser I; dating from 2686BC, it's the oldest in the world. Now enjoy a guided tour of Giza where you will see the enigmatic Sphinx and the magnificent Pyramids with a highlight visit inside one of these extraordinary creations! Later return for the magical Sound & Light Show which literally illuminates the ancient history of Giza! (BB)

Day 4: Sat - Cairo - Luxor - Cruising

Fly to Luxor, the former capital of the New Kingdom. In private moorings near the edge of town, your cruise boat awaits. Board in time for lunch and then visit Luxor Temple which provides an unforgettable introduction to ancient Thebes. Now continue to Karnak, the largest temple complex ever built by man, constructed over a time period of 1500 years. Walk through the avenue of Ram-headed sphinxes, past the statue of Rameses II, to stand in awe among the huge columns of the vast Hypostyle Hall.
Ship: MS Medea/MS Sapphire. (BB,L,D)

Day 5: Sun - Cruising - EDFU

After breakfast, cross to the west bank of the Nile and stop for a photo of the towering Colossi of Memnon. These two giant seated figures are all that is left of Amon-Ofis III mortuary temple. Visit the amazing reconstructed Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, blending into the cliff face above. Continue to the Valley of the Kings, the burial place of many of the New Kingdom Pharaohs. After venturing inside some of the tombs, return to your cruise ship and drift upstream, past palm fringed villages and irrigated fields to Esna and Edfu. (BB,L,D)

Day 6: Mon - Cruising - KOM OMBO

This morning visit the beautifully preserved Temple of Horus, (the Falcon God) possibly the most complete in Egypt. Get your cameras ready as you cruise to Kom Ombo. The temple, dedicated to both Horus the Elder and Sobek, the crocodile god, is a glorious sight from the river. Inside you will find some mummified remains of some small crocodiles. Celebrate in true Egyptian style at an Oriental Dinner and Galabea Party. (BB,L,HD)

Day 7: Tue - Cruising - ASWAN.

Cruise to exotic Aswan in the cool of early morning. Visit the Aswan High Dam and also the ancient Granite Quarries to see the enormous unfinished obelisk. Take a motorboat to the Temple of Isis, rising from the waters of the Nile on the Island of Philae. Later, return to Aswan and sail in a traditional Nile felucca around Aswan's Botanical Gardens. (BB,L,D)

Day 8: Wed - ASWAN - Cairo

This morning, why not join an optional excursion to the temples of Abu Simbel, carved out of the rock by Rameses II and later rescued from the rising waters of Lake Nasser (see below). Otherwise, spend the morning in Aswan as you wish, before your transfer to the airport for your return flight to Cairo.
Hotel: Marriott. (BB)

Day 9: Thu - Cairo Sightseeing.

Visit the Citadel for a breath taking view of the city of Cairo. Salah El Din started the Citadel in the 12th century, but it owes its present outline to Mohammed Ali, whose great Mosque you will visit next. Later, enjoy a highlight visit to the famous Egyptian Museum. Here, among the many thousands of artifacts on display, view Tutankhamun's splendid treasures, including his splendid burial mask. Do you believe in the curse of the 'boy king'? (BB)

Day 10: Return to USA

The tour ends after breakfast with transfers to the airport. (BB)

Tour summary