DAY 3: Cairo

This afternoon, after a briefing by your Egyptologist, visit the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities. Housing relics dating back to 4000 BC, the museum is a perfect introduction to the artistic and architectural styles representative of each historical time period. The world-famous treasures of Tutankhamun are also housed here. This evening meet your fellow travellers at an hosted welcome dinner in your hotel.
Mena House Oberoi B D

DAY 4: Cairo

Travel to Memphis, the legendary city of Menes, the king who united Upper and Lower Egypt. Continue to the necropolis of Sakkara to see the Step Pyramid of King Zoser. After lunch, travel to the Giza Plateau, site of the Pyramids of Mycerinus, Chefren and the Great Pyramid of Cheops, the only survivor of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. This is also the site of the Great Sphinx, guardian of the royal tombs dating back to the third millennium BC.
Mena House Oberoi B L

DAY 5: Cairo/Luxor

The vast size and complexity of the temple of Karnak is the result of construction and development spanning from the Middle Kingdom to Ptolemaic times. The temple grew from the contributions of nearly 30 pharaohs, making this magnificent structure the largest ancient religious site in the world. Walk through the incredible Hypostyle Hall, with its great columns expertly aligned over an area of 50,000 square feet. After lunch, cross the Nile to visit the Valley of the Kings, magnificent tombs carved into desert rock. Explore the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, ancient Egypt's first female pharaoh, whose mummy has recently been identified. You also have a chance to explore the Valley of the Queens, known in Egypt as "Biban El Harim."
MS 'Sun Boat IV' B L D

DAY 6: Luxor/Denderah/Luxor

Cruise northward on a scenic route far from the crowds and other ships. Hathor's temple at Denderah is one of the best preserved temples in all of Egypt. The roof of the hypostyle hall is almost intact, along with the small shrines to Isis and Hathor resting on it. Explore the interior chambers and underground crypt among foundations that date to the time of Cheops in the 4th Dynasty. Later this afternoon, embark on a tour of Luxor Temple, completed by Egypt's most renowned pharaoh, Ramses II.
MS 'Sun Boat IV' B L D

DAY 7: Luxor/Esna/Edfu/Kom Ombo

Cruise to Edfu to explore the second largest and best preserved Greco-Roman temple in Egypt, the extraordinary Temple of Horus, the falcon-headed god. The temple was built in 230 BC by Ptolemy III, and its large size and excellent condition make it easy to imagine what temple worship in ancient Egypt would have been like.
MS 'Sun Boat IV' B L D

DAY 8: Kom Ombo/Aswan

Disembark at Kom Ombo ("hill of gold") to visit the lovely Greco-Roman temple, uniquely dedicated to Haroeris (the sun god) and Sobek (the crocodile god). Crocodiles once basked on this stretch of Nile shore, and scores of crocodile mummies have been found here; some are on display in the temple. After lunch on the ship, take a tour of the Aswan High Dam, a contemporary counterpoint to the monumental constructions of Egypt's past. Then board a motorboat for a short ride to the majestic Philae Temple on the Island of Agilika. Conclude your sightseeing with a visit to the famous granite quarries, site of the famed Unfinished Obelisk. End the day with a cruise around the Aswan islands in a felucca (weather permitting).
MS 'Sun Boat IV' B L D

DAY 9: Aswan/Abu Simbel/Cairo

Leave 'Sun Boat IV' and fly to Abu Simbel, site of the two magnificent temples of Ramses II and his wife Queen Nefertari. The façade of the great temple of Ramses II is dominated by four enormous statues of the Pharaoh, each over 60 feet high. Afterward return to Cairo for an afternoon at leisure, a perfect opportunity for some additional shopping or sightseeing at your own pace.
Four Seasons Hotel B L

DAY 10: Cairo

Start this morning with a visit to the Citadel of Salah El-Din, a spectacular medieval fortress dating from the 12th century and one of the finest examples of Muslim military architecture. Continue to the Khan El-Khalili Bazaar, a vast outdoor array of stalls selling everything from food and spices to leather goods and jewelry. Bargaining is expected, so come ready to negotiate. Later, enjoy a traditional lunch at the Arabian-style Naguib Mahfouz restaurant. Named after the Nobel-prize-winning Egyptian author, the restaurant lies in the very heart of the Khan El-Khalili Bazaar and is steeped in atmosphere and history. Gather for a farewell dinner this evening.
Four Seasons Hotel B L D

DAY 11: Cairo/USA or Canada

Board your international flight.

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

Contact: Travelwizard.com
Phone: 1-800-330-8820 or 1-415-446-5252

12/10