Day 1

Arrive Cairo

Upon arrival to Cairo, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 2

Cairo – Full Day Pyramids Tour

This morning meet our dedicated English-speaking Egyptologist Guide who will accompany us throughout the tour. Today visit the Great Pyramids of Giza, including the Sphinx. Lunch at a local restaurant. We also enjoy a camel ride. Welcome dinner at the hotel. (BLD)

Day 3

Cairo – City Tour with Brooke Animal Hospital

Explore the ancient city of Cairo, including the Citadel, the Alabaster Mosque of Mohammed Ali, and the colorful Khan el Khalili Bazaar. We will also visit the spice market and have lunch at a local restaurant. This afternoon we visit the Brooke Animal Hospital, which provides training in the proper treatment of working donkeys and horses. They also provide free care for rescued equines. (BL)

Day 4

Cairo – Memphis & Sakkara, New Discovery Tombs & Carpet school

This morning we visit Memphis, once a vast metropolis and capital of the Old Kingdom. Then off to Saqqara, the oldest stone complex in the world, to see the towering Step Pyramid of Djoser, the earliest of all pyramids. We also visit the New Discovery Tombs of sarcophagi. Lunch at a local restaurant This afternoon we visit a local carpet school. Sakkara funds a number of these schools to improve literacy in the rural areas. Children are taught to read and write and also to hand tie beautiful Egyptian carpets. Late afternoon the swimming pool calls! (BL)

Day 5

Cairo / Luxor – Nile River Cruise

Transfer to Cairo Airport for the scheduled domestic flight to Luxor. Meet and assist in Luxor airport and pickup by your Egyptologist to start Nile Cruise trip. Visit the east bank of Luxor. The complex of Karnak temples where you will see the Hypostyle Hall and Hatshepsut Obelisk. Transfer for embarkation on Nile Cruise. Lunch will be served on board. Free time in Luxor to relaxation or explore the city. Dinner on board, with disco entertainment. (BLD)

Day 6

Nile River Cruise – Luxor / Edfu + Cooking Class

This morning we visit the West Bank in Luxor including the Valley of Kings, entering inside Three royal tombs, the Hatshepsut Temple – El Deir El Bahri and Memnon statues. Back to Nile cruise for lunch on board. Sail towards Aswan with afternoon tea enjoying the beautiful scenery of the Nile valley. Dinner and entertainment on board as we dock in Edfu. Plus, we have prepared a special Cooking Class on board the ship this evening. Learn how to create the aromas and taste of Egyptian cuisine A delicious way to discover more about the culture. (BLD)

Day 7

Nile River Cruise – Edfu / Kom Ombo/ Aswan

Ride in a horse carriage to visit Edfu temple of flacon headed god Horus. Return to our ship by horse carriage and sail to Kom Ombo. Lunch on board with beautiful scenes of the Nile valley while sailing. Arrive Kom Ombo and take a short walk along the east edge of the Nile. Visit Kom Ombo Temple dedicated to Sobek the crocodile god, and Horus the falcon-headed god. Sail to Aswan with afternoon tea on the sun deck. Dinner and entertainment on board as we dock in Aswan. (BLD)

Day 8

Nile River Cruise – Aswan

Start Aswan trip with the visit the temple of Philae and the beautiful Isis island. Visit the High Dam passing by the Old Dam of Aswan and Nasser Lake. Back to the Nile cruise with lunch on board. Afternoon sail with Felucca (the traditional sailing boat) around the Nile islands. Dinner and entertainment on board as we dock in Aswan. (BLD)

Day 9

Aswan / (OPTIONAL Abu Simbel Tour) / Cairo

Breakfast on Nile Cruise board in Aswan. Assist for disembarkation from Nile cruise.

OPTIONAL: Abu Simbel Tour

Morning fly round trip to Abu Simbel from Aswan. Visit the temple of Abu Simbel, built by the famous King Ramses II, and The Temple of Queen Nefertari.

Transfer to the airport in Aswan with sweet memories of the Nile Cruise. Arrive Cairo and transfer to your nearby hotel. This evening’s dinner with a local Egyptian family will be a fitting farewell to Egypt. Meeting a local family with time to relax over a home cooked meal is always a highlight. (BD)

Day 10

Depart Cairo

Transfer to the airport for your flight back to home. (B)