Day 1: Monday - Depart USA

En Route

Depart USA on your overnight flight to Cairo.

Day 2: Tuesday - Arrive Cairo

Sheraton Heliopolis Hotel

Arrive Cairo International Airport where you are met and assisted through customs and immigration formalities and transferred to the Conrad International Hotel in the city center. The Conrad, one of the newest Cairo hotels, is considered one of the finest hotels in Egypt. Located directly on the River Nile near Tahrir Square and the Egyptian Museum, the Conrad International features a number of fine restaurants, pool, health club and beautiful casino. The balance of the evening is on your own.

Day 3: Wednesday - Cairo/Luxor

Old Winter Palace Hotel

Transfer to Cairo Airport for your morning flight to Luxor. Upon arrival you are met and transferred to the Old Winter Palace Hotel, one of the former imperial homes of King Farouk, and recently completely refurbished. The hotel, gardens and pool are located across the street from the Nile, and very near Luxor Temple. Afternoon visit of massive Karnak Temple with its huge hypostyle hall and labyrinthine passageways. Be sure to circle the giant Scarab at Karnak Temple to ensure a long, healthy life and successful return to Egypt! End you tour of Karnak with a visit to the nearby Open Air Museum. (B)

Day 4: Thursday - Luxor

Old Winter Palace Hotel

Today visit three sites south of Luxor. Gebelain ("Two Mountains") is the name of two hills separated by a saddle 50 meters wide which formerly marked the boundary between the 3rd and 4th nomes of Upper Egypt. On top of the smaller eastern hill are the Tomb of Sheikh Musa and the remains of a Temple of Hathor, surrounded by a defensive wall. The temple, founded around the 3rd Dynasty, was restored in the 11th Dynasty and later enlarged in the reign of Tuthmosis. Next is El-Kab, ancient Nekhab, capital of the kingdom of Upper Egypt during the Pre-Dynastic and Early Dynastic periods. The Middle Kingdom ruins of ancient Nekhab lie close to the Nile and are surrounded by a massive sun-brick enclosure wall 540 meters by 570 meters and 11.5 meters thick. Within these walls is a secondary rectangle containing the principal temples. Return to Luxor via Mo'alla. This afternoon visit Luxor Museum, known for its superb collection of Pharaonic antiquities from the recently discovered "Luxor Cache." The displays include pottery, jewelry, furniture, statues and stele from the Theban temples and necropolis. Late afternoon visit of Luxor Temple, once connected to Karnak Temple by the Avenue of the Sphinxes. (B,L)

Day 5: Friday - Luxor

Old Winter Palace Hotel

After an early breakfast, cross the Nile to visit two highly rewarding archaeological sites on the West Bank of ancient Thebes. Ramses II was keen to leave behind monuments dedicated to his greatness and his Mortuary Temple was to be the masterpiece. Though much of it lies in ruins, the enormous shattered remains of a giant statue of the Pharaoh inspired the English poet Shelley to write "Ozymandias" in the 19th century. The temple complex of Medinet Habu is dominated by the enormous Mortuary Temple of Ramses III. The giant hieroglyphs on the temple walls are some of the most expressive in Egypt. After lunch, continue to the incomparable Valley of the Kings to tour the tombs of the ancient Pharaohs of Egypt. See the location of Kent Week's new excavations of KV5, the tombs of the sons of Ramses the Great. Continue to Dier el-Bahari to see the beautiful temple of Queen Hatchepsut, Egypt's only female Pharaoh. In the Valley of the Nobles, visit the beautifully colored tomb of Sennefer and Ramose. Return to the East Bank of Luxor via the Colossi of Memnon and the ruins of Amenhotep III's mortuary temple. Tonight is the spectacular Sound & Light Performance at Karnak Temple, a veritable walking tour through Egypt's Pharaonic history. (B,L)

Day 6: Saturday - Luxor/Aswan

Old Winter Palace Hotel

Morning flight to Aswan, site of the Nile's First Cataract. Visit Sehel Island near Aswan featuring Pharaonic rock inscriptions dating from the Middle Kingdom to Greco-Roman times. One Ptolemaic Stella records the story of a seven-year famine that plagued Egypt during the time of King Zoser. Navigate by boat through the giant granite boulders of the Nile's First Cataract for a private lunch on Basma Island. Upon your return to the hotel, be sure to have tea or a drink on the open air patio in the late afternoon-- with the beautiful Nile waters flowing through the first Cataract beneath you, the golden sand of the desert in the distance, and the sun setting behind the Agha Khan's Mausoleum, it is one of the most lovely spots in Egypt. Dinner Suggestion: Try the hotel's "1902 Restaurant", famous as the site of the Grand Ball in the movie version of Agatha Christie's Death on the Nile. This evening transportation is available for those wishing to visit the local bazaar. (B,L)

Day 7: Sunday - Aswan

Old Cataract Hotel

Tour verdant Elephantine Island with its luxuriant growth of palms. On the island are two picturesque Nubian villages, the inhabitants of which still speak Nubian and preserve their national traditions. The whole southern part of the island was once covered by the ancient town of Elephantine, the remains of which were first explored in the 19th century. Today's tour allows you to visit excavations currently in progress. At the head of the steps leading to a Nilometer, set in beautiful gardens is the Aswan Museum, established in 1912 in a villa which belonged to Sir William Willcocks, designer of the first Aswan Dam. It contains a notable collection of antiquities from excavations in Lower Nubia which give an excellent view of the culture of the region. Afternoon tour of the newly opened Nubian Museum, It features a wonderful collection of artifacts and displays of Pharaonic Egypt, most interestingly, from the Nubian perspective. (B)

Day 8: Monday - Aswan - Embark Nubian Sea Cruise

M/S Prince Abbas

The morning is free for independent exploration. Midday transfer to the M/S Prince Abbas for embarkation and lunch. The afternoon is free to enjoy shipboard activities and getting to know the crew. Afternoon visit to the excellent temples at Kalabsha, like Abu Simbel, also saved from the rising waters of Lake Nasser by UNESCO. The archaeological site of New Kalabsha actually consists of three temples - Kalabsha, Beit el-Wali and Kertassi. Kalabsha is dedicated to the Nubian version of Horus and was built during the time of Augustus on the site of an earlier temple founded by Amenophis II and rediscovered by one of the Ptolemies. Beit el-Wali is a rock temple, the smallest of its type, built by Ramses II (19th Dynasty) in his youth. Reliefs in the vestibule depict wars against Syria, Libya and Ethiopia. The Kiosk of Kertassi is dedicated to the goddess Isis, with two magnificent Hathoric columns. (B,L,D)

Day 9: Tuesday - Aswan/Wadi el Seboua - Nubian Sea Cruise

M/S Prince Abbas

One hundred years have passed since the first steamers plied the Nile to Wadi Halfa, passing the First Cataract at Aswan and entering the region called Nubia. In the past century this ancient land has witnessed two of the greatest engineering feats in modern history - the construction of the Aswan High Dam with the consequent creation of Lake Nasser, and the UNESCO project which saved most of the temples of Nubia by moving them to higher ground. Now, for the first time since the completion of the project 30 years ago, the immense lake and temples on its shores are accessible to travelers with a passion for discovery and a taste of comfort aboard the cruise ship M/S Prince Abbas. Even the connoisseur of Egypt will delight in the virgin landscapes of the "New Nubia", and the striking spectacle of the vast expanse of sweet blue water lapping the shores of the ochre and gold desert, pure beauty crowned by the presence of the temples. Lake Nasser, 300 miles long has been called "the Nubian Sea." Spend the day cruising to Wadi el Seboua for overnight. (B,L,D)

Day 10: Wednesday - Wadi el Seboua/Amada/Kasr Ibrim - Nubian Sea

M/S Prince Abbas

After breakfast aboard ship. Morning visit the temples at Wadi el Seboua, starting with the rock cut temple built by Ramses II. Entering through an alley of sphinxes, tour the temple dedicated to the god Amou and later transformed into a church. The Temple of Dakka was reconstructed in the Greco-Roman period on the site of an earlier sanctuary also dedicated to Thoth, built by Amenophis II (18th Dynasty). Nearby is the Temple of Maharakka - today the ruins of a Roman Period temple dedicated to Serapis. Continue your cruise to Amada. The Temple of Amada was built during the 18th Dynasty by three pharaohs of the Thutmosis line and is the oldest temple in Nubia. Owing to the quality of its polychrome decoration it was moved to its present location intact by rail. At nearby Derr, you see a rock cut temple built by Ramses II and dedicated to the sun god Ra and the divine aspect of the Pharaoh. The Tomb of Penout is the only conserved example of a tomb of an Egyptian viceroy in Nubia. Continue cruising to Kasr Ibrim for overnight. (B,L,D)

Day 11: Thursday - Kasr Ibrim/Abu Simbel - Nubian Sea Cruise

M/S Prince Abbas

Begin to day with a visit to the interesting site at Kasr Ibrim, one of the few remaining sites in Nubia still on its original location. The ruins of the ancient citadel and later orthodox cathedral were transformed into a mosque in the 14th century. Spend the balance of the day cruising towards Abu Simbel, arriving in the early afternoon. Afternoon visit to the great temples of Ramses II (the Great) and his wife Nefertari at Abu Simbel, miraculously saved from inundation by the monumental efforts of UNESCO and the world community and ranked among the most stupendous monuments of ancient Egypt. Both temples were constructed during the reign of Ramses II (1290-1224 BC) to mark the 30th anniversary of this accession. The larger of the two temples was dedicated to Amun-Re of Thebes and Re-Harakhty of Heliopolis, the principal divinities of Upper and Lower Egypt, but Ptah of Memphis and the deified Ramses himself also were worshipped here. The smaller temple to the north was dedicated to the goddess Hathor and Ramses II's favorite wife Nefertari, also deified. After the tour there is time to spend viewing the temples on your own, or waiting for the best light for your perfect photo! Tonight is a very special treat as you witness a spectacular Sound & Light Performance at Abu Simbel. Overnight and Farewell Dinner aboard ship. (B,L,D)

Day 12: Friday - Abu Simbel/Aswan/Luxor

Old Winter Palace Hotel

Morning flight to Aswan connecting with your flight to Luxor. Transfer to the Old Winter Palace for a wonderful day at leisure in the richest archaeological city in the world. Dinner Suggestion: Try the hotel's "1886 Restaurant", famous for it's a la carte menu. (B)

Day 13: Saturday - Luxor/Minya

Mercure el Minya

Today visit the fabulous temples of Dendera and Abydos. The Temple of Hathor at Dendera is the reputed site of Cleopatra's cesarean birth to the son of Julius Caesar and is one of the most interesting temples in Egypt. The hieroglyphs are superb. Nearby is the spectacular temple of Seti I at Abydos, noted for reliefs that rank among the finest achievements of Egyptian sculpture. By far the most important feature is the Gallery of the Kings, a long and gradually rise entered from the Second Hypostyle Hall. On the right-hand wall of the gallery is the famous Abydos King List that has yielded important information on the sequence of Egyptian rulers, 76 of whom are listed in the two upper rows. Continue to Minya in Middle Egypt for overnight. (B,L,D)

Day 14: Sunday - Minya/Tel el-Amarna/Minya

Mercure el Minya

Full day tour of the site of Tel el-Amarna with its rock tombs and other remains. Tel el-Amarna was the once-glorious city built by Akhenaten and his wife Nefertiti and dedicated to the monotheistic worship of a single god, the sun disk Aten. Tel el-Amarna is one of the most intriguing of the Pharaonic ruins, both for its history and its art. The entire city was decorated with countless representations of Aten. The sun was usually depicted as a brilliant sun disk whose rays terminated in outstretched palms, often holding an ankh, a circle-topped cross symbolizing eternal life. The legacy of these decorative efforts is not exclusively religious; Akhenaten's artists created the naturalistic Amarna style of art and made Nefertiti a timeless symbol of beauty. Akhenaten followed his children and Nefertiti to the grave at the age of 35, and conservative political forces quickly stepped in. With Ahkenaten's new city razed, the capital was returned to Thebes and Tel el-Amarna was declared unhallowed ground. The taboo helped preserve the remains of Akhenaten's home, since no later civilization would build over the home of this heretic. Visit the Northern Palace dating from the end of Akhenaten's reign. The foundations of many houses can still be clearly identified. Particularly notable are the House of the Vizier Nakht, the House of the High Priest Pewoh, and the House of the Sculptor Tuthmosis and its workshops in which many fine pieces of sculpture were found including the famous painted limestone bust of Nefertiti, Akhenaten's beautiful queen, now in the Egyptian Museum in Berlin. Continue to the Northern Group of Tombs including #25, the tomb of infamous Ay, Tutankhamun's successor as Pharaoh. (B,L,D)

Day 15: Monday - Minya/Tel el-Amarna/Beni Hassan/Minya

Mercure el Minya

Return to Tel el-Amarna to tour the Southern Group of Tombs. Afterwards visit the Akhenaten Border Stellae and Family (Royal) Tombs of Akhenaten. The mural reliefs were incised in stucco - the most interesting of which is one depicting the King, Queen and Princesses praying to the sun. After lunch continue to the rock cut tombs at Beni Hassan. The site takes its name from an Arab tribe that formerly lived in a number of neighboring settlements now ruined and abandoned. The tombs were constructed during the Middle Kingdom (11th and early 12th Dynasties) for princes and dignitaries of the Oryx or Antelope nome, the 16th nome of Upper Egypt. The architectural features of the tombs and the important inscriptions and representations of scenes from everyday life make this the most important necropolis between Memphis and Assiut. (B,L,D)

Day 16: Tuesday - Minya/Cairo/Alexandria

Salamlek Hotel

Transfer to Cairo for lunch at the Mena House. Afterwards continue via the desert highway to Alexandria. Upon arrival check-in to the Salamlek Hotel, a converted palace located near spectacular Montazah Palace & Gardens. It was from Montazah Palace that King Farouk fled Egypt in his private yacht when he was overthrown by the revolution of Gamal Abdul Nassar. (B,L)

Day 17: Wednesday - Alexandria

Salamlek Hotel

There is a plethora of things to do and see in Alexandria. Today's program includes Mameluke Qait Bey Fort, built on the former site of the Paros Lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the ruins of which were recently discovered underwater by French and Egyptian archaeologists. Continue to the Royal Jewelry Museum, Pompeii's Pillar, the Catacombs of Kom el-Shukafa, the excavation site of Kom el-Dik located near the Greco-Roman Museum, and famous Montazah Palace and Gardens. During the day lunch is served at wonderful San Giovanni Restaurant, located right on the Mediterranean and famous for its seafood. (B,L)

Day 18: Wednesday - Alexandria/Cairo

Conrad International

Morning tour to the once important port city of Rosetta located an hour's drive from Alexandria. Rosetta once was Egypt's primary Mediterranean port and still preserves many handsome old houses from the 17th-19th centuries. It is also dripping with Islamic architecture including dozens of provincial Ottoman mosques. About three miles from Rosetta, the recently restored Fort of Qaytbay guards the entrance to the Nile. Fortification of this fort by the French in 1799 prompted the importation of stone from Upper Egypt, and one of the French soldiers noticed writing on one of the stones. This Rosetta Stone enabled Jean-Francois Champollion to unlock the mystery of the hieroglyphics. A cast of the stone (the original is in the British Museum) describes in Demotic (the common language), ancient Greek (the royal language, and hieroglyphics (the holy language) the coronation and numerous titles of Pharaoh Ptolemy V. Afternoon return drive to Cairo via the Delta road. (B,L)

Day 19: Friday - Cairo

Conrad International

Today is special as you travel into the desert - destination Fayoum Oasis, the closest oasis to Cairo. Important during Roman times as the collection point for foodstuffs from Upper Egypt, Fayoum is also noted for its magical wooden waterwheels. After lunch visit spectacular Meidum and the Collapsed Pyramid, an unfortunate mistake is the history of pyramid building. On your return to Cairo, pass by Dahshour where Senefru's Red & Black Pyramids and the extremely unusual Bent Pyramid, all pre-dating the Giza Pyramids, stand mute witnesses to their history. (B,L)

Day 20: Saturday - Cairo

Conrad International

This morning is your tour of Coptic and Jewish Cairo. Begin in the old Roman walled fortress of Babylon with a visit to the ancient Ben Ezra Synagogue, the very interesting Hanging Church, supported by the old Roman walls, the Church of St. Sergius, reputed to be the site of refuge for Mary and her child during the Flight. The Coptic Museum has a wealth of Coptic Christian iconography. Continue to the labyrinthine streets of the most famous souk in the Middle East, the Khan el Khalili Bazaar, for lunch at Naguib Mafouz Restaurant. Finish your day and your experience in Egypt with a visit to the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, certain to be a highlight of your trip. It is the greatest repository of ancient artifacts in the world, from the famed treasures of King Tutankhamon to the multitude of exquisitely carved statues and sarcophagi dating from the 1st Dynasty, to the highly evocative Mummies Room. This evening is a farewell dinner at the exclusive Cairo Capital Club. (B,L,D)

Day 21: Sunday - Depart Cairo

Conrad International

Morning transfer to Cairo International Airport for your return flight to the USA. Welcome home! (B)

 
Please note: Cruise may operate in opposite direction depending on dates selected.

INCLUDED IN YOUR PROGRAM

• Hotel accommodations as detailed in itinerary including buffet breakfast daily.
• 4 nights aboard the Prince Abbas including three meals per day, afternoon tea daily and all sightseeing excursions during the cruise.
• Private Egyptologist through the trip.
• Sightseeing as mentioned above including all entrance fees.
• Meals as indicated by (B), (B,L), (B,L,D) - B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner.
• All required transfers and sightseeing by private air-conditioned vehicles.
• Meet & greet services at all airports for arrivals and departures.
• Domestic flight in Egypt based on EgyptAir economy class service.
• Gratuities for two pieces of luggage per person.

SORRY, NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR PROGRAM

• Cost of visas for Egypt.
• Items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks no specifically mentioned in the itinerary, incidental expenses at hotel and aboard ship, etc.
• Tips for Egyptologists, drivers and boat crew. These are at the clients' discretion.