Day 1 & 2 – Depart the U.S. for Cairo, Egypt

Arrive in the Egyptian capital and transfer to your hotel. As guests’ arrival times may vary greatly, no group activities or meals have been planned.

Day 3 – Cairo

After a morning briefing, your full-day tour begins at the acclaimed Egyptian Museum, the world’s greatest repository of ancient relics. Then tour the Citadel of Saladin housing the Alabaster Mosque of Mohamed Ali. Tonight enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (B,L,D)

Day 4 – Cairo

This morning discover the astounding Pyramids of Giza and the enigmatic Sphinx, whose leonine body and human face was carved from a single piece of limestone. Visit 5th-century St. Sergius Church, the Coptic church of el-Muallaqa, and Ben Ezra Synagogue, built in 882. (B,L)

Day 5 – Cairo, Abu Simbel, Aswan

Very early this morning fly to Aswan, where you connect with your flight to Abu Simbel. Here, on the west bank of Lake Nasser, visit the two massive rock temples guarded by statues of Ramses II and his wife Nefertari, featuring incredibly well-preserved murals within. Carved into a mountainside between B.C. 1264-1244, the temples were moved stone by stone to their current location in 1968; otherwise, they would have been flooded and submerged by the creation of Lake Nasser.

After touring this World Heritage site, return to the airport for the flight back to Aswan, where you have lunch at a local restaurant then check in at your hotel. Dine tonight at your hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 6 – Aswan

Today see the Aswan High Dam, considered a marvel of engineering when completed in 1965 to control Nile flooding. Then tour the Temples of Philae, in antiquity a pilgrimage site for the cult of Isis and one of ancient Nubia’s – and now Egypt’s – most important temple complexes. Built between B.C. 380-362 on a small island in the Nile, Philae, like Abu Simbel, was relocated to save it from flooding; its current island site closely resembles the original.

Move on to lunch at a local restaurant, then this afternoon visit the Nubian Museum, an acclaimed showcase of Nubian art and architecture. Mid-afternoon return to your hotel; dinner tonight is on your own. (B,L)

Day 7 – Aswan

After breakfast at your hotel this morning, board your ship and embark on a three-night Nile cruise, enjoying lunch together onboard.

This afternoon, board small feluccas, replicas of ancient Nile sailboats, for a relaxing afternoon sail. Sailing along the Nile, passing by the Botanical Gardens on Kitchener’s Island, home of the British hero who commanded the forces in Sudan in 1897 in the Battle of Omdurman; see Elephantine Island, with its huge granite rocks; and the tomb of the Aga Khan.

Then dine and overnight aboard your Nile ship in Aswan. (B,L,D)

Day 8 – Nile Cruising – Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu

Cruise today to the site of the ancient trading town at Kom Ombo with its unusual double temple and the outstanding Nile views. Then sail on to Edfu, where tonight you are invited to a shipboard celebration. (B,L,D)

Day 9 – Nile Cruising – Edfu, Luxor, West Bank

This morning sail to Luxor, the world’s “greatest open-air museum,” whose vast temple complexes, tombs, and statues dating from B.C. 2755 represent the pinnacle of Egyptian architecture. Here visit the Luxor Museum, housing relics discovered at the site.

Back on board, tonight enjoy a show of Middle Eastern belly dancing. (B,L,D)

Day 10 – Disembark, Luxor, East Bank

After disembarking your ship later this morning, explore the East Bank, home of Karnak, the greatest temple complex of them all, whose ruins stretch for more than a mile. Also visit Luxor Temple, whose builders included both Tutankhamun and Alexander the Great.

Enjoy lunch together before a time at leisure this afternoon. Dinner tonight is at your hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 11 – Luxor / West Bank

This morning tour the haunting Valley of the Kings, where 34 royal tombs feature magnificent paintings; the Valley of the Queens; and the dramatic Temple of Hatshepsut, honoring one of the few female pharaohs. Also see the massive Colossi of Memnon, two 64-foot- high statues of Amenhotep III that once guarded the gates of his own tomb. As an added highlight you will also tour the village of Deir el-Medina; home to the artisans who constructed the Valley of the Kings.

Return to Luxor late this afternoon before enjoying dinner together at your hotel. (B,D)

Day 12 – Luxor and Cairo

Fly to Cairo today, where this afternoon you visit Khan el-Khalili bazaar and Old Cairo, the district where early capital cities once rose.  (B)

Day 13 – Cairo

Begin today’s exploration at the open-air museum at Memphis, Egypt’s first capital believed to be some 5,000 years old. Your next stop is at nearby Sakkara the vast burial ground for Memphis, with various pyramids (including the famous Step Pyramid) and decorated chambers. Also, see the lesser-visited site of Dahshur; home to the Bent and Red pyramids.

Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner at your hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 14 – Depart for the U.S.

Very early this morning transfer to the airport for your return flight to the U.S. (B)