11 Days Splendors of the Nile Tour Package

Duration: 11 Days / 10 Nights
Priced From: $6,575 pp dbl. occ.
Dates:  Jul - Dec, Jan - May, Aug - Dec
 

Marvel at the treasures of the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities before the doors open to the public. From the luxurious MS 'Sun Boat IV,' enjoy the timelessness of the Nile. Gain privileged access into the Tomb of Seti I, normally closed to the public, and enjoy the pyramids, tombs and Egypt's many temples along the Nile.

DAYS 1-2: USA or Canada/Cairo, Egypt
Fly to Cairo, the heart of Egyptian contemporary culture and the gateway to the land's ancient wonders.
Four Seasons Hotel

DAY 3: Cairo
Today, visit the Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus on the Giza Plateau. These monuments have drawn fascinated visitors for millennia and they remain just as awe-inspiring today. Standing nearby, equally eternal and mysterious, is the Sphinx, believed to be the oldest surviving monumental sculpture in the world. This evening, join your fellow travellers for a welcome dinner.
Four Seasons Hotel B L D

DAY 4: Cairo
View the exquisite treasures of the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities before its doors open to the public. Admire the world's greatest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts, including the golden treasures of Tutankhamun's tomb and the Mummy Room. Afterward, a short drive takes you to Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt, and the world-famous Step Pyramid of King Zoser, the oldest known Egyptian pyramid.
Four Seasons Hotel B L

DAY 5: Cairo/Luxor
Today in Luxor, visit the incredible Temple of Karnak, the construction and development of which spanned the Middle Kingdom to Ptolemaic times. The temple grew from the contributions of nearly thirty 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, explore the famous Valley of the Kings with a specially arranged private visit to the tomb of Seti I. Normally closed to the public, this tomb is the longest in the valley and is covered with vivid paintings and reliefs. Continue your exploration with a visit to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and the Valley of the Queens.
MS 'Sun Boat IV' B L D

DAY 6: Luxor/Denderah/Luxor
Cruise northward to Qena on a scenic route far from the crowds and other cruise ships. Visit the beautiful Ptolemaic Temple of the Goddess Hathor at Denderah, with its massive stone roof, dark chambers, underground passages and inscribed columns. This temple, as well as the surrounding area, served as a Coptic Orthodox Monastery during the Roman persecution which reached its peak in the third century AD. Traces of the basilica surrounding the temple can still be viewed. Cruise back to Luxor to explore Luxor Temple, begun by Amenhotep III and completed by Egypt's most renowned pharaoh, Ramses II. Inside the courtyard of Ramses lies the Mosque of Abu El Haggag which was built over a portion of the temple in the 19th century AD.
MS 'Sun Boat IV' B L D

DAY 7: Luxor/Esna/Edfu/Kom Ombo
Cruise to Edfu, the Greek city of Apollinopolis Magna, to explore the second largest and best-preserved Greco-Roman temple in Egypt: the extraordinary Temple of Horus, the falcon-headed god, built by Ptolemy III in 230 BC.
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. The temple of Kom Ombo, built at a bend in the Nile where crocodiles once basked in the sun, is divided in half and is perfectly symmetrical along its main axis. In Aswan, board a motorboat for a short ride to the majestic Philae Temple on the Island of Agilika. The temple was dedicated to the goddess Isis and was one of the last strongholds of ancient Egyptian religion. Take a tour of the Aswan High Dam; measuring 1,500 feet in length, it is the world's largest rock-filled dam. From the dam, view Lake Nasser, a huge lake created to control the floodwaters of the Nile. End your explorations with a visit to the granite quarries, site of the famed Unfinished Obelisk. This massive stone column, abandoned when it began to crack, illustrates the extraordinary skill with which Egyptian masons worked the native granite. Enjoy an afternoon tea, then, weather permitting, sail around the Aswan islands in a felucca (sail boat)
MS 'Sun Boat IV' B L D

DAY 9: Aswan/Abu Simbel/Cairo
Fly south to Abu Simbel and visit the two temples built by Egypt's longest-ruling pharaoh, Ramses II. Carved in the hill and decorated with magnificent colors and murals, these two temples miraculously survived for thousands of years. This evening, join your fellow travellers for a special "farewell dinner" - hosted by an Egyptian family in their private home. This event provides a perfect opportunity to toast your journey, swap stories and share experiences.
Four Seasons Hotel B L D

DAY 10: Cairo
Explore the Citadel of Salah El-Din and the famous Alabaster mosque of the Ottoman ruler Mohammed Ali. A walking tour of Islamic Cairo takes you from one of the remaining gates of the city, Bab El Fotouh, to Khan El Khalili Bazaar for a few hours of browsing and bargaining among its bustling stalls. Enjoy a traditional lunch at the Arabian style Naguib Mahfouz restaurant.Four Seasons Hotel B L D

DAY 11: Cairo/USA or Canada
Board your international flight. B

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

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