Ancient Wonders of the Legendary Nile

Sakkara was the main necropolis of the Old Kingdom era. It is an incredible archeological site where the famous and multi-titled architect Imhotep built the oldest Pyramid in Egypt. The first stone structure is 4800 years old and was erected in the form of huge solid steps on top of each. (The name Step Pyramid in Saqqara is quite suitable). You will learn about the development of the royal tomb structure while inside the Step Pyramid complex.

Your tour guide will accompany you inside one of the nobles' tombs (The Tomb of Kagmini) to see murals reflecting daily life activities in ancient Egypt. Moreover, you can enter the Pyramid of Teti, where you can see the oldest form of the pyramid text on the chamber walls (4340 years old.) 

The next stop will be at Dahshour, an archeological site five miles from Sakkara. There are three pyramids in this untrodden place: the Bent Pyramid and the North or Red Pyramid. Both belong to the pharaoh Snefru, the founder of the 4th dynasty. In contrast, the third Pyramid belongs to his wife, Queen Hotep Heres.

In this place, you will visit the Bent Pyramid, the first attempt to develop the Step Pyramid's shape. This Pyramid looks fascinating with its two-level form and beautiful soft casing layer. Move around this Pyramid and look at the small Pyramid of the queen.

Then, stop at the Red or North Pyramid. This one is the first true and complete Pyramid in ancient Egypt. You will learn about the development of the royal tomb structure in the Old Kingdom. You can enter the chamber of this pyramid, which is quite an experience to go through the narrow tunnel to the chamber.

At the end of the tour, drive back to your hotel.

Overnight: in Cairo | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

 Experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the majesty of the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. You'll enjoy personalized attention on your tour of these famous symbols of Egypt's ancient civilization. Located in the Giza Plateau area, the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx date back over 4600 years. While there are over 100 pyramids in Egypt, the Pyramids of Giza are by far the most famous and the last of the ancient Seven Wonders of the World. Your knowledgeable Egyptologist guide will provide a fascinating introduction to the three pyramids: Cheops, Chephren, and Mykerinus. You will have free time to enter one of the pyramids (at an additional cost), however your guide is not permitted to join you. After visiting the pyramids, you'll continue your journey across the plateau for an opportunity to photograph the three iconic pyramids rising from the sands, with the Cairo skyline in the background. A short drive to the city side of the plateau finds you standing at the feet of the Sphinx, the enigmatic symbol of Egypt. The Sphinx has the body of a lion and the head of a king and is surrounded by mystery, including the unanswered questions: how was it built and why.

Overnight: in Cairo | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, catch a flight to Luxor, known in antiquity as Thebes. This extraordinary city served as Egypt's capital during part of the Middle Kingdom and at the height of the New Kingdom and was dedicated to the god Amun, one of the most revered deities of the Egyptian pantheon. Explore the Karnak Temple Complex, where you will find a sprawling array of shrines, obelisks, and gateways where Amun and other deities were worshiped. Then, take the afternoon to wander about Luxor Museum. This evening, visit the striking Luxor Temple. With its colonnade of soaring columns and larger-than-life statues, this complex is particularly beautiful after dark, when evocative lighting creates a mystical, dream-like atmosphere.

Overnight: in Luxor | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Today, venture to the famed Valley of the Kings, where the pharaohs of Egypt's New Kingdom chose to build elaborate underground tombs instead of the pyramids typical of the Old Kingdom. Descend into the tomb of Tutankhamun, discovered in 1922 by British archaeologist Howard Carter and see the remains of the boy-king. Admire the vivid wall paintings and hieroglyphics of the neighboring tomb of Seti I; Round off your time in Luxor with a visit to the Colossi of Memnon, two 60-foot-tall stone statues of the pharaoh Amenhotep III, which have guarded the king necropolis since 1350 B.C. Board your vessel to begin your cruise with our Egypt Nile Cruise down the river this evening.

Overnight: onboard Nile Cruise | Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Sail to the West Bank of Luxor this morning and step ashore to explore the Ramesseum Temple Ramses II's mortuary temple. This temple and the scattered granite remains of the king's giant monuments are so impressive. Discover the Valley of the Queens, and visit the quiet, less frequented area to explore the mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Set against the backdrop of the Theban Mountains. Return to your boat for lunch, and Navigate through Esna Lock on your way to the city of Edfu.

Overnight: onboard Nile Cruise | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In the morning, our cruise ship will take us to Edfu to see its marvelous temple. The Edfu Temple is the best-preserved ancient temple in Egypt dedicated to the falcon god Horus. It was built in the Ptolemaic period between 240 and 57 BC. When we return to the ship, we will cruise towards Kom Ombo, where we arrive in the late afternoon.

Visit the Ptolemaic Kom Ombo Temple, built during the reign of King Ptolemy V (ca. 205 to 180 BC). The Ptolemies constructed the Temple of Kom Ombo to worship the two gods; Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus, the falcon god. After visiting the site, we will return to the ship for dinner and continue sailing south towards Aswan.

Overnight: onboard Nile Cruise | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Leave the Nile cruise and explore the three most popular and well-known Awan attractions. Walk on the High Dam, which separates Lake Nasser from the Nile, be astounded at the size of the Unfinished Obelisk, and enjoy the beauty of Philae Temple's island location. Depart your hotel or cruise ship in Aswan and travel to the High Dam of Aswan, an engineering feat accomplished in the 1960s. Containing more material than used in the Great Pyramid of Cheops and is carved into the existing granite, providing irrigation and electricity for the whole of Egypt. Gaze across Lake Nasser to Kalabsha Temple from atop the High Damn. Continue to the Unfinished Obelisk in the granite quarries of Aswan, where much of the red granite used for ancient temples and colossi came from.

The Unfinished Obelisk still lies where it was carved when a crack was discovered as it was being hewn from the rock. Your knowledgeable Egyptologist guide will explain how the 1-tonne obelisk was carved and why the crack caused it to be abandoned. The last of the three famous Aswan sites you will see today is generally regarded as the best. Philae Temple was carefully moved to its current location (around 500 meters from the original site) when the construction of the High Dam caused surrounding Nile waters to rise.

A short motorboat ride takes you to the island, where your guide will take you on a walking tour through the temple before allowing you free time to explore further at your leisure.

Dedicated to the goddess Isis, Philae Temple has a beautiful setting on an island in the river which has been landscaped to match its original site. Its various shrines and sanctuaries celebrate the deities involved in the myth of Isis and Osiris. This evening, board a felucca traditional wooden sailboat of the Nile.

Overnight: in Aswan | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Fly to Abu Simbel in southern Egypt this morning, where your local guide will join you. Head out for a tour of this awe-inspiring ancient site, among Ramses II's most impressive building achievements. Four nearly 70-foot-tall statues of the pharaoh grace the entrance to the main temple carved out of a dramatic sandstone cliff. During the Abu Simbel Sun Festival, celebrated twice a year, in February and October, the sun's rays cast a golden light on the inner chamber, illuminating the seated statues of Ramses and two sun gods. Like the Temple at Philae, the Abu Simbel temples were also dismantled and rebuilt at a higher elevation to make way for the Aswan High Dam, a feat of engineering to rival Abu Simbel's original construction. After lunch, catch a flight back to Cairo and relax at your hotel.

Overnight: in Cairo | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 You will tour the Alabaster Mosque at the Citadel of Salah el-Din, which sits on top of a limestone hill overlooking Cairo and is the most important mosque in the city. The lower part of the mosque is clad inside and out with Alabaster. The top part is constructed from the limestone cladding removed from the Pyramids of Giza. Inside the mosque, your guide will introduce you to the fundamental beliefs of Islam, including a translation of the most common prayers. 

Then you will discover the ancient sites and culture of Coptic Christians and learn about Christian life in Egypt. You will first visit the Hanging Church, built into the Roman fortress's gatehouse walls and possibly the oldest Christian church in Egypt. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, it is one of Cairo's most beautiful churches. Continue to the Monastery and Church of Saint George. It is one of the few remaining circular churches in the Middle East.

Your next stop is the Abu Serga, where the holy family rested after fleeing Israel from King Herod. At the turn of the century, this little church, which dates from the 10th century, was the most important pilgrimage spot in Old Cairo for visiting Christian tourists. Twenty-four marble columns line the central court, and a series of 12th-century icons depict the 12 apostles. You will then tour Ben Ezra Synagogue, one of Egypt's oldest synagogues. Set in a shady garden, it was built on the site of the 4th-century Christian church. Afterward, you will visit the Khan el Khalili Bazaar, where your guide will introduce you to the famous bazaar, which is said to have inspired Christopher Columbus to discover the New World. Here you will enjoy free time to stroll through the maze of streets and shops. Try your luck bargaining with the shop owners for a souvenir of your trip to Egypt, or have a cup of tea at the famous coffee shop El Fishawy.

Overnight: in Cairo | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Following breakfast, transfer to the airport to connect to your flight home.