Day 1:Depart USA
Your journey to ancient Egypt begins with an overnight non-stop flight aboard Egypt Air, departing from New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport. Meal service and entertainment en route.

Day 2:CAIRO
Welcome to Cairo, the vibrant capital of Egypt! Meeting and assistance through immigration and customs. Transfer to your deluxe hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. LE MERIDIEN

Pyramids and Sphinx

Day 3: CAIRO/LUXOR
After breakfast, your morning city tour includes a visit to the famous Salah Al-Din Citadel and the exquisite Egyptian Museum, containing the treasures of King Tut. After lunch (no host), you will visit the Alabaster Mosque, built by Mohamed Ali in 1830 A.D. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for your domestic flight to Luxor. Upon arrival, transfer to your deluxe hotel. SOFITEL (or similar) (B)

Day 4: LUXOR/CRUISE
Mid-morning transfer to your 5-star river vessel, the m/s Nile Ruby (or similar). Lunch on board, followed in the afternoon with a visit to the Temple of Karnak. Built by Amenophis III of the 18 th dynasty, the Temple of Luxor (also featured on this tour) was once joined to the Temple of Karnak by the Avenue of Sphinxes, many of which still remain. Return to ship for dinner. Optional Sound and Light Show at Karnak Temple this evening. (B,L,D)

Colossus of Memnon

Day 5: LUXOR/CRUISE
After breakfast, cross the Nile to explore the West Bank’s Valley of the Kings,where 64 of Egypt’s pharaohs were laid to rest, including King Tut and Ramses II and III. Also, visit El Bahri Temple, an architectural tour de force, built by Queen Hatchepsut; and then visit the Colossus of Memnon before returning to the ship for lunch. Set sail to Esna Lock. Captain’s cocktail reception this evening. (B,L,D)

Day 6: EDFU/CRUISE
Travel by horse drawn carriage to the Temple of Edfu, built by Ptolomeo III in 235 B.C. It is remarkable for its magnitude and its practically intact state of preservation. The temple was dedicated to Horus, the Falcon God. Sail to Kom Ombo. After lunch, visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to two deities—the crocodile headed Sobek and Haroeris, the headed sparrow hawk. Return to the ship and sail to Aswan. Dinner with show on board. (B,L,D)

Felucca at Aswan

Day 7: ASWAN/CRUISE
Visit this morning one of the three largest dams in the world, the Aswan High Dam, built in 1960. Proceed to the granite quarries to admire the famous unfinished Obelisk and learn how the Egyptians went about fashioning these graceful monuments. After lunch, sail by felucca (traditional Egyptian boat) past the Botanical Gardens, an open-air showplace of rare and exotic species of trees and flowers. Farewell dinner tonight. (B,L,D)

Day 8: CRUISE/ OPTIONAL ABU SIMBEL/CAIRO
Morning at leisure. Optional tour and flight to Abu Simbel, to marvel at the two temples Ramses II had carved into sheer Nubian rock 32 centuries ago. Late this afternoon, transfer to airport for flight back to Cairo. Evening at leisure. MERIDEN PYRAMIDS (B, L)

Abu Simbel

Day 9: CAIRO
Sightseeing today includes visiting the only remaining Seven Ancient Wonders of the World—the Pyramids of Giza. In addition to the Great Pyramid, you will admire the second Pyramid, built by King Chefren the son of Cheops, and the third, smaller Pyramid. Also, visit the mysterious Sphinx, dating back over 4,000 years. After a no-host lunch, * proceed to Sakkara, site of the oldest pyramids in Egypt, highlighted by a visit to the 5,000 year old Step Pyramid. (B)

Step Pyramid of Sakkara

Day 10: CAIRO/USA
After breakfast, check out and transfer to Cairo Airport for your flight back to the U.S. (B)