These are lands of kings. Great deserts where once, millennia ago, people hauled great blocks of stone, lifted columns, and erected monuments to pharaohs with names like Ramses, Tutankhamun and Cleopatra which still stand today. This is Egypt, in all its ancient and modern glory. On a fascinating tour you will visit the Great Pyramids of Giza, tour the Valley of the Kings, stroll the halls of the magnificent Egyptian Museum in Cairo and cruise the mighty Nile. And at the end of the tour, you will return home enlightened in the era of the pharaohs.

Itinerary

DAY 1 : Cairo
Welcome to Egypt, The gift of the River Nile as described by Herodotus, the great Greek historian, on his only visit to Egypt. We hope you will agree wholeheartedly with his words today. On your way from the airport to your luxurious hotel located on the Nile, get your first glimpse of life in Egypt—modern skyscrapers and ancient mosques. Check into the deluxe Grand Hyatt Hotel for a 4-night stay and meet your program manager—an expert on the study of ancient Egypt, who will be your guide throughout the tour.

DAY 2 : Cairo
After breakfast, no time is wasted in immersing you in the fabled attractions of Egypt. This incredible excursion takes you to the Giza plateau, where you will see the last surviving wonder of the ancient world—the Great Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Mykerionos, as well as the mysterious reclining Sphinx, whose body and head were carved from a single piece of limestone.Afterward, continue on to Sakkara to explore the Step Pyramid, and visit the open air museum at Memphis. The evening is yours to relax.

DAY 3 : Cairo
Cairo is one of the world’s most bustling cities. This morning, you will be treated to a tour of its most important sights—the fabulous Citadel and the iconic Mosque of Mohammed Ali—followed by visits to the Old Bazaars of Khan el Khalili, where you can shop for some exotic souvenirs.After lunch, tour one of humankind’s greatest museums—the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities. Here among the amazing gold and statuary relics, visit the famous gallery and riches of Tutankhamun. In the evening you will be able to rejuvenate from the day at a lovely home-hosted dinner in your honor.

DAY 4 : Cairo
The old city of Cairo—a fascinating collection of important sights where ancient Egypt changes into Christian and Muslim. On a tour here, visit the Church of St. Sergius—where it is said that the holy family took shelter—and the Hanging Church, built over the bastions of an old Roman gate.The remainder of the afternoon and evening is yours to spend at your leisure—perhaps taking in more sights, or relaxing before your journey tomorrow.

DAY 5 : Cairo, Luxor & Nile Cruise
Early this morning, fly to Luxor for one of the highlights of your tour—a memorable cruise along the Nile. Before you board the Royal Lotus, the luxurious ship that will be your home for the next 3 nights, we will take you on a guided tour to Luxor Museum to show you some of the most beautiful treasures of Egypt—including jewelry, statues and items from the tomb of King Tut. This afternoon set out for a fascinating guided visit to the impressive Temple of Karnak—the largest temple complex ever built. This evening enjoy a private horse-drawn carriage ride through the streets of Luxor.

DAY 6 : Luxor & Aswan
Awaken this morning to enjoy the splendors and ancient historical sights of Egypt as you have never seen them before. Glide majestically over the temples and burial grounds of the pharaohs with tranquility and peace. See this spectacular landscape from the unique viewpoint, which only hot air ballooning can provide. Later, take a fascinating guided tour of the West Bank of the Nile and the Valley of the Kings—a UNESCO World Heritage Site where Egypt’s great pharaohs were laid to rest amidst gold splendor. Afterward, you will set sail for Esna, as there is no better way to trace the course of Egyptian history than to follow the course of the Nile.The river has been the lifeline of Egypt for millennia. Along its length, pharaohs, nobles and lesser mortals have all built monuments and tombs to immortalize themselves.

DAY 7 : Luxor & Aswan
This morning set out to visit the second largest and best preserved temple in Egypt, the Temple of Horus—dedicated to the Falcon God. Then you are back on the water, sailing further south towards Upper Egypt before an exciting afternoon guided tour of the unusual double temple dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek, the god of fertility and the creator of the world.Returning to your ship in the afternoon, you will have the rest of the day to sit on deck and enjoy the sights, read about Egyptian history, or whatever activity suits your mood. Dinner is served onboard.

DAY 8 : Aswan & Wadi el Seboua
After enjoying breakfast onboard, disembark the Royal Lotus to discover more of Egypt’s unbelievable sights. Visit the amazing Temple of Isis at Philae, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and continue on to Lake Nasser for a visit to the High Dam—the engineering marvel that created this lake—before you embark on the deluxe Prince Abbas for 3 nights.Tour the Temple at Kalabshah raised by the emperor Augustus to honor the Nubian god Mandoulis before  setting sail for Wadi el Seboua.

DAY 9 : Wadi el Seboua & Amada
After a morning tour of the Valley of the Lions Temple and the striking avenue of sphinxes, cruise across Lake Nasser to Amada for an afternoon tour of the Amada Temple, the oldest of the Lake Nasser temples, where you will see a vivid collection of brightly painted historical carvings. After your tour, return to the ship for a delicious dinner onboard.

DAY 10 : Amada & Abu Simbel
This morning, you sail for Kasr Ibrim the last remaining Nubian monument in its original location. You will learn the story of the iconic Kasr Ibrim fortress from the ship’s sundeck. Later—almost like a mirage bathing in the afternoon sun—the incredible Abu Simbel, will fill the horizon as you slowly approach these magnificent temples built by Ramses II and renowned for its four giant seated figures. The colossal temples were dismantled and moved to their present location during the construction of the Aswan dam.After a guided tour, you will return to your ship for dinner. Tonight watch a dramatic sound and light show at the temples.

DAY 11 : Abu Simbel & Alexandria
This morning after you enjoy breakfast onboard, disembark the Prince Abbas and head to the airport for your flight to Cairo via Aswan.Upon arrival in Cairo, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before you travel to Alexandria—the second largest city in Egypt and known as the Pearl of the Mediterranean founded by Alexander the Great. Later, check into the superior, first class Renaissance Hotel Alexandria where you will stay for two nights.

DAY 12 : Alexandria
Today you will enjoy a full day of sightseeing in this great city of antiquity. Your tour takes you to highlights including the Greco-Roman Museum and the captivating Catacombs.After lunch in a local restaurant, the tour continues as you visit the Roman Theatre and Bibliotheca Alexandrina (Alexandria Library), the renowned center of cultural and scientific excellence.

DAY 13 : Alexandria & Cairo
This morning, an emotional visit to El Alamein introduces you to one of the best-known military cemeteries and battlefields in Egypt to pay tribute to one of the most important military campaigns undertaken by the Allied Forces in WWII, at the end of which Winston Churchill said, This is not the end nor is it even the beginning of the end, but it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning. After lunch at a local restaurant, you will head for Cairo to check in to your luxurious room at the Intercontinental Hotel Heliopolis. Tonight is a farewell dinner for you and your fellow adventurers at the hotel.

DAY 14 : Cairo
After breakfast at your hotel, your tour draws to a close as you head toward the airport for your flight home via Cairo.Extend your journey for 5 nights in Jordan in Petra, the Lost City.

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