Itinerary

Day 0

We'll depart New York's JFK airport on Air Egypt flight MS986. Dinner and movies will be provided onboard the flight.
    
Day 1

We'll arrive in Cairo at noon. The largest city on the African continent, Cairo dazzles with its sky-scrapers that rise in contrast to over 1,000 tapered minarets. On arrival at the airport, we'll be met by our guides, who'll assist us with customs and luggage, then we'll take our private, air conditioned motor-coach to the beautiful 5 star hotel, in the shadow of the Giza Pyramids. After some rest by the hotel's pool, we'll meet for the welcome dinner in the evening.
Meals: Snack, D
Accommodations: Mena House Oberoi Hotel, Cairo

Day 2
After breakfast, we'll mount camels for a ride on the Giza plateau and begin our journey. We'll encounter the world's most ancient civilization, the only remaining monuments of the ancient world's Seven Wonders, the Pyramids of Giza and their guardian the Sphinx. During the exploration, we'll enter the Pyramid of Kephren and explore its interior, as well as the tombs of Ido and Kar.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodations: Mena House Oberoi Hotel, Cairo

Day 3

Today, we'll drive north to the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, founded by Alexander the Great. We'll explore the Catacombs, used by the Ptolemaists and Greeks and unique in their design and decorations which are a mixture of Egyptian and Greco-Roman arts. We'll visit Pompey's Pillar, erected in honor of Emperor Diocletian and the Qaitbay's Citadel, located on the Mediterranean, where the famous Pharos Lighthouse used to stand. We'll also tour the famous Library of Alexandria, before returning to Cairo in the evening.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodations: Mena House Oberoi Hotel, Cairo

Day 4

This morning, we'll tour the Egyptian Museum which houses the world's largest collection of relics from Pharaonic times, the sarcophagi, statues, jewelry, and the golden treasures of King Tut. Later, we'll explore the Old Cairo, a multi-cultural area, full of Jewish, Coptic and Islamic monuments. We'll visit the Hanging Church, the Ben Ezra Synagogue, the Amr Ibn el Aas Mosque, and the Khan el Khalili Market, enveloped in the mysterious scents of the East. In the evening, we'll fly to Luxor, and check into our 5 star hotel on the banks of the Nile.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodations: Sonesta St. George Hotel, Luxor

Day 5

Today, we'll enjoy a more leisurely pace, as we slowly explore Luxor, the City of Palaces, which holds two thirds of the world's monuments, large temples and colorful ancient tombs. We'll see the city, enjoy some excellent shopping, a lunch in a local restaurant, and the afternoon will be free to enjoy the hotel's beautiful pool and its location on the Nile. In the evening, you may consider the optional Light and Sound Show.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodations: Sonesta St. George Hotel, Luxor

Day 6

We'll start the day by crossing the Nile to the west bank's Valley of the Kings to visit the vividly painted tombs, carved out of rocky cliffs. Then we'll tour the Queen Hatshepsut's Temple, built by her to honor her father, god Amun. In the afternoon, we'll board the deluxe Nile Cruise, our home for the next 5 days. All cabins have large windows facing the Nile, and the ship is a floating luxury hotel with fine dining, nightly entertainment, lounge, a sun deck and a swimming pool. In the evening, we'll visit the Luxor Temple, one of the best preserved ancient temples, with beautifully decorated columns, a large open court, a massive entrance façade and two seated statues of Ramses II.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodations: Mövenpick M/S Royal Lily Nile Riverboat

Day 7

You can start the day with the optional balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings and the Nile. After breakfast, we'll visit the Karnack Temple, a vast, open-air museum and the largest ancient religious site in the world. The Karnack Temple is made up of a group of temples surrounded by a wall, and dedicated to the god Amon-Ra. In the afternoon, we'll sail up the Nile towards Edfu, and enjoy the scenery of the fertile lands, mountains and the golden desert as we relax on the deck.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodations: Mövenpick M/S Royal Lily Nile Riverboat

Day 8

After breakfast, we'll tour the Edfu Temple, dedicated to the falcon god Horus whose divine marriage to Hathor is depicted on the temple's walls. Then, we'll sail south to Kom Ombo Temple, dedicated to two gods, the god Horus and the god Sobek. Originally built for god Horus, after the increasing number of crocodiles on the island, it was rededicated to god Sobek, a crocodile shaped god. An imaginary line divides the temple into two parts, each with its own entrance, hypostyle halls and chapels. In the evening, we'll join a Galabiyah party, as we continue sailing south to Aswan.

Meals: B, L,D
Accommodations: Mövenpick M/S Royal Lily Nile Riverboat

Day 9

This morning, we'll tour Aswan, known for centuries for its cataracts and as the gateway to the South along a trading route from the heart of Africa to Egypt. Aswan enjoys a pleasant climate, and the Nile here flows through granite rocks and the golden desert with palm trees lining the banks. Our first stop will be the Temple of Phalie, considered the most beautiful temple in the Nile Valley and dedicated to goddess Isis and god Osiris. After the Aswan dam was built, the temple was flooded by the Nile, and was moved to its new location on Agilika Island. We'll also visit the Unfinished Obelisk in its original location in a granite quarry. In the afternoon, we'll sail on the Nile in a Felucca, a graceful Egyptian sailboat, to the botanical gardens, enjoy the breeze and traditional songs along the way.

Meals: B, L,D
Accommodations: Mövenpick M/S Royal Lily Nile Riverboat

Day 10

Today, we'll leave the Nile cruise ship, and fly from Aswan to Abu Simbel near the border with Sudan. We'll visit the awe-inspiring Ramses II Temples and Nefertari's Temple, believed to be the most astonishing temples in all of Egypt. From Abu Simbel, we'll fly back to Cairo, and check into the Le Meridien Pyramids Hotel.

Meals: B, L,D
Accommodations: Le Meridien Pyramids Hotel, Cairo

Day 11

In the morning, we'll set out to visit Saqqara, the site of the oldest pyramids, filled with tombs beneath the heaped mounds. We'll learn of their significance and decipher the stories told in the beautiful hieroglyphics lining its walls. We'll also visit the Step Pyramid, the first freestanding stone building in history and the first pyramid ever built. In the evening, we'll enjoy a home hosted, authentic Egyptian farewell dinner. This is one of the many highlights of our tour and a wonderful way to end it.

Meals: B, L,D
Accommodations: Le Meridien Pyramids Hotel, Cairo

Day 12

Today, we'll say our good-byes to the magical, unforgettable Egypt. After breakfast, we'll transfer to the Cairo Airport to board the Egypt Air flight (MS 985 at 09:20) to JFK. We'll arrive in JFK at 3:30PM EST.

Meals: B

This tour ends in the morning of February 10, in Cairo.
If you purchased your airfare through Sights and Soul Travels, the tour will end on February 11 at 3:30PM at JFK Airport in New York.

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