BREEZES OF THE NILE

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before heading out for a full-day tour exploring Cairo’s most iconic sites. Visit the Giza Plateau, home to the Great Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure, as well as the enigmatic Sphinx. Continue to the Grand Egyptian Museum, where an extensive collection of ancient treasures awaits. Lunch is included at a local restaurant during your touring. Return to your hotel for an evening at leisure. (B,L)

Start your excursion to Alexandria by air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking Egyptologist as your guide. Visit the Catacombs of Kom- Alshukafa, the largest Roman Cemetery in Alexandria which is dated back to the second century. Discover Pompey’s Pillar the most prominent remaining Greek landmark in Alexandria, then proceed to Visit the Roman Amphitheater, the center piece of the Kom al Dikka archaeological site. After lunch, visit Alexandria Library (The Bibliotheca Alexandrina), the largest library in the world now with 8 million books, then you will enjoy your drive along the Cornish to see the whole city passing over the Bridge of Stanley landmark of modern Alexandria on your way to Quitbay fortress, built over the ruins of the ancient light house of Alexandria. Later in the evening, transfer back to Cairo. (B, L)

After breakfast, transfer to Cairo International Airport for your flight to Luxor. Upon arrival, transfer to your cruise ship. Accommodation on board consists of outside cabins with private facilities. Overnight onboard. (B,L,D)

Have breakfast on board your Nile River vessel and then depart for an early morning visit to the West Bank where you will discover the Colossi of Memnon; the Valley of the Queens and the Valley of the Kings, burial sites for many of the most powerful and successful pharaohs and high priests; the Temple of Hatshepsut; and Medinet Habu Temple. Return for lunch on board as the ship sets sail to Esna. Overnight onboard. (B,L,D)

Continue the journey south for a brief stop at Edfu before sailing to Kom Ombo for a visit to the temple. This temple, unlike many others in Egypt, was dedicated to two gods; the Southern section is dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile headed man known as the god of fertility, and the Northern section to the falcon-headed god Horus. There is also a fascinating crocodile museum to visit with many artifacts and mummified crocodiles. Overnight onboard. (B,L,D)

Sail to Aswan and enjoy breakfast on board followed by a visit to the world-famous High Dam in Aswan, built in 1960-1971 to provide electricity to the villages along the Nile; see the Unfinished Obelisk, and explore the Temple of Isis on Philae Island. Lunch is on board followed by an afternoon at leisure with an opportunity to revisit the Temple of Philae for an optional sound and light show in the evening (extra cost). Overnight onboard. (B,L,D)

Early in the morning, transfer to Aswan Airport for your flight to Abu Simbel. Visit the Great Temple of Ramses II and the temple of his beloved Queen Nefertari. After visiting this magnificent site, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Aswan. Upon arrival in Aswan, you will be transferred back to your ship. Have lunch onboard, followed by sailing along the Nile by felucca around Kitchener’s Island and Agha Khan Mausoleum. Overnight onboard. (B,L,D)

Sail to Edfu where you will visit to the Temple of Horus, the falcon god. Dating from 237 B.C., it is considered the best-preserved temple in Egypt and the second largest after the Temple of Karnak. Overnight onboard overnight. (B,L,D)

Enjoy breakfast on board as you sail to pass through the Esna Lock and continue sailing towards Luxor. After lunch, head out for a visit to the “world’s largest greatest open-air museum” at the Karnak Temple complex, covering a large area of land and featuring several temples, including the impressive Temple of Amun. Enjoy one last visit to Luxor Temple then return to the ship. Overnight onboard (B,L,D)

Disembark and transfer to the airport for scheduled flight to Cairo. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. (B)

After enjoying your breakfast, you will visit the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, home to a rich and diverse collection that spans Egypt’s history from prehistoric times through the modern era. Don’t miss the Royal Mummies Hall, where several of Egypt’s most famous ancient rulers are on display. Next, it’s on to the Saladin Citadel of Cairo, a medieval fortification located on Mokattam where you can take in fresh air and sweeping views of the city. Today, it is a preserved historic site featuring mosques and museums. Then you’ll have lunch at a local restaurant and continue your exploration with a visit to Khan El Khalili bazaar. (B, L)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your departure flight. (B)