A mesmerizing country of ancient civilization, Egypt’s culture and mysterious past fascinate generation after generation. Your journey begins in Cairo, Africa’s most populated metro area. See the Sphinx, Valley Temple, and great Giza pyramids, standing since approximately 2,560 BC. Enjoy an included guided visit of the National Egyptian Museum as well as Coptic Cairo and the Saladin Citadel. Follow the Nile Delta to Alexandria and visit the Fort of Qait, the gardens of Montaza Palace, and the new library. Along the Mediterranean coastal road, visit El Alamein, where two decisive battles were fought during WWII. On the way back to Cairo, visit one of the ancient Coptic monasteries and shop for souvenirs at the Khan-el-Khalili bazaar. Discover more amazing sites as you visit the fascinating step pyramid of Sakkara and the open-air museum in Memphis, then fly to Luxor and visit the Temple of Amun-Ra in Karnak and the Temple of Luxor. Next, embark your ship for an exciting 4-night Nile River cruise, from which you’ll visit the Valley of Kings, Deir el-Bahri, the Colossi of Memnon, Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo, the High Dam, and more. Fly to Abu Simbel and visit the famous ancient temples before returning to Cairo for a final overnight and the conclusion of your memorable trip.
Itinerary:
Day #1 Arrive in Cairo, Egypt. Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this exciting city. Later, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers at a welcome dinner this evening. (D)
Day #2 Cairo. This morning, drive to the Giza Plateau to visit the three pyramids of Kings Cheops, Chephren, and Mykerinos, as well as the Valley Temple with the Sphinx. In the afternoon, visit the National Egyptian Museum and listen to the historic commentary given by your Tour Director as you walk around the exhibit halls. Also admire the treasure of the “Boy King,“ Tutankhamun. Tonight, join the optional evening Nile dinner cruise, which includes belly dancing and a folklore show. (B)
Day #3 Cairo–Alexandria. Discover the oldest part of the city, known as Coptic Cairo, originally a Roman fortress town called “Babylon.” Today, some of the Roman walls can still be seen. Next, visit the Citadel of Saladin with its beautiful mosque. Leave Cairo and drive north through the Nile Delta area. Lunch is included en route. More vistas of the Egyptian countryside come alive before reaching Alexandria for three overnights. (B,L,D)
Day #4 Alexandria. Alexandria, the “Pearl of the Mediterranean,” is the very essence of everything Egyptian—cosmopolitan, cultured, elegant, architecturally contrasting, effervescently alive, and, above all, conscious of its beauty and magnetism. On the included city sightseeing, see the catacombs, Pompey’s Pillar, and the new Alexandria library. Stop by the Fort of Qait, and enjoy a stroll around the gardens of the royal Montaza Palace. Afternoon and evening are at leisure. (B)
Day #5 Alexandria. Excursion to El Alamein. Drive along the Mediterranean coastal road for a stop in El Alamein, made famous by the decisive victory of the Allies during WWII. Visit the military museum and cemetery and enjoy the included lunch before heading back to Alexandria. (B,L,D)
Day #6 Alexandria–Wadi El Natrun–Cairo. Experience completely different scenery today as you travel back to Cairo on the desert road. Stop in Wadi el Natrun, situated in a valley dotted with oases. Visit one of the Coptic monasteries of this area and learn about the Coptic faith. Arrive in Cairo in time for some last-minute shopping at the Khan-el-Khalili bazaar. (B,D)
Day #7 Cairo. Start the day with the included visit to the ancient Memphis Open-Air Museum. Then, see Sakkara's “stairway to the sky,“ the oldest of all pyramids. Later, time at leisure. (B)
Day #8 Cairo–Luxor (Embarkation). Fly to Luxor. On arrival, enjoy a visit to the colossal Temple of Amun-Ra in Karnak and the Temple of Luxor. Board your cruise ship, the Mövenpick Darakum. Overnight in Luxor. (B,L,D)
Day #9 Luxor–Nile Cruise to Edfu. This morning, focus on the Valley of Kings, situated on the West Bank of the Nile. Visit Deir el-Bahri, Queen Hatshepsut’s monumental rock temple, and take pictures of the two Colossi of Memnon guarding the valleys. Return to the ship and sail down the Nile toward Edfu. (B,L,D)
Day #10 Edfu–Nile Cruise to Aswan. Board a horse-drawn carriage for the drive through Edfu to the Temple of Horus. Return on board for lunch, then sail to Kom Ombo. Enjoy a short walk to its bluff-top temple dedicated to the crocodile and falcon gods. Cruise to Aswan. (B,L,D)
Day #11 Aswan. Start the day with a visit to the High Dam and the Temple of Philae. Afternoon at leisure. (B,L,D)
Day #12 Aswan–Abu Simbel–Aswan–Cairo. Early morning flight to Abu Simbel. Guided visit of the famous temples. Return to Aswan before your flight to Cairo for an overnight. (B)
Day #13 Cairo. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)