Day 1: Depart the USA for Cairo, Egypt

 

Day 2: Cairo

Upon arrival in Cairo, you will be met by our representative. He will provide your visa (US & Canadian citizens), escort you through immigration, customs and check you in at the new Four Seasons Nile Plaza, Nile view room.

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Day 3: Cairo

 

Full day sightseeing commences with a drive to the Pyramids plateau at Giza. Through the ages, innumerable visitors have never failed to be amazed at the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Gr. Cheops) and its companion pyramids of Khafre (Chephren) and Menkaure (Mycerinus). Entrance to the Great Pyramid is limited and controlled in situ. Visit the Solar Boat museum, the Queen’s pyramids, the granite mortuary temple of Khafre and the Sphinx. Stop for lunch on the way to Memphis & Sakkara. Little remains of Memphis, first Capital of a united Lower & Upper Egypt. The stones were plundered to build Cairo, but a colossal supine statue of Ramesses II remains. On the plateau above lies Sakkara, cemetery for Memphis, used continuously for 3,000 years. See the first Pyramid; a stepped structure built for King Djoser c. 2650 B.C. as well as one of the tombs, some of which have much color remaining. (B, L)

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Day 4: Cairo

 

Full day sightseeing starts with a visit to the Citadel, a medieval fortress of the time of Saladin. Visit the Alabaster Mosque built for Mohammed Ali on the model of one in Istanbul. Continue to visit Old Cairo, the Coptic Museum, Church of St Sergius and view the Crypt, where legend has it, the Holy Family rested on their journey through Egypt. Visit the restored Synagogue of Ben Ezra before lunch at a Nile-side restaurant. This afternoon visit the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities housing treasures spanning 5,000 years from Egypt’s pre-history to the Greco-Roman Period. Along with the famed finds of King Tut and statue of King Khafre are the less well known images of Akhenaton and endless statuary. (B, L)

 

Day 5: Cairo/Luxor

 

Transfer to the airport and fly to Luxor. Lunch and check-in at the Luxor Sheraton before visiting the temple of Luxor in the late afternoon, built by Amenophis III for Amun; his wife Mut; and their son Khonsu, a perfectly preserved non funerary cult temple of c.1400 B.C. The forecourt, added by Ramesses II incorporates an earlier shrine so it is out of alignment with the main temple. (B,L,D)

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Day 6: Luxor/Abydos/Dendera/Luxor

 

After breakfast drive north to Abydos. In ancient Egypt’s most sacred city, Osiris, god of the dead was revered. Here Seti l built a unique temple dedicated to six great gods and himself, deified. The reliefs are of the finest workmanship, the temple is still roofed and much color remains. A rear corridor houses a list of kings ;of all recorded pharaohs, from Menes to Seti. Enjoy a picnic lunch before turning south to Dendera and the perfectly preserved temple, re-built by the later Ptolomies, for Hathor, goddess of love and joy. On the rear outer wall is a rare representation of Cleopatra VII with her son Caesarian and on the temple ceiling, a copy of Egypt’s only circular zodiac (the original is in Paris). Return to Luxor in the late afternoon, embark on the all-suite M.S. Salacia. (B,LB,D)

 

Day 7:Luxor/Esna

 

Early this morning cross the Nile to the West Bank and visit the fabled Valley of the Kings, where pharaohs of the 18th to 20th Dynasties hid their rock-cut tombs, far from their funerary temples. Visits to two of the tombs are included. Entry to the tomb of Tutankhamen is restricted on a day to day basis and an additional entry fee is payable in situ. Move on to the beautiful terraced Temple at Deir El Bahari, built for Hatshepsut, one of only three Egyptian Queens to rule as Pharaoh. Drive to the twin 63 feet high Colossi of Memnon, all that remains of Amenophis III funerary temple. On return to the ship cruise sail south to Esna, pass through the navigation Lock and anchor overnight. (B,L,D)

 

Day 8: Esna/Edfu/Kom Ombo

 

After breakfast, a short walk through the town brings us to the Temple of Khnum, excavated in a pit in the center of the town. Only the vestibule remains but there are interesting reliefs of the Emperor Domitian slaying enemies and Commodus with Khnum & Horus netting fish and waterfowl. Continue cruising to Edfu for the perfectly preserved Ptolemaic temple of Horus, hawk-headed protector of the Sun god, whose exploits and cult are detailed on the corridor walls surrounding the building. Cruise south to Kom Ombo, viewing the pastoral scenes that have changed little over millennia. Arrive at Kom Ombo and anchor for overnight. (B,L,D)

 

Day 9: Kom Ombo/Aswan

 

This morning take a short walk up the hill to visit the twin sanctuaries of crocodile headed Sobek and Hawk-headed Haroeris, uniquely set side-by-side in a single picturesque Ptolemaic temple atop a hill overlooking the Nile. Cruise on to Aswan and visit the Granite Quarries where lies the largest of all Obelisks, had it ever been disengaged, which clearly shows how the stone was extracted in ancient times. Take a short boat ride to the Greco-Roman temples of Philae, re-sited on the island of Agilkia. Overnight Aswan. (B,L,D)

 

Day 10: Aswan

 

Transfer to airport for flight to Abu Simbel. Visit the massive tomb or Ramses II, moved to higher ground to save it from the flooding waters of the new dam. This afternoon cruise by felucca among the granite islands of the Nile. This evening there is the option of a return to Philae for a Sound & Light show or a visit to the new Nubian Museum that features life in Egypt from the very earliest days through the Mameluke period. (B,L,D)

 

Day 11: Aswan/Edfu/Esna

 

Cruise north this morning to Edfu, where you have the opportunity for an optional second visit to the temple of Horus. Continue cruising the Nile, perhaps visit the spa, the library and relax on the Sun or Lido decks. Arrive in Esna in the evening and overnight. (B,L,D)

 

Day 12: Esna/Luxor

 

Cross the navigation Lock and cruise to Luxor arriving at midday. Visit the unbelievably vast temple of Karnak, begun by 12th Dynasty kings at the beginning of the 2nd Millennium B.C. Gauge Karnak’s extent by the ten monumental pylon gateways. The first of Tuthmosis 1 (c.1520 B.C.) and the last 900 years later- and by the complete temple for the Sacred Barque, built by Ramesses III before the 2nd Pylon, now tucked away in the corner of the first court. The massive mud brick girdle walls enclose a Sacred Lake, Temples of Ptah, Opet, Osiris and a complete self contained temple of Khonsu. In the late afternoon visit the Luxor Museum, where artifacts and statues are beautifully displayed. (B,L,D)

 

Day 13: Luxor/Cairo

 

Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for the flight to Cairo and onward transfer to the Four Seasons Nile Plaza. (B)

 

Day 14: Cairo

 

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for return to the USA

 

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