Treasures of Egypt

Step back in time and explore thousands of years of history, legend, and lore as you walk amongst Egypt’s timeless wonders.
Hotel Name: Sheraton Cairo Hotel & Casino

Begin your journey in Cairo, a modern megalopolis with an intriguing past.

Visit Area: Cairo

Get a glimpse into ancient Egypt’s Pharaohs, power struggles, and dynasties during an introductory talk before navigating Cairo’s famous traffic on your way to the extensive collection of artifacts at the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities.* This evening, gather for a welcome dinner at your hotel.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Visit Area: Giza
Giza is the third largest city in Egypt. It is located on the west bank of the Nile River southwest of Cairo. The most famous attraction in the city of Giza, located on the Giza plateau, is the pyramids. Also on the Giza plateau you can see the Great Sphinx and ride a camel.

Fulfill a lifelong dream and head to nearby Giza (UNESCO). Embark on an in-depth visit to the Pyramids of Giza, one of the 7 ancient wonders of the world. Marvel at the iconic Great Sphinx, one of the world’s oldest and largest monuments. Then, it’s your choice! Meet with a local archeologist to learn about the most recent findings in Egyptology and how they influence the active digs on the Giza plateau -OR- channel your inner explorer and venture inside the largest Pyramid of Giza via the Robber’s Tunnel, winding through the inner chamber.**

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Hotel Name: Movenpick Royal Lily

Admittance: Pyramids
The pyramids are the most famous attraction in Egypt. Most of the pyramids were built for the country’s pharaohs and their consorts. The most famous of the pyramids are found in Giza. The pyramid of Khufu is said to be the largest Egyptian pyramid. It is only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still in existence. It is estimated that it took anywhere from a few thousand to over 100,000 workers to build the Egyptian pyramids.

Depart your hotel before dawn*** for your flight to Luxor, home to the expansive Karnak Temple. Wander through this 4,000-year-old complex of pylons and obelisks, often of near-mythic proportions. This afternoon, board your cruise ship for a voyage on the Nile River. Relax aboard, taking in the views from the sundeck. In the early evening, opt to join a visit to Luxor temple, all lit up and boasting fascinating plays of light and shadow, ending at a local café for a taste of mint tea before returning to the ship.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Dinner Included

Visit Area: Sphinx
The Sphinx is carved out of a single ridge of stone 240 feet long and 66 feet high. The head which has a different texture from the body and shows far less severe erosion, is a naturally occurring outcrop of harder stone. The lower body of the Sphinx was formed by enormous blocks of stone that were quarried from the base rock (and these blocks were then used in the core masonry of the temples directly in front and to the south of the Sphinx).

Venture thousands of years into the past. As the sun rises, cross the Nile for a day in ancient Thebes. Explore the Valley of the Kings,**** including the world-renowned tombs of Tutankhamun and Ramses VI. Visit the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut as well as the Colossi of Memnon before returning to the ship for a late lunch. This afternoon, take in the views of the fertile banks of the Nile as you sail down the river towards Edfu.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Dinner Included

Admittance: A Talk with a Local Archeologist or Visit the Great Pyramid of Khufu
In Giza, you have the choice between two activities. Your first option is to meet with a local archeologist for a talk about the most recent findings in Egyptology and how they influence the active digs on the Giza plateau. Your second choice is to channel your inner explorer and venture inside the largest Pyramid of Giza. Enter through the Robber’s Tunnel and wind your way toward the inner chamber. A Talk with a Local Archeologist Activity Level: 1 The talk will take place at the archeological site of the Pyramids in Giza. There will be some places to sit (outdoors) and there will be time for Q&A. The talk should last about 20 minutes plus questions (total about 30 minutes depending on group level of interest). Visit the Great Pyramid of Khufu Activity Level: 4 The Great Pyramid of Khufu is the only one open to the public. Tickets are limited to a few hundred tickets per day; therefore it is important to communicate your choice ahead of time. Visiting the Great Pyramid of Pharaoh Cheops in Giza requires agility as you will have to climb up steep, narrow steps (approximately 1-1 ½ feet tall) on the side of the Pyramid without the help of handrails. To access the inner chamber, you will need to crouch and at times to crawl up the narrow shaft with minimal help of handrails. This activity is not suitable for people suffering from claustrophobia.

Beat the heat with an early morning visit to the well-preserved Temple of Horus at Edfu. Peruse the endless carvings of scenes depicting the power and grandeur of the pharaohs. Later this morning, participate in an informative talk covering Egypt from past to present. After lunch, set sail for Kom Ombo and explore the unique double temple before continuing to Aswan, the Nubian City. Join a culinary demonstration and learn about the staples of Egyptian cuisine from your chef before dressing up and joining the fun during a traditional galabeya party after dinner on board this evening.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Dinner Included

Visit Area: Luxor
Home to a vast majority of Egypt’s antiquities, Luxor is often referred to as the world's greatest open-air museum. This city, parted by the Nile, has been visited by travelers for centuries. Even the Greeks and Romans would travel to see the treasures that lie here. Its immense number of monuments is incredible. There’s the famous Valley of the Kings which boasts 63 royal tombs, one more elaborate than the next…and Karnak, a vast complex of temples and gigantic statues including the Temple of Amun, known to be the largest religious building ever constructed. Luxor will bring you back to ancient times while you are awed by the wealth of its leaders and the skill of its people.

Pre sunrise, consider an optional tour to Abu Simbel***** to visit the extraordinary temples of Ramses II relocated here during the construction of the High Dam. The afternoon is yours to explore more of Aswan. Perhaps you’ll visit the fascinating artifacts at the Nubian Archeological Museum or stroll along the Corniche, Aswan’s waterfront promenade.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Dinner Included
Hotel Name: Movenpick Resort

Admittance: Temple of Karnak
The Temples of Karnak is a large complex of temples, chapels and other buildings located in the city of Luxor. It is said to be the largest religious building ever constructed, covering about 200 acres. The Hypostyle Hall alone is 54,000 square feet in size and features 134 columns. The great temple in the heart of Karnak is so big that St. Peter’s, Milan, and Notre Dame Cathedrals could fit inside of it.

Disembark the ship this morning for a motorboat ride to the sanctuary island dedicated to the goddess Isis. Philae Temple (UNESCO) is among the architectural wonders rescued from the rising waters of the Nile during the building of the High Dam. Then, gain a different perspective on the epic construction of the High Dam during an up-close visit of the area before arriving at your hotel for lunch at leisure. This afternoon, sail to the lush oasis of Kitchener Island where you embark on a stroll through the botanical gardens. Aboard a felucca (wooden sailboat), take in the views of the tall sand dunes on the western shore of the Nile before regrouping for dinner at your hotel.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included
Hotel Name: Intercontinental Citystars Hotel

Admittance: 4-Night Nile River Cruise
The Nile is a north flowing river located in the northeastern part of Africa. It is regarded as the longest river in the world at over 4,000 miles long. The Nile and its water sources are shared by 11 different African countries.

Early this morning,****** return to Cairo. Head towards Historic Cairo (UNESCO) where you can stroll along el-Moez Street, admiring its elegant Islamic architecture, or enjoy some free time to shop in the world-famous souk of Khan el Khalili. Peruse colorful trinkets, hand-painted crafts, polished pendants, and more.

Breakfast Included

Admittance: Valley of the Kings
Located among the cliffs on the west bank of the Nile near Luxor is the Valley of the Kings, home to the tombs of the pharaohs of the New Kingdom. The tombs were built here over a period of almost 500 years. There are 63 tombs in the valley, 26 of them carved for kings, and the others were carved for royal family members.

The day is yours to experience the energy of Cairo’s buzzing streets. Perhaps you will join a full-day optional exploration of Cairo’s spiritual side with visits to the Citadel’s Alabaster Mosque, an ancient church belonging to the Coptic Christian community and views of the ancient Ben Ezra Synagogue. Or you may choose to join a local guide for an optional tour of Sakkara and Djoser’s Step Pyramid, erected over 47 centuries ago. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner at your hotel.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Admittance: Queen Hatshepsut Temple

Your epic adventure comes to a close today. Return home with a new understanding of this mystical land.

Breakfast Included

Admittance: Kom Ombo
Kom Ombo is a town in Egypt famous for its temple, the Temple of Kom Ombo. This Graceo-Roman temple was built in 332 B.C. Being a double temple makes it quite unique. One temple is dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and the other is dedicated to Horus, the falcon-headed god.