Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival in Cairo
Today we arrive in Cairo. Transfer to our hotel.
Overnight in Cairo-Giza. Mena House OR Movenpick Hotel. Dinner if required.

Day 2
Cairo: Pyramids & Sphinx
This morning we travel to Memphis and Saqqara, chronologically the two most important sites in all of Egypt. Memphis
was the capital of Egypt during the Old Kingdom (ca 2700-2180 BC), and Saqqara was used as a burial place for
residents of Memphis including kings, princes and nobles. Our drive this morning takes us past some small, colourful
villages and plantations in the fertile Nile Valley. At the ancient city of Memphis we will see several statues in a gardenlike
setting including the colossal statue of Rameses the Great. You will have ample opportunity to photograph
the statue from the gallery's mezzanine.
From Memphis we travel a short distance to Saqqara, the ancient burial site. On the site, which is considered by many
archaeologists to be one of the world's most important excavations, is the Step Pyramid, which was constructed by
Imhotep in the 27th century BC. The pyramid is part of the tomb complex of Zoser, the first Pharaoh of the Old
Kingdom. The pyramid began as a simple mastaba, or long, flat tomb building. Over the course of time, Imhotep added
to this mastaba five times-- the pyramid eventually measured 62 m (203 feet) in height!
After lunch we pay a visit to the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx. These Pharaonic monuments have come to symbolize
Egypt's glory and mystery. Impressive in their grandeur, the pyramids are estimated to have been constructed over a
period of 20 years using more than 100,000 labourers each year. The Great Pyramid of Cheops, constructed from over
two million stone blocks, is 135 m (443 feet) high! The stone for the Pyramid complex--Pyramid of Cheops, Pyramid of
Chefren and Pyramid of Mykerinos--was quarried from nearby hills south of Cairo. You may enter one of the pyramids
through a long, narrow passageway and explore the deep inner chambers.
Later we see the Sphinx. This feline-human was named by the Greeks because it resembled the mythical winged
monster with a woman's head and lion's body. Legend has it that this "Sphinx" proposed a riddle to the Thebans and
killed all who could not guess the correct answer! The Sphinx was carved from one solid piece of limestone and
measures 50 m (164 feet) in length and 22 m (72 feet) in height.
Overnight in Cairo-Giza. Movenpick OR Mena House. All meals.

Day 3
Cairo: Museum of Egyptian Antiquities & Coptic Cairo - Luxor
This morning we begin at the bustling Midan Tahrir where the famous Museum of Egyptian Antiquities is located. We
will spend the morning here seeing some of Egypt's most beloved treasures. Among the 100,000 pieces housed on the museum's two floors is the famous exhibit of Tutankhamun whose tomb was discovered by Howard Carter in 1922. The
tomb and treasures of this young Pharaoh, modest by Pharaonic Egyptian standards, is perhaps the best preserved of
the discovered tombs. We also see archaeological relics from the Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom, New Kingdom and
Greco-Roman periods. Our tour today is fully guided by our English-speaking guide. We also allow some time for you
to explore the treasures on your own (Mummies Room an extra approx US 10 cost).
This afternoon we drive through the neat, tree-lined streets of the Garden City area to Coptic Cairo, the centre of
Christianity in Cairo. We will walk the cobblestone streets and stop at a few of the churches, including that of Saint
Sergius whose is presumed to have been the spot where the Holy Family lived during their flight into Egypt. The present
building dates from the 11th century. As we stroll along we will come to the recently restored Synagogue of Ben Ezra,
the oldest Jewish synagogue in Egypt. Despite the 45 Jewish families that remain in Cairo, the synagogue is no longer
operational.
Later we transfer to the airport for our one hour flight south to Luxor.
Overnight in Luxor. Luxor Sheraton Resort. All meals.

Day 4
Luxor: Carriage Tour & Karnak Temple
This morning we will enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride through the streets of Luxor to visit one of the most fantastic
archæological sites in the world: Karnak Temple.
Karnak was built, added to, dismantled, restored, enlarged and decorated during its colourful history of over 1500 years.
At certain points in Egyptian history, this temple was the most important in all of Egypt. When we arrive at the temple
you will be awed by the grandeur of the tremendous pylon gateway and the Avenue of 1000 Sphinxes that originally ran
all the way to the Nile and Luxor Temple! We will have a guided tour of the complex, massive by anystandard.
Our carriage ride continues through the town of Luxor and surrounding countryside. This is one of the best ways to see
local town and village life in Egypt where we see the "fellahin" (farmers) at work.
Overnight in Luxor. Luxor Sheraton Resort. All meals.

Day 5
Luxor: Valley of the Kings
Early this morning we cross the River Nile by boat to the West Bank where the wealth of antiquities is outstanding. On
the other side we will meet our transport for our excursion into the Valley of the Kings. En route we will pass by the
Colossi of Memnon. These two huge statues sit side by side; they originally flanked the entry to the funerary temple of
Amenophis III. The Colossi were named from a legend explaining the phenomenon of the dawn.
We will have a guided tour of three of the many tombs that are here. The valley was the burial ground for pharaoh kings
throughout the New Kingdom. Note that some of the tombs have steep stairways and all are dark inside. It is a good idea
to have a small flashlight with you today for a closer inspection of the interior of the tombs.
When we have finished the guided tour of the Valley of the Kings. We then proceed to the funerary temple of Queen
Hatshepsut--the first woman to rule as pharaoh! We have a tour of this impressive complex, discovered in the mid-19th
century and still under restoration. The temple's 37 m- (121 foot-) wide causeway leads us to three huge terraced courts.
Tonight we include the Sound and Light show at Karnak Temple.
Overnight in Luxor. Luxor Sheraton Resort. Breakfast and dinner.

Day 6
Luxor: Valley of the Queens
This morning we make an excursion the Valley of the Queens. After crossing the Nile we will board our bus for the
short journey to visit this wonderful necropolis on the western shore of the Nile.
The Valley of the Queens was used as a burial site for the royal women of the 18th, 19th and 20th Dynasties. Ancient
Egyptians called this place "Set Neferu" meaning Seat Of Beauty, and today only a few of the eighty tombs are open to
the public. We will visit 3 tombs. The Valley of the Queens holds far more than graves of queens. High officials had
been buried here before the first queen. Royal children were also buried here next to the queens.
As well as our visit to the Valley of the Queens we will also have a guided tour of the workers' village and the Madinat
Habu temple. Madinat Habu, also known as the temple of Rameses III was known in ancient times as Djanet, and
according to ancient belief was the place were Amon first appeared. Both Hatshepsut and Tuthmosis III built a temple
dedicated to Amon here and Later Rameses III constructed his larger memorial temple on the site.
Overnight in Luxor. Luxor Sheraton Resort. Breakfast and dinner.

Day 7
Luxor: Nile Cruise
Today, at about lunchtime, we board our first-class Nile cruise ship. There will be free time in Luxor this afternoon
before sailing. You may choose to visit Luxor Temple and / or the excellent Luxor Museum.
Our luxury cruise vessel features 62 Junior Suites, sundeck, pool, jacuzzi, restaurant, English pub, piano bar, gym,
billiards, bazaar, hair dresser, barber, laundry service. Each suite is 21 square meters with wide panoramic window for a
beautiful view. Each with their own private marble bathrooms include a shower cabin, hair-dryer, and make-up mirror.
The suites are also equipped with a colour TV, phone, central video, central air conditioning, mini bar and safe box.
Overnight Nile Cruise. Movenpick cruise or similar. All meals.

Day 8
Nile Cruise: Edfu
Today we begin our sail from Luxor to Aswan along the River Nile. Over the next two days we will travel past fertile,
irrigated sugar cane and corn fields separated by small villages. We will pass through the British-built locks at Esna and
make a stop at Edfu. As the largest and most completely preserved Pharaonic temple, albeit Greek-built, Edfu is
dedicated to the god Horus. Construction of this temple began under Ptolemy III Euergetes I in 237 BC. We will allow
time to explore this massive and impressive site, enclosed bywalls and flanked by two large pylon gateways. Here we
will also be able to see a Nilometer--an ancient technique of measuring the Nile's water fluctuations and setting the level
of taxes!
Overnight on Nile cruise. Movenpick cruise or similar. All meals.

Day 9
Nile Cruise: Kom Ombo
We will make a stop and visit the Temple of Kom Ombo. In ancient times, Kom Ombo was strategically important as a
trading town on the caravan route from Nubia to Cairo. Kom Ombo, actually two temples in one, is dedicated dually to
Haroeris and Sobek, respectively the god of the sky and the crocodile-headed god. Here we are able to see the remains
of a mummified crocodile. Crocodiles no longer exist in the Egyptian part of the River Nile, but in Pharaonic times they
lived here in great numbers and were worshipped as gods!

From Kom Ombo we continue along the River Nile to harbour in Aswan.
Overnight on Nile cruise. Movenpick cruise or similar. All meals.

Day 10
Nile Cruise: Abu Simbel
This morning we fly from Aswan across the Western Desert to Nubia, or the "Land of the Gold". Our destination this
morning is the impressive Abu Simbel--the imposing rock temples of Rameses II and his queen Nefartari.
In the 1960s Abu Simbel became the focus of world attention as the controversial construction of the High Dam
threatened the temples. In a large-scale world relief, funded mainly by UNESCO, the temple was delicately
disassembled with the aid of laser technology and shifted to a site on the banks of the artificially formed Lake Nasser.
Over its nine years of relocation, the site's team of archaeologists managed to create an artificial mountainside to house
the temples.
We have a guided tour of this site, including the interior of the colossal temples. The Temple of Rameses II, with its
immense statues of the Pharaoh seated on his throne, is one of the classic images of the power of the Pharaohs. Inside
the temple you will see well-preserved wall decorations and several murals. There is a wonderful relief of Rameses
presenting captives to various gods, including himself! At the Temple of Hathor, which is colonnaded with six statues
of Rameses and his wife Nefartari, we will see the temple hall and the sanctuary. We also gain insight into the
reconstruction process by visiting the interior of the artificial mountain.
This afternoon we fly back to Aswan.
This evening we will attend the fascinating Sound & Light Show at Philae Temple. The temple is situated on an island,
and we have to take a boat to get to the site. Since early this century, the site of Philae was flooded for six months each
year. An incredible restoration programme was undertaken in the 1960s and the temple was moved stone by stone to a
higher elevation. Our show this evening is an extraordinary voice-and-light walk through the site's temples, with
full narration explaining the legend of Isis to whom the temple is dedicated. After the show we return to our Nile cruise
boat.
Overnight Nile Cruise. Movenpick cruise or similar. All meals.
Day 11
Aswan: St Simeon Camel Trek
Today we travel by small boat across the River Nile to the west bank.* From here we travel by camel across the sandy
desert to the Christian Monastery of St Simeon. Riding a camel is one of the most invigorating, exciting ways to see
Egypt. Before we begin this easy trek our Tour Leader and camel trainer will teach you the technique of riding a camel!
This is a journey that can be undertaken by anyone at any age (one rider per camel). Our trek is about 45 minutes to the
monastery. Those who prefer not to ride can stay with the boat and rejoin the camel riders for our trip to Kitchener's
Island.
Dating from the 6th century, and in use until the 13th century, the Monastery of St Simeon is one of the best preserved
Christian sites in Egypt. The monastery, built on two plateaux, is surrounded by a high wall. Inside we will see the
chapel, living quarters, kitchen and dining areas, wine press, bake area and storerooms. On our tour we will also see the
remains of some Coptic frescoes--depictions of Christ and saints as well as many geometric patterns. From the
monastery we continue on our camel journey for another 15 minutes back to the bank of the Nile.
From here we board our boat and ride among the islands dotting the Nile. The main island here is called Elephantine
Island because many of the rocks look like elephants bathing in the Nile. We will arrive at the beautiful Kitchener's
Island where we will have time to stroll through the rich botanical gardens with trees, plants, and bushes.
Overnight in Aswan. Old Cataract. All meals.

Day 12
Aswan - Cairo: Islamic Cairo
Today we board our one-hour flight from Aswan to Cairo.
On arrival in Cairo we will venture deep into the heart of Islamic Cairo. We will tour the Citadel, which was begun by
Saladin in the 12th century. Today the Citadel's buildings are mainly from the Ottoman period, and are truly grand. From
the Citadel, which is actually a complex of three mosques and four museums, we enjoy an amazing view of Cairo spread
beneath the hilltop. Here we will see the fabulous Mosque of Mohammed Ali, also known as the "Alabaster Mosque."
Overnight in Cairo-Heliopolis. Le Meridien Hotel. All meals.

Day 13 Departure

Departure from Cairo.
Breakfast if required.
Rhlah S'idah !