Itinerary

Day 1      Arrive Cairo

Upon arrival at the Cairo International Airport, you will be met and transferred to the Ramses Hilton Hotel (or similar) for your overnight stay. You will be at the Ramses for three nights.
    
    
Day 2      Cairo: Egyptian Museum & City Sights

Immerse yourself in the exploration of Cairo, the heartbeat of Egypt, and also known as the "Mother of the World." This is a city with a rich history having been part of the Persian, Ptolemaic, Roman, and Byzantine empires and home to Christians, Jews, and Muslims alike. Begin your exploration at the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, as you enter the ancient world of Egypt. The most impressive exhibit is the replica of Tutankhamun's tomb with its golden sarcophagus and his funerary treasure. Visit the Royal Mummy Room, now home to the bodies of Ramses II, his father Seti I, and Tuthmosis II. This is a climate-controlled room where the mummies are kept in glass cases and speaking above a whisper is not permitted, out of respect for the dead. Walk the cobblestone streets of Old Cairo, the oldest quarter of the city, with its ancient churches and the synagogue of Ben Ezra. Continue to Islamic Cairo, with a visit to the Citadel and the alabaster mosque of Mohamed Ali.
    
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch    

Day 3      Cairo: Old Kingdom

Continue your tour of Cairo with a visit to Memphis, the once resplendent capital of the Old Kingdom where you will see the reclining statue of Ramses II. Then travel to Sakkara, the burial place of the pharaohs of the Old Kingdom. Here you will see the Step Pyramid, one of the world's oldest stone structures of its size. Finally, visit Dahshur to view the Bent and Red Pyramids built by Pharaoh Sneferu the father of Cheops.
    
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch    

Day 4      Lake Nasser, Aswan, Elephantine Island

Transfer to the airport for an early flight to Abu Simbel to visit the two temples on the shores of Lake Nasser. The smaller of the two was commissioned by Ramses II to honor Hathor, goddess of love, which he dedicated to his beloved wife, Nefertari. From here, fly to Aswan where you are met upon arrival and taken to the New Cataract Hotel for check-in. In the afternoon, sail by felucca to Elephantine Island and explore the small villages and some of the temples. Back on shore, visit the newly built Nubian Museum. End your day with a visit to Sharia as-Souq, the exotic market where you can buy a galabiyyah or Nubian baskets.
    
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch    

Day 5      Aswan Camel Trip/Board Nile Cruise

Cross to the West Bank of the river where you will mount camels and head for the Monastery of St. Simeon. Along the way, pass the high cliff walls that house the tombs of the nobles from the Old and Middle Kingdoms. Upon returning to Aswan, you will be transferred to the Movenpick’s Radamis Nile cruise ship (or similar) where you will stay overnight for the next four nights. After a late lunch you may wish to join fellow passengers on a river cruise in a felucca, passing by the Agha Khan Mausoleum.
    
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner    

Day 6      Aswan River Sights/Kom-Ombo

Enjoy a morning tour of the high dam, Unfinished Obelisk, and Philae Temple, the dwelling place of the goddess of Isis, the universal mother of nature and protector of humans. Return to the ship for lunch, and set sail for Kom-Ombo where you will visit the riverside Temple of Kom-Ombo. This dual temple, dedicated to the gods Horus (falcon) and Sobek (crocodile), is completely symmetrical.
    
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner    

Day 7      Edfu

Start your morning with a visit to the Ptolemaic Temple of Horus in Edfu. This is the largest and most completely preserved temple in Egypt. Continue sailing towards Luxor, passing through the locks at Esna. From the ship you may see the Temple of Khnum, the ram-headed god who created mankind.
    
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner    

Day 8      Luxor: West Bank

Travel to Luxor's West Bank to explore the Valley of the Kings and Queens and the tombs of the rulers of the Egyptian dynasties. View the Colossi of Memnon, a great tourist attraction since the Greco-Roman times and the only remaining pieces of the temple of Amenophis III. You will then visit the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hathshepsut. Return to the East Bank of the city where you will tour the Temple of Luxor and the temples in the Karnak complex, whose ancient name means "the most perfect of places," before returning to the boat for your last night aboard.
    
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner    

Day 9      Luxor: East Bank & Karnak Complex

Disembark the cruise ship, and check into your hotel in the heart of the city of Luxor, before departing overland for Dendara. Here you will visit the Temple of Hathor (woman with the head of a cow), the goddess of pleasure and love, and the mate of the god Horus. Hathor's temple with its stone roof, underground passages and columns inscribed with hieroglyphics is nearly intact. On the walls of the temple's Outer Hypostyle Hall are scenes that depict the Roman emperors Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius and Nero as pharaohs. End your day at the Karnak Complex to view the Sound and Light Show, before returning to either the New Winter Palace or the Meridien Hotel.
    
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch    

Day 10      Luxor: Valley of Nobles & Ramesseum

Return to the West Bank to visit the Valley of the Nobles and the Ramesseum. The tombs of the Nobles are some of the best preserved, and least visited. There are at least 400 tombs that date from the 6th dynasty to the Greco-Roman period. Time permitting, visit the Luxor Museum before transferring to the airport for your flight back to Cairo. You will be met and taken to the Ramses Hilton Hotel (or similar) for two nights.
    
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch    

Day 11      Giza

End your exploration of Ancient Egypt with a visit to Giza to view the Pyramids, the Sphinx and the Solar Boat Museum. In the afternoon, visit the Khan al Khalili Bazaar for some last minute shopping. Return to Cairo for your overnight stay.
    
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch    

Day 12      Cairo/Onward

Transfer to the airport for your flight home, or extend your trip with a visit to Jordan.
    
Meals: Breakfast

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