14 Day Egypt Grand Tour
Guaranteed Arrival Every Thursday

Day 1: Thu - Arrival to Cairo, Sound & Light Show
 
Arrive this afternoon in Cairo airport, our Representative will be waiting for you after you get your luggage and clear customs and will transfer you to your hotel.

Evening enjoy the Sound & Light Show in Cairo, inagurated in April of 1961, with the narrative voice of the late Richard Burton, magnificent sound and lighting effects, the show begins with the narrative of the Sphinx, who has been the guardian of the city of the dead for five thousand years. Overseeing the building of the three pyramids, the Sphinx reflects on the historical contributions of Thutmosis IV, Akhnaten, Nefertiti and Tutankhamon. The show is presented in English. 
 
 
Day 2: Fri - Cairo, Egyptian Museum, Khan El Khalili, Egyptian Family Dinner
 
After breakfast, gather for a briefing on your upcoming trip. Your Program Director will go over the details of the trip and answer any questions you may have. You`ll also attend a Discovery Series discussion on "Ancient Egypt," as a prelude to the discoveries ahead. Start your day by visiting the world-renowned Museum of Egyptian Antiquities. Accompanied by your certified Egyptologist Program Director, you`ll stroll through the halls highlighting each historical period of this ancient land. Marvel at the glittering treasures of King Tutankhamen, unparalleled in their variety, exquisite beauty, and sheer weight in gold. Seeing this treasure of more than 1,700 fabulous items buried with a young and relatively unimportant king, who can even imagine what the tombs of great and long-lived pharaohs must have contained? You may want to enter the Royal Mummies room for an additional fee and view the "sleeping" Kings of ancient Egypt. After lunch at local restaurant, proceed to the largest traditional shopping bazaar in the world, the Khan el-Khalili Bazaar. In the tiny alleyways, there are hundreds of shops where you can watch gold and coppersmiths, brass makers, and fortunetellers at work. Look also for leather goods and woodwork inlaid with camel bone and mother-of-pearl. Bargaining, Arab-style, is the norm here, and practiced as a national pastime. This evening, you`ll get acquainted with Egyptian life as you enjoy a visit with a local family in their home, as they share their evening meal with you. This is wonderful opportunity to experience the everyday life and hospitality of typical Egyptians. (B, L, D) 
 
 
Day 3: Sat - Cairo, Pyramids Tour
 
This morning we drive to the Giza Plateau, home of Egypt`s signature attractions: the Great Pyramids, proclaimed by the Greeks to be among the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. The largest among these is the Great Pyramid of Cheops, probably built more than 2,600 years before the time of Christ. Standing 480 feet tall, this is the last of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world still standing. Little is known of Cheops, you`ll also see the inscrutable and mysterious Sphinx, known in Arabic as Abu al-Hol ("the Father of Terror") and carved almost entirely from one piece of limestone. Stop for lunch, proceed to the ancient city of Memphis, the first capital of United Upper and Lower Egypt, and then visit Sakkara. (B, L) 
 
 
Day 4: Sun - Cairo, Old Cairo, Citadel
 
Join our Spiritual Cairo tour and explore some of the early religious monuments of the city. You`ll visit the El Muallaqa, dating to the late fourth and early fifth century. This basilica was named for its location on top of the south gate of the Fortress of Babylon. Muallaqa means "suspended or hanging." Destroyed in a ninth-century earthquake, the church became the center of the Coptic (or Christian) Church of Egypt from the time it was rebuilt in the eleventh century until the 14th century. Make a stop at the Ben Ezra Synagogue, built sometime between the sixth and ninth centuries AD. The temple contains a Jewish Heritage Library, containing documents found here in 1896 that describe the economic and social conditions of Jews under Arab rule as well as descriptions of relations between various Jewish sects.

Stop for lunch, then visit The Citadel (the Fortress of Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi), built in 1183 and overlooking the city from the Muqattam Hills. The structure, with its domes and minarets, looks over a number of important buildings, including the Alabaster Mosque. Its domed interior, used by Moslems for daily prayers, is a spectacular sight of twinkling lights and beautiful mosaics. (B, L) 
 
 
Day 5: Mon - Cairo, Luxor East Bank
 
Early morning flight from Cairo to Luxor, arrival and transfer to your luxury Nile Cruise where you will spend the next 7 nights / 8 days, Visit the Temple of Luxor, built by the two pharaohs, Amenhotep III and Ramses II. Ancient Thebes was a center of festivals, and the Temple of Luxor was the setting for the most important-the festival of Opet, designed to merge the ruler`s human and divine aspects. The temple was dedicated to Amun-Ra, whose marriage to Mut was celebrated annually, when the sacred procession moved by boat from Karnak to Luxor Temple.

Proceed to visit Karnak Temple, in ancient Egypt, the power of the god Amun of Thebes gradually increased during the early New Kingdom, and after the short persecution led by Akhenaten, it rose to its apex. In the reign of Ramesses III, more than two thirds of the property owned by the temples belonged to Amun, evidenced by the stupendous buildings at Karnak. Although badly ruined, no site in Egypt is more impressive than Karnak. It is the largest temple complex ever built by man, and represents the combined achievement of many generations of ancient builders. The Temple of Karnak is actually three main temples, smaller enclosed temples, and several outer temples located about three kilometers north of Luxor, Egypt situated on 100 ha (247 acres) of land. Karnak is actually the sites modern name. Its ancient name was Ipet-isut, meaning "The Most Select (or Sacred) of Places". This vast complex was built and enlarged over a thirteen hundred year period. The three main temples of Mut, Montu and Amun are enclosed by enormous brick walls.

Back to the Cruise for lunch, evening enjoy the Sound & Light Show at Karnak Temple, overnight in Luxor. (B, L, D) 
 
 
Day 6: Tue - Luxor, West Bank, Esna
 
Visit The West Bank, including the Valley of the Kings, with its many tombs chiseled deep into the cliffsides. From the 18th to the 20th Dynasty, the Memphis area and pyramid-style tombs were abandoned in favor of the West Bank of the Nile in Thebes. Several great leaders as well as many less important rulers are buried here, and more tombs are being discovered even today. This is where Howard Carter discovered the treasures of Tutankhamen and was struck "dumb with amazement" when he beheld its "wonderful things" in 1922. Proceed to the Valley of the Queens, the funerary temple of Queen Hatshipsut at Deir El Bahari and the Colossi of Memnon, back to the cruise for lunch, sail to Esna and overnight. (B, L, D) 
 
 
Day 7: Wed - Edfu, Kom Ombo
 
Sail to Edfu and Visit Edfu Temple, also known as the Temple of Horus, the falcon-god, (237 B.C.) considered the best-preserved temple in Ancient Egypt and the second largest after the Temple of Karnak. Sail to Kom Ombo and Overnight in Kom Ombo. (B, L, D) 
 
 
Day 8: Thu - Kom Ombo, Aswan, Papyrus Institute, Sound & Light Show
 
Sail to Aswan. P.M. Visit the High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk and Philae Temple, dedicated to Isis and perched majestically on an island. The temple complex dates from the 26th Dynasty, with additions through the Roman period when the Emperor Hadrian built a pavilion at the water`s edge. Pilgrims would come from all over the Mediterranean to worship Isis here. Sail around The Botanical Garden by Felucca. Finally, visit the Papyrus Institute and learn about the centuries-old technique of creating paper from papyrus-the material we can thank for recording so much of Egypt`s ancient history. Evening you enjoy the Sound & Light Show at Philae Temple, overnight in Aswan. (B, L, D) 
 
 
Day 9: Fri - Aswan, Abu Simbel
 
Morning transfer to Aswan airport for your flight to Abu Simble, situated 280km south of Aswan, exploring the magnificent monuments carved into solid rock 3,000 years ago. In a monumental feat of modern engineering, these massive temples were moved to their present location when construction of the Aswan High Dam in 1960 created Lake Nasser and flooded their original location. This extraordinary operation to save one of the world`s greatest treasures took years and the efforts of an international team of engineers and archaeologists. The two temples at Abu Simbel were built by Egypt`s great Pharaoh Ramses II (Egypt`s longest-ruling king) as a tribute to the deities and his favorite wife Nefertari. Four colossal statues, 60 feet high and directly facing the rising sun, are of the pharaoh himself, with his queen and daughters at his feet. More tremendous statues surround you as you enter the temple. And in the very depths of the temple, Ramses sits in state flanked by the gods to whom the construction is dedicated. Lunch box will be provided from the Nile Cruise. (B, L, D) 
 
 
Day 10: Sat - Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor
 
Early sail to Kom Ombo and Visit Kom Ombo Temple (the Ptolemaic Temple of Sobek & Haroeries), set dramatically on a hill overlooking a bend in the river. This Greco-Roman style temple (actually two temples) is unique, as it is Egypt`s only double temple-dedicated to both Sobek, the crocodile god, and Haroeris, the great, winged solar disk. Everything here is doubled and perfectly symmetrical along a central axis-twin entrances, twin courts, and twin colonnades. Sail to Luxor via Edfu & overnight. (B, L, D) 
 
 
Day 11: Sun - Luxor, Dendarah Tour
 
After breakfast, board your private air-conditioned minivan and start your trip to visit the Temple of Dendarah. (Lunch box will be provided from the cruise) built by Romans and Greeks and dedicated to Hathor-goddess of maternal and family love. The temple complex contains birth houses, a Coptic church, the Hathor Temple, and a Hypostyle Hall. One of the celebrated features of the temple is an astronomical ceiling beautifully decorated with vultures, winged disks, and the union between Hathor and Horus. Paintings on the ceiling also represent the two halves of the sky with its northern and southern constellations, the hours of day and night, the sun and moon, and the symbols of the zodiac. You`ll return to the ship late afternoon, rest of the day is free, dinner, entertainment and overnight in Luxor. (B, L, D) 
 
 
Day 12: Mon - Luxor, Cairo, Optional Hot-Air Balloon Ride
 
As the sun rises over Luxor, so can you, aboard an optional hot-air balloon ride ($90 P.P). The sights, sounds, and sheer spectacle of seeing these antiquities from the sky will surely make for a morning you`ll remember forever. Back to the cruise, check out and transfer to Luxor airport for your flight to Cairo, arrival and transfer to your hotel, this evening, join your fellow travelers for a Farewell Cocktail and Farewell Dinner in Cairo. (B, D) 
 
 
Day 13: Tue - Cairo, Alexandria Tour 
 
Full Day Alexandria with Library. Start your over day excursion to Alexandria by private car & accompanied by an English speaking Egyptologist: Visit National Museum, Catacomb. Stop for lunch, and then explore the well-preserved ruins of the Roman amphitheater, which in Ptolemaic times was part of a vast pleasure garden known as the Park of Pan. Built between the second and fourth centuries A.D., it is the only known Roman theater remaining in Egypt. Continue on to the Alexandria Library. Alexandria’s ancient library was the most famous in all antiquity, attracting scholars from all over the ancient world it was here that Euclid discovered geometry, and Eratosthenes measured the earth’s circumference. After lunch at a local restaurant, see Fort of Qaitbey from the outside. In 1480, the sultan Qaitbey built the fort on the site of the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, transfer back to Cairo. (B, L) 
 
 
Day 14: Wed - Departure
 
After Early breakfast, transfer to Cairo International Airport for your departure flight. (B)

Tour Inclusions:

• 13 nights Deluxe accommodation in 5 Stars hotel and Nile Cruise.
• 6 nights at the Mena House Hotel, Cairo - Garden View Room - with Buffet Breakfast.
• 7 nights aboard the Sonesta St. George, Super Deluxe Nile Cruise with private docking area - Outside Cabin - based on all meals.
• Domestic Air within Egypt.
• All transfers by private air-conditioned car or minivan with English Speaking Host.
• All sightseeing include all entrance fees as outlined at the program itinerary.
• Service of Local English Speaking License Egyptology.
• All taxes and fees.

Special Features:

• Sound & Light Show in Cairo.
• Egyptian Family Dinner.
• Egyptian Museum & Khan El Khalili Bazaar.
• Old Cairo Tour.
• Great Pyramids, Sphinx & Memphis.
• Luxor & Karnak Temples.
• Valley of the Kings & Valley of the Queens.
• Temple of Queen Hatshipsut at Deir El Bahari.
• Sound & Light Show in Luxor.
• Dendarah Temple.
• Kom Ombo & Edfu Temples.
• High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk & Temple of Philae.
• Abu Simbel Tour by air from Aswan.
• Sound & Light Show in Aswan.

Not Included:

• Visa to enter Egypt.
• Tips to Driver, Guides and Tour Manager.
• Personal Items.