Sophisticated Egypt: A Pharaonic Discovery

Sample Itinerary

DAY 1 : DEPART USA

EN ROUTE

Depart on your overnight flight to Cairo.

DAY 2 : ARRIVE CAIRO

FOUR SEASONS NILE PLAZA

Arrive Cairo and transfer to the Four Seasons Nile Plaza located on the banks of the Nile.

DAY 3 : CAIRO

FOUR SEASONS NILE PLAZA

Begin your day at the inscrutable Sphinx, the giant man/beast that has puzzled mankind for generations. See the fabled Great Pyramids of Giza, Cheops, Chephren and Mykerinos and the Solar Boat Museum. After lunch at the Mena House, visit the old Pharaonic capital of Memphis, where Tutankhamun reigned as Boy Pharaoh and died at age 19. Here you can see the Alabaster Sphinx and the giant reclining statue of Ramses II. End the day at Sakkara touring King Zoser’s Step Pyramid. (B,L)

DAY 4 : CAIRO

FOUR SEASONS NILE PLAZA

At the Egyptian Museum, the world’s greatest repository of ancient artifacts, see the treasures of King Tutankhamon and the Mummies Room. Lunch in the heart of Old Cairo at the Khan el Khalili Bazaar. Visit Cairo’s looming Citadel, the Alabaster Mosque of Mohamed Ali and Sultan Hassan Mosque, the finest example of Islamic architecture in Egypt. Tonight is the Sound & Light Show at the foot of the Giza Pyramids. (B,L)

DAY 5 : CAIRO

FOUR SEASONS NILE PLAZA

Depart into the desert – destination Fayoum Oasis, noted for its magical wooden waterwheels. Visit the 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 6 : CAIRO / ASWAN

OLD CATARACT

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. Fly to Aswan and continue to your hotel located on Elephantine Island in the middle of the Nile. This afternoon, enjoy a delightful felucca sailing excursion around Elephantine and Kitchener’s Islands with its lovely Botanical Gardens. (B)

DAY 7 : ASWAN

OLD CATARACT

Free day to explore the local souk, the Nubian village, Kalabsha Temple and St. Simeon’s Monastery in the desert, perhaps by camel. (B)

DAY 8 : ASWAN

ALEXANDER THE GREAT YACHT

Embark your five-star Nile cruise boat 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 9 : 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 10 : 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 11 : LUXOR

HILTON LUXOR

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. Return to the East Bank to your hotel, located on the banks of the Nile, for the afternoon free. (B,L,D)

DAY 12 : LUXOR

HILTON LUXOR

Return to the West Bank for further exploration including the fascinating and colorful Tombs of the Nobles where detailed and vivid wall paintings show scenes from everyday life. See the expressive hieroglyphs at Medinat Habu and the enormous broken statue of Ramses II at the Ramasseum. For the most incredible experience possible, let us arrange for you a private visit to Nefertari’s spectacular tomb, recently restored by the Getty Museum. (B)

DAY 13 : LUXOR

HILTON LUXOR

The day is free for independent exploration – visit Luxor Museum, Chicago House or the open-air museum at Karnak. Shop in the bazaar. Tonight is the dramatic Sound & Light Show at Karnak Temple. (B)

DAY 14 : LUXOR / CAIRO

FOUR SEASONS NILE PLAZA

Return to Cairo. The balance of the day is free. (B)

DAY 15 : DEPART CAIRO

EN ROUTE Morning return flight to the USA. Welcome home!