Day 1: Tuesday - Depart New York

En Route

Depart JFK Airport on your EgyptAir flight to Cairo.

Day 2: Wednesday - Arrive Cairo

Conrad International

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: Thursday - Cairo

Conrad International

Meet your Egyptologist and transfer to the Giza plateau where you begin your day's sightseeing with a visit to the old Pharaonic capital of Memphis, seeing the lucent Alabaster Sphinx and the giant reclining statue of Ramses the Great. Continue to Sakkara and tour the first stone structure ever built, King Zoser's famous Step Pyramid built by the architect Imhotep, and the tombs of nobles covered with colorful hieroglyphs depicting the daily lives of the ancient Egyptians. After lunch at the historic Mena House, tour the fabled Great Pyramids of Giza - Cheops, Chephren and Mykerinos. Your tour ends at the foot of the inscrutable Sphinx, the giant man/beast that has puzzled men for generations. (B,L)

Day 4: Friday - Cairo

Conrad International

This morning's tour of the incomparable Egyptian Museum of Antiquities will be a highlight of your tour. 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. Continue to the Khan el Khalili Bazaar for lunch at Oberoi's Naguib Mafouz Restaurant in the heart of Old Cairo. Afterwards, visit the looming Citadel, the Alabaster Mosque of Mohamed Ali and Ibn Tulun Mosque, Islam's holiest site in Egypt. Tonight is the fabulous Sound & Light Performance at the Pyramids. (B,L)

Day 5: Saturday - Cairo

Conrad International

Today is special as you depart 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. 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 6: Sunday - Cairo/Aswan

Old Cataract Hotel

After an early breakfast, fly to Abu Simbel. Try to sit on the left side of the aircraft for excellent views of the temples during landing. Visit the great temples of Ramses II and his favorite wife Nefertari, saved from inundation by the monumental efforts of UNESCO and the world community. Return to Abu Simbel Airport for your EgyptAir flight to Aswan. Upon arrival you are met and transferred to the Old Cataract Hotel. Built by the British at the turn of the century while the Old Aswan Dam was under construction, the Old Cataract is located at the site of the Nile's first cataract and exudes old world ambiance. The balance of the day is free to explore Aswan, enjoy the beautiful pool, shop in the local bazaar or simply rest. This evening's highlight is a special dinner at the famed ³1902 Restaurant² in the hotel (B,D)

Day 7: Monday - Aswan

Old Cataract Hotel

Day at leisure to explore the many interesting areas of Aswan including the local souk, camel market, the Nubian village, Kalabsha Temple and St. Simeon's Monastery in the desert, perhaps by camel! (B)

Day 8: Tuesday - Aswan

Sonesta Nile Cruise

Morning at leisure. Embark your luxurious 5-star Nile cruise boat at noon for lunch. This afternoon there is a delightful felucca sailing excursion to Kitchener's Island and its botanical gardens, and past the Agha Khan's mausoleum. After dinner, Nubian folk show. (B,L,D).

Day 9: Wednesday - Kom Ombo/Edfu

Sonesta Nile Cruise

After breakfast, visit both the Aswan High Dam and the British Old Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk, and beautiful Philae Temple. Cruising lunch from Aswan. Late afternoon visit of Kom Ombo, the temple shared by two gods, Sobek and Haroeries. Be sure to see the mummified crocodiles and the Nilometer where the priests determined the current year's taxes! Continue cruising through the luxuriant Nile valley to Edfu. Captain's Welcome reception. (B,L,D)

Day 10: Thursday - Edfu/Luxor

Sonesta Nile Cruise

Morning caleche ride (horse and carriage) to the most well preserved temple in all of Egypt -- the Temple of Horus at Edfu. This is your chance to study the exact layout of one of these fabulous structures. After a short session of ³haggling² with the local merchants, return to ship and cruise for Luxor.. (B,L,D)

Day 11: Friday - Luxor

Sonesta Nile Cruise

After an early breakfast, cross the Nile's West Bank to visit the incomparable Valley of the Kings. Tour the tombs of ancient Pharaohs of Egypt and see where Kent Weeks is conducting the new excavations on KV5, the tombs of the sons of Ramses the Great. Continue to the beautiful temple of Queen Hatchepsut (the only female pharaoh) at Deir el-Bahari and the Colossi of Memnon as they sit like giant sentinels overlooking the Nile. Return to the Sonesta Nile Cruise for lunch. Afternoon visit to the East Bank of Luxor (ancient Thebes), including the fabulous temple of Luxor with its Avenue of Sphinxes, and 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! Farewell dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 12: Saturday - Luxor

Old Winter Palace Hotel

Disembark your Nile cruise boat after an early breakfast and travel to the West Bank to visit Nefertari's Tomb. Recently restored by the Getty Museum and reputed to be the most beautiful of all the tombs, the spectacular tomb of Queen Nerfertari in the Valley of the Queens will simply astound you. Continue to the Ramasseum to see the enormous broken statue of Ramses II. Return to the East Bank for an afternoon at leisure to enjoy the beautiful gardens and pool at the Old Winter Palace. (B)

Day 13: Sunday - Luxor

Old Winter Palace Hotel

The day is free for additional exploration of the East and West Banks of Luxor -- you can visit Luxor Museum, Chicago House, the open-air museum at Karnak Temple, and numerous archaeological sites on the West Bank. -- or simply to enjoy the beautiful gardens and pool at the Old Winter Palace or go to the excellent local bazaar for final shopping. This evening is the Sound & Light Performance at Karnak Temple, a veritable walking tour through Egypt's Pharonic history.. (B)

Day 14: Monday - Luxor/Cairo

Conrad International

After a morning at leisure transfer to the airport for your return flight to Cairo. Transfer to your hotel where the remainder of the day is at leisure. (B)

Day 15: Tuesday - Depart Cairo

En Route

Morning departure for Cairo International Airport and your return flight to the USA. Bon Voyage! (B)

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

INCLUDED IN YOUR PROGRAM

•Accommodations as mentioned in itinerary above including buffet breakfast daily.
•Sightseeing as detailed in itinerary with services of private professional Egyptologist in Cairo and the boat Egyptologist during the cruise including all entrance fees.
•Air excursion to Abu Simbel.
•Meals as indicated by (B), (B,L), (B,L,D).
•Special dinner at the "1902 Restaurant" in the Old Cataract Hotel in Aswan.
•All required transfers and sightseeing by private air-conditioned vehicles.
•Meet & Greet services at all airports.
•Gratuities for luggage handling.

SORRY, NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR PROGRAM

•Cost of visa for Egypt and travel insurance.
•Items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, drinks, incidental expenses at hotel and aboard ship, etc.
•Tips for Egyptologists, drivers and boat crew.