Gift of the Nile

Welcome to Egypt. On arrival at Cairo's international airport, you'll be warmly welcomed by our representative who will assistance you through passport and customs formalities, then transfer you to your selected accommodation for a 2-night stay. The balance of the day and evening is at leisure.

Today our professional Egyptologist will guide you through some of Egypt's 5,000 years of history starting with a tour of the new (as of Nov. 2022) Grand Egyptian Museum to see some of its greatest pharaonic treasures including artefacts from the Tutankhamen Collection. After lunch we visit Egypt's most famous landmark, the Pyramids of Giza with its Great Sphinx that guards these amazing structures. Return to your hotel for a leisurely evening.

This morning transfer to the airport and fly to Luxor. On arrival, you are met and taken to your selected ship for a 3-night Nile River cruise. After lunch on board, join the ship's very knowledgeable guide for a tour of the amazing temples of Luxor and Karnak. Sitting close to the Nile, beautiful Luxor is dedicated to Amon-Re, king of the Gods, while Karnak's magnificent group of temples are considered the biggest in the world. Dinner and overnight is on board ship.

This morning we cross by ferry to the West Bank and drive into the dramatic Valley of the Kings, the site of many pharaonic burial tombs including Tutankhamun's. Next visit the Valley of the Queens and Queen Hatshepsut's Temple before stopping at the Colossi of Memnon. Returning for lunch, our ship cruises up the Nile while you enjoy a leisurely afternoon passing typical Egyptian villages, where life has barely changed throughout the millennia. Later today we dock in Edfu. Overnight on board your ship.

Here in Edfu, the day starts with a visit to probably the most perfectly preserved of all of Egypt's antiquities, the very impressive Temple of Horus. Then, back on board, it's a short trip up river to Kom Ombo where, overlooking the Nile are two gorgeous temples dedicated to the Gods Horus and Sobek. Afterwards, we continue cruising to Aswan, seeing more wonderful scenery en route. When the ship docks in Aswan, enjoy your final night on board.

Disembark from the ship after breakfast and have a guided tour of Aswan's highlights that include the lovely Temple of Philae, considered one of Egypt's most beautiful antiquities, then the impressive High Dam and the extraordinary, unfinished obelisk. Afterwards, check-in at your selected accommodation for an overnight stay and this afternoon, enjoy an interesting tour to the Nubian Museum which details the story of the Nubians down through history. The evening is at leisure at your hotel.

After check-out, you are transferred to the airport for a short flight south to Abu Simbel. On arrival we take you to see the great temples of Abu Simbel with their massive statues of Ramses II & Queen Nefertari that overlook Lake Nasser. After touring this magical site, return to the airport and fly via Aswan to Cairo. Arriving in the late afternoon, you will be met and transferred to your hotel near the airport. The evening is at leisure.

Today, bid a fond farewell to Egypt. Checking out of the hotel, you'll be transferred to the airport for your homeward bound flight.