Sample Itinerary
DAY 1 : DEPART USA
EN ROUTE
Depart USA on your overnight flight to Cairo.
DAY 2 : ARRIVE CAIRO
MENA HOUSE PALACE
Arrive Cairo and transfer to the stately Mena House Palace Hotel, located at the foot of the Giza Pyramids.
DAY 3 : CAIRO
MENA HOUSE PALACE
Begin today at the foot of the inscrutable Sphinx, the giant man/beast that has puzzled man for generations. Walk alongside the remains of the Pharaoh’s ceremonial causeway as you study the massive construction of the three Great Pyramids of Giza. After lunch at the Mena House, visit the Egyptian Museum, the world’s greatest repository of ancient artifacts including the treasures of King Tutankhamon and the Mummies Room. Tonight is the Sound & Light Show at Giza. (B,L)
DAY 4 : CAIRO
MENA HOUSE PALACE
Depart into the desert – destination Fayoum Oasis, noted for its magical wooden waterwheels. Visit the intriguing Collapsed Pyramid at Meidum, an unfortunate mistake in the history of pyramid building. Return to Cairo via Dahshour where Sneferu’s Red & Black Pyramids and the unusual Bent Pyramid stand as mute witnesses to their fabled histories. (B,L)
DAY 5 : CAIRO / ABU SIMBEL / ASWAN
ALEXANDER THE GREAT YACHT
Morning flight to Abu Simbel. Visit the great temples of Ramses II and his favorite wife Nefertari, saved from inundation by the monumental efforts of UNESCO. Return to Aswan and embark your fabulous 5-star Nile cruise at noon. This afternoon visit the Aswan High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk and exquisite Philae Temple. Evening Nubian folk show on board. (B,L,D)
DAY 6 : KOM OMBO / EDFU / ESNA
ALEXANDER THE GREAT YACHT
Cruise to Kom Ombo, and tour the temple shared by two gods, Sobek and Haroeries. Be sure to see the mummified crocodiles and the Nilometer where the priests determined taxes. Sail to Edfu to see the best-preserved temple in Egypt: the Temple of Horus at Edfu. Captain’s Welcome Reception on board. (B,L,D)
DAY 7 : EDFU / LUXOR
ALEXANDER THE GREAT YACHT
Morning cruise to Luxor. Visit massive Karnak Temple with its huge hypostyle hall and labyrinthine passageways, and Luxor Temple with its Avenue of Sphinxes. (B,L,D)
DAY 8 : LUXOR
OLD WINTER PALACE
Disembark your cruise and travel to the West Bank to the incomparable Valley of the Kings to tour the tombs of ancient Pharaohs of Egypt and see where Kent Weeks is conducting excavations on KV5, the tombs of Ramses’ sons. Explore Queen Hatchepsut’s Temple and the Colossi of Memnon. Savor a relaxing afternoon in the old world ambiance of the Old Winter Palace. (B,L,D)
DAYS 9 : LUXOR
OLD WINTER PALACE
Return to the West Bank to see the colorful Tombs of the Nobles, the hieroglyphs at Medinat Habu, the enormous broken statue of Ramses II at the Ramasseum, and the incredibly vivid tombs of artists at Dier el Medina. Return to your hotel, located on the banks of the Nile, for the afternoon free for further exploration. (B)
DAYS 10-12 : HURGHADA
OBEROI SAHL HASHEESH
Transfer to the spectacular Red Sea resort of Hurghada. Your home for the next three nights is Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh, an exclusive all-suite luxury resort with a stunning combination of domes, arches, columns and courtyards. Tennis, horseriding, golfing, sea cruises, desert safaris, snorkeling and diving excursions are all available. The Oberoi Spa is managed by Banyan Tree. (B)
DAY 13 : HURGHADA / ALEXANDRIA
FOUR SEASONS ALEXANDRIA AT SAN STEFANO
Fly to Cairo and drive to Alexandria. Tour the superb Royal Jewelry Museum, the new Alexandria Library and Qait Bey Fort, site of the famous Paros Lighthouse. Nearby is the Eastern Harbor where archaeologists have discovered the sunken palaces of Anthony and Cleopatra. (B,L)
DAYS 14-16 : SIWA OASIS
ADRÈRE AMELLAL
Depart for Siwa Oasis on the very same road followed by Alexander the Great in 331 BC. Adrère Amellal is a magical place built in traditional Siwan style with Bedouin carpets, rooms lit by oil lamps and excellent food fresh from the organic garden. Spend the next two days touring Siwa Oasis. Take 4X4 desert excursions. See where Cleopatra bathed in one of the local springs. (B,L,D)
DAY 17 : SIWA OASIS / CAIRO
MENA HOUSE PALACE
Return to Cairo via the desert road arriving in the mid-afternoon. (B,L)
DAY 18 – DEPART CAIRO
EN ROUTE
Morning return flight to the USA. Welcome Home! (B)
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